Here's the best Washington Post headline of the morning

Mark Frauenfelder 10:16 am Wed Jul 19, 2017

"Stun-gun-wielding rabbi kidnappers fail to convince court they were just practicing their faith." The story describes the religious freedom defense of Rabbi Mendel Epstein and a group of rabbis who were "caught up in a government sting" involving kidnapping and torturing men with electric cattle prods to encourage them to sign marriage dissolution documents.

From the article:

"What we are going to be doing is kidnapping a guy for a couple of hours and beating him up and torturing him and then getting him to give you the get," Rabbi Mendel Epstein told his two visitors.

"We take an electric cattle prod," the bearded man continued later in the conversation on Aug. 14, 2013, according to court documents. "If it can get a bull that weighs five tons to move … You put it on certain parts of his body and in one minute the guy will know."

Yoga no longer banned in Alabama schools, but "namaste" is

After a failed attempt to overturn Alabama's nearly three-decade ban on yoga in public schools, the state legislature has finally gotten over their moral panic and agreed to lift the ruling. But there's a catch, as Slate explains: Under the new law, yoga instructors are barred from using any Sanskrit names for poses and must refer to… READ THE REST
Whites-only church opens in Minnesota, swears it isn't racist

NBC News reports that the neo-Völkisc Asatru Folk Assembly has opened a new house of worship in Murdock, Minnesota—a farming town of 280 people. 50,000 people signed a petition opposing the move; but then, most of them probably didn't live in the town. The vote came after Murdock's city attorney advised town officials that rejecting… READ THE REST
Get ordained in the First United Church of Cthulhu

A decade ago, I became ordained in the Church of Latter-Day Dudes so I could officiate a wedding in Texas; it is, apparently, legal for the Dude to abide over the institution of marriage in that state. But that was a different time, before an apathetic cosmic horror who craves nothing but worshipful death from… READ THE REST
Everyone on your holiday shopping list will want a wireless charger like one

We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. Whether you're shopping for your brother who has everything or your picky mother-in-law who's literally impossible to shop for, one thing's for sure — they all have to charge up their… READ THE REST
Slice and dice your way to a hearty meal with 20% off these knives this holiday season

We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. We're certain you've mastered your way around the kitchen recently, and to be honest, it calls your name every day since the first crack you made at that TikTok macaroni dish.… READ THE REST
Save 70% learning how to run a successful podcast in honor of Cyber Week

We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. Let's face it, following through on things may not be your strong suit. From canceling plans with friends last minute to putting off those annoying errands till tomorrow (for the second… READ THE REST