RNS Morning Report - A mega-church pastor will test whether a Dem can win a Kansas Senate seat

Adam Hamilton, mega-church pastor, wins Dem Senate primary. Now comes the hard part.   The Rev. Adam Hamilton, pastor of the largest United Methodist church in the U.S., is about to test whether a pastor running as a Democrat can flip a red seat — and become Kansas’ first Democratic senator in nearly a century.   After polls closed Tuesday (Aug. 4), Hamilton became one of seven clergy, former clergy and seminarians who are now Democratic nominees running for Congress. He told RNS in April that many clergy are running because they see a discrepancy between their faith and the actions of the Trump administration — especially its immigration policies and cuts to food assistance programs.   “I think there’s a lot of pastors and a lot of Christians who have just said, ‘This is not us,’” Hamilton said.   RNS reporters Jack Jenkins and Kathryn Post bring you the story.         Top Stories Adam Hamilton, mega-church pastor, wins Dem Senate primary. Now comes the hard part. (RNS) — With a record-setting fundraising haul, Hamilton still faces an uphill battle to become Kansas' first Democratic senator in nearly a century. Abdul El-Sayed could be the first Muslim senator. Here are 5 religion takeaways from his campaign. (RNS) — The 41-year-old Muslim's victory in the Michigan primary was greeted with pride from Muslims and trepidation by supporters of Israel. Christian mother convicted in newborn’s death confronts faith, ‘unperceived pregnancy’ in documentary (RNS) — From executive producer Sarah Paulson, the award-winning documentary ‘Baby Doe’ has screenings across the US scheduled through September. Photos of the Week: Arbaeen pilgrimage, Pachamama offerings (RNS) — This week’s photo selection includes the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage to Karbala, Bolivian offerings to Pachamama and more. Opinion Is it still possible to imagine a brighter future? (RNS) — Two views from the past. ICYMI ‘They’re not real pastors’: As clergy run as Democrats, Republicans question their faith (RNS) — 'It's a sign that they are really scared they're gonna lose this seat,' the Rev. Sarah Trone Garriott, a Lutheran pastor running for Congress in Iowa, said. She is part of a wave of religious figures running as Democrats for congressional seats. Church leaders not bound to report sexual abuse confessions, Arizona Supreme Court rules (RNS) — Arizona justices unanimously ruled on Thursday (July 30) that trial courts couldn’t interfere in church leaders’ decision to report sexual abuse cases disclosed in confession, according to their own interpretation of religious doctrine. 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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