EDS: RNS-Lorritts-Report may be updated and so will transmit tomorrow.
NEWS BRIEF
RNS-Jews-Poll: Poll: American Jews report increasing incidents of anti-Semitism, mostly online
(RNS) — More than half of American Jews continue to experience or witness anti-Semitic incidents in the form of comments, slurs or threats according to a new poll released by the Anti-Defamation League on Wednesday (March 31). By Yonat Shimron. 350 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Satanic-Panic: Satanic panic is back, thanks to ‘Satan Shoes’ and Lil Nas X
(RNS) — Beginning in the Garden of Eden, a new music video depicts Lil Nas X (real name: Montero Lamar Hill) as fallen angel being tempted by demons and judged in heaven. He then descends to hell on a seemingly endless stripper pole, where he greets Satan with a lap dance, before snapping Ol’ Nick’s neck, taking his “crown” and growing angelic wings. The cultural backlash was immediate. By Heather Greene. 1,167 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Bishops-Transgender: Catholic leaders join LGBTQ group to condemn discrimination against transgender people
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Two Roman Catholic bishops and other church leaders have teamed with the Human Rights Campaign, a LGBTQ advocacy organization, to condemn discrimination against transgender people, the groups announced Wednesday (March 31). By Jack Jenkins. 785 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Davies-Book: She swung from purity culture to hookup culture. Now she’s written a memoir on it.
(RNS) — There’s now a growing genre of books on Christian purity culture and the damage it can inflict. But probably none is as unflinchingly honest about female sexuality as Brenda Marie Davies is in her new book, “On Her Knees: Memoir of a Prayerful Jezebel.” A Q&A. By Yonat Shimron. 1,300 words. (category: a)
NEWS BRIEF
RNS-Squirrel-Jesus: Antique crucifix back on display at historic Mackinac Island church after squirrel attack
(RNS) — An antique crucifix is back on display at a historic Michigan church after surviving an attack by a squirrel. Staff at Ste. Ann Catholic Church found the crucifix, which dated to the early 1900s, and other religious items damaged this past week by a squirrel which had been trapped in the building. By Bob Smietana. 200 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Granberg-Michaelson-Oped: Behind Gallup’s portrait of church decline
(RNS) — As Holy Week began this year, a Gallup Poll found that church membership in the United States had declined to less than half of the population for the first time. The headline grabbed attention, but there are realities behind Gallup’s numbers that deserve exploration. By Wes Granberg-Michaelson. 834 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Reese-Oped: Despair and hope in Holy Week
(RNS) — Holy Week is a reminder even in the midst of so much hardship, we know the resurrection is coming. We have to have hope if we are going to get through all of the bad news of the day. But we also have to look for flashes of goodness in the midst of evil. We have to see the Spirit trying to bloom like spring flowers. By Thomas Reese. 566 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Briggs-Oped: ASL Bible shows that God speaks in sign languages too
(RNS) — Although more churches are using sign language interpreters, they’re still few and far between. This all contributes to the surprising fact that until only a few months ago, millions of American churchgoers have been without access to a fully translated version of the Bible in their native language. By Robert L. Briggs. 782 words. (category: k)