Lead story
Editor's note:
The U.S. Supreme Court's decision last June to overturn Roe v. Wade and eliminate the constitutional right to abortion was chosen by Religion News Association members as the top religion story of 2022. On Friday, the annual March for Life in Washington will be held for the first time since that ruling. As reported by David Crary, director of AP's Global Religion team, it's been a challenging seven months for the anti-abortion movement. During that span, 12 Republican-governed states have implemented sweeping bans on abortion. But in the same period, abortion opponents were defeated in votes on ballot measures in Kansas, Michigan and Kentucky. And state courts have blocked several abortion bans from taking effect. Professor Charles Camosy, a Catholic expert on ethics who opposes abortion, has analyzed the high-profile election defeats suffered by the anti-abortion movement. He told Crary that their side "clearly and badly lost the PR battle since June" and that affected how people voted.
Religion News
Art professor sues after firing over Prophet Muhammad images
An adjunct art professor is suing the Minnesota university that dismissed her after a Muslim student objected when she included depictions of the Prophet Muhammad in a global art course. By Margaret Stafford/The Associated Press
Christians represented significant faction of capital rioters in Brazil
At least four evangelical pastors were among those arrested in the aftermath of the attack. By Eduardo Campos Lima/Religion News Service
The new grant program honors the history of Black churches ‘while also investing in their physical permanence and financial sustainment into the future,’ an official said. By Adelle M. Banks/Religion News Service
In tornado-ravaged Selma, prayers of thanks
The Sunday after a tornado devastated much of the historic city of Selma, church congregations raised up prayers of gratitude for lives spared and prayers of comfort for lives lost elsewhere to the storm that tore across the South. By Kim Chandler/The Associated Press
In India, deity decorating a calling for Hindu temple artist
As a fifth-generation deity decorator, S. Goutham practices a specialized art form that is intrinsic to Hindu tradition and spirituality. He is a computer engineer who returned to his roots because he says he finds peace and purpose in this “spiritual art.” By Deepa Bharath/The Associated Press
Commentary and Analysis
We’ve heard little about the students who initiated the complaint and why they objected to a painting of the prophet. By Kayla Renee Wheeler and Edward E. Curtis IV/Religion News Service
Looking at the underlying philosophical and moral questions involved in abortion debates can help explain why it's such an intensely divisive issue. By Molly Jackson/The Conversation
In most parts of East Asia, the new year that begins on Jan. 22 corresponds to the rabbit. In Vietnam though it will usher in the Year of the Cat. By Megan Bryson for The Conversation
Support for strong gun ownership rights is often associated with conservative Christian views, but religion and self-defense have a much longer history in the United States. By Joseph P. Slaughter for The Conversation
Actors perform during celebration of Orthodox Christmas and a Pull the Kolyada, a Slavic Christmas-related ritual, in a street of Glushkovichi village, Gomel region, 360 km (225 miles) south of Minsk, Belarus, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7, in accordance with the Julian calendar. (AP Photo)
Did a friend or colleague forward this to you? Click here to subscribe.
- 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment