Saturday, October 1, 2022

This Week in Religion - Clergy navigate growing political divisions

Lead story

Rabbi David Wolpe speaks to congregants at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles.

Editor's note:

It is hard to think of something more personal or contentious than political views and religious beliefs. It is as if religion and politics are magnetic: polarizing, hard to separate and nearly unavoidable even within houses of worship. While many congregations across the U.S. are mostly homogenous in their views, others are sharply divided – a reality that can become more pronounced during election season. 

With the midterms fast approaching, The Associated Press’ David Crary and other members of the religion team reached out to clergy who lead politically divided congregations across the country and talked to them about how they navigate these differences within their flocks. They focus on value-driven preaching while handling especially divisive issues, like abortion, with special care and urge members to support one another despite difference and disagreement. 

A portrait of Holly Meyer, Religion News Editor at The Associated Press.
 

Religion News

Moscow patriarch: Russian war dead have their sins forgiven

Russian soldiers who die in the line of duty in Ukraine have all of their sins forgiven, the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church proclaimed in a sermon. By Peter Smith/The Associated Press

As Jews celebrate the creation of the world, some are celebrating creativity itself

The Jewish Studio Project presupposes that all people are, as it puts it, 'created creative.' It encourages them to partner with God in the act of creation. By Yonat Shimron/Religion News Service

Leaders of College Park Baptist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, thought it was odd when the Southern Baptist Convention recently sent queries about the congregation's LGBTQ-affirming ministry. By Peter Smith/The Associated Press

Members of the Afro Brazilian faith, Candomble, dance during a ritual honoring Obaluae, the deity of earth and health.

Bolsonaro campaign to evangelicals: Brazil’s soul is at stake

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro has been waging an all-out campaign to shore up the crucial evangelical vote ahead of Oct. 2 elections. By David Biller/The Associated Press

Orthodox church in the Hamptons calls people with autism ‘part of our community’

US Autism Homes provides an extended circle of friends through a private-public partnership involving the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons. By Adelle M. Banks/Religion News Service

 

Commentary and Analysis

Trump and Bolsonaro use religion in similar ways, but there are key differences between the two countries' evangelical communities – and politics. By Amy Erica Smith for The Conversation

Statements of condemnation are essential but not enough. By Knox Thames/Religion News Service

Catholics, Protestants and Eastern Orthodox Christians recognize the authority of the 'fathers' to guide teaching on doctrinal issues. By James Kang Hoon Lee for The Conversation

A historian of American Judaism explains how cookbooks across the 20th century have influenced and reflected the shifting tastes of American Jews. By Deborah Dash Moore for The Conversation

 
The Ceremonial Procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the Long Walk towards Windsor Castle. There is security lining the edges of the road. There are large crowds watching the procession.

The Ceremonial Procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the Long Walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the Committal Service at St George's Chapel, in Windsor, England, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. (Aaron Chown/Pool photo via AP)

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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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