Social Issues
William Barber on recruiting low-wage voters, Biden’s record on poverty
By Kathryn Post — January 19, 2024
(RNS) — 'If you leave this many people in poverty and low wealth, you open up the door for demagogues and people who will use people’s fears and hurts against them,' said the Rev. William Barber.
As March for Life continues, supporters, opponents plan more state action
By Adelle M. Banks — January 18, 2024
(RNS) — ‘I think where we're going to see the most engagement and the most action is at the state level,’ said Focus on the Family analyst Nicole Hunt.
Pope Francis called surrogacy ‘deplorable’ – but the reasons why women and parents choose surrogacy are complex and defy simple labels
By Danielle Tumminio Hansen — January 17, 2024
(The Conversation) — Surrogacy can exploit women, but others may choose to be involved for altruistic reasons. A scholar points out that surrogacy’s ethical value is dependent upon the people and systems who use it.
Sharon Brous on the power of saying ‘amen’ in a broken world
By Yonat Shimron — January 11, 2024
(RNS) — 'The Amen Effect' is an extended meditation on the importance of showing up — in good times and bad.
How to deal with same-sex unions? It’s a question fracturing major Christian denominations
By David Crary — January 9, 2024
Strikingly, the flare-up of debate in Catholic ranks coincides with developments in two other international Christian denominations that are fracturing over differences in LGBTQ-related policies.
Christians Against Christian Nationalism translates TikTok activism to local politics
By Kathryn Post — January 8, 2024
(RNS) — The popular TikTok account is, in part, a response to the growth of ‘trendy’ fundamentalism on the platform.
What does a total abortion ban look like in Dominican Republic?
By MarÍa Teresa HernÁndez — January 3, 2024
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Abortion rights activists argue that the country’s total abortion ban not only restricts women’s reproductive choices but also puts their lives in danger.
13 emerging faith leaders who made their mark in 2023
By Yonat Shimron — December 28, 2023
(RNS) — 2023's rising stars in religion are loud, proud and defiant.
Why I miss Tommy Smothers
By Jeffrey Salkin — December 28, 2023
(RNS) — The Smothers Brothers were funny. More than that: They were profoundly human and kind.
Activists hope pope’s approval of same-sex blessings could ease anti-LGBTQ+ bias and repression
By Nicole Winfield — December 21, 2023
ROME (AP) —The pope's decision to officially spell out his approval could send a message of tolerance to places where gay rights are far more restricted.
As Russia ramps up ‘traditional values’ rhetoric − especially against LGBTQ+ groups − it’s won Putin far-right fans abroad
By Sarah Riccardi-Swartz — December 21, 2023
(The Conversation) — Far-right American Christians once viewed Soviet culture as a menace to their values. Today, some authoritarian-leaning admirers wish their country were more like Putin’s Russia.
One fourth of United Methodist churches in US have left in schism over LGBTQ ban. What happens now?
By Peter Smith — December 15, 2023
The vast majority are conservative-leaning churches responding to what they see as the United Methodists' failure to enforce bans on same-sex marriage and the ordaining of openly LGBTQ persons.
William Wilberforce would be scandalized by the pro-factory farming EATS Act
By Charles C. Camosy — December 1, 2023
(RNS) — It's a diabolical end-run around laws that attempt to respect God’s created order.
Child liberation theology says God is a child, too
By Kathryn Post — November 20, 2023
(RNS) — What does Scripture say about the rights of children in an anti-child world?
Art Simon, founder of Christian anti-hunger group Bread for the World, dies at 93
By Adelle M. Banks and Bob Smietana — November 17, 2023
(RNS) — ‘We can be accidental accomplices in keeping people poor,’ TV travel host Rick Steves said he learned from Simon.
