Weekly religion news roundup (July 25-31, 2025)
Photograph by Utsav Srestha via Unsplash
Rev. Dr. Anna Piela
With growing urgency, more US Jews urge Israel to ensure ample food deliveries to Gaza. For most Jewish Americans, whatever their political persuasion, support for Israel has been a bedrock principle. Thus it’s notable that a broad swath of U.S. Jews — reacting to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza — have been urging the Israeli government to do more to ensure the delivery of food and medicine. (Associated Press)
Sotheby’s returns Buddha jewels to India after uproar. Auction house Sotheby's has returned a set of sacred jewels believed to be linked to the Buddha's remains to India, after facing mounting pressure from the Indian government and global Buddhist leaders. (BBC News)
1,000 nonprofits protest loosening Johnson Amendment. More than 1,000 churches and nonprofits in 50 states have signed a letter protesting the Trump administration’s attempt to shield congregations from a law banning tax-exempt organizations from endorsing political candidates. (Baptist News Global)
Are AI sermons ethical? Clergy consider where to draw the line. Much of the debate involves grappling with the question of whether AI is being used as a replacement for a sacred human project or whether it's a tool in the service of that project. (RNS and NPR)
Vatican Stalls Return of Stolen Treasures From Former European Colonies. A leading academic who has called for the return of precious artifacts “stolen by Pope Pius XI and his missionaries” from Indigenous First Nations communities has urged Pope Leo XIV and the Vatican Museums to “rethink their colonial mindset.” (Religion Unplugged)
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.
‘Our mosque feels like a prison after riots.’ A year ago, riots - fuelled by misinformation and anti-immigration hate - broke out following the murders of three girls in Southport, England. One area affected was the north-east of England, where police have since recorded a significant rise in racial and religious hate crimes. (BBC News)
India Army Dismissed Christian Officer for Refusing Religious Rituals. A Delhi court ruled the lieutenant disobeyed his superior’s orders by not taking part in Sikh and Hindu worship. (Christianity Today)
American Jewish Committee to donate $25K to damaged Gaza church. The church has been housing and feeding a few hundred Christians and Muslims for nearly two years as the war continues. (RNS)
Six months into Trump 2.0, Project 2025 is ‘reshaping America.’ Think tank policy proposals come and go, usually with little impact. But the 900-plus page Project 2025 is in a league of its own, thanks to a cooperative Trump administration and Supreme Court decisions that support its agenda. (Baptist News Global)
With no access to education beyond the 6th grade, girls in Afghanistan turn to religious schools. Afghanistan’s Taliban government banned girls from secondary school and university three years ago – the only country in the world to do so. With no option for higher education, many girls and women are turning to madrassas instead. (Associated Press)
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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