RNS Morning Report: Borderline shooting; Religious freedom; ‘Sabrina’ suit

People gather to pray for the victims of a mass shooting during a candlelight vigil in Thousand Oaks, Calif., on Nov. 8, 2018. A gunman opened fire Wednesday evening inside a country music bar, killing multiple people, including a responding sheriff’s sergeant. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

Need to know: Monday, November 12, 2018

Lutheran school in Thousand Oaks learns how to grieve after losing one of its own

Mourners packed the chapel at California Lutheran University, not quite 24 hours after a mass shooting at the Borderline Bar and Grill claimed the lives of a dozen people.

Why the Hindu spiritual tradition of vegetarianism is getting a fresh start

Hindus have found a new reason to recommit themselves to vegetarianism: global warming.

‘Push it hard’: Brownback addresses religious freedom on law’s 20th anniversary

Sam Brownback, U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom and a former U.S. senator, was a key sponsor of the International Religious Freedom Act.

Satanists sue Netflix, Warner Bros. for $150M, saying ‘Sabrina’ copied their statue

The organization filed a complaint Thursday saying its copyrighted statue design appeared without its permission in the new Netflix series "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina."

Measles outbreaks hit ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities in Israel and US

The U.S. outbreak has prompted some synagogues and schools to ban the entry of anyone who has not been vaccinated against the virus.

‘Girl, Wash Your Face’ is a massive best-seller with a dark message

It's hard to overstate the popularity of Rachel Hollis' book, an amalgam of stories, tough-love advice and vaguely biblical encouragement published by Christian imprint Thomas Nelson.

Latest news from RNS

Faith leaders denounce Trump proclamation denying asylum outside border crossings

(RNS) — Religious support for the policy did not immediately fill inboxes and social media timelines. But opposition had started even before the rules were made official.

Before the TV hit ‘God Friended Me,’ there were two friends fascinated with faith

(RNS) — The creators of a new CBS show about a mysterious Facebook contact came together just as their faith journeys were diverging.

Christian author Lysa TerKeurst faces her greatest fears

(RNS) — The bestselling Christian author reveals her husband's affair and her diagnosis with breast cancer in her new book, 'It's Not Supposed to Be this Way."

Harvest Bible Chapel sues bloggers for spreading ‘false information’

(RNS) — Megachurch pastor James MacDonald and his congregation claim the Elephant's Debt blog cost the church thousands of members.

 A Pope Francis gargoyle now watches over Cologne cathedral  

Not everyone is pleased to see the pontiff join soccer players and other celebs on the walls of Germany’s iconic Gothic church.

More views from RNS

What dying children can teach America about responding to shootings

(RNS) — Accompanying children with cancer on their journey, an oncologist says, has taught him that we need show up for those who are grieving.

Kristallnacht matters more than ever

"The Jew piano still plays!" Eighty years later, what is its music?

Blasphemy law is repealed in Ireland but remains a problem for Christian and Muslims

(The Conversation) — In an increasingly pluralist, multicultural West, blasphemy laws find fresh purpose in policing intolerance between religious communities.

Synagogue shooting prompts Muslims to act charitably—and humbly

Charitable acts today all but require hashtags and Instagram photos. Dilshad Ali on a spiritual strategy to keep our intentions modest.

Mormon political control of Utah may be slipping, election shows

(RNS) — Despite the opposition of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Utah voters affirmed medical marijuana. Although Mormonism remains deeply influential in this red state, the church is gradually losing its political control.

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