RNS Morning Report: For Muslim student protesters, a sense of purpose mingled with fear

Top Stories For Muslim student protesters, a sense of purpose mingled with fear NEW YORK (RNS) — Muslim participants describe feeling solidarity with other protesters but also unease at the watching world.   Southern Baptists, losing members, find solace in baptisms and better attendance (RNS) — While membership in the nation’s largest Protestant denomination is down, participation in worship and baptisms went up in 2023. But a new statistical report found that many Southern Baptist Convention churches do little to address sexual abuse.   Baltimore Catholic parish closures a ‘punch in the stomach’ with long-term impact BALTIMORE (RNS) — Parish closures in the nation’s oldest Catholic diocese are part of a nationwide trend of dioceses restructuring in response to falling Mass attendance and priest shortages.   Man tried to shoot a pastor at Pennsylvania church service but gun wouldn’t fire, state police say (AP) – The chaos at the Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock took place Sunday while the service was being livestreamed, state police said in a news release. RNS Opinion Excommunication is not the church’s equivalent of capital punishment (RNS) — The church has not had a good system for punishing people since we got rid of the Inquisition.   In toxic time, hope can be the solid ground we can stand on (RNS) — Severely tried in the months since Oct. 7, the interfaith community still looks to the promise of future flourishing. ICYMI Silicon Valley bishop, two Catholic AI experts weigh in on AI evangelization (RNS) — Catholic leaders who have worked with the Vatican on AI say that a recent experiment from Catholic Answers illustrates the ways AI evangelization can go wrong.   After vote to repeal LGBTQ bans, many gay Methodists are now fully out DURHAM, N.C. (RNS) — On the first Sunday after the conclusion of the denomination’s General Conference, many queer United Methodists celebrated their release from the tight and narrow spaces that had confined them. In Other News Biden decries surge of antisemitism since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel Lesley Hazleton, writer who tackled religion and fast cars, dies at 78   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. RNS 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