Deepa Bharath, Author at Religion News Service https://religionnews.com Driving essential conversation about how religion and beliefs shape us and our world. Wed, 04 Sep 2024 14:55:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 https://religionnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Favicon-100x100.png Deepa Bharath, Author at Religion News Service https://religionnews.com 32 32 Is Usha Vance’s Hindu identity an asset or a liability to the Trump-Vance campaign? https://religionnews.com/2024/09/04/is-usha-vances-hindu-identity-an-asset-or-a-liability-to-the-trump-vance-campaign/ https://religionnews.com/2024/09/04/is-usha-vances-hindu-identity-an-asset-or-a-liability-to-the-trump-vance-campaign/#respond Wed, 04 Sep 2024 14:55:02 +0000 https://religionnews.com/?p=4164778&preview=true&preview_id=4164778 (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.

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]]> https://religionnews.com/2024/09/04/is-usha-vances-hindu-identity-an-asset-or-a-liability-to-the-trump-vance-campaign/feed/ 0 Apache Christ icon controversy sparks debate over Indigenous Catholic faith practices https://religionnews.com/2024/07/29/apache-christ-icon-controversy-sparks-debate-over-indigenous-catholic-faith-practices/ https://religionnews.com/2024/07/29/apache-christ-icon-controversy-sparks-debate-over-indigenous-catholic-faith-practices/#respond Mon, 29 Jul 2024 15:05:51 +0000 https://religionnews.com/?p=4159634&preview=true&preview_id=4159634 MESCALERO, New Mexico (AP) — For this close-knit community, the 8-foot Apache Christ painting is a reminder of the holy union of their culture and faith.

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]]> https://religionnews.com/2024/07/29/apache-christ-icon-controversy-sparks-debate-over-indigenous-catholic-faith-practices/feed/ 0 Buddha’s birthday: When is it and how is it celebrated in different countries? https://religionnews.com/2024/05/13/buddhas-birthday-when-is-it-and-how-is-it-celebrated-in-different-countries/ https://religionnews.com/2024/05/13/buddhas-birthday-when-is-it-and-how-is-it-celebrated-in-different-countries/#respond Mon, 13 May 2024 15:13:01 +0000 https://religionnews.com/?p=4147926&preview=true&preview_id=4147926 (AP) – This is a holy occasion for all Buddhists, but is celebrated on different dates depending on the school of Buddhism or country to which one belongs.

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]]> https://religionnews.com/2024/05/13/buddhas-birthday-when-is-it-and-how-is-it-celebrated-in-different-countries/feed/ 0 Transgender inclusion? World’s major religions take varying stances on policies toward trans people https://religionnews.com/2024/04/10/transgender-inclusion-worlds-major-religions-take-varying-stances-on-policies-toward-trans-people/ https://religionnews.com/2024/04/10/transgender-inclusion-worlds-major-religions-take-varying-stances-on-policies-toward-trans-people/#respond Wed, 10 Apr 2024 14:49:08 +0000 https://religionnews.com/?p=4142365&preview=true&preview_id=4142365 (AP) – Around the world, major religions have diverse approaches to gender identity, and the inclusion or exclusion of transgender people. Some

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]]> https://religionnews.com/2024/04/10/transgender-inclusion-worlds-major-religions-take-varying-stances-on-policies-toward-trans-people/feed/ 0 Awe and dread: How religions have responded to total solar eclipses over the centuries https://religionnews.com/2024/04/05/awe-and-dread-how-religions-have-responded-to-total-solar-eclipses-over-the-centuries/ https://religionnews.com/2024/04/05/awe-and-dread-how-religions-have-responded-to-total-solar-eclipses-over-the-centuries/#respond Fri, 05 Apr 2024 17:35:10 +0000 https://religionnews.com/?p=4141440&preview=true&preview_id=4141440 (AP) — Ahead of the total solar eclipse that will follow a long path over North America on Monday, here's a look at how several of the world's major religions have responded to such eclipses over the centuries and in modern times.

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]]> https://religionnews.com/2024/04/05/awe-and-dread-how-religions-have-responded-to-total-solar-eclipses-over-the-centuries/feed/ 0 A California city wrestles with its history of discrimination against early Chinese immigrants https://religionnews.com/2024/03/21/a-california-city-wrestles-with-its-history-of-discrimination-against-early-chinese-immigrants/ https://religionnews.com/2024/03/21/a-california-city-wrestles-with-its-history-of-discrimination-against-early-chinese-immigrants/#respond Thu, 21 Mar 2024 14:09:58 +0000 https://religionnews.com/?p=4138512&preview=true&preview_id=4138512 ANTIOCH, Calif. (AP) — In the 19th century, Chinese people across California endured discrimination such as wage disparity, bans on property ownership and sundown laws that barred them from going outside after dark.

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]]> https://religionnews.com/2024/03/21/a-california-city-wrestles-with-its-history-of-discrimination-against-early-chinese-immigrants/feed/ 0 What is Lunar New Year and how is it celebrated? https://religionnews.com/2024/02/08/what-is-lunar-new-year-and-how-is-it-celebrated/ https://religionnews.com/2024/02/08/what-is-lunar-new-year-and-how-is-it-celebrated/#respond Thu, 08 Feb 2024 15:45:26 +0000 https://religionnews.com/?p=4131723&preview=true&preview_id=4131723 Lunar New Year begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends 15 days later on the first full moon

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]]> https://religionnews.com/2024/02/08/what-is-lunar-new-year-and-how-is-it-celebrated/feed/ 0 New member of Mormon church leadership says it must do better to help sex abuse victims heal https://religionnews.com/2024/01/24/new-member-of-mormon-church-leadership-says-it-must-do-better-to-help-sex-abuse-victims-heal/ https://religionnews.com/2024/01/24/new-member-of-mormon-church-leadership-says-it-must-do-better-to-help-sex-abuse-victims-heal/#respond Wed, 24 Jan 2024 15:32:07 +0000 https://religionnews.com/?p=4129284&preview=true&preview_id=4129284 The Utah-based faith has stuck by the system despite the criticism and increasing scrutiny from attorneys and prosecutors who argue it is inadequate to quickly stop abuse and protect victims.

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]]> https://religionnews.com/2024/01/24/new-member-of-mormon-church-leadership-says-it-must-do-better-to-help-sex-abuse-victims-heal/feed/ 0 Indigenous faithful and Christians work with environmentalists to conserve India’s sacred forests https://religionnews.com/2024/01/17/indigenous-faith-reverence-for-land-lead-effort-to-conserve-sacred-forests-in-northeastern-india/ https://religionnews.com/2024/01/17/indigenous-faith-reverence-for-land-lead-effort-to-conserve-sacred-forests-in-northeastern-india/#respond Wed, 17 Jan 2024 15:37:12 +0000 https://religionnews.com/?p=4128192&preview=true&preview_id=4128192 SHILLONG, India (AP) — Mawphlang is one of more than 125 sacred forests in Meghalaya, and arguably the most famous one

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]]> https://religionnews.com/2024/01/17/indigenous-faith-reverence-for-land-lead-effort-to-conserve-sacred-forests-in-northeastern-india/feed/ 0 Native Hawaiian salt makers combat climate change and pollution to protect a sacred tradition https://religionnews.com/2024/01/03/native-hawaiian-salt-makers-combat-climate-change-and-pollution-to-protect-a-sacred-tradition/ https://religionnews.com/2024/01/03/native-hawaiian-salt-makers-combat-climate-change-and-pollution-to-protect-a-sacred-tradition/#respond Wed, 03 Jan 2024 14:40:13 +0000 https://religionnews.com/?p=4126208&preview=true&preview_id=4126208 HANAPEPE, Hawaii (AP) — Over the past decade, this tract has been under constant threat due to development, pollution from a neighboring airfield, sand erosion from vehicle traffic and littering by visitors to the adjacent beach.

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