The ‘Splainer
The ‘Splainer: Can the Anglican-Episcopalian marriage be saved?
By Kimberly Winston — January 14, 2016
(RNS) Anglicans feel decisions Episcopalians made regarding gay clergy (they got 'em), same-sex marriage (they do 'em) are out of line with what the the majority of Anglicans consider Christian doctrine.
The ‘Splainer: Islam’s Sunni/Shiite divide
By Kimberly Winston — January 4, 2016
(RNS) What is a Sunni and who is a Shiite and why do they hate each other? That and other answers to the biggest divide roiling Islam today.
The ‘Splainer: Is the star of Bethlehem for real?
By Kimberly Winston — December 22, 2015
(RNS) Was it "a star, a star dancing in the night," or was it something more dramatic, like a supernova or even a UFO? There is science behind the manger story. Let us ‘Splain ...
The ‘Splainer: What is ‘Nostra Aetate,’ and what does it have to do with Catholic-Jewish relations?
By Lauren Markoe — December 10, 2015
(RNS) The Vatican's new document on Jewish-Christian relations harks back to one published 50 years ago, which set the stage for increasingly warmer relations between the church and the Jewish people.
The ‘Splainer: What’s that Jubilee Year of Mercy the pope keeps talking about?
By Rosie Scammell — December 4, 2015
(RNS) In outlining his views on the jubilee, Francis wrote: “The time has come for the church to take up the joyful call to mercy once more. It is time to return to the basics and to bear the weaknesses and struggles of our brothers and sisters.”
The ‘Splainer: Why should we give thanks?
By Kimberly Winston — November 24, 2015
(RNS) If the conversation around the turkey starts to get a little heated, think on this: The impulse to give thanks is good for body and soul. Let us 'Splain ...
The ‘Splainer: What does the apocalyptic jihad of ISIS mean for the rest of us?
By Jerome Socolovsky — November 19, 2015
(RNS) Many extreme jihadists believe they are in the midst of an apocalyptic struggle against Christians and Jews. And their views are spreading.
ISIS, ISIL, Daesh — explaining the many names for terrorists
By Lauren Markoe — November 17, 2015
(RNS) The terrorist organization murdering people across the Middle East and now Europe is known by several names and acronyms. What do they mean, and why use one over another?
The ‘Splainer: What makes the cow sacred to Hindus?
By Kimberly Winston — November 5, 2015
(RNS) Four Muslims living in India have been killed by Hindu mobs after they were suspected of either eating beef or slaughtering a cow. What is behind the religious beliefs underpinning these killings? Let us ‘Splain ...
The ‘Splainer: Why is the Halloween witch mean and green?
By Kimberly Winston — October 27, 2015
(RNS) The first witches were healers, herbalists, midwives and wise women. How did our image of the Halloween witch evolve, and why? Let us ‘Splain ...
The ‘Splainer: Kim Davis, Pope Francis and the fight over conscientious objection
By Lauren Markoe — October 2, 2015
(RNS) Kim Davis objected. But does the pope agree with her conscience?
The ‘Splainer: What is Sukkot, and why are my Jewish neighbors eating in a shack?
By Lauren Markoe — September 29, 2015
(RNS) Today is the first full day of Sukkot, also known as the Festival of Booths. What is this holiday that makes Jews eat their meals al fresco? Let us 'Splain ...
The ’Splainer: What is the World Meeting of Families?
By Kimberly Winston — September 22, 2015
(RNS) The meeting's goal is not to craft new policy or lobby the church for a particular agenda. Rather, it is to reinforce -- "strengthen," in its parlance -- the bonds of Catholic families around the world.
The ‘Splainer: What’s an Apostolic Christian and why is Kim Davis’ hair so long?
By Emily McFarlan Miller — September 9, 2015
(RNS) Apostolic Pentecostals are the strictest of all the Pentecostal groups. They don't believe in the Trinity, avoid alcohol, don’t watch TV, and ask women not to cut their hair. Oh, and they object to same-sex marriage.
The ‘Splainer: How do Jewish conversions work?
By Sara Weissman — July 30, 2015
(RNS) Jewish conversion seems to be all over the media lately. But what does it actually entail? Let us 'Splain ...
