U.S.
Unitarian Universalists’ Boston headquarters hosts temporary overflow shelter
By Kathryn Post — March 21, 2024
(RNS) — Amid an urgent need to shelter Massachusetts' growing migrant population, the UUA opened a vacant floor of its South Boston headquarters.
BYU’s Aly Khalifa heads into March Madness without food or water while observing Ramadan
By Dave Skretta — March 21, 2024
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — One of the Five Pillars of Islam is the “sawm," where during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar healthy adults are required to abstain from food and drink during daylight hours.
Ramy Youssef constantly asks if jokes are harmful or helpful. He keeps telling them anyway
By Krysta Fauria — March 21, 2024
LOS ANGELES (AP) — In keeping with much of his previous work, “Ramy Youssef: More Feelings” doesn’t shy away from fraught topics, including religion, the upcoming presidential election and the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
A California city wrestles with its history of discrimination against early Chinese immigrants
By Terry Tang and Deepa Bharath — March 21, 2024
ANTIOCH, Calif. (AP) — In the 19th century, Chinese people across California endured discrimination such as wage disparity, bans on property ownership and sundown laws that barred them from going outside after dark.
Sen. Schumer called for Israel’s new elections. American Jews fractured.
By Yonat Shimron — March 20, 2024
(RNS) — The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations said in its statement that it was 'distressed' by Sen. Schumer's speech. Then a group of Jewish organizations revolted against the statement.
Charlie Dates counters John MacArthur’s declaration that MLK ‘was not a Christian’
By Adelle M. Banks and Bob Smietana — March 20, 2024
(RNS) — In an open letter, the Chicago pastor compares the California pastor to King opponents George Wallace and J. Edgar Hoover, calling MacArthur 'them in postmodern dress.'
Hindu advocate slams General Mills for using beef-based gelatin in Yoplait yogurt
By Richa Karmarkar — March 20, 2024
(RNS) — Hindus commonly abstain from eating beef, believing cows are sacred and revered companions to the gods.
Man pleads guilty in eagle ‘killing spree’ on reservation to sell feathers on black market
By Matthew Brown and Amy Beth Hanson — March 20, 2024
(AP) – Branson and a second defendant, Simon Paul, killed approximately 3,600 birds, including eagles on the Flathead reservation and elsewhere, according to the indictment.
Polygamous sect member pleads guilty in scheme to orchestrate sexual acts involving children
By Jacques Billeaud — March 20, 2024
PHOENIX (AP) — A businessman pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiring with the leader of an offshoot polygamous sect near the Arizona-Utah border to transport underage girls across state line.
Biden’s Muslim American judicial nominee threatened by smear campaign
By Yonat Shimron — March 19, 2024
(RNS) — Muslim Americans are significantly underrepresented as a proportion of the population in the nation's federal judiciary.
New Catholic Spanish language record label seeks to catch up to Christian industry
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — March 19, 2024
(RNS) — Inspired by Pope Francis’ call to 'go out,' Juan Delgado and Pedro Rubalcava launched Via Cantus in February 2023.
Arsonist sets fire to Florida Jewish center, but police do not believe it was a hate crime
By Terry Spencer — March 19, 2024
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Hannaford is a homeless man “who appears to suffer from mental illness” and the fire is not believed to be a hate crime, the police statement said.
Mosques depend on Ramadan for a third of their fundraising. Is there a better way?
By Dilshad Ali — March 18, 2024
(RNS) — Looking for ways to de-link Ramadan and fundraising so Muslims can focus on worship.
As Hindu wellness gains in West, chakra healing practitioners root their art in science
By Richa Karmarkar — March 18, 2024
(RNS) — These teachers are working to dispel myths of chakra healing, starting first by recognizing the ancient roots of this spiritual science.
A Holocaust exhibit seemed harmless. With the war in Gaza, it’s come under scrutiny.
By Yonat Shimron — March 18, 2024
DURHAM (RNS) — The US Holocaust Memorial Museum exhibit, 'Some Were Neighbors,' has been traveling across the country for the past two years. A coalition of Durham residents say it presents a narrow view of genocide.
