Hinduism

Martin Luther King Jr. faith events continue in time of COVID-19 and Capitol chaos
(RNS) — Many online gatherings that mark King’s birthday and the holiday in his honor will apply his messages to the current crises the country is facing.

Advancing religious freedom abroad starts at home

Each year 1,000 Pakistani girls forcibly converted to Islam

Why Indian activist Faisal Khan should matter to all Americans
(RNS) — An Indian Muslim’s imprisonment may seem an unlikely cause to draw Hindus and Christians together.

RNS holiday gift guide 2020: Puzzles, prayer cards and more gifts for staying in
(RNS) — Religion News Service is bringing back our holiday gift guide, full of ideas for all the people of faith — or no faith — on your list.

The many stories of Diwali share a common theme of triumph of justice
(The Conversation) — The Indian festival of lights is arguably the most important holiday of the year for South Asian families.

Kamala Harris talks about her own faith and how it might influence a Biden-Harris White House
(RNS) — In an email Q&A, the vice presidential nominee shows how she thinks about the government’s role in protecting people of faith and ensuring religious freedom.

Brandeis University stands by caste-bias ban despite pushback from Hindu activists
(RNS) — A year-old ban against caste bias, says the Hindu American Foundation, is a ‘deeply problematic’ remedy for a largely nonexistent problem.

Hindu nationalists see Muslim jihad everywhere in India
(RNS) — The Quran’s concept of the term ‘jihad’ is being framed as a conspiracy against India’s Hindu majority.

In the midst of deep grief, a scholar writes how Hindu rituals taught her to let go
(THE CONVERSATION) — Rituals can hold the core beliefs of a culture and provide a sense of control in an otherwise helpless situation.

Why ‘namaste’ has become the perfect pandemic greeting
(The Conversation) — As people the world over are choosing to ditch the handshakes and hugs for fear of contracting the coronavirus, namaste is becoming the perfect pandemic greeting.

Calling all women: It’s time to take our stand together against tyranny and injustice
(RNS) — Every holy text we follow, from the Quran, Torah and Bible to the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib, demands a moral obligation to the most marginalized people in society.

A Catholic priest takes on interfaith fight against COVID-19 in a sacred Hindu city
(RNS) — Though anchored in Christianity, Mathew draws from a broad swath of spiritual traditions to reach his fellow citizens, including Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas of cosmic consciousness.

Yoga’s ‘father in the West’ still defining our spirituality and celebrity 100 years later
(RNS) — Pioneering a vision of wellness in which spirituality and self-help converge, Yogananda created a new model for pop spirituality.

Is it time to add ‘caste’ as a category in US anti-discrimination laws?
(RNS) — Kamala Harris’ rise in American politlcs makes this an opportune time to address growing caste discrimination in the United States.