Saint Dolly, Devilish Tim, and Radical Acceptance

This week, we remember two iconic figures who helped make the world feel a little more accepting in very different ways. Dolly Parton embodied a version of Christianity rooted in love, generosity, and an instinctive refusal to exclude people who weren't like her. Tim Curry, meanwhile, helped bring transgressive sexuality, camp, and gender-bending performance into the cultural mainstream. Together, they represent two very different paths toward the same idea of giving people permission to be fully themselves Also: An Anglican church in hot water after a visit from a sex worker. Miss North Carolina loses her crown—and calls it Christian persecution. Catholic doctors push back against Illinois' assisted-dying law. Did New Jersey make prayer illegal? Milo Yiannopoulos gets an unexpected lesson in immigration enforcement. AI-generated religious influencers are gaining millions of followers.