Lead story
Editor's note:
A bill making its way through the Texas legislature mandates public schools display the Ten Commandments – in the King James translation – on a poster at least 16-by-20 inches and legible “from anywhere in the classroom.” The bill is one of three passed by the state’s senate in the last week aimed at increasing religion’s presence in public schools. Another allows schools to set aside time for prayer and reading of religious texts and a third gives schools the option to hire chaplains in addition to existing counselors. The bills have drawn criticism from Democrats, clergy and activists who argue they inevitably privilege Protestant Christianity, reports Jack Jenkins for RNS. “I still have great concern that we are continuing to break down this wall the framers of our Constitution insisted on having between church and state,” said Sen. Nathan Johnson, a Democrat, during debates over the chaplain bill Monday.
Religion News
Pope allows women to vote at upcoming bishops’ meeting
Pope Francis has decided to give women the right to vote at an upcoming meeting of bishops. It’s a historic reform that reflects his hopes to give women greater decision-making responsibilities. By Nicole Winfield/The Associated Press
Muslim rideshare drivers improvise prayer spaces amid lack of relief stations in NYC
For Muslim Uber and Lyft drivers in the city, daily prayer obligations and the associated rituals have a big impact on their driving. By Tori Luecking/Religion News Service
Groups such as the Hindu American Foundation and the Coalition of Hindus of North America say the bill targets Hindus and Indian Americans who are commonly associated with the caste system. By Alejandra Molina/Religion News Service
Faith lifted Pittsburgh Jews in long wait for massacre trial
Three Jewish congregations are still waiting for justice, but they haven’t been standing still as the criminal case has crawled through the federal court system. Jury selection started Monday. By Peter Smith/The Associated Press
Kenya cult death toll rises to 95 as government sets curfew
The death toll in Kenya’s cult investigation has risen to 95 as the government announced a curfew on the ranch owned by a pastor who is accused of ordering his followers to fast to death. By Evelyne Musambi/The Associated Press
Commentary and Analysis
Lithium extraction in Bolivia poses more than environmental questions: It illustrates how notions about 'raw materials' can be at odds with Indigenous relations with the land. By Mario Orospe Hernández for The Conversation
Investigating supernatural claims is a delicate task for the church, and Catholic leaders rarely label them as authentic. By Mathew Schmalz for The Conversation
No matter what I do, I am constantly 'back into the shiva chair.' By Beth Kissileff/Religion News Service
Athens was deeply polarized over big-picture questions, and Socrates was never hesitant to question both sides' assumptions – or his own. By J. W. Traphagan and John J. Kaag for The Conversation
A child laughs in the women's section before Eid al-Fitr prayers in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, April 21, 2023. Members of the Romanian Muslim community gathered for Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at the Dinamo stadium in the Romanian capital, in the largest Muslim public gathering of the year in Romania. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
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.
