NEWS STORY
RNS-Insurrectionists-Faith: For insurrectionists, a violent faith brewed from nationalism, conspiracies and Jesus
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Before and even during the attack on the U.S. Capitol last week, insurrectionists appealed to an aggressive, charismatic and hypermasculine form of Christian nationalism — a fusion of God and country that has lashed together disparate pieces of Donald Trump’s religious base. By Jack Jenkins. 2,000 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-O’Neill-Prison: On his way to prison, Catholic activist advocates for COVID-19 prisoner release
(RNS) — On Thursday (Jan. 14), Patrick O’Neill will report to the Federal Correctional Institution near Elkton, Ohio, to serve a 14-month sentence for breaking into a nuclear submarine base as part of a symbolic nuclear disarmament action he took up with six other Catholic pacifists more than two years ago. But on his way to prison, O’Neill has taken up a new cause: protecting inmates from COVID-19. By Yonat Shimron. 500 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Caputo-Caritas: Priest named in child sexual abuse trial is made vice head of diocesan charity
(RNS) – A priest currently under trial for revealing the content of a confession and possibly undermining investigations into a case of child sexual abuse in a lay-led Catholic organization in southern Italy, was recently appointed as vice director of the local diocesan charitable fund. By Claire Giangravè. 1,000 words. (category: i)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Conspiracy-Theories: Author Tea Krulos on conspiracy theories and the ‘American Madness’ that gripped the Capitol
(RNS) — Journalist Tea Krulos most recently turned his pen on conspiracy theorists in his book “American Madness: The Story of the Phantom Patriot and How Conspiracy Theories Hijacked American Consciousness.” He talked to Religion News Service about how conspiracy theories have spread, how religion plays a role and how to talk to friends and family who believe them. By Emily McFarlan Miller. 1,700 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Abrahamic-House: What four strangers of different faiths learned while living together during a pandemic
LOS ANGELES (RNS) —Hadar Cohen, Ala’ Khan, Maya Mansour and Jonathan Simcosky were chosen as fellows for an interfaith experiment known as the Abrahamic House. They come from different faiths: Baha’i, Christianity, Islam and Judaism. As part of their fellowship, they kept their day jobs and lived rent-free in an LA house while they organized and hosted public interfaith events and programs. They wrapped up their fellowship on Sunday (Jan. 10) with a virtual graduation where they shared the lessons they learned from one another during the tumultuous year. By Alejandra Molina. 850 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Reese-Oped: Don’t impeach Trump. Shun him.
(RNS) — Impeachment may be legally appropriate, but it will not heal the nation, and will only give him the attention (and donations) he craves. Nothing could be worse for a narcissist like Trump, who feeds on conflict, than being ignored. By Thomas Reese. 700 words. (category: k)