Pandemic reshapes worship across the UK's many faiths
(AP) — Rites that have been the bedrock of beliefs for centuries have evolved swiftly during the pandemic lockdown.
Kamala Harris is more than her gender and race. She is also the future of American religion.
(RNS) — ‘The Biden-Harris ticket looks a lot more like America’s future,’ said one demographer, ‘and the Trump-Pence ticket looks a lot more like America’s past.’
Harris’ nomination shows why representation matters, but is not enough
(RNS) — The Democratic vice presidential nominee has to show the moral courage to address her own role in perpetuating systems that drag underrepresented communities down.
Kashmir's lockdown at one year: A region's alienation turns to betrayal
(RNS) — Kashmir's loss of autonomy has now taken on a larger figurative dimension: It is also about betrayal of trust, political disempowerment and a deep sense of humiliation.
Khyati Y. Joshi argues equal religious freedom in America is an optical illusion
(RNS) — In her new book, she argues Christianity, especially of the white Protestant variety, undergirds the nation’s institutions and practices and establishes a normative baseline from which all other faiths are seen as abnormal.
Campaign brewing to get Hindu god Brahma off popular beer
(AP) — A spokesperson for the brand said Brahma beer is a tribute to Joseph Bramah — an Englishman who invented the draft pump valve.
India’s pioneering transgender activist defends gains in pandemic
(RNS) — After helping win a landmark court case for India’s transgender people, Ranjita Sinha has mobilized to counter the community’s drastic loss of jobs and health care during the coronavirus pandemic.
Interfaith group: No Buddhist or Hindu statues in nightclubs
BOSTON (AP) — An interfaith coalition is launching a campaign to stop what organizers call the ‘disrespectful’ use of sacred Buddhist and Hindu statues as decor in nightclubs.
India's goddesses of contagion provide protection in the pandemic
(RNS) — Collectively known as the Divine Mother, the goddesses of contagion act as “celestial epidemiologists” curing illness. But if angered they can also inflict disease.
Weekend Plug-in: June 5, 2020
(RNS) — Analysis, insights and top headlines from the world of faith this week.
Near Boston, a Friendly’s-turned-Hindu temple serves holy offerings to go
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.
Pandemic leads churches to celebrate motherhood creatively this Sunday
(RNS) — In the wake of COVID-19, houses of worship are finding creative ways to honor motherhood this Sunday at a time when many churches cannot yet publicly gather.
National Day of Prayer, reshaped by pandemic, includes interfaith and online events
(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.
In India, pandemic turns political opposition group into COVID-19 help line
(RNS) — By providing basic information and monitoring the government’s performance in fighting the pandemic, the Lockdown Helpline is holding the authorities accountable.
With Nepal in lockdown, volunteers feed hungry animals at Hindu shrine
(RNS) — At the country’s most revered Hindu temple, a dozen staffers and some volunteers take up the job of feeding monkeys and pigs that are normally fed by devotees.