| How worship music became the soundtrack of today’s political right In the 1960’s, the gospel song “We Shall Overcome” became the unofficial anthem of the Civil Rights Movement. The emotionally powerful, repetitive lyrics are easy to remember and sing. RNS National Reporter Bob Smietana noticed that in recent years, a similar phenomenon has been sweeping conservative political events. “How Great Is Our God” and other worship songs – with no overt political overtones – have been sung at the Jericho March preceding the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack, anti-vax revivals, Charlie Kirk’s memorial and even at the Pentagon. He wanted to know why. “They want Christians to hear it as saying, ‘You Christians are under threat,’” said Randy Lovelace, the pastor of Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee. “‘You are embattled. We hear you, we will support you, and we’ll use this music so that you feel safe, that we have your back, and we’re going to fight.’”  Top Stories | (RNS) — One of the most popular worship songs, “How Great Is Our God,” has moved from churches to political rallies in recent years. |
 | (RNS) — The Oklahoma City Thunder is the only NBA team to hold a public, ecumenical invocation before the singing of the national anthem — a longstanding tradition that continues to confound basketball fans who live outside the city. |
 | (RNS) — The Christian humanitarian relief organization has deep expertise in treating Ebola. |
 | MADRID (RNS) — The pontiff and the pop star will be in Madrid next week. 'It’s not impossible to think that here will be where Pope Leo and Bad Bunny will cross paths,' said one city official. |
Opinion | (RNS) — Filmmaker and musician Michael McLean denied for years that his son Jeff might be gay. But today, their relationship has not only survived but thrived. A new book shares the ups and downs of their journey. |
 | (RNS) — Instead of demanding accountability before approving more funding, Congress is poised to deepen its investment in the very systems generating widespread alarm. |
 | (RNS) — Most of the programmers teaching AI to “think” are men. One can only hope that the views of women will be added to the equation. |
ICYMI | (RNS) — Only about 1% of houses of worship in the U.S. today existed in 1776. Here are four that predate the revolution — and still hold services. |
 | (RNS) — Interfaith religious leaders and district parents say the Fort Worth Independent School District capitulated to a hateful online smear campaign against Shayma Alzubi. |
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