RNS Morning Report - Video: Sen. Raphael Warnock has faith in US democracy

Raphael Warnock says the US is a freedom train. People need to get on it.   Given his roles as both preacher and policymaker, Raphael Warnock was a natural subject for the RNS video series created to mark America’s 250th: “What does it mean to belong in America?”   In the fifth and final episode, released Thursday, Warnock spoke about growing up as the son of Pentecostal preachers, the social gospel of Martin Luther King Jr., what the Bible says about immigrants and why he has faith in the American experiment.   “America’s a freedom train,” Warnock said. “And at each stop, different people who have different life experiences have had to get on that train and help us to keep moving towards our destination. Freedom is a journey.”   Watch the interview or read the transcript.         Top Stories Raphael Warnock says the US is a freedom train. People need to get on it. (RNS) — In the final episode of ‘What does it mean to belong in America,’ the Rev. Raphael Warnock, the US senator from Georgia, talks about welcoming immigrants, tribalism and his faith in the American experiment. ‘It’s a sin if you do not vote’: Progressive National Baptists urge midterm turnout WASHINGTON (RNS) — The historically Black denomination made voting a theme of its annual session. In a Tisha B’Av reversal, these American Jews grieve for destruction of Palestinian lives (RNS) — Seven cities across the country — including Boston, Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, Philadelphia and Seattle — held similar public rituals to mark the Jewish day of mourning. These Catholic sisters want to start a new order with a difficult mission: Helping clergy abuse survivors (RNS and NPR) — Sister Theresa Aletheia and Sister Danielle Lussier are the only community of religious sisters in the Catholic Church fully dedicated to serving abuse victims. Opinion ‘The Odyssey,’ the Jews and a history lesson for an Oregon theater (RNS) — At a time of rising antisemitism, a business chose to casually erase Jewish history in order to sell movie tickets. ICYMI As Jews mark Tisha B’Av, ancient mourning rituals make room for modern grief (RNS) — ‘October 7 will definitely be in my mind, but Tisha B'Av also gives you the long view of Jewish history,’ Rabbi Diana Fersko said. ‘This isn’t a peacekeeping initiative — this is a terror campaign’: Texas faith leaders condemn ICE deaths AUSTIN, Texas (RNS) — A news conference inside the state Capitol brought together about two dozen leaders from the United Methodist Church, the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, the South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ, the National Council of Jewish Women and other faith-related groups. 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

Copyright © 2026 Religion News Service, All rights reserved.