NEWS BRIEF
RNS-Churches-Closing: Study: More churches closing than opening
(RNS) — A new study from LifeWay research suggests more Protestant churches closed in 2019 than opened — continuing a decades-long congregational slide that is only expected to accelerate. By Yonat Shimron. 350 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Pope-Survivor: Pope Francis kisses numbered tattoo of Nazi death camps survivor
(RNS) – Pope Francis kissed the numbered tattoo of a survivor from the Nazi death camp Auschwitz on Wednesday after his general audience with the faithful at the Vatican on Wednesday (May 26). By Claire Giangravè. 500 words. (category i)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Evangelicals-Israel: Survey: Young, diverse generation of evangelicals show growing ambivalence toward Israel
(RNS) — A new survey suggests a younger, more diverse generation of evangelical Christians is undergoing a marked shift regarding their views on politics and Israel. Among the poll’s findings: a seemingly rapid turn away from support for Israel, raising questions about whether the country’s leaders can maintain long-term support within a key religious constituency in the U.S. By Jack Jenkins. 1,104 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Interfaith-Gaza: Jewish, Muslim interfaith attempt restart after latest Gaza battles
(RNS) — As Israelis and Palestinians begin to rebuild after the latest round of fighting, Muslims and Jewish groups in the United States have pledged to continue interfaith efforts. The conflict saw a spike in incidences of anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim hate at all levels of society. By Joseph Hammond. 600 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Pagan-Politics: Pagan politics are not as uniform (or liberal) as you think
(RNS) — While pagans trend toward moderate to left viewpoints and vote with Democrats more than nonpagans do, Marchetti’s study found, they are also more likely to identify as true political independents, with a few voting third party. By Heather Greene. 1,004 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Waskow-Khan-Oped: Can American Muslims and Jews help bring peace to Israelis and Palestinians?
(RNS) — Opposition to illegitimate acts should focus on those acts — in this case, the subjugation of Palestinians through occupation and siege and the attacks on civilians — not on the existence of Israel or Hamas. It is the behavior of their leaders that threatens the physical coherence and moral values of both communities. By Daisy Khan and Arthur Waskow. 1,056 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Silk-Oped: The true Republican religion
(RNS) — Trumpianity has become the true Republican religion. Like Christianity, it is built around the life of one man, culminating in a tale of betrayal and rejection, but with the promise of an ultimate triumphant return. By Mark Silk. 500 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Reese-Oped: Four reasons behind the Vatican’s action on Communion for pro-choice politicians
(RNS) — The Vatican surprised many Catholics and politicos recently when it threw cold water on a plan by some of the church’s American bishops to ban pro-choice Catholic politicians from receiving Communion. What is going on here? If the pope is against abortion, why is the Vatican intervening in the action of the U.S. bishops? By Thomas Reese. 1,138 words. (category: k)