News
Faith leaders praise Derek Chauvin’s guilty verdicts, acknowledge work ahead
By RNS staff — April 20, 2021
(RNS) — Religious leaders and faith-based organizations reacted swiftly to the verdicts.
Beth Allison Barr wants Christians to know where ‘biblical womanhood’ comes from (it’s not the Bible)
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 20, 2021
(RNS) — The author and historian talked to Religion News Service about where the idea of biblical womanhood comes from, what she believes the Bible actually has to say about the role of women and what it will take for things to change.
California date farmers lean into Ramadan season’s spike in sales
By Joseph Hammond — April 20, 2021
(RNS) — With the number of Muslims growing in the United States, dates sold at Ramadan have become a major focus of date growers' business.
Scuba diving rabbi adopts the ocean as his part of the world to repair
By Christine Luby — April 20, 2021
(RNS) — Scubi Jew, a marine conservation group inspired by the Jewish concept of repairing the world, turns saving the oceans into a religious experience.
Sikh Coalition urges Biden to appoint Sikh American liaison in wake of Indianapolis FedEx shooting
By Alejandra Molina — April 19, 2021
(RNS) — The Sikh Coalition said the Biden administration should appoint a Sikh American liaison in the White House Office of Public Engagement to ensure a 'wide range of the community’s voices are heard and acted upon.'
Last North Carolina immigrant to take sanctuary at a church goes home
By Yonat Shimron — April 19, 2021
(RNS) — Juana Luz Tobar Ortega was the first person to seek church sanctuary in North Carolina in 2017 and she is the last to leave.
Barring women as leaders in church may be bad for their health, new study finds
By Bob Smietana — April 19, 2021
(RNS) — Past studies have shown participating in religious services and in the life of a religious community can be good for your health.
Sex discrimination suit against Florida church tests ‘ministerial exception’ rulings
By Jack Jenkins — April 19, 2021
(RNS) — A woman’s lawsuit alleging gender discrimination may reconcile unanswered questions about the so-called ministerial exception.
General Baptist pastor who criticized wives’ weight ‘deeply sorry’ for sermon
By Adelle M. Banks — April 19, 2021
(RNS) — ‘In the sermon, I made insensitive remarks about women and made statements deemed unbiblical,’ said Pastor Stewart-Allen Clark in a statement.
After Vatican said ‘God cannot bless sin,’ some LGBTQ people leave Catholic identity behind
By Alejandra Molina — April 19, 2021
(RNS) — 'It took me this long to recognize that I can let go of anything that hurts me,' said Eder Santillan, 35.
Ole Anthony, longtime critic of prosperity gospel televangelists and head of Trinity Foundation, dies at 82
By Bob Smietana — April 18, 2021
(RNS) — Anthony came to fame after his investigation of televangelist Robert Tilton was featured on ABC News' Prime Time Live program.
Somber, deeply Anglican funeral honors Prince Philip for his service and devotion
By Paul O'Donnell — April 17, 2021
(RNS) — Hewing closely to the traditional Anglican funeral liturgy, the service's hymns and readings reflected Philip's service in the Royal Navy and his environmental work, with only a nod to his Greek Orthodox beginnings.
Lecrae, Bieber appear at prison events as ministries return to correctional facilities
By Emily McFarlan Miller, Maina Mwaura, and Adelle M. Banks — April 16, 2021
(RNS) — Some of the first to return to prison ministry have been high-profile Christians like Lecrae, Justin Bieber and Churchome pastor Judah Smith.
Photos of the Week: Ramadan begins, Notre Dame fire anniversary
By Kit Doyle — April 16, 2021
(RNS) — This week’s photo selection includes the start of Ramadan, the second anniversary of the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and more.
Biden reverses course on refugee cap after faith groups express outrage
By Jack Jenkins and Emily McFarlan Miller — April 16, 2021
WASHINGTON (RNS) — "As a Christian, I’m reminded I should never have, as the psalmist said, put my ‘trust in princes,’" said Matthew Soerens, U.S. director of church mobilization and advocacy at the evangelical Christian refugee resettlement agency World Relief.
