Editor’s Picks
Near Boston, a Friendly’s-turned-Hindu temple serves holy offerings to go
By Aysha Khan — June 4, 2020
BOSTON (RNS) — The Hindu temple has been using its ice cream takeout window, left over from the facility's past life as a Friendly's restaurant, to serve socially distant holy food offerings.
George Floyd and the Patels: A story in generations
By Eboo Patel — June 3, 2020
(RNS) — If you talked to my kids about Morning in America, they would just laugh at you.
My generation failed to deal with racism
By Thomas Reese — June 1, 2020
(RNS) — We cheered for black athletes, we welcomed a few blacks to our schools and workplaces, but we still live separate lives in our gated communities.
A call to conscience for white Christian women
By Jennifer Butler — June 1, 2020
(RNS) — As protests raged this weekend, I saw many women of color choke on tear gas, but I have to squint to see women who look like me in the crowds.
At Shavuot, 3 NC synagogues find unity in online Torah study
By Yonat Shimron — May 28, 2020
(RNS) — The six-hour online Torah-fest may be a harbinger of the kinds of creative changes in Jewish communal life resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
Italian cardinal calls for better spiritual guidance for gays, lesbians
By Claire Giangravé — May 26, 2020
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Following in Pope Francis’ footsteps, an Italian archbishop invited Catholics to look at gays and lesbians ‘as God looks at them.’
‘AKA Jane Roe’ and the humiliation of the pro-life movement
By Karen Swallow Prior — May 26, 2020
(RNS) — The FX documentary about the Roe v. Wade case is another humiliation of pro-lifers in the media. But humility is what it takes to be truly in favor of the protection of the unborn child.
From Illinois to Puerto Rico, Latino Muslims navigate faith and quarantine among their non-Muslim families
By Alejandra Molina — May 22, 2020
(RNS) — While COVID-19 has disrupted in-person worship services for all people of faith, it has further impacted Latino Muslim converts whose religious community can be exclusively outside their households.
Poll: US believers see message of change from God in virus
By Elana Schor and Hannah Fingerhut — May 15, 2020
NEW YORK (AP) — A new poll found that 31% of Americans who believe in God feel strongly that the virus is a sign of God telling humanity to change.
How do Buddhists handle coronavirus? The answer is not just meditation
By Pierce Salguero — May 15, 2020
(The Conversation) — For millions worldwide, Buddhist talismans, prayers and protective rituals offer a meaningful way to confront the anxieties of the global coronavirus pandemic.
Reform Jewish umbrella group cuts staff by 20% due to COVID-19
By Kathryn Post — May 14, 2020
(RNS) — The staff reductions by the Union for Reform Judaism, and the movement's overall financial situation, some experts say, are indicative of a broader pattern in American Judaism.
Mormon women are finding their voices. Are Mormon men listening?
By Jana Riess — May 9, 2020
(RNS) — The new issue of Dialogue, guest edited by Mormon feminists and chock-full of diverse voices, will likely not be read by the people who most need to read it.
On Mother’s Day, young Uighurs ask: Where are our moms?
By Aysha Khan — May 8, 2020
RNS — Akida Pulat and other Uighurs suspect their parents have disappeared into this system. In a social media video they plan to publish on Sunday (May 10), she and over half a dozen young Uighurs around the world will demand the release of their mothers.
Ahmaud Arbery died for the indefensible principle of white control
By Jemar Tisby — May 8, 2020
(RNS) — The presence of a black body has long been deemed a threat to be contained rather than a neighbor to be loved.
National Day of Prayer, reshaped by pandemic, includes interfaith and online events
By Adelle M. Banks — May 6, 2020
(RNS) — In its 69th year, the observance — often predominated by evangelical Christians gathering in public places — will feature interfaith and even international voices on computer screens and cellphones.
