RNS Morning Report: Lama Surya Das on Misconduct Allegations; Dismukes Resigns; Pilgrims at Home

Lama Surya Das speaks in a February 2016 video from the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat in the Bahamas. Video screengrab

Need to know: Friday, July 31, 2020

Buddhist teacher Lama Surya Das admits sleeping with adult students in past, says it was wrong

Lama Surya Das said it was inappropriate for him to have sexual relationships with participants in his retreats. Five women have accused Das, the famed Buddhist leader, with past misconduct.

Alabama Southern Baptist pastor resigns after speaking at party for a KKK leader

Will Dismukes, who is also a Republican state representative, resigned from his church after offering an invocation at a birthday party honoring a Confederate general who was also the first grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.

In its 10th year, the game ‘Pilgrims at Home’ takes on new meaning for Muslim women

From Houston to Nigeria, over 300 teams of Muslim women are participating in this year’s game, hoping to ‘find hajj at home.’

5 faith moments from Rep. John Lewis’ funeral

The civil rights leader’s life was marked by his deep Christian witness, and so it was fitting that his funeral also was marked by powerful moments of faith.

Federal executions are one more example of Trump administration overreach

This month’s federal executions are the first in 17 years, but may only be the beginning. The next federal execution is scheduled for Aug. 28, and there are 59 more federal inmates facing the death penalty, writes Shane Claiborne.

Trump’s unholy alliances: An interview with Sarah Posner

In her new book, journalist Sarah Posner examines and explains the relationship among the president, his famously religious base, and the explicitly racist elements that have rallied to his political coalition.

 


 

Latest news from RNS

Church bells, shofars to sound in honor of John Lewis during his funeral

(RNS) — Congregations without bells can ‘honor in other appropriate ways, including moments of silence, changing church signs, and more,’ reads the interfaith request about Lewis.

Can churches’ focus on race move from reconciliation to justice?

‘The evangelical pastors that we interviewed, ultimately chose racial reconciliation as their primary frame,’ a scholar said of study of multiracial church leaders.

Seven years later, still no trace of Jesuit priest kidnapped in Syria

Seven years after the disappearance of an Italian Jesuit priest in Syria, family members and Vatican officials demand the truth about what happened to the thousands who vanished in the war-torn Middle Eastern country.

More views from RNS

Stella Immanuel’s theories about demons, illness and sex have a long history

Demons appear throughout Jewish and Christian texts, often as evil, supernatural beings that torment people, writes Brandon W. Hawk.

As an isolated hajj begins, Abraham’s trust in God is ours

(RNS) — This year’s disappointments may mean that Muslims will connect in a unique way this year to Abraham’s story as we celebrate Eid al-Adha.

Time in Coronatide: We’re not actually living in ‘Groundhog Day’

(Sightings) — ‘Coronatide’ has taken on an almost liturgical quality, reshaping our daily lives according to its own dictates. We’re on the virus’s timeline now.