Defense Department rejiggers list of recognized religions after backlash, narrows it to 30

I was a pagan in the military before we were recognized. We're going back. 

(RNS) — Why the Department of Defense's recent decision to eliminate more than 180 religious affiliation codes has me deeply concerned. 

Congressional Democrats call GOP anti-Sharia caucus 'hateful'

(RNS) — The caucus targeting Sharia, or Islamic religious law, harkens back to anti-Muslim movements that flourished during the post-9/11 era and the early 2010s. 

SBC tries to move on from abuse crisis, will debate women pastors and immigration

ORLANDO, Florida (RNS) — More than 11,000 Southern Baptist church representatives will gather in Orlando this week, where they will debate women pastors and send out missionaries.

Some Republican governors are rebranding June with conservative alternatives to Pride

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — June Pride celebrations, which often include parades, festivals and performances, began in 1970 to mark the first anniversary of the violent police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a New York City gay bar, and have since expanded to cities worldwide.

The superfans known as the 'Spurs Nuns' aiming to bring divine intervention to the NBA Finals

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — New York has Ben Stiller, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan among its superfans; San Antonio has a group of nuns who wear Spurs jerseys over their habits. It's a relationship that goes back at least 20 years or so, and to the sisters it makes perfect sense.