An illustration of the flight path of the Beresheet spacecraft to the moon. Image courtesy of SpaceIL
Need to know: Thursday, March 28, 2019
For Israeli lunar lander, faith provides inspiration and challenges
An engineer says SpaceIL and SpaceX had many 'long discussions' about moving the launch date so it didn't overlap with the Jewish Sabbath.
How the White House is courting evangelicals on its Israeli-Palestinian peace plan
A March 7 meeting at the White House is just one of a series of meetings, dinners, lunches and coffees the Trump administration has had with evangelical leaders as it prepares to release its peace plan.
From black megachurch to big screen: Another team of brothers directs new movie
Jimmy and Joshua Jenkins are hoping their independent film 'Sinners Wanted' will continue to expand the depiction of biblically based stories on the big screen.
In Mexico, modern witches celebrate ancient rites of spring
Sorcerers, witches, healers and spiritual guides appeared the first Friday of March as they have for almost 50 years in this small town in southern Mexico.
How many Millennials are really leaving the LDS Church?
Mormons in the United States used to retain about three-quarters of their young people. Now it looks to be closer to half, writes Jana Riess.
More than 120 faith leaders denounce Tennessee bills that would cut LGBTQ rights
More than 120 rabbis and pastors from across Tennessee have added their names to a statement opposing the anti-LGBTQ proposals, which were introduced in the state’s Republican-dominated legislature this year.
Latest news from RNS
Survey: Most Americans continue to oppose religious service refusals to LGBT people
Last year's Supreme Court decision granting some vendors the right to refuse service based on their beliefs has had no measurable effect on popular sentiment.
In Chicago, one mosque charts its own path
Masjid al-Rabia is part of a growing global movement toward ensuring mosques are accessible and friendly toward women worshippers. But 'women-friendly' means something a little different for director Mahdia Lynn.
US Muslims fund African wells to honor New Zealand shooting victims
American Muslims are raising funds to build 50 water wells in Africa and South Asia in honor of the 50 victims of the New Zealand mosque massacres.
More views from RNS
All Americans owe it to our country to see what’s happening at the border
There's a widespread system of criminalization, commodification and dehumanization that pervades every corner of our immigration and border apparatus, write Aaron Alexander and Lauren Holtzblatt.
Call it AIPAC-phobia
(RNS) — The season of irrational fears: of AIPAC, and of the Democratic Party. Let's cut it out.
Why is it wrong for Trump to speak ill of John McCain?
(RNS) — Trump's secular critics need to pause and think about what grounds their outrage.
