Women offer morning prayers at the well-known Dawns’ traditional home in Kolkata, India, on Oct. 17, 2018. RNS photo by Priyadarshini Sen
Need to know: Monday, October 22, 2018
India’s Durga Puja celebrates divine feminine with modern takes on ancient ritual
Every year, Durga Puja is celebrated across India, marking the victory of female power over the buffalo-demon Mahishasura.
Religious freedom advocate Charles Haynes: ‘It’s not a choice’
The First Amendment scholar talks about the state of religious freedom and his private faith.
From denial to pride: How China changed its language on Xinjiang’s camps
Beijing now proudly parades ‘humane management and care’ at internment camps for Uighur Muslims, after denying their existence for months.
Pope Francis expresses willingness to visit North Korea
The pope will take the offer from Kim Jong-un seriously, if he receives an official invitation.
Thousands of Canada’s indigenous children died in church-run boarding schools. Where are they buried?
Nearly 150,000 children were forcibly sent away to be assimilated, a practice that has been deemed “cultural genocide.”
Latest news from RNS
Former Chinese internment camp detainee denied US visa
BEIJING (AP) — Kazakh national Omir Bekali was asked to travel to Washington in September by the chairs of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China.
Young Catholics urge Vatican to issue inclusive LGBT message
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Some of the youth delegates to the meeting have insisted that the final document express an inclusive message to make LGBT Catholics feel welcome in a church that has often shunned them.
Pastor talks of breakdown in Turkey, but also forgiveness
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) — People the Brunsons had known testified against him, but Andrew Brunson said, 'It's not an option not to forgive; we are required to as Christians.'
More views from RNS
The name ‘Mormon’: Why all the fuss, and why now?
President Nelson is right that this "Mormon" name correction is neither cosmetic nor inconsequential. Rather, it may become a defining characteristic of a religion that is anxious to separate the wheat from the chaff in the pluralistic 21st century.
Politics as a substitute for religion will inevitably let you down
(RNS) — Please, get involved. Vote! But don’t kid yourself that political outcomes will bring you meaning, purpose or salvation.
The day I left the Left
Being a prophet is actually not all that much fun. It hurts.
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The Religion Beat: From celebrations to scandals
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