RNS Morning Report: Values voters; Southern Baptist women; Ganesh festival

Attendees lower their heads for a prayer at the opening ceremonies of the 2018 Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Need to know: Monday, September 24, 2018

Conservatives flock to ‘values voter’ summit, but message may be mixed

Conservative evangelical Christians may find themselves in a quandary this year, championing an administration that shares their public policy goals but may fall short of their private values.

Pope warns Lithuanians to guard against anti-Semitism

Francis denounced those who get caught up in debating who was more virtuous in the past and fail to address the tasks of the present — an apparent reference to historic revisionism.

Here’s how a Texas militia planned to assault Islamic convention participants in Houston

New leaked chat logs seem to show just how much violence the Texas Patriot Network was preparing for at the Islamic Society of North America’s conference.

Dallas church intent on seeking justice in Botham Jean’s death

As a minister pledges to find answers, his congregation mourns a beloved song leader and Bible teacher fatally shot in his home by an off-duty police officer.

What draws women to a religion that says men should be in charge?

At Southern Baptist seminaries, female students are wrestling with what exactly draws them to a faith that preaches their own ineligibility for leadership.

Indians are partying and praying for elephant-headed god Ganesh

The Ganpati festival is celebrated all over India, with faithful immersing idols in lakes, streams, even man-made ponds dug out for the occasion.

Latest news from RNS

Vatican, China make breakthrough deal on bishop appointments

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The deal resolved one of the major sticking points in recent years, with the Vatican agreeing to accept seven bishops who were previously named by Beijing without the pope's consent.

Pompeo: US ‘sparing no effort’ for return of pastor detained in Turkey

WASHINGTON (RNS) — The secretary of state told participants in the annual Values Voter Summit that American pastor Andrew Brunson ‘has been wrongly held’ and should be released.

Israeli court fines ultra-Orthodox radio station for banning women from the air

JERUSALEM (RNS) — After a lawsuit was filed, the station began permitting women to speak during limited hours, "and only on stereotypically female topics like recipes or education,” said an activist. 

More views from RNS

Father Brett Kavanaugh would be suspended and investigated

(RNS) — If Brett Kavanaugh were a Catholic priest, he would be suspended and investigated. Should we expect less from the U.S. Senate?

Where is the Jewish Mister Rogers?

All along, Fred Rogers was preaching a special gospel. Or, Torah.