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.
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.
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.
Judge denies Twin Cities archdiocese bankruptcy plans
(AP) The Archdiocese of Minneapolis and St. Paul and survivors of abuse by priests, seeking millions in claims, have been ordered negotiate.
Islamic State claims attack on Shiite center, 41 dead
(AP) Afghan president Ashraf Ghani called the attack a "crime against humanity."
China silences even mildest critics of policies on Uighur Muslims
(AP) A Han Chinese salesman is imprisoned for social media posts criticizing policies toward Uighurs. Now, his wife and son fled to the U.S. this month, seeking asylum.