Kholoud Al-Faqih, the first female Shariah judge in Palestine, in the documentary film “The Judge.” Photo courtesy of The Judge
Need to know: Wednesday, November 21, 2018
‘The Judge’ film introduces groundbreaking female Shariah judge
The PBS documentary traces the Middle East's trailblazing Judge Kholoud Al-Faqih’s efforts to lead a quiet social revolution.
For most Americans, new research says, family comes first
Among those who find "a great deal" of meaning in their religious faith, more than half say it is the single most important source of meaning in their lives.
Survivors of California’s unending fires cook up Thanksgiving for latest victims
Rallying more than 100 volunteers, three women who have lost homes or family members to fires plan to feed 1,000 people on Thanksgiving Day.
Welcome Muslim congresswomen by dropping ban on headwear
By ending its own "structural discrimination," writes Simran Jeet Singh, Congress can encourage religious freedom everywhere in American life.
Latest news from RNS
Megachurch pastor Jamal Bryant moves from Baltimore to Atlanta
The Rev. Jamal-Harrison Bryant, pastor of Empowerment Temple in Baltimore, has been named the new senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in the Atlanta suburb of Lithonia, Ga.
Is American religion exceptional? Maybe, maybe not
There is disagreement brewing among sociologists over whether the intense religious devotion that has long characterized a segment of the U.S. is impervious to anti-religious trends in Europe.
Swastika painted on Duke mural honoring synagogue victims
Duke University officials say someone painted a Nazi symbol on a mural honoring victims of last month's Pittsburgh synagogue massacre.
More views from RNS
What’s wrong with American Catholicism
The weaknesses in American Catholicism have more to do with overall U.S. trends in religious identification and participation than what's happened in the Catholic church, writes Mark Silk.
Big changes ahead for Mormon missionaries, as “service missions” start in January
The good news is that Mormon missions are expanding to include humanitarian service opportunities, shorter lengths of service, and less stressful living arrangements. The bad news is that it may be ghettoizing people with disabilities, writes Jana Riess.
Does Linda Sarsour have a “Jewish problem?”
I admit it: I am prejudiced against bigotry, writes Jeffrey Salkin.
