RNS Morning Report - She left Amish life. Now millions watch her cook in Amish dress.

She left Amish life. Now millions watch her cook in Amish dress.   RNS National Reporter Fiona Murphy is fascinated (and targeted online) by trad wife content. One day, an ex-Amish influencer caught her eye.   Lovina Zook has become an unlikely TikTok star, using technology once forbidden to her and building an audience of 3.4 million followers. Now in her second trimester of pregnancy with her first child and living in North Texas with her husband, Eli Zook, who is also ex-Amish, Zook films herself cooking Amish food and reinterpreting a tradition she fled, while complicating the internet’s “trad wife” fantasies and outsiders’ romantic ideas about the Amish.   “That dress now does not symbolize hurt,” Zook told Murphy in a recent interview. “Now that dress symbolizes freedom.”         Top Stories She left Amish life. Now millions watch her cook in Amish dress. (RNS) — Lovina Zook is using technology once forbidden to her to reinterpret a tradition she fled, complicating both the internet’s ‘trad wife’ fantasies and outsiders’ romantic ideas about the Amish. An Episcopal camp offers queer Christians an affirming haven in Idaho (FāVS News) — The Episcopal Diocese of Spokane has hosted Queer Camp at Lake Coeur d’Alene since 2024, offering LGBTQ+ Christians and allies an affirming retreat in a state that introduced 27 anti-LGBTQ+ bills last year. Faith is integral to a country’s fortunes, says research review  (RNS) — Religion is playing a far greater role in economic growth and prosperity than many people realize, affecting key economic behavior including education, family size and savings, according to the Berlin-based think tank the Rockwool Foundation. Photos of the Week: Ratha Yatra in NYC, World Cup begins (RNS) — Each week RNS presents a gallery of photos of religious expression around the world. This week’s photo selection includes a Ratha Yatra in New York City, the beginning of the World Cup and more. Opinion The theology lesson in Steven Spielberg’s ‘Disclosure Day’ (RNS) — From ‘Close Encounters’ to ‘E.T.’ to ‘Disclosure Day,’ we might begin to understand Steven Spielberg’s religious journey. Catholic rally celebrating nation’s founding offers a vision of America’s future (RNS) — The Zeale for America 250 rally offered a window into a movement that blends Catholic devotion, conservative activism and Trump-era politics into a single narrative of American history and national renewal. ICYMI A Native naming ceremony welcomes newly discovered spider into community of the land PORTLAND, Ore.  (RNS and NPR) — After its discovery by a local scientist, a new spider species received a ceremonial welcome by the Yakama Nation.  Hare Krishnas celebrate a 50-year milestone with a parade of chariots in Manhattan (RNS) — More than 25,000 devotees of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) attended the parade, according to organizers. Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. 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

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