From India and Taiwan to Tibet, the living assist the dead in their passage (The Conversation) — Death rituals give mourners a chance to grieve. Sometimes, they also help the deceased transition to the next stage of existence. The post From India and Taiwan to Tibet, the living assist the dead in their passage appeared first on Religion News Service.

Illinois man pleads not guilty to hate crime and murder charges in attack on Muslim mother and son JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — Joseph Czuba, 71, is charged in the fatal stabbing of six-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume and the wounding of Hanaan Shahin on Oct. 14. The post Illinois man pleads not guilty to hate crime and murder charges in attack on Muslim mother and son appeared first on Religion News Service.

New book sheds light on sexual exploitation in the Bible and offers a path toward healing Westminster John Knox Press The post New book sheds light on sexual exploitation in the Bible and offers a path toward healing appeared first on Religion News Service.

In Vatican summit’s closing document, agreement that synodality is church’s future (RNS) — Pope Francis’ synod on synodality never sought to answer the church’s hot-button questions, but it achieved its goal of promoting dialogue. The post In Vatican summit’s closing document, agreement that synodality is church’s future appeared first on Religion News Service.

The evangelical Christian activist who is now speaker of the House (RNS) — Does Mike Johnson’s Bible-based worldview stop at the border? The post The evangelical Christian activist who is now speaker of the House appeared first on Religion News Service.

Haredi Jews, exempt from Israel’s military service mandate, sign up to fight Hamas JERUSALEM (RNS) — ‘This isn’t a drill. This is an actual war,’ one ultra-Orthodox Israeli said. ‘During wartime, we must all do the maximum. Anyone who isn’t studying Torah full time should contribute.’ The post Haredi Jews, exempt from Israel’s military service mandate, sign up to fight Hamas appeared first on Religion News Service.

Siding with peace in the Middle East (RNS) — The future for Palestinians and Israelis is being erased each passing day. The post Siding with peace in the Middle East  appeared first on Religion News Service.

Synod on Synodality report is disappointing but not surprising (RNS) — For Francis it was never about the hot-button topics. The post Synod on Synodality report is disappointing but not surprising appeared first on Religion News Service.

Anchorage’s oldest building, a Russian Orthodox church, gets new life in restoration project EKLUTNA, Alaska (AP) — The Russian Orthodox church was established in Alaska on Kodiak Island in 1794 and missionaries spread the faith, baptizing an estimated 18,000 Alaska Natives. The post Anchorage’s oldest building, a Russian Orthodox church, gets new life in restoration project appeared first on Religion News Service.

Palestinian Christians and Muslims have lived together for centuries—and several were recently killed in a historic church (The Conversation) — Many Christian and Muslim families in Gaza today were displaced following the creation of new Arab and Jewish states. Today, Palestinian Christians occupy a complicated place in this region. The post Palestinian Christians and Muslims have lived together for centuries—and several were recently killed in a historic church app…

Israel expands ground assault into Gaza as fears rise over airstrikes near crowded hospitals KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Gaza Health Ministry later said three people were killed in the car that was hit. The Israeli military declined to comment on where its forces were deployed. The post Israel expands ground assault into Gaza as fears rise over airstrikes near crowded hospitals appeared first on Religion News Service.

Residents of Maine gather to pray and reflect, days after a mass shooting left 18 people dead LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — Investigators are still searching for a motive for the massacre, but have increasingly been focused on Robert Card’s mental health history. The post Residents of Maine gather to pray and reflect, days after a mass shooting left 18 people dead appeared first on Religion News Service.

Day of the Dead is taking on Halloween traditions, but the sacred holiday is far more than a ‘Mexican Halloween’ (The Conversation) — Halloween’s influence is transforming popular festivities around Día de los Muertos and its ceremonial customs in rural and urban areas of Mexico in some fascinating ways. The post Day of the Dead is taking on Halloween traditions, but the sacred holiday is far more than a ‘Mexican Halloween’ appeared first on Religion News …

If Bob Dylan could sing about Israel and Hamas… Listen to “Neighborhood Bully.” It is the song we need to hear — today. The post If Bob Dylan could sing about Israel and Hamas… appeared first on Religion News Service.

Mike Bickle, leader of IHOP movement, accused of sexual abuse (RNS)— Former IHOP leaders say several women have credibly accused Bickle of clergy sexual abuse. Leaders of the Kansas City-based prayer group say they are aware of the allegations. The post Mike Bickle, leader of IHOP movement, accused of sexual abuse appeared first on Religion News Service.

Protesters occupy New York’s Grand Central to demand cease-fire in Gaza New York (RNS) — The event was organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, an anti-Zionist organization created in 1996 that also occupied Congress a week ago, asking for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. The post Protesters occupy New York’s Grand Central to demand cease-fire in Gaza appeared first on Religion News Service.

The Faith Fight Against Belief Bans Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush moderates a Capitol Hill briefing on the growing threat of book bans, featuring honorary host US Rep. Jamie Raskin and diverse freedom to read advocates The post The Faith Fight Against Belief Bans appeared first on Religion News Service.

Advocates erect empty Shabbat tables in support of hostages taken by Hamas Speakers, which included family members of those believed to be kidnapped, led the crowd in chants of “Bring them home!” as well as songs and prayers in Hebrew. The post Advocates erect empty Shabbat tables in support of hostages taken by Hamas appeared first on Religion News Service.

The Olympics of suffering: How to get out of it? (RNS) — In conflict, our compassion should not be limited to the side who can prove more pain. The post The Olympics of suffering: How to get out of it? appeared first on Religion News Service.

Pope Francis preaches humility. Benedict XVI demonstrated it. Can the church learn it? (RNS) — From the sexual abuse crisis to the synod, the church hierarchy has a chance to address its hubris. The post Pope Francis preaches humility. Benedict XVI demonstrated it. Can the church learn it? appeared first on Religion News Service.