RNS Morning Report: Voter protection training begins as clergy, secular groups look toward election

Top Stories Voter protection training begins as clergy, secular groups look toward election (RNS) — Groups are aiming to equip volunteers to keep the environment calm at polling places, especially in battleground states.   Conservatives balk at Sikh prayer, but diverse religious voices are a convention tradition Monday wasn’t even the first time Harmeet Kaur Dhillon has offered a Sikh prayer at an RNC gathering, nor was she the first to do so.   Congregations in best financial health since pandemic, clergy say in new report (RNS) — Leaders say their institutions are generally financially stable, if a bit limited due to inflation.   Decades after Billie Holiday’s death, ‘Strange Fruit’ is still a searing testament to injustice – and of faithful solidarity with suffering (The Conversation) — Christian and Jewish themes influenced the world of art around one of jazz’s greatest singers. RNS Opinion Brazilian Christian groups oppose bill punishing abortion similarly to homicide SÃO PAULO (RNS) — 'Being against abortion, however, cannot be confused with the desire to see the woman who practices it behind bars," said one statement from a group of Catholic priests.   Violent words, violent consequences (RNS) — One hopes the dictator-in-waiting reins in his bombast and stops shouting 'fight.' ICYMI United Methodists elect a third openly gay, married bishop (RNS) — Kristin Stoneking will replace Bishop Karen Oliveto, the denomination’s first openly gay married bishop, who, at age 66, is retiring.   At a progressive Christian festival in the woods of North Carolina, psychedelics were top of mind (RNS) — Joy Crawford described the fascination with hallucinogens as a “cultural groundswell” that the church would do well to catch up with. In Other News GOP vice presidential pick J.D. Vance on why he became Catholic Trump’s close call in assassination attempt fuels talk he was ‘chosen’ by God   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