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From left, Ronnie Floyd, Rodney Howard-Browne, Adonica Howard-Browne, Johnnie Moore and Paula White stand behind President Trump as he talks with evangelical supporters in the Oval Office at the White House. Photo courtesy of Johnnie Moore
Need to know: Friday, July 28, 2017
Trump’s evangelical advisers discussed transgender ban at White House meeting
At the meeting two weeks ago, the group discussed banning transgender people from the military and sent a letter to the president asking for the action, according to the Christian Broadcasting Network.
5 faith facts about Sam Brownback: Political champion of religious freedom
The two-term governor and former senator helped sponsor legislation creating the office of international religious freedom ambassador.
Richard Dawkins, shunned in Berkeley, finds new venue nearby
The world’s most famous — and infamous — atheist will speak near San Francisco on Aug. 9, after abrupt cancellation by a public radio station.
In a bid to promote diversity, Egypt plans to restore Alexandria synagogue
A $2 million restoration of Egypt’s largest synagogue is the start of a government effort to keep alive the legacy of the Jewish community, whose members have largely left the country.
John McCain’s morality, and no one else’s, should guide his response to brain cancer
For a political hack to try to spittle him out of his work? It’s frankly astounding, writes RNS columnist Jeffrey Weiss.
Latest news from RNS
Clashes erupt at Jerusalem shrine as Muslims return to pray
JERUSALEM (AP) — The new violence came shortly after worshippers rushed to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque that was reopened following an 11-day Muslim prayer boycott over the Israeli security measures.
Charlie Gard’s parents to find out where and when he will die
LONDON (USA Today) — The couple has now conceded that Charlie should be moved to a hospice but hope to assemble a team of specialist doctors so they can spend more time with him before his life-support is switched off.
Trump to nominate Sam Brownback as religious freedom ambassador
President Trump plans to nominate Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback to serve as ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, a post which monitors issues of religious liberty and persecution worldwide.
More views from RNS
A philosopher argues why no one has the right to refuse services to LGBT people
(The Conversation) There are three very different kinds of liberty. When people talk about religious liberty, what kind of liberty they might mean?
Is the Catholic Church a capsizing ship?
(RNS) — Every modern institution faces crises. What differentiates great organizations is whether and how they react.
The Christian example of the Temple Mount conflict
(RNS) — At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, no representative of one of the six controlling religious groups can move, rearrange or alter any piece of property without the consent of the other five.
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Bonus tracks
- Iconic Jewish charity illegally loaned $500K to CEO, regulators say
- After documenting Holocaust graves, this French priest takes on ISIS’ crimes
- Fate of ancient Canaanites seen in DNA analysis: They survived
- She thought she was Irish until a DNA test exposed a 100-year mix-up
- Scaramucci name drops ‘Cain and Abel’ when talking about Priebus
