Weekly Outlook - Can faith help rebuild trust in science?

Dear readers, One of my favorite parts of working at the Outlook is collaborating with Presbyterians whose faith intersects with another vocation. They aren't only pastors or church leaders. They're biochemists, public school teachers, historians, musicians, lawyers and engineers who weave together their professional expertise and theological imagination. This week's stories offer two great examples. Dr. Elizabeth Haswell, a biochemistry professor, writes about why science denialism isn't just a scientific concern but a matter of Christian discipleship. And the Rev. Dr. Matthew Warren writes as both a Presbyterian pastor and an AP U.S. History teacher, asking what faithful patriotism can look like in an age of Christian nationalism. I love publishing pieces like these because they remind me that the church doesn't do its best thinking in isolation. Some of our richest conversations happen when people bring the wisdom they've gained in laboratories, classrooms, hospitals and workplaces into dialogue with Scripture and the life of the church. As always, thanks for reading — and for joining us in these conversations. Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor Presbyterian Outlook  P.S. Want to know what happened at GA without reading 20+ reported articles? Our post-GA bulletin inserts are now available for download. They're like SparkNotes but for Presbyterian business.

Presbyterian patriotism: Honestly honoring our history by Matthew B. Warren The volunteers who made GA happen by Caroline Garcia Assembly declines to send proposed confession to presbyteries by John Bolt Why Christians should care about science denialism by Elizabeth Haswell   A hopeful vision for global mission by Brittany Harrold Porch So Jung Kim: Remember her name by Whitney Wilkinson Arreche

In case you missed it... A service of lament and hope First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville, Texas, worships one year after the devastating Hill Country floods. — Mike Ferguson God’s Homecoming: The Forgotten Promise of Future Renewal Rocky Supinger reviews N.T. Wright’s "God’s Homecoming," exploring the provocative claim that Christianity’s ultimate hope is not escaping to heaven, but God’s promised renewal of creation and coming kingdom. Books for Christians rethinking theology, Scripture and grace These new releases explore biblical interpretation, process theology, suffering, forgiveness and the enduring mystery of God through conversation, scholarship and lived faith. Amy Pagliarella offers a review. Summer fiction about memory, healing and second chances In new novels by Jessica Brilliant Keener and Ann Patchett, characters wrestle with fractured relationships, buried truths and the long work of making peace with the past. Amy Pagliarella offers a review. Summer reads for weary souls seeking meaning and renewal From birdwatching as prayer to resisting smartphone distraction, these new books invite readers into deeper spiritual practices, resilience and renewed attention to God’s presence. — Amy Pagliarella From relief to renewal: What the Jinishian Memorial Program teaches the church about mission As the Jinishian Memorial Program marks 60 years, Greg Allen Pickett explores what its long commitment to local leadership and civic formation can teach the church about mission. PC(USA) Young Adult Advisory Delegates struggle to reconcile differences YAADs described sharply different experiences of a reconciliation gathering, with some appreciating the effort and others saying key concerns went unaddressed. — Gregg Brekke and Mary Mabry

Copyright © 2026 Presbyterian Outlook, All rights reserved.

This Week in Religion - The Pentagon cut 180 religious affiliation codes – here's why that matters

Click here for the web version of this email

Lead story

Why removing a distinct religious code for Native American military service members will make their needs invisible

Editor's note:

The Pentagon recently eliminated roughly 180 religious affiliation codes, reducing the list to 31 and folding many faiths into the category of "Other Religion." This includes Native American traditions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the change was necessary because the system had become too unwieldy.

These seemingly obscure codes serve an important purpose, writes Kerri J. Malloy, a professor of Native American studies. They help the military assign chaplains, plan for religious holidays and attend to ceremonial needs, among others.

In particular, Malloy argues that without a distinct code, there is no way to know how many service members observe Native traditions. The change is a reminder of a painful history in which Native nations' distinct religious identities were dissolved into a single American – and largely Protestant Christian – mold.

There are also practical consequences. Removing the codes makes it, as Malloy writes, "harder to see a religious group and therefore harder to staff for, plan around and justify spending on" them.

Forward this email to a friend

 

Religion News

Inside a Christian mother's fight against ICE activity in Chicago

The second episode of ‘Faith on the Immigration Frontline' follows Audrey Luhmann, mother of eight, as she patrols courthouses, responds to community alerts, gathers supplies for immigrants and cares for her family. By Fiona Murphy/Religion News Service

Israel's parliament approves laws to enshrine exemption of ultra-Orthodox men from military service

The laws effectively allow the continued exemption of ultra-Orthodox men from serving in the military. The legislation freezes the arrests of ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers and enshrines the Torah as a “foundational value” of the state. By Melanie Lidman and Natalie Melzer/The Associated Press

Muslim advocacy group fights for trust after Texas brands it a terrorist group

A terrorist designation in Texas is fraying trust inside Muslim communities as mosque and nonprofit leaders decide whether standing by CAIR is worth the risk. By Ulaa Kuziez/Religion News Service

Tai chi practitioners seek balance and well-being in fast-paced Beijing

Hundreds of people gather in Beijing’s parks every morning to practice tai chi. The centuries-old tradition is rooted in ideas about balance and harmony, and reflects outlooks derived from Taoism and Confucianism. By María Teresa Hernández/The Associated Press

Iran persecutes its Baha’i minority fiercely in a year of protests and war, rights groups say

Ever since the Baha’i faith began in Persia – now Iran – in the 19th century, followers there have been persecuted. Human rights groups say this year, amid protests and war with the U.S., authorities have mounted a fierce crackdown. By Fatma Khaled/The Associated Press

 

Commentary and Analysis

Why sophrosyne, an ancient Greek virtue, matters more than ever in the age of AI

For the Greeks, sophrosyne was an ideal second to none. It’s just as important today, in an age of internet addiction and misinformation – but harder to come by. By Ross Channing Reed for The Conversation

Beyond the End Times: What evangelical support for Israel really reveals

For many evangelicals, Israel is not just a sign of the End Times. It is also the homeland of a people they believe God has chosen and whom Christians are called to love. By Motti Inbari and Kirill Bumin/Religion News Service

How enslaved African Muslims resisted bondage through their faith and writing

As the US approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, two scholars revisit the rich legacy of American Muslims. By Nareman Amin and Leila Tarakji for The Conversation

Beyond Disney: A 1616 portrait of Pocahontas shows how English colonizers saw Indigenous Americans

The English assumed people they colonized would convert to their way of life, including Protestant Christianity – an assumption reflected in Pocahontas’ portrait. By Peter C. Mancall for The Conversation

 

Photos of the Week: ICE protests

Faith leaders demonstrate outside the Delaney Hall detention center on Monday, July 13, 2026, in Newark, N.J. (RNS photo/Jack Jenkins)

Did a friend or colleague forward this to you? Click here to subscribe.

About the Global Religion Journalism Initiative

 

 

• This Week in Religion is a publication of the Global Religion Journalism Initiative, a collaboration among the Religion News Service, The Associated Press and The Conversation U.S.
• The three news organizations work to improve general understanding and analyze the significance of developments in the world of faith.
• The Associated Press Newsletter Hub
• Religion News Service newsletter sign-up page
• The Conversation U.S.'s daily and weekly newsletters

RNS Morning Report - Orthodox Jewish groups oppose daylight saving bill

Orthodox Jewish groups oppose daylight saving bill, argue it would disrupt prayer Making daylight saving time permanent moved a step closer to reality this week, when the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to pass a measure to eliminate the annual clock-changing ritual. If passed, the bill would give Americans an extra hour of sunshine in the evenings during the winter. But it would also push winter sunrises one hour later. That’s of concern to Orthodox Jews, who pray three times a day, beginning with the Shacharit morning prayer service, which by tradition cannot begin in the dark. “The bottom line is, if prayers have to start an hour later that will have a direct effect on people getting to work and on when schools can start,” Rabbi A.D. Motzen of Agudath Israel of America, an organization representing U.S. Orthodox Jews, told RNS National Reporter Yonat Shimron.     Top Stories Orthodox Jewish groups oppose daylight saving bill, argue it would disrupt prayer (RNS) — Orthodox Jewish organizations say the bill, if passed, would force morning prayer services to start after 9 a.m. in some parts of the country, making observant Jews late for work and school. After mall stabbing, Utah faith leaders warn against anti-Muslim rhetoric (RNS) — The stabbing reflects growing concerns about anti-Muslim hate, said Imam Shuaib Din, who leads the Utah Islamic Center. Sight & Sound ‘Christian Broadway’ shows will soon stream on faith-based platform (RNS) — This summer, the large-scale musicals about biblical figures such as Noah, Jesus and Ruth will be available to view via Wonder Project on Prime Video in the U.S. MAGA Pastor Greg Locke claims federal officials raided his home but gives few details (RNS) — In a subdued message to churchgoers, Rev. Locke claimed federal agents broke into his home and searched it for hours after receiving reports of alleged financial misconduct. Activist Catholic priest Michael Pfleger again accused of sexual abuse (RNS) — The Rev. Michael Pfleger 'strongly denied' the allegation, which comes after archdiocesan reviews with outside investigators cleared him of four previous accusations of decades-old abuse. National Baptists launch social justice center near US Capitol WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘Voting rights are being eroded,’ said President Boise Kimber of the National Baptist Convention U.S.A. Inc. ‘Black political leaders are being decimated by redistricting.’ Photos of the Week: ICE protests (RNS) — This week’s photo selection includes a variety of protests following immigration enforcement actions and more. Opinion The AI ethics debate looks different from Manila (RNS) — North Atlantic fears about AI are justified. But institutions with fewer inherited resources are showing why resistance can also be a luxury. If the church doesn’t rise up for the disabled, who will?  (RNS) — Moving forward does not require first answering every question. The gospel calls us to simply take the next right step. ICYMI Amid ICE killings, more than 100 clergy from across the US stage protest at Delaney Hall NEWARK, New Jersey (RNS) — 'I am sick and tired of waking up every morning to see another loved one is dead,' said Charlene Walker, head of Faith in New Jersey. Iranian Christian refugee wins custody battle against Pastor Saeed Abedini, former political prisoner (RNS) — Niloofar Aragh, an Iranian refugee living in Turkey, said Pastor Saeed Abedini abducted her 5-year-old daughter and fled the country in violation of international law. A federal judge in Virginia ordered the child returned to her mother. Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com. Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend. Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

Copyright © 2026 Religion News Service, All rights reserved.