Government & Politics
The fight against Hindu nationalism in the United States is multifaith, says a newly formed coalition
By Richa Karmarkar — April 5, 2024
(RNS) — A declaration from the newly formed coalition Savera: United Against Supremacy expressed the group's 'acute concern' of Hindu nationalism, which they say now 'finds itself in a deepening alliance with various facets of the American far-right.'
Indian American lawmakers urge DOJ to address ‘alarming’ rise of Hindu temple vandalism
By Richa Karmarkar — April 3, 2024
(RNS) — Hindu advocates say the trend of temple vandalism points to a lack of an adequate response from law enforcement, which they blame on anti-Hindu bias.
Oklahoma court considers whether to allow the US’ first publicly funded Catholic school
By Sean Murphy — April 3, 2024
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Attorney General Gentner Drummond argued the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board violated both the law and the state and federal constitutions.
Muslim leaders reject chance to break bread with Biden as anger over Gaza festers
By Chris Megerian and Zeke Miller — April 3, 2024
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats fear that Biden's loss of support among Muslims could help clear a path for his Republican predecessor to return to the White House.
New York’s governor is hiring her first Muslim Affairs director
By Fiona André — April 1, 2024
NEW YORK (RNS) — Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war, Governor Hochul's relations with the state's Muslim community have been strained.
Israel’s high court says the government must stop funding seminaries. Could that topple Netanyahu?
By Julia Frankel — April 1, 2024
JERUSALEM (AP) — The politically powerful ultra-Orthodox, who make up roughly 13% of Israeli society, have traditionally received exemptions while studying full time in religious seminaries, or yeshivas.
Israelis stage largest protest since war began to increase pressure on Netanyahu
By Melanie Lindman, Wafaa Shurafa, and And Samy Magdy — April 1, 2024
JERUSALEM (AP) — Protesters blame Netanyahu for the failures of Oct. 7 and say the deep political divisions over his attempted judicial overhaul last year weakened Israel ahead of the attack.
Joe Lieberman’s religiously promiscuous campaign
By Mark Silk — March 28, 2024
(RNS) — A missed opportunity for the first Jew on a major-party presidential ticket.
With its soldiers mired in Gaza, Israel fights a battle at home over drafting the ultra-Orthodox
By Melanie Lidman — March 28, 2024
JERUSALEM (AP) — Among Israel’s Jewish majority, mandatory military service is largely seen as a melting pot and rite of passage. The ultra-Orthodox say that integrating into the army will threaten their generations-old way of life.
More than 140 global Christian leaders call for Gaza cease-fire in Holy Week letter
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — March 26, 2024
(RNS) — ‘We repent of the ways we have not stood alongside our Palestinian siblings in faithful witness in the midst of their grief, agony, and sorrow,’ the leaders wrote.
US Jews upset with Trump’s latest rhetoric say he doesn’t get to tell them how to be Jewish
By Peter Smith and Tiffany Stanley — March 26, 2024
(AP) – This week, Trump charged that Jewish Democrats were being disloyal to their faith and to Israel.
Abducted as babies in the 1970s, these Argentines found a way toward their true identity
By MarÍa Teresa HernÁndez — March 26, 2024
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Now adults, they were found by their biological families years after their parents went missing when the military took power on March 24, 1976.
Polling places inside synagogues are being moved for Pennsylvania’s April primary during Passover
By Mark Scolforo — March 25, 2024
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — In Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh, election officials relocated 16 polling places from six locations — synagogues as well as a Jewish community center
Religious affairs expert Thomas Bowen moves from city of Washington to White House
By Adelle M. Banks — March 22, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — While shifting to national and international issues, he will still be acting as a clergyperson in the city that he has long served.
Do Christians who vote Republican hate their country?
By Mark Silk — March 20, 2024
(RNS) — Not to mention their religion.
