Democrat Ilhan Omar speaks after winning in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District race during the election night event held by the Democratic Party on Nov. 6, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Hannah Foslien)
Need to know: Thursday, November 8, 2018
As Christians split over Trump, minority faiths make their mark
Muslim women were elected to Congress for the first time. And for the first time in memory an incumbent senator mentioned the upcoming Hindu holiday of Diwali in an acceptance speech.
Jeff Sessions resigns, ending tenure marred by fights with faith groups
The embattled attorney general brought a concern for religious freedom to the job — along with a passion for quoting the Bible that often backfired on him.
White House expands birth control exemptions for employers with religious objections
The mother provincial of Little Sisters of the Poor, one of the religious groups that has opposed the mandate, welcomed the administration’s new regulations.
Greece strikes tentative deal to remove Orthodox clergy from state payroll
The move marks a symbolically significant shift in a country whose very constitution declares Greek Orthodoxy the official state religion.
“A biblical view of justice:” Matt Whitaker once said judges shouldn’t have a secular worldview
Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker once said judges should have a “New Testament” point of view.
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In Uganda, Catholics protest as archbishop asks government to enforce tithe
KAMPALA, Uganda (RNS) — 'What our leaders are doing is extortion and is not based on the word of God,' one parishioner said.
Seals of Hezekiah, Isaiah focus attention on Herbert W. Armstrong offshoot
(RNS) — Two tiny clay seals attributed to King Hezekiah of Judah and an Isaiah who could be the biblical prophet have drawn global notice this year — and raised the visibility of a tiny American church involved in their discovery.
Trump’s presidency, ‘Christian supremacism’ criticized at Parliament of World Religions
Speakers at the major interfaith gathering in Toronto raised concerns about America's political climate, claiming Trump promotes "Christian supremacy."
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As evangelicals win with Trump, little ‘good news’ is left in the religious right
(RNS) — Trumpism is now business as usual for white evangelicalism, and white evangelical politics are inseparable from Trump's.
Mormon political control of Utah may be slipping, election shows
(RNS) — Despite the opposition of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Utah voters affirmed medical marijuana. Although Mormonism remains deeply influential in this red state, the church is gradually losing its political control.
The end of America’s Protestant political majority gives Republicans cause to worry
(RNS) — The trends in the religious vote yesterday should overshadow whatever cheer Republicans take out of Election Day.
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