Weekly religion news roundup (August 29-September 4, 2025)
Photograph by Utsav Srestha via Unsplash
Rev. Dr. Anna Piela
At Vatican meeting, Pope Leo and Israeli President Herzog urge hostage release, ceasefire. Pope Leo XIV met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog for the second time at the Vatican, where they discussed the war in Gaza, the future of Jerusalem and the need for courageous steps toward peace. (RNS)
AI Apocalypse? Why language surrounding tech is sounding increasingly religious. As the rapid, unregulated development of artificial intelligence continues, the language people in Silicon Valley use to describe it is becoming increasingly religious. (Associated Press)
Body seen in secret mortuary could solve 50-year mystery of vanished religious leader. Charismatic cleric Musa al-Sadr's disappearance has spawned endless conspiracy theories. Some people believe he was killed, while others claim he is still alive and being held somewhere in Libya. (BBC News)
They don't identify with a religion, but they often believe in God, afterlife. Sizable percentages of religiously unaffiliated people, the so-called “nones,” believe in God and in life after death, according to a new Pew Research Center report conducted from 2023-24 in 22 countries. (National Catholic Reporter)
Clergy rally to defend Kilmar Abrego García as he is detained by ICE. The emotional, and often deeply religious, event was equal parts protest rally and vigil, with clergy and faith leaders speaking alongside union leaders and elected officials as they voiced their outrage over the administration’s treatment of Abrego and immigrants in general. (The Christian Century)
Each Friday in The Christian Citizen, we publish a Religion News Roundup with summaries of religion news stories and links for those who want to read more.
‘Trey’s Law’ is now in effect, making NDAs unenforceable in Texas and Missouri. Powerful accounts shared by survivors of abuse at various institutions — including Kanakuk Kamps, Boy Scouts and the Assemblies of God — were instrumental in this law’s passage. (Baptist News Global)
Women ministers resist misogyny with mentors, training, resilience, study finds. The report, funded by the Louisville Institute, found that the kinds of discrimination women ministers face include gender bias, limited opportunities for leadership and adverse expectations related to pursuing work/family balance. (RNS)
From Roe To Obergefell: Religious Right Sets Sights On Reversing Same-Sex Marriage. With two dramatic actions, the “Religious Right” is suddenly prodding the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its historic 2015 Obergefell decision, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. (Religion Unplugged)
Iraq reopens historic mosque in Mosul 8 years after Islamic State destruction. Iraq’s prime minister presided over the official reopening of the historic al-Nuri Grand Mosque and its leaning minaret in the heart of Mosul’s Old City Monday, eight years after the mosque was destroyed by militants from the Islamic State group. (Associated Press)
Some Christian Schools Take On the Cost of Inclusive Education. Despite the challenges of accommodating ADHD and other learning difficulties in the classroom, advocates see the missional benefits. (Christianity Today)
Rev. Dr. Anna Piela is senior writer at American Baptist Home Mission Societies and assistant editor of The Christian Citizen.
The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of American Baptist Home Mission Societies.
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