Faith

Top Presbyterian executive calls on US Jews to end ‘enslavement’ of Palestinians

By Yonat Shimron — January 20, 2022

(RNS) — In his reflection on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Rev. J. Herbert Nelson said he hoped U.S. Jews would influence the U.S. government in ‘ending the immoral enslavement’ of Palestinians.

Catholic bishops fight Biden but affirm his election

By Thomas Reese — January 20, 2022

(RNS) — Catholic bishops show that people can disagree with the president without buying into the big lie.

What 13th-century Christian theologian Thomas Aquinas can teach us about hope in times of despair

By Christopher Beem — January 20, 2022

(The Conversation) — A scholar of democratic virtues explains why Dominican monk Thomas Aquinas’ thoughts on hope are relevant today.

California to delete Mayan, Ifá affirmations from ethnic studies to settle lawsuit

By Alejandra Molina — January 20, 2022

LOS ANGELES (RNS) — By deleting the affirmations, state officials say they are affirming their ‘long-standing commitment to ensuring appropriate treatment of religion in a secular public education context.’

Pope to soon declare 37th doctor of the church: St. Irenaeus

By Associated Press — January 20, 2022

ROME (AP) — A 2nd-century saint known as a bridge between eastern and western Christianity took another step Thursday toward being declared a doctor of the church, one of the highest honors in the Catholic Church.

When religious freedom is for me, not for thee

By Mark Silk — January 20, 2022

(RNS) — Could the current zealotry for religious freedom be just a pretext for looking after one’s own parochial interests?

France moves closer to banning veils in sports competitions

By Samuel Petrequin — January 20, 2022

(AP) — The French soccer federation already bans women from wearing headscarves in official matches, as well as at competitions it organizes.

Jewish leaders renew antisemitism fight after hostage case

By Peter Smith — January 20, 2022

(AP) — The gunman’s words were all too familiar to Jewish leaders and terror experts, who saw the attack on Congregation Beth Israel as yet another in the rising number of antisemitic hate crimes.

Theologians were paid to think about alien life. I’d rather they watch ‘Spaceballs.’

By Amy Laura Hall — January 20, 2022

(RNS) — What benefit do Christians really draw from considering — and funding — questions beyond our ken?

Phone call shows brother pleading with Texas hostage-taker

By Sylvia Hui, Jill Lawless, and Danica Kirka — January 20, 2022

LONDON (AP) — British police are continuing to support U.S. authorities with their investigation into Saturday’s hostage incident. Malik Faisal Akram, a 44-year-old British citizen, took four people hostage at a Texas synagogue.

Report on sexual abuse in German diocese faults retired pope

By Geir Moulson — January 20, 2022

BERLIN (AP) — A long-awaited report on sexual abuse in Germany's Munich Archdiocese on Thursday faulted retired Pope Benedict XVI's handling of four cases when he was archbishop in the 1970s and 1980s.

US official latest to comment on NBA owner’s dismissal of Uyghur genocide

By Joseph Hammond — January 19, 2022

(RNS) — Nury Turkel, an official with USCIRF, has condemned recent statements from Palihapitiya, a billionaire venture capitalist and a small stakeholder in the Golden State Warriors’ NBA franchise.

Omicron is taking a toll on pagans, who depend on conferences for community

By Heather Greene — January 19, 2022

(RNS) — The pandemic has also threatened the financial viability of conferences and festivals.

Synagogues forced to balance welcoming the stranger with protecting their own

By Yonat Shimron — January 19, 2022

(RNS) — In the aftermath of the Colleyville standoff, many security experts say protecting synagogue buildings may mean locked doors, hired guards, cameras and intercom systems.