Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during the National Education Association Strong Public Schools Presidential Forum on July 5, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Need to know: Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Sanders, Castro to attend Muslim-led presidential forum in Texas
The presidential forum, which will include moderated one-on-one sessions with the candidates, will take place Aug. 31 at the Islamic Society of North America’s annual convention in Houston.
Clergy protest outside Mitch McConnell’s office, demand action on gun violence
Faith leaders presented the Senate majority leader's staff with a letter, signed by the group, calling for action on gun violence.
5 things to watch at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly
This week's ELCA Churchwide Assembly offers a window into the issues important to many progressive Christians across the United States.
Bono and Guggi: A friendship based on art, punk rock and Jesus
Now one of Ireland’s most celebrated modern artists, the U2 frontman's childhood friend and former bandmate, has a new exhibit in Venice, California.
Conservative Christians have a porn problem, studies show, but not the one you think
Conservative Christians in the United States have a pornography problem, though it may not be the problem you think, writes Jana Riess.
Coalville’s Trappist brewers – in pictures
Faced with dwindling revenues from dairy farming, the monks at the Trappist monastery of Mount St Bernard Abbey in Leicestershire decided to swap milk for beer.
Latest news from RNS
Navigating grief in the social media age
(RNS) — At a time when trust in church and clergy is strikingly low, young adults are finding new ways to support each other when bad news or tragedy arrives.
Ex-cardinal’s letters to victims show signs of grooming
Full of flattery, familiarity and boasts about his own power, the letters provide visceral evidence of how a globe-trotting bishop made young, vulnerable men feel special — and then allegedly took advantage of them.
Senators oppose Trump refugee cuts on religious freedom grounds
The bipartisan group sent a letter to President Trump arguing that reducing the refugee cap to zero would call into question a promise to assist persecuted religious minorities abroad.
More views from RNS
Understanding Christians’ climate views can lead to better conversations about the environment
(The Conversation) — Because Christians incorporate the environment into their faith in a variety of ways, they provide important insights into how to talk about climate change with a variety of audiences.
El Paso and Dayton mass shootings: Christians must act as well as pray
We shouldn't dismiss 'thoughts and prayers' as a response to disasters, as prayer is an important pathway to God. But if no further action is taken, it becomes an empty cliché, writes Jamie D. Aten.
Why we must deflect and debunk hate speech
This weekend's deadly shootings came on the heels of President Trump’s denigration of the city of Baltimore. The two stories have more in common than you might think, writes Georgette Bennett.
