Other Faiths
King scholar applies his philosophies of truth to a ‘post-truth age’
By Adelle M. Banks — January 13, 2023
(RNS) — ‘Dr. King argued that no religion has a monopoly on truth,’ said Lewis V. Baldwin, emeritus professor of religious studies at Vanderbilt University.
As smudging goes mainstream, concerns rise over appropriation, overharvesting
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 12, 2023
PHOTO GALLERY: The history and diversity of African American religious rituals
By Adelle M. Banks — January 10, 2023
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Witchcraft isn’t scary on stereotype-busting ‘Comfy Cozy Witch Podcast’
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 4, 2023
(RNS) — Jennie Blonde says her message of comfort and coziness appears to be resonating not just with other witches, but with all people ‘who want to find a little bit more magick in their everyday.’

Remembering faith leaders who died in 2022: preachers, writers and interpreters of faith
By Adelle M. Banks — December 28, 2022
(RNS) — In this year we lost people who were known for their political office but for whom religion played roles expectedly and unexpectedly.

Witches and wise men and ‘old magic’: A look at the spookier origins of Christmas lore
By Emily McFarlan Miller — December 20, 2022
(RNS) — Pagans and Christians alike can rediscover the ‘reason for the season’ in the old stories and deepen their own beliefs.

Japan’s Laughing Buddha Hotei is merging into Santa Claus — both are roly-poly sacred figures with a bag of gifts
By Megan Bryson — December 14, 2022
(The Conversation) — Hotei, a Japanese god who carries a large sack, has come to be identified with Santa Claus – except that he brings the goodies on New Year’s Day instead of Christmas.

Monsters, meditation and Marie Kondo: the religious roots of Japan’s ‘waste not’ ethic
By Kevin C. Taylor — December 6, 2022
(The Conversation) — The impact of centuries-old Shinto and Buddhist rituals and stories continues today.

The US House passed another resolution on Iran. Here’s why it’s the right thing to do.
By James Samimi Farr — December 2, 2022
(RNS) — We often overlook the social cost of persecution and the power of international pressure.

Ye’s Trump dinner is a high point for Catholic nationalists’ influence campaign
By Jack Jenkins — December 1, 2022
(RNS) — The meeting of Ye, Nick Fuentes and Donald Trump was a win for an extreme, Catholic-leaning subset of Christian nationalism.

‘After School Satan Club’ at California elementary school stirs controversy
By Alejandra Molina — November 22, 2022
(RNS) — After School Satan Clubs are sponsored by The Satanic Temple, a nontheistic religious organization based in Salem, Massachusetts, that pushes for the separation of church and state.

RNS holiday gift guide 2022: Ideas for the kids, adults and Pastafarians on your list
By Emily McFarlan Miller — November 18, 2022
(RNS) — Because not everybody celebrates a religious holiday in December, but everybody loves presents.

Black museum religion exhibit features Little Richard’s Bible, Rev. Ike’s suit
By Adelle M. Banks — November 18, 2022
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The first special exhibition to focus specifically on religion since the museum opened includes photos and artifacts accompanied by quotations of famous African Americans.

Religious groups with immigrant members grew fastest over past decade
By Yonat Shimron — November 11, 2022
(RNS) — A decennial study of US religious life shows that the number of participants in congregational services has not kept up with the overall population growth. But religious groups drawing large numbers of immigrants have seen steady growth.

In ‘Boys Will Be Human,’ Justin Baldoni invites boys to ‘undefine’ masculinity
By Kathryn Post — November 10, 2022
(RNS) — ‘I wrote this book for 12-year-old Justin, for 16-year old-Justin, for 20-year-old Justin,’ the filmmaker and ‘Jane the Virgin’ star told RNS.
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