News
Biden, orthodox patriarch discuss climate, religious freedom
By Peter Smith — October 25, 2021
President Joe Biden and the spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christians discussed ways to fight climate change and to end the coronavirus pandemic as well as the importance of religious freedom during an Oval Office session Monday. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, 81, met separately with Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken not long after being […]
Halaloween brings Muslim horror films to your computer screen
By Emily McFarlan Miller — October 25, 2021
(RNS) — The films aren't just spooky; they also offer a glimpse into a number of social, religious and cultural issues facing Muslim societies all over the world.
6 candidates for US Senate in Ohio vie for evangelical votes
By Julie Carr Smyth — October 25, 2021
WESTERVILLE, Ohio (AP) — The lone Republican moderate at a U.S. Senate candidate forum in Ohio on Sunday said at one point he felt “like a Browns fan in Pittsburgh Stadium.” The crowd of about 950 at the evangelical Genoa Baptist Church in the northern suburbs of Columbus never quite booed Matt Dolan, a state […]
Orthodox Church’s top patriarch hospitalized in Washington
By Jack Jenkins — October 24, 2021
(RNS) — The cause was not immediately clear, although officials said his hospitalization was "out an abundance of caution."
Cornerstone University votes no-confidence in president the day before inauguration
By Kathryn Post — October 22, 2021
(RNS) — President Gerson Moreno-Riaño has allegedly opposed diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and created a culture of fear and suspicion.
Sarah Davis, daughter of Ravi Zacharias, to start new ministry. Critics worry it is RZIM 2.0.
By Bob Smietana — October 22, 2021
(RNS) — Davis has apologized for past failures in responding to allegations about her father's misconduct. It's not clear if RZIM funds will be used for the new ministry.
In a first, Conservative movement publishes list of expelled rabbis to website
By Yonat Shimron — October 22, 2021
(RNS) — The list of eight rabbis (plus one who is suspended until June 2022) was made public this week as part of a new reckoning with sexual misconduct and ethical accountability.
Photos of the Week: Sama dancers and Prophet Muhammad’s birthday
By Kit Doyle — October 22, 2021
(RNS) - This week’s photo gallery includes Sama dancers in Iran, the anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad's birth and more
For 250th anniversary of Asbury crossing, a tour of America’s historic Methodist churches
By Kit Doyle and Emily McFarlan Miller — October 22, 2021
(RNS) — Religion News Service selected a variety of historic Methodist churches to highlight during the 250th anniversary of Francis Asbury's arrival in America.
Tehran holds first public Friday Prayers in almost 2 years
By Associated Press — October 22, 2021
Organizers said beforehand that all health protocols would be followed to protect the expected hundreds of worshippers during the ceremony at Tehran University.
Orthodox Church’s top patriarch to visit US, meet with Biden
By Peter Smith — October 22, 2021
Making the latest of several trips to the country during his 30 years in office, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is expected to address concerns ranging from a pending restructuring of the American church to his church's status in his homeland, Turkey.
COVID-19 takes a bite out of Burkina Faso’s cult of sacred crocodiles
By Joseph Hammond — October 22, 2021
(RNS) — The local cult of the crocodile dates to sometime in the 1500s, when, during a period of severe drought, locals believe, a crocodile appeared and led local women to a source of fresh water.
3 years after Pittsburgh synagogue attack, trial still ahead
By Peter Smith and Mark Scolforo — October 22, 2021
PITTSBURGH (AP) — As the three-year mark since the massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue approaches, survivors are planning now-familiar annual rituals of remembrance, the criminal case involving the suspect plods on, and the site is in line for restoration. The landmark synagogue in Pittsburgh’s leafy Squirrel Hill neighborhood remains dormant, but a renowned […]
250 years ago, Methodism came to the US. These 3 churches show how it spread.
By Emily McFarlan Miller — October 22, 2021
(RNS) — Here is a glimpse of how Methodism spread after Francis Asbury’s arrival, told through the stories of three historic churches across the country.
Methodist racial history recalled on 250th anniversary of Asbury’s US arrival
By Adelle M. Banks — October 21, 2021
(RNS) — ‘Francis Asbury’s role in helping develop Methodism in America,’ one expert said, ‘is one of those factors that gave birth to the Black Christian experience in Philadelphia.’
