Top Stories

Indian Hindus turn to honoring ‘corona goddess’ to quell pandemic

By Bhavya Dore

(RNS) — India has a history of worshipping female divinities during times of disease outbreaks. There have been goddesses of plague, smallpox and cholera through the past centuries.

‘Fire monks’ ready to defend monastery from Big Sur blaze

By Associated Press

Atheist and humanist groups sue Mississippi over state’s ‘In God We Trust’ license plate

By Alejandra Molina

As Senate convenes hearing, more than 300 faith leaders declare support for DC statehood

By Jack Jenkins

In Central America, Kamala Harris ignored our best hope: Catholic bishops

By Thomas Reese

(RNS) — Vice President Kamala Harris made a huge mistake by not meeting with Catholic bishops during her visit to Central America. The bishops could be the administration’s strongest ally in fighting the corruption, crime and poverty that cause people to flee to the United States.

Supreme Court puts Scalia’s Smith decision on life support

By Mark Silk

(RNS) — Justice Amy Coney Barrett outlined why it’s time to pull the plug.

This is no time to build back to the way things were

By Diane Randall

(RNS) — This is the moment to reimagine and rebuild a new economy.

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Unaffiliated/Atheism

Halimi and Oubaali: Boxing champions united by different faiths

Rep. Ilhan Omar, others encourage US to rebuild refugee resettlement ahead of World Refugee Day

Ebrahim Raisi poised to sweep into Iranian presidency despite weak religious credentials

Faith groups among those granted money from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott

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Islam

In this June 1, 2020, file photo, President Donald Trump holds a Bible as he visits outside St. John’s Church across Lafayette Park from the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

Judge tosses most claims over clearing protesters in DC park

President Joe Biden, left, and the Rev. William Barber. (Left, AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster. Right, RNS Photo/Jack Jenkins)

President Biden pledges support for Rev. Barber’s campaign to end poverty

FILE - In this April 18, 1950 file photo, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman signs a treaty. Pope Francis has put one of the architects of the plan for European integration, a forerunner of the European Union, on the path to possible sainthood. The Vatican said on Saturday, June 19, 2021 that the pontiff authorized a decree declaring the “heroic virtues” of Robert Schuman, a former French minister and Resistance fighter in World War II, who died in 1963 and who had been president of the European Parliament from 1958 till 1960. (AP Photo/1950)

An architect of European unity moves ahead on sainthood path

World

Zsolt Balla, State Rabbi of Saxony, stands in the synagogue in Leipzig, Germany, Monday June 21, 2021, after his induction into the office of Military Rabbi of the Armed Forces. The German military got its first rabbi in over a century on Monday, with the inauguration to the post of Hungarian-born Zsolt Balla at a synagogue in Leipzig. (Hendrik Schmidt/dpa via AP)

Germany gets 1st military rabbi in over a century

Oil waste pit fire at a facility built by Texaco, which is now under the Chevron umbrella, in Shushufindi, Ecuador, in 1993. Photo courtesy of Steven Donziger

How Pope Francis and Vatican activists helped rein in Big Oil on climate change

Pope Francis delivers his speech as he recites the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, June 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope on Myanmar: Houses of worship serve as neutral refuge

Health & Lifestyle

Recording artist Michael W. Smith discusses fatherhood. Video screengrab

Michael W. Smith in conversation with Maina Mwaura

Michael W. Smith, from left, his father Paul, sister Kimberly Smith Bennett, and mother Barbara. Photo courtesy of The MWS Group

Michael W. Smith: ‘Six principles I learned from my dad’s life’

In this photo taken May 5, 2021, Melanie Paige closes her eyes as she gets her first COVID-19 vaccination at her church, St. Matthew Christian Methodist Episcopal, in Milwaukee. It's one of the churches that was part of an effort with Pastors United, Milwaukee Inner City Congregations Allied for Hope, Souls to the Polls and the local health clinic Health Connections to get people vaccinated directly in churches. (AP Photo/Carrie Antlfinger)

Black community has new option for health care: the church

Arts & Culture

Actor Tom Hiddleston, center, stars in the title role of the new Disney+ series, “Loki.” Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios

Marvel’s Loki wins heathens’ hearts even while losing the Norse immortal’s complexity

Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz, center, reviews his work on “Let The Oppressed Go Free.” Photo courtesy of Timothy Schmalz

Catholic sculptor wishes to restore Catholic credibility amid modern evils

“What Is God Like?” by Rachel Held Evans and Matthew Paul Turner. Image courtesy of Convergent Books

‘What Is God Like?’ Late author Rachel Held Evans’ first children’s book invites questions

Science & Tech

An demonstration of the “Sajdah” e-rug that is being developed. Image courtesy of Thakaa Technologies

New e-prayer rug offers digital support to Muslim prayer

Screenshots from the new believr app. Courtesy images

New app, believr, aims to create a ‘home for LGBTQ+ Christians’

This April 3, 2019, file photo shows primatologist Jane Goodall being honored for her lifetime achievements at a ceremony on her 85th birthday in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

‘Religion entered into me’: A talk with Jane Goodall, winner of the 2021 Templeton Prize

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An Iranian woman holds a portrait of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a rally marking the 42nd anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, in Tehran, Iran, Feb. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

A hard-line stance on Iran endangers Christians. There’s a better way.

In this March 7, 2021, file photo, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public rally ahead of West Bengal state elections in Kolkata, India. (AP Photo/Bikas Das, File)

President Trump failed to challenge India on religious freedom. Will Biden follow suit?

Goldziher Prize Expanding for 2019

Signs of the Times

In Central America, Kamala Harris ignored our best hope: Catholic bishops

‘Fire monks’ ready to defend monastery from Big Sur blaze

Atheist and humanist groups sue Mississippi over state’s ‘In God We Trust’ license plate

As Senate convenes hearing, more than 300 faith leaders declare support for DC statehood

Halimi and Oubaali: Boxing champions united by different faiths

Newly sanctified Tunisian cemetery for migrants filling fast

Germany gets 1st military rabbi in over a century

White Gen X and millennial evangelicals are losing faith in the conservative culture wars

Indian Hindus turn to honoring ‘corona goddess’ to quell pandemic

Judge tosses most claims over clearing protesters in DC park

RNS Press Releases

Religion News Service launches Religion Hub

Ed Stetzer to expand role with Outreach Inc.

UChicago Divinity School Marty Center for the Public Understanding of Religion names Executive Director