People crowd the University of Washington quad to view cherry blossoms in Seattle in April 2017. Photo by Joe Mabel/Creative Commons
Need to know: Wednesday, May 1, 2019
New law requires professors in Washington to accommodate religious holidays
A new state law makes it easier for college students to take time off for religious holidays. Backed by Jewish and Muslim leaders, the law requires professors to accommodate religious holidays.
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.
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.
Pentecostal pastors vow to fight proposed Uganda church regulations in court
Pentecostal pastors in Uganda vow to fight new rules that would require clergy to have formal theological education and would force all churches to register or close down. The proposed policy mimics similar rules enacted in Rwanda in 2018.
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.
Muslim activist details interfaith work in ‘true-blue American story’
Victor Begg arrived in the United States nearly a half-century ago with many goals. Becoming an “accidental activist” was not among them.
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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.
Protesting Methodist LGBTQ policy, confirmation class takes a pass
Eight teenagers who make up this year’s confirmation class stood before the congregation on Confirmation and read a letter saying they do not want to join the church at this time.
Widow of Mother Emanuel pastor: ‘Much prayer is needed’ four years after attack
Jennifer Pinckney, whose husband, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, was killed in the attack on Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, reflects on her life four years later. She says that listening to his sermons 'ministered to me through some tough moments in my life.'
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Laudato Si’ v. the Green New Deal? Hardly.
Politics matters.
What is up with those antisemitic cartoons?
Those cartoons that portrayed Bibi and Trump as blind are using one of the most significant antisemitic tropes in history. Now you know.
Asma Uddin: If we deprive Islam of its status as a religion, all religion is threatened
(RNS) — The argument against Islam, says legal scholar Asma Uddin in a Q&A, has nothing to do with a philosophical interrogation of 'religion,' and everything to do with depriving Muslims of their rights.
