Sarah Pulliam Bailey
Sarah Pulliam Bailey is a national correspondent for RNS, covering how faith intersects with politics, culture and other news. She previously served as online editor for Christianity Today where she remains an editor-at-large.
All Stories by Sarah Pulliam Bailey
Gay, Christian and … celibate: The changing face of the homosexuality debate
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — August 4, 2014
(RNS) With "ex-gay" ministries falling out of favor -- even by their biggest proponents -- many Christians are encouraging gays and lesbians to adopt a life of celibacy instead, without ever trying to change their sexual orientation.
Krista Tippett’s ‘On Being’ honored by White House for engaging listeners on what it means to be human
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — July 31, 2014
(RNS) In its citation, the White House said Krista Tippett’s show “avoids easy answers, embracing complexity and inviting people of all faiths, no faith, and every background to join the conversation.”
Ground Zero cross can stay at 9/11 museum, appeals court rules
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — July 28, 2014
NEW YORK (RNS) Atheists said they suffered from both physical and emotional damages from the presence of the beamed cross at the official 9/11 museum, resulting in headaches, indigestion and mental pain.
Ebola outbreak * Eid Mubarak * Wedding decline: Monday’s Roundup
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — July 28, 2014
A doctor working with Samaritan's Purse in Liberia tested positively for Ebola. The holiday of Eid al-Fitr ending Ramadan has begun. And Catholic Church weddings have declined 40% between 2000 and 2012.
Wikipedia’s edit wars and the 8 religious pages people can’t stop editing
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — July 24, 2014
(RNS) The problem confronting many Wikipedia editors is that religion elicits passion -- and often, more than a little vitriol as believers and critics spar over facts, sources and context.
Tony Palmer, who captured Pope Francis’ bid for Christian unity with a cellphone, dies after motorcycle crash
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — July 22, 2014
(RNS) In the video, Pope Francis referred to Palmer as "my brother, a bishop-brother," saying they had been friends for years. "Let us allow our longing to increase so that it propels us to find each other, embrace each other and to praise Jesus Christ as the only Lord of history," Francis said.
Gaza impact * Meriam free? * Minister self-immolates: Thursday’s Roundup
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — July 17, 2014
As Gaza attacks continue, Jews elsewhere feel the impact. Sudanese Christian Meriam Ibrahim could be free to leave. Plus, a Texas United Methodist minister set himself on fire.
Women bishops * immigrants’ saint * Gaza escalates: Monday’s Roundup
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — July 14, 2014
The Church of England is expected to vote on women bishops today. Many in L.A. are flocking to an immigrants' saint. And the conflict between Israel and Palestine continues to esaclate.
The papal World Cup: Benedict XVI’s Germany will face Francis’ Argentina
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — July 10, 2014
(RNS) Pope Francis' native Argentina will face off against Benedict XVI's Germany in the final World Cup match at 3 p.m. EST Sunday (July 13). A look at both countries' religious makeup.
Pope Face Off * Women Bishops * Monitored Muslims : Thursday’s Roundup
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — July 10, 2014
It'll be Pope Francis v. Benedict XVI on Sunday. The archbishop of Canterbury plans to push through women bishops legislation. And a report suggests the NSA monitored prominent American Muslims.
Pope Francis meets US televangelists, and the first-ever ‘papal high-five’ follows
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — July 9, 2014
(RNS) "The prosperity gospel seems to be fundamentally opposed to the message that Francis has been spreading. But he has shown that he’s willing to meet with just about anyone," said Michael Peppard, a professor of theology at Fordham University.
Was Dietrich Bonhoeffer gay? A new biography raises questions
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — July 3, 2014
NEW YORK (RNS) “I think theologians are often terrified of what we’ll discover when we go more deeply into human character if we say that a person had very complicated relationships with character, psychology, formation and sexuality,” says Dietrich Bonhoeffer biographer Charles Marsh.
Ramadan * Hobby Lobby * Political faith: Monday’s Roundup
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — June 30, 2014
For the first time since 1986, Ramadan and the World Cup coincides. We're expecting the Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby ruling this morning. Plus, which politicians are pushing faith?
World Vision, recovering from gay policy shift, tries to shore up its evangelical base
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — June 26, 2014
(RNS) The $1 billion relief agency has struggled since an earlier about-face on same-sex marriage, but recent moves signal a shift toward shoring up its evangelical base.
Pastor refrocked * Abuse settlement * MLK award: Wednesday’s Roundup
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — June 25, 2014
A United Methodist pastor has been reinstated after being defrocked. The Archdiocese of Seattle announced a $12.1 million settlement. Plus, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King were posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
