NEWS BRIEF
RNS-SCOTUS-Abortion: Supreme Court agrees to hear abortion case, a possible threat to Roe v. Wade
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case involving a challenge to a Mississippi law prohibiting most abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy, a move that could weaken abortion rights nationwide. By Jack Jenkins. 350 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Secular-WhiteHouse: Biden White House officials hold first meeting with atheist, secular groups
(RNS) — Representatives of atheist and secular groups held their first meeting with White House officials last week, marking a continuation by the Biden administration of federal government connections with members of a network of religiously unaffiliated Americans. By Adelle M. Banks. 450 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Graham-Vaccine: Franklin Graham urges evangelicals to get vaccinated before it’s ‘too late’
(RNS) — Franklin Graham pleaded with evangelical Christians to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in an interview with Axios that appeared over the weekend on HBO, saying, “I want people to know that COVID-19 can kill you. But we have a vaccine out there that could possibly save your life. And if you wait, it could be too late.” By Emily McFarlan Miller. 600 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Kerry-Vatican: At the Vatican, Kerry appeals to Pope Francis’ ‘moral authority’ to combat climate change
(RNS) – Pope Francis met with John Kerry, the Special Presidential Envoy for climate, for a private meeting at the Vatican on Saturday (May 15). Kerry praised the pontiff for his leadership and advocacy for the environment, calling him “one of the most powerful voices on the planet.” By Claire Giangravè. 700 words. (category: i)
NEWS BRIEF
RNS-Biden-Eid: American Muslim groups boycott White House Eid celebration
(RNS) — A White House event meant to mark a Muslim holiday attracted condemnation and boycotts from some Democrats and American Muslim groups in the context of growing violence in the Middle East. The White House hosted a virtual celebration on Sunday to mark Eid Al Fitr an important holiday which marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. By Joseph Hammond. 400 words (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Riess-Oped: If Mormons could just hang out in the church building
(RNS) — LDS leaders want members to view the church building as a genuine “third place” in their lives. But it’s hard for the church to surrender control and let organic community activities develop outside the chain of command. By Jana Riess. 954 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Perry-Oped: Crying as a spiritual discipline may change how you see the world
(RNS) — Scientists have shown that tears have the power to change our own brain chemistry but spiritual figures and religious texts have long said it fertilizes social transformation as well. As a spiritual practice, it can not only disrupt our own spiritual calcification but to prophetically disrupt the world. By Benjamin Perry. 1,250 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Kailani-Oped: Al-Aqsa attacks harmed the mosque, but long-term cost will be Palestinian anger
(RNS) — The extent of the damage of the past month’s attacks to the wooden doors, windows and walls is particularly frustrating and nauseating, as it comes during a years-long restoration effort at the mosque. But The recent attacks affect not only the historic buildings but sow even deeper hatred, anger and frustration. By Wasfi Kailani. 1,015 words. (category: k)