Archives: RNS Morning Reports
The Slingshot: Happy Kwanzaa; Christmas message; Christmas fears
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — December 26, 2017
The African-American heritage holiday is underway; Pope Francis’ Christmas message cites global suffering; Christmas celebrants in India wary of Hindu extremists.
The Slingshot: 2018 predictions; billionaire Catholics; Mormon baptisms
By Yonat Shimron — December 22, 2017
Faith leaders, scholars and activists look at what lies ahead. Conservative donors try to reshape American Catholic Church in their image. Despite church rules, some Mormons still perform proxy baptisms on Holocaust victims.
The Slingshot: Women’s voices; Disgraced cardinal; Anglican angst
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — December 21, 2017
Leading evangelical women say the silence is over on sexual abuse. Obituaries revive Cardinal Law’s cover-up role in church’s sexual abuse scandal. The Archbishop of Canterbury faces a turbulent year.
The Slingshot: Cardinal Law dies; Sacred crafts; Good Yule!
By kimberly-winston-and-jerome-socolovsky and Kimberly Winston — December 20, 2017
Cardinal Law, central figure in church abuse scandal, dies. In Christ’s birthplace, olive wood artisans carry on a Holy Land tradition. The roots of the Christmas tree: Pagans celebrate Yule
The Slingshot: Blue Christmas; Pregnant teens; Jerusalem vote
By Lauren Markoe — December 19, 2017
Some churches are offering Christmastime services for those who are in no mood for holiday cheer. A judge rules that two undocumented teenagers have a right to abortions. On a UN Jerusalem vote, the US stands alone.
The Slingshot: ‘Trumpvangelicals’; Alabama’s black voters; Jen Hatmaker’s shunning
By Emily McFarlan Miller — December 18, 2017
The president and his white evangelical Christian supporters topped headlines in 2017. Larycia Hawkins says black Christians are the real story. And Jen Hatmaker’s shunning has laid bare the civil war within Christianity.
The Slingshot: Religion in 2017; pulpit politicking; latke recipe
By Yonat Shimron — December 15, 2017
In 2017, America got less religious but the White House more so. New tax bill won’t repeal the Johnson Amendment. A latke recipe stitches together family and technology.
The Slingshot: Evangelical character; Moore’s ‘sermon’; Progressives empowered
By Cathy Grossman — December 14, 2017
Most white GOP Alabama voters disregarded misconduct allegations against Roy Moore. Moore issues a fire-and-brimstone sermonette. The lefty faithful gain political clout.
The Slingshot: Doug Jones; Hanukkah lights; Rohingya rape
By kimberly-winston-and-jerome-socolovsky and Kimberly Winston — December 13, 2017
5 faith facts about Doug Jones. Celebrating Hanukkah where the dominant winter holiday isn’t Christmas. Rohingya women alleged to have been methodically raped by Myanmar’s armed forces.
The Slingshot: ‘Bama votes; Prince Charles’ church; Hanukkah questions
By Lauren Markoe — December 12, 2017
In Alabama, a Baptist church skews left. When Charles become king, will church and state part? On Hanukkah, redefining what it means to be Jewish.
The Slingshot: Christian leader charged; White House Hanukkah; Plea to evangelical Alabamans
By Emily McFarlan Miller — December 11, 2017
The founder of the nation’s largest Christian music festival has been charged with sexually assaulting four minors ‘over a lengthy period of time.’ In a break with tradition, President Trump left Democratic members of Congress off his Hanukkah list this year. Don’t suppose presuppositionalism is good rationale for voting for Roy Moore, says the great-nephew of the guy who originated it.
The Slingshot: Alabama vote; O, Jerusalem; ‘Love Jihad’
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — December 8, 2017
African-Americans in Alabama recall Roy Moore’s opposition to integration. The biblical narrative behind evangelical views of Jerusalem. Fear of Hindu-Muslim intermarriage provokes violence.
The Slingshot: Trump’s Jerusalem; Aussie marriage; RNS gift guide
By Yonat Shimron — December 7, 2017
Cheers, rage and shrugs greet Trump’s announcement that the U.S. will recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Australian Parliament OK’s same-sex marriage. The RNS gift guide for the people of faith, and no faith.
The Slingshot: O Jerusalem; Cake case; Guns in church
By Jerome Socolovsky — December 6, 2017
Trump decision on Jerusalem could have deep repercussions. Cake meets faith at the Supreme Court. Texas pastors undergo security training a month after Sutherland Springs massacre.
The Slingshot: Cake case; Travel ban; Bears Ears
By Jerome Socolovsky — December 5, 2017
The Supreme Court hears the case of a Christian baker who refused to create a wedding cake for a gay couple. The justices allow Trump to fully enforce a travel ban for residents of six mostly Muslim countries. The president shrinks a national monument sacred to Native Americans.