RNS Morning Report: When it comes to Halloween, pastors have opinions

Top Stories When it comes to Halloween, pastors have opinions, according to new survey (RNS) — More than 90% of pastors encourage their congregations to observe Oct. 31 in a particular way, but that ranges from avoiding Halloween completely to inviting people to Halloween-adjacent events at their churches.   For Father James Martin, ministry means going wherever the people are (RNS) — The popular Jesuit priest and author says he felt called to minister among the LGBTQ+ community following the Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016, when few Catholic leaders were speaking out.   The jump-out-of-your-skin scares return in person, online at Halaloween film festival (RNS) — Halaloween features horror films from across the globe that were made by, for or about Muslims.   Japan leader sends offerings to controversial Tokyo shrine TOKYO (AP) — The religious offerings were donated to a Tokyo shrine viewed by many as a symbol of Japanese wartime militarism.   Man convicted in death of Texas agency’s 1st Sikh deputy HOUSTON (AP) — A jury took less than 30 minutes before finding Robert Solis, 50, guilty. RNS Opinion We can be an army of wounded warriors — or a collective of wounded healers (RNS) — To be human is to be wounded, one way or another. Those hurts can be wielded in ways that further wound or in ways that help heal.   What is a bodhisattva? A scholar of Buddhism explains (The Conversation) — Buddhists believe that bodhisattvas reside in heavenly realms but can also appear on Earth disguised as humans, animals or other types of beings.   In dark times, our institutions can offer hope, help us flourish (RNS) — Institutions such as churches, nonprofits and schools provide a space for people to come together and imagine a better future. ICYMI St. Sabina stands by Chicago priest Rev. Michael Pfleger amid second set of abuse allegations (RNS) — Church leaders dismissed the new allegations against him as a spiritual attack.   Pope Francis extends synod to 2024, urging participation, patience (RNS) — The deadline for a large-scale consultation of Catholics on the future of the church has been moved to October 2024. In Other News Polygamy: Why Is It Illegal, What Do Religions Think of It? – Explainer How Religion Became More Conservative and Society More Secular: An Interview With David Hollinger   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