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Backlash to trans activist’s St. Patrick’s funeral reveals deep fault lines
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — February 23, 2024
(RNS) — Both Cecilia Gentili’s friends and family and Cardinal Timothy Dolan said they felt 'disrespect' from the other group.
Matthew Slater, a Super Bowl champ with his eye on higher things, retires from football
By Bob Smietana — February 22, 2024
(RNS) — The player’s longtime coach, Bill Belichick, once referred to him as a ‘perfect player.’ Teammates and opponents alike praised Slater for his leadership skills, which he says were built on his faith.
Ex-Catholics in Rome reconnect with roots, spirituality in paganism
By Claire Giangravé — February 21, 2024
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — As Romans search for alternatives to Catholicism, some have turned to Jupiter, Minerva and Juno.
Amid protester demands, North Carolina city council calls for a Gaza cease-fire
By Yonat Shimron — February 20, 2024
(RNS) — Durham is the second city in North Carolina to vote for a cease-fire resolution and one of 70 nationwide, including Chicago, Minneapolis, Detroit and Seattle.
For Iranian converts claiming religious persecution, European courts require proof of faith
By Hanna Vioque — February 20, 2024
LONDON (RNS) — Judges across Europe are having a tough time deciding whether asylum-seekers claiming religious persecution are ‘genuine’ Christians.
Brazilian evangelical Christians disrupt pre-Lenten partying with ‘Gospel Carnival’
By Eduardo Campos Lima — February 19, 2024
SÃO PAOLO (RNS) — Once content to avoid Carnival's excesses, evangelicals, who make up about 30% of Brazil's population, have a new strategy, working to short-circuit the festival with displays of Christian faith.
African Methodist Episcopal Church leaders call for halt to all US funding of Israel
By Adelle M. Banks — February 16, 2024
(RNS) — The statement comes in a week of continuing calls for cease-fire and humanitarian aid for the victims of the war that began on Oct. 7.
Jordan Peterson wrestles with God
By Meagan Saliashvili — February 15, 2024
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (RNS) — In a new lecture tour to support a forthcoming book, the psychologist and public intellectual hews ever closer to Christianity, tantalizing fans who take their cues on converting from his secular but religiously curious thought.
The first traditional Hindu temple in the Middle East promotes a message of interfaith tolerance
By Richa Karmarkar — February 14, 2024
(RNS) — The mandir, or temple, will create a spiritual home for the more than 3.5 million Indian expatriates who make up 30% of the UAE’s population.
Peace pilgrimage takes up war in Gaza as a civil rights issue
By Yonat Shimron — February 13, 2024
(RNS) — Many Black Americans view the Palestinian cause in the context of the African American experience of oppression. This has on occasion strained relations with American Jews.
For Black ‘nones’ who leave religion, what’s next?
By Kathryn Post — February 12, 2024
(RNS) — When Black Americans leave religion, they rarely leave it altogether. But even as they retain elements of Christian culture, what other communities are they embracing beyond the church?
Aaron Ivey, pastor and husband of podcaster Jamie Ivey, accused of ‘indecent’ texts with men
By Roxanne Stone — February 11, 2024
(RNS) — Elders at his Austin, Texas, church said in a statement announcing his dismissal that they had discovered a ‘very clear pattern of predatory manipulation, sexual exploitation, and abuse of influence’ by Ivey.
Super Bowl viewers can meet Jesus, boost their prayer life and confront antisemitism
By Bob Smietana — February 9, 2024
(RNS) — Ads for the He Gets Us campaign, the Hallow prayer app and the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism will be among the groups running faith-related ads at the Super Bowl.
Meet ‘The Autism Pastor’ Lamar Hardwick: Preacher, author, cancer warrior
By Kathryn Post — February 8, 2024
(RNS) — Hardwick recently retired as lead pastor of Tri-Cities Church in East Point, Georgia, as he receives ongoing treatment for stage 4 cancer.
Every week is World Interfaith Harmony Week for devotees of Swami Vivekananda
By Richa Karmarkar — February 7, 2024
(RNS) — As religious conflict and disharmony rage on elsewhere in the world, the interfaith teachings of Swami Vivekananda are evergreen to these devotees.
