Cathy Lynn Grossman
Cathy Lynn Grossman specializes in stories drawn from research and statistics on religion, spirituality and ethics. She also writes frequently on biomedical ethics and end-of-life-issues
A Buddhist psychiatrist’s advice on facing trauma, troubles and Trump: Let it go
(RNS) — ‘Buddhism has been called the most psychological of the world’s religions and the most spiritual of the world’s psychologies,’ says Mark Epstein.
Rich Stearns to retire from charity behemoth World Vision
(RNS) — During his tenure, World Vision grew to collect $1 billion in annual revenue in 2017, making it No. 15 on Forbes’ list of the nation’s largest charities.
Keen Islamic prayer activists bring a new dawn to Gaza
(AP) Fervent religious activists, urged on by Hamas, roam the streets with loudspeakers calling people to early prayers.
Hard-line cleric blames social media for fueling Iran protests, unrest
(AP) ‘Cyberspace was kindling the fire of the battle,’ said Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, who called for the death penalty for Iranian flag burners.
Brazilian women break taboo to talk about illegal abortions
(AP) Women are going public to build support for reproductive rights, which are tightly restricted in heavily Catholic and evangelical Brazil.
Defense wants rural Trump voters in jury pool for Kansas bomb case
(AP) Attorneys for the accused, charged with plotting to bomb Muslims in rural southwest Kansas, say Trump voters there have a ‘different belief system’ than potential jurors who live near urban Wichita.
The Slingshot: After Monson; Starry eyes; FEMA blessings
Every new Mormon leader faces contemporary challenges. Astrology replaces Revelation for many millennials. FEMA money can go to flooded churches.
The Slingshot: Mormon leader dies; Bachmann may be back; Moore irony
LDS church president Thomas Monson, 90, has died. Michelle Bachmann may run for Al Franken’s senate seat; Roy Moore’s Jewish lawyer campaigned for Doug Jones.
Pope on 2018: Forget life’s ‘useless baggage’
(AP) Don’t let freedom be corroded by consumerism and ‘the overpowering waves of empty chatter,’ Pope Francis urged.
Fireworks, prayers as revelers around the world ring in 2018
(AP) — Pope Francis took a stroll to greet crowds, Buddhists lit lanterns in South Korea, prayers and fireworks abounded as the world welcomed 2018.
Pakistan man exonerated after serving 9 years for blasphemy
(AP) Blasphemy laws are a life-or-death issue in Pakistan’s conservative society, with harsh prison sentences or execution for lawbreakers.
In strife-torn Myanmar, love trumps hate for a Muslim-Buddhist couple
(AP)When a Buddhist widow married a Rohingya Muslim, her parents disowned her. The couple lives in fear in the shadow of violence.
The Slingshot: Copts killed; Trump Christians; Archdiocese negotiations
Terrorists killed 10 people outside a Coptic Church near Cairo; President Trump favors the Christian Broadcasting Network. The Twin Cities’ Catholic archdiocese and abuse survivors ordered to continue talking.
Gunman opens fire on Cairo church; shootout kills at least 9
(AP) Egypt’s Christian minority has been targeted by Islamic militants in a series of attacks since December 2016 that left more than 100 dead and scores wounded.
N.J. town rescinds parks ban alleged to target Orthodox Jews
(AP) The New Jersey town council was pressured by the state to drop its ban on New Yorkers visiting its public park. The council had also tried — and failed — to ban boundary markers Jews use to observe Sabbath rules.
