RNS Morning Report: State Department reports on threats, triumphs in religious freedom

Top Stories For 25th year, State Department reports on threats, triumphs in religious freedom (RNS) — The report, which assesses conditions in 199 countries, also looks at policies and laws, including those about blasphemy and apostasy, that ‘criminalize religious expression.’   Poll: Religious attendance is shrinking but those who remain are happy (RNS) — In the PRRI study, 57% of Americans say they seldom or never attend religious services. Among those who do, 89% said they were proud to be associated with their congregation.   Saddleback Church appeals Southern Baptist Convention ouster over woman pastor (RNS) — It is one of three churches appealing decisions recently made by the denomination’s Executive Committee to remove eight congregations from official affiliation.   Latino faith leaders to gather for summit on Christian nationalism (RNS) — Christian nationalism has ‘infiltrated’ the Latino Christian community ‘in such a powerful way,’ said one clergyman, ‘that they are not even aware of the position they are supporting.’   Cyberfraud cost Florida Baptists more than $700,000    (RNS) — Churches, like other organizations, face an onslaught of phishing emails and other attempts at cyberfraud. One mistake can be costly.   Fewer evangelicals support public school childhood vaccine requirements, survey shows (RNS) — Significant majorities across religious groups say the benefits of childhood vaccines outweigh the risks from getting them.   Nurse-midwife Edna Adan Ismail, opponent of female genital mutilation, wins Templeton Prize (RNS) — She is the first African woman to receive the prize, which is valued at 1.1 million British pounds (over $1.3 million).   German court convicts, fines Jesuit priest over climate protest BERLIN (AP) — The district court in Munich handed down its verdict in the case of the Rev. Joerg Alt after he participated in a road blockade in the Bavarian capital on Oct. 28.   Vatican’s Caritas Internationalis gets new leadership team after papal firings ROME (AP) — Alistair Dutton, currently chief executive of the Scottish chapter of Caritas, previously served as humanitarian director for the confederation of 162 national chapters that is one of the most visible aid groups around the world. RNS Opinion 6 things we now know (maybe) about the LDS church’s wealth (RNS) — A new ‘60 Minutes’ interview raised questions about the LDS church's finances, including whether its wealth now amounts to $150 billion.   EWTN, once ‘the work of the devil,’ now gets blessing from pope (RNS)— Critics of EWTN, even the pope, need to be nuanced.   The Nation of Islam: A brief history (The Conversation) — What is the history behind this small but influential religious movement?   Why there is no ice cream at Auschwitz Because some places are holy. The survival of our culture depends on our ability to recognize that. ICYMI ‘The Way,’ Emilio Estevez’s film about the Camino, returns to theaters (RNS) — The movie returns to theaters for one night Tuesday (May 16) and features a conversation between Emilio Estevez, Martin Sheen and travel guru Rick Steves.   David Sills, former seminary professor named in Guidepost report, sues SBC (RNS) — The former seminary professor claims in a complaint filed in the US District Court for Middle Tennessee that he was made a scapegoat for the denomination’s sex abuse crisis. In Other News The religious right’s hidden sway as Japan trails allies on gay rights The Department of Education updates guidance on public school prayer   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