Why non-Christian 'seekers' are trying spiritual direction

Trump's new HHS rule will harm far more people than you realize
Religion News Service: On Nov. 1, the Trump administration proposed a new rule that could allow over $30 billion in Department of Health and Human Services grants to flow to organizations that openly refuse to serve people of faith, women and LGBTQ people.

Why non-Christian 'seekers' are trying spiritual direction
America: As more Americans move away from participation in institutional religion, many seekers and nones are also seeking out places where they can have in-depth conversations about their spiritual lives.

Americans have positive views about religion's role in society, but want it out of politics
Pew Research: Most say religion is losing influence in American life, and many see that as a bad thing.
Crux: Poll finds American Catholics don't look to clergy on politics
Haaretz: U.S. Christians often hear their clergy speak about Jews -- and it's not always positive

China tells Uighur Muslims they are abducting their families so they can cleanse their brains like they have a disease, leaked documents show*
Insider: The 403 pages of internal documents, published by the Times on Saturday, detail the extent of China's efforts to deflect questions and criticism of unprecedented crackdown.

Kanye West calls himself the 'greatest artist that God has ever created' at Joel Osteen's service
People: The "Jesus Is King" rapper stopped by famous pastor Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, on Sunday.

Church of Canada may disappear by 2040, says new report
Religion News Service: The report, which was commissioned by the church, was delivered to the Council of General Synod meeting November 7-9 in Mississauga, Ontario.

A priest is killed as ISIS revives in Syria, and deadly protests continue in Iraq
America: Armed groups affiliated with ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, celebrating erroneously in a statement the killing of "two priests."

Black churches join a green movement
Religion & Politics: The Green the Church Summit is aimed at promoting environmental justice and sustainability among black churches.

In secular India, it's getting tougher to be Muslim
CNN: India has a long history of sectarian violence, but over the past few years, there has been a rise in suspected hate crimes against Muslims, who make up roughly 200 million of the country's 1.3 billion population.

Old religious tensions resurge in Bolivia after ouster of longtime indigenous leader
The Conversation: Invoking a Christian God as the source of political power, while commonplace in many countries, is a radical departure in Bolivia after Morales' 14-year tenure.

Chick-fil-A is ending donations criticized by LGBTQ activists after years of backlash
Business Insider: On Monday, Chick-fil-A announced it was making a major change to perhaps the most controversial part of the company: its charitable-giving arm.

Trump advisor calls Pompeo's West Bank decision an answered prayer
Religion News Service: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on that the U.S. is softening its position on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, rejecting a 1978 State Department legal opinion that concluded Israeli settlements in the region are "inconsistent with international law."

Religious fundamentalism is a 'plague,' pope says
Crux: Interreligious dialogue is an important way to counter fundamentalist groups as well as the unjust accusation that religions sow division, Pope Francis said.

'I miss them, always': A witness recounts El Salvador's 1989 Jesuit massacre
NPR: Saturday marks 30 years since the Jesuit massacre, one of the most high-profile religious crimes in recent Latin American history.

Black pastor candidate withdraws after controversial vote at SBC megachurch
Christianity Today: First Baptist Church of Naples, Florida, continues to investigate whether Marcus Hayes's rejection was the result of racial prejudice or preexisting turmoil following its previous pastor's departure.