The original ‘Blue Christmas’: New Advent resources focus on grief, justice before celebration
(RNS) — A number of new Advent resources available this year admit a bleak midwinter spirit, drawing attention to grief and injustice.
Who are Black Hebrew Israelites?
(RNS) — On Tuesday (Dec. 10), two men opened fire on a kosher supermarket in Jersey City, New Jersey, ultimately leaving four dead and three wounded in the shooting spree. One of the shooters had ties with the Black Hebrew Israelite movement, which includes organizations labeled as hate groups, in part due to some members voicing anti-Semitic rhetoric.
The stubborn faithfulness of liberal Mormons
(RNS) — Liberal Mormons aren't clamoring for women's rights or LGBTQ equality because we oppose the church; we do so because we took the church at its word.
Reform Jews call for reparations for slavery
(RNS) — The resolution is the first such effort on the part of an American Jewish organization but has precedent among some Protestant groups.
Over 10,000 Christians petition Boston College to reject Koch grant
BOSTON (RNS) — More than 10,080 Christians have signed a petition urging officials at the Jesuit university to reject a potential donation from the Koch Foundation toward the school's political science department.
Keeping the mystic, messianic faith of Star Wars' Skywalkers
(RNS) — It’s time once more to tell the old familiar story, set on the outskirts of an ancient and powerful empire, of a child born of a virgin and destined to save the world.
Dear Democrats: Four religion requests from non-religious Americans
(RNS) — While by no means our only matter of concern, toning down talk of faith in politics would show some respect to what is rapidly becoming the largest ‘religious’ group in the country.
Charlie Kirk, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove float debate on Jesus and socialism at Liberty University think tank
(RNS) — On Thursday (Dec. 12), the Twitter account of the newly created conservative think tank posted a challenge to the Rev. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, a progressive faith leader in North Carolina, offering to host a debate over whether Jesus was a socialist.
China accuses US of double standards on anti-Muslim bigotry, counterterrorism
(RNS) — Chinese officials are seeking to turn the tables on the White House, accusing the U.S. of hypocrisy due to its own long history of anti-Muslim discrimination.
Study: Christians, Jews have smaller families, solo living and parenting styles
(RNS) — The Pew Research Center study found that Muslims across the globe live in the biggest households. Christians fall in the middle. One in 10 Jews worldwide live alone.
How Christians of color in Colonial Virginia became 'black'
(RNS) — Although the British settlers imported Africans from the first as slaves, the earliest Virginians had yet to establish many of the basic rules regarding slavery.
Seven years in, pope's Twitter account garners success, criticism and comic mishaps
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Seven years ago, with a tap on an iPad, the pontificate was ushered into the world of social media, creating a new space for evangelization and papal communication.
Newseum closing but Religious Freedom Center programs to continue elsewhere
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The Freedom Forum Institute’s religious liberty programming dates to the 1990s, when the Newseum was housed in Rosslyn, Virginia.
American Jews split over Trump executive order on combating anti-Semitism
(RNS) — Left-leaning Jews said the underlying purpose of the executive order was to stifle legitimate criticism of Israel and its policies toward Palestinians living under Israeli occupation.
Trump's anti-Semitism order is much ado about not much
(RNS) — The president's executive order, which provides protection for Jews long since offered by previous administrations, amounts to little more than politics for the Hanukkah season.