RNS Morning Report: Miracle Hill Ministries; Pelosi & DeVos on Faith; Spiritism in Brazil

A chapel on the grounds of a Miracle Hill group home for children in Pickens County, S.C. RNS photo by Yonat Shimron

Need to know: Thursday, January 31, 2019

S.C. foster care agency tests public’s will to exclude on the basis of faith

When Sue Barrise wanted to foster a child, Miracle Hill asked her what church she belonged to. When she answered, the response was as direct as it was abrupt: 'Sorry, we can't help you.'

Pelosi, DeVos address Christian educators on policy and faith

The opening session of the conference of Christian college presidents featured speeches by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who spoke of their faith as an integral part of their work.

John of God’s sexual assault arrest tarnishes Brazil’s spiritist movement

More than 600 women — varying in age from 8 to 67 — have accused the medium of sexual assault, adding a distressing chapter to the long history of spiritist mediums in Brazil.

Kenyan Supreme Court overturns ruling allowing hijab in Christian schools

The latest twist in a long-running debate over school dress codes has outraged Muslim parents in the predominantly Christian country.

Pope downplays expectations for sexual abuse meeting in Rome

The meeting could be a disappointment for Americans who have been dealing with abuse for decades while still being a success for the universal church, writes Thomas Reese.

Sarah Sanders tells Christian Broadcasting Network: God wanted Trump to be president

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told a Christian television station Wednesday that God “wanted Donald Trump to become president” so he could support “a lot of the things that people of faith really care about.”

 


 

Latest news from RNS

Asia Bibi free to leave Pakistan after court dismisses challenge to her acquittal

Bibi, a Christian whose death sentence for blasphemy was overturned last year, will likely leave Pakistan after a court rejected an appeal of her acquittal.

In polarized Washington, a Democrat anchors bipartisan friendships in faith

'I’m only on my third time through reading the Bible, start to finish, in a year,' Sen. Chris Coons said.

Bible study and skateboards meet at Skatechurch

The Skatechurch ministry at First United Methodist in Tulsa hopes to reach skateboard fans with the Bible.

More views from RNS

What are Muslim prayer rugs?

Islamic carpets have been popular for centuries in Europe and beyond, often picking up symbolism, social meaning and ways of being used, writes Rose Aslan.

We need more biblical literacy in America

But, teaching Bible in schools? A qualified "meh," writes Jeffrey Salkin.

Fighting hate, from Tree of Life synagogue to Charleston’s Mother Emanuel Church

PITTSBURGH (RNS) — In response to hate, we connected with other victims of hate to increase good in the world and honor those slain in the Tree of Life synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018.