Friday, November 1, 2024

This Week in Religion - Harris, Trump or delay: Clergy prepare for various outcomes

Lead story

A line of people waiting to vote.

Editor's note:

In Virginia and Minnesota and New York City, in churches and synagogues and on Zoom meetings, clergy around the country are preparing for the day after the election − come what may. “We do not want to limit our planning for the most optimistic or most likely outcome, but to ensure our plans are robust enough for any outcome,” reads the first page of one church’s scenarios document. That planning ranges from preparing to protest to training as poll chaplains or to learning to identify deepfake videos. And, of course, a lot of prayer. Chris Crawford, a policy strategist for Protect Democracy, has worked with 20 faith-based groups to prepare for the election. He told RNS national reporter Adelle M. Banks that he believes many found it “comforting to come face to face with some of the most anxiety-inducing outcomes,” and to make a plan for them.

A banner with a picture of Roxanne Stone.
 

Religion News

Pope’s child protection board urges transparency from Vatican sex abuse office and compensation

Pope Francis’ child protection board calls for victims of clergy sex abuse to have greater access to information about their cases and the right to compensation, in the first-ever global assessment of the Catholic Church’s efforts to address the crisis. By Nicole Winfield/The Associated Press

The mashup holiday 'Diwaloween' celebrates light as the year turns dark

This year, two seemingly opposing holidays, Diwali and Halloween, will be celebrated as one by many South Asians for the first time since 2016. By Richa Karmarkar/Religion News Service

The nationwide debate over transgender rights is playing out on a personal level in a federal court lawsuit filed by a former Liberty University employee fired by the Christian school after disclosing her identity as a transgender woman. The lawsuit on behalf of Ellenor Zinski was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia. By David Crary/The Associated Press

After exiting the Christian music industry, these artists engage religion on their terms

After interrogating their beliefs, some onetime CCM artists are revisiting faith in some fashion, trying on elements they’d previously discarded and writing music for listeners who might be more spiritual than religious. By Kathryn Post/Religion News Service

Rev. Anna Layman Knox, a woman with light skin and brown hair, poses for a photo in front of the Pennsylvania State Capitol building.

Church near Pennsylvania’s Capitol becomes peace hub hoping to protect democracy in divisive election 

Grace United Methodist Church, located close to Pennsylvania’s State Capitol, recently installed a pole with the message: “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” Its pastor hopes her church’s stand for peace will inspire others as votes are counted in perhaps the most crucial battleground state. By Luis Andres Henao/The Associated Press

 

Commentary and Analysis

The 'Courage Tour,' a religio-political rally, is going around battleground states. It is  focused on defeating Democrats, but also on defeating 'demonic forces.' By Michael E. Heyes for The Conversation

The synod’s job is over. Now it is up to the rest of the church to become synodal. By Thomas Reese/Religion News Service

Dogs appeared several times during testimonies, typically because an accused witch was believed to have had a dog who would do her bidding, or because the devil appeared in the form of a dog.  By Bridget Marshall for The Conversation

From the 19th to 20th century, Native children were physically removed from their homes and put into boarding schools. A scholar asks if that was genocide. By Rosalyn R. LaPier for The Conversation

 
A person with dark skin sits with their back towards the viewer. Their back is covered with pink candle wax.

A woman drips candle wax on Valentin Solis as part of his penance, as pilgrims make their way, some crawling, to the San Felipe Church in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic Black Christ statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Did a friend or colleague forward this to you? Click here to subscribe.

 
 

No comments:

Post a Comment