Thursday, September 26, 2024

This Week in Religion - New AP-NORC poll shows most Hispanic Americans believe in wide access to abortion

Lead story

A sheet of stickers that say "He Votado Hoy."

Editor's note:

The AP Religion Team commissioned a timely new election-season poll, broaching topics related to the intersection of faith and politics. It was conducted by the AP in collaboration with the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Among the notable findings: A solid majority of Hispanic Americans − whether Catholic, Protestant or religiously unaffiliated − believe abortion should be legal in most or all cases. According to the poll, about 40% of Hispanic Americans are Catholic, 30% are Protestant and 20% are religiously unaffiliated. Another line of questioning dealt with how Americans view the rival presidential candidates − Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump – in terms of religiosity. Harris is a Baptist. Trump grew up a mainline Presbyterian but later began identifying as a nondenominational Christian. Despite that, few Americans see either candidate as particularly Christian. Only 14% say the word “Christian” describes either Trump or Harris extremely or very well.  

A headshot of David Crary, Religion News Director at The Associated Press.
 

Religion News

Two tales from one city show the challenges Pope Francis faces to hold on to his flock in Europe

Pope Francis will be visiting Belgium from Sept. 26-29, facing a flock ravaged by countless scandals of priest sexual abuse and dwindling in the face of modernity, where women and gay people insist on an equal role and rights. By Raf Casert/The Associated Press

Mark Robinson may no longer be the headliner. But NC evangelicals still back him.

Robinson has spent years cultivating Black and white evangelical church members with a message that aligns closely with their conservative values. Those church members still think highly of him. By Yonat Shimron/Religion News Service

The Great Mosque of Tinmel had been undergoing a major reconstruction project when an earthquake shook Morocco's Atlas mountains. The revered 12th century mosque was shattered. A year later, area residents are eager to rebuild their homes and the mosque. By Sam Metz/The Associated Press

Abyssinian Baptist Church’s Kevin Johnson has history of following prominent clergy

‘We're still going through a healing process here at the church,’ Johnson said in an interview about grief over the death of his predecessor in 2022. By Adelle M. Banks/Religion News Service

Motorcyclists hold their helmets up for a priest to bless with Holy Water.

An estimated 180,000 motorcyclists have their helmets blessed at a Portuguese shrine

An estimated 180,000 motorcyclists gathered at the Our Lady of Fatima shrine in central Portugal for the ninth annual Pilgrimage of the Blessing of Helmets. It was the largest turnout yet for the event, which has steadily increased in prominence. By The Associated Press

 

Commentary and Analysis

 As one of the last large, influential organizations outside the government, the church is being targeted in Daniel Ortega's ongoing crackdown. By Richard Wood for The Conversation

No livestream could replace in-person services, but Sofa Shabbat surfing can educate and inspire. By Jan Zauzmer/Religion News Service

Access to halal mortgages, which provide interest-free housing loans, has been growing in the US. By Shariq Siddiqui for The Conversation

The game allows players to free Sun Wukong, the monkey protagonist from the popular 16th century novel ‘Journey to the West,’ and introduces players to the complexity of Chinese religion. By Michael Naparstek for The Conversation

 
People gather to participate in the Defense of Religious Freedom march.

Faithful from various religions participate in the Defense of Religious Freedom march at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. The march seeks to bring attention to religious intolerance in the South American country. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

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