Cathy Lynn Grossman
Cathy Lynn Grossman specializes in stories drawn from research and statistics on religion, spirituality and ethics. She also writes frequently on biomedical ethics and end-of-life-issues
All Stories by Cathy Lynn Grossman
Oregon gay wedding ballot reveals a values tug-of-war
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — February 6, 2014
Oregon ballot initiative raises a question: Where do "conscience objections" to gay marriage fit in religious freedom vs. discrimination battle?
‘America the Beautiful’ and Cheerios ads draw post Super Bowl outrage
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — January 31, 2014
Multi-racial, multi-lingua, multi-ethnic Super Bowl ads prompted social media outrage but there's danger in slapping political labels on it.
SIDEBAR: How FDA-approved contraceptive methods work
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — January 28, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) An FDA web site explains the four major methods of contraception and how they work.
What’s abortifacient? Disputes over birth control fuel Obamacare fight
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — January 28, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) Religion, medicine and politics shape the way people define pregnancy and abortion -- key points in the battles over the Affordable Care Act's contraception mandate.
Bieber ‘Beliebers’ and the pitfalls of pop star piety
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — January 23, 2014
The teen celeb has raced away from even the appearance of evangelical faith. Why do we care about pop star piety?
Is de-frocking abusive priests the best move?
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — January 17, 2014
Pope Benedict XVI removed 400 sexually abusive priests in two years but are children safer? Not necessarily, says one bishop.
Thinking King * Oscar faith * Atheist debate: Friday’s Religion News Roundup
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — January 17, 2014
Oscar nominees for "Best Picture" raise challenges about faith, religion and spirituality. This weekend's Martin Luther King day events draw on Bible's messages of peace and reconciliation.
Fans rely on God, rituals to boost favorite team
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — January 16, 2014
(RNS) Most Americans don't see spiritual forces affecting the sports scores but many will do a little dance, say a little prayer anyway. Especially football fans.
Pope Francis names 19 new cardinals, none from the U.S.
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — January 12, 2014
(RNS) Pope Francis looked to the Third World to choose many of the 19 new cardinals whose names were announced Sunday. Most are from the Global South and none from the United States.
New ‘SoulPulse’ app lets users monitor their spirituality in real time
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — January 9, 2014
(RNS) A new experiential research study -- conducted by a smartphone app -- lets people monitor their spiritual state of mind.
Chris Christie says “mistakes were made” in Bridgegate. Did he earn forgiveness?
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — January 9, 2014
Chris Christie, "humiliated" by liars on his staff, said “mistakes were made” in the George Washington Bridge traffic debacle. Isn't there a difference between mistakes and deliberate wrongdoing?
Frozen hearts * Frozen Congress * Gay marriage freeze: Tuesday’s Religion News Roundup
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — January 7, 2014
This is the chill edition, so to speak. Gay marriage in Utah is on ice, for now. Congress is back and we'll see if they defrost any action on jobless benefits. Blogger Omid Safi meditates on the meaning of a frozen heart.
Confess you smoked weed? Yawn.
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — January 5, 2014
Everyone is fessing up on their marijuana use -- or rattling off reasons they abstained. Since I'm high on truth, here goes...
Family, ethics, medicine and law collide in Jahi McMath’s life — or death
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — January 3, 2014
(RNS) A coroner has issued a death certificate for brain dead Jahi McMath, 13. But her mother says she lives and shows "improvement." Ethicists examine the definition of death and the challenges of hope.
Does ‘Duck Dynasty’ or ‘Downton Abbey’ reflect your values?
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — December 28, 2013
The two family sagas are more different than camo vs. tweed. They reflect different ideas about religion and social values.
