Wednesday's News & Ideas - 8/4/2021

‘I’m willing to put my body on the line’
Sojourners: Over 200 activists and faith leaders were arrested at the Poor People’s Campaign’s nonviolent direct action event.
Religion News Service: Hundreds arrested at Capitol while protesting for voting rights, minimum wage

Vietnam communists accept religions’ olive branch as COVID rages*
Nikkei Asia: Catholics and Buddhists mobilize health workers to help Ho Chi Minh City cope.

Religious groups eye legal challenges to Delta variant restrictions and vaccine mandates
CNN: The spread of the Delta variant has rekindled a debate that raged in the Supreme Court last term as houses of worship charged that state COVID-related restrictions were violating their religious liberty rights.

How social media became a deadly trap for a minority group in Pakistan
Rest of World: If you’re one of four million Ahmadis in Pakistan, posting on Facebook can mean exposing yourself to danger.

70 years ago Walter Plywaski fought for atheists’ right to become citizens – here’s why his story is worth remembering
The Conversation: Stories like Plywaski’s give an insight into the discrimination atheists in the U.S. face even today and the role that those professing no faith have had in holding society accountable to the goals of religious tolerance and freedom.

The Spark

The gymnast who won’t let her daughters do gymnastics
Gymnast Rachael Denhollander is one of many people who can no longer watch the Olympics* with casual enjoyment, says The Atlantic.

*access is limited for nonsubscribers