Kevin Eckstrom
Kevin Eckstrom joined the Religion News Service staff in 2000 and became editor-in-chief in 2006.
All Stories by Kevin Eckstrom
Quote of the Day: Actress Gloria Loring
By Kevin Eckstrom — August 28, 2013
“I just keep thinking of her mother and father watching this. Oh, Lord, have mercy.” — Actress Gloria Loring, mother to singer Robin Thicke, after her son’s appearance with a scantily clad and gyrating Miley Cyrus at the MTV Video Music Awards. She was quoted by Yahoo OMG Insider.
Quote of the Day: Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput
By Kevin Eckstrom — August 27, 2013
“The idea that Latinos, simply by their presence, might restore the moral tenor of our public discourse is a delusion. The emulsifying effect of American consumer culture, with all its practical atheism, its ambitions, manufactured appetites, distractions, noise, toys and anesthetics – in other words, all its eager little idolatries – is simply too strong.” […]
Quote of the Day: Evangelist Billy Graham
By Kevin Eckstrom — August 26, 2013
“I felt like slashing their throats. But anyway, God be with you.” — Evangelist Billy Graham, in a recently released 1973 phone call with President Nixon, about CBS News’ coverage of Nixon’s speech on the Watergate scandal. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association issued a statement that said Graham at the time “wholeheartedly believed in the […]
Quote of the Day: New Mexico Supreme Court Justice Richard C. Bosson
By Kevin Eckstrom — August 23, 2013
“That compromise is part of the glue that holds us together as a nation, the tolerance that lubricates the varied moving parts of us as a people. That sense of respect we owe others, whether or not we believe as they do, illuminates this country, setting it apart from the discord that afflicts much of […]
Friday’s Religion News Roundup: Duck devotees * Tongues 101 * Friendly Francis
By Kevin Eckstrom — August 23, 2013
(RNS) Who's watching "Duck Dynasty"? A lot of Christians, it turns out. A how-to guide to speaking tongues (even if you wanna fake it) and Pope Francis takes it down even a few more notches.
Quote of the Day: Alan Robertson of ‘Duck Dynasty’
By Kevin Eckstrom — August 22, 2013
“We’re kind of the John the Baptists of the 21st century. It’s how you imagine, with the wild hair and the locusts.” — Alan Robertson, the newest cast member of AMC’s “Duck Dynasty,” on the show’s popularity with Christian audiences.
Quote of the Day: Civil rights leader W. Franklyn Richardson
By Kevin Eckstrom — August 21, 2013
“Jews marched in the march in ’63, and they don’t believe in Jesus. If we can make room for those people, we can also make room for people whose gender selection is not in line with the church.” — The Rev. W. Franklyn Richardson of the National Action Network, responding to some black church leaders’ […]
Quote of the Day: Newark Archbishop John J. Myers
By Kevin Eckstrom — August 20, 2013
“For any who set out to claim that I or the Church have had no effective part in the love and protection of children, is simply evil, wrong, immoral, and seemingly focused on their own self-aggrandizement. God only knows their personal reasons and agenda. We are still called to love them. And God will surely […]
Quote of the Day: Rabbi Steven Z. Leder
By Kevin Eckstrom — August 19, 2013
“I’m not going to sell this place. I’m not going to be the rabbi that turns this place into a church.” — Rabbi Steven Z. Leder, speaking to The New York Times about the $150 million renovation campaign to restore the landmark Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles.
Friday’s Religion News Roundup: Goy George * The T in LGBT * Nuns on Lockdown
By Kevin Eckstrom — August 16, 2013
(RNS) No, wee Prince George is not Jewish (altho a few Jews and the Iranians would like him to be). Egyptian Christians are suffering for their support of the military crackdown. And Rowan Williams finally says what's needed saying.
White House to home-schooling family: Sorry, no comment
By Kevin Eckstrom — August 14, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) The White House punts on a petition to allow a German home-schooling family to stay in the U.S., saying the administration can't comment on "a matter before the courts."
Friday’s Religion News Roundup: Spitzer’s redemption * Priestly paycuts * Miracle kangaroos
By Kevin Eckstrom — August 9, 2013
(RNS) Black voters seem reluctant to cast the first stone in New York City's tawdry election campaign. A Greek Orthodox archbishop defends his priests from paycuts and Mike Huckabee has choice words for Muslims at the end of Ramadan.
Can a horror film lead people to God?
By Kevin Eckstrom — July 24, 2013
(RNS) This weekend’s box office winner, “The Conjuring,” is a creepy horror flick with all the requisite creaky doors, demon spawn and blood-curdling exorcism scene. But filmmaker brothers Chad and Carey Hayes hope it can prompt viewers to think about God and the existence of evil.
Reformist priest sees potential ally in Pope Francis
By Kevin Eckstrom — July 22, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) The Rev. Helmut Schuller is the key organizer behind a group of about 430 Austrian priests who are openly challenging the hierarchy on allowing women priests, married priests, same-sex marriages and lay Catholics' voice in the election of bishops.
Monday’s Religion News Roundup: Sinful St. Louis * Francis for Pope! * Mormon Doubts
By Kevin Eckstrom — July 22, 2013
They're sinning (a lot) in St. Louis, apparently. Uncle Frank meets a mess and lots of high expectations as he touches down in Brazil. And we finally know how many Anglicans it takes to change a light bulb.
