RNS Morning Report: SCOTUS and faith; Chicago protests; Nazi paraphernalia

Potential Supreme Court nominees Brett Kavanaugh, from left, Amy Coney Barrett, and Raymond Kethledge.

Need to know: Monday, July 9, 2018

Trump’s possible Supreme Court nominees: The faith factor

The three front-runners for Supreme Court nominee are Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh and Raymond Kethledge. What have they said and done with regard to religion?

Judge Amy Coney Barrett and her ties to the People of Praise and Catholic charismatics

Charismatic Catholics have developed a network of prayer groups, retreats, conferences and covenant communities. Judge Amy Coney Barrett belongs to one named "People of Praise." Let us 'splain.

Chicago priest leads protest against violence that shuts down a major highway

The Rev. Michael Pfleger led anti-violence protestors up Chicago's major Dan Ryan Expressway with one goal in mind: shut it down.

How Amazon has made money off racism and hate

Even children’s books or toys sold on the platform have promoted white supremacy, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, according to a new report.

Many look to Buddhism for sanctuary from an over-connected world

In response to growing concern over screen time and internet addiction, some users are turning to Buddhist principles to have a more mindful experience online.

Inside the Christian legal powerhouse that keeps winning at the Supreme Court

With a new Supreme Court justice on the way, Alliance Defending Freedom is poised to become more influential than ever. (Subscription may be required.)

Latest news from RNS

Witnesses await church sex abuse report with hope for change

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Dozens of witnesses testified in the state attorney general's two-year grand jury investigation that victim advocates expect will produce the largest and most exhaustive clergy sexual abuse report by a U.S. state.

Duterte vows to resign if anybody can prove God exists

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine president, who recently sparked outrage for calling God stupid, has courted new controversy in his largely Roman Catholic country by saying he will resign if anybody can prove that God exists.

Cult leader executed for Japan sarin attacks still a mystery

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga confirmed doomsday cult leader Shoko Asahara was executed Friday (July 6).

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How I caused an earthquake in Israel

JERUSALEM (RNS) — A funny thing happened on the way to Jerusalem this past Shabbat.

Keeping the faith in an age of anxiety

Writer Rachel Marie Stone has dealt with anxiety since childhood. Sometimes her faith made it worse with a he-sees-you-when-you're-sleeping Jesus. In her new memoir, she talks about an adult faith that calms her fearful heart and helps her shift the narrative.

As Episcopalians meet, debate looms about their place in the Anglican world

(RNS) — As the Episcopal Church's General Convention begins this week, a debate rages in many countries, including the United States, about whether the stalwart of mainstream American Protestantism can rightly claim to be the legitimate expression of Anglicanism.