Need to know: Friday, September 21, 2018
No longer the default, Church of England goes to battle in religious marketplace
The Church of England has spent the past two years committed to developing a digital presence, hoping to attract those who don't regularly go to church.
The ‘Splainer: From bloodletting to blood donation, what is Ashura?
Whether Muslims mark the day by flagellating or fasting, the solemn Islamic holiday of Ashura is not for the faint of heart. Let us ’Splain.
LBGT refugees say they face hostility, violence in Kenyan camp
“They have attacked and injured some of us. They think we are cursed with a demon and evil spirit of homosexuality."
Danish mayors vow to ignore citizenship handshake plan
Rightwing politicians want to deny citizenship to immigrants who decline to shake their mayor's hand during their naturalization ceremony.
The Struggle for a New American Gospel
A former evangelical Christian finds his way back to evangelical worship – but a version that thinks deeply about social justice, gender and race.
Latest news from RNS
With Kavanaugh allegations, religious leaders remain divided on court nomination
Since allegations surfaced of a sexual assault during his Catholic school days, people of faith are no less divided about whether he should join the Supreme Court.
How an ancient Islamic holiday became uniquely Caribbean
(The Conversation) — In Trinidad, where Muslims make up 5 percent of the population, a parade of colorful floats marks the Shiite holy day of Ashura, but the festival also commemorates those killed in the anti-British Hosay riots in 1884.
Cardinal hires judge to review church sex abuse policies
NEW YORK (AP) — Timothy Dolan announced the appointment of Barbara Jones on Thursday (Sept. 20), saying many Catholics had told him they were feeling let down by the church's hierarchy.
More views from RNS
How many Mormons use marijuana, anyway?
With attention focused on the LDS Church's opposition to Proposition 2 in Utah, it's worth asking: How do Mormons feel about marijuana, and how many of them use it?
Paul Simon’s Yom Kippur sermon
Paul Simon is now homeward bound. Aren't we all?
Another Mormon excommunication, 25 years after the ‘September Six’
The excommunication of a former Mormon bishop has me flashing back to the "September Six," who were disciplined 25 years ago this week--just as I was baptized into the LDS Church.