RNS Morning Report: Meet Imran Siddiqui, the first Asian American vice president of the ELCA

Top Stories Meet Imran Siddiqui, the first Asian American vice president of the ELCA (RNS) — Siddiqui, who became Lutheran in 2011, said he doesn’t always get all the ELCA's 'in' jokes about hot dishes and Garrison Keillor. But he hopes he’ll bring a different perspective that will be helpful.   Second attack on Gandhi statue will be investigated as a hate crime, NYPD says NEW YORK (RNS) — In the second incident of vandalism in less than two weeks, a Gandhi statue outside of Shri Tulsi Mandir was toppled and defaced in what police are now investigating as a targeted hate crime.   ‘God is life,’ Rabbi Yonatan Neril on ecological conversion and the war in Ukraine (RNS) — Rabbi Yonatan Neril is the founder and executive director of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development — a Jerusalem-based nonprofit engaged in revealing the connection between religion and ecology worldwide.   TobyMac: On ‘Life After Death,’ managing grief and collaborating with DC Talk (RNS) — His preferred lyrics on the 'Life After Death' album, released Aug. 19, are ones performed with his musical team members from DC Talk.   Climate protesters target the Vatican’s Laocoon statue ROME (AP) — The protesters are demanding the Italian government increase its solar and wind power and stop exploring for natural gas and reopening old coal mines in Italy.   Judge limits privilege defense in AZ Mormon sex abuse case (AP) - The church has filed a legal motion asking Cardinal to delay implementing her order until it contests her findings with the Arizona Court of Appeals.   Police: Death toll in Afghan capital mosque bombing now 21 KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The mosque bombing comes just two days after the anniversary of the fall of Kabul on Aug. 15, 2021. RNS Opinion For United Methodists, the center is not holding (RNS) — Big-tent centrists like Bishop Ken Carter have to face facts and give traditionalists a last push out.   When will their churches condemn the Christian nationalism of MAGA politicians? (RNS) — Church organizations in America owe it to the American public to hold their publicly abusive congregants to standards of baseline moral seriousness.   My favorite Christian author has died (RNS) — He wrote one of the best lines about the religious life that I have ever read. I miss him already. ICYMI Photos of the Week: Dormition of Mary; Hindus celebrate Krishna (RNS) — This week’s photo gallery includes the Dormition of the Virgin Mary holiday in Greece, Hindus celebrating Lord Krishna and more.   An interfaith discussion on the role of religion in mental health (The Conversation) — Academics and religious leaders address the role of faith and community in managing mental health issues in young people and society as a whole. In Other News Laura Loomer, a self-described Islamophobe, is running for congress again Alarm over Texas law forcing schools to display ‘In God We Trust’ signs   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 at religionnews.com/donate. If you prefer to mail a donation, please address to: Religion News Foundation, PO Box 1808, Columbia, MO 65205. Yes, I support the work you're doing! Forward this email to a friend