News
Why you might have heard Paul Simon’s ‘The Sound of Silence’ at Spanish Mass
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — April 23, 2024
(RNS) — ‘The Sound of Silence’ version of the ‘Our Father’ has been widespread throughout Latin America and U.S. Latino communities for the last few decades.
Meet the sex educators challenging what we think we know about sex and Islam
By Fiona André — April 23, 2024
(RNS) — These sex educators play a crucial role as they help fill a growing need in their community. When it comes to sexual health, Muslim women are significantly underserved but are heavily affected by sexual dysfunction.
Taylor Swift’s ‘TTPD’: Religious imagery for a spiritually syncretic era
By Kathryn Post and Madeline Macrae — April 23, 2024
(RNS) — ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ speaks of good Samaritans and Jehovah’s Witnesses, altar sacrifices and prophecies.
Modi is accused of using hate speech for calling Muslims ‘infiltrators’ at an Indian election rally
By Krutika Pathi — April 23, 2024
NEW DELHI (AP) — The remarks sparked fierce criticism for peddling anti-Muslim tropes, and for breaking election rules which bar candidates from engaging in any activity that aggravates religious tensions.
Iowa lawmakers address immigration, religious freedom and taxes in 2024 session
By Hannah Fingerhut — April 23, 2024
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Republican-led General Assembly also waded into issues like immigration and religious freedom, which have proven core to the party's 2024 campaign message.
Mexico’s likely next president has a Jewish origin. Is that relevant in a deeply Catholic country?
By MarÍa Teresa HernÁndez — April 23, 2024
MEXICO CITY (AP) — What role has religion played in the ongoing campaign that will elect the successor to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador? The answers are nuanced.
Australian leader criticizes X for failing to remove church violence content
By Rod Mcguirk — April 23, 2024
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Albanese said social media posts, misinformation and dissemination of violent images had exacerbated suffering from the Christ the Good Shepherd Church attack.
Conservative faith leaders praise Johnson for House’s approval of foreign aid
By Adelle M. Banks and Jack Jenkins — April 22, 2024
(RNS) — Passage of the aid packages came in the wake of letters and last-minute lobbying from a spectrum of religious groups.
Early Christian Scripture and ancient codices draw collectors’ eyes to Paris
By Catherine Pepinster — April 22, 2024
LONDON (RNS) — The starring role in a June auction at Christie's will be taken by the Crosby-Schoyen Codex, the oldest known book in private hands. Written on papyrus in the Coptic language, it contains the oldest complete version of the First Epistle of Peter and the Book of Jonah.
At a time of deep divisions, American Jews will celebrate Passover in multiple tones
By Yonat Shimron — April 22, 2024
(RNS) — Supplementary Seder readings this year range in focus from those anchored in the trauma and pain of Israelis to those rooted in the oppression of Palestinians.
War, hostages, antisemitism: A somber backdrop to this year’s Passover observances
By David Crary — April 22, 2024
(AP) – This year, for many Jews, the holiday’s mood will be somber due to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and the rise of antisemitic incidents elsewhere.
Lama Rod describes himself as a Black Buddhist Southern Queen. He wants to free you from suffering
By Luis Andres Henao — April 22, 2024
ROME, Ga (AP) —Today, he is an influential voice in a new generation of Buddhist teachers, respected for his work focused on social change, identity and spiritual wellness.
London police to meet with Jewish leaders as protests spark concerns about the safety of Jews
By Danica Kirka — April 22, 2024
LONDON (AP) — The meeting comes as London police struggle to manage tensions sparked by the Israel-Hamas war, with some Jewish residents saying they feel threatened by repeated pro-Palestinian marches through the streets of the U.K. capital.
Tunisian Jews scale back annual pilgrimage to ancient synagogue because of security concerns
By Massinissa Benlakehal — April 22, 2024
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Thousands regularly make the journey to Djerba — the North African island where many of Tunisia’s remaining 1,500 Jews reside — to celebrate the Jewish holiday Lag B’Omer.
US sanctions Israeli settler and anti-miscegenation leader
By David I. Klein — April 19, 2024
(RNS) — Also sanctioned were two fundraising groups, Mount Hebron Fund and Shlom Asiraich, which had attempted to raise funds for two other settler leaders who were sanctioned earlier this year.
