Why Easter never became a big secular holiday like Christmas

Emails: Conservatives slammed Pence in 2015 for changing ‘religious freedom’ law
The Associated Press
Critics see echoes of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ in military transgender ban
The New York Times *
Tennessee church shooting suspect pleads not guilty
The Associated Press
Manhattan church shields Guatemalan woman from deportation
The New York Times *
Faith groups condemn citizenship question on U.S. census
Religion News Service
Among the ruins of a polygamous sect, Short Creek residents rebuild their town
Religion & Politics
Saba Mahmood, 57, dies; traced intersection of feminism and Islam
The New York Times *
The Freedom Seder: The anti-racism dinner party that changed American Judaism
The Washington Post *
 

International Headlines

China-Vatican deal seen soon, Chinese paper says
Reuters
Cardinal’s Australian court hearing on sex charges ends
The Associated Press
Pope rejects call for apology to Canada’s indigenous people
The new York Times *
Ireland sets May date for historic abortion referendum
The Guardian
Quebec City mosque shooter changes plea to guilty, says he’s ashamed of his ‘senseless act’
CBC News
French vegan in court for comments on butcher killed by Islamist
Reuters
Area around Jesus’ baptism site being cleared of land mines
The Associated Press
Rabbis and imams should visit schools together, Germany’s Muslim leader says
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Johan van Hulst, Dutch schoolteacher who saved hundreds of Jewish children during Holocaust, dies at 107
The Washington Post *
 

Analysis & Commentary

MLK’s last Sunday sermon is as relevant today as it was in 1968
Religion News Service
Mormons’ weekly family ritual is an antidote to fast-paced living
The Atlantic
Why Easter never became a big secular holiday like Christmas
Vox
Chad Veach and the media’s long love affair with hipster pastors
Slate *
The wrong way for Germany to debate Islam
The New York Times *

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