Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. gestures during an interview in his offices at the school in Lynchburg, Virginia, on Nov. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Need to know: Monday, August 10, 2020
Jerry Falwell Jr. taking indefinite leave of absence from Liberty University amid calls to step down
Jerry Falwell Jr. is taking an ‘indefinite leave of absence’ from his role at Liberty University.
To cope with pandemic, Americans choose binge-watching TV over the Bible
A Pew Research Center survey released Friday (Aug. 7) found that TV, exercise and friends are more popular ways of coping with the pandemic than prayer or the Bible.
As Massachusetts bans female genital cutting, survivors and activists celebrate
After seven years of advocacy by survivors and activists in the state, Massachusetts is now one of 39 states in the U.S. that has criminalized female genital mutilation and cutting.
Eboo Patel says $6 million gift to IFYC will jumpstart ‘Interfaith America’
An unexpected multi-million dollar grant will help jumpstart IFYC's new Interfaith America campaign to address racial justice.
Kansas pastor Adam Carter asks for help to #FindMarilane after his wife goes missing en route to Alabama
A Kansas pastor is asking for help to find his wife, who reportedly went missing while traveling to seek help for her mental health.
Kashmir’s lockdown at one year: A region’s alienation turns to betrayal
Kashmir's loss of autonomy has now taken on a larger figurative dimension: It is also about betrayal of trust, political disempowerment and a deep sense of humiliation, writes Riyaz Wani.
Latest news from RNS
Judge increases bail for La Luz del Mundo leader to $90 million
California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra on July 30 refiled charges against Naasón Joaquín García, four months after a California appeals court dismissed Garcia’s criminal case on procedural grounds.
John MacArthur believes the Bible trumps COVID-19 public health orders. Legal scholars say no
While the government can't tell people what to believe, it can restrict their actions. That includes restricting religious practices during a pandemic.
Muslim leaders call for hate crime investigation into deadly Denver house fire
Denver police have opened a homicide investigation into the deadly house fire that killed Djibril Diol and his wife and toddler daughter, as well as two other family members.
More views from RNS
A prominent Mormon therapist apologized for anti-LGBT activism. What’s the next step?
Guest columnist Dr. Tyler Lefevor applauds the recent apology from LDS therapist Allen Bergin, who was a prominent figure in the church's decades-long fight against homosexuality.
Buddhist monks have reversed roles in Thailand – now they are the ones donating goods to others
(RNS) — As a result of the pandemic, Buddhist monks in Thailand are increasingly providing material goods, such as hot meals and nonperishable items, for laypeople – thereby reversing roles within this moral economy.
On LGBT and women’s equality, stark statistical reality is coming for white evangelicals
(RNS) — As a social scientist who is also a pastor, I’m sympathetic to the view that God can change young people's hearts on these hot-button issues. But I see no evidence of divine intervention in the data.
