Science & Tech
For first time, survey finds majority of pastors says global warming is real, man-made
(RNS) — In previous studies, researchers found pastors were more skeptical of human-caused climate change.
Standing Rock Sioux celebrate ‘significant legal win’ in DAPL fight
(RNS) — A federal judge has ordered a new environmental review for the Dakota Access pipeline in what the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is celebrating as a “significant legal win.”
Pray and wash: Religion joins with science amid virus crisis
NEW YORK (AP) — ‘Science is a wonderful arena of truth and understanding truth. It is an amazing tool that can help human flourishing. We just believe it can’t address all truth that exists,’ said D.J. Jenkins, pastor at Anthology Church in Studio City, California.
Amish farmers have a ‘complicated relationship’ with nature, are skeptical of climate change
LANCASTER, Pa. (RNS) — Amish farmers may embrace a simple, back to the earth lifestyle, but they may not embrace the ‘creation care’ theology of Christian environmentalists.
Pope Francis reflects on 3 decades of international cooperation on climate change
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Only a few days after the United States officially gave notice of its intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, Pope Francis took the opportunity to praise a gathering of environmental regulators meeting in Rome this week.
Meditation apps proliferate, even if what they provide is not enlightenment
(RNS) — Some teachers worry that corporate America’s adoption of Buddhism’s spiritual practice could be used for unethical purposes.
The science of Sabbath: How people are rediscovering rest—and claiming its benefits
(RNS) — People of different faiths are rediscovering the practice of Sabbath, and some point to science suggesting such a day of rest — including time away from social media and digital devices — benefits longevity and mental health.
To save the planet, we need faith, ethics, science and economics
(RNS) — Responding to climate change requires a moral vision that puts the poor and future generations on an equal footing with ourselves.
People of faith know what must be done on climate change
(RNS) — Noah’s prophetic witness called on his community to heed the darkening skies and take action to save their world before it was too late.
Pope Francis pushes a new theology of climate change
(RNS) — Rather than blame the environmental crisis on humanity’s fallen state, as his predecessors did, Francis emphasizes how nature brings us closer to God.
Interfaith group pledges to use religion’s influence to address climate change, poverty
LINDAU, Germany (RNS) — Azza Karam, the newly elected leader of the interfaith group Religions for Peace, urged delegates to the group’s recent World Assembly to harness the power of religion to address climate, nuclear arms and income inequality.
International interfaith gathering: ‘We must work together or we will all fail’
LINDAU, Germany (RNS) — Interfaith leaders meeting in Germany this week will discuss how they can help address issues like climate change, terrorism, women’s rights, warfare, poverty, sexual violence and migration.
Faith and friendship as a remedy to the opioid crisis
(RNS) — With the help of addicts themselves, researchers are exploring the emotional, social and relational reasons why people become addicted—and how relationship with God and others can restore and heal.
Richard Dawkins, shunned in Berkeley, finds new venue nearby
(RNS) — The world’s most famous — and infamous — atheist will speak near San Francisco on Aug. 9, after abrupt cancellation by a public radio station.
Faith and the cosmos: An astrophysicist fields the big questions
(RNS) ‘I have my own personal rule, which is I never, ever tell people what to believe. And I never, ever tell people they’re wrong,’ says Paul M. Sutter, an astrophysicist who fields questions from the public — some of them religious — on the cosmos.