This Week in Religion - ‘Disclosure Day’ and the theological questions about aliens

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Lead story

Religious groups are more prepared for aliens than you think

Editor's note:

If intelligent life were to be discovered beyond Earth, would it shatter religious traditions?

Roughly a third of the way into Steven Spielberg’s new blockbuster film “Disclosure Day,” which focuses on the theoretical release of evidence documenting the existence of alien life, a conversation between the two main characters turns toward that spiritual question.

But for all the profound implications of intelligent extraterrestrial life, experts told RNS national reporter Jack Jenkins the possibility is far less bracing for many religious practitioners across the globe. In fact, scholars argue many major faith groups have not only been thinking about the prospect of aliens for some time, but some have outlined extensive theological answers to the question of extraterrestrial life – or even fully embraced the idea.

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Religion News

Pope promotes Italian nun to top migrant role in his first major appointment of a woman to Holy See

Pope Leo XIV has promoted Italian Sister Alessandra Smerilli to head the Vatican office responsible for migrants, the environment and development. By The Associated Press

San Francisco archdiocese agrees to settle child sex abuse lawsuits

The Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco has agreed to pay $395 million to settle over 500 lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse by church officials. By Olga R. Rodriguez/The Associated Press

Christian missionaries find new frontier in VRChat

'As crazy as it sounds, God used virtual reality to call someone into that space to lay out the gospel in its fullness,' said Stewart Freeman, a former heavy VRChat user who rediscovered his faith through virtual reality. By Fiona Murphy/Religion News Service

Vatican declares ultraconservative society in schism, excommunicates bishops and warns faithful

The Vatican responded aggressively to a traditionalist society that consecrated bishops without the pope’s consent, excommunicating priests in the Society of St. Pius X. By Nicole Winfield/The Associated Press

Four key takeaways from Trump's Religious Liberty Commission Report

The advisory commission’s 224-page draft report includes some controversial recommendations. By David Katibah/Religion News Service

 

Commentary and Analysis

Muslims were part of America’s story long before the republic began

Muslims were woven into both America’s founding population and its labor force, writes a scholar of Islam on the nation’s 250th anniversary. By Iqbal Akhtar for The Conversation

'Yesteryear,' a tradwife satire, understands Christianity better than most Americans

The new bestseller has been criticized for having a shallow understanding of religion. I disagree. 'Yesteryear' depicts how shallow American religion has actually become. By Jana Riess/Religion News Service

Texas approves mandatory Bible readings in public schools, reigniting a century-long debate

American courts have heard cases over the Bible's role in classrooms for more than a century. Whether lessons are constitutional depends on their purpose. By Charles J. Russo for The Conversation

500 years ago, the first New Testament in English was published – and stirred up a hornet’s nest

William Tyndale’s translation, published in 1526, was based on a then-radical idea: Anyone should be able to read the Bible in their own language. By Michael Bruening for The Conversation

 

Photos of the Week: Society of St. Pius X, Venezuela earthquake and more

Newly consecrated bishops, starting second from left, Pascal Schreiber, Michael Goldade, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry and Marc Hanappier, wearing their miters and holding their pastoral staffs, pray at the end of their consecration ceremony in a tent set up outside the Society of St. Pius X seminary in Econe, Switzerland, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Baz Ratner)

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WCC NEWS: Vocational training students from German-speaking Switzerland visit WCC

 

A group of vocational training students from German-speaking Switzerland visited the World Council of Churches (WCC). Led by Florian Schmid, cofounder and president of the Society for the Promotion of Cross-Border Cooperation, the group expressed appreciation for the interesting introduction and overview of the WCC. Vocational Training Students Photo: Pauline Tête/WCC 02 July 2026 “Your organisation is very important for international work and for multilateralism,” said Schmid. He expressed appreciation for the presentations by staff, as well as their kindness and humor despite discussing very serious and important topics. “We discussed some of these topics in our classes. Thank you so much and we are very happy that we could be here,” he said. See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

RNS Morning Report - The Bible verses dividing DC

The Bible verses dividing Washington: How Matthew 25 became a political litmus test   Recently, Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia, a Democrat and pastor of a prominent Black church, publicly questioned whether Speaker Mike Johnson’s Republican politics reflect his professed faith.   Johnson, a Southern Baptist from Louisiana, has described himself as a “Matthew 25 Christian,” referring to a biblical passage that features Jesus telling his followers a parable in which “all the nations” are judged by how they care for the “least of these.”   How, Warnock, told the New York Times, do you “say a long prayer, hold hands with your fellow legislators and then cut a trillion dollars out of Medicaid?”   RNS National Reporter Jack Jenkins reports on how the brewing debate over Matthew 25 has been building, pitting mainline pastors, Black protestants and the pope against evangelical politicians put on the defensive amid outspoken religious criticisms of President Donald Trump’s policies.         Top Stories The Bible verses dividing Washington: How Matthew 25 became a political litmus test (RNS) — 'He told me that Matthew 25 was about individuals, and not nations,' Sen. Raphael Warnock said, referring to Speaker Mike Johnson. 'The text actually says nations.' Warnock added: “It's a very narrow individualistic faith, and I think it has consequences for the kind of policy you end up with.” PCUSA, American Academy of Religion call Gaza war a genocide (RNS) — The largest Presbyterian denomination in the US and the American Academy of Religion both referred to Israel's war in Gaza as genocide in new resolutions condemning the war. Strike on Kyiv cathedral highlights rush to preserve Ukrainian artifacts  (RNS) — The Ark for Ukraine project has brought three mobile labs in vans to Ukraine to help preserve Ukrainian cultural heritage by scanning archives of thousands of manuscripts, artifacts and even buildings to digitize them. Photos of the Week: Society of St. Pius X, Venezuela earthquake (RNS) — This week’s photo selection includes the traditionalist group Society of St. Pius X ordaining bishops, the devastating twin earthquakes in Venezuela and more. Opinion Texas should ask not whether to require Bible reading in schools — but why (RNS) — If the purpose is to teach students to read rich literary texts to better equip them to understand and appreciate literary and cultural traditions, then teaching key passages from the Bible is an excellent idea. Pope Leo, come to Silicon Valley (RNS) — Twice in the last 135 years, the actions of a pope sparked massive global changes that met the cultural moment. The AI race is another such moment to meet. Ryan Stollar taught survivors they mattered. He couldn’t always believe it for himself. (RNS) — Stollar, a child liberation theologian who fought for homeschooled kids, died by suicide this week. A fellow survivor on grief, legacy and what advocates owe themselves. ICYMI Leo urges SSPX to ‘turn back’ as breakaway traditionalists plan bishop consecrations VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Leo XIV is urging the Society of St. Pius X to abandon plans to consecrate new bishops without papal approval, a move the Vatican warns would constitute a schismatic act. The showdown could end nearly two decades of cautious rapprochement between Rome and the traditionalist society, which has long occupied a liminal space between communion and rupture. Four key takeaways from Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission Report (RNS) — The advisory commission’s 224-page draft report includes some controversial recommendations. 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.

RNS Weekly Digest - Four key takeaways from Trump's Religious Liberty Commission Report

Four key takeaways from Trump's Religious Liberty Commission Report

Almost immediately after the Trump administration’s Religious Liberty Commission released its draft 224-page report Friday (June 26), several faith and civic leaders responded with criticism. “The report and the commission behind it fail to represent and uplift the importance of religious diversity and tolerance for all faiths in our country — not just a special, chosen few,” the Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, said in a statement. The report is “not a blueprint for protecting religious freedom. It is a roadmap for expanding religious privilege,” said Secular Coalition for America Executive Director Steven Emmert in a statement. The report set forward dozens of legal and policy recommendations, including establishing a religious liberty violation hotline, forming a Department of Justice religious liberty task force, expanding funding for school choice and appointing judges with a proven commitment to religious liberty. Here are four key takeaways.    Religion & Politics Leo urges SSPX to 'turn back' as breakaway traditionalists plan bishop consecrations Who belongs in America? Five faith leaders on immigration, identity and America's 250th Southern Baptists’ resolutions reflect support of Christian nationalism, scholar says Photos of the Week: Society of St. Pius X, Venezuela earthquake Newly consecrated bishops, starting second from left, Pascal Schreiber, Michael Goldade, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry and Marc Hanappier, wearing their miters and holding their pastoral staffs, pray at the end of their consecration ceremony in a tent set up outside the Society of St. Pius X seminary in Econe, Switzerland, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Baz Ratner) In Opinion 'Yesteryear,' a tradwife satire, understands Christianity better than most Americans Is it time to retire the term ‘Zionism’? Teaching Bible in public schools is not a good idea And finally, Christian missionaries find new frontier in VRChat. Ten figures stand in a circle inside a Japanese-style penthouse. The lights are low. A white stormtrooper huddles beside a large, orange cat, who bows his head and clears his throat. “Father God, just thank you for this opportunity to go and reach out to people who need you,” said the cat, in the voice of Curt Curtis, a Christian missionary in his 60s from Texas. The room is virtual, but the prayer is not. “Guide us and direct us to people who have a need in their heart,” Curtis continued. For three years, Christian missionaries with the evangelical organization Cru have gathered every Friday in VRChat, a popular social platform where millions of people from around the world interact through avatars resembling anime characters, animals, robots and humans. Users can explore thousands of virtual worlds where they talk, flirt, play games and, in the missionaries’ case, spread the gospel. As more people build friendships and spend significant portions of their lives in virtual spaces, Cru’s missionaries are adapting familiar evangelistic practices to reach them. Support our responsible reporting on religion Forward this newsletter to a friend Make a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit newsroom here Or mail us a check: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205 Email membership@religionnews.com with a news tip or a comment Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. Copyright © 2026 RNS, All rights reserved.