People participate in the Youth Pre-Assembly of Religions for Peace World Assembly on Aug. 19, 2019, in Lindau, Germany. Photo by Christian Flemming/Religions for Peace
Need to know: Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Young activists push interfaith gathering to act on climate change, justice
Young activists are among the 1,000 attendees, including representatives from religious groups, governments, multilateral organizations and nongovernmental groups, hailing from more than 100 countries, gathered for an international, interfaith event this week.
Sister Helen Prejean on new book, getting rid of death penalty and getting Jesus ‘right’
Sister Helen Prejean talked to Religion News Service about how she became involved in social justice, why she thinks the death penalty is on its way out and how she got to 'bump into two popes along the way.'
VeggieTales to mount latest revival on Trinity Broadcasting Network
In a changing media landscape, VeggieTales has survived for 25 years on parents' familiarity and trust, experts say. A reboot of the iconic kids show debuts this fall on TBN.
Cardinal Pell’s appeal verdict due but may not be final word
Three judges could acquit he 78-year-old former Vatican finance minister, order a retrial or they could reject his appeal.
How Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood and Turkey’s Gulenists fell from power to persecution
In both countries, homegrown Islamic movements have struggled to survive in authoritarian regimes that exert strong control over religious practice, writes Ahmet T. Kuru.
Who benefits from conflicts over religious freedom?
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act was created by lawmakers to undo an extremely unpopular decision handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1990. As its title states, the widely-supported RFRA was designed to “restore” the religious freedom that had existed before the Court’s controversial decision.
Latest news from RNS
Java still a no-no for Mormons despite fancy coffee names
The new guidance in a church youth magazine seem to reflect growing concern about young Latter-day Saints' adherence to the rules.
Warren, Williamson among candidates at historic Native American presidential forum
O.J. Semans, co-executive director of Four Directions, introduced the forum as "Indian Country 101 for America,” which included discussions of issues informed by Indigenous spirituality.
Letter: Nationalism is anathema to Christian faith
The letter in the magazine Commonweal was a direct response to a letter in the conservative journal First Things that embraced the new nationalism.
More views from RNS
As Democrats vie for African American votes, the Black church is paying attention
(RNS) — Gaining our vote requires gaining more than a cursory understanding of who we are as a people.
Understanding US Catholics’ belief in the Eucharist
(RNS) — Pew Research Center's understanding is that the belief that the Eucharist is really the body and blood of Christ is central to the Catholic faith. As such, we sought to measure what American Catholics believe on the subject.
Trump’s Labor Department tries to privilege religion over LGBTQ rights
But what if a same-sex couple marries in church? writes Mark Silk.
