Government & Politics
She spent three years in church sanctuary. A new documentary tells her story.
By Yonat Shimron — September 17, 2021
(RNS) — Espinal, who is married and has three adult children, had been living in the United States since she was 16.
Franklin Graham calls for a day of prayer for people of Afghanistan
By Yonat Shimron — August 20, 2021
(RNS) — Graham has been sharply critical of President Biden’s pullout from Afghanistan, saying, "the blood of this nation' will be on his hands."
Infrastructure bill includes energy efficiency grants for houses of worship
By Yonat Shimron — August 11, 2021
(RNS) — Deferred maintenance at aging sanctuaries has become an ever-increasing burden. A $50 million pilot program would award grants of up to $200,000 for energy efficiency.
White House appoints liaison to Jewish community
By Yonat Shimron — August 6, 2021
(RNS) — Chanan Weissman also served as President Barack Obama's Jewish liaison during the last year of his presidency.
Mired in crises, Lebanon marks 1 year since horrific blast
By Zeina Karam — August 4, 2021
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon marks one year since the horrific explosion at the port of Beirut with a national day of mourning.
During Disability Pride, Religious institutions still behind on accessibility
By Kathryn Post — July 30, 2021
(RNS) — The Americans with Disabilities Act was a watershed moment for civil rights law, yet religious entities remain exempt from ADA requirements.
‘This is our Selma moment,’ clergy leaders announce on eve of 27-mile voting rights march to Austin
By Yonat Shimron — July 27, 2021
(RNS) — On Wednesday (July 28), the Rev. William J. Barber II will lead clergy and laypeople on a four-day, 27-mile march from Georgetown to Austin, Texas, to protest the rollback of voting rights and demand federal action.
Noem to headline GOP event in early-voting South Carolina
By Meg Kinnard — July 23, 2021
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Kristi Noem will speak Aug. 23 at the Faith & Freedom BBQ in Anderson, according to the event’s host, U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan.
Americans are as divided as ever, and religion is the wedge
By Mark Silk — July 2, 2021
That's a critical take-away from the latest report from the Pew Research Center.
Transgender rights, religion among cases justices could add
By Mark Sherman and Jessica Gresko — June 28, 2021
WASHINGTON (AP) — This month, the court has already issued big decisions on health care and religious freedom. And next term, the high court has agreed to take on cases about abortion and guns.
President Biden pledges support for Rev. Barber’s campaign to end poverty
By Yonat Shimron — June 21, 2021
(RNS) — In a prerecorded two-minute video, Biden said he supported some of the issues central to the Poor People’s Campaign, including a $15 minimum wage.
Hat store owner apologizes for the anti-vax yellow Star of David
By Mark Silk — May 31, 2021
(RNS) — She goes where Marjorie Taylor Greene didn't.
Last North Carolina immigrant to take sanctuary at a church goes home
By Yonat Shimron — April 19, 2021
(RNS) — Juana Luz Tobar Ortega was the first person to seek church sanctuary in North Carolina in 2017 and she is the last to leave.
Another NC man is free to leave church sanctuary as immigration policies ease
By Yonat Shimron — March 24, 2021
(RNS) — Eliseo Jimenez, a 42-year-old itinerant laborer who worked in the state’s tobacco fields and later in construction laying floors, has been living at Umstead Park United Church of Christ since Oct. 9, 2017.
