(RNS) In a classic 1960 children's book, a baby bird toddles up to one critter after another asking, "Are you my mother?'' For some babies today, there's no simple answer -- biologically or legally. By Cathy Lynn Grossman / USA Today.

(RNS) A prominent group of Orthodox rabbis is applauding the conviction of a Hasidic rabbi on sex abuse charges, and denouncing efforts of some Orthodox Jews to hide sexual abuse within their communities. By Lauren Markoe.

CANTERBURY, England (RNS) The British government unveiled a proposal on Tuesday (Dec. 11) that excludes the Church of England and the Church in Wales from planned legislation to allow same-sex couples to marry in churches. By Trevor Grundy.

(RNS) Pope Benedict XVI starts tweeting on Wednesday, and like the Dalai Lama, the pope doesn't plan to follow anyone. Will the tweets be infallible? Will he use OMG or would that be sacrilegious? What holy hashtags will he create? By Regina Brett.

CANTERBURY, England (RNS) New figures from the 2011 National Census show that the number of people who identify as Christians in England and Wales has fallen by 4 million over the last 10 years, from 37.3 million to 33 million last year. By Trevor Grundy.

NEW YORK (RNS) A lot of money goes into compelling our behavior, not liberating it. And into pleasing the powerful, not disrupting them. But I sense the tide of personal potency is turning. By Tom Ehrich. About 700.

Why don't we see images of baby Jesus breastfeeding? Judge: Pro-life license plate is unconstitutional. Even many Republicans say Santa is a Democrat.

(RNS) Gabrielle Douglas, who walked away with the gold at the London Olympics, talks about her prayer life, her love of matzo ball soup and overcoming homesickness to make it to the Olympics. By Adelle M. Banks.

(RNS) At its heartwarming core, Christmas is the story of a tender relationship between a new mother and her newborn child. Yet all the familiar images associated with the holy family are missing one obvious element: a breast-feeding infant. And therein lies a tale. By David Gibson.

Mainline Protestantism and Catholicism in America rise together, hold steady together, and decline together. The reasons for the decline may vary, from group to group, but few in church life have it easy today. “Decline,” it turns out, is contagious.

WASHINGTON (RNS) Most Americans who file income tax returns won't be affected by proposed changes in how charitable contributions are deducted, but that hasn't stopped charitable groups from lobbying Congress to fight any change in deductions as part of the "fiscal cliff'' negotiations. By Jackie Kucinich / USA Today.

WASHINGTON (RNS) The Supreme Court's long-awaited decisions to hear challenges to the federal Defense of Marriage Act and California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage move the issue to the top of the national agenda following a year in which advocates scored major legal and political victories. By Richard Wolf / USA Today.

Opponents of gay marriage are optimistic about the Supreme Court. Atheists can be excuted in seven countries. Who is "Monsignor 007"? 

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI on Friday promoted his personal secretary to head of the papal household, giving Monsignor Georg Gaenswein even larger influence in organizing the aging pontiff's schedule and meetings. By Alessandro Speciale.

NEW YORK (RNS) The Hanukkah story of the oil in the Temple -- a measure enough for one day that lasted for eight -- speaks to the intentions and motivations that must underlie our efforts at conservation and our work to slow climate change. The theme of Hanukkah is the rededication of sacred space. By Rabbi Julie Schonfeld.