Muslim and civil rights groups and their supporters gather at a rally against what they call a “Muslim ban” in Washington, on Oct. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Need to know: Thursday, May 2, 2019
Anti-Muslim hate is driven by politics, not faith — and it’s preventable, study suggests
Americans who personally know a Muslim are more than twice as likely to have a favorable opinion toward Muslims than those who do not, a new report finds.
In India, charges against a Catholic bishop a victory for abused nuns
Only after five of the victim's fellow nuns staged a 15-day protest outside Kerala’s high court building in Kochi last summer was the bishop, who denies the charges, arrested and eventually charged.
Why white nationalism tempts white Christians
Too often Christian individuals and institutions act as if general statements condemning bigotry and saccharine assertions of racial and ethnic equality are sufficient to combat white nationalism. They are not, writes Jemar Tisby.
If leaked draft for Curia reform is for real, the Vatican is headed for disaster
The Catholic hierarchy needs to take a few pointers from how modern corporations manage their staffs and push their products, writes Thomas Reese.
Will the BYU honor code protests make any difference?
Yes, the protests of Mormon students will make a difference--not just in BYU's policy, but in a more honest acknowledgment of how institutional change happens in the Church, writes Jana Riess.
Measles outbreak: N.Y. is still allowing religious vaccine exemptions
A bill to end religious exemptions is stalled, in part because of concern about the reaction of politically influential religious constituents, including ultra-Orthodox Jewish groups.
Latest news from RNS
ADL study: Violence against Jews doubled last year
In all, 59 Jewish Americans were physically assaulted because of their religion in 2018, up from 21 in 2017.
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit: Halima Aden first to wear hijab, burkini
For her shoot, Aden returned to her home country of Kenya. She was born and remained at the Kakuma Refugee Camp until heading for the U.S. at the age of 7.
Pew study finds continued support in Western Europe for paying church taxes
Despite a noted lack of attendance on Sundays, Western Europeans don't mind paying to keep established churches open, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center.
More views from RNS
How to think about Christian terrorism
(RNS) — According to a manifesto posted online, the suspect in the attack on a synagogue near San Diego believed that hate is biblical — a view found in the teaching of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, the tradition he was raised in.
It’s time for Christians to confront white supremacy in our churches
(RNS) — Our tradition has not done enough to provide a clear message that makes a white supremacist choose whom to follow this day – Jesus or whiteness.
How safe is your place of worship?
Many local police departments will conduct a security assessment for specific congregations or offer a workshop for multiple congregations, write Christopher P. Scheitle and Jeffery T. Ulmer.
