California
California bill barring caste discrimination overwhelmingly passes state Senate
By Alejandra Molina — May 11, 2023
(RNS) — The bill, SB 403, passed on a 34-1 vote and now heads to the Democratic-controlled state Assembly.
LA’s Atheist Street Pirates go national in efforts to remove illegal religious signs
By Alejandra Molina — April 28, 2023
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — A recent art exhibition featured signs and banners volunteers had removed from across Southern California.
Caste discrimination laws remain fraught. Here’s why they shouldn’t be.
By South Asia Scholar Activist Collective — April 28, 2023
(RNS) — Caste is one of the least visible yet most pernicious sources of anti-Asian hate in the US.
Amid threats, California lawmaker calls bill barring caste discrimination ‘right thing to do’
By Alejandra Molina — April 25, 2023
(RNS) — Groups such as the Hindu American Foundation and the Coalition of Hindus of North America say the bill targets Hindus and Indian Americans who are commonly associated with the caste system.
A grain farmer applies Buddhist principles to preserve the land — and maximize taste
By Shaina Shealy — April 12, 2023
(RNS) — Food and farming have always served as outlets for Mai Nguyen’s Buddhist practice. But a decade ago the Californian applied the faith's teachings of interconnectedness to a holistic approach to farming.
LGBTQ group condemns Point Loma Nazarene University for theology dean’s dismissal
By Alejandra Molina — April 7, 2023
(RNS) — The university denies charges by Lauren Cazares, founder of Loma LGBTQIA+ Alumni & Allies Coalition, that the dean of the school of theology was terminated for 'anything related to the LGBTQIA+ community.'
Pilgrimage and revolution: How Cesar Chavez married faith and ideology in landmark farmworkers’ march
By Lloyd Daniel Barba — April 5, 2023
(The Conversation) — A scholar of religion looks at how faith helped guide the labor rights icon in his organizing endeavors.
Prayer rug design project aims to highlight Islam’s diversity in US and Latin America
By Alejandra Molina — April 3, 2023
(RNS) — Mustafa Dustin Craun wants to create a conversation around family, place and belonging, asking: 'If you could design a prayer rug that reflects the place that you live, what would that look like?'
Orthodox Jewish parents sue California for ban on special ed funds to religious schools
By Alejandra Molina — March 14, 2023
(RNS) — ‘It takes a special kind of chutzpah to deny Jewish kids with disabilities equal access to special education benefits,’ said Eric Rassbach, an attorney representing the parents.
Thousands attend funeral Mass for beloved Los Angeles Bishop David O’Connell
By Alejandra Molina — March 3, 2023
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — 'He was friends up and down the social scale, at ease in the corridors of power and with the powerless,' said Monsignor Jarlath Cunnane during his homily.
New suit alleges San Diego Catholic diocese transferred assets to avoid paying sex abuse claims
By Alejandra Molina — February 22, 2023
(RNS) — ‘They have developed a PR spin on how they’re concerned about victims ... but at the end of the day, it’s all about the money and protecting their assets,’ attorney Irwin Zalkin said of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego.
Los Angeles Bishop David O’Connell dies in shooting
By Alejandra Molina — February 19, 2023
Los Angeles (RNS) — Bishop David O’Connell, 69, is known to have ministered to those affected by gang violence and poverty, and he was regarded as a “peacemaker” between rival gangs.
Clergy sex abuse suits could bankrupt San Diego diocese
By Associated Press — February 13, 2023
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Cardinal Robert McElroy, archbishop of San Diego, cited 'staggering' legal costs in dealing with some 400 lawsuits alleging priests and others sexually abused children.
California senator announces bill to protect religious practices of incarcerated individuals
By Alejandra Molina — February 6, 2023
(RNS) — Backers of the bill say that allowing religious detainees and prisoners to wear religious garb does not constitute 'coddling' them.
How Southern California helped birth white Christian nationalism
By Yonat Shimron — January 24, 2023
(RNS) — Part memoir, part history of Southern California’s formative role in the rise of the religious right, Bradley Onishi's new book traces his growing estrangement from the faith he once zealously championed.
