Thursday's News & Ideas - 1/19/2023

Christian persecution higher than ever as Open Doors’ World Watch List marks 30 years
Religion News Service: North Korea has returned to the top of the World Watch List with its highest-ever persecution score after an increase of arrests of Christians under its “anti-reactionary thought” law.

The world's oldest person, Sister André of France, dies at age 118
NPR: Sister André, the world's oldest known person, died Tuesday at age 118 and 340 days. Less than a month away from her 119th birthday, she held the record for both oldest living person and oldest living nun, according to Guinness World Records.

March for Life comes back to D.C. amid backlash to abortion ruling
National Catholic Reporter: Nearly seven months since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade and returned the issue of abortion to the individual state legislatures, tens of thousands of anti-abortion activists will descend on Washington, D.C., for the 50th annual March for Life on Jan. 20.

The shared religious roots of twin insurrections in the U.S. and Brazil*
The Washington Post: Americans have helped spread a right-wing version of evangelical Christianity in Brazil. It played a role in the insurrection there.

A new Supreme Court case could turn every workplace into a religious battleground
Vox: The fight over whether religious conservatives enjoy special rights is coming to a workplace near you.

The Spark

The right not to be fun at work
In a win for workplace dignity, a French high court recently decreed that businesses cannot force their employees to participate in supposedly enjoyable activities,* says The New Yorker.

*access is limited for nonsubscribers