Lead story
Editor's note:
To the outside world, Martha’s Vineyard may seem like a wealthy wonderland. The small island off the coast of Massachusetts is a popular summer destination for the rich and powerful. But come September, the service industry jobs many residents rely on go away along with the tourists. There’s a lack of affordable housing and many struggle to make it without help, according to The Rev. Janet Newton, a minister at the Unitarian Universalist Society on the island. That’s why, Newton told RNS reporter Bob Smietana, when two planes of Venezuelan migrants arrived last Wednesday, the residents of Martha’s Vineyard were well equipped to help out. “That’s probably a bit of a surprise to the people who sent the planes here,” she said, a reference to Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who sent the migrants to the island. “They didn’t understand how our community operated or that we could be prepared for this. Hospitality matters here.” Newton was one of several clergy on the island who rallied their congregants to provide food, shelter, clothing and smiles to the unexpected visitors.
Religion News
Cruel or harmless? Pastors mixed on GOP migrant transports
As Republican governors ramp up their high-profile transports of migrants to Democratic-run jurisdictions, the practice is getting a mixed reaction from Christian faith leaders — many of whom, especially evangelicals, have supported GOP candidates by large numbers in recent elections. By Peter Smith/The Associated Press
How Doug Mastriano uses faith to fend off criticism — even from other Christians
‘They’re actually supposed to pray for me and support me as their government leader,’ Mastriano said, referring to the Lutheran pastors who criticized him. ‘I’m over them politically. I’m their senator.’ By Jack Jenkins/Religion News Service
The leader of a multinational, Mexico-based Christian church is imprisoned in California after pleading guilty to sexually abusing minors. Yet legions of followers in his home city of Guadalajara remain fervently loyal to him. By María Teresa Hernández/The Associated Press
Minnesota Ojibwe harvest sacred, climate-imperiled wild rice
Wild rice, or manoomin in Ojibwe, is sacred to Indigenous peoples in the Great Lakes region because it’s part of their creation story and because for centuries, even a handful made a difference between life and starvation during harsh winters. But changing climate, invasive species, and pollution are threatening the plant. By Giovanna Dell'Orto and Jessie Wardarski/The Associated Press
Gen Z Hindu Americans reckon with faith and politics
For Hindu American students looking to practice their faith absolved of politics, there is a distinct lack of places to turn. By Richa Karmarkar/Religion News Service
Commentary and Analysis
Queen Elizabeth II encouraged tolerance in a multifaith United Kingdom. To appreciate the significance of her efforts, it is important to understand the country's complicated religious history. By Joanne M. Pierce for The Conversation
A scholar of philosophy and foreign policy explains why Cardinal Zen poses a threat to the Chinese Communist Party as a competing source of political authority. By Scott D. McDonald for The Conversation
Christianity is the second-largest religion in Kazakhstan, with 26% of the population practicing the faith. But many Christians, especially in the smaller denominations, have experienced persecution. By J. Eugene Clay for The Conversation
What is the hope in this moment of transition? By Lisa Sharon Harper/Religion News Service
Exile Tibetan Buddhist nuns wait to distribute breads to a congregation that gathered to listen to Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharmsala, India, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
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- 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.
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