‘Wicked’: A midrash on ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (RNS) — Not surprisingly, many midrashim — these imagined Torah backstories — are about women. The post ‘Wicked’: A midrash on ‘The Wizard of Oz’ appeared first on RNS.

American pilgrim imprisoned in Assad’s Syria calls his release from prison a ‘blessing’ DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Travis Timmerman said he had gone to Syria on a Christian pilgrimage and was not ill-treated while in Palestine Branch, a notorious detention facility operated by Syrian intelligence. The post American pilgrim imprisoned in Assad’s Syria calls his release from prison a ‘blessing’ appeared first on RNS.

Timothy Snyder On Religion, Power, and Freedom Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush talks with Timothy Snyder, best-selling author, historian, and public intellectual, about his latest book, “On Freedom.” The post Timothy Snyder On Religion, Power, and Freedom appeared first on RNS.

Episcopal Bishop Prince Singh suspended but not deposed after Title IV investigation concludes (RNS) — Singh’s son called the outcome ‘a tragic conclusion to what has been a deeply painful and retraumatizing process.’ The post Episcopal Bishop Prince Singh suspended but not deposed after Title IV investigation concludes appeared first on RNS.

My favorite murder (RNS) — Brian Thompson’s killing is one manifestation of America’s appetite for redemptive violence. Jordan Neely’s is another. The post My favorite murder appeared first on RNS.

Photos of the Week: Marian feast days; Syrian leadership changes (RNS) — This week’s photo gallery includes several Marian feast days, Syrian leadership changes and more. The post Photos of the Week: Marian feast days; Syrian leadership changes appeared first on RNS.

The national strategy to combat Islamophobia is a huge step forward — for Sikhs, too (RNS) — People are most likely to thrive in societies where everyone is given equal opportunity and where governments and citizens work proactively to quash bigotry and discrimination. The post The national strategy to combat Islamophobia is a huge step forward — for Sikhs, too appeared first on RNS.

When a public schoolteacher is punished for controversial books (RNS) — It’s part of a problem on both sides. The post When a public schoolteacher is punished for controversial books appeared first on RNS.

Latest Vatican mystery surrounds missing keffiyeh from Palestinian nativity (RNS) — The appearance of a keffiyeh on a Palestinian-made nativity scene at the Vatican caused a stir. So did its sudden disappearance. The post Latest Vatican mystery surrounds missing keffiyeh from Palestinian nativity appeared first on RNS.

US Senate chaplain Barry Black hospitalized after brain bleed WASHINGTON (AP) — Black, 76, suffered a subdural hematoma earlier this week and is at a local hospital and under the care of the Capitol’s physician, said Rev. Lisa Schultz, Black’s chief of staff. The post US Senate chaplain Barry Black hospitalized after brain bleed appeared first on RNS.

A Keffiyeh Conundrum: the Politics of Baby Jesus (RNS) — A keffiyeh-wrapped baby Jesus sparks a global conversation about faith, politics and justice, revealing deep tensions and potent symbolism in Advent traditions. The post A Keffiyeh Conundrum: the Politics of Baby Jesus appeared first on RNS.

Santa, maybe? Why we have different names for who ‘hurries down the chimney’ on Christmas (The Conversation) — You may call him Santa Claus, but the bearded guy in the red suit is a man known by many names. That doesn’t make him disreputable, just a reflection of changing American culture. The post Santa, maybe? Why we have different names for who ‘hurries down the chimney’ on Christmas appeared first on RNS.

Why the religious beliefs of Trump defense pick Pete Hegseth matter (The Conversation) — Hegseth’s Christian views have been shaped by a 20th-century movement, Christian Reconstruction, which seeks to make America a Christian nation built on biblical law, writes a religion scholar. The post Why the religious beliefs of Trump defense pick Pete Hegseth matter appeared first on RNS.

Ohio could mandate public schools to allow third-party religious ed during school day (RNS) — School boards would be required to permit Christian groups and the Satanic Temple alike to provide off-campus instruction. The post Ohio could mandate public schools to allow third-party religious ed during school day appeared first on RNS.

Rural resurrection: A Greek village leans into faith in fight against demographic collapse FOURNA, Greece (AP) — A winding four-hour drive from Athens, it enjoys near total silence, periodically broken by church bells and howling dogs. The post Rural resurrection: A Greek village leans into faith in fight against demographic collapse appeared first on RNS.

Why Christians should demand the establishment of the ERA now (RNS) — Safety and dignity are fundamental to Christianity, and Christians must answer the call. The post Why Christians should demand the establishment of the ERA now appeared first on RNS.

Indigenous dance and mariachi: New York celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe NEW YORK (RNS) — The events highlighted the cultural, as well as the religious, importance of Our Lady of Guadalupe among the city’s diverse Latin American communities. The post Indigenous dance and mariachi: New York celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared first on RNS.

Biden administration releases strategy for fighting Islamophobia (RNS) — The 67-page strategy was released one month before Biden leaves office and amid heightened tensions with the Muslim American community over the administration’s steadfast support for Israel in its war in Gaza. The post Biden administration releases strategy for fighting Islamophobia appeared first on RNS.

Nancy Pelosi tells Catholic outlet Vatican is reviewing her Communion ban (RNS) — Pelosi told NCR she’s been to Catholic churches all over the country and ‘never been denied’ Communion. The post Nancy Pelosi tells Catholic outlet Vatican is reviewing her Communion ban appeared first on RNS.

Pope Francis makes Jubilee year appeal to end hunger, debt woes and death penalty (RNS) — The pope’s appeal was made for the World Day of Peace, coinciding with the launch of the 2025 Jubilee year. The post Pope Francis makes Jubilee year appeal to end hunger, debt woes and death penalty appeared first on RNS.