Bob Smietana
Bob Smietana is a veteran religion writer and national reporter for Religion News Service.
All Stories by Bob Smietana
Judge dismisses Muslim couple’s lawsuit against school where daughter converted to Christianity
By Bob Smietana — January 4, 2024
(RNS) — The judge’s decision is the latest twist in a long-running dispute over religion at a public high school outside Chicago.
Southern Baptists settle abuse lawsuit against legendary conservative leader Paul Pressler
By Bob Smietana — December 29, 2023
(RNS) — Texas Judge Paul Pressler, a conservative activist and one of the founding fathers of the so-called conservative resurgence, had been accused of abusing young men for years.
IHOPKC cuts ties with Mike Bickle over ‘inappropriate behavior’
By Bob Smietana — December 23, 2023
(RNS)— Best known for launching a round-the-clock prayer and missions group, Bickle admitted to ‘past misconduct’ earlier this month.
Dave Ramsey ‘cult-like’ lawsuit dismissed, but class-action suit moves forward
By Bob Smietana — December 22, 2023
(RNS) — A former employee said he'd been misled when leaders of the Christian financial guru's company denied its culture was cult-like. A federal judge didn't buy it, but Ramsey still faces other lawsuits alleging his management of his media empire is discriminatory.
Arkansas pastor under fire for not disclosing abuse charges against staffer
By Bob Smietana — December 20, 2023
(RNS) — The pastor of a prominent Little Rock, Arkansas, church is under fire for not telling his congregation about an abusive former staffer, even after the person had been charged by police.
For years, an oil drill site stood in the heart of a South LA neighborhood. Now a park may rise in its place.
By Bob Smietana — December 19, 2023
(RNS) — 'God is giving us beauty for ashes,' said Parks, president of Redeemer Community Partnership.
On the YouVersion Bible app, Americans looked for hope, not arguments, in 2023
By Bob Smietana — December 15, 2023
(RNS) — Bible verses on topics like hope and peace were among the most searched for on the YouVersion Bible app in 2023.
Mike Bickle, founder of international prayer movement, confesses to some past misconduct
By Bob Smietana — December 12, 2023
(RNS) — Bickle, founder of the International House of Prayer movement in Kansas City, said he’d had moral failings more than two decades ago but said many of the allegations against him are false.
Liam Goligher, influential PCA pastor, resigns after past arrest made public
By Bob Smietana — December 12, 2023
(RNS) — Goligher, the pastor of Philadelphia’s historic Tenth Presbyterian Church, was arrested in 2014 for public misconduct with another church leader but the arrest was not made public for years.
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer’s plot to ruin Christmas, and America
By Bob Smietana — December 7, 2023
(RNS) — Jews have long played a role in shaping how Americans celebrate Christmas. For Christian nationalism leader Andrew Torba, their contributions are a sign of a plot to remove Jesus from the Christmas story.
Warren Throckmorton takes on David Barton and ‘Christian nationalists’ revisionist history’
By Bob Smietana — December 1, 2023
(RNS) — Despite past controversy, Barton’s influence has found an eager audience with the rise of Christian nationalism in the age of Trump.
Amid war in Israel and polarization in America, the Telos Group seeks peace
By Bob Smietana — November 30, 2023
(RNS) — For years, the Telos Group has worked on peacemaking in the Holy Land — and imagining a world where Israelis and Palestinians can both flourish. Their work continues despite the war in Gaza. And they've also begun to apply the principles of peacemaking to America’s polarization.
How a game designer turned Jesuit ended up writing about space religion
By Bob Smietana — November 21, 2023
(RNS) — In writing one of Starfield’s religions, Shane Liesegang drew on his studies as a Jesuit priest in training.
Art Simon, founder of Christian anti-hunger group Bread for the World, dies at 93
By Adelle M. Banks and Bob Smietana — November 17, 2023
(RNS) — ‘We can be accidental accomplices in keeping people poor,’ TV travel host Rick Steves said he learned from Simon.
‘No Small Endeavor’ host Lee Camp searches for the good life on the radio
By Bob Smietana — November 16, 2023
(RNS) — Once a Nashville-based variety show, the podcast has evolved into a conversation about the meaning of life. The show currently airs on a handful of public radio stations, with aspirations of going national.
