Arts & Culture

Belly dancers, terrorists or taxi drivers: Arab American comedians spoof stereotypes

By Fiona André — September 21, 2023
(RNS) — The Arab American Comedy Festival is launching a 10-month tour as the event turns 20.
More Stories

From exorcist to monster: How Hollywood has recast Catholicism

By Tyler Huckabee — September 20, 2023
(RNS) — The latest movie in ‘The Conjuring’ franchise reflects horror’s loss of faith in faith.

In new Bob Jones University podcast, former students and faculty blast ‘insular’ culture

By Kathryn Post — September 12, 2023
(RNS) — 'Surviving Bob Jones University: A Christian Cult' aims to show how alleged patterns of conformity, isolation, information control and surveillance impacted members of the Bob Jones ecosystem.

As Soccer Moses, Jars of Clay guitarist Stephen Mason finds unexpected joy

By Bob Smietana — September 6, 2023
(RNS) — The rocker who became a barber said soccer is a bit like life — sometimes sad, other times glorious.

Drag queen, Christian artist Flamy Grant joins lawsuit over Tennessee’s anti-drag act

By Kathryn Post — August 31, 2023
(RNS) — She joins LGBTQ nonprofit Blount Pride in suing a Tennessee district attorney who threatened to prosecute them over a pride event where Grant is scheduled to headline.

Muslim call to prayer can now be broadcast publicly in New York City without a permit

By Karen Matthews — August 30, 2023
NEW YORK (AP) — Under the new rules, Adams said, mosques will not need a special permit to publicly broadcast the Islamic call to prayer, or adhan, on Fridays and at sundown during the holy month of Ramadan.

Iran’s street art shows defiance, resistance and resilience

By Pouya Afshar — August 30, 2023
(The Conversation) — Iranian artists are showing renewed determination to promote freedom as a cultural necessity in Iran, even in the face of a government crackdown.

The radical, irreverent and inclusive religion of Burning Man

By Kathryn Post — August 25, 2023
(RNS) — 'Perhaps our presence can give people the sense that religion doesn’t need to be as judgmental or scary or exclusionary as they might experience it,' said John Brett, who helps lead the Religious AF camp at Burning Man.

How some Muslim and non-Muslim rappers alike embrace Islam’s greeting of peace

By Jeta Luboteni and Margarita Guillory — August 25, 2023
(The Conversation) — In many parts of the world, hip-hop has become a way for Muslim artists to assert their belonging and identity.

Esau McCaulley remembers his past, dreams of the Promised Land in new book

By Bob Smietana — August 24, 2023
(RNS) — In a vulnerable and inspiring new book due out in September, the New Testament scholar and writer recounts the story of his father's fall from grace and his long journey home.

How Shannon Harris kissed biblical womanhood goodbye

By Kathryn Post — August 23, 2023
(RNS) — In her forthcoming memoir, Shannon Harris documents her journey from marrying purity culture celebrity Josh Harris to finding herself outside of her marriage and the church.

Composer Bernstein’s children defend Bradley Cooper’s prosthetic nose after ‘Maestro’ is criticized

By Jake Coyle — August 18, 2023
NEW YORK (AP) — To some, Cooper's nose in the trailer seemed like the kind of outsized caricature that has been a regular feature of Jewish portrayals throughout film history.

Israel may uproot ancient Christian mosaic near Armageddon. Where it could go next sparks outcry

By Ilan Ben Zion — August 17, 2023
TEL MEGIDDO, Israel (AP) — The proposed loan to the Museum of the Bible in Washington underscores the deepening ties between Israel and evangelical Christians in the U.S, whom Israel has come to count on for political support, tourism dollars and other benefits.
Page 1 of 699