Soccer player Paulinho won’t let intolerance of his Afro-Brazilian religion stop his faith LAGOA SANTA, Brazil (AP) — Academics and religious-freedom advocates say that Afro-Brazilian religions are sometimes demonized in neo-Pentecostal churches. The post Soccer player Paulinho won’t let intolerance of his Afro-Brazilian religion stop his faith appeared first on Religion News Service.

Inspired by llamas, the desert and Mother Earth, these craftswomen weave sacred textiles COLCHANE, Chile (AP) — Among the 3 million Aymaras who live along the borders of Chile, Perú and Bolivia, the Earth is known as “Pachamama.” The post Inspired by llamas, the desert and Mother Earth, these craftswomen weave sacred textiles appeared first on Religion News Service.

Will Mormon service missions become a thing of the past? (RNS) — We are going backward in forcing service missionaries to serve teaching missions. The post Will Mormon service missions become a thing of the past? appeared first on Religion News Service.

In Starfield, players choose their own adventure — and religion (RNS) — In a major new video game, players can search for enlightenment while exploring the stars. The post In Starfield, players choose their own adventure — and religion appeared first on Religion News Service.

How college can be a pathway to making Muslims more welcome (RNS) — Campuses are places we learn to value others in the basic ways that humanize us. The post How college can be a pathway to making Muslims more welcome appeared first on Religion News Service.

South Sudanese refugees, fleeing a second civil war in Sudan, return home to bleak prospects MALAKAL, South Sudan (RNS) — The situation has prompted religious leaders in South Sudan to appeal to the international community to aid returning refugees. The post South Sudanese refugees, fleeing a second civil war in Sudan, return home to bleak prospects appeared first on Religion News Service.

New crop of cardinals shows Francis’ push for dialogue, whatever the cost (RNS) — From the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to relations with China and Russia, Pope Francis has made dialogue a key theme of his pontificate, a principle reflected in his latest crop of new cardinals. The post New crop of cardinals shows Francis’ push for dialogue, whatever the cost appeared first on Religion News Service.

Want to be an apocalyptic cultist, spiritual seeker or atheist do-gooder? Starfield has room for everyone (RNS)—In a major new video game, players can search for enlightenment while exploring the stars. They can also decide whether or not to allow their values to shape how they play. The post Want to be an apocalyptic cultist, spiritual seeker or atheist do-gooder? Starfield has room for everyone appeared first on Religion News Service.

A Yom Kippur sermon warns American Jews of Israel’s growing messianic rule (RNS) — In a barnburner Yom Kippur sermon Monday (Sept. 25), Rabbi Sharon Brous said elements of Israel’s new government have a messianic agenda that aims to turn the country into a fascist theocracy. The post A Yom Kippur sermon warns American Jews of Israel’s growing messianic rule appeared first on Religion News Service.

Spokane City Council denounces mayor for appearance with Christian nationalists SPOKANE, Wash. (FāVS News) — Local religious leaders were troubled by Sean Feucht’s Christian nationalist ties. But it was the mayor’s appearance on stage praying with former lawmaker Matt Shea that took up more space in the city council’s resolution. The post Spokane City Council denounces mayor for appearance with Christian nationalists appear…

The Vatican’s ‘Synod on Synodality’ is about to begin. Here’s what to know. VATICAN CITY (RNS) —  The unprecedented gathering of 464 Catholic clergy and laypeople, including women, begins Oct. 4 at the Vatican. The post The Vatican’s ‘Synod on Synodality’ is about to begin. Here’s what to know. appeared first on Religion News Service.

AME Bishop Silvester Beaman named chair of White House council on African engagement (RNS) — ‘Bishop Beaman’s extensive experience and deep roots in Africa will enable him to lead the Council to achieve its full potential,’ the White House said. The post AME Bishop Silvester Beaman named chair of White House council on African engagement appeared first on Religion News Service.

On Sukkot, the Jewish ‘Festival of booths,’ each sukkah is as unique as the person who builds it (The Conversation) — Like many Jewish practices, the harvest festival of Sukkot largely takes place at home − meaning families can incorporate many meaningful traditions. The post On Sukkot, the Jewish ‘Festival of booths,’ each sukkah is as unique as the person who builds it appeared first on Religion News Service.

Religious liberty is becoming a go-to right for everyone (RNS) — A legal strategy pioneered by the right has been adopted by the left. The post Religious liberty is becoming a go-to right for everyone appeared first on Religion News Service.

The secret synod (RNS) — Too many U.S. Catholics don’t know about the global discussion of the church’s future. The post The secret synod appeared first on Religion News Service.

What is an abaya − and why does it cause such controversy in France? (The Conversation) — In some conservative countries, the abaya is part of expected dress. But in countries where Muslims are in the minority, the abaya can be a way for women to connect with their religious identity. The post What is an abaya − and why does it cause such controversy in France? appeared first on Religion News Service.

Less-redacted report on Maryland church abuse still redacts names of church leaders BALTIMORE (AP) — The Maryland Attorney General’s Office said in a statement last month that the five officials whose names remain redacted “had extensive participation in the Archdiocese’s handling of abuser clergy and reports of child abuse.” The post Less-redacted report on Maryland church abuse still redacts names of church leaders appeared f…

Morocco’s medieval shrine and mosque is one of the casualties of the earthquake (The Conversation) — Morocco is grappling not just with the loss of lives from the recent earthquake, but with the destruction of its cultural heritage – a 12th century mosque in the village of Tinmel is among them. The post Morocco’s medieval shrine and mosque is one of the casualties of the earthquake appeared first on Religion News Service.

AdelFi and Crown Financial Ministries partner to bring biblically based financial education platform to Christians AdelFi The post AdelFi and Crown Financial Ministries partner to bring biblically based financial education platform to Christians appeared first on Religion News Service.

AI won’t be replacing your priest, minister, rabbi or imam any time soon (The Conversation) — A scholar of digital religion explains why the use of AI isn’t necessarily displacing religious leadership: It is the clergy who are helping with the programming, critical for its deployment. The post AI won’t be replacing your priest, minister, rabbi or imam any time soon appeared first on Religion News Service.