RNS Morning Report: Preaching to polarized congregations: A responsibility and a challenge

Top Stories Preaching to polarized congregations: A responsibility and a challenge, clergy say (RNS) — 'It's not about going from red to blue to purple,' Andrew Hanauer of One America Movement advises clergy. ‘It's about going above the partisan divisions.’   Muslim group files religious discrimination complaint against Maryland public schools (RNS) — El-Haggan's administrative leave comes at a time when public schools across the country reckon with free speech surrounding the ongoing conflict.    Photos of the Week: Hanukkah; St. Nicholas (RNS) — This week’s photo gallery includes the start of Hanukkah, St. Nicholas traditions and more.   France’s president visits Notre Dame a year before the fire-damaged cathedral’s planned reopening PARIS (AP) — The schedule calls for the completion of the penultimate restoration phase by the end of the year, with the cathedral’s much-anticipated reopening set for Dec. 8, 2024. RNS Opinion Anti-Zionism is not antisemitism (RNS) — Equating the two is designed to stifle criticism and instill fear in those who speak out, Jews and non-Jews alike.    How Henry Kissinger enabled the Bangladeshi Hindu genocide and let us forget it (RNS) — The late Henry Kissinger left a legacy of supporting policies that led to disaster for millions — including those who died in the 1971 Bangladeshi genocide. ICYMI Study: Most Americans are spiritual but a growing number say they are not religious (RNS) — Among the spiritual but not religious, 38% say religion does more harm than good, while just 7% of religious Americans share this view.   Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer’s plot to ruin Christmas, and America (RNS) — Jews have long played a role in shaping how Americans celebrate Christmas. For Christian nationalism leader Andrew Torba, their contributions are a sign of a plot to remove Jesus from the Christmas story. In Other News Republican candidates talk faith and freedom, avoid criticizing one another at Iowa forum Israeli strike leaves Gaza’s oldest mosque in ruins   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