Christianity
Pope Francis calls for AI ethics free from violence and discrimination
By Claire Giangravé — August 8, 2023
(RNS) — The World Day of Peace next Jan. 1 will be focused on ‘Artificial Intelligence and Peace.’
Sinead O’Connor was a rock star and a Muslim. Why did obituaries miss this?
By Anna Piela — August 8, 2023
(RNS) — Obscuring O’Connor’s faith is a missed chance to fight Islamophobia.
Global warming is here and it is getting worse
By Thomas Reese — August 8, 2023
(RNS) — We are like frogs in a pot of water being slowly cooked as the temperature rises. We don’t have the sense to get out of the pot, let alone turn off the heat.
For some Black faith leaders, Ohio’s Issue 1 is bigger than abortion
By Kathryn Post — August 8, 2023
CLEVELAND (RNS) — ‘I think our faith community is waking up to the fact that there are various attacks on our voting rights and our ability to let our voices be heard,’ said Lesley Jones, a Cincinnati-based pastor and organizer.
Mormons behaving badly
By Jana Riess — August 7, 2023
(RNS) — While the church has handled the controversy politely, some individual members have not.
New AI app lets users ‘text with’ Jesus and other biblical figures
By Fiona André — August 7, 2023
(RNS) — The app replicates an instant messaging platform, allowing users to chat with ChatGPT impersonations of biblical figures, including the apostles, the prophets, Ruth, Job, Lot and more.
Vivek Ramaswamy and the limits of ‘God talk’
By Khyati Y. Joshi — August 7, 2023
(RNS) — Evangelical attacks on the Hindu candidate show that in politics, 'religious' still means 'Christian.'
Atheist and agnostic fired for not attending company prayers win $50K in suit
By Yonat Shimron — August 7, 2023
(RNS) — The two workers declined to participate in a daily prayer circle as the company owner read from Scripture.
Left behind by disaffiliations, Texas town’s United Methodists charter a new church
By BeLynn Hollers — August 7, 2023
AMARILLO, Texas (RNS) — After all seven United Methodist churches in this city in the Texas Panhandle voted to leave the country’s second-largest Protestant denomination, an 83-year-old UMC minister became determined that the UMC wouldn't become extinct in Amarillo.
Pope announces World Youth Day to return to Asia in 2027, urges young people ‘not to be afraid’
By Helena Alves, Barry Hatton, and Nicole Winfield — August 7, 2023
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — News that Seoul, South Korea would host World Youth Day in 2027 was a reflection of the continent's increasing importance to the Catholic Church, given the church is young and growing there, whereas it is withering in traditionally Christian lands in Europe.
Will Trump’s latest indictment hurt him with evangelical Christians? Probably not.
By Jack Jenkins — August 4, 2023
(RNS) — 'The majority of white evangelicals have accepted this idea that Trump wants what they want,' said Michael Wear, who runs The Center for Christianity and Public Life. 'I’m not sure this indictment changes that.'
Anne Graham Lotz, Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright on End Times, their health, their ministry
By Adelle M. Banks — August 4, 2023
(RNS) — The daughter and granddaughter of Billy Graham are out with their second joint book, ‘Preparing to Meet Jesus: A 21-Day Challenge to Move from Salvation to Transformation.’
Pope Francis’ ‘peace offensive’ in Ukraine puts dialogue over demonization
By Claire Giangravé — August 4, 2023
(RNS) — Keeping channels for dialogue open with the Kremlin, Pope Francis has bucked the Western world's refusal to take a mediated approach to ending the Ukraine war.
Former Southwestern seminary trustee calls for forensic audit of troubled school
By Bob Smietana — August 4, 2023
(RNS) — Once one of the largest seminaries in the country, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary has faced a financial crisis and now a feud among board members over a forensic audit of the school's finances.
Pope gets an electrifying World Youth Day welcome and urges fighting for economic justice, climate
By Helena Alves, Barry Hatton, and Nicole Winfield — August 4, 2023
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — The pope, who was hospitalized twice this year, had said he hoped to be “rejuvenated” by his five-day trip to Portugal, and it appeared as if the sun-baked crowd delivered.
