NEWS STORY
RNS-Romance-Awards: Christian romance novel draws criticism for ‘romanticized genocide’ of Native Americans
(RNS) — This year’s winner of the Romance Writers of America’s Vivian Award for best romance with religious or spiritual elements has stirred controversy. That’s because the book — “At Love’s Command” by Karen Witemeyer — opens with a depiction of the Wounded Knee Massacre led by its hero that some readers and romance authors have criticized as romanticizing the killing of Native Americans. By Emily McFarlan Miller. 670 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Aydin-Run: John Lewis’ co-author talks about, faith, voting rights and ‘Run’
(RNS) — Andrew Aydin, former staffer to congressman John Lewis and co-author with him on the new graphc novel “Run,” talked to Religion News Service about the message of the book, what he learned from Lewis and the role of the faith community in continuing voting rights activism. By Adelle M. Banks. 1,150 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-DHS-FaithBased: Expert in faith-based disaster management new leader of Homeland Security center
(RNS) — An expert in public-private collaborations and disaster management has been named the new director of the office of the Department of Homeland Security who will work with faith and community groups. By Adelle M. Banks. 500 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Muslim-Golf: A new initiative aims to bring Muslims to the golf course
(RNS) — A new effort hopes to take more Muslims from the teebox to the green. The Muslim Golf Association was founded by Amir Malik who has big plans to bring the sport of Golf to Muslims in the United Kingdom, the United States and around the world. Malik started golfing in 2015 as a member of a family with age gaps as much as 15 years between sibling. Golf’s ability to appeal across many ages made it uniquely appealing. By Joseph Hammond. 917 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Ugoretz-Oped: The untidiness of Marie Kondo’s eclectic spirituality
(RNS) — Marie Kondo’s Netflix series, “Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo,” coming Aug. 31, is sparking curiosity once more about the Japanese organization maven’s personal brand of spirituality. Untidiness is the secret to the KonMari experience. It is also the reality of religion in Japan. Kondo describes aspects of her spiritual brand as inspired by Shinto, but the ideal KonMari lifestyle is presented as one in which we adopt and adapt whatever practices ‘feel right.’ By Kaitlyn Ugoretz. 845 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Salkin-Oped: A modern heroine fights antisemitism
(RNS) — If you are like me, you like to see good people getting their just rewards. That was how I felt the other day upon hearing President Biden had nominated Deborah Lipstadt, Emory University Holocaust historian, to be the State Department’s special envoy to combat antisemitism. We could not ask for a better ambassador for Jewish and human interests — a woman who has already proven herself to be one of the great moral leaders of our time. By Jeffrey Salkin. 1,143 words. (category: k)
