No images? Click here Lead storyEditor's note: While fifteen percent of the global population is disabled, religious communities and spaces around the world are replete with ableist barriers of all kinds, whether it’s a meditative pose that excludes certain bodies, a synagogue’s bimah only accessible by stairs or a Christian hymn that equates blindness with sin. Despite these setbacks, disabled leaders and allies have been advancing accessibility in their theology, worship practices and physical spaces. For many, accessibility isn’t just a matter of morality – it’s a spiritual duty. ![]() Religion NewsAfghan man charged in killing of 2 Muslims in AlbuquerquePolice announced a breakthrough in the killings of four Muslim men in Albuquerque, New Mexico, charging a man from Afghanistan — himself a Muslim — with two of the slayings and identifying him as a prime suspect in the other killings that put the entire community on edge. By Stefanie Dazio and Mariam Fam/The Associated Press Birthright Israel brings Jews in recovery to Israel'Recovery is all about change and healing,' said one person in recovery who took a tour of Israel that allows Jews in recovery to explore their Jewish heritage and faith. 'I feel like a changed man because of this trip.' By Michele Chabin/Religion News Service It’s been a ‘perfect storm’ of charismatic personalities and a heightened awareness of racism, all brewing in one of the country’s whitest denominations. By Emily McFarlan Miller/Religion News Service Seven years of sex abuse: How Mormon officials let it happenA lawsuit filed by families of survivors contends that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ help line for dealing with child sex abuse accusations against officials and members can easily be misused by church leaders to divert accusations away from law enforcement and instead to church attorneys who may bury the problem. By Mike Rezendes/The Associated Press From Mecca to the Vatican, exploring sacred sites with VRWorshippers, tourists and visitors from around the world are increasingly joining virtual reality religious activities and pilgrimages to some of Earth’s most sacred sites – including the Vatican, the Western Wall and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. By Luis Andres Henao/The Associated Press Commentary and AnalysisThe fate of the so-called princely states was a particularly contentious issue during India's partition, which killed about 1 million people and left millions more displaced. By Sumit Ganguly for The Conversation Distrust of government blended with strains of Christian fundamentalism can produce a violent form of Christian nationalism, a scholar explains. By Samuel Perry for The Conversation Are Mormons being singled out for religious persecution? By Jana Riess/Religion News Service On the 10th anniversary of the Oak Creek massacre, a Sikh scholar writes how there is little understanding of the Sikh faith in the U.S. By Simran Jeet Singh for The Conversation Traditional Indian wrestlers prepare for bouts during Nag Panchami festival in Prayagraj, India, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022. Every year, the wrestlers offer prayers and hold bouts to mark the festival, which is primarily dedicated to the worship of snakes. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh) Did a friend or colleague forward this to you? Click the button below to subscribe. ![]()
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