News
Michael Bublé, Kris Jenner part of $40M investment in Christian meditation app Glorify
By Jessica Mundie — December 2, 2021
(RNS) — An app designed to bring users closer to God has received $40 million of Series A funding supported by a number of prominent celebrity investors.
Celebrity surgeon Dr. Oz seeks to be first Muslim elected to the US Senate
By Joseph Hammond — December 2, 2021
(RNS) — Besides Sufism, the mystical Islamic sect, Oz's spiritual practices include transcendental meditation and elements of his wife's Swedenborgian tradition.
Paris archbishop who had ‘ambiguous’ relationship resigns
By Angela Charlton and Thomas Adamson — December 2, 2021
Paris Archbishop Michel Aupetit said in a statement Thursday that he offered to step down “to preserve the diocese from the division that suspicion and loss of trust are continuing to provoke.”
‘Sinning in the Rain’: New study finds crimes go up when it rains on Sundays
By Bob Smietana — December 2, 2021
(RNS) — A new study shows rain can interrupt church-going and may lead to more of certain kinds of crime.
Brazil’s senate OKs evangelical Bolsonaro ally to top court
By Mauricio Savarese — December 2, 2021
Mendonça had been waiting for approval since July 13, but disagreements between Bolsonaro's administration and a key senator stalled the proceedings for months.
Bidens, Harris, Emhoff celebrate Hanukkah at White House
By Associated Press — December 2, 2021
Speaking to more than 150 guests, Biden sought to draw parallels between his presidency and the eight-day commemoration of the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees.
Cornerstone University’s new president is under fire. His former colleagues see a pattern.
By Kathryn Post — December 2, 2021
(RNS) — Former Regent employees named at least 40 faculty, staff and administrators who were forced to exit during Moreno-Riaño’s tenure at Regent University.
As Supreme Court debates abortion, dueling theologies protest outside
By Jack Jenkins — December 1, 2021
(RNS) — ‘The issue of when life begins has been hotly debated by philosophers since the beginning of time — it’s still debated in religions,’ said Justice Sonia Sotomayor as the court heard oral arguments.
Report: Holocaust denial persists on Facebook one year after push to stanch it
By Yonat Shimron — December 1, 2021
(RNS) — The ADL found that while dedicated Holocaust denial groups have been removed from the platform, public and private groups as well as personal profiles still contain links to such sources.
Before there was Roe: Religious debate before high court’s historic ruling on abortion
By Adelle M. Banks — December 1, 2021
(RNS) — Reports reveal blunt statements opposing the procedure, broadening definitions of what could be legalized and religious politicians’ reactions to state legislatures’ debates over the controversial procedure.
Pope heads to Cyprus and Greece, raising hopes he will change conversation on refugees
By Claire Giangravé — December 1, 2021
(RNS) — Five years ago, Pope Francis took 12 refugees with him from a camp in Greece. Migrants and asylum-seekers in Greece and Cyprus hope he will do so again.
Abortion debate epicenter: Mississippi clinic stays open
By Emily Wagster Pettus — December 1, 2021
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the Supreme Court early Wednesday ahead of the arguments, their opposing positions marked by signs that included “Her Body Her Choice” and “God Hates the Shedding of Innocent Blood.”
Indigenous video game streamers advocate for representation and education
By Jessica Mundie — November 30, 2021
(RNS) — On video game streaming platforms, Indigenous gamers are sharing their unique cultures and spirituality with the intent to educate and empower other content creators.
4 women sue Orthodox Union and its youth group, alleging sex abuse by rabbi
By Yonat Shimron — November 30, 2021
(RNS) — They allege that Rabbi Baruch Lanner abused them on youth retreats beginning in the 1970s and that the Orthodox Union, which employed him, did nothing.
Kyrgyzstan is expected to ban Jehovah’s Witnesses publications for ‘extremism’
By Kathryn Post — November 30, 2021
(RNS) — The ban would mark the first time that the country has taken an official stance against the religious group.
