Other Faiths

2021 might be unpredictable, but don’t ditch your datebook. Planning can be a spiritual exercise
(RNS) — The beginning of another pandemic year largely locked down at home, the future still uncertain, may be the perfect time to flip the page in a new planner.

Advancing religious freedom abroad starts at home

Moms of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and James Baldwin portrayed in new book

What four strangers of different faiths learned while living together during a pandemic
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Hadar Cohen, Ala’ Khan, Maya Mansour and Jonathan Simcosky were chosen as fellows for an interfaith experiment known as the Abrahamic House. They come from different faiths: Baha’i, Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

Heathens condemn storming of Capitol after Norse religious symbols appear amid mob
(RNS) — Lea Svendsen, a heathen author, said it was ‘heartbreaking’ to see her articles of faith at the center of the violence.

117th Congress, like the old, is overwhelmingly Christian, heavily Protestant
(RNS) — Whereas about a quarter (26%) of US adults are religiously unaffiliated, only one member of the 117th Congress — Sen. Kyrsten Sinema — described herself that way.

5 ‘in real life’ religion and pop culture clashes from 2020
(RNS) — Kanye ran for president. Rihanna faced backlash from Muslims. A French-language film caused many conservative religious people to #CancelNetflix.

Taylor Swift’s ‘witchy’ new album fuels speculation about her interest in the craft
(RNS) — It’s unclear if Swift’s most recent references to witchcraft are simply part of the ‘cottagecore’ aesthetic of her 2020 twin albums or more personal commentary on her spirituality.

Yule traditions new and old wish good riddance to 2020 at the winter solstice
(RNS) — The symbolism of the solstice resonates at the end of a dark, difficult year punctuated by a pandemic, political protests and a presidential election.

Religious, ethnic minorities grapple over California’s model ethnic studies curriculum
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — The curriculum, originally designed to center Chicanos and Latino Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans and Native Americans, has become beset with arguments about who else should be represented.

Churches return land to Indigenous groups as part of #LandBack movement
KITCHENER, Ontario (RNS) — The returns come as some mainline Protestant Christian denominations have learned about and repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery, the justification for European Christians to seize lands already inhabited by Indigenous peoples.

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 campaign is over. Will a Biden-Harris administration deliver on its interfaith promises?
(Interfaith America) — Leveraging the religious and ethical values of millions of Americans – both to build religious pluralism, and to solve social problems – could be a lasting legacy of their administration.

Anxiety, loneliness and spiritual isolation characterize life in prison during pandemic
NEW YORK (RNS) — Religious practices of all sorts are fixtures of community for those inside — and all have been stymied by the pandemic lockdowns.

Magic Resistance: Michael M. Hughes reflects on four years of witches casting spells to ‘bind’ Trump
(RNS) — ‘No matter what magic that people do, the real magic is when you walk into the voting booth and change the course of America,’ said Michael M. Hughes, author of ‘Magic for the Resistance.’