By FāVS News Staff
Northwest faith leaders gather in Boise to oppose Christian nationalism
Faith leaders from across the Northwest gathered in Boise this week for the Second Annual Interfaith Countering Hate Summit, warning that authoritarian Christian nationalism poses a growing threat to religious freedom in Idaho and nationwide. The three-day event, held under tight security due to safety concerns, brought together clergy from multiple denominations to organize peaceful resistance against rising authoritarianism.
Political strategist Scot Nakagawa cited Freedom House data showing global democratic decline, noting only one in five people now live in free nations. Summit organizers specifically criticized efforts to mandate Bible reading in Idaho public schools, arguing such measures violate church-state separation and ultimately harm religious education for all faiths.
Temple Beth Shalom announces High Holy Days service schedule
Temple Beth Shalom in Spokane has released its schedule for the upcoming High Holy Days services. Observances will begin with Erev Rosh Hashana on Monday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m., followed by Rosh Hashana services on Sept. 23 and 24 at 9 a.m. Kol Nidre will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 5:45 p.m., and Yom Kippur services continue on Thursday, Oct. 2, with a morning service at 9 a.m. and Mincha & Neilah at 5 p.m.
Reservations are required in advance via SignUpGenius. For security, only clear, small bags will be allowed. For more information, contact Temple Administrator Cicely West at 509-747-3304 or administrator@spokanetbs.org.
Spectrum hosts ACT UP Documentary & Discussion to reignite 2SLGBTQIA+ activism
Join Spectrum’s advocacy team on Sept. 25 from 6-8:30 p.m. for ACT UP: Documentary & Discussion, an evening exploring the legacy of the ACT UP movement and what modern 2SLGBTQIA+ activism can look like today. This event invites participants to reflect on past tactics, question where today’s activism stands and envision how they can build power together in this political moment. Dinner and childcare are provided, with free parking and transit access. Loved ones are welcome. RSVP required to receive the address. No legal name needed unless requesting a tax receipt for donations.
KYRS to air “Normalizing a Genocide” panel on media, Palestine and free speech
KYRS will air a live panel discussion titled “Normalizing a Genocide” on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m., hosted by People Talk’s Chris Rosales. Presented by the Inland Northwest Coalition for the Liberation of Palestine (INWCLP), the event will feature Kathryn DePaolis, associate professor in EWU’s School of Social Work, Andrea Brower, activist scholar and former Gonzaga University instructor, and Scott Ward, a historian and an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
They will examine how pro-Israel narratives dominate mainstream media, suppress Palestinian voices and contribute to the normalization of genocide. Speakers will also discuss the local impacts of this discourse and explore actions concerned individuals can take. The event addresses free speech suppression on campuses and the broader consequences of biased media representation.
Book discussion series on ‘Belonging Without Othering’ to begin in October
The Spokane community is invited to participate in “Let Your Love Be Inclusive,” a four-week discussion series exploring how to love without exclusion. Participants will engage with key chapters from the book “Belonging Without Othering” and explore practical ways to foster inclusive language and relationships.
Hosted by the diocesan Beloved Community in partnership with the Spokane NAACP’s Building Restorative Communities Initiative, the sessions offer a choice between in-person and Zoom attendance from 4-5:15 p.m. or a Zoom-only session at 6:30 p.m. each Monday in October.
Each session focuses on a specific chapter:
- Oct. 6 – Chapter 4 (Chapter 1 optional)
- Oct. 13 – Chapter 5 (Chapter 2 optional)
- Oct. 20 – Chapter 6 (Chapter 3 optional)
- Oct. 27 – Group discussion and brainstorming applications
To join, register by emailing rickmatters@gmail.com and receive zoom details.
Some summaries created with help of AI. Staff still carefully edited material for content quality and publication standards.
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