Lead story

How religious groups are combating ableism

Editor'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.
 
In a recent series of articles, Religion News Service’s Kathryn Post reported on how disabled and neurodivergent leaders across faith traditions are upending ableist assumptions and changing the religious landscape to be more hospitable to all.

Religion News

Afghan man charged in killing of 2 Muslims in Albuquerque 

Police 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

Why the largest US Lutheran denomination apologized to a Latino congregation

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 happen 

A 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 VR

Worshippers, 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 Analysis

75 years ago, Britain's plan for Pakistani and Indian independence left unresolved conflicts on both sides – especially when it comes to Kashmir

The 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

After Trump, Christian nationalist ideas are going mainstream – despite a history of violence

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

Mormons are being oppressed and mocked on TV. We’re not alone.

Are Mormons being singled out for religious persecution? By Jana Riess/Religion News Service

American Sikhs are targets of bigotry, often due to cultural ignorance

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

Photos of the Week: Iraqi unrest, Indian wrestlers and more

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)

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• This Week in Religion is a publication of the Global Religion Journalism Initiative, a collaboration among the Religion News Service, The Associated Press and The Conversation U.S.
• The three news organizations work to improve general understanding and analyze the significance of developments in the world of faith.