RNS Morning Report: HBO’s ‘Unveiled: Surviving La Luz Del Mundo’ centers sex abuse scandal

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Top Stories HBO’s ‘Unveiled: Surviving La Luz Del Mundo’ centers victims in ‘cult’ sex abuse scandal (RNS) — The new three-part series delves into the history and growth of La Luz del Mundo and focuses on the former members coping with the trauma of the church.   Some churches leave UMC through formal process; others are suing (RNS) — Legal action — or the threat of legal action — represents a new strategy on behalf of churches that want to leave the 6.4 million-member United Methodist Church.   Anglican church informs parishioners of sex offender attendee after three years (RNS) — Church of the Resurrection informed congregants in an email on Friday that a registered sex offender has been attending the church since 2019.   Over the weekend, fusions of faith and extremism at drag show protests across country (RNS) — Nazi sympathizers waved Christian flags at multiple drag story hour events.   Why I stay: LGBTQ people of faith find ways to belong where doctrine rejects them (RNS) — 'You don’t have to give up your faith to be who you are,' said one LGBTQ Christian.   Across vast Muslim world, LGBTQ people remain marginalized YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — LGBTQ people routinely are rejected by their families, denounced by Islamic authorities and limited to clandestine social lives.   Justices spar in latest clash of religion and gay rights WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court 's conservative majority sounded sympathetic Monday to a Christian graphic artist who objects to designing wedding websites for gay couples, the latest collision of religion and gay rights to land at the high court.   Confusion over Iran’s religious police as women drop hijab (AP) — The morality police, established in 2005, are tasked with enforcing Iran’s restrictions on public behavior and strict dress codes — particularly on women, who are required to wear the hijab, or headscarf, and loose-fitting clothes. RNS Opinion State Department blacklists are only one tool to foster international religious freedom (RNS) — The designations beg the question: Do they help?   For Indonesia’s transgender community, faith can be a source of discrimination or support (The Conversation) — Indonesia has criminalized same-sex sexuality, but trans people are finding support in some trans-inclusive mosques and churches.   Religious freedom, LGBTQ rights clash on campuses – and courts are deciding (The Conversation) — Yeshiva University’s legal case has garnered national attention, but several similar cases are underway.   Orthodox Judaism can still be a difficult world for LGBTQ Jews – but the tide is slowly turning (The Conversation) — Orthodox Jewish communities are still difficult places for many LGBTQ people. Yet the view, once ubiquitous, that Orthodox tradition is incompatible with their identities is gradually shifting.   Catholic conflicts on marriage continue, even decades after Vatican II (The Conversation) — Catholics disagree over how to adapt the church’s doctrine and practices, especially marriage, to different cultures.   Does the pope need an editor? (RNS) — The pope’s recent interview in America magazine comes across as a first draft in need of editing.   Mormon church’s celebration of Latino cultures puts spotlight on often-overlooked diversity (The Conversation) — Latina women hold few top leadership positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but their contributions help keep congregations going.   Talk of ‘Christian nationalism’ is getting a lot louder – but what does the term really mean? (The Conversation) — Christian nationalist ideas are about more than simply being religious and patriotic. They form a worldview about how the nation should be structured and who belongs there.   Monsters, meditation and Marie Kondo: the religious roots of Japan’s ‘waste not’ ethic (The Conversation) — The impact of centuries-old Shinto and Buddhist rituals and stories continues today. ICYMI Faith in the spotlight on Kennedy Center red carpet and stage at annual Honors gala (RNS) — Singer Ellie Holcomb said Amy Grant taught her to be a ‘there you are person’ rather than a ‘here I am person.’   Amy Grant, ‘queen of Christian pop,’ feted at Kennedy Center Honors (RNS) — ‘There was only one person who could really fulfill that requirement, and that was Amy,’ Kennedy Center's board chair, in an interview, said of ‘long overdue’ recognition. In Other News Brian Houston was told father would ‘surely be incarcerated’ if rape of boy went to court, trial hears Churches in Knoxville, Tenn. are experimenting with ways to draw young people back   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