David Gibson

David Gibson is a national reporter for RNS and an award-winning religion journalist, author and filmmaker. He has written several books on Catholic topics. His latest book is on biblical artifacts: "Finding Jesus: Faith. Fact. Forgery," which was also the basis of a popular CNN series.

All Stories by David Gibson

Trump’s religious liberty order slammed as ‘pretty much nothing’

By David Gibson — May 4, 2017
(RNS) ‘Ivanka and Jared won. We lost,’ as one Christian conservative said.

The Slingshot: Trump’s religious liberty; Evangelical feast; Evangelical fight

By David Gibson — May 4, 2017
The president is set to issue a major executive order on religious freedom that may have minimal impact. Evangelical leaders toast (abstemiously) Trump at the White House. Meanwhile, other evangelicals argue over women, gays, and authority in the church. Plus: Brad Pitt’s Pentecostal youth.

The Slingshot: Religious geniuses; Anne Frank’s brand; Binge blessings

By David Gibson — April 25, 2017
(RNS) The Templeton prize goes to Alvin Plantinga. The spiritual lessons of Albert Einstein. Misusing Anne Frank? Anti-Semitism blooms on U.S. campuses. A murder, a baptism, and a confession. And forget Netflix – here’s Pure Flix.

The Slingshot: John 3:16’s history; O’Reilly’s faith factors; Columbine’s legacy

By David Gibson — April 21, 2017
(RNS) Aaron Hernandez had the verse on his forehead when he killed himself – the latest, if most tragic, display of the famous passage. How the now ex-Fox News host used religion. The martyrdom fantasy inspired by a Colorado school shooting. Plus, a touching tribute to the world’s oldest woman.

The Slingshot: Trump-Pope, nope; ‘Cassock rippers’; Spectacular haggadot

By David Gibson — April 11, 2017
(RNS) Looks like the President won’t meet the Pontiff when The Donald comes to Italy. A bishop proofreads his wife’s “raunchy” C of E novels. Find your patron saint, courtesy of Myers-Briggs. Was Bo Diddley a Buddha? And: Why the “faith-based” film genre must end.

The Slingshot: Egyptian agony; Passover questions; Gay-friendly Catholics

By David Gibson — April 10, 2017
(RNS) Christians in Egypt bury their dead. Trump to hold last-minute seder while grape juice brands battle for the Orthodox market. The angst of the Four Questions, and life on the ‘Farminary.’

Top Vatican and US church officials back new gay-friendly book

By David Gibson — April 7, 2017
(RNS) Such positive language from such senior church leaders is extraordinary and another sign of how Francis is reorienting the Catholic Church's approach to a hot-button topic.

Religious voices raised over Syria bombing by US

By David Gibson — April 7, 2017
(RNS) A roundup of responses from a variety of religious leaders, whose reactions also range widely.

The Slingshot: Trey Pearson’s latest; Steve Bannon’s shift; Opioids and spiritual desolation

By David Gibson — April 6, 2017
(RNS) The gay Christian rocker releases his first music video since coming out. No tears for alt-right promoter as he gets boot from the NSC. The spiritual agony behind America's opioid crisis. Religious demography. Marketing the Messiah. Crucifixion fundraiser?

Chicago Cardinal Cupich unveils church-led anti-violence initiative

By David Gibson — April 4, 2017
CHICAGO (RNS) Plans to aid the violence-plagued city will be underscored by a Good Friday procession using the traditional stations of Jesus' way to the cross to commemorate those who have been murdered.

Survey: Evangelical leaders really don’t want to endorse politicians

By David Gibson — March 30, 2017
(RNS) Donald Trump vowed to change the law so clergy could promote candidates from the pulpit. Nine in 10 don't seem to want to.

Vatican says Trump risks losing climate change leadership to China

By David Gibson — March 30, 2017
ROME (Reuters) Pope Francis has made defense of the environment a key plank of his papacy, strongly backing scientific opinion that global warming is caused mostly by human activity.

The Slingshot: Tim Keller redux; Trumps’ high court; Judaism’s legacy

By David Gibson — March 30, 2017
(RNS) Controversy over the Redeemer Church founder’s Princeton seminary appearance continues to spark opinions. Is Trump’s nominee an abortion foe’s dream? An ancient Jewish cemetery, a new Jewish exodus, and a debatable Jewish re-brand.

Is Trump’s Supreme Court nominee an abortion foe’s dream – or nightmare?

By David Gibson — March 29, 2017
(RNS) Neil Gorsuch was expected to fulfill the president’s promise to name a justice who would overturn Roe v. Wade. But after Gorsuch’s Senate testimony, some abortion foes are worried.

The Slingshot: Tim Keller’s defenders; Neil Gorsuch’s faith; Papal thievery

By David Gibson — March 23, 2017
(RNS) As Princeton seminary reverses courses on honoring Redeemer Church founder, others protest. The Supreme Court nominee’s faith doesn’t predict how he would judge religious issues. A little girl snatches pope’s skullcap, goes viral. Married priests. Priests and porn. The religious origin of our paranoid politics.
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