[slingshot_ad name=”Slingshot Banner Ad”]
American university students excavate what Israeli archaeologists believe is the site of Gath, the hometown of the biblical Goliath. In officially sanctioned digs like this one, all artifacts are carefully excavated, photographed and catalogued. RNS photo by Michele Chabin
Need to know: Thursday, August 17, 2017
A priest’s son takes his case directly to the pope
Vincent Doyle, whose father was a Roman Catholic priest, is leading a movement to get the Vatican to help those like him, children of clergy.
Mormon church statement supports LGBT fundraising concert
The Utah-based faith, famously at odds with gay rights activists over same-sex marriage, wanted to know what it could do to help with a festival organized by a gay Mormon.
The Texas bathroom bill is dead — for now
In an unexpected move Tuesday, the Texas House wrapped up its business a day ahead of the session’s end, killing any hopes that a "bathroom bill" could be revived in the 11th hour.
After the Hobby Lobby scandal, a spotlight on antiquities sales in Israel
The arrest of five Jerusalem-based Palestinian antiquities dealers who allegedly helped Hobby Lobby purchase illegally obtained ancient artifacts is shining a spotlight on the sale of antiquities in Israel and revived questions about the ethics of the trade in general.
Swiss lawmakers to vote on banning import of kosher, halal meat
They will vote on a bill that outlaws the import of meat from animals that have undergone ritual slaughter, which already is illegal in the country.
Latest news from RNS
Thousands of faith leaders ask Congress to protect Johnson Amendment
The letter — signed by a wide range of clergy and lay members — was spearheaded by Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty.
The next bishop of Raleigh is from Latin America — like many in his flock
RALEIGH (RNS) — The appointment of a Colombian native to lead the Diocese of Raleigh is another indication of the growth in the number of Hispanic Catholics in the U.S., who now make up about 40 percent of Catholics in the nation.
Rex Tillerson: Protecting targets of ISIS’ ‘genocide’ a religious freedom priority
The secretary of state issued his department’s first international religious freedom report since President Trump took office.
More views from RNS
Q&A: The abortion foe in Congress who made the Affordable Care Act possible
(RNS) — 'The Democratic Party is no longer the 'The Big Tent Party.' I fear the Democratic Party has become the 'pro-abortion rights' party,' former U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., tells RNS contributor Charlie Camosy.
Religious liberty for all
(RNS) — Evangelical Christians in the founding of our republic understood something worth remembering. The flourishing of their communities depended on the extension of religious freedom, not only to minority Protestant dissenters like themselves, but to all.
Now that I have brain cancer, I’m ready to offer moral advice
Jeffrey Weiss hopes his suggestions may make some of the world a little bit better even when he’s gone.
[slingshot_ad name=”Slingshot Bottom Cube Ad”]
Bonus tracks
- Two Church of Christ congregations in Detroit seek to model Christian unity
- Alabama senate race gets Moore, Strange
- Chapel ministers to souls amid Grand Canyon splendor
- God or the divine is referenced in every state constitution
- Why Rev. William Barber picked Charlotte to launch his campaign to save America’s soul
