Controversial pastor Doug Wilson subject of new podcast, ‘Sons of Patriarchy’ (RNS) — The creators say the Idaho pastor represents an increasingly mainstream biblical patriarchy movement with dangerous implications. The post Controversial pastor Doug Wilson subject of new podcast, ‘Sons of Patriarchy’ appeared first on RNS.

Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally recalls notorious election-losing religious slur (RNS) — A preacher trafficked in anti-Catholicism at a rally near Madison Square Garden 140 years earlier, almost to the day. The post Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally recalls notorious election-losing religious slur appeared first on RNS.

Debates about Columbus’ Spanish Jewish ancestry are not new − the claim was once a bid for social acceptance (The Conversation) — Claims about Columbus being Sephardic have bubbled up for decades. Early in the 20th century, some immigrant groups hoped proving ties to him would improve their own social standing. The post Debates about Columbus’ Spanish Jewish ancestry are not new − the claim was once a bid for social acceptance appeared first on RNS.

Takeaways from AP’s report on the past and present of two historic Philadelphia churches PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Congregants remain proud of Christ Church’s crucial role in America’s freedom. But they also grapple with contradictions. Some church members traded slaves and are buried in the church yard near signers of the Declaration of Independence. Franklin’s tomb is in the nearby Christ Church burial ground. The post Takeaways from AP…

For many Latter-day Saints, America has a special bond with God − but Christian nationalism is too far (The Conversation) — America holds a unique place in the faith’s teachings, but awareness of the church’s often precarious place in US culture has made it wary of mixing religion and state. The post For many Latter-day Saints, America has a special bond with God − but Christian nationalism is too far appeared first on RNS.

Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations blend Indigenous customs and European thinking in surprising ways (The Conversation) — The Aztecs deliberated on how to continue their traditions and preserve their group identity following the Spanish invasion. The post Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations blend Indigenous customs and European thinking in surprising ways appeared first on RNS.

In Vatican summit’s final document, delegates call for more lay and female church leaders (RNS) — Pope Francis signed the final document of the synod, suggesting that it constitutes official church teaching. The post In Vatican summit’s final document, delegates call for more lay and female church leaders appeared first on RNS.

Democracy and Faith Hit The Road Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush checks in with values-driven bus tours this election season: The Revolutionary Love Tour with Valarie Kaur; Vote Common Good Tour with Rev. Doug Pagitt; The Convocation Unscripted Faith and Democracy Tour with Kristin Du Mez; and The Vote is Sacred Tour from Interfaith Alliance with Guthrie Graves-Fitzimmons T…

From the steppes with shamanism: The Hu makes hits with praises to the sky deity (RNS) — Hair flying, war banners waving, a Mongolian heavy metal band sings of shamanist spirituality and their devotion to the chief embodiment of the sky-deity Tengri. The post From the steppes with shamanism: The Hu makes hits with praises to the sky deity appeared first on RNS.

Spokane’s historic West Central Abbey receives $50,000 grant for essential renovations (FāVS News) — Built in 1895, the Episcopal church was one of 24 houses of worship across the country to receive funding from the National Fund for Sacred Spaces. The post Spokane’s historic West Central Abbey receives $50,000 grant for essential renovations appeared first on RNS.

If you wanted to change the world, would you start with laundry? (RNS) — In 2019, Sawhney left a comfortable job to move to South India to start a new life and career, grounded in a vision of meaning and service. We talked with him about his choice. The post If you wanted to change the world, would you start with laundry? appeared first on RNS.

Photos of the Week: Panama pilgrims; Presidential push (RNS) — This week’s photo gallery includes pilgrims to Panama’s Black Christ statue, Harris and Trump making final appeals to voters and more. The post Photos of the Week: Panama pilgrims; Presidential push appeared first on RNS.

Ralph Fiennes talks about papal thriller ‘Conclave,’ women’s ordination (RNS) — While conservatives seemed to think the film’s ending raised the question of women’s ordination, for Ralph Fiennes, it is the marginal role of women in the film that raises that question. The post Ralph Fiennes talks about papal thriller ‘Conclave,’ women’s ordination appeared first on RNS.

Champ, America’s Loch Ness Monster ‘spotted’ in drone footage from filmmakers Eternal Grace The post Champ, America’s Loch Ness Monster ‘spotted’ in drone footage from filmmakers appeared first on RNS.

Exposing soft Christian nationalism (RNS) — An exploration of how soft Christian nationalism, hiding within the broader sympathies of everyday Americans, fuels support for authoritarian leaders and political violence. The post Exposing soft Christian nationalism appeared first on RNS.

In Philadelphia, a Muslim hub, presidential election feels to many like no choice at all PHILADELPHIA (RNS) — The city’s growing Muslim Democratic establishment is trying to rally its constituency to the polls in an atmosphere of deep mistrust of either candidate. The post In Philadelphia, a Muslim hub, presidential election feels to many like no choice at all appeared first on RNS.

Faith groups use election scenarios to prepare spiritually, mentally for what’s next (RNS) — ‘I was surprised at how many people were interested in this,’ said Protect Democracy’s Chris Crawford, who has led discussions with faith leaders about possible election scenarios. The post Faith groups use election scenarios to prepare spiritually, mentally for what’s next appeared first on RNS.

On Simchat Torah, one Illinois synagogue celebrates a bounty of Torah readers (RNS) — A few years ago, the Conservative congregation of 900 families overlooking Lake Michigan took on a challenge. This past year 210 laypeople stepped up. The post On Simchat Torah, one Illinois synagogue celebrates a bounty of Torah readers appeared first on RNS.

‘We were made to love and be loved,’ Pope Francis writes in latest encyclical (RNS) – Pope Francis’ fourth encyclical calls on Catholics to contribute to building a church and society focused on human feeling and forgiveness. The post ‘We were made to love and be loved,’ Pope Francis writes in latest encyclical appeared first on RNS.

When is Oct. 7 — really? (RNS) — Oct. 7 itself, or Simchat Torah? In the answer you will find a key to Judaism itself. The post When is Oct. 7 — really? appeared first on RNS.