RNS Morning Report - Americans will bet more than a billion on the Super Bowl. Do faith leaders care?

Top Stories Americans will bet more than a billion on the Super Bowl. Do faith leaders care? (RNS)— Legal betting is bad for bettors and society alike, said gambling critic Kathleen Benfield. 'It's a house of cards,' she said. 'And it’s going to fall.'   ‘He Gets Us’ ads return to Super Bowl LIX — a little less political after 2024 backlash (RNS) — The campaign returns as a big advertiser during Sunday’s big game.   Mayor Adams’ new director of hate crime prevention sees God in every New Yorker NEW YORK (RNS) — The most ethnically and religiously diverse city in the world, says Vijah Ramjattan, could use a new approach to its hate crime prevention: one characterized by a pluralistic Hindu worldview.   Treading on taboos, a psychiatrist trains Christians to see spiritual side of mental health PHILADELPHIA (RNS) — Spearheaded by Dr. Atasha Jordan, a Christian psychiatrist, the Christian Mental Health Initiative provides free mental health first aid trainings to churches.   RNS Opinion Just in time, Baptist leader Roy Medley gets his church’s award for interfaith dialogue (RNS) — Medley has shown people of all faiths the power of standing in solidarity with the oppressed not just from their own group or faith, but also vulnerable 'others.'   Understanding the Aga Khan, leader of Ismaili Muslims (RNS) — The Aga Khan IV was often referred to as a philanthropist, but the description ignores the spiritual impetus for his work.   ICYMI Administrators at Harvard Divinity School quit, say school condoned hate (RNS) — Two administrators at Harvard Divinity School’s Religion in Public Life program have left. The latest, Hussein Rashid, cited anti-Muslim bias.   At two prayer breakfasts, Trump calls himself champion of religion WASHINGTON (RNS) — Trump took the occasion to announce he would appoint Florida Pastor Paula White to lead his White House Faith Office. In Other News Attacks on Catholics, Lutherans suggest new Trump approach on religion Church of England refuses call for gluten-free wafers and non-alcoholic wine   Depend on our reporting? Help us out! As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. You can support this work! News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205