J.D. Greear, center, newly elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention, accepts the gavel from outgoing SBC president Steve Gaines, right, on June 13, 2018. Photo by Matt Miller via Baptist Press
Need to know: Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Seeking unity, J.D. Greear assumes Southern Baptist presidency
The SBC's first Generation X president said he wants to focus more on what all Southern Baptists embrace than what divides them.
Controversial climate fix poses new question: Is geoengineering playing God?
Geoengineering can be controversial because it intentionally interferes with the climate system. Religious groups are now being invited to weigh in on the ethics.
He preyed on men who wanted to be priests. Then he became a cardinal.
Some church officials knew for decades that Cardinal Theodore McCarrick had been accused of sexually harassing and inappropriately touching adults.
In exile, Iraqi Jews are desperate to reclaim their artifacts — but so is Iraq
A return date was set for September, but there is growing resistance to sending the Iraqi Jewish Archive back to Baghdad.
#MeToo goes to Jewish summer camp, a traditional place for teenage romance
A nationwide training program aims to prevent sexual harassment at the co-ed overnight camps.
Duterte vs. God
The Philippine president likes to pick fights. But can he win against the Catholic Church?
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Religion scholars aid theology student arrested protesting a white supremacist
(RNS) — Theologians and ethicists, and religion scholars are raising money for legal fees for Charlottesville, Va., protester and calling his demonstration against racism a ‘model’ of ‘scholar-activism.’
‘Sheltering wings:’ Charleston memorial plan conveys solace
(AP) — Designs for a memorial to nine black worshippers slain at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, began not at a drafting table, but with discussions with grieving family members about how best to honor those lost in the racist attack. The result will be less of a solemn monument and more of a heavenly embrace to those visiting the historic Charleston church.
Muslim candidates running in record numbers face backlash
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — Spurred to action by the anti-Muslim policies and rhetoric of President Trump and his supporters, Muslims are running for elected offices in numbers not seen since before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
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Priests, celibacy and sex
(RNS) — Sex between a Catholic priest and adult can be more than simply a violation of celibacy. It can also be a violation of professional ethics. The church needs to learn from the “#MeToo” movement about the danger of sex between adults who are not equal in power.
Mormonism and the persistent dream of 2-hour church meetings (oh please can we?)
Will 2019 be the year for the two-hour block of LDS Sunday meetings?
More #MeToo lessons as a Buddhist ‘king’ falls
(RNS) — For some American Buddhists, the allegations of sexual misconduct by Mipham Rinpoche this week came as a shock. But no one is exempt from psychological suffering, a fact that might make it less shameful for spiritual mentors to get clinical treatment if it were more commonly understood.
