Christianity
A brief history of the Black church’s diversity, and its vital role in American political history
By Jason Oliver Evans — February 27, 2023
(The Conversation) — Millions of enslaved Africans were forcefully converted to the Christian faith. The Black church came about when African Americans began to establish their own congregations.
How did Saddleback get kicked out of the SBC? It’s complicated.
By Bob Smietana — February 24, 2023
(RNS) — Five congregations ousted this week were the first to be expelled from the SBC on a national level for having women pastors since the ban on women pastors was instituted in 2000.
A US rabbi bears witness to the trauma in Ukraine one year after Russian invasion
By Yonat Shimron — February 24, 2023
(RNS) — Rabbi Charles Feinberg joined an interfaith delegation that traveled to Kyiv and its surroundings where they saw leveled buildings, displaced people's centers and evidence of human rights abuses and atrocities.
‘Woke Wars’ infiltrate Christian colleges, prof under fire for racial justice unit
By Kathryn Post — February 24, 2023
(RNS) — What happens when racial justice education is flagged as indoctrination?
Two cheers for David French
By Mark Silk — February 24, 2023
(RNS) — The new New York Times columnist upholds principles his conservative tribe has abandoned.
Churches urge Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to stay execution of Donald Dillbeck
By Alejandra Molina — February 23, 2023
(RNS) — Maria DeLiberato, executive director for Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, said it’s been powerful to see the faith community join the cause, particularly Latino evangelical congregations and Catholic churches, as they honor their traditions in protection of life.
Will the zeal of Asbury University’s revival connect with God’s justice?
By Andre Henry — February 23, 2023
(RNS) — If it stays true to the call of the Hebrew prophets, the Asbury revival won't stop at summoning people to personal piety.
At Maryland church, it’s ‘Caribbean Sabbath,’ not just Black History Month
By Adelle M. Banks — February 23, 2023
HYATTSVILLE, Md. (RNS) — ‘It's a space where our members and their family and friends can feel celebrated, can feel affirmed,’ said Pastor Trevor Kinlock.
Debates over sacred images in the Byzantine Empire show why it’s hard to appease any side
By Paroma Chatterjee — February 23, 2023
(The Conversation) — Fierce debates about visual depictions of the sacred have existed for centuries. An art historian explains the controversies in the Byzantine Empire over images of Christ.
It shouldn’t seem so surprising when the pope says being gay ‘isn’t a crime’ – a Catholic theologian explains
By Steven P. Millies — February 23, 2023
(The Conversation) — Catholic leaders’ attitudes toward LGBTQ people have shifted dramatically – but the actual theology behind them, not so much.
Lent is here – remind me what it’s all about? 5 essential reads
By Molly Jackson — February 23, 2023
(The Conversation) — A roundup of The Conversation’s articles about this holy Christian season and its history.
Could churches be prime locations for EV charging stations? One company thinks so.
By Amethyst Holmes — February 23, 2023
(RNS) — Churches, with their large parking lots that often sit empty during the week, could help provide a solution to the growing demand for electric vehicle charging stations.
Poll: Support for abortion rights is strong, even among most religious groups
By Yonat Shimron — February 23, 2023
(RNS) — The outliers are white evangelicals, Jehovah's Witnesses, Latter-day Saints and Hispanic Protestants.
How big Christian nationalism has come courting in North Idaho
By Jack Jenkins — February 22, 2023
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho (RNS) — ‘If we put God back in Idaho, then God will always protect Idaho‚ amen?’
New suit alleges San Diego Catholic diocese transferred assets to avoid paying sex abuse claims
By Alejandra Molina — February 22, 2023
(RNS) — ‘They have developed a PR spin on how they’re concerned about victims ... but at the end of the day, it’s all about the money and protecting their assets,’ attorney Irwin Zalkin said of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego.