Palestinians protesting the planned demolition of the West Bank hamlet of Khan al-Ahmar fight with Israeli police officers, Wednesday, July 4, 2018.
(AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)
Need to know: Thursday, May 21, 2020
Vatican reiterates two-state solution as Israeli-Palestinian relations escalate
Once again, the Vatican issued a statement reinforcing its support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, after the recently installed government of Israel announced plans to vote for the annexation of the West Bank territory.
Need a Quran teacher? There’s an AI for that
Tens of thousands of Muslims are turning to technology to continue the sacred practices of hifz, or preserving the entirety of the Quran through memorization.
COVID-19 delayed a United Methodist schism. But it has left LGBT members in limbo.
The COVID-19 pandemic canceled a meeting that might have split the United Methodist Church. But the delay left LGBT United Methodists in limbo.
What I learned from the coronavirus
When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit New York City, I wanted to leave town quickly. Why risk being infected? writes Simran Jeet Singh.
Pompeo investigation could undo religious freedom movement’s ‘success’
The religious freedom movement has mortgaged its bipartisan reputation to maintain access to the Secretary of State. A blow to his credibility could hurt persecuted people of faith around the world, writes Peter Henne.
Jane Roe’s deathbed confession exposes the immorality of the Christian right
The plaintiff in the landmark supreme court case revealed she was paid to change her mind about abortion. Have anti-abortion activists no shame? asks Arwa Mahdawi.
Latest news from RNS
NIH chief Francis Collins wins Templeton Prize
Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, was honored as his agency is working to develop treatments for the novel coronavirus.
A 24-hour online vigil will name some of the people who have died of COVID-19
The effort seeks to humanize and honor the people who have died. It's part of a marathon reading of names with songs and prayers interspersed.
Centenary of John Paul II’s birth highlights continuity with Pope Francis
At his first public Mass since the global COVID-19 lockdown, Pope Francis celebrated before the tomb of his predecessor and reflected on the legacy of the pontiff who galvanized the masses while helping to defeat communism.
More views from RNS
Mormons’ new plan for reopening doesn’t go far enough
Last week the LDS Church issued a statement mandating which of 16 artworks would be acceptable for use in its buildings. If we can micromanage that, can we not also make it clear that this is not the time to be cavalier about a deadly pathogen?
How Americans’ ‘tell it like it is’ attitude renders us vulnerable to conspiracy theories
Americans, distrustful of institutions that would prescribe knowledge for us, have been especially prone to believe what they see online, writes Tara Isabella Burton.
More young adults are leaving religion, but that’s not the whole story, say researchers
(RNS) — More young adults are leaving organized religion, but there are also some pockets of good news, even for mainline Protestant churches.
