RNS Morning Report: New AI app lets users ‘text with’ Jesus and other biblical figures

Top Stories New AI app lets users ‘text with’ Jesus and other biblical figures (RNS) — The app replicates an instant messaging platform, allowing users to chat with ChatGPT impersonations of biblical figures, including the apostles, the prophets, Ruth, Job, Lot and more.   Atheist and agnostic fired for not attending company prayers win $50K in suit (RNS) — The two workers declined to participate in a daily prayer circle as the company owner read from Scripture.   Left behind by disaffiliations, Texas town’s United Methodists charter a new church AMARILLO, Texas (RNS) — After all seven United Methodist churches in this city in the Texas Panhandle voted to leave the country’s second-largest Protestant denomination, an 83-year-old UMC minister became determined that the UMC wouldn't become extinct in Amarillo.   Radical British preacher Anjem Choudary faces May trial on terrorism charges LONDON (AP) — Choudary, 56, is also charged with two other counts under the Terrorism Act: membership in a banned organization, the radical Muslim group al-Muhajiroun, and addressing meetings to encourage support for the organization over the past year. RNS Opinion Mormons behaving badly (RNS) — While the church has handled the controversy politely, some individual members have not.   Vivek Ramaswamy and the limits of ‘God talk’  (RNS) — Evangelical attacks on the Hindu candidate show that in politics, 'religious' still means 'Christian.' ICYMI Former Southwestern seminary trustee calls for forensic audit of troubled school (RNS) — Once one of the largest seminaries in the country, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary has faced a financial crisis and now a feud among board members over a forensic audit of the school's finances.   Anne Graham Lotz, Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright on End Times, their health, their ministry (RNS) — The daughter and granddaughter of Billy Graham are out with their second joint book, ‘Preparing to Meet Jesus: A 21-Day Challenge to Move from Salvation to Transformation.’ In Other News Pope Francis restates Catholic Church is for everyone, including LGBTQ+ people After another kidnapping, many Haitian Christians can’t travel, work, or worship safely   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