Lead story
Editor's note:
Popular Bollywood films have an enormous sway over fans, who can recite memorable dialogue, imitate dance moves and sing catchy lyrics from their favorite movies. The power of this medium is on full display as India prepares to go to the polls over a seven-week period, starting on April 19.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, seeking a third term under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is using the power of the medium to promote the ideology of India as a Hindu nation. Several films have been strategically timed for release ahead of the general elections.
The use of popular cinema in Indian politics is not new. Art historian Preminda Jacob writes about a long history – predating India’s independence from British rule in 1947 – when cinematic imagery became the primary vehicle for building the careers of charismatic politicians in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.
Religion News
As a landmark United Methodist gathering approaches, African churches weigh their future
The United Methodist Church lost one-fourth of its U.S. churches in a recent schism, with conservatives departing over disputes on sexuality and theology. Now the question is whether the church can avert a similar outcome elsewhere in the world, where about half its members live. By Peter Smith/The Associated Press
In time for Passover, the first Ukrainian-language Haggadah goes to print
‘It is a symbol of how we’ve manifested as Ukrainian Jews, that we are something different, not just Soviet Jews anymore,’ said the translator of the Passover liturgy. By David I. Klein/Religion News Service
Experts question whether the pope will leave hot-button issues for his successor to decide or if he is paving the way for doctrinal reform. By Claire Giangravé/Religion News Service
Unfazed by danger and power, Guatemalan cardinal keeps up fight for migrants and the poor
Elevated by Pope Francis to the top hierarchy of the Catholic Church, Cardinal Álvaro Ramazzini has kept up his unflinching focus on the poor, the Indigenous and the migrant in Central America. That has garnered him great affection from the marginalized and many threats of violence. By Giovanna Dell’Orto/The Associated Press
Prominent New York church, sued for gender bias, moves forward with male pastor candidate
A search committee previously sued for gender discrimination over its hiring process has announced its pick – a male clergyman from Philadelphia -- for the next senior pastor of a prominent New York City congregation, Abyssinian Baptist Church. By Darren Sands/The Associated Press
Commentary and Analysis
Reagan and Trump − two of the most media-savvy Republican presidents − used religion to advance their political visions, but their messages and missions could not be more different. By Diane Winston for The Conversation
The spirit of Baisakhi for Sikhs is reminiscent of the ideals of their gurus, who encouraged them to work toward building a just society. By Anshu Malhotra for The Conversation
Medieval Europeans thought about politics in terms of leadership and often criticized rulers for 'tyranny' − both in government and in the church. By Joelle Rollo-Koster for The Conversation
OJ's violence toward his wife convinced me to pursue a more gender-balanced liturgy. By Joshua Hammerman/Religion News Service
Muslim women take photos as they gather to perform an Eid al-Fitr prayer, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, at Washington Square Park, Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
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