NEWS STORY
RNS-Focus-Blogger: Can a bestselling Christian marriage book about love and respect lead to abuse?
NASHVLLE (RNS) — A Christian marriage and sex blogger claims a bestselling book on marriage promoted by Focus on the Family sends a harmful message, especially to women in troubled marriages. The book’s author rejects that claim and says his critic misunderstands his work. By Bob Smietana. 1700 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Colorado-Suicide: A young woman’s suicide puts focus on church’s counseling for LGBT Catholics
(RNS) — After Colorado barred gay conversion therapy for minors, the death of a once-devout college student has spurred debate about how religious counselors handle homosexuality. By Carina Julig. 1,660 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Bilezikian-Allegations: Willow Creek confirms abuse allegations against Hybels’ mentor Gilbert Bilezikian
CHICAGO (RNS) — Willow Creek Community Church — still grappling with former senior pastor Bill Hybels’ history of alleged sexual harassment and abuse of power — now is dealing with allegations of misconduct against the man who mentored Hybels. Longtime church member Ann Lindberg shared in a public Facebook post Saturday (Jan. 25) that Gilbert Bilezikian — known widely as “Dr. B” — kissed, fondled and pressured her to have sex with him between 1984 and 1988. And Wheaton College, where Bilezikian was a professor for many years, confirmed Wednesday it is reopening an investigation into his alleged misconduct. By Emily McFarlan Miller. 1,200 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Thomas-Documentary: Often-reticent Justice Clarence Thomas speaks about his faith in new documentary
(RNS) — Producer/director Michael Pack talked to Religion News Service about what he learned about Thomas’ religious life as he filmed his latest documentary, “Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words.” By Adelle M. Banks. 1,400 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Evangelicals-Israel: Evangelicals embrace Trump’s peace plan, saying it recognizes the Bible ‘as legal’
(RNS) — To many evangelicals and ardent Christian Zionists, God promised the land of Israel to the Jews and to the Jews alone. But on Tuesday (Jan. 28), when Trump unveiled his long-awaited plan for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, which called for some land swaps, evangelicals embraced it. By Yonat Shimron. 750 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Stroop-Oped: Giving victims of religious trauma a voice
(RNS) — A recent tweetstorm about how to teach kids about faith was a testament to how little we hear in our national conversation from those who have experienced religious trauma. By Chrissy Stroop. 650 words. (category: k)
