How rituals of faith became another casualty of war

Pope criticizes Harris and Trump and tells US Catholics to choose ‘lesser evil’
The Guardian: The Pope likens abortion to ‘assassination’ and condemns Trump over immigration plans.

Everything you need to know about the Texas’ Bible-forward lesson plans*
The Houston Chronicle: The proposed state-created textbooks, worksheets and lesson plans have drawn controversy as around 10% of the reading lessons contain Biblical allusions.

China frees American pastor after 18 years in detention
NPR: An American pastor jailed in China for more than 18 years has been released this week, according to the State Department on Monday.

How rituals of faith became another casualty of war*
The New York Times: Marking major holidays has been completely upended for three religions this year. For Palestinians in the West Bank, restrictions have limited access to holy sites.

Hundreds march in Brazil to support religious freedom as cases of intolerance rise
The Associated Press: Practitioners of different religious traditions marched down Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Copacabana Beach on Sunday to support religious freedom in Brazil, where cases of intolerance have doubled over the past six years.

Stars come out in Atlanta to celebrate Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday
The Guardian: Jimmy Carter doesn’t turn 100 until Oct. 1, but the red carpet was nevertheless rolled out at the Fox Theater to pay homage to America’s oldest living former president.

In an unprecedented move, Ohio is funding the construction of private religious schools
ProPublica: The state is giving millions in taxpayer dollars directly to private schools to help them renovate and expand their campuses. It may be the next frontier in the push to increase the use of school vouchers, proponents say.

A survey firm asked pastors who they’ll vote for. Nearly a quarter wouldn’t say
Deseret News: Twenty-three percent of the surveyed faith leaders refused to answer the question about whom they’ll vote for, according to Lifeway Research’s survey report. The group of refusers is much bigger today than it was during the past two elections.

Former leaders of Jewish Voice for Peace detail their organizing tactics in new book
Religion News Service: JVP has become a powerhouse of the American Jewish left. In a new book, "Solidarity Is the Political Version of Love," two of its past leaders trace the lessons they learned along the way.

Egyptian Christians show ‘love of Jesus’ to displaced Palestinians*
Christianity Today: How Baptists and Presbyterians have partnered to offer food, water and witness amid the Gaza war.