RNS Morning Report: Atheists, spurred by growing ranks, gather for first time since pandemic

Due to technical issues, this edition of the Morning Report is late. We apologize for the error. Quote of the Day “Today, America is at a critical moment in our history. White Christian nationalists are fomenting backlash against the de-Christianization of America, against greater racial diversity and against increasing acceptance of LGBTQ people” – American Atheists communication director Tom Van Denburgh Top Stories Atheists, spurred by growing ranks, gather for first time since start of pandemic ATLANTA (RNS) — Despite frustrations with the current political climate, there was an overall sense of hope buoyed by the growing number of young people identifying as nonbelievers.   Religion is central in film depicting last abortion clinic along Texas’ southern border (RNS) — ‘Religion does really play a big role in this and we can’t just overlook it,’ said one of the film’s directors.   The scientific meltdown over a controversial discovery of ‘biblical Sodom’ (RNS) — The remains of a city’s fiery demise near the Dead Sea have archaeologists at odds.   Archbishop resigns from Anglican Church of Canada over sexual misconduct (RNS) — Mark MacDonald was national Indigenous Anglican archbishop of the ACC and is known for his climate justice advocacy.   NJ diocese agrees to $87.5M deal to settle sex abuse suits TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey Catholic diocese has agreed to pay $87.5 million to settle claims involving clergy sex abuse with some 300 alleged victims in one of the largest cash settlements involving the Catholic church in the United States.   Dede Robertson, wife of religious broadcaster, dies at 94 (AP) — She represented the U.S. on the Inter-American Commission of Women, which worked to ensure recognition of women’s human rights, and served on the board of Regent University, which her husband founded.   Muslim properties razed in New Delhi after communal violence (AP) — Officials say they are targeting illegal buildings and not any religious group. But critics argue this is the latest attempt to harass Muslims, who make up 14% of India’s 1.4 billion people. RNS Opinion Why celebrities have a moral responsibility to help promote lifesaving vaccines (The Conversation) — An ethicist argues that choices made by celebrities could impose unjustified risk of harm on others.   Biology with Tibetan Buddhist monks: What I’m taking back to my college classroom from teaching at a monastery (The Conversation) — Religious beliefs and modern biology sometimes seem to collide. But exploring those ideas with compassion and an open mind can lead to deeper learning across cultures. ICYMI At Coachella, Jewish rapper Kosha Dillz hosts mini-‘Seders’ for Passover (RNS) — At ‘matzahchella,’ the rapper offered boiled eggs and horseradish to concertgoers as part of a 10-minute Passover Seder.   Why Vance Pitman, megachurch pastor, resigned as top leader at his Las Vegas church (RNS) — The former megachurch pastor hopes to focus on helping church planters, especially in the American West. In Other News No 10 goes into battle with archbishops over Rwanda asylum plan Florida man pleads guilty to threatening to murder Rep. Ilhan Omar Talk to Us We want your feedback on the RNS Morning Report — what you think we're doing right and what we should be doing differently. Send us an email at Comments@ReligionNews.com Subscribe to other RNS Newsletters. Forward this email to a friend. View the archive of past newsletters. Religion News Service is free to read, but it's not free to produce. If you value our reporting, please consider making a donation today. Yes, I support the work you're doing! Forward this email to a friend