The Slingshot: Religious response to school shooting; Skeleton and soul; Jim Bakker’s comeback

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Parents wait for news after a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. Nikolas Cruz, a former student, was charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder Thursday morning. (AP Photo/Joel Auerbach)


Need to know: Friday, February 16, 2018

Religious leaders call for prayer and action following Florida school shooting

Many religious leaders are still searching for words for the tragedy. Some called for prayer. Others begged for prayer to be accompanied by action.

Ministries respond to surge in mass shootings

Christian counselors once focused on natural disasters now frequently address manmade crises.

Skeleton racer Katie Uhlaender won’t quit — on God or the Olympics

Despite three Olympics without a medal and frustration over the Russian doping scandal, Uhlaender says, ‘Quitting is never an option, so why would I quit on God?’

Desiring God, mental health, and the truth about ‘chronological snobbery’

“Thank God for psychologists and Lexapro,” writes Jonathan Merritt in response to a tweet from Reformed pastor John Piper’s ministry. “Without them, I might be dead today.”

Fallen PTL preacher Jim Bakker is back with a new message about the Apocalypse

The main mission of “The Jim Bakker Show” appears to be to sell you fuel-less generators, doomsday guidebooks and freeze-dried food with a shelf-life of up to 30 years.

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Skiier Nick Goepper gets ‘gnarly’ with God

(RNS) — 'I kind of envision me skiing and God is kind of like an eagle right next to me screeching in my ear that everything is going to be all good,' the freestyler said.

Vatican seeks to defuse scandal, says pope meets victims

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Spokesman Greg Burke said Francis meets in private with victims individually or in groups several times a month to "listen to them and try to help them to heal their serious wounds."

Romney postpones announcement on Senate race after shooting

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Romney, one of the most famous Mormons, is widely liked and respected in Utah, which is heavily Mormon.

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And now, Parkland

Enough, we say. Until next time.

Thought and prayers

(RNS) — We are a people of active faith. Jesus did not simply call us to believe but to go into the world.

Private school vouchers are a threat to religious freedom

(RNS) — Vouchers primarily fund private religious schools. That means they take taxpayer money collected from everyone and use it to pay for the religious education of a few. No one should be compelled to fund the religious education of another.

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