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How India’s youth are taking to a path shown by a 15th century mystic
By Kalpana Jain — November 13, 2019
VARANASI, India (RNS) — As Indian millennials chart their own spiritual paths they are leading a revival of the teachings of a mystic who wrote couplets on the nature of the divine and criticized any form of orthodoxy.
At the Vatican, big-tech and interfaith groups team up to protect minors on the web
By Claire Giangravé — November 13, 2019
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — A coalition of big-tech companies and interreligious institutions meeting at the Vatican Nov. 14-25 seeks to create a safe environment for children on the internet through cooperation and concrete actions.
‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ to use church land for affordable housing
By Alejandra Molina — November 12, 2019
(RNS) — A number of churches in California are exploring ways to build affordable housing on their own land. It’s what people are referring to as YIGBY, or 'Yes in God’s Backyard.'
Chicago suburb seeks to block church’s winter homeless shelter
By Aysha Khan — November 12, 2019
(RNS) — Last month, Hope Covenant Church opened the first homeless shelter in Chicago’s affluent suburban Village of Orland Park in more than three decades. The overnight shelter is open every Tuesday until April — unless a lawsuit by village officials succeeds.
Can we find a new meaning in the word evangelical?
By Jason Byassee — November 12, 2019
(RNS) — On a visit to evangelical churches in the heart of red America not long ago, I found hope to think "evangelical" can mean something besides what web trolls and Trump-supporting preachers have turned it into.
Tony Evans: On his new Bible and commentary, Kirk Franklin boycott, wife’s health
By Adelle M. Banks — November 12, 2019
DALLAS (RNS) — The Dallas pastor says his new study Bible and commentary aim to foster ‘a well-ordered life in a chaotic world.’
Pope Francis kicks off World Day of the Poor with free healthcare for disadvantaged
By Claire Giangravé — November 12, 2019
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — In the week leading up to the third annual World Day of the Poor, St. Peter’s Square is a snapshot of Francis’ agenda of a 'poor Church for the poor,' as homeless and impoverished people find medical help and a welcoming and warm respite in the cold weather leading up to the holidays.
FBI report: Jews the target of overwhelming number of religious-based hate crimes
By Yonat Shimron — November 12, 2019
(RNS) — Hate crimes motivated by religious bias accounted for 1,550 offenses, and the majority of those — 57.8% — were anti-Jewish.
Tony Evans: On his new Bible and commentary, Kirk Franklin boycott, wife’s health
By Adelle M. Banks — November 12, 2019
DALLAS (RNS) — The Dallas pastor says his new study Bible and commentary aim to foster ‘a well-ordered life in a chaotic world.’
US bishops elect Mexican immigrant to head conference
By Jack Jenkins — November 12, 2019
BALTIMORE (RNS) — The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has elected Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, California, a naturalized US citizen who emigrated from Mexico and is outspoken on immigration issues, as its new president.
The rise of fundamentalist Catholicism
By Mark Silk — November 12, 2019
(RNS) — The recent Amazon synod has exposed just how far conservative Catholicism has been reshaped in the image of American evangelicalism.
Teen girl says her Catholic high school disciplined her for being gay
By Alejandra Molina — November 11, 2019
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — A Los Angeles County Catholic high school has made headlines after a teenage girl told BuzzFeed News that school administrators forced her into counseling for being gay.
Catholic Bishops call for ‘full strength’ of church to fight gun violence
By Jack Jenkins — November 11, 2019
BALTIMORE (RNS) — Bishop Frank Dewane called on his fellow clerics to combat the scourge of gun violence by utilizing the power of the Catholic tradition.
With interfaith exhibit, Boston’s Abrahamic faith groups revisit their shared roots
By Aysha Khan — November 11, 2019
BOSTON (RNS) — The Episcopal Cathedral is hosting a new interfaith art exhibit that explores the life of Abraham — and launching an accompanying book study focused on Sarah and Hagar.
God’s Uber driver in Pittsburgh
By Jeffrey Salkin — November 11, 2019
(RNS) — In a modern Hasidic story, Melchizedek appears as an Uber driver in Pittsburgh.
