World
Ukraine’s parliament approves ban on Moscow-linked religious groups. One church is seen as a target
By Peter Smith — August 21, 2024
(AP) — Ukraine’s parliament has banned the activities of religious groups tied to the Russian Orthodox Church or any other faith group supporting Russia’s invasion.
I’m an evangelical against Trump … and genocide
By Shane Claiborne — August 20, 2024
(RNS) — Like many Christians, I find myself conflicted this election season.
Laughter yoga’s benefits are no laughing matter
By Ellie Davis — August 20, 2024
(RNS) — Laughter yoga combines breathwork and gentle movement from yoga with laughter therapy to energize and reduce stress.
War in Gaza casts a shadow over DNC opening
By Yonat Shimron — August 19, 2024
(RNS) — On Monday, protesters had begun gathering in Union Park in Chicago, about a half-mile from the DNC headquarters, with 'Abandon Harris ’24' signs.
Nearly half of world’s migrants are Christian, Pew Research shows
By Chloë-Arizona Fodor — August 19, 2024
(RNS) — US migrants are much more likely to have a religious identity than the American-born population.
Catholics are debating whether to remove paintings by a priest accused of abusing women − but let’s not confuse the artist and the art, writes an art historian
By Virginia Raguin — August 19, 2024
(The Conversation) — Marko Rupnik’s art is on display in many churches. Should his paintings be removed in light of recent allegations?
Who is the ‘Laughing Buddha’? A scholar of East Asian Buddhism explains
By Megan Bryson — August 19, 2024
(The Conversation) — The ‘Laughing Buddha’ shows how people have adapted Buddhism to different cultural and historical contexts.
New York’s India Day Parade will not remove controversial Hindu tribute
By Richa Karmarkar — August 16, 2024
NEW YORK (RNS) — The centerpiece float of Lord Ram at this year's parade has been met with fierce criticism from those who say it represents anti-Muslim sentiment.
Russian artist released in swap builds a new life in Germany, now free to marry her partner
By Dasha Litvinova — August 16, 2024
KOBLENZ, Germany (AP) — Sasha Skochilenko and Sofya Subbotina reunited earlier this month in Germany, shortly after Skochilenko and other Russian prisoners were exchanged in a historic East-West swap — a happy if unlikely ending to an over two-year ordeal.
Black Baptist organization gets $1 million megachurch donation to aid African girls
By Adelle M. Banks — August 15, 2024
(RNS) — The money will be used to support the Ghana Baptist Convention to rescue young girls whose families have sold them into the long-established system of Trokosi.
A mass circumcision is marketed to tourists in a remote area of Uganda. Some are angrily objecting.
By Rodney Muhumuza — August 15, 2024
NEAR MOUNT ELGON, Uganda (AP) — Locals question their king over the very public presentation of Imbalu, the ritualized circumcision of thousands of boys every other year in this remote community near Uganda’s border with Kenya.
Kamala, a common name in India, is associated with several deities and is a symbol of wisdom
By Archana Venkatesan — August 15, 2024
(The Conversation) — Kamala, a Sanskrit word for lotus, symbolizes wisdom. Its rooted in the fact that even though the flower blooms in a swamp, it remains untouched by the dirt around it.
In win for non-Orthodox Judaism, Ugandan Jew set to receive Israeli citizenship
By Michele Chabin — August 14, 2024
(RNS) — It took Yosef Kibita four conversions to Judaism to receive Israeli citizenship.
In India, a ‘Hindu’ mosque aims to heal divisions
By Priyadarshini Sen — August 13, 2024
KOLKATA, India (RNS) — A Hindu family discovered a centuries-old mosque on their property and decided to restore it.
US advocacy groups raise awareness for plight of Bangladeshi Hindus
By Richa Karmarkar — August 12, 2024
(RNS) — Some see the escalation of anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh as a chance to unite the global Hindu diaspora.
