Votes are cast during the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Milwaukee, Wis., on Aug. 8, 2019. RNS photo by Emily McFarlan Miller
Need to know: Monday, August 12, 2019
ELCA Churchwide Assembly calls sexism and patriarchy sins, condemns white supremacy
The ELCA's newly approved social statement — titled 'Faith, Sexism, and Justice: A Call to Action' — names patriarchy and sexism as sins and acknowledges the church’s complicity in them.
Tisha B’Av takes on new meaning as activists plan immigration vigils across US
Some 50 vigils across the US are intended to pair the passions many Jews feel about immigration with an ancient day of mourning that most Jews skip over.
‘Red Sea Diving Resort’ dramatizes Israel’s daring rescue of Ethiopian Jews
A daredevil operation to rescue more than 8,000 Ethiopian Jews from Sudanese refugee camps in the early 1980s has become a fast-paced Netflix drama that turns Chris Evans into a dashing Israeli hero.
India to bring supplies to Kashmir; Pakistan to go to UN
Authorities enforcing a strict curfew in Indian-administered Kashmir will bring in trucks of essential supplies for an Islamic festival next week, as the divided Himalayan region remained in a lockdown Saturday.
Steve Bannon and the nationalist roots of Trump’s ‘Judeo-Christian’ vision
It comes via Steve Bannon, writes Mark Silk.
2 Virginia churches caught up in debate over Trump’s racist rhetoric
Two Virginia churches — one predominantly white and one predominantly black — find themselves caught up in a debate over Trump's racist rhetoric after one of them posted a controversial church sign.
Latest news from RNS
Curfew eased partially in Kashmir for Friday prayers
NEW DELHI (AP) — The mostly Muslim region has been under a security lockdown since India's Hindu nationalist-led government announced it was revoking its special constitutional status.
Former refugees mark 75th anniversary of the only US safe haven during Holocaust
During WWII, a group of refugees from the Holocaust found a safe haven in upstate New York as guests of President Roosevelt. Former refugees returned this week to mark the 75th anniversary of their arrival in 1944.
Chaldean Christian deported by Trump administration dies in Iraq
A Chaldean Christian man from Michigan who was deported to Iraq has reportedly died because he was unable to obtain insulin to treat his diabetes.
More views from RNS
Just like political parties, religious groups see their rivals as extremists
(RNS) — White evangelicals and atheists sum up the political landscape the same way: “My party is moderate and sensible, while the other party is filled with extremists.”
Every Mormon leader (and teacher, and parent) should read this book
Many of the Faith Crisis respondents are people who served in the LDS Church, had a strong testimony, and held callings, and *then* left, often with spouses and children in tow. What happened?
Can faithful Catholics vote for President Trump?
(RNS) — The nation's Catholic bishops include racist behavior among the sins that 'may legitimately disqualify a candidate from receiving support.'
