Is it OK for Mormons to bet on the Super Bowl? (RNS) — U.S. Latter-day Saints seem more accepting of gambling than in the past, according to a recent survey, despite the church’s consistent and total opposition. The post Is it OK for Mormons to bet on the Super Bowl? appeared first on RNS.

At two prayer breakfasts, Trump calls himself champion of religion WASHINGTON (RNS) — Trump took the occasion to announce he would appoint Florida Pastor Paula White to lead his White House Faith Office. The post At two prayer breakfasts, Trump calls himself champion of religion appeared first on RNS.

USAID: The best of bipartisan and faithful work now nearly lost (RNS) — It is perplexing to hear the vice president champion faith-based aid initiatives while, at the same time, funds for efforts like these are literally being turned off. The post USAID: The best of bipartisan and faithful work now nearly lost appeared first on RNS.

Building a Faithful Future: The State of Discipleship Across Generations Gloo The post Building a Faithful Future: The State of Discipleship Across Generations appeared first on RNS.

Friendship, a covenant, romance – David’s love for Jonathan is one of the Bible’s most beautiful (The Conversation) — The Bible describes the two men meeting and sharing an instant connection. The post Friendship, a covenant, romance – David’s love for Jonathan is one of the Bible’s most beautiful appeared first on RNS.

Belief in the sacred waters of the Ganga bring millions to India’s Maha Kumbh festival (The Conversation) — Ritual bathing at the confluence of large rivers has long held special significance in Hindu rituals. Sangam, where the Ganga and Yamuna are believed to meet the fabled Saraswati, is the most revered. The post Belief in the sacred waters of the Ganga bring millions to India’s Maha Kumbh festival appeared first on RNS.

Man pleads guilty to federal charges for firing gun outside Jewish temple in upstate New York ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Mufid Fawaz Alkhader was arrested in December 2023 after firing two shots in the air and shouting “Free Palestine!” outside Temple Israel of Albany. The post Man pleads guilty to federal charges for firing gun outside Jewish temple in upstate New York appeared first on RNS.

This Valentine’s Day, try loving-kindness meditation (The Conversation) — If you’re feeling disconnected from others, or just disenchanted with the day, you might consider trying loving-kindness meditation, writes a scholar of mindfulness. The post This Valentine’s Day, try loving-kindness meditation appeared first on RNS.

Defunding and demonizing the government’s faith-based partners will make its job harder (RNS) — Whether you are a person of faith or not, Musk’s actions should concern you because they threaten the bedrock principles of our democratic freedoms. The post Defunding and demonizing the government’s faith-based partners will make its job harder appeared first on RNS.

Establishment US Jewish organizations mum on Trump’s Gaza plan (RNS) — The American Jewish Committee, a staunch supporter of Israel, issued a statement saying the president’s plan raises ‘a wealth of questions.’ The post Establishment US Jewish organizations mum on Trump’s Gaza plan appeared first on RNS.

America taking over Gaza is a very bad idea (RNS) — The idea is flawed — in every crucial way. The post America taking over Gaza is a very bad idea appeared first on RNS.

Second minister accuses T.D. Jakes of sexual misconduct in defamation suit filing (RNS) — Richard Youngblood made his claims in a legal filing in a defamation suit Jakes brought against Youngblood’s brother, Duane, who was the first to accuse the Texas megachurch pastor. The post Second minister accuses T.D. Jakes of sexual misconduct in defamation suit filing appeared first on RNS.

Pro-Trump Arab American group changes its name after the president’s Gaza ‘Riviera’ comments LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Arab Americans for Trump helped lead voter outreach efforts for Trump ahead of the 2024 presidential election in swing states such as Michigan and Arizona. The post Pro-Trump Arab American group changes its name after the president’s Gaza ‘Riviera’ comments appeared first on RNS.

Trump is trying to divide us. Here’s why I’m optimistic about the next four years. (RNS) — We are sending a clear message that cuts through the administration’s noise: We will not let you beat us. The post Trump is trying to divide us. Here’s why I’m optimistic about the next four years. appeared first on RNS.

Amid criticism from religious detractors, Vance speaks at religious freedom summit WASHINGTON (RNS) — The speech came as the Trump administration, just 2 weeks old, is already facing lawsuits arguing that it violated the religious freedom of Christians in the U.S. The post Amid criticism from religious detractors, Vance speaks at religious freedom summit appeared first on RNS.

The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims and a philanthropist, dies at 88 PARIS (AP) — Ceremonies were being held Tuesday in Ismaili communities in the U.S. and others were held elsewhere in the world Wednesday. The post The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims and a philanthropist, dies at 88 appeared first on RNS.

Anglican Church in South Africa admits failures in handling of sexual abuse claims JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A South African panel, headed by a retired judge, released its own report Tuesday in which it said the Anglican Church should have reported its former member John Smyth. The post Anglican Church in South Africa admits failures in handling of sexual abuse claims appeared first on RNS.

Report details 17 cases of abuse by IHOPKC founder Mike Bickle (RNS) — ‘His actions not only violated the sanctity of his role but also caused profound harm to those he was meant to guide and protect,’ the report said. The post Report details 17 cases of abuse by IHOPKC founder Mike Bickle appeared first on RNS.

NFL emails reveal extent of Saints’ damage control for clergy sex abuse crisis NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The emails shed new light on the Saints’ foray into a fraught topic far from the gridiron, a behind-the-scenes effort driven by the team’s devoutly Catholic owner who has long enjoyed a close relationship with the city’s embattled archbishop. The post NFL emails reveal extent of Saints’ damage control for clergy sex abuse cris…

A dispute between New Orleans archbishop and Second Harvest board goes nuclear (RNS) — For more than four decades, leaders of Second Harvest and the Catholic Church in New Orleans had been partners in fighting hunger. Then a dispute over money and control forced a standoff. The post A dispute between New Orleans archbishop and Second Harvest board goes nuclear appeared first on RNS.