Saturday, April 15, 2023

This Week in Religion - Evangelicals back Trump despite his not being 'perfect'

 

Lead story

Rev. Mike Demastus, of Des Moines, Iowa, left, and Rev. Bob Curry, of Johnston, Iowa, right, talk with State Rep. Eddie Andrews, center, Thursday, April 6, 2023, at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Iowa.

Editor's note:

Born-again Christians are the most influential group in Iowa’s Republican caucuses, giving faith leaders particular sway in organizing voters and shaping the results. At this early stage of the 2024 presidential campaign, there are signs that the state’s evangelical community remains deeply loyal to former President Donald Trump, the thrice-married former reality television star who once supported abortion rights and spent decades boasting of his sexual prowess. As Associated Press political writer Thomas Beaumont reports from Des Moines, the faith-based pro-Trump sentiment seems solid despite the 34 felonies he was charged with stemming from hush money payments to a porn actress. Evangelicals remain appreciative of his judicial appointments that resulted in dismantling of a woman's constitutional right to abortion. As one pastor told Beaumont, “I think many evangelical Christians understand, politics at that level is a blood sport. Donald Trump is fighting. That’s why he got things done.” 

A picture of David Crary, Religion Team Leader at The Associated Press.
 

Religion News

There’s a reason every hit worship song sounds the same

A new study found that the most popular worship songs come from a handful of megachurches with a knack for writing pop songs about what God will do for you. By Bob Smietana/Religion News Service

Mexican artisans create 'Judas' figures for others to burn 

During the “Burning of Judas” celebrations that take place every Holy Saturday in some Mexican neighborhoods, people gather to light fireworks that destroy colorful figures embodying evil. Originally, the figures were effigies of Judas Iscariot, but nowadays Mexican craftsmen shape their creations like devils. By María Teresa Hernández/The Associated Press

The California Civil Rights Department has voluntarily dismissed its case alleging caste discrimination against two Cisco engineers, while still keeping alive its litigation against the Silicon Valley tech giant. By Deepa Bharath/The Associated Press 

A memorial for Joshua Barrick is on display, late Monday, April 10, 2023, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Louisville, Ky.

Leaning on faith, Louisville mourns victims of mass shooting    

Many in Louisville turned to their faith for impromptu church services hours after a gunman killed five of his co-workers at Old National Bank downtown and wounded eight others. It was the day after Easter, and many went to cry and light candles.  By Claire Galofaro, Bruce Schreiner and Beatrice Dupuy/The Associated Press

Resurrection drug? FDA approves over-the-counter Narcan amid opioid crisis

‘I’m afraid that we’re not to a resurrection era for people who use drugs,’ said one harm reduction advocate. By Kathryn Post/Religion News Service

 

Commentary and Analysis

Arab American Heritage Month is becoming more well-known, but the simple words 'Arab American' encompass a wide array of religious and ethnic groups. By Yasmin Moll for The Conversation

Yom HaShoah, which falls on April 17-18, 2023, pointedly commemorates Jewish resistance to the Nazis. By Chad Gibbs for The Conversation

Expelling two young Black lawmakers was intended to instill fear, but it backfired. By Jemar Tisby/Religion News Service

Twenty-five years after the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement, Northern Ireland is still resisting the culture of violence. By Joseph Patrick Kelly for The Conversation

 
Penitents from the "Exaltacion de La Santa Cruz" brotherhood take part in a Holy Week procession. They are gathered before a depiction of Christ's crucifixion.

Penitents from the ''Exaltacion de La Santa Cruz'' brotherhood take part in a Holy Week procession in Zaragoza, northern Spain, Thursday, April 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

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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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