NEWS STORY
RNS-Covid-Goddess: Indian Hindus turn to honoring ‘corona goddess’ to quell pandemic
MUMBAI (RNS) — Across India, people are worshipping female divine forms of the coronavirus, variously called “corona devi,” or by other forms of respect such as “corona mata” (corona mother) or “corona mai.” India has a history of worshipping female divinities during times of disease outbreaks. There have been goddesses of plague, smallpox and cholera through the past centuries. By Bhavya Dore. 669 words. (category: i)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Biden-PPC: President Biden pledges support for Rev. Barber’s campaign to end poverty
(RNS) — The Rev. William J. Barber reignited his Moral Marches to end poverty at the place where it all started eight years ago, the outdoor mall behind the North Carolina General Assembly. But in a sign of the movement’s growing national profile, he had a special guest via video on Monday (June 21): President Biden. By Yonat Shimron. 505 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Zobrist-Divorce: Ben Zobrist, World Series hero for the Cubs, sues former pastor for alleged affair with his wife
(RNS) — The complaint alleges Byron Yawn, a Nashville businessman and former pastor of Community Bible Church, was offering pastoral care and friendship to the former major league baseball player while having an affair with Zobrist’s wife. By Bob Smietana. 580 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Silk-Oped: Scotus puts Scalia’s Smith decision on life support
(RNS) — Justice Amy Coney Barrett outlined why It’s time to pull the plug. Barrett goes on to raise a number of tricky issues that need to be resolved, including whether to treat institutions differently from individuals, whether direct and indirect burdens on free exercise should be treated differently, and whether strict scrutiny itself is the proper standard of review. By Mark Silk. 759 words. (category: k)