News
US Jews rally for more support in combating antisemitism
By Yonat Shimron — May 27, 2021
(RNS) — The Anti-Defamation League reported a 75% increase in antisemitic attacks in the U.S. in the wake of the clashes in Israel and Gaza. American Jews want their elected representatives to take more action.
Health experts, faith leaders and White House target the ‘movable’ on vaccines
By Adelle M. Banks — May 27, 2021
(RNS) — ‘We would not be where we are without your help and we won’t be able to cross the finish line without you,’ said White House official Melissa Rogers.
The film ‘Two Gods’ studies the life of a Muslim casket maker
By Joseph Hammond — May 27, 2021
(RNS) — The film ‘explores the juxtaposition of grief and the rituals of death with the vibrancy of coming of age,’ said director Zeshawn Ali.
Survey: White evangelicals, Hispanic Protestants, Mormons most likely to believe in QAnon
By Jack Jenkins — May 27, 2021
(RNS) — The groups are also the most likely to consume far-right media, which researchers noted is 'by far the strongest independent predictor of QAnon beliefs.'
Dave Ramsey declares war on timeshare industry: ‘You done pissed off the wrong hillbilly’
By Bob Smietana — May 27, 2021
(RNS) — The Christian financial expert and radio host has injected himself into a feud between the $10 billion timeshare industry and ‘timeshare exit’ companies.
Survey: Young, diverse generation of evangelicals shows growing ambivalence toward Israel
By Jack Jenkins — May 26, 2021
(RNS) — Among a racially diverse subset of young evangelicals, 42% said they supported neither Israel nor Palestinians regarding conflict in the region. A marked shift from previous years.
American Jews and Muslim interfaith groups resume efforts after Gaza battles
By Joseph Hammond — May 26, 2021
(RNS) — Multiple faith leaders admitted such efforts were strained by the latest battles in the Holy Land.
Study: More churches closing than opening
By Yonat Shimron — May 26, 2021
(RNS) — The study, which analyzed church data from 34 Protestant denominations and groups, found that 4,500 churches closed in 2019, while about 3,000 new congregations were started.
Pope Francis kisses numbered tattoo of Nazi death camp survivor
By Claire Giangravé — May 26, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The woman, who survived Auschwitz, was in Italy to attend an event organized for the documentary based on her life, 'The Child Who Didn’t Know How to Hate.'
Pagan politics are not as uniform (or liberal) as you think
By Heather Greene — May 26, 2021
(RNS) — One of the few formal surveys of this understudied religious population found pagans' political leanings to be hard to pin down.
Is it safe to sing at church yet? Depends who you ask.
By Adelle M. Banks — May 25, 2021
(RNS) — A mix of musical expression is likely to continue as congregations navigate the ‘new normal’ of the continuing pandemic with some people fully vaccinated and some not.
One year after George Floyd’s murder, faith leaders continue the call for racial reckoning
By RNS staff — May 25, 2021
(RNS) — Clergy were often front and center in the year’s racial justice protests, and their clarion call not only to politicians but also to religious leaders sparked a racial reckoning within churches, synagogues and mosques.
Republicans and Democrats switch sides on religion vs. science
By Carol Kuruvilla — May 25, 2021
(RNS) — Mistrust of the scientific community is affecting the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. But research suggests the religion and science debate wasn’t always this divisive.
Vatican issues a street art stamp, ends up getting sued
By Nicole Winfield — May 25, 2021
ROME (AP) — One night in early 2019, Rome street artist Alessia Babrow glued a stylized image of Christ she had made onto a bridge near the Vatican. A year later, she was shocked to learn that the Vatican had apparently used a reproduction of the image, which featured Babrow’s hallmark heart emblazoned across Christ’s […]
Arab woman gets kidney from Jewish man killed in Israel riot
By Isaac Scharf — May 25, 2021
JERUSALEM (AP) — Randa Aweis, a 58-year-old mother of six, got one of Yigal Yehoshua’s kidneys after the 56-year-old man was killed in street violence in Lod.
