Sickle Cell Resources

NHLBI Sickle Cell Resources

September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. First officially recognized by the federal government in 1983, National Sickle Cell Awareness Month calls attention to sickle cell disease (SCD), a genetic disease that researchers estimate affects between 90,000 and 100,000 Americans. Access resources here.

The Hard Stuff
We’re not terribly interested in the hard stuff of life, are we? Fortunately, it is the nature of God to go straight into and through the hardest stuff, so we know we are not alone.
Everything Is Changing
The pandemic is revealing, once again, what really matters, and what the good gifts of life are that don’t arrive by two-day shipping.
Provoking Love
During this Lenten season, I commit to inserting joy and laughter into my daily fight for justice and peace. I commit to saying ‘thank you’ and ‘I’m sorry.’
Sometimes Too Much is Just Right
While Martha served dinner, Mary sat on the floor and poured fragrant perfume over Jesus’ feet. To some, her behavior seemed over-the-top. But sometimes too much is just right.
In This Economy?
There is enough wealth to care for the sick and the poor, the hospital and the small business, the grandparent and the grandchild. Not if we continue with business as usual.

Meeting virtually for 1st time, UCC Board gets update on pandemic responses
The United Church of Christ Board met via videoconference March 27 for the first time ever, addressing familiar business – General Synod preparations, strategic planning, financial forecasts – but also leaning into the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and a coordinated UCC response.
GS 2021 theme and logo unveiled as UCC Board takes up Synod business
Meeting over the Internet on March 27, the United Church of Christ Board took up several matters related to the denomination’s General Synod, including a "behavioral covenant" for the exhibit hall, possible modifications to how resolutions are handled, and the 2021 theme and logo.
Wisconsin chaplain ordained virtually with service in two states
A Wisconsin hospital chaplain celebrated her ordination on Sunday, in a ceremony officiated in Maryland via Zoom.
For blood drive, food pantry, Maine church members don masks, gloves
Wearing masks and gloves to protect against COVID-19, members of Second Congregational United Church of Christ went ahead with their regularly scheduled blood drive on Thursday, March 26, in Newcastle, Maine.
UCC pastor: The necessity of communion at this time
A Maryland pastor asks the question, “To to eat or not to eat?” This is his reflection on the necessity of communion in diaspora.

American Jesus
What would it mean for Christians to find their identity in Christ with an understanding of Christ’s lowliness?
Sidewalk Angels
There have been instances when I have encountered “challenges” and no “sidewalk angel” has appeared. This time one did.
You Too
You touched without permission. You silenced with intention. You were the problem. You are the problem.
Ready, Willing and Able for Peace
When the President told the United Nations that the United States was “ready, willing and able” for such destruction, he meant my husband.
The Lie of White Supremacy
White supremacy is a lie. It prompts us to indulge the theologically, socially, and economically unjustifiable.

Containing coronavirus: Why US, China compete about that, too
Who has a better model for confronting the novel coronavirus, the US or China? Big power competition has not ended with a global pandemic.
Instacart workers plan strike as online grocery orders surge
The Gig Workers Collective is calling for a nation-wide walk out to pressure Instacart to provide workers with hazard pay and protective gear during the coronavirus outbreak. But amid mass layoffs in other industries, some shoppers aren't willing to sacrifice the hours.
Reminder from an Italian videographer: Beauty is all around us
Transcend the four walls of your home with travel videos from Italian film director and photographer Oliver Astrologo. His most recent video is a love letter to his home country.
Democracy during lockdowns: US state lawmakers adapt
In efforts to pass emergency bills, U.S. state lawmakers are trying innovative ways to safely cast votes. Some states are stretching out across basketball arenas and visitors' galleries. Others are voting through email, conference calls, and remote conferencing.
Why a small city made bus routes free to low-income residents
In September 2018, the small city of Lawrence, Massachusetts, made key bus routes free to ease mobility, and life, for its poorer residents.

Online Coronavirus Tests Are Just The Latest Iffy Products Marketed To Anxious Consumers
Americans are worried about the novel coronavirus, so they are turning to the internet for solutions to stem their fears. Buyer, beware. It could be dangerous.
Her Genetic Test Revealed A Microscopic Problem — And A Jumbo Price Tag
Molecular diagnostics are at the frontier of science, but insurance and billing questions create a minefield for patients.
Should You Bring Mom Home From Assisted Living During The Pandemic?
Families are weighing the challenges of providing home care with the isolation or potential danger of leaving folks in senior housing or long-term care.
More Than 5,000 Surgery Centers Can Now Serve As Makeshift Hospitals During COVID-19 Crisis
Under pressure, the federal government announced it will let surgery centers, hotels and even college dorms serve as hospitals to treat an overflow of patients.
Already Taxed Health Care Workers Not ‘Immune’ From Layoffs And Less Pay
Revenue is way down for primary care, specialty physicians and some hospitals as patients avoid non-urgent visits. Practices small and large are doling out layoffs and furloughs to staff.

Florida Megachurch Pastor Arrested After Holding Crowded Service In Defiance Of Rules
Rodney Howard-Browne claimed he had special virus-killing machines.
Hanukkah Stabbing Victim Dies 3 Months After Attack At Rabbi's Home
Yosef Neumann was among five people injured in a machete attack in Monsey, New York, that authorities allege was a hate crime.
Pope Francis Prays In Empty St. Peter's Square In Hauntingly Moving Images
The images are in stark contrast to those documenting the pontiff's previous blessings.
Catholic Bishops OK Meat On Fridays During Lent Due To Coronavirus
The economic and social upheaval caused by COVID-19 is prompting bishops to relax a Lenten rule.
Amid COVID-19 Spread, Influential D.C. Pastor Says 'God's Wrath' Caused By LGBTQ People
Ralph Drollinger, who leads a Bible study for Trump's cabinet members, claims homosexuality, environmentalism and atheism are signs of God's wrath.

Southern New England Conference Begins
The New SNEUCC.ORG Website The Southern New England Conference officially came into being with the New Year, and the change is becoming more and more visible. At the end of December, the Conference's Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Massachusetts Secretary of State's office, establishing it as a nonprofit. On Jan. 1, employees of […]
Stories from 2019 from CT, MA, and RI
The year two thousand nineteen is over. The roman notation MMXIX has changed to simple MMXX for 2020. For the Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island Conferences of the United Church of Christ, now referred to as the "historic" conferences, the long- anticipated formation of the Southern New England Conference is here. And with it, it […]
Be Prepared ... to be Flocked
The following is a message from Bridge Conference Minister the Rev. Don Remick: It’s Advent and Christmas is just ahead. And we’ll be moving quickly into the New Year. The New Year marks an historic moment as we launch our new Conference and our new way of being Conference. To mark this moment we will […]
Executive Conference Minister Position Description Finalized
By Tiffany Vail Associate Conference Minister for Communications The search committee for the first Executive Conference Minister for the Southern New England Conference has developed a position description - and it looks very different from those of traditional Conference Ministers. "This position is more like a University President," said Bridge Conference Minister Rev. Marilyn Kendrix, […]

Higher attendance, lower giving: New survey shows how churches are responding to COVID-19
(RNS) — Giving is down, attendance is up and a good number of pastors still aren’t sure what they’re going to do about Easter. The post Higher attendance, lower giving: New survey shows how churches are responding to COVID-19 appeared first on Religion News Service.
'Zoombombing' comes for houses of worship
(RNS) — The mass transition of houses of worship to Zoom and other online video conferencing platforms has meant that religious services are more accessible than ever before — including to trolls. The post 'Zoombombing' comes for houses of worship appeared first on Religion News Service.
Florida pastor arrested for refusing to halt worship amid outbreak
(RNS) — ‘I believe there is nothing more important than faith in a time like this,’ the Hillsborough County Sheriff said. ‘But practicing those beliefs has to be done safely.’ The post Florida pastor arrested for refusing to halt worship amid outbreak appeared first on Religion News Service.
In new novel, the story of two grieving fathers highlights an old conflict — and the hope of peace
NEW YORK (RNS) — Award-winning author Colum McCann’s anticipated new novel, ‘Apeirogon,’ tells the story of an unlikely friendship between two bereaved fathers born into opposite sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The post In new novel, the story of two grieving fathers highlights an old conflict — and the hope of peace appeared first on […]
In move likely aimed at Liberty, on-campus teaching halted
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The evangelical college has faced intense criticism over its decision to welcome students back to campus last week after the end of their spring break. The post In move likely aimed at Liberty, on-campus teaching halted appeared first on Religion News Service.

"Housing Is Health": Calls Grow for California to Give Vacant Homes to Unhoused People Amid Pandemic
We look at the crisis of homelessness during the coronavirus pandemic in California, where the number of cases has passed 6,000 with 132 deaths. The entire state has been ordered to shelter in place, leaving the state's massive unhoused population extremely vulnerable. As the state braces for a surge in cases, tens of thousands of […]
Housing Not Shelters: Amid Pandemic, Homeless New Yorkers Demand Refuge in Vacant Apartments, Hotels
More than 100 million people across the United States have been ordered to stay home to prevent the spread of coronavirus, but what about people who are homeless? Tens of thousands of homeless people in New York City shelters and on the streets have been left with no way to safely shelter in place. We […]
We Need a Public Health New Deal: Neoliberal Austerity & Private Healthcare Worsened U.S. Pandemic
It's been described as the public health failure of the century. As the United States leads the world in coronavirus infections, a record number of Americans file for unemployment. Gasping for air, gasping for care; what does global health justice look like? We speak with two Yale professors who say decades of neoliberal austerity make […]
Headlines for March 30, 2020
Trump Extends Social Distancing, Says U.S. Coronavirus Death Toll Could Reach 100,000 , States Mandate Quarantines, Set Up Checkpoints to Limit Cross-State COVID-19 Infections , ER Doctor Who Blasted Lack of Worker & Patient Protections at WA Hospital Removed from Post, Coronavirus Cases Mount in Prisons and Among Law Enforcement Workers , 9-Month-Old Is First […]
When Home Isn't Safe: Shelter-in-Place Is Putting Domestic Violence Survivors in a "Dire Situation"
As schools shut, public spaces close, and all but essential workers are ordered to stay indoors under shelter-in-place orders across the U.S. and globe, domestic violence services are scrambling to help vulnerable people navigate home lives that they say are increasingly unsafe during the pandemic. What happens when you're trapped at home with your abuser? […]

How Winston Churchill Pulled Britain Through The Early Years Of WWII
In The Splendid And The Vile, author Erik Larson details the British prime minister's first year in office, during which England endured a Nazi bombing campaign that killed more than 44,000 civilians.
Staying At Home? Check Into Emily St. John Mandel's Haunting 'Glass Hotel'
The author of Station Eleven weaves together stories of a hotel worker and an ultra-wealthy con man in a novel that captures how precarious life is — in a way that feels particularly resonant now.
Fresh Air Weekend: Writer James McBride; RuPaul
McBride's novel, Deacon King Kong, takes place in 1969, in a Brooklyn housing project similar to the one he grew up in. The host of RuPaul's Drag Race says loving yourself is a cornerstone of success.
Fresh Air Weekend: Marc Maron; 'Simpsons' Voice Actor Hank Azaria
Maron's new Netflix stand-up special, End Times Fun, was named before the coronavirus pandemic. Azaria reflects on his IFC comedy series Brockmire and why he no longer performs Apu on The Simpsons.
'Fresh Air' Celebrates Broadway Legend Stephen Sondheim (Part 2)
Sondheim, who turned 90 on March 22, composed the music and lyrics for Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Company and other shows. He spoke about his career in musical theater in this 2010 interview.

A Year of Suffering and Soul-Searching in Sutherland Springs
How does a God-fearing, gun-friendly church recover from a horrific mass shooting? Long after the camera crews departed, a Texas journalist stuck around to find out. Frank Pomeroy, pastor at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas, was away for the weekend when he received a text message alerting him that a gunman had just […]
Most Pastors Bracing for Months of Socially Distant Ministry
Barna findings show the toll of the coronavirus crisis is setting in week over week. As the US outlook around the coronavirus pandemic changes day by day, pastors are quickly adjusting their expectations about how the disruptions will impact their ministry. Oregon pastor Tyler Braun explained that “on top of just navigating the right-now urgency […]
Apart Is Temporary. Together Is Forever.
Jesus' love knows no borders. For today’s musical pairing, listen to “S.T.A.Y.” from Hanz Zimmer’s “Interstellar” soundtrack. Note that all the songs for this series have been gathered into a Spotify playlist here. See video below. “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit […]
The CARES Act & Your Church Staff: What You Need to Know & 4 Steps to Take Now
The new stimulus bill includes churches and has implication for church staff. Please learn more before making any staff decisions. We’ve added a brand new podcast with Harold Loftin, legal counsel at Guidestone Financial Services. You can find it here at our podcast page. It contains important information for you and your church about the […]
Florida Pastor First to Be Arrested for Defying Coronavirus Order
Misdemeanor charges against Rodney Howard-Browne set up legal battle over right to worship in a pandemic. Florida officials have arrested a megachurch pastor who allegedly held two Sunday services with hundreds of people in violation of a safer-at-home order in place to limit the spread of the new coronavirus. Rodney Howard-Browne turned himself in to […]

For Shut-In Pilgrims, the World’s Holiest Sites Are a Click Away
The pandemic has closed holy sites across the globe, but virtual reality is providing worshipers a digital window into ceremonies during touchstone holidays.
The Religious Right’s Hostility to Science Is Crippling Our Coronavirus Response
Trump’s response to the pandemic has been haunted by the science denialism of his ultraconservative religious allies.
What Judaism Teaches Us About the Fear of Death
A conversation with the Princeton scholar Moulie Vidas on mortality and the embrace of life in Judaism.
What Men Can Learn From Mary, Mother of Jesus
On the Feast of the Annunciation, Christians celebrate the Almighty becoming an embryo. Men in particular should pay attention.
In a Pandemic, Religion Can Be a Balm and a Risk
As scientists and politicians struggle for a response to the coronavirus, many people are turning to faith. But some practices raise public health concerns.

How Pew Research Center is approaching the 2020 election
As 2020 approaches, here’s a preview of how the Center is approaching the election, both in terms of how we plan to conduct surveys and other studies and what we plan to explore. The post How Pew Research Center is approaching the 2020 election appeared first on Pew Research Center.
5 facts about public opinion in Spain as its election nears
Spaniards head to the polls on Sunday for Spain’s fourth election in as many years. The election comes as the Spanish public is especially pessimistic, harbors strong doubts about democracy, and is concerned about inequality, their children’s financial future and the availability of well-paying jobs. That said, overall sentiment about the economy has rebounded in […]
Public’s Views of National Economy Remain Positive and Deeply Partisan
Americans continue to have positive views of the nation’s economy, though views are split by party. Most Republicans and half of Democrats rate their personal finances positively. The post Public’s Views of National Economy Remain Positive and Deeply Partisan appeared first on Pew Research Center.
A Week in the Life of Popular YouTube Channels
An analysis of every YouTube video posted by high-subscriber channels in the first week of 2019 finds that children’s content – as well as content featuring children – received more views than other videos. The post A Week in the Life of Popular YouTube Channels appeared first on Pew Research Center.
Digital News Fact Sheet
A vast majority of adults in the United States get at least some news online (either via a mobile device or desktop/laptop), and the online space has become a host for the digital homes of both legacy news outlets and new, “born on the web” news outlets. The post Digital News Fact Sheet appeared first […]

Barbara Baylor is UCC Disaster Ministries' new COVID-19 point person
Barbara Baylor began work Friday, March 20, as UCC Disaster Ministries' Health Liaison and, as such, "point person" for COVID-19 response.
UCC coronavirus resources for churches and members multiply
United Church of Christ's library of coronavirus resources for churches and their members just got a lot richer. You will want to have a look right now! Among new sections: how to talk with children, statements from church leaders, and avoiding scams.
UCC offers technical, pastoral guidance for "worship & coronavirus"
Congregations take note: Tips for in-person and virtual worship and music, technology and "social distancing" options, copyright issues for virtual worship and much more are covered in "Faithful Response, with Worship, to the Coronavirus." Newly created by the United Church of Christ's Justice and Local Church Ministries, it is a truly valuable resource in the […]
UCC churches establish protocols as coronavirus spreads
United Church of Christ leaders are sharing information with each other, listening to the latest data from world health organizations and taking directives from their local health departments to discern how best to take precautions as the coronavirus COVID-19 spreads across United States. They are practicing social distancing, increasing sanitation practices, and inviting worshippers to participate […]

Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Week of March 30, 2020
The COVID-19 Coronavirus continues to spread around the world, affecting many hundreds of thousands of people. There are now very few countries where no infections have been reported. Lord, as the Coronavirus pandemic continues to spread around the world, we pray that you give strength and reassurance to all people as they continue to live […]
JAI: Palestinian Land Day, March 30
In 1976, and in response to the Israeli government's plan to expropriate thousands of acres of Palestinian Land in Israel for state purposes, a general strike and marches were organized in Palestinian towns from the Galilee to the Negev. In the ensuing confrontations with the Israeli army and police, six unarmed Arab citizens were killed, […]
YWCA of Palestine: The Palestinian Battle against Coronavirus
The Palestinian Battle against Coronavirus: A Fight Exacerbated by the Continued Israeli Occupation For decades, Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza have survived curfews and lockdowns imposed by Israel. This is not a new reality for them. While the whole world is living in quarantine, the Palestinian experience remains unique as they address this […]
Statement by the Lesotho Evangelical Church in Southern Africa (LECSA) In Respect to COVID-19
The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ on earth has been assigned by Christ Himself to spread the all-important message of resurrection and hope in God in all circumstances and situations of life in which human beings find themselves including disasters and catastrophes. The fundamental mandate of the church is to stand by all those […]

Is it ethical to shop online right now?
If your inbox looks anything like ours, you’re seeing a bunch of ads for online sales. With nonessential businesses closed all over the country, many retailers are doing what they can to drum up business. It’s true that consumer spending is a primary engine of this economy, but is it right to splurge on fancy […]
Small businesses are barely hanging on
Lawmakers have finally passed a $2 trillion COVID-19 relief package. When it comes to saving small businesses, will the aid be enough? We talk with some business owners who are barely getting by. Plus: the new economies of Canadian border towns, retailers’ rush to staff up and a conversation with the president of the Dallas […]
Those medical supplies hospitals need? They’re overseas.
Ventilators, masks, gloves and other supplies American hospitals need are produced in China, Italy, Malaysia and elsewhere. That puts the U.S. at a disadvantage in its fight against COVID-19. We’ll look through the supply chain and potential solutions. Plus: the new lifestyles of working parents and the non-traditional workers being hit especially hard by this […]
Is this country ready for 2.5 million jobless claims in a week?
Tomorrow’s first-time unemployment claim numbers are expected to be exponentially higher than a typical week, and many states have cut back on unemployment insurance in recent years. What about the people losing employer-sponsored health care? Today we’ll do the numbers and check in on the status of the stimulus bill that could provide some relief. […]
What’s the difference between being laid off and being furloughed?
When you’re losing work because of COVID-19, it might not feel like there’s much difference between getting laid off and furloughed. But it’s an important distinction. We’ll talk about it, plus the unemployment claim numbers coming this week, how the repo market works and the nationwide mask shortage.

United but Not Uniform: Finding Faith at the Women’s Convention
Thousands of women gathered in Detroit over Halloween weekend for the Women’s Convention, a conference meant to build upon the energy of January’s Women’s March—the largest single-day protest in U.S. history. Our Women and Girls Campaign Associate Jenna Barnett attended the gathering to learn what role faith played in this Convention. She was surprised by what […]
Black and DACAmented in the U.S.
With the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in limbo, our Associate Web Editor Dhanya Addanki talked to Patrice Lawrence and Mwewa Sumbwe of the UndocuBlack Network about what the end of DACA could mean. This network was founded by undocumented black immigrants who wanted to center the voices of black undocumented people that […]
Can Virtual Reality Rescue Humanity?
Video games have long been dismissed from mainstream audiences as shallow or immature, but can they be something more? Our multimedia editor JP Keenan traveled to the "Games For Change" festival to talk with game designers about the power of "empathy games" and learn about future of virtual reality to see if it's the game […]
How These Christian Activists Are Putting the Death Penalty on Trial
In January 2017, 18 anti-death penalty activists were arrested and taken to jail for protesting against the death penalty on the steps of the supreme court. On this episode, our Associate Web Editor, @dhanyaddanki, talks to three of the 18 arrested death penalty abolitionists about why they fight against capital punishment. @ShaneClaiborne, Derrick Wayne Jamison, and SueZann […]
You Can’t Mute All the Trolls: How to Be a Journalist in 2017
On today's episode, our deputy web editor @chwoodiwiss chats with with journalists @sullivanamy, @dawn_cherie, and @ayshabkhan about something journos usually don’t like talking about: when doing our job becomes too much. We discuss the public's rising suspicion of journalism, dealing with traumatic images, fending off Twitter hate, and—whew—why we still love the work. For more, read our companion piece in […]

Letters to the Editor (Resurrecting this Historical Section): Redefining Anthropology?
Editor’s Note The lifeblood of science and social science is competition among ideas in healthy debate testing scholarly standards and findings. In recent years, as standards have begun to disappear in social science and as journals begin to advocate for doctrine in place of social science and discipline, the opportunity to challenge colleagues (and editors) […]
Returning Discipline to the Discipline: A Model Procedure for Reviews in Anthropology, Social Sciences, and Other Related Disciplines
This piece uses participant observation of and research into disciplinary procedures to reveal that review policies in anthropology, other ‘social sciences’, and related disciplines have become arbitrary and politicised with little to protect professional standards of a discipline and to avoid conflicts of interest that prejudice scholarship. To address the problem, this piece takes the […]
The Nonsense and Non-Science of Political Science: A Politically Incorrect View of ‘Poly-T(r)ic(k)s’
The purpose of this short essay is to highlight the failures in contemporary Political Science by sketching a small model of what the discipline would look like if it were in fact a “discipline” driven by scientific questions and methods responsive to public benefit rather than to indoctrination and control. Rather than simply accept, on […]
An International Legal Scholar’s View on “Is Economics in Violation of International Law? Remaking Economics as a Social Science”
An Ecological Economist’s View on “Is Economics in Violation of International Law? Remaking Economics as a Social Science”
Introduction Is mainstream economics with its many theories and recommendations compatible with international law, such as the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP, 2007) or the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development of 1992 (UN Rio Declaration, 1992)? Are globally renowned universities teaching economics in ways that violate international law? Can […]

Important COVID-19 Information
The Coalition’s Client Services Office will be closed until the State of Emergency is lifted. Clients can still access emergency financial services by calling 240-446-9649. Email questions or concerns at info@rcehn.org. The Alan P. Linton individual shelter will continue to operate as normal, on a first come, first serve basis. Those who are utilizing the […]
Newsletter: Winter 2020
Download Our Winter Newsletter Here The post Newsletter: Winter 2020 appeared first on The Religious Coalition.
It’s A Wonderful Life
Click for details The post It’s A Wonderful Life appeared first on The Religious Coalition.
2019 Unity Campaign
2019 Unity Campaign: September 11-22 2019 Click Here to Make A On-Line Donation to this year’s campaign Why Is The Unity Campaign So Important? Our Goal is $30,000- Your gift will be boosted by matching funds The post 2019 Unity Campaign appeared first on The Religious Coalition.
Newsletter: Summer 2018
Download Our Summer Newsletter Here The post Newsletter: Summer 2018 appeared first on The Religious Coalition.

About half of Americans are OK with DNA testing companies sharing user data with law enforcement
The use of at-home DNA testing kits has raised concerns about whether consumers are comfortable with the use of their data by police. The post About half of Americans are OK with DNA testing companies sharing user data with law enforcement appeared first on Pew Research Center.
Four-in-ten U.S. drug arrests in 2018 were for marijuana offenses – mostly possession
Police officers in the United States still make more arrests for marijuana offenses than for any other drug, according to FBI data. The post Four-in-ten U.S. drug arrests in 2018 were for marijuana offenses – mostly possession appeared first on Pew Research Center.
5 facts about crime in the U.S.
Both violent and property crime in the U.S. have declined over the long term, but Americans regularly say crime is up. The post 5 facts about crime in the U.S. appeared first on Pew Research Center.
Far more immigration cases are being prosecuted criminally under Trump administration
The first full fiscal year of the Trump administration saw large increases in the number of people arrested and criminally prosecuted for immigration offenses. The post Far more immigration cases are being prosecuted criminally under Trump administration appeared first on Pew Research Center.
Only 2% of federal criminal defendants go to trial, and most who do are found guilty
Trials are rare in the federal criminal justice system: Just 2% of criminal defendants went to trial in 2018. Acquittals are even rarer. The post Only 2% of federal criminal defendants go to trial, and most who do are found guilty appeared first on Pew Research Center.

PBS NewsHour: Russia’s war in Ukraine leads to historic split in the Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church in Ukraine has been under the authority of Moscow since 1686. Until the 2014 war with Russia, that situation bothered few. Now a growing number of congregations, approximately 500 so far, have joined a new independent Ukrainian … More → The post PBS NewsHour: Russia’s war in Ukraine leads to historic split […]
PBS NewsHour: Following Father Theodore Hesburgh through Civil Rights era
The new documentary, “Hesburgh,” explores the life of Father Theodore Hesburgh, who served as a long-time president of the University of Notre Dame and is recognized now as one of the most important civic and educational leaders of the 20th … More → The post PBS NewsHour: Following Father Theodore Hesburgh through Civil Rights era […]
VIDEO: California’s first Muslim judge on faith and public service
Justice Halim Dhanidina was recently elevated to California’s Courts of Appeal, making him the state’s most senior judge of Muslim faith. NewsHour Weekend Special Correspondent David Tereshchuk talks with Dhanidina about engaging with supporters and critics alike, and setting an … More → The post VIDEO: California’s first Muslim judge on faith and public service […]
America’s Foremost Muslim Judge
America’s Foremost Muslim Judge By David Tereshchuk It wasn’t exactly a surprise for Halim Dhanidina to get a call in 2012 from California Governor Jerry Brown’s office saying he’d been picked to serve as a judge on the state’s Superior … More → The post America’s Foremost Muslim Judge appeared first on Religion & Ethics […]
The relationship between science and religion
The friction between science and religion goes back centuries. While the conflict often lies in beliefs and research, the common ground between the two is sometimes left unexplored. Researchers dive deeper into this debate. The post The relationship between science and religion appeared first on Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly.

Florida Megachurch Pastor Arrested After Holding Crowded Service In Defiance Of Rules
Rodney Howard-Browne claimed he had special virus-killing machines.
Hanukkah Stabbing Victim Dies 3 Months After Attack At Rabbi's Home
Yosef Neumann was among five people injured in a machete attack in Monsey, New York, that authorities allege was a hate crime.
Pope Francis Prays In Empty St. Peter's Square In Hauntingly Moving Images
The images are in stark contrast to those documenting the pontiff's previous blessings.
Catholic Bishops OK Meat On Fridays During Lent Due To Coronavirus
The economic and social upheaval caused by COVID-19 is prompting bishops to relax a Lenten rule.
Amid COVID-19 Spread, Influential D.C. Pastor Says 'God's Wrath' Caused By LGBTQ People
Ralph Drollinger, who leads a Bible study for Trump's cabinet members, claims homosexuality, environmentalism and atheism are signs of God's wrath.

Meet the Pastor Who Performs Exorcisms Over Skype
Evangelical Pastor Bob Larson performs physical exorcisms on people who believe they’re possessed by the devil. But because this is the 21st century, he also performs them over Skype. Larson has built a business by exorcising demons via video chat, using hand gestures–like crossing people’s foreheads by waving his pointer finger in front of the […]
We’re Gonna Let You Finish, Christianity, But Yeezianity Is The Best Religion OF ALL TIME
In a track off his 2013 album Yeezus, Kanye West requested that we a) hurry up with his damn croissants and then b) remember that he is a God. An anonymous group of people have taken that song pretty literally, it seems, because they’ve formed an official religion centered around Kanye called Yeezianity. According to its website, […]
Here’s an Interactive Birthday Card for the Pope’s 77th Birthday
People who visit the English version of the Vatican’s website today will see a 32-page interactive pop up that says “Best Wishes, Holy Father” in honor of Pope Francis’s 77th birthday, The Guardian reports. Viewers hear a “whoosh” sound as they click through this compilation of photos of the Pontiff and some of his most inspirational quotes […]
The Grand Canyon Will Make You Believe in God
Calling all churches, Planet Earth is your new marketing tool. Though the BBC’s nature-focused series is far from a religious promotional video, a new study shows that Americans who watch Planet Earth are more likely to believe in a god or a higher power, the Independent reports. In a new study published in the journal Psychological Science, scientists asked a […]
Atheists Embrace Megachurch-Style Services
While evangelical Christians are known for celebrating faith in God at mega-churches, now atheists are celebrating their lack of faith in God in a “mega-church” setting. The Associated Press profiled the Sunday Assembly, a movement started in London in January 2013 that’s spearheaded by two British comedians, Sanderson Jones and Pippa Evans, who are bringing atheists together in […]