Wednesday's News & Ideas - 5/17/2023
- Saddleback appealing disfellowship
- What to do with closed churches
- Religious attendance & happiness
- Climate activism in the South
- Religious right in Japan
- NC’s abortion ban
Saddleback Church, others set to appeal ouster from Southern Baptist Convention*
Tennessean: Saddleback Church plans to appeal its ouster from the Southern Baptist Convention following a decision by denomination leaders to disfellowship the church for having a woman in a senior pastor role.
The faithful see both crisis and opportunity as churches close across the country
NPR: The question of what to do with vacated churches has become an increasingly complex problem in recent years amid mergers and downsizing.
Religious attendance is shrinking but those who remain are happy
Religion News Service: In the PRRI study, 57% of Americans say they seldom or never attend religious services. Among those who do, 89% said they were proud to be associated with their congregation.
How stories from the South changed my climate activism
Sojourners: What I found in the South were role models on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
The religious right’s hidden sway as Japan trails allies on gay rights*
The New York Times: As a G7 summit nears in Hiroshima, Japan is under pressure to show greater support for equality. A national Shinto group has spread a more hostile message.
The Spark
What North Carolina’s abortion ban does — and why it matters
Vox explains the policy behind North Carolina’s abortion showdown.
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