U.S.
Not religious, not voting? The ‘nones’ are a powerful force in politics – but not yet a coalition
By Evan Stewart — September 19, 2023
(The Conversation) — Nonreligious voters are poised to make an impact, but sweeping statements about the ‘nones’ don’t tell the full story.
African churches urge US Congress to reauthorize PEPFAR
By Fredrick Nzwili — September 18, 2023
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — The leaders are writing in response to a letter sent to Congress in June by religious groups and legislators asserting that the funds for the program were financing family planning and reproductive health programs, including abortion.
Biotech’s repugnant new advance is worthy of everyone’s critical attention
By Charles C. Camosy and Joe Vukov — September 18, 2023
(RNS) — Scientists have swapped human reproduction for a different process entirely.
Why I am hunger striking to end caste discrimination
By Thenmozhi Soundararajan — September 15, 2023
(RNS) — We ask Gov. Newsom to sign California's historic anti-discrimination bill.
Digging into her family’s past, she discovered a hidden legacy almost lost
By Yonat Shimron — September 15, 2023
(RNS) — Linda Ambrus Broenniman knew her parents came to the United States to escape communism. Why would her father conceal his Jewish past?
From ‘Nights on Broadway’ to ‘1963’: Candi Staton recalls 16th St. Baptist bombing
By Adelle M. Banks — September 15, 2023
(RNS) — ‘I was thinking about trying to protect my children. And we had to drive right through the worst part of the riots — downtown Birmingham,’ she said.
Once a baby-faced conservative revolutionary, Al Mohler is now an SBC institution
By Bob Smietana — September 14, 2023
(RNS) — For three decades, Al Mohler has been a powerful conservative voice in the evangelical movement’s theology and politics. His bolder statements have often overshadowed the reality that Mohler is a remarkably effective institutional leader.
Survey: Mainline clergy are more liberal than their congregants
By Yonat Shimron — September 14, 2023
(RNS) — Mainline clergy are more supportive than their congregants of LGBTQ rights, more likely to have opposed the overturn of Roe v. Wade and less likely to believe America is in danger of losing its culture and identity.
Ahead of High Holidays, US Jewish leaders stress need for security vigilance as antisemitism surges
By David Crary — September 14, 2023
(AP) — Over recent years — in the face of increased antisemitic threats and violence — the High Holiday season also is a time of heightened vigilance.
Painting asylum-seekers as potential threats is an old, cynical game
By Avi Shafran — September 13, 2023
(RNS) — Fears of malefactors entering the U.S. among legitimate asylum-seekers are overblown.
Christian lawmakers push battle over church and state after Roe
By Henry Larson and Francesca D'Annunzio/News21 — September 13, 2023
(News21) — A group of Christian lawmakers has been busy reshaping America’s relationship with abortion, LGBTQ issues and religion. But their ultimate goal — bridging the separation between church and state — is far more ambitious.
At Sing! Global, a faithful pushback to the spread of megachurch praise music
By Grace Beckner — September 12, 2023
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — Keith and Kristyn Getty's hymn conference brings Christians together to sing tunes from historic hymnals, from Celtic traditions and new creations — and to share a common love and culture of sacred music.
Hindu and Jewish Americans foster kinship through shared traditions, connections to homeland
By Richa Karmarkar — September 11, 2023
(RNS) — Hindu and Jewish organizations hope interreligious dialogue will aid in the broader goal of allyship between India, Israel and the United States.
‘On 9/11 there was a sense of unity in the country. We’ve taken a collective step back.’
By Simran Jeet Singh — September 8, 2023
(RNS) — A surgeon who volunteered at Ground Zero recalls the aftermath.
Three dozen NC churches have agreed to leave the UMC under approved plan
By Yonat Shimron — September 8, 2023
(RNS) — After a judge dismissed their lawsuit, the 36 churches in the Western North Carolina Conference agreed to leave under the denomination's exit plan. They will formally exit in November.
