Then the man condemned to death for the 1992 killing of Oklahoma City shopkeeper Kenneth Meers − for which he maintained innocence until the end − offered absolution to the priest that helped win him hope for clemency. "Jeff, the only reason we made it this far is because of you," Littlejohn told Hood. The Rev. Jeff Hood in Littlejohn's final moments, Hood told him: "Go to the love." (Powell, USA Today)
Read MoreTexas lawmakers are close to passing a bill to require public schools to exhibit the Ten Commandments in classrooms starting this fall, a victory for the religious right that critics say blurs the line between church and state. Opponents vow to fight the requirement if Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signs it into law as expected. They say mandatory posting in public classrooms would be a violation of First Amendment protections of freedom of religion and barriers to state establishment of religion.(Hennessy-Fiske, The Washington Post)
Read MoreCatholic worshippers have been flocking to Alba de Tormes, a town ringed by rolling pastures in western Spain where the remains of the Spanish saint, mystic and 16th-century religious reformer were on display this month. “It gave me a feeling of fulfillment, of joy, and of sadness,” said Guiomar Sánchez, who traveled from Madrid with her two daughters on Sunday, the last full day of the exhibit. (Naishadham & Leon, AP News)
Read MoreDiscourse over whether the world of stretchy matching sets are too revealing isn't new. Some say they can see people's butts when they really don't want to. Others say they practically need a gown to cover up to feel safe from men who leer at them. Many also argue it's their right to wear what they want to get active. One TikToker said the issue is brands not making clothes that are size-inclusive, meaning big backsides and chests are inevitably exposed. (Fallert, USA Today)
Read MoreThe Danbury Institute, a conservative Christian public policy group, began endorsing the Take It Down Act last year, when the legislation was introduced by Senator Ted Cruz. The institute called its bipartisan support “a welcome display of unity in the protection of innocent citizens and the promotion of public decency,” and its chairman Scott Colter celebrated the new law as an example of the Trump administration working alongside Christians. (Chandler, Christianity Today)
Read MoreThe 27-year-old former point guard is among thousands of young Muslim women in France who are sidelined from competitive sport because of bans on uniforms and other clothing that have religious or political significance. These rules, critics say, disproportionately target hijab-wearing Muslim athletes. Now, a contentious bill backed by right-wing politicians that would ban headscarves in all sporting competitions has cleared its first legislative hurdle in the Senate. (Petrequin & Turnbull, AP News)
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