No images? Click here Lead storyEditor's note: Born-again Christians are the most influential group in Iowa’s Republican caucuses, giving faith leaders particular sway in organizing voters and shaping the results. At this early stage of the 2024 presidential campaign, there are signs that the state’s evangelical community remains deeply loyal to former President Donald Trump, the thrice-married former reality television star who once supported abortion rights and spent decades boasting of his sexual prowess. As Associated Press political writer Thomas Beaumont reports from Des Moines, the faith-based pro-Trump sentiment seems solid despite the 34 felonies he was charged with stemming from hush money payments to a porn actress. Evangelicals remain appreciative of his judicial appointments that resulted in dismantling of a woman's constitutional right to abortion. As one pastor told Beaumont, “I think many evangelical Christians understand, politics at that level is a blood sport. Donald Trump is fighting. That’s why he got things done.” Religion NewsThere’s a reason every hit worship song sounds the sameA new study found that the most popular worship songs come from a handful of megachurches with a knack for writing pop songs about what God will do for you. By Bob Smietana/Religion News Service Mexican artisans create 'Judas' figures for others to burnDuring the “Burning of Judas” celebrations that take place every Holy Saturday in some Mexican neighborhoods, people gather to light fireworks that destroy colorful figures embodying evil. Originally, the figures were effigies of Judas Iscariot, but nowadays Mexican craftsmen shape their creations like devils. By María Teresa Hernández/The Associated Press The California Civil Rights Department has voluntarily dismissed its case alleging caste discrimination against two Cisco engineers, while still keeping alive its litigation against the Silicon Valley tech giant. By Deepa Bharath/The Associated Press Leaning on faith, Louisville mourns victims of mass shootingMany in Louisville turned to their faith for impromptu church services hours after a gunman killed five of his co-workers at Old National Bank downtown and wounded eight others. It was the day after Easter, and many went to cry and light candles. By Claire Galofaro, Bruce Schreiner and Beatrice Dupuy/The Associated Press Resurrection drug? FDA approves over-the-counter Narcan amid opioid crisis‘I’m afraid that we’re not to a resurrection era for people who use drugs,’ said one harm reduction advocate. By Kathryn Post/Religion News Service Commentary and AnalysisArab American Heritage Month is becoming more well-known, but the simple words 'Arab American' encompass a wide array of religious and ethnic groups. By Yasmin Moll for The Conversation Yom HaShoah, which falls on April 17-18, 2023, pointedly commemorates Jewish resistance to the Nazis. By Chad Gibbs for The Conversation Expelling two young Black lawmakers was intended to instill fear, but it backfired. By Jemar Tisby/Religion News Service Twenty-five years after the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement, Northern Ireland is still resisting the culture of violence. By Joseph Patrick Kelly for The Conversation Penitents from the ''Exaltacion de La Santa Cruz'' brotherhood take part in a Holy Week procession in Zaragoza, northern Spain, Thursday, April 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) Did a friend or colleague forward this to you? Click here to subscribe.
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