RNS Morning Report: The mashup holiday 'Diwaloween' celebrates light as the year turns dark

Top Stories The mashup holiday ‘Diwaloween’ celebrates light as the year turns dark (RNS) — This Thursday (Oct. 31), two seemingly opposing holidays, Diwali and Halloween, will be celebrated as one by many South Asians for the first time since 2016.   Gutiérrez’s liberation theology still inspires young Latin American theologians (RNS) — While liberation theology has been criticized for a view of oppression that is too simplistic, young Latin American theologians say Gutiérrez opened the doors for new movements in Catholic thought, even as the Vatican warmed to his legacy.   Republicans seek votes among the Amish, who rarely cast them, in swing-state Pennsylvania LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) — Wayne Wengerd, Ohio state director of the Amish Steering Committee, which navigates relations between Amish community leaders and government officials, recalls registration efforts as far back as the 1960s. Get-out-the-vote activists are “going to go after everyone and anyone they think they could possibly convince to vote for their party," he said. "The Amish are no different.”   Vatican commission reports gains and challenges in abuse prevention (RNS) – Pope Francis asked the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors to draft a report to promote ‘transparency and accountability.’   RNS Opinion This election has stoked fear in many Americans. Here’s an antidote. (RNS) — In the midst of this stressful presidential campaign, I heard ‘Fear shuts down part of your brain’ and went seeking reasons not to fear.   A new book helps to answer: Do animals go to heaven? (RNS) — The Rev. Terry Martin wrote his book after his own suffering in silence connected him, he says, to the suffering of animals.   ICYMI Controversial pastor Doug Wilson subject of new podcast, ‘Sons of Patriarchy’ (RNS) — The creators say the Idaho pastor represents an increasingly mainstream biblical patriarchy movement with dangerous implications.   San Juan archbishop condemns racist jokes at Trump’s New York rally, demands Trump apologize (RNS) — Trump has made inroads into the Latino community's solid support for Democratic candidates, but remarks made at a rally at Madison Square Garden may cause some to rethink. In Other News As war in Gaza fractures Democrats, Republicans see an opening with Jewish voters Diwali and Halloween overlap this year. Some Desis will fuse the holidays.   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