Lauren Markoe
Lauren Markoe has been a national reporter for RNS since 2011. Previously she covered government and politics as a daily reporter at the Charlotte Observer and The State (Columbia, S.C.)
All Stories by Lauren Markoe
Twisting the cross: The deadly theology of white supremacy
By Lauren Markoe — August 28, 2017
(RNS) — 'A symbol of love can become a weapon. The icon of redemption can become an instrument of terror,' writes Shane Claiborne.
Christian groups respond to growing Sudanese refugee crisis
By Lauren Markoe — August 24, 2017
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Christian agencies and churches are stepping up and coordinating their efforts to respond to the South Sudanese refugee crisis, as the number of people fleeing across the border into northern Uganda reaches 1 million.
The Slingshot: Pope’s tough talk; post-resignation sermon; Islamic shortcut divorce
By Lauren Markoe — August 22, 2017
Francis says refugees trump national security. India outlaws quickie Muslim divorces. The Rev. A.R. Bernard explains why he quit the president’s evangelical advisory board.
Pastor resigns from Trump’s evangelical advisory board, asks others to speak out
By Lauren Markoe — August 19, 2017
(RNS) — A.R. Bernard cited a 'deepening conflict of values' with the administration.
After the Hobby Lobby scandal, a spotlight on antiquities sales in Israel
By Lauren Markoe — August 16, 2017
(RNS) — “The removal of artifacts from a country belongs to the imperial era and this should not be happening anymore," said Gabriel Barkay, a renowned Israeli biblical archaeologist. "It dates to a time when archaeologists thought the nations where they excavated were primitive and saw themselves as the guardians of cultural treasures.”
The Slingshot: Charlottesville fallout; Hillary’s pastor; Jeffress’ politics
By Lauren Markoe — August 15, 2017
Under pressure, Trump calls out white supremacists. Hillary Clinton’s pastor is accused of plagiarism. Pastor Robert Jeffress explains his controversial comments about God, Trump and North Korea.
North Korea releases Canadian pastor sentenced to life in prison
By Lauren Markoe — August 9, 2017
(RNS) — The Rev. Rim Hyon Su was accused by the state of using religion as a ruse to overthrow the government.
Clergy preach peace during Kenyan national elections
By Lauren Markoe — August 8, 2017
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Thousands had camped in churches to pray for a peaceful election. Pastors and priests had stressed in sermons that it was the people's right to vote, and urged them to choose leaders who would please God.
The Slingshot: Trump’s sustained silence; Hatmaker’s new book; Atheists’ bum rap
By Lauren Markoe — August 8, 2017
The president has said nothing about the weekend attack on a Minnesota mosque.
Jen Hatmaker’s new book tells of her travails as a “professional Christian.” People believe atheists are not as moral as those who believe in God.
The ’Splainer: Why is Jerusalem’s Temple Mount so disputed?
By Lauren Markoe — July 24, 2017
(RNS) — The Temple Mount is the holiest place for Jews and the third holiest for Muslims. Why is it a launching pad for violence?
The Slingshot: Pence’s Promised Land; Russia’s Jehovah’s Witnesses; Muslim women’s sex guide
By Lauren Markoe — July 18, 2017
The vice president told Christians United for Israel that his support for the country is rooted in his faith. Russia’s Supreme Court upholds a ban on Jehovah’s Witnesses. A new sex manual for Muslim women.
Pence roots administration’s support for Israel in faith
By Lauren Markoe — July 17, 2017
(RNS) — Speaking at the annual summit of Christians United for Israel on Monday, the vice president also said the Trump administration would keep its promise to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.
Faith and the cosmos: An astrophysicist fields the big questions
By Lauren Markoe — July 13, 2017
(RNS) 'I have my own personal rule, which is I never, ever tell people what to believe. And I never, ever tell people they’re wrong,' says Paul M. Sutter, an astrophysicist who fields questions from the public — some of them religious — on the cosmos.
Protestant churches embrace gluten-free bread for Communion as Vatican reaffirms ban
By Lauren Markoe — July 11, 2017
(RNS) — Gluten or no gluten — the difference is theological.
Pope adds fourth path to Roman Catholic sainthood
By Lauren Markoe — July 11, 2017
(Reuters) — The addition of the new path marks one of the most significant changes in centuries to the Roman Catholic Church's saint-making procedures.
