RNS Morning Report: Biden to visit Mother Emanuel AME Church as South Carolina primaries approach

Top Stories Biden to visit Mother Emanuel AME Church as South Carolina primaries approach (RNS) — ‘I would hope and pray that the community comes and hears and gets excited, gets energized about the 2024 election,’ said the church’s pastor.   A small Spanish city’s bid to build Europe’s biggest Buddha (RNS) — The 6,000-ton white jade Buddha statue will overlook a sprawling group of temples and monasteries just kilometers from the city center. But suspicions of the project abound.   Photos of the Week: Sea Goddess; Kings in Spain (RNS) — This week’s photo gallery includes Afro-Brazilian faiths marking the end of the year, Epiphany festivities in Spain and more.   Once protected by its remoteness, a sacred lake in Kyrgyzstan is threatened by change (RNS) — On the shores of Issyk Kul are more than 130 sacred sites, including trees, mountain peaks, hot springs and tombs of important figures. But the region itself, says one local expert, represents the sacred unity of nature and humanity. RNS Opinion The passages that got John Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’ banned by a Florida county (RNS) — Would students in the state's Orange County be tempted by the 17th century classic? One can only hope.   Welcome to the ‘tribe,’ Alanis Morissette (RNS) — Now that the singer is publicly Jewish, I have a job for her. ICYMI The key to keeping those New Year’s resolutions? Make it about somebody else. (RNS) — Experts say a core spiritual practice — even if it's only a few minutes a day — and a commitment to working with others are key to keeping resolutions.   Judge dismisses Muslim couple’s lawsuit against school where daughter converted to Christianity (RNS) — The judge’s decision is the latest twist in a long-running dispute over religion at a public high school outside Chicago. In Other News Pope Francis: The Epiphany invites us to adore the Lord and help the poor Art and war: Israeli and Palestinian artists reflect on Oct. 7 and the crisis in Gaza   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