An illustration from the new graphic novel “Kismet, Man of Fate,” by A. David Lewis. Image courtesy of A Wave Blue World
Need to know: Wednesday, December 19, 2018
First Muslim superhero returns after 70 years, just in time to take down a few Nazis
A Nazi-punching Muslim superhero may sound very 2018, but Kismet is a reboot of the first identified Muslim superhero.
An interfaith group finds willing partners to restore a shared watershed
Since its start in 2013, the group has gotten religious congregations to form green teams and to work on restoration projects that have included ripping up pavement, installing water gardens and planting trees.
Canada reverses abortion rights proviso to summer jobs program
Many faith groups protested a checkbox on a participation form requiring prospective employers to affirm abortion rights.
Airbnb issues conflicting statements on boycott of Jewish-owned West Bank properties
Short-term rental giant Airbnb put out conflicting statements this week about its plans to ban rentals at Jewish-owned settlement properties.
Does Alice Walker have a Jewish problem?
First, she refused to have her major work translated into Hebrew. That was just the start, writes Jeffrey Salkin in his column, "Martini Judaism."
Montana reservations reportedly ‘dumping grounds’ for predatory priests
For decades, even lifetimes, the Catholic Church refused to turn in priests with known pasts of sexually abusing children, women and men. The story is known in as many corners of the world as the Catholic Church exists, including Montana's two dioceses.
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Suicides follow India’s anti-immigrant drive targeting Muslims
GUWAHATI, India (RNS) — Local media reports have linked at least 16 suicides to a massive government effort in the state of Assam to drive out immigrants who authorities say are in the country illegally, especially Muslims from neighboring Bangladesh.
US Jesuit groups release names of priests accused of abuse
Advocates for the abused praised the move toward transparency but called it 'long overdue and prompted only by pressure from prosecutors, parishioners and the public.'
Interfaith service blesses Oklahoma Democrat Kendra Horn for her new role in Congress
A diverse group of religious leaders blessed Kendra Horn, a newly elected U.S. representative, as she prepares to take office. Horn, an Episcopalian, is the first Democratic woman elected to Congress from Oklahoma.
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Embracing the work of Christmas
(RNS) — Mary was said to be 'perplexed' when the angel Gabriel told her she was carrying the hope of a broken people. Like her, we must set aside our fears in a divided world and respond, 'Here I am.'
How can Christians support Donald Trump?
One answer to the question 'Why do evangelicals support Trump?' is that they don't, or at least not all of them, writes Diane Winston.
New Mormon policies meet the reality of a contracting church
As policies go, there’s a lot to like about these recent ones, which acknowledge the realities of declining growth and the needs of smaller wards.
