Archives: RNS Morning Reports
The Slingshot: United Methodist ruling; pope in Egypt; White House Correspondents’ Dinner
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 1, 2017
The United Methodist Church’s top court announced several decisions impacting LGBT clergy. Pope Francis talked extremism and 'true religion' in Egypt. Comedian Hasan Minhaj had some religion zingers at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
The Slingshot: Pope in Egypt; Bill McKibben on faith; Diane Rehm’s engagement
By Yonat Shimron — April 28, 2017
The pope is on a mission to lend support to grieving Copts in Egypt. The nation’s most famous environmentalist is a committed Methodist. Diane Rehm is engaged to a retired Lutheran pastor.
The Slingshot: Benny Hinn’s trouble; atheist’s death sentence; breastfeeding mom’s dilemma
By Lauren Markoe — April 27, 2017
The FBI raids televangelist Benny Hinn’s offices. Saudi Arabia plans to execute a man for atheism and blasphemy. A breastfeeding mom in the pews is asked to find a private room.
The Slingshot: Trump gets it right; Methodist LGBT redux; Pope TED
By Jerome Socolovsky and Kimberly Winston — April 26, 2017
Survivors praise Holocaust speech but still unsure about Trump. UMC tries to resolve split again. Francis makes a virtual appearance in Vancouver.
The Slingshot: Religious geniuses; Anne Frank’s brand; Binge blessings
By David Gibson — April 25, 2017
(RNS) The Templeton prize goes to Alvin Plantinga. The spiritual lessons of Albert Einstein. Misusing Anne Frank? Anti-Semitism blooms on U.S. campuses. A murder, a baptism, and a confession. And forget Netflix – here’s Pure Flix.
The Slingshot: March for Science; Arkansas executions; nun band
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 24, 2017
March for Science participants expressed concerns about climate change, budget cuts and religion in politics. Sister Helen Prejean has a message for the Arkansas governor, who this month attempted to carry out an unprecedented eight executions in 11 days. A band led by nuns show sweet jams are not just for the secular.
The Slingshot: John 3:16’s history; O’Reilly’s faith factors; Columbine’s legacy
By David Gibson — April 21, 2017
(RNS) Aaron Hernandez had the verse on his forehead when he killed himself – the latest, if most tragic, display of the famous passage. How the now ex-Fox News host used religion. The martyrdom fantasy inspired by a Colorado school shooting. Plus, a touching tribute to the world’s oldest woman.
The Slingshot: O’Reilly at the Vatican; Hernandez’s last words; #Christianwomen on Twitter
By Lauren Markoe — April 20, 2017
Bill O’Reilly shakes hands with the pope just before Fox News boots him. Aaron Hernandez found with John 3:16 on his forehead. #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear takes off on Twitter.
The Slingshot: Sinai trembles; Georgetown apologizes; Miniatures awe
By Jerome Socolovsky and Kimberly Winston — April 19, 2017
ISIS claims shooting of policeman at St. Catherine’s Monastery. Descendants of slaves gather at university that benefited from 1838 sale of hundreds of them. A glimpse of faith preserved 500 years in a wooden ball the size of a peach.
The Slingshot: Easter Egg Roll; Anglicans and gays; death penalty hold
By Yonat Shimron — April 18, 2017
The Trump White House’s first Easter Egg Roll goes off without a hitch. A respected priest in the Church of England can’t get an appointment as bishop because he is openly gay. Death penalty opponents rejoice — for now.
The Slingshot: Pope’s Easter message, Trump’s faith in office, petty academics
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 17, 2017
Pope Francis urges world leaders to ‘prevent the spread of conflicts.’ Donald Trump mentions God more as the president than as a candidate. Reza Aslan accuses scholars of being petty about his CNN show ‘Believer.’
The Slingshot: Pope foot washing; Church police squad; Good Friday ad
By Yonat Shimron — April 14, 2017
Pope Francis washes the feet of 12 inmates in a prison filled with Mafia turncoats. Churches are pulling out all the stops for Easter, including those on the organ. A British supermarket displays its religious ignorance.
The Slingshot: Tim Keller at Princeton; Sikh ad campaign; cannabis at church
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 13, 2017
Jeff Chu shares the ‘on-campus reality’ of the Keller controversy at Princeton. Sikhs fight hate with education. A new church believes pot helps people create ‘the best version of themselves.’
The Slingshot: Copt-splaining; Spicer again; Overbooked ethics
By Jerome Socolovsky and Kimberly Winston — April 12, 2017
Copts are in the news again as victims of violence. White House spokesman’s apology over Hitler remarks accepted by Israeli official. An ejected airline passenger and the morality of capitalism.
The Slingshot: Trump-Pope, nope; ‘Cassock rippers’; Spectacular haggadot
By David Gibson — April 11, 2017
(RNS) Looks like the President won’t meet the Pontiff when The Donald comes to Italy. A bishop proofreads his wife’s “raunchy” C of E novels. Find your patron saint, courtesy of Myers-Briggs. Was Bo Diddley a Buddha? And: Why the “faith-based” film genre must end.