NEWS STORY
RNS-Harris-Folo: Why the Kamala Harris’ pick goes beyond gender and race. She is also the future of American religion
(RNS) —The 55-year-old junior senator from California embodies the future of American religion: one of multiple religious belonging, a kind of religious pluralism that is growing ever more popular in U.S., as its younger immigrant population comes of age and an older, mostly white Christian majority declines. By Yonat Shimron. 800 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-MUSLIM-CEMETERIES: For Italy’s Muslims, few places to pray and fewer places to bury COVID-19 dead
(RNS) — Before the pandemic struck, fewer than 60 of Italy’s 7,903 municipalities had a dedicated Islamic cemetery, in a country that is home to more than 2 million Muslims. The limited number of burial spots has to do with the peculiar relationship between Italy’s Muslim community and Italy’s local officials. By Lorenzo Bagnoli. 1,145 words. (category: i)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Pastors-Disunity: Pastors most pressured by disunity amid COVID, survey shows
(RNS) — Pastors say they are feeling the greatest pressure from disunity in their congregations as they continue to grapple with the effects of the coronavirus on their churches, a new survey shows. By Adelle M. Banks. 500 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Singh-Oped: Harris’ nomination shows why representation matters, but is not enough
(RNS) — Sen. Harris embodies some of the most marginalized racial and religious identities in American society, and this is progress. But we must not delude ourselves into thinking that electing a Black woman as Vice President will lead to our liberation, and more than President Obama’s election signaled the end of racism in America. By Simran Jeet Singh. 730 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Aten-Oped: COVID tips for Christian colleges: Wear masks, social distance, pray — and watch out for tornadoes
(RNS)— This week Wheaton College became one of the first on-campus college to hold classes in the U.S. during this new school year. So of course, there was a tornado. Here are a few lessons that might help our school and others deal with what this academic year will bring. By Jamie Aten and Kent Annan. 1,000 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Salkin-Oped: Do American Jews have a prayer during COVID?
(RNS) — Just 17% of American Jews attended virtual prayer services in the previous month, as opposed to 33% of all Americans and 49% of Christians. Do not make the mistake of imagining that service attendance exhausts Jewish spirituality. By Jeffrey Salkin. 765 words. (category: k)