89% of Christian parents say their child is on grade level — data suggests otherwise McClure Muntsinger Public Relations The post 89% of Christian parents say their child is on grade level — data suggests otherwise appeared first on Religion News Service.

Israeli forces raid Gaza’s largest hospital, where hundreds of patients are stranded by fighting KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas and Gaza health officials deny militants operate in Shifa, and Palestinians and rights groups say Israel has recklessly endangered civilians as it seeks to eradicate Hamas. The post Israeli forces raid Gaza’s largest hospital, where hundreds of patients are stranded by fighting appeared first on Religion News…

Jewish protesters and allies block Israeli consulate in Chicago, demanding a cease-fire in Gaza CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago protesters cheered Monday as police led demonstrators from the building with hands zip-tied behind their backs, many in black T-shirts that read, “Not in our name.” The post Jewish protesters and allies block Israeli consulate in Chicago, demanding a cease-fire in Gaza appeared first on Religion News Service.

In bipartisan March for Israel, crowd rejects cease-fire, demands release of hostages (RNS) — The march was intended as a response to numerous demonstrations across the country and the world — some led by Jews — calling for an end to Israel’s retaliatory strikes in Gaza. The post In bipartisan March for Israel, crowd rejects cease-fire, demands release of hostages appeared first on Religion News Service.

US Orthodox symposium on women deacons proposes a way forward BROOKLINE, Mass. (RNS)— A consortium of Orthodox Christian scholars, clergy and lay supporters meeting this week outside Boston proposed guidelines for the church to revive the ancient practice of allowing women to be deacons.  The post US Orthodox symposium on women deacons proposes a way forward appeared first on Religion News Service.

Oct. 7 reveals the flaws in Jewish education (RNS) — Can young Jews respond to the anti-Israel sentiment on college campuses? The post Oct. 7 reveals the flaws in Jewish education appeared first on Religion News Service.

Faith does not live by answers alone (RNS) — Christians should not fear the theological discernment of the Catholic Church’s synod. The post Faith does not live by answers alone appeared first on Religion News Service.

Parsis in Mumbai fight existential decline in aspirants to priesthood MUMBAI, India (RNS) — With steadily declining numbers, some of India’s Zoroastrians are looking to reduce the strain of becoming a priest in order to encourage more young men to devote themselves to the rituals that sustain the world’s first monotheistic religion. The post Parsis in Mumbai fight existential decline in aspirants to priesthood app…

The head of China’s state-backed Catholic church begins historic trip to Hong Kong HONG KONG (AP) — Experts said the invitation was a symbolic gesture that could strengthen the fragile relationship between China and the Vatican. The post The head of China’s state-backed Catholic church begins historic trip to Hong Kong appeared first on Religion News Service.

Jewish protesters and allies stage sit-in at California federal building demanding Gaza cease-fire OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Jewish Voice for Peace, one of the protest organizers, posted online that dozens of people had been taken into custody by 9 p.m. The post Jewish protesters and allies stage sit-in at California federal building demanding Gaza cease-fire appeared first on Religion News Service.

Jill Biden hosts tea for female faith leaders and others, including South Carolina prayer partner WASHINGTON (AP) — The first lady said she sought Robin Jackson’s help assembling the group “so that I could learn what’s on your minds, and what’s on your hearts.” The post Jill Biden hosts tea for female faith leaders and others, including South Carolina prayer partner appeared first on Religion News Service.

Pastor and author Scott Sauls has resigned from Nashville megachurch (RNS) — Sauls, a protege of the late Tim Keller, was placed on indefinite leave this past spring after apologizing for an unhealthy leadership style. The post Pastor and author Scott Sauls has resigned from Nashville megachurch appeared first on Religion News Service.

As Black church grapples with mental health, clergy are both subject and solution (RNS) — A new movement has taken on the taboo in many Black churches against talking about suicide. The post As Black church grapples with mental health, clergy are both subject and solution appeared first on Religion News Service.

An American Catholic bishop gets a deserved heave-ho from the pope (RNS) — Even under Francis, there’s a limit to what prelates can say. The post An American Catholic bishop gets a deserved heave-ho from the pope appeared first on Religion News Service.

Amid war, Israel expands military bereavement policy to include same-sex partners JERUSALEM (RNS) — Lawmakers voted to expand the Families of Fallen Soldiers Law to include common-law partners of LGBTQ members of the Israel Defense Forces. The post Amid war, Israel expands military bereavement policy to include same-sex partners appeared first on Religion News Service.

Remembering LDS apostle M. Russell Ballard (RNS) — M. Russell Ballard (1928-2023), a longtime apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died Sunday at the age of 95. The post Remembering LDS apostle M. Russell Ballard appeared first on Religion News Service.

The case for Holocaust education in a post-10/7 world (RNS) — Comparing Hamas’ motivations to the Holocaust only has value if people know what the Holocaust was.  The post The case for Holocaust education in a post-10/7 world appeared first on Religion News Service.

30 Heads of Churches urgently call on President Biden for ceasefire Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) The post 30 Heads of Churches urgently call on President Biden for ceasefire appeared first on Religion News Service.

Israel-Hamas war: Ukrainian Jews ‘Out of the frying pan, into the fire’ Slavic Gospel Association The post Israel-Hamas war: Ukrainian Jews ‘Out of the frying pan, into the fire’ appeared first on Religion News Service.

Progressive Minnesota US Rep. Ilhan Omar draws prominent primary challenger MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The war in the Middle East has already divided Democrats and upended the dynamics of some House primaries. The post Progressive Minnesota US Rep. Ilhan Omar draws prominent primary challenger appeared first on Religion News Service.