The ‘Splainer
The ‘Splainer: Linking human trafficking, climate change and God
By Kimberly Winston — July 20, 2015
(RNS) The Vatican hosts two conferences on human trafficking and climate change this week, inviting many U.S. mayors to the event. What do human trafficking and climate change have to do with each other and with religion? Let us 'Splain . . . .
The ‘Splainer: Episcopalians approve same-sex marriage liturgy
By Kimberly Winston — July 2, 2015
(RNS) The Episcopal Church voted to approve same-sex marriages Wednesday (July 1). Say what? Don't we all know at least one married, same-sex Episcopal couple? Let us 'Splain . . . .
The ‘Splainer: What is an encyclical?
By David Gibson — June 15, 2015
(RNS) When Al Smith ran for president in 1928, his status as the first Catholic to head a major party ticket was challenged on the basis that he would have to follow papal encyclicals, not the U.S. Constitution. “What the hell is an encyclical?” Smith reportedly replied.
The ‘Splainer: Sheryl Sandberg and the Jewish way of mourning
By Lauren Markoe — June 4, 2015
(RNS) "I have lived thirty years in these thirty days," wrote Sheryl Sandberg after the end of the monthlong period of Jewish mourning. "I am thirty years sadder. I feel like I am thirty years wiser."
The ‘Splainer: Who are the Rohingya and why are they fleeing Myanmar?
By Brian Pellot — May 19, 2015
(RNS) Thousands of Rohingya have left Myanmar this spring and at least hundreds are now stranded at sea. Who are these Rohingya and what are they running from? Let us 'splain ...
The ‘Splainer: Don Draper’s good vibration
By Kimberly Winston — May 18, 2015
(RNS) Was the finale of AMC's "Mad Men" really a lesson of American religious history in disguise? Let us 'splain.
The ‘Splainer: What religious sites were lost or damaged in Nepal quake
By Kimberly Winston — April 28, 2015
(RNS) In one minute, the April 25 earthquake in Nepal toppled, destroyed and damaged a millennium of religious history. This 'Splainer looks at the damaged sites and their religious and historical significance.
The ‘Splainer: The many Thomases of ‘Wolf Hall’
By Kimberly Winston — April 10, 2015
(RNS) There are four main characters named Thomas in PBS' "Wolf Hall." Here's a who's who and a look at why these four Thomases are important to religion today.
The Egg-‘Splainer: What is Holy Week and Easter all about?
By Kimberly Winston — April 1, 2015
(RNS) Happy Holy Week! Why is Good Friday "good," and how did Jesus stretch 36 hours from the crucifixion to his resurrection into three days? And what's up with the colored eggs? Let us 'Splain.
The ‘Splainer: Who was St. Patrick, and would he drink green beer?
By Kimberly Winston — March 12, 2015
For Catholics, Episcopalians and some Lutherans, March 17 is the Feast Day of St. Patrick. For the rest of us, it’s St. Patrick’s Day — a midweek excuse to party until we’re green in the face. But who was Patrick? Did he really drive the snakes out of Ireland or use the shamrock to explain […]
The ‘Splainer: Martyr or terrorist? It depends …
By Kimberly Winston — February 24, 2015
(RNS) One man's martyr can be another man's terrorist. Here's what's behind lionizing the dead.
The ‘Splainer: Islam’s Sunni/Shiite divide
By Kimberly Winston — February 18, 2015
The ‘Splainer (as in, “You’ve got some ‘splaining to do”) is an occasional feature in which RNS gives you everything you need to know about current events to help you hold your own at a cocktail party. (RNS) Sunni and Shiite Muslims, two main sects of Islam, have been in conflict for more than a […]
The ‘Splainer: Ash Wednesday and Christian foreheads
By Kimberly Winston — February 10, 2015
(RNS) Lent isn't in the Bible, and neither is Ash Wednesday. So where did they come from? Let us 'splain ...
The ‘Splainer: Why does Islam ban images of the Prophet Muhammad?
By Kimberly Winston — January 8, 2015
(RNS) Is it more blasphemous to depict Islam's Prophet Muhammad, or to kill in his name?
The `Splainer: Hanukkah, the minor Jewish holiday that’s a major deal
By Lauren Markoe — December 16, 2014
Eds: The 'Splainer (as in “You've got some 'splaining to do'') is an occasional online feature in which RNS staff give you everything you need to know about current events to hold your own at a cocktail party. (RNS) You may know the basic props of Hanukkah: a menorah, a dreidel and chocolate […]
