RNS Morning Report: Foiled Attack on Islamberg; Indonesian Christian Freed; Pope in Panama

Three photographs show Brian Colaneri, from left, Andrew Crysel and Vincent Vetromile. Authorities said the three men, all from the Rochester, N.Y., area, were charged with plotting to attack Islamberg, a rural upstate New York Muslim community, with explosives. A fourth suspect has not been identified publicly because he is a juvenile. Photo courtesy of Greece Police Department

Need to know: Friday, January 25, 2019

After police foil terrorist attack on Islamberg, New York Muslims push for justice

News of yet another attempted terrorist attack on their small village has sent shock waves through Islamberg, a predominantly black Muslim community in upstate New York.

Jews of African descent ‘unnerved’ by comparisons to viral video group

Many different groups and congregations around the country have taken on the term “Hebrew” or “Israelite." Many are more mainstream and say they object to the angry street preaching shown in a viral video.

Governor convicted of blasphemy freed from Indonesian prison

A polarizing Christian politician whose campaign comments ignited the largest protests in years in Muslim-majority Indonesia was freed Thursday after serving nearly two years in prison for blasphemy.

Pope in Panama blasts corruption as he prays for Venezuelans

Pope Francis stuck to his script in Panama, celebrating the country's place as bridge between oceans and cultures and holding up the region's newest saint as a model for a humble church that accompanies the poor.

Bible face off: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez v. Sarah Huckabee Sanders

It had to do with climate change, writes Mark Silk.

Provoked by Trump, the religious left is finding its voice

Religious conservatives have rarely faced much competition in the political realm from faith-based groups on the left. The provocations of President Trump may finally be changing that.

 


 

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As survivors age, Holocaust educators rush to preserve their irreplaceable testimony

JERUSALEM (RNS) — The race against time has prompted a program to take survivors back to their hometowns in Europe to film their recollections of the places where they experienced the catastrophe most acutely.

Government allows S.C. foster care group to keep Protestants-only policy

The exemption will allow Miracle Hill, a Greenville-based Christian ministry, to continue to accept only Protestant churchgoing parents to its federally funded foster care program.

Does God care if you smoke weed? Many Bay State faith groups say yeah, man

For many people of faith in the Bay State, legalization hasn’t burned away the moral issues that come with using drugs for fun.

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GenX Mormons: The forgotten generation

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