News
Why the minichurch is the latest trend in American religion
By Bob Smietana — November 16, 2021
(RNS) — While megachurches often make headlines, most of the congregations in the United States are relatively small.
Haaland announces effort to protect, improve access to Indigenous sacred sites
By Emily McFarlan Miller — November 16, 2021
(RNS) — Controversies over the use of sacred sites have made headlines in recent years, beginning with action to halt the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in 2016.
On first day of bishops’ conference, a spectrum of Catholic thought
By Jack Jenkins — November 16, 2021
BALTIMORE (RNS) — Inside — and outside — the first public session of the U.S. Catholic bishops’ fall gathering revealed increasingly politicized tensions between American clerics, the Vatican and lay Catholics.
Theater release for ‘The Chosen’ Christmas special breaks records
By Kathryn Post — November 16, 2021
(RNS) — ‘The Chosen,’ a series on the life of Jesus Christ available via a free app, has become a global phenomenon since its release in 2019, with more than 300 million views in over 190 countries.
Britain’s Prince Charles pays royal visit to Jordan
By Associated Press — November 16, 2021
Charles and his wife, Camilla, met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Queen Rania before traveling to the Christian holy site of Maghtas.
In Catholic Italy, ‘de-baptism’ is gaining popularity
By Sara Badilini — November 16, 2021
(RNS) — Though data is sparse, the church and Italian atheists agree that the 2-decade-old process is becoming more common.
Kenyan Muslim leaders demand government action on unexplained disappearances
By Fredrick Nzwili — November 16, 2021
(RNS) — Muslim leaders fear a government campaign against terrorism has transformed into war against Islam and Muslims.
As Biden’s agenda navigates Congress, faith groups lobby Manchin
By Jack Jenkins — November 16, 2021
(RNS) — Regardless of their cause, faith groups across the spectrum are targeting the same Democratic senator: West Virginia’s Joe Manchin.
Proud Boys leader seeks release, citing DC jail conditions
By Michael Kunzelman and Ashraf Khalil — November 16, 2021
Tarrio asked that his sentence be reduced or that he be allowed to finish it under house arrest because he claims he has been harassed by correctional officers and exposed to inhumane jail conditions.
Despite mistrust, Afghan Shiites seek Taliban protection
By Lee Keath — November 16, 2021
The Taliban, Sunni hard-liners who for decades targeted the Hazaras as heretics, are now their only protection against a more brutal enemy: the Islamic State group.
Amid Black exodus, young Catholics are pushing the church to address racism
By Alejandra Molina — November 15, 2021
(RNS) — For many Black Catholics, there's a fundamental belief that you cannot be a Christian and a racist. 'We have a duty to preach the gospel to our white brothers and sisters,' said Byron Wratee.
Attending Michael Flynn’s call for ‘one religion,’ a who’s who of the new Christian right
By Bob Smietana — November 15, 2021
(RNS) — A Texas megachurch was host to the latest Pentecostal God and country 'Stop the steal' and anti-vaccine rally — on a series of events drawing crowds around the country.
With ‘Villains’ tarot deck, Disney pushes the mystical practice further into mainstream
By Heather Greene — November 15, 2021
(RNS) — Maleficent from 'Sleeping Beauty' and Scar from 'Lion King' make their appearance on a new deck.
CCM industry stays silent on LGBTQ inclusion as queer artists carve inroads
By Kathryn Post — November 15, 2021
(RNS) — Streaming platforms have allowed LGBTQ Christian artists like Semler to stake a claim in Christian music.
US Catholic bishops may dodge rebuke of Biden over abortion
By David Crary — November 15, 2021
The upcoming national meeting of the US Catholic bishops will likely avoid direct criticism of President Joe Biden's stance on abortion rights.
