Monday's News & Ideas - 4/5/2021

Hymns through masks: Christians mark another pandemic Easter
Associated Press: Christianity’s most joyous feast day was celebrated worldwide with the faithful spaced apart in pews and singing choruses of “Hallelujah” through face coverings on a second Easter Sunday marked by pandemic precautions.

‘Like a miracle’: Israel’s vaccine success allows Easter crowds in Jerusalem*
The New York Times: Last year, the pandemic forced the cancellation of the Good Friday procession in Jerusalem. This Holy Week, local Christians are thronging the streets of the Old City.

President Biden: ‘Let us recommit ourselves to the lessons of Easter’
Religion News Service: We know that the crisis is not yet over, but as Easter heralds the return of spring, we see signs of hope all around us.

1 in 3 college students face food insecurity -- expanding SNAP benefits on campus will help stave off hunger
The Conversation: It’s harder to learn when you are suffering from hunger or searching for your next meal.

‘Allergic reaction to US religious right’ fueling decline of religion, experts say
The Guardian: Percentage of churchgoing Americans is steadily falling, and the swirl of rightwing politics and Christianity is playing a key role

The Spark

How much do we still owe to Ernest Hemingway?
He changed American fiction,* and then America moved on, Slate says.

*access is limited for nonsubscribers

Want to get News & Ideas in your inbox every weekday?
Subscribe to our News & Ideas newsletter or receive our RSS feed in your RSS reader.