U.S.
Why Sikhs celebrate the festival of Baisakhi
By Anshu Malhotra — April 9, 2024
(The Conversation) — The spirit of Baisakhi for Sikhs is reminiscent of the ideals of their gurus, who encouraged them to work toward building a just society.
A dramatic schism over social issues? The United Methodist Church has been here before – but this time, America’s religious landscape is far different
By Christopher H. Evans — April 9, 2024
(The Conversation) — The United Methodist Church will hold its General Conference, delayed several years by the pandemic, in April 2024. The meeting comes amid a dramatic divide over LGBTQ+ rights.
Conservative Christians praise Trump’s anti-abortion record but say he’s stopped short of the goal
By Holly Meyer and Tiffany Stanley — April 9, 2024
(AP) — As Republican-led states have outlawed or further restricted abortion, Democrats believe the fight over abortion rights helps them at the polls.
Transgender Catholics say new Vatican document shows no understanding of their lives
By David Crary — April 9, 2024
(AP) — The dismay was heightened because recent moves by Pope Francis had encouraged some trans Catholics to hope the church might become more accepting.
Catholic bishops silent as Ascension hospital system shrinks maternity care
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — April 8, 2024
(RNS) — The bishops have urged more support for mothers and families, even as Ascension, one of the largest Catholic health care providers in the US, has been closing labor and delivery units at its hospitals.
For Latino Muslims, Ramadan is a celebration of ‘Islam and Latinidad’
By Fiona André — April 8, 2024
(RNS) — 'The beauty is that we're not expected to commit cultural apostasy when we convert to Islam.'
Conservative Christians just lost their scholarly trump card on same-sex relationships
By Jonathan Merritt — April 8, 2024
(RNS) — Theologian Richard Hays' reversal comes at a bad time for those who oppose accepting LGBTQ Christians.
Latter-day Saints leader addresses congregants without a word on racial or LGBTQ+ issues
By Hannah Schoenbaum — April 8, 2024
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Russell M. Nelson announced the planned construction in a pre-recorded closing speech at the twice-annual Salt Lake City conference. It's traditionally watched by millions worldwide.
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.'
Catholic parishes disproportionately closed in poor, Black and Latino neighborhoods
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — April 5, 2024
(RNS) — Priest shortages have played a significant role in the decisions to close parishes.
For some Christians, a solar eclipse signals the second coming of Christ
By Eric Vanden Eykel — April 5, 2024
(The Conversation) — A scholar of early Christian literature writes that religious theories around celestial events are part of a larger human pattern to find meaning. And they go back thousands of years.
In 1877, a stained-glass window depicted Jesus as Black for the first time − a scholar of visual images unpacks its history and significance
By Virginia Raguin — April 5, 2024
(The Conversation) — A stained-glass window, which shows Jesus as a Black man for the first time, tells a story not only of race but of gender, class and ethnicity.
Thomas Gumbleton, Detroit Catholic bishop who opposed war and promoted social justice, dies at 94
By Ed White — April 5, 2024
DETROIT (AP) — Gumbleton became a national religious figure in the 1960s when he was urged by activist priests to oppose the U.S. role in the Vietnam War.
How Dev Patel got ‘Monkey Man,’ his directorial debut beset by challenges, to the finish line
By Sian Watson and Leslie Ambriz — April 5, 2024
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — “Monkey Man” was inspired by the legend of Hanuman — a Hindu deity revered for his strength, loyalty and courage.
Awe and dread: How religions have responded to total solar eclipses over the centuries
By David Crary, Mariam Fam, and Deepa Bharath — April 5, 2024
(AP) — Ahead of the total solar eclipse that will follow a long path over North America on Monday, here's a look at how several of the world's major religions have responded to such eclipses over the centuries and in modern times.
