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Report blames major US corporations for global spread of anti-Muslim violence
By Aysha Khan — November 6, 2019
(RNS) — The report calls companies including Facebook, Amazon, Fidelity, Goldman Sachs, iHeartMedia and Sinclair Broadcast Group 'the unindicted co-conspirators of the Christchurch shooter' who attacked two New Zealand mosques in March.
Anti-Semitism in the US today is a variation on an old theme
By Pamela S. Nadell — November 6, 2019
(The Conversation) — With anti-Semitism today bombarding American Jews from the right and the left, the moment appears new, but its language is not. It's a very old theme.
Marco Rubio’s ‘common-good capitalism’ garners mixed reactions from Catholics
By Jack Jenkins — November 6, 2019
WASHINGTON (RNS) — 'Rubio’s focus on work is promising but his policies largely ignore labor,' said Vincent Miller, a professor of religious studies at the University of Dayton.
Neighborly Faith urges evangelicals to find a ‘third way’ to befriend Muslims
By Emily McFarlan Miller — November 6, 2019
WHEATON, Ill. (RNS) — Neighborly Faith is a nationwide movement to bring Christians and Muslims together.
UMC’s Western Jurisdiction announces ‘safe harbor’ for LGBTQ clergy
By Emily McFarlan Miller — November 6, 2019
(RNS) — The Safe Harbor Declaration comes months before new restrictions strengthening the United Methodist Church’s ban on the ordination and marriage of its LGBTQ members are set to take effect on Jan. 1.
Has denying Communion lost its political luster?
By Jack Jenkins — November 5, 2019
(RNS) — 'It is bad Eucharistic theology, bad pastoral practice and bad politics,' said John Carr of Georgetown University.
Douglas Wilson’s ‘spiritual takeover’ plan roils Idaho college town
By Tracy Simmons — November 5, 2019
MOSCOW, Idaho (RNS) — A conservative pastor and his followers say they plan a 'spiritual takeover' of this community. But its more progressive residents aren't so thrilled with the idea.
Pope criticizes cultural discrimination in new book of interviews from Amazon synod
By Claire Giangravé — November 5, 2019
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — In an interview book published Tuesday, Pope Francis discusses his vision for a missionary church and criticizes groups that discriminate against other cultures and view them as unworthy of receiving the gospel.
An accused pastor’s suicide: The pain we see and the pain we don’t
By Christa Brown — November 5, 2019
(RNS) — When the Rev. Bryan Fulwider, an accused rapist, ended his life, he didn't end the pain his alleged victim feels. To the contrary, it may well bring greater hurt.
Mormons criticize LDS curriculum’s treatment of slavery in the New Testament
By Jana Riess — November 5, 2019
(RNS) — The LDS Church's curriculum on Philemon asks class members to consider a situation from the slaveowner’s point of view. What the heck?
‘Beyond the mosque’: Seeing Islam’s diversity reflected in worship spaces
By Aysha Khan — November 4, 2019
(RNS) — Rizwan Mawani uses diverse sacred spaces as lenses through which to offer readers a primer on the expansive histories, architectures and ritual practices of Muslims around the world.
World Vision tinkers with child sponsorship model that brought in millions
By David King — November 4, 2019
(The Conversation) — World Vision is now flipping its marketing script that critics said demeaned those it wanted to help. Instead of donors choosing children to support, children are beginning to choose donors.
US growth of Islam creates need for religious scholars
By Jeff Karoub and Noreen Nasir — November 4, 2019
(AP) — With the difficulty some Middle Easterners are having entering the United States, some American Muslims are looking to educate homegrown imam and scholars to serve their burgeoning communities in the future.
James MacDonald ‘biblically disqualified’ for ministry, says Harvest Bible
By Bob Smietana — November 3, 2019
(RNS) — Harvest Bible Chapel says founder James MacDonald, who was fired as its pastor earlier this year, is no longer fit for ministry.
Dissent from Traditional Plan dominates United Methodists’ top court meeting
By Emily McFarlan Miller — November 2, 2019
CHICAGO (RNS) — Many of the requests before the Judicial Council this past week had to do with actions recently passed by various regional annual conferences across the country dissenting to the Traditional Plan approved in February.
