News
Is Usha Vance’s Hindu identity an asset or a liability to the Trump-Vance campaign?
By Deepa Bharath — September 4, 2024
(AP) — While some political analysts say her strong presence as a Hindu American still makes the community proud, others question whether the Republican Party is really ready for a Hindu second lady.
National Baptists hold annual meeting as leadership questions continue
By Adelle M. Banks — September 3, 2024
BALTIMORE (RNS) — The Rev. Jerry Young, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi, has been president for two five-year terms and cannot run for a consecutive third term.
Neo-Buddhists push back against Hindu claims on ancient cave monasteries in India
By Priyadarshini Sen — September 3, 2024
GUJARAT, India (RNS) — In western India, where thousands of monks once worshipped in caves chiseled into the rocky hills, a fight is on to keep Hindu chauvinists from erasing a 2,000-year-old Buddhist site.
Catholic diocese sues US government, worried some foreign-born priests might be forced to leave
By Giovanna Dell'orto — September 3, 2024
In his own border diocese of El Paso, Texas, Bishop Mark Seitz is facing the possibility of losing priests whose permanent residency cases now have little chance to be approved before their visas expire. The law mandates them to leave the United States for at least a year.
What to know about the rescued hostage’s Bedouin community in Israel
By Mariam Fam — September 3, 2024
(AP) — One significant long-running source of tensions is that tens of thousands or so Bedouins in the Negev eke out an existence in villages that the Israeli authorities don’t recognize. The villages are largely cut off from basic services and the government wants to tear them down.
The Black church has moved from essential to voluntary, says author Jason Shelton
By Adelle M. Banks — September 3, 2024
(RNS) — ‘Is the Black church dead? I think it really varies depending on which traditions we’re talking about,’ said Shelton, a sociologist at the University of Texas at Arlington.
In new book, journalist Joshua Leifer offers a scathing take on American Judaism
By Yonat Shimron — August 30, 2024
(RNS) — 'Tablets Shattered' is a sweeping historical account of a fractured and contentious religious establishment — much of it hampered by its embrace of Zionism.
Photos of the Week: Krishna and Teresa birthdays; Arbaeen
By Kit Doyle — August 30, 2024
(RNS) — Each week RNS presents a gallery of photos of religious expression around the world. This week’s photo gallery includes birthdays of Lord Krishna and Saint Teresa, Arbaeen pilgrims and more.
Montgomery County, Maryland, was most religiously diverse US county in 2023
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — August 30, 2024
(RNS) — Beyond the religiously unaffiliated, which represent slightly less than 2 in 10 (17.8%) residents, the largest religious group in the county was Black Protestants, who make up 10% of the population.
Some nonprofit newspapers endorse candidates. So why can’t churches, new lawsuit asks.
By Bob Smietana — August 30, 2024
(RNS) — The federal lawsuit, filed by the National Religious Broadcasters, is the latest challenge to the so-called Johnson Amendment, which bars charitable nonprofits from taking sides in campaigns.
Pope Francis’ trip to Southeast Asia will test the pope’s health and message
By Claire Giangravé — August 30, 2024
(RNS) — The 87-year-old pope will visit a record number of countries in the longest trip of his pontificate.
Ancient tombs with vibrant wall paintings open to public in southern Israel
By Melanie Lidman and Ohad Zwigenberg — August 30, 2024
ASHKELON, Israel (AP) — The tombs, located a few hundred meters from the beach, were likely the burial place for aristocratic Romans some 1,700 years ago, when Ashkelon was a Roman city, according to archaeologists.
U.S. Latinas embrace spiritual practices outside traditional religion
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — August 29, 2024
(RNS) — Many U.S. Latinas have turned to sound healing while seeking spiritual practices outside of traditional religion.
‘Wall of Silence,’ a podcast about abuse in ACNA, was silenced. Now, it’s back.
By Kathryn Post — August 29, 2024
(RNS) — A spokesperson said no one from ACNA’s national office had knowledge of Archbishop Beach or his staff asking for the podcast to stop.
Study: Citizens around the globe want leaders who stand up for religious believers
By Genevieve Charles — August 29, 2024
(RNS) — In the U.S., two-thirds of respondents say that it is important to have a leader at the national level who stands up for people with religious beliefs. Less than half of respondents believe that it is essential for their leader to have strong religious beliefs or have religious beliefs that are the same as their own.
