Faith leaders key to combat vaccine hesitancy among religious – and QAnon believers: US survey
RNS A new survey suggests faith leaders are key to combating vaccine hesitancy or outright anti-vaccine sentiment among religious Americans and QAnon believers, many of whom still voice concerns about getting inoculated against COVID-19. The report from PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute) and Interfaith Youth Core, released on Thursday, divides American views on COVID-19 vaccines into three […]
Essay: When your clothes come from tragedy, and how remembering Rana Plaza can change that
In an article marking the eighth anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh, BONNIE GRAHAM, ethical fashion coordinator at Baptist World Aid Australia, calls for your help in ending forced labour in the cotton industry…
Wow!: Natural sounds from across seven continents celebrate Earth Day
SARAH MILLS, of Reuters, reports on a project by British composer Ted White to capture natural sounds from across the globe, released on Thursday to mark Earth Day…
Proposals aim to end Church of England inaction over racism
LondonAP A report aiming to tackle racism in the Church of England has recommended dozens of proposals to end decades of inaction, including the requirement that at least one ethnic minority candidate be included in shortlists for senior clergy roles. The church’s Anti-Racism Taskforce was set up last year after the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin […]
Texas ends clergy, spiritual advisers ban in death chamber
Houston, USAP Texas prisons have resumed allowing clergy as well as spiritual advisers in the death chamber, reversing a two-year ban created after the US Supreme Court halted the execution of an inmate who had argued his religious freedom was being violated because his Buddhist spiritual adviser wasn’t allowed to accompany him, officials said Thursday. […]
Critics denounce Japan asylum reform as human rights violation
Tokyo, JapanReuters A planned reform of Japan’s asylum law that would make it easier to deport failed applicants for refugee status drew fierce criticism on Thursday from lawyers, lawmakers and human rights groups who said it ran counter to international norms. The government says the proposed reform, which would mean asylum seekers could be deported […]