[slingshot_ad name=”Slingshot Banner Ad”]
Need to know: Thursday, May 18, 2017
New Jersey cardinal blasts GOP for ignoring immigration reform
Cardinal Joseph Tobin, one of the U.S. hierarchy’s most visible champions for the marginalized, ripped Republicans for “inflicting cruelty on innocent people.”
Trump’s first full education budget: Deep cuts to public school programs in pursuit of school choice
Documents obtained by The Washington Post show how the president wants to spend about $400 million to expand charter schools and vouchers for private and religious schools.
Trump’s speech on Islam is rife with pitfalls. Experts say there’s little upside to it.
Here's what could go wrong when the president visits Saudi Arabia to deliver his sermon on Islam, writes Sarah Posner.
Evangelicals hail Trump’s request for release of US pastor in Turkey
“Not only were we able to make the President and Vice President aware that this was a priority of ours, we were pleased that they shared our concern and acted upon it,” said Johnnie Moore, an advocate for persecuted Christians.
The precarious task of praying with presidents in a media age
When the world is watching, trust between a president and his spiritual advisers becomes even more fragile.
[slingshot_ad name=”Slingshot Middle Cube Ad”]
Latest news from RNS
Australia police weigh abuse charges after investigating top Catholic
SYDNEY (Reuters) Cardinal George Pell, who before his Vatican appointment was archbishop of Sydney, has rejected any involvement in alleged child abuse in Australia.
Dancing for fertility in the northern Philippines
OBANDO, Philippines (Reuters) There was dancing in the streets of Obando town in the northern Philippines on Wednesday (May 17) as people feted patron saints they believe bring spouses, fertility and good harvests.
As Catholic influence in Ireland wanes, some hope abortion will be legalized
The parallel tracks on which the Roman Catholic Church and Irish civil society run appear to be separating.
More views from RNS
You need to see ‘A Serious Man’ again
Do rabbis still have things to teach? Ask the Coen brothers.
On the Reformation’s 500th anniversary, remembering Martin Luther’s contribution to literacy
By demanding everyone read the Bible, Luther helped to provide one of the most effective arguments for universal literacy in the history of Western civilization.
The Mormon temple wedding photo game
Mormons too often judge each other's righteousness just by glancing at clothing choices, hairstyles, and piercings -- and guest blogger Mette Harrison has had enough of this superficial judgmentalism.
[slingshot_ad name=”Slingshot Bottom Cube Ad”]
Bonus tracks
- Accepting cancer’s challenges, with a little help from Tao Te Ching
- From Word to image: Christian colleges expand visual art programs
- This woman preacher is schooling the Christian boys club on the crucifixion
- Despite Spain’s economic woes, families still go all out for First Communion parties
- Priest’s remains examined, moved to Oklahoma City