Yonat Shimron
Yonat Shimron is an RNS National Reporter and Senior Editor.
All Stories by Yonat Shimron
On World Refugee Day, Muslim family recalls warmer welcome in decades past
By Yonat Shimron — June 20, 2018
DURHAM, N.C. (RNS) — Almasa Bass looks around with sadness at the difference 20-plus years have wrought.
Losing their religion: Younger adults are less religious, and not only in the US
By Yonat Shimron — June 13, 2018
(RNS) — In a survey of 106 countries, younger people were found to be less religious than their elders. The exceptions were rare.
Lawsuit: Government negligent in Texas church massacre
By Yonat Shimron — June 10, 2018
DALLAS (AP) — The suit, filed in federal court in San Antonio, alleges the the military failed to enter the information into a database used to conduct background checks of gun buyers.
Some like it not: Marilyn Monroe statue has church venting
By Yonat Shimron — June 9, 2018
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A 26-foot statue of the actress has been placed in a Stamford park across the street from a church, which is getting a full view of her behind.
Pope to oil execs: Clean energy is an ‘epochal’ challenge
By Yonat Shimron — June 9, 2018
VATICAN CITY (AP) — "Civilization requires energy, but energy must not destroy civilization," he implored.
J.D. Greear is ready to give Southern Baptists a makeover
By Yonat Shimron — June 6, 2018
DURHAM, N.C. (RNS) — If he wins the presidency next week, he will be the youngest SBC leader in two generations and usher in a more urban, entrepreneurial spirit, eager to transcend partisan divisions.
RNS Morning Report: Narrow ruling; Methodist conferences; Convention sermon
By Yonat Shimron — June 5, 2018
Justices hand down a narrow ruling for Christian baker in wedding cake case. United Methodist annual conference season has begun and this year's might be rancorous. Southern Baptists wonder if Paige Patterson will deliver the convention sermon in Dallas next week.
Israel opening nature museum, with evolution exhibit
By Yonat Shimron — June 5, 2018
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An exhibit on human evolution titled "What makes us human?" looks at humanity's evolution through the lens of cultural accomplishments: the harnessing of fire, innovation of tools, and development of agriculture.
How the American Bible Society became evangelical
By Yonat Shimron — June 4, 2018
There is nothing unusual with a religious organization making employees sign a statement of faith. But the fact that the ABS has decided to adopt such a statement after functioning for 202 years without one makes this development noteworthy.
Seminary board fires Paige Patterson in dramatic turnabout
By Yonat Shimron — May 30, 2018
(RNS) — The about-face from the board caps a dramatic fall for Patterson, one of the leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention’s theological shift to the right and once a lionized figure within America’s largest Protestant denomination.
Employees quit American Bible Society over sex and marriage rules
By Yonat Shimron — May 29, 2018
(RNS) — Nearly a dozen workers have quit after the introduction of a policy that cements the organization's shift toward a narrow evangelical identity.
RNS Morning Report: Prison reform; Abortion politics; Methodist confusion
By Yonat Shimron — May 29, 2018
A bill championed by evangelicals would allow prisoners to join programs, such as faith-based classes and job-training programs. The Rev. Tom Reese favors a new pro-life strategy. Next year's United Methodist conference may be chaotic.
Southern Baptists see ‘judgment of God’ in #MeToo reckoning
By Yonat Shimron — May 24, 2018
(RNS) — For some Southern Baptists, the treatment of a seminary president removed from office for his comments about women rankled — especially among a younger generation of pastors who are trying to evangelize to a modern setting.
Paige Patterson removed as head of Southern Baptist seminary in #MeToo shake-up
By Yonat Shimron — May 23, 2018
(RNS) — The departure represents the most dramatic example of the #MeToo movement pervading the top reaches of the Southern Baptist Convention.
The Slingshot: Shrinking vocations; Royal sermon; Ode to joy
By Yonat Shimron — May 22, 2018
Pope Francis voiced alarm at the “hemorrhaging” of nuns and priests in Italy and Europe. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's sermon at the royal wedding may be numbered among history’s greats. Miroslav Volf talks about the theology of joy.
