RNS Morning Report: Anti-Trump Religious Ads; Serve the Moment; Aundi Kolber on ‘Trying Softer’

President Donald Trump holds a Bible as he visits outside St. John’s Church across Lafayette Park from the White House on June 1, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Need to know: Wednesday, July 15, 2020

New ad uses Bible, ‘Amazing Grace,’ Jesus to call Republican Christians to vote against Trump

‘The moment that (Trump) held up that Bible, he revealed this president is using us,’ a man named Pat, identified as a Republican, says in the ad.

100 young Jews are volunteering this summer as part of a new service project

Serve the Moment is intended to inspire young Jewish adults to perform 100,000 acts of service during this turbulent summer when the coronavirus is spreading and social unrest over racial inequality is rising.

Counselor Aundi Kolber shares what it looks like to ‘Try Softer’ during a pandemic

The Colorado-based counselor’s message that it is OK to ‘try softer’ rather than to try harder — or ‘white-knuckle’ one’s way through life, as she puts it — feels especially relevant in the midst of a pandemic.

Biden campaign hires new Jewish outreach director

The hire reportedly already serves on the Biden campaign team’s finance committee and co-hosted a fundraiser for the former vice president with Jewish Democrats in May.

American Christians need to reinvent their theology and practice of missions

American Christians shy away from social issues — racial reconciliation, immigration reform and economic inequalities — that they associate with progressive politics, writes Joseph D'Souza.

Are pandemic protests the newest form of science-religion conflict?

As the long-term effects of the pandemic become clearer, religious organizations will play a role as both influencers and medical care providers.

 


 

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Campaign brewing to get Hindu god Brahma off popular beer

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As depression, anxiety, grief spike during pandemic and protest, churches offer hope, mental health resources

Many Christian leaders, organizations and churches are providing resources not only to care for their spiritual and physical health, but also their mental health.

Fire that destroyed roof of the San Gabriel Mission church remains under investigation

The fire has not only ignited Catholics to stand in support of the church, but also caused concern among Native people and scholars who fear the flames destroyed Indigenous artifacts and the structure itself, which was built by the Tongva people.

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Trump’s limp response to Uighur persecution

(RNS) — The greatest abuse of religious liberty in the world today should incur a boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games.

In Linda Sarsour’s new memoir, all activism is personal

(RNS) — Linda Sarsour's new memoir, ‘We Are Not Here to Be Bystanders’ reminds us that what makes us ordinarily human is what drives the most extraordinary and prominent among us.

Changing the Washington NFL team’s name is something, but not enough

While this decision is a big one, it’s not enough to show that Indigenous peoples have a place in this nation and that we never deserved the genocide, hate and oppression we have faced, writes Kaitlin Curtice.