faith and politics
How to be a mensch at your seder (or Easter dinner)
By Joshua Hammerman — April 16, 2019
(RNS) — As we gather for the holidays, we all need someone who sees the spark of divinity in everyone at the table — even those whose views we can't stand.
Mayor Pete, lay off the Pharisees!
By Jeffrey Salkin — April 15, 2019
(RNS) — 'Pharisee,' again? I hadn't thought of that word in decades. Until Mayor Pete ...
‘We need to inspire the new, not just curse the darkness’
By Jack Jenkins — April 12, 2019
(RNS) — Spiritual teacher Marianne Williamson is running for president not just against Donald Trump but for a new politics based on love.
Close vote in Israel extends tiny ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties’ outsized sway
By Michele Chabin — April 11, 2019
JERUSALEM (RNS) — Besides its effect on the everyday lives of Jewish Israelis, the influence of haredi parties promises to exacerbate tensions between the Israeli government and non-Orthodox Diaspora Jews.
India’s Hindu prime minister touts hometown’s Buddhist links as vote nears
By Priyadarshini Sen — April 11, 2019
VADNAGAR, India (RNS) — Is Indian Prime Minister Modi's interest in Buddhist antiquities genuine, or just a play for votes among his country's dispossessed?
What every Democratic presidential candidate needs to know about religious voters
By Michael McCurry and Shaun Casey — April 9, 2019
(RNS) — The current crop of Democratic White House contenders can learn from how Senators Kennedy and Obama handled their very different faith-based crises.
In Québec, Christian liberalism becomes the religious authority
By Hannah Dick — April 9, 2019
(RNS) — Bill 21, like the previous secularism bills, disproportionately targets religious minorities' symbols and practices.
Kenyan officials try to dispel fears of new ID labeled ‘mark of the beast’
By Paul O'Donnell — April 5, 2019
NAIROBI (RNS) — The country's president warned church leaders against misusing their privileged positions to mislead their congregations.
Overcoming fears of ‘making noise,’ US Muslims step into civic life
By Eric Berger — April 2, 2019
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — The group Muslims for a Better America plunged into local politics in this city when a candidate who described herself as a 'Confederate' ran for school board.
White evangelical support for Trump comes from churchgoers, not EINOs
By Jemar Tisby — March 19, 2019
(RNS) — A common rebuttal to stats showing the loyalty of Trump's base is that these voters are EINOs (Evangelicals in Name Only). A new Pew report tells a different story.
Religious unaffiliation is growing in the US. Why isn’t it in Congress?
By Bart Worden — March 11, 2019
(RNS) — Contrary to public perception, atheists are, on the whole, less nationalistic, prejudiced and authoritarian than the average American.
Indiana tax preparer shows limits and liberties of our post-Masterpiece Cakeshop world
By Jacob Lupfer — March 4, 2019
(RNS) — Four years after the raucous response to Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a mistaken claim of religious conscience shows how a promising consensus may be forming.
A Howard Schultz platform that could energize faith voters
By Jacob Lupfer — February 18, 2019
(RNS) — Any independent who wants to peel voters from the major parties in decent numbers should focus on religious voters who are economically progressive and socially conservative.
Evangelical Christians need an exit ramp from Trumpism
By Jacob Lupfer — January 28, 2019
(RNS) — Political observers seem to assume that Trump’s Christian base will follow him no matter what. But recent polls show a decent Republican alternative could peel them away from the president in the 2020 primaries.
Tulsi Gabbard’s 2020 bid raises questions about Hindu political ties
By Sonia Paul — January 27, 2019
(RNS) — As Gabbard readies to launch her presidential race in early February, her connection to Indian Hindu political leaders is turning out to be one of her biggest obstacles.
