Ethics
Battle lines form over social justice: Is it gospel or heresy?
By Jemar Tisby — September 6, 2018
(RNS) — In the current social climate some Christians have called for new movements to fight the marginalization of minorities and the poor as an expression of discipleship. But others see calls for social justice as a distraction from the gospel.
Trump’s evangelical pander: a sin or a violation of law?
By Jacob Lupfer — August 31, 2018
(RNS) — Normally, when Trump’s evangelical fan club enjoys the perks of presidential access, it hardly merits mention because its unfolding is so predictable. This time, it backfired.
Pope Francis closes Ireland visit with appeals to divided Catholics
By Christine A. Scheller — August 27, 2018
DUBLIN (RNS) — For many, Pope Francis' visit to Ireland was clouded by the latest revelations of clergy sex abuse in the U.S. and Australia and Catholic bishops' attempts to cover them up.
Why it’s so hard to hold priests accountable for sex abuse
By Carolyn M. Warner — August 27, 2018
(The Conversation) — Pope Francis has expressed sympathy with the victims of clergy sex abuse, but an important reason for crisis is the church’s Code of Canon law, which the pope alone can change.
Francis kills the death penalty for Roman Catholicism
By Mark Silk — August 2, 2018
And made it a central concern for the church's pro-life activism.
The culture wars need to make a safe space for conscience
By Jacob Lupfer — July 31, 2018
(RNS) — The booing of Christian soccer player Jaelene Hinkle for following her conscience shows that we need to turn down the temperature in the culture wars.
Church of England plans to test aspiring clergy for skills, aptitude — and narcissism
By Catherine Pepinster — July 20, 2018
LONDON (RNS) — Better psychological profiling of clergy, experts say, can help to spot pathologies such as narcissism and Machiavellianism that can turn pastors into rivals of the God they purport to serve.
Revelations of US cardinal sex abuse will force pope’s hand
By Nicole Winfield — July 20, 2018
(RNS) — "We can't effectively prevent the sexual abuse of minors or vulnerable adults by clergy while habitual and widespread failures in celibacy are quietly tolerated," said a Catholic seminary official.
From dating to the workplace, the ancient Enneagram can transform relationships
By Jonathan Merritt — June 21, 2018
(RNS) — The Enneagram has recently developed a cult following and is now being used to help people form healthy relationships.
5 reasons the Masterpiece Cakeshop decision is a victory for all Americans
By Skye Jethani — June 8, 2018
The following is a guest post by Skye Jethani The case of the Colorado baker who refused to create a cake for a same-sex wedding has been a topic of heated debate since 2015. My writings about the case have received criticism from both conservative Christians and marriage equality advocates because I sided with the […]
Why weren’t Christians the ones to ‘ruin’ Miss America?
By Mandy McMichael — June 8, 2018
(RNS) — The little known history of how America's Christians got entangled with America's beauty pageant.
In red-state Oklahoma, marijuana ballot question splits people of faith
By Bobby Ross Jr. — June 6, 2018
OKLAHOMA CITY (RNS) — Clergy on both sides of State Question 788, which would permit the distribution of medical marijuana, call it a moral issue, with proponents arguing that pot will reduce dependence on opioids and critics, including the state's Southern Baptist convention and Catholic conference, saying it will lead to recreational use.
St. Paul archdiocese to pay $210M to clergy abuse victims
By Paul O'Donnell — May 31, 2018
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis announced a $210 million settlement Thursday with 450 victims of clergy sexual abuse as part of its plan for bankruptcy reorganization, making this the second-largest payout in the scandal that rocked the nation's Roman Catholic Church.
Paige Patterson has resigned. Imagine if he were Tim Cook.
By Jonathan Merritt — May 23, 2018
(RNS) — Many of the secular communities in America that Southern Baptists have painted as evil possess more moral courage than they do.
Vatican denounces offshore tax havens as harming the poor
By Nicole Winfield — May 17, 2018
(AP) — The Vatican is denouncing offshore tax havens and financial instruments such as derivatives and credit default swaps as gravely immoral and unjust, calling them 'ticking time bombs' that hurt the world’s poor the most.
