Adelle M. Banks
Adelle M. Banks, production editor and a national reporter, joined RNS in 1995. An award-winning journalist, she previously was the religion reporter at the Orlando Sentinel and a reporter at The Providence Journal and newspapers in the upstate New York communities of Syracuse and Binghamton.
All Stories by Adelle M. Banks
White House proposes rules on faith-based social services
By Adelle M. Banks — August 5, 2015
(RNS) The rules are designed to protect the religious freedom of needy people who receive social services from government–funded religious programs.
Evangelicals back carbon reduction plan
By Adelle M. Banks — July 30, 2015
(RNS) The letter from evangelicals says that 230,000 "pro-life Christians" have contacted the Environmental Protection Agency in support of the plan.
Religious groups react to Boy Scouts’ vote to drop ban on gay adults
By Adelle M. Banks — July 28, 2015
(RNS) A sampling of religious response to the Boys Scouts of America’s drop of its ban on gay adult leaders.
Boy Scouts drop ban on adult gay leaders
By Adelle M. Banks — July 27, 2015
(RNS) The policy change represents the end of a long and bitter struggle over whether to accept gay members that began more than two years ago when it allowed gay youths to participate, but not adults.
White House honors 12 faith leaders as climate-change ‘champions’
By Adelle M. Banks — July 21, 2015
(RNS) Their projects range from a zero-waste synagogue in Boulder, Colo., to global development work after natural disasters.
Black clergy walk a fine line between religious liberty, discrimination
By Adelle M. Banks — July 17, 2015
(RNS) Though several black denominations oppose same-sex marriage, many also object to religious exemptions in nondiscrimination laws.
Religious groups weigh support for Boy Scouts after vote to end ban on gay leaders
By Adelle M. Banks — July 14, 2015
(RNS) Some faith leaders said continued support for the BSA would hinge on whether religiously affiliated troops would be allowed to choose their own leaders.
Adventists stay the course, vote to deny women’s ordination
By Adelle M. Banks — July 8, 2015
(RNS) Despite the "no" vote, several U.S. conferences of Seventh-day Adventists have ordained women in recent years.
Q&A: Evangelist Luis Palau, 80, gears up for NYC ‘CityFest’
By Adelle M. Banks — July 8, 2015
(RNS) "I feel good. I do get tired a little more than before. But nevertheless if the Lord opens doors, we’ll keep going."
Church-state separationist James Dunn dead at 83
By Adelle M. Banks — July 6, 2015
(RNS) “The 20th century had no greater champion of religious freedom -- of conscience -- than James Dunn,” said Oliver “Buzz” Thomas, former general counsel of the Baptist Joint Committee.
After fires, killings, black churches debate the best ways to protect themselves
By Adelle M. Banks — July 2, 2015
(RNS) Black church leaders debate: to arm, or not to arm?
Washington Cathedral dean on Confederate flags: ‘It is time to take those windows out’
By Adelle M. Banks — June 25, 2015
WASHINGTON (RNS) The prominent building on the skyline of the nation’s capital includes windows containing an image of the controversial flag.
Civil rights veteran John Lewis urges black clergy to ‘fix’ Voting Rights Act
By Adelle M. Banks — June 25, 2015
WASHINGTON (RNS) Some 70 pastors and other religious leaders headed to lawmakers’ offices to press for changes in the Voting Rights Act.
Will Southern Baptists back Russell Moore’s call to remove Confederate flag?
By Adelle M. Banks — June 22, 2015
(RNS) Some say Moore’s call is a marker of a changing ethos within the nation’s largest Protestant denomination as conservative Christians join in mourning the “Emanuel Nine.” Others wonder if the divide over the flag remains.
Emanuel AME Church: the latest victim of violence against black churches
By Adelle M. Banks — June 18, 2015
(RNS) For many African-Americans, the church massacre is not random. It has historic dimensions.
