Females watch from the loft of the Islamic Center of South Jersey as speakers address a town hall meeting at the mosque on May, 18, 2007, in Palmyra, N.J. (AP Photo)
Need to know: Tuesday, April 2, 2019
How Hind Makki is changing the conversation around women’s inclusion in mosques
Hindi Makki has spent the past seven years bringing the discussion on women's inclusion in Muslim spaces into the mainstream, beginning with her blog Side Entrance.
Civil rights experts question Supreme Court execution rulings
Last week, the Supreme Court ruled to block Texas’ planned execution of a Buddhist inmate because his chaplain was not allowed in the execution chamber. Religious freedom advocates say the decision has left them flummoxed: Just a month prior, the same court greenlit the execution of a Muslim inmate in similar conditions.
NIH Director Francis Collins on why Christians must reconcile with science
The head of the National Institutes of Health has star power among a segment of evangelicals who are eager for a nuanced approach to science — one that accepts evolution and also regards the Bible as the ultimate source of authority.
DeVon Franklin produces faith films while guiding men through #MeToo movement
‘I challenge every man to not look at the #MeToo movement as a women's movement,’ said Franklin. ‘It's not. We need to be a part of this movement.’
Why a pastor made the Bible Belt his mission field
The Christian South presents the church with an opportunity to make the gospel known to a region that is saturated with access to the gospel but not true understanding, writes Dean Inserra.
Google drops LGBTQ ‘Conversion Therapy’ app after outcry from advocacy groups
Google has removed an app that advised people on “recovery from same-sex attraction” from its download store after one of the United States’ top LGBT+ charities suspended the tech company from a gay and transgender rights ranking.
Latest news from RNS
Ronnie Floyd, megachurch pastor and Trump adviser, nominated for key SBC post
Ronnie Floyd, an Arkansas megachurch pastor and Trump spiritual advisor, has been nominated lead the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee.
Churches and other faith-based groups lend a hand after historic Nebraska floods
Local churches and national faith-based disaster relief groups — along with state and federal officials — are stepping in to lend a hand with recovery after floodwaters raged across the Midwest earlier this month.
In new book, Richard Rohr says the ‘universal Christ’ changes everything
Richard Rohr believes the predominant theme in Scripture and tradition is grace, which he describes as a kind of divine spackling compound that God uses to fill in the gaps between everything in all of creation.
More views from RNS
94-year-old Mormon prophet to scale Mount Everest
In this special April 1 edition: The robust nonagenarian Mormon prophet Russell M. Nelson is well on his way to scaling Mount Everest.
Measles is not good for the Jews
Vaccinating children is a commandment. Taking care of health is a commandment. How much louder do you need to say this?
Mormons will soon drink coffee! Debunking a dubious General Conference rumor
It's the General Conference Rumor Edition! Top rumor: next weekend, the prophet will lift the ban on Mormons drinking coffee. My take: keep dreaming, writes Jana Riess.
