RNS Morning Report: With race in mind, Christians reconsider language of dark and light at Advent

RNS is the national expert at covering religion and belief – but we can’t do it without you. As a nonprofit, we depend on your support. Will you help our newsroom continue to thrive? Top Stories With race in mind, Christians reconsider language of dark and light at Advent (RNS) — ‘The idea that darkness is inherently bad needs no reinforcement,’ said one pastor.   Friction over LGBTQ issues worsens in global Anglican church (AP/RNS) — The divide came into the spotlight four months ago at the communion’s Lambeth Conference, typically held once every decade to bring together bishops from the more than 165 countries.   Black women ministers get ‘affirmation that God sees us‘ at DC event WASHINGTON (RNS) — The event also focused on women who are not in top roles but who nevertheless serve in ministry in ways they feel called to pursue.   Doug Emhoff hosts roundtable on antisemitism: ‘I am going to speak out’ (RNS) — A dozen Jewish leaders attended the 90-minute meeting at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, described as a kind of listening session at which ideas for combating antisemitism were discussed.   ‘You put the baby in the manger?’: New podcast looks at sacred and profane in the Gospels (RNS) — A ‘biblical backstager,’ the new audio drama ‘Almelem’ features ‘a small group of con artists and true disciples fumbling toward the greatest story ever told.’   Greek Orthodox church at World Trade Center reopens at last NEW YORK (AP) — The new St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine hosted its first liturgy service on Tuesday to mark the Feast of St. Nicholas and is preparing to welcome visitors who want to remember the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.   South Dakota Legislature tackles Christian marks in Capitol (AP) — South Dakota lawmakers can adorn their office with a crucifix, but they can't pound the nail into the state Capitol's wall. RNS Opinion Asexual Latter-day Saints try to find their place in a tradition focused on marriage (The Conversation) — Recent years have put more attention on LGBTQ people’s struggle for acceptance in the LDS church, but asexual Latter-day Saints face unique challenges.   Bob Dylan’s new book is a Jewish masterpiece (RNS) — ‘How does it feel?’ Bob Dylan actually tells us, in 66 songs.   Indiana judge backs a religious right to abort (RNS) — And poses a serious challenge to the Supreme Court’s religious liberty jurisprudence.   Why magical thinking is so widespread – a look at the psychological roots of common superstitions (The Conversation) — An anthropologist explains why we all have some irrational beliefs and the reason they give us comfort.   What is Mahāyāna Buddhism? A scholar of Buddhism explains (The Conversation) — The Mahāyāna branch of Buddhism likely emerged around the first centuries A.D. and was most readily carried through the Silk Road and maritime trade routes.   Rock music has had sympathy for God as well as the devil – Kennedy Center honoree Amy Grant is just one big star who’s walked the line between ‘Christian’ and ‘secular’ music (The Conversation) — The genre of contemporary Christian music has been around for decades, but the line between CCM and secular pop music has always been blurry.   Antisemitism isn’t just ‘Jew-hatred’ – it’s anti-Jewish racism (The Conversation) — Combatting antisemitism isn’t just about ‘calling it out’ – it’s about helping people understand what antisemitism is in the first place. ICYMI 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. In Other News Brian Houston was told father would ‘surely be incarcerated’ if rape of boy went to court, trial hears Friction over LGBTQ issues worsens in global Anglican church   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