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Opinion

By Bob Smietana

Keeping the mystic, messianic faith of Star Wars' Skywalkers

(RNS) — It’s time once more to tell the old familiar story, set on the outskirts of an ancient and powerful empire, of a child born of a virgin and destined to save the world.

December 13, 2019

By Hemant Mehta

Dear Democrats: Four religion requests from non-religious Americans

(RNS) — While by no means our only matter of concern, toning down talk of faith in politics would show some respect to what is rapidly becoming the largest ‘religious’ group in the country.

December 13, 2019

By Alejandro de la Fuente, Ariela Gross

How Christians of color in Colonial Virginia became 'black'

(RNS) — Although the British settlers imported Africans from the first as slaves, the earliest Virginians had yet to establish many of the basic rules regarding slavery.

December 12, 2019

By Hemant Mehta

Dear Democrats: Four religion requests from non-religious Americans

(RNS) — While by no means our only matter of concern, toning down talk of faith in politics would show some respect to what is rapidly becoming the largest ‘religious’ group in the country.

December 13, 2019

By Bob Smietana

Keeping the mystic, messianic faith of Star Wars' Skywalkers

(RNS) — It’s time once more to tell the old familiar story, set on the outskirts of an ancient and powerful empire, of a child born of a virgin and destined to save the world.

December 13, 2019

Opinion

By Jana Riess

The stubborn faithfulness of liberal Mormons

(RNS) — Liberal Mormons aren't clamoring for women's rights or LGBTQ equality because we oppose the church; we do so because we took the church at its word.

December 13, 2019

By Bob Smietana

Keeping the mystic, messianic faith of Star Wars' Skywalkers

(RNS) — It’s time once more to tell the old familiar story, set on the outskirts of an ancient and powerful empire, of a child born of a virgin and destined to save the world.

December 13, 2019

By Hemant Mehta

Dear Democrats: Four religion requests from non-religious Americans

(RNS) — While by no means our only matter of concern, toning down talk of faith in politics would show some respect to what is rapidly becoming the largest ‘religious’ group in the country.

December 13, 2019

Current Series:
Diy Faith

Got a Tip?
Contact us 24/7 with religion news tips

Podcasts
Listen to RNS news on the go

Support Our Journalists
We have journalists around the world reporting on religion news.

Faiths

By Jack Jenkins

Who are Black Hebrew Israelites?

December 13, 2019

By Emily McFarlan Miller

The original ‘Blue Christmas’: New Advent resources focus on grief, justice before celebration

(RNS) — A number of new Advent resources available this year admit a bleak midwinter spirit, drawing attention to grief and injustice.

December 13, 2019

By Jana Riess

The stubborn faithfulness of liberal Mormons

(RNS) — Liberal Mormons aren't clamoring for women's rights or LGBTQ equality because we oppose the church; we do so because we took the church at its word.

December 13, 2019

By Emily McFarlan Miller

The original ‘Blue Christmas’: New Advent resources focus on grief, justice before celebration

(RNS) — A number of new Advent resources available this year admit a bleak midwinter spirit, drawing attention to grief and injustice.

December 13, 2019

By Jana Riess

The stubborn faithfulness of liberal Mormons

(RNS) — Liberal Mormons aren't clamoring for women's rights or LGBTQ equality because we oppose the church; we do so because we took the church at its word.

December 13, 2019

By Aysha Khan

Over 10,000 Christians petition Boston College to reject Koch grant

BOSTON (RNS) — More than 10,080 Christians have signed a petition urging officials at the Jesuit university to reject a potential donation from the Koch Foundation toward the school's political science department.

December 13, 2019

By Jack Jenkins

Who are Black Hebrew Israelites?

December 13, 2019

By Yonat Shimron

Reform Jews call for reparations for slavery

(RNS) — The resolution is the first such effort on the part of an American Jewish organization but has precedent among some Protestant groups.

December 13, 2019

By Yonat Shimron

Study: Christians, Jews have smaller families, solo living and parenting styles

(RNS) — The Pew Research Center study found that Muslims across the globe live in the biggest households. Christians fall in the middle. One in 10 Jews worldwide live alone.

December 12, 2019

By Ira Rifkin

The Dalai Lama teaches a lesson on rethinking our faith traditions

(RNS) — Tibetan Buddhism's leader recently called to end the prominence of reincarnated lamas, a model for religious leaders who cling to entrenched modes of thinking.

November 27, 2019

By Alejandra Molina

As Americans become less religious, the role of chaplains may grow

(RNS) — As fewer people identify with a specific religion and as houses of faith experience a drop in attendance, some religious scholars expect that in the next number of years people will be more likely to meet a chaplain than a local clergyperson.

November 27, 2019

By Claire Giangravé

In Thailand, Pope Francis wins hearts by breaking the mold

BANGKOK (RNS) — In Thailand's highly formal society, Pope Francis’ relaxed approach has already brought together political and religious leaders to help those left behind in the country's increasingly commercial culture.

November 22, 2019

By Aysha Khan

China accuses US of double standards on anti-Muslim bigotry, counterterrorism

(RNS) — Chinese officials are seeking to turn the tables on the White House, accusing the U.S. of hypocrisy due to its own long history of anti-Muslim discrimination.

December 12, 2019

By Aysha Khan

‘Mission accomplished’: How one woman built the mosque of her dreams in Vegas

LAS VEGAS (RNS) — Four years after becoming the first woman to build a U.S. mosque, Masjid Ibrahim’s 74-year-old founder says she’s still amazed by the community she has created.

December 10, 2019

By Claire Giangravé

For one Afghan activist, her burqa is the shield allowing her to denounce corruption, Trump

VATICAN CITY (RNS) – In a school in downtown Rome on Friday (Dec. 6), the “bravest woman in Afghanistan” spoke to students about her faith, the Trump administration and the difficult legacy of four decades of war in her home country.

December 9, 2019

By Kalpana Jain

How India's youth are taking to a path shown by a 15th century mystic

VARANASI, India (RNS) — As Indian millennials chart their own spiritual paths they are leading a revival of the teachings of a mystic who wrote couplets on the nature of the divine and criticized any form of orthodoxy.

November 13, 2019

By Simran Jeet Singh

More than 1 billion people celebrate on Diwali. What does it mean to them?

(RNS) — In the various stories that make Oct. 27 a holy day for so many, we have models of what true righteousness looks like. They are sharp rejoinders of what we should be doing and how we should be living.

October 18, 2019

By Priyadarshini Sen

Hindu nationalists open self-styled religious courts as a rebuke to Sharia law

ALIGARH, India (RNS) — Last year, the right-wing Hindu Mahasabha Party demanded the closure of all Muslim Sharia courts in India. When their petition was denied, the party set up its own unsanctioned courts across Uttar Pradesh, based on Hindu principles of justice.

October 4, 2019

By Simran Jeet Singh

How colonialism still colors our ideas about who gets to teach religion

(RNS) — If I were a white scholar, would anyone question the appropriateness of my teaching Buddhism?

November 26, 2019

By Aysha Khan

Why these New York Sikhs are fundraising for a mosque in India

(RNS) – A Sikh-majority village in the Indian side of Punjab has some 300 Muslims, but no mosques. This Sikh family in New York City wants to change that.

November 25, 2019

By Simran Jeet Singh

Before we can rein in hate crime, we have to admit the size of the problem

(RNS) — A system of hate crime reporting that doesn't include Heather Heyer's death in Charlottesville or a murder of a Sikh in Tulsa won't lead to real solutions.

November 18, 2019

By Hemant Mehta

Dear Democrats: Four religion requests from non-religious Americans

(RNS) — While by no means our only matter of concern, toning down talk of faith in politics would show some respect to what is rapidly becoming the largest ‘religious’ group in the country.

December 13, 2019

By Amy Butler

Christianity as we know it is dying. Let's welcome the new life ahead.

(RNS) — A new survey confirms that people aren't leaving faith; they are leaving Christianity. Imagine if, instead of preserving dying institutions, we used our time and money to transform how we do good in the world?

October 30, 2019

By fredrick nzwili

Kenyan atheist demands Quakers revoke his membership

NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Harrison Mumia, president of the Atheists in Kenya Society, applied to the church to cancel his membership and remove any records associated with him, since he no longer considers himself a Christian.

October 24, 2019

By Tara Isabella Burton

The next stage of witch resistance is here

(RNS) — If all realities are equally plausible in the Internet age, then there is no reason that magic should be less plausible, indeed less powerful, than any other form of reality-creation.

November 15, 2019

By Chace Beech

Death doulas guide the way for those who face the end of life

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (RNS) — As they face dying, some older Americans are turning to death doulas, trained caregivers who guide the dying through the spiritual and logistical challenges they face at the end of life.

November 8, 2019

By Tara Isabella Burton

Witch season provides a deep look into the millennial mindset

(RNS) — The witch trend says something about the current generation's dependence on technology to fashion selves we can identify with and love.

October 10, 2019

By Emily McFarlan Miller

Actor Mark Ruffalo blends film and faith-fueled activism in ‘Dark Waters’

(RNS) — The actor said his own diverse faith background not only motivated him to take on the starring role in "Dark Waters" and to produce the film, but it has also grounded his activism over the years.

December 10, 2019

By Simran Jeet Singh

More than 1 billion people celebrate on Diwali. What does it mean to them?

October 18, 2019

By Adelle M. Banks

German town welcomes hundreds from different faiths for food, worship and unity

LINDAU, Germany (RNS) — During breaks in their four-day meeting, many delegates to the Religions for Peace global assembly found time to explore the town of about 25,000 people.

August 23, 2019

Columnists

TARA ISABELLA BURTON
RELIGION REMIXED

CHARLES C. CAMOSY
PURPLE CATHOLICISM

THOMAS REESE
SIGNS OF THE TIMES

JANA RIESS
FLUNKING SAINTHOOD

JEFFREY SALKIN
MARTINI JUDAISM

MARK SILK
SPIRITUAL POLITICS

SIMRAN JEET SINGH
Articles of Faith

World

By Aysha Khan

China accuses US of double standards on anti-Muslim bigotry, counterterrorism

(RNS) — Chinese officials are seeking to turn the tables on the White House, accusing the U.S. of hypocrisy due to its own long history of anti-Muslim discrimination.

December 12, 2019

By Yonat Shimron

Study: Christians, Jews have smaller families, solo living and parenting styles

(RNS) — The Pew Research Center study found that Muslims across the globe live in the biggest households. Christians fall in the middle. One in 10 Jews worldwide live alone.

December 12, 2019

U.S.

By Aysha Khan

China accuses US of double standards on anti-Muslim bigotry, counterterrorism

(RNS) — Chinese officials are seeking to turn the tables on the White House, accusing the U.S. of hypocrisy due to its own long history of anti-Muslim discrimination.

December 12, 2019

By Adelle M. Banks

Newseum closing but Religious Freedom Center programs to continue elsewhere

WASHINGTON (RNS) — The Freedom Forum Institute’s religious liberty programming dates to the 1990s, when the Newseum was housed in Rosslyn, Virginia.

December 11, 2019

podcasts

BELIEFS

Beliefs is a news podcast covering religion, faith, and ethics; developed in partnership with Religion News Service (RNS) and Fordham University.

RE-Sight Islam

Re-Sight Islam aims to illuminate and introduce to a largely Western audience the Islamic faith and its traditions from the Islamic perspective.

POLITICS

By Alejandra Molina, Aysha Khan

‘You’ve got to call out evil,’ says pastor of church with Nativity scene separated in cages

CLAREMONT, Calif. (RNS) — Claremont United Methodist Church is taking security measures after its Nativity scene showing Jesus, Mary and Joseph as refugees in cages has garnered widespread attention.

December 13, 2019

By Hemant Mehta

Dear Democrats: Four religion requests from non-religious Americans

(RNS) — While by no means our only matter of concern, toning down talk of faith in politics would show some respect to what is rapidly becoming the largest ‘religious’ group in the country.

December 13, 2019

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

By Yonat Shimron

Study: Christians, Jews have smaller families, solo living and parenting styles

(RNS) — The Pew Research Center study found that Muslims across the globe live in the biggest households. Christians fall in the middle. One in 10 Jews worldwide live alone.

December 12, 2019

By Claire Giangravé

Seven years in, pope's Twitter account garners success, criticism and comic mishaps

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Seven years ago, with a tap on an iPad, the pontificate was ushered into the world of social media, creating a new space for evangelization and papal communication.

December 12, 2019

POLITICS

By Alejandra Molina, Aysha Khan

‘You’ve got to call out evil,’ says pastor of church with Nativity scene separated in cages

December 13, 2019

By Hemant Mehta

Dear Democrats: Four religion requests from non-religious Americans

(RNS) — While by no means our only matter of concern, toning down talk of faith in politics would show some respect to what is rapidly becoming the largest ‘religious’ group in the country.

December 13, 2019

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

By Yonat Shimron

Study: Christians, Jews have smaller families, solo living and parenting styles

(RNS) — The Pew Research Center study found that Muslims across the globe live in the biggest households. Christians fall in the middle. One in 10 Jews worldwide live alone.

December 12, 2019

By Claire Giangravé

Seven years in, pope's Twitter account garners success, criticism and comic mishaps

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Seven years ago, with a tap on an iPad, the pontificate was ushered into the world of social media, creating a new space for evangelization and papal communication.

December 12, 2019

Science

By Claire Giangravé

Pope Francis reflects on 3 decades of international cooperation on climate change

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Only a few days after the United States officially gave notice of its intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, Pope Francis took the opportunity to praise a gathering of environmental regulators meeting in Rome this week.

November 7, 2019

By Caitlin Yoshiko Kandil

Meditation apps proliferate, even if what they provide is not enlightenment

(RNS) — Some teachers worry that corporate America's adoption of Buddhism’s spiritual practice could be used for unethical purposes.

October 15, 2019

Art

By Bob Smietana

Keeping the mystic, messianic faith of Star Wars' Skywalkers

(RNS) — It’s time once more to tell the old familiar story, set on the outskirts of an ancient and powerful empire, of a child born of a virgin and destined to save the world.

December 13, 2019

By Claire Giangravé

In 'Hidden Life', Terrence Malick says freedom is won in standing up for beliefs

(RNS) — God is never mentioned in the philosophical director's latest film: There is no need. God’s presence is always implied in the physical world.

December 11, 2019

Press Releases

By RNS Press Release Distribution Service

Tri-Faith Initiative receives highest award honor from Union for Reform Judaism

The Maurice N. Eisendrath Bearer of Light Award is presented to leaders who showcase the progressive, change-making core values of the group OMAHA, Neb. — Tri-Faith Initiative will receive the ...

December 12, 2019

By RNS Press Release Distribution Service

Spirituality & Practice showcases children’s literature perfect for holiday sharing

This holiday season consider sharing with the children in your life stories that teach them about the power of friendship to lessen sorrows, the refugee experience, gender identity, and inspiring ...

December 12, 2019

SCIENCE

By Claire Giangravé

Pope Francis reflects on 3 decades of international cooperation on climate change

November 7, 2019

By Caitlin Yoshiko Kandil

Meditation apps proliferate, even if what they provide is not enlightenment

(RNS) — Some teachers worry that corporate America's adoption of Buddhism’s spiritual practice could be used for unethical purposes.

October 15, 2019

ARTS

By Bob Smietana

Keeping the mystic, messianic faith of Star Wars' Skywalkers

(RNS) — It’s time once more to tell the old familiar story, set on the outskirts of an ancient and powerful empire, of a child born of a virgin and destined to save the world.

December 13, 2019

By Claire Giangravé

In 'Hidden Life', Terrence Malick says freedom is won in standing up for beliefs

(RNS) — God is never mentioned in the philosophical director's latest film: There is no need. God’s presence is always implied in the physical world.

December 11, 2019

Press ReleaseS

By RNS Press Release Distribution Service

Tri-Faith Initiative receives highest award honor from Union for Reform Judaism

The Maurice N. Eisendrath Bearer of Light Award is presented to leaders who showcase the progressive, change-making core values of the group OMAHA, Neb. — Tri-Faith Initiative will receive the ...

December 12, 2019

By RNS Press Release Distribution Service

Spirituality & Practice showcases children’s literature perfect for holiday sharing

This holiday season consider sharing with the children in your life stories that teach them about the power of friendship to lessen sorrows, the refugee experience, gender identity, and inspiring ...

December 12, 2019

Photos of the Week

Photos of the Week

Photos of the Week

Who are Black Hebrew Israelites?

Who are Black Hebrew Israelites?

The original ‘Blue Christmas’: New Advent resources focus on grief, justice before celebration

Reform Jews call for reparations for slavery

The original ‘Blue Christmas’: New Advent resources focus on grief, justice before celebration

Keeping the mystic, messianic faith of Star Wars' Skywalkers

Dear Democrats: Four religion requests from non-religious Americans

How Christians of color in Colonial Virginia became 'black'

Dear Democrats: Four religion requests from non-religious Americans

Keeping the mystic, messianic faith of Star Wars' Skywalkers

Opinion

The stubborn faithfulness of liberal Mormons

Keeping the mystic, messianic faith of Star Wars' Skywalkers

Dear Democrats: Four religion requests from non-religious Americans

Who are Black Hebrew Israelites?

The original ‘Blue Christmas’: New Advent resources focus on grief, justice before celebration

The stubborn faithfulness of liberal Mormons

Columnists

China accuses US of double standards on anti-Muslim bigotry, counterterrorism

Study: Christians, Jews have smaller families, solo living and parenting styles

China accuses US of double standards on anti-Muslim bigotry, counterterrorism

Newseum closing but Religious Freedom Center programs to continue elsewhere

‘You’ve got to call out evil,’ says pastor of church with Nativity scene separated in cages

Dear Democrats: Four religion requests from non-religious Americans

Study: Christians, Jews have smaller families, solo living and parenting styles

Seven years in, pope's Twitter account garners success, criticism and comic mishaps

POLITICS

‘You’ve got to call out evil,’ says pastor of church with Nativity scene separated in cages

Dear Democrats: Four religion requests from non-religious Americans

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

Study: Christians, Jews have smaller families, solo living and parenting styles

Seven years in, pope's Twitter account garners success, criticism and comic mishaps

Science

Pope Francis reflects on 3 decades of international cooperation on climate change

Meditation apps proliferate, even if what they provide is not enlightenment

Art

Keeping the mystic, messianic faith of Star Wars' Skywalkers

In 'Hidden Life', Terrence Malick says freedom is won in standing up for beliefs

Sponsored Content

Goldziher Prize Expanding for 2019

Germany's 'LutherCountry' gears up for Reformation 500th anniversary

Press Releases

Tri-Faith Initiative receives highest award honor from Union for Reform Judaism

Spirituality & Practice showcases children’s literature perfect for holiday sharing

Pope Francis reflects on 3 decades of international cooperation on climate change

Meditation apps proliferate, even if what they provide is not enlightenment

Keeping the mystic, messianic faith of Star Wars' Skywalkers

In 'Hidden Life', Terrence Malick says freedom is won in standing up for beliefs

Sponsored Content

Goldziher Prize Expanding for 2019

Germany's 'LutherCountry' gears up for Reformation 500th anniversary

Tri-Faith Initiative receives highest award honor from Union for Reform Judaism

Spirituality & Practice showcases children’s literature perfect for holiday sharing