The Rev. William Barber II, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, speaks on the National Mall, June 23, 2018. Fellow co-chair the Rev. Liz Theoharis stands on the right. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
Need to know: Thursday, May 14, 2020
Rev. Barber’s Poor People’s Campaign calls for resistance to reopening plans
It is urging Congress, the president and state governors to follow the recommendations of public health experts and not risk a resurgence of the virus, which is disproportionately affecting poor, uninsured, low-wage workers.
Government of Nicaragua ‘irresponsible’ in handling the pandemic, bishop says
According to Bishop Silvio José Báez, the president of Nicaragua downplayed the risks tied to the COVID-19 disease and encouraged citizens to take part in public gatherings such as parades, marathons and festivals.
Wrongfully imprisoned for decades, Jimmie Gardner is driven by faith and justice
Former pro athlete Jimmie C. Gardner spent 27 years behind bars in West Virginia’s prison system. And all the while, he says, it was his trust in God that kept him pushing to prove his innocence — and now that he's out, to fight for others like him.
Survey shows faith can prosper in online services
A recent Pew survey also allayed fears that there are large demographic disparities when it comes to accessing streaming services, writes Ryan Burge.
The false choice presented to Sikh doctors serving COVID patients
The news that two Sikh brothers shaved their beards to serve patients is not the feel-good story that some suggest, writes Simran Jeet SIngh.
Kentucky Gov. Beshear inspires revival of civil religion
Each day, Beshear asks Kentuckians to recite, out loud, his mantra that has come to be like a prayer: “We will get through this, and we will get through this together.” In the face of a global crisis, Beshear’s unwavering faith in our state is a display of civil religion, of which he is asking Kentuckians to become faithful followers.
Latest news from RNS
Federal hate crime charge in Missouri Islamic center fire
O’FALLON, Mo. (AP) — Nicholas J. Proffitt has been indicted in an April fire that destroyed the Cape Girardeau Islamic Center, the same center he defaced more than a decade earlier.
2 Hispanic churches and too many tears: 100 COVID-19 deaths
NEW YORK (AP) — Two churches, one Catholic, one Lutheran, have lost more than 100 members to the coronavirus and because of lockdown rules lack the ability to mourn together in person.
Christian leaders push for Pentecost reopening in California
The church leaders are urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to bump religious services to stage two, which the state began moving into on Friday (May 8).
More views from RNS
When Mormon women can’t have the sacrament
This spring, I and several million other Latter-day Saint women have lost access to the sacrament, but it’s not because we have sinned, writes Jana Riess.
In lockdown, our longing for the world could be the antidote to our spiritual anorexia
I’ve started cycling again. It’s exercise not as expensive commodity but an embrace of what it means to be in the world, writes Tara Isabella Burton.
If Costco can reopen safely, why not Illinois churches, Gov. Pritzker?
(RNS) — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants churches to wait to reopen, for perhaps as long as a year. But churches could reopen while using the same social distancing at work at grocery stores.
