Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid al-Fitr, but the festivities are marred by the war in Gaza JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Muslims around the world celebrated the Eid al-Fitr holiday Wednesday, marking the end of the Islamic holy month with family reunions, new clothes and sweet treats. But the celebrations were overshadowed by the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and Israel’s expected offensive in the city of Rafah despite e…

Religion Communicators Council names Wilbur Awardees Religion Communicators Council (RCC) The post Religion Communicators Council names Wilbur Awardees appeared first on Religion News Service.

Smokin’ Hot Christians and Patriotic Bibles + Micha Boyett on the Dream of God We talk limits — and why we’re embracing them — with Micha Boyett. Plus, a little side dishing on raunchy Christians and a certain Bible being hawked by a certain former president. The post Smokin’ Hot Christians and Patriotic Bibles + Micha Boyett on the Dream of God appeared first on Religion News Service.

Baptist leaders urge House Speaker Mike Johnson to support Ukrainian Christians (RNS) — ‘We believe that God has put you in this position “for such a time as this,”’ Southern Baptist and Ukrainian Baptist officials wrote the speaker. The post Baptist leaders urge House Speaker Mike Johnson to support Ukrainian Christians appeared first on Religion News Service.

For Irish Muslims, Eid al-Fitr is a ‘mixture of happiness and sadness,’ as all eyes on Gaza DUBLIN (RNS) — ‘The mind can never be clear from the sadness over what is happening in Gaza,’ said a spokesperson for the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland. The post For Irish Muslims, Eid al-Fitr is a ‘mixture of happiness and sadness,’ as all eyes on Gaza appeared first on Religion News Service.

As Trump hawks Bible, debate over ‘Christian America’ spreads outside church (RNS) — During the heyday of American churchgoing, some presidents sought to use religion to unite the country. In the age of Trump, it is one more thing to fight over. The post As Trump hawks Bible, debate over ‘Christian America’ spreads outside church appeared first on Religion News Service.

As a Ramadan like no other ends, Gaza’s shadow haunts Muslims young and old (RNS) — Parents have few answers for children asking about what comes next for Muslims at home and abroad. The post As a Ramadan like no other ends, Gaza’s shadow haunts Muslims young and old appeared first on Religion News Service.

Eid prayers held in a historic former mosque in northern Greece for the first time in 100 years THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Wednesday marked the first time since the 1920s that the building was being used for mass prayers during Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday at the end of the monthlong fasting period of Ramadan. The post Eid prayers held in a historic former mosque in northern Greece for the first time in 100 years appeared first on Reli…

Six months of Jewish loneliness (RNS) — Six months. That’s all you need to know. The post Six months of Jewish loneliness appeared first on Religion News Service.

Transgender inclusion? World’s major religions take varying stances on policies toward trans people (AP) – Around the world, major religions have diverse approaches to gender identity, and the inclusion or exclusion of transgender people. Some The post Transgender inclusion? World’s major religions take varying stances on policies toward trans people appeared first on Religion News Service.

Vatican’s top diplomat begins a 6-day visit to Vietnam aimed at normalizing relations HANOI, Vietnam (AP) —Vietnam described that appointment as a “historic moment,” underscoring a stronger relationship that could have implications in the future for the Holy See’s ties with China. The post Vatican’s top diplomat begins a 6-day visit to Vietnam aimed at normalizing relations appeared first on Religion News Service.

Pakistan deploys more than 100,000 police and paramilitary forces ahead of Eid al-Fitr ISLAMABAD (AP) — The country has witnessed a surge in militant attacks in recent years, mostly claimed by Pakistani Taliban and separatists who mainly operate from the southwestern Baluchistan province. The post Pakistan deploys more than 100,000 police and paramilitary forces ahead of Eid al-Fitr appeared first on Religion News Service.

Holy Post Media launches new podcast with Kaitlyn Schiess Holy Post Media The post Holy Post Media launches new podcast with Kaitlyn Schiess appeared first on Religion News Service.

For Christians raised in ‘high-control’ settings, elections may trigger religious trauma (RNS) — ‘Our bodies recognize that we’re being activated and pushed into trauma responses and that the same abusive techniques are being used on us,’ said author Tia Levings. The post For Christians raised in ‘high-control’ settings, elections may trigger religious trauma appeared first on Religion News Service.

Dozens of Christians arrested after shutting down Senate lunch in protest of Gaza famine WASHINGTON (RNS) — The protest, organized by Christians for a Free Palestine, followed a Communion service held on Capitol grounds. The post Dozens of Christians arrested after shutting down Senate lunch in protest of Gaza famine appeared first on Religion News Service.

New York Catholic Workers bring new growth with rooftop garden (RNS) — Inspired by Pope Francis’ apostolic letter on ecology, a garden planned for the roof of the movement’s historic Maryhouse has attracted new attention to Dorothy Day’s Catholic service organization. The post New York Catholic Workers bring new growth with rooftop garden  appeared first on Religion News Service.

New Vatican document combines modern transparency with eternal teaching (RNS) — Pope Francis summons all people to defend human dignity in every moment of human existence. The post New Vatican document combines modern transparency with eternal teaching appeared first on Religion News Service.

At Yale, Christian pastors sign a declaration opposing religious nationalism (RNS) — The declaration commits Christian leaders to preaching on moral issues and rejecting a political movement it says is exploiting traditional values to undermine democracy. The post At Yale, Christian pastors sign a declaration opposing religious nationalism appeared first on Religion News Service.

For those of mixed heritage, Israel-Hamas war complicates already difficult terrain (RNS) — Since Oct. 7, writers who have both Palestinian and Jewish relatives are navigating polarizing arguments among family and friends as well as reexamining their own identities. The post For those of mixed heritage, Israel-Hamas war complicates already difficult terrain appeared first on Religion News Service.

Transgender Catholics say new Vatican document shows no understanding of their lives (AP) — The dismay was heightened because recent moves by Pope Francis had encouraged some trans Catholics to hope the church might become more accepting. The post Transgender Catholics say new Vatican document shows no understanding of their lives appeared first on Religion News Service.