RNS Morning Report: Genius pastor; Larycia Hawkins film; Women-run mosques

The Rev. William J. Barber II,speaks during a Bible study at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh, N.C. in this June 24, 2015, file photo. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

Need to know: Friday, October 5, 2018

Pastor and activist William J. Barber II wins MacArthur ‘genius’ grant

Barber was unavailable to comment on his award – because he was arrested while participating in a “Fight for $15” rally in Chicago.

As Senate nears Kavanaugh confirmation vote, faith voices speak out

Kavanaugh has shown "neither the temperament nor the character" required of a Supreme Court justice, declared the National Council of Churches.

Controversy over Wheaton professor’s hijab captures evangelical rift in new film

"Same God" explores Larycia Hawkins' act of “embodied solidarity” with Muslim women – and what the resulting controversy says about evangelicals today.

Churches in Hurricane Florence’s path look to FEMA for a helping hand

FEMA changed its eligibility requirements in the wake of Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and at the behest of President Trump.

Muslim Council of Britain to train women to run mosques

More than a quarter of mosques in the U.K. have no facilities for women. In the remainder, access is often restricted and space is limited.

Latest news from RNS

A preacher plumbs the art of the sermon by yielding the pulpit to passers-by

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (RNS) — A Michigan pastor has created 'The Preachers,' a performance art piece in which passers-by are encouraged to step up to a makeshift pulpit and preach for up to five minutes.

India deports Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar

GAUHATI, India (AP) — They were arrested in 2012 for entering India illegally and have been held in prison since then.

US-bound Ahmadi leader models a different kind of Islamic caliphate

Fifteen years into his caliphate, Mirza Masroor Ahmad is heading to the U.S. to meet his growing community and share his message of world peace through prayer.

More views from RNS

‘The Trump Prophecy’ includes troubling parallels for American democracy

(RNS) — A new documentary claiming God ordained the 2016 election likens President Trump to the Persian king Cyrus. The comparison, increasingly common among conservative Christians, ignores disturbing facts about Cyrus’ impact on the Jews.

Top 5 Mormon rumors about this weekend’s General Conference

Two-hour church? Just maybe! And four other possibly almost kind of credible rumors about General Conference.

To overcome patriarchy, men first have to see it in themselves

(RNS) — Those with brown skin know that those who don’t experience racism have a hard time relating to it, a feeling we call 'white privilege.' But the Kavanaugh case has forced us all to confront the male privilege we didn't see.