The Slingshot: Mosque bombing; Drive-in church; Fatwas to go

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Al-Azhar clerics wait to answer commuters questions inside a Fatwa Kiosk, at the Al Shohada’a metro station, in Cairo, Egypt. Egypt’s Al-Azhar institute, the Sunni Muslim world’s foremost religious institution, has set up a booth in a Cairo subway station with clerics offering fatwas, or religious advice, to commuters. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty, File)


Need to know: Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Blast at Shiite mosque in Afghanistan kills dozens

Shiites are a minority in Afghanistan and have been threatened by the affiliate of the Islamic State group that operates in the country’s east.

As artificial intelligence grows, so do perceived threats to human uniqueness

The idea that robots may have a consciousness and become almost indistinguishable from humans disturbs some, as recent movies such as “Ex Machina” and “Her” attest. The possibility that humans are not unique opens up questions about the nature of humanity.

Escaping Pakistani persecution, Ahmadi activist finds refuge — and purpose — in US

Given his fiery online writings about minority rights — a potential death sentence for Pakistani activists and journalists — Ehsan Rehan’s parents encouraged him to leave the country, despite the fact that he was their only child.

Prominent Russian punk rocker defects to U.S. over Jehovah’s Witnesses ban

A member of the religious denomination since the mid-1990s, Chistyakov told Novaya Gazeta in a telephone interview from New York that he “has no other choice” than to stay in the United States.

More Americans than ever say polygamy is morally acceptable

Of all the issues and behaviors Gallup asked about, polygamy is among those to gain the most ground on moral acceptance since 2001, after same-sex relations, having a baby out of wedlock, sex between an unmarried man and woman and divorce.

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No veil, no visa? Saudi Arabia may ease rules for tourists

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia plans to build a 'semi-autonomous' visa-free travel destination along its northwestern Red Sea coast where restrictions on women's dress and other conservative norms could be waived.

Cabinet members study Bible together weekly

Health Secretary Tom Price, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Agriculture Secretary Sunny Perdue, CIA Director Mike Pompeo and Attorney General Jeff Sessions are a few of the regulars.

Artist’s drawing of a herring on a bialy gains an audience in Bialystok — and Hollywood

That a symbol of Jewish folkways would command attention of comedian Mel Brooks reflects the ways many Jews think about their identity.

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Malls, small-town stores are closing all across America. And churches?

... we keep thinking of one special fact in the human condition and situation: sooner or later, every thing on earth will close and will not reopen. One does not need scriptural reminders of this; we just do our sighting and have evidence. Having read much about “decline” in religion—hereabouts, not always globally—evidences abound.

Polygamy’s becoming more acceptable. Is this the ‘Sister Wives’ effect?

Nearly one in five Americans see polygamy as morally acceptable, says Gallup. How do Mormons feel about it, and why?

Donald Trump’s Great White Whale

On Melville's 198th birthday anniversary, it's Obamacare.

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