NEWS BRIEF
RNS-Religion-Essential: California Republican legislator wants religious services deemed essential during a state of emergency
(RNS) — Sen. Brian Jones, a Republican in San Diego County, introduced a piece of legislation on Friday (Feb. 12) that would deem religious services as an essential activity during a declared state of emergency. The bill, known as the Religion is Essential Act, would require state and local governments to allow religious services to continue during an emergency. By Alejandra Molina. 320 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Impeachment-Roundup: When religion was present — and notably absent — at the impeachment trial
WASHINGTON (RNS) — References to faith were a constant at last week’s impeachment trial for former President Donald Trump, with Democrats appearing especially comfortable with invoking religious rhetoric when discussing the attack on the U.S. Capitol by insurrectionists on January 6. But there were also a few moments when religion was noticeably left out. By Jack Jenkins. 1,144 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Berlin-House: Dream of 3 faiths worshipping in one building meets reality in Berlin
(RNS) — The House of One, comprising a mosque, a church and a synagogue, is intended to show that peace is possible among the world’s so-called “Abrahamic traditions.” But as its organizers get set to break ground for their central Berlin builiding, some Berliners regard it as an overwrought symbol that has little practical purpose in one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities. By Ken Chitwood. 1,325 words. (category: i)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Deconstructionists-Playbook: ‘The Deconstructionists Playbook’ outlines ways forward for questioning Christians
(RNS) — Our Bible App launched a Kickstarter campaign earlier this month to raise money to create “The Deconstructionists Playbook,” a devotional book for Christians not just deconstructing their faith, but also reconstructing and “liberating” it. As of Monday (Feb. 15), the crowdfunding campaign already had raised about $45,000 of its $50,000 goal. It runs through March 5. By Emily McFarlan Miller. 650 words. (category: a)
NEWS BRIEF
RNS-Conference-Postponed: John MacArthur’s Grace Valley Community Church postpones event after outcry from health officials
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Grace Community Church in Sun Valley announced Friday (Feb. 12) it would postpone an annual three-day conference, which has typically drawn men from across the country, after Los Angeles County public health officials expressed concerns about a potential spread of COVID-19. By Alejandra Molina. 500 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Faithbased-Office: Biden signs executive order reestablishing White House faith office
WASHINGTON (RNS) — President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Sunday reestablishing the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, undoing former President Donald Trump’s efforts to reshape an agency that went largely unstaffed for most of his tenure. By Jack Jenkins and Adelle M. Banks. 650 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Hillsong-Pastors: New pastors announced to replace Carl Lentz at Hillsong East Coast
(RNS) — A new couple have been named to lead Hillsong East Coast, replacing the ousted former pastor Carl Lentz and his wife, Laura, according to an announcement by Hillsong founder, Brian Houston, during his sermon on Sunday, February 14. Chrishan and Danielle Jeyaratnam, currently pastors at the Hillsong campus in Perth, Australia, have been named to the top spots at the embattled New York location. By Roxanne Stone. 823 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Price-Obit: Frederick C.K. Price, prosperity gospel televangelist who built FaithDome, dies from COVID-19
(RNS) – The Rev. Frederick C.K. Price, a popular and sometimes controversial prosperity gospel preacher who built one of the nation’s largest church buildings, has died of COVID-19. By Bob Smietana. 600 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Riess-Oped: Leadership by old men: In Mormonism, gerontocracy is a blessing and a curse
(RNS) — There are a number of benefits to having such experienced leadership. For one, with an average age of 90, top Mormon leaders are unlikely to be named in headlines about religious sex scandals. But there are substantial drawbacks as well, including a failure to pivot to address needed change. By Jana Riess. 1,337 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Silk-Oped: Democratic values compete with Buddhist ones in Myanmar
(RNS) — The leader of a military coup is seeking to demonstrate he is the legitimate ruler in the traditional way of the country’s “karmic kings,” supported by the sangha, or Buddhist monks. But exposure to social media has made the Burmese people far more aware and supportive of democracy, which may eclipse traditional ideas. By Mark Silk. 1,085 words. (category: k)