Need to know: Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Dale Partridge, Christian ‘influencer’ and church planter, haunted by plagiarism claims
Partridge says that house churches — small, intimate communities of faith — can restore hope to those who have lost faith in organized religion. The social media guru and serial entrepreneur has reinvented himself as pastor for the digital age in recent years. But he has struggled to overcome a history of plagiarism.
Iranian cultural sites include landmarks important to Jews and Christians, too
Among Iran's important religious sites are the tombs of Esther and Mordecai, Daniel and King Cyrus.
Amid US-Iran escalation, Pope Francis and Catholic leaders call for restraint, dialogue
Concern about the growing tensions between the United States and Iran has been bubbling within the Vatican, as Pope Francis and high-ranking prelates urge global leaders to seek peace.
Future of Sikh worship site in Southern California remains unclear
A Sikh temple thought it was safe from being replaced by condominiums. Then it received a notice to move out.
Atheists prefer cats, Christians love dogs, study shows
New questions on the General Social Survey reveal some interesting connections between faith and pets, writes Ryan Burge.
The ‘ex-closeted gay jihadist’ bringing meditation to Jakarta
Once a campus fundamentalist who hid his sexuality, today Bagia Arif Saputra helps others find harmony in Indonesia’s capital.
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Muslims in fear as police crack down in India’s heartland
A crackdown on protests against a new citizenship law has been the harshest in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, where Muslims comprise 20% of the population.
Orthodox women seek bigger role as Jews end Talmud cycle
JERUSALEM (AP) — As Orthodox Jews worldwide conclude a grueling marathon of daily Talmud study, a growing number of Israeli women have joined the effort, spotlighting collapsing gender barriers in the male-dominated community.
As Iowa caucus nears, candidates ramp up God-talk
Democratic presidential hopefuls ramped up the God-talk while criss-crossing Iowa over the weekend, invoking the Bible and meeting with religious leaders while their Republican opponent President Trump worked to bolster support among evangelical Christians.
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We are all Jews here
(RNS) — When Jew haters knock a yarmulke off a Jew's head, that's my yarmulke, and my head, as well.
Two popes and three kings
The story of the three kings, like the film of the two popes, is not factual, but it still teaches us deep truths, writes Thomas Reese.
God rested. Why can’t clergy take a break?
(RNS) — The church must develop a culture that allows its spiritual leaders to rest without shame.