Archives: RNS Morning Reports
The Slingshot: Egyptian agony; Passover questions; Gay-friendly Catholics
By David Gibson — April 10, 2017
(RNS) Christians in Egypt bury their dead. Trump to hold last-minute seder while grape juice brands battle for the Orthodox market. The angst of the Four Questions, and life on the ‘Farminary.’
The Slingshot: Trump’s blessing; Catholic demographics; Passover dread
By Yonat Shimron — April 7, 2017
Trump says, “God bless America” but then adds “and the entire world.” Catholics keep growing but priesthood shrinks. What happens when the youngest child at a Passover seder is too scared to recite the Four Questions?
The Slingshot: Trey Pearson’s latest; Steve Bannon’s shift; Opioids and spiritual desolation
By David Gibson — April 6, 2017
(RNS) The gay Christian rocker releases his first music video since coming out. No tears for alt-right promoter as he gets boot from the NSC. The spiritual agony behind America's opioid crisis. Religious demography. Marketing the Messiah. Crucifixion fundraiser?
The Slingshot: LDS succession; Segregation in Sweden; U.S. papal plot
By Jerome Socolovsky — April 5, 2017
Mormon leader taken ill. Gender-segregated school bus sparks Swedish outrage. N.J. teen allegedly planned to kill Pope Francis during 2015 visit.
The Slingshot: Billy Graham Rule; Easterless egg hunt; jokes about religion
By Lauren Markoe — April 4, 2017
An evangelical scholar argues that good character trumps rules about good character. The British PM scoffs at the removal of the word “Easter” from a high profile egg hunt. Sexist jokes are out and religion jokes are in.
The Slingshot: White House and faith; more Billy Graham Rules; Women’s March and witchcraft
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 3, 2017
The White House still hasn’t filled several key faith positions. Billy Graham had rules about not exaggerating successes and criticizing other ministries, too. One preacher thinks witchy women were behind the Women’s March.
The Slingshot: Travel ban motive; evangelicals and endorsements; death saint
By Yonat Shimron — March 31, 2017
Hawaii judge says revised travel ban is driven by anti-Muslim sentiment. Evangelical leaders really don’t want clergy endorsing politicians from the pulpit. The Billy Graham Rule behind Pence’s conduct with women. A skeletal folk saint takes off in Mexico.
The Slingshot: Tim Keller redux; Trumps’ high court; Judaism’s legacy
By David Gibson — March 30, 2017
(RNS) Controversy over the Redeemer Church founder’s Princeton seminary appearance continues to spark opinions. Is Trump’s nominee an abortion foe’s dream? An ancient Jewish cemetery, a new Jewish exodus, and a debatable Jewish re-brand.
The Slingshot: Jehovah’s Russian Witnesses; Iceland’s pagans; America’s Second Lady
By Jerome Socolovsky and Kimberly Winston — March 30, 2017
Russian court expected to ban American millenarian group. Thor enjoys a comeback after 1000 years. The conservative evangelical married to the vice president.
The Slingshot: Lutherans’ immigrant aid; religious hospitals’ pensions; wall builders’ sin
By Lauren Markoe — March 28, 2017
Lutherans who settle refugees are hoping they can carry on. The Supreme Court considers whether religiously affiliated hospitals should get pension law exemptions. A key archdiocese has a pointed word for Mexicans who would build Trump’s wall.
The Slingshot: Russell Moore; Texas prayer room; Benedict option
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 27, 2017
Not everybody has accepted Russell Moore’s apology to Trump supporters. A Texas school has invited prayer — and debate. Don’t take the Benedict Option just yet, one columnist pleads.
The Slingshot: Canadian churches sponsor refugees; kosher booze; Passover mani
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 24, 2017
Canadian churches put aside theological differences to sponsor Syrian refugee families. A family of seven orthodox rabbis based in Louisville have taken it upon themselves to keep bourbon kosher. What would you include in the 10 modern plagues?
The Slingshot: Tim Keller’s defenders; Neil Gorsuch’s faith; Papal thievery
By David Gibson — March 23, 2017
(RNS) As Princeton seminary reverses courses on honoring Redeemer Church founder, others protest. The Supreme Court nominee’s faith doesn’t predict how he would judge religious issues. A little girl snatches pope’s skullcap, goes viral. Married priests. Priests and porn. The religious origin of our paranoid politics.
The Slingshot: Princeton speaker is panned; Trump defends a mosque; Putin is not an anti-Semite
By Jerome Socolovsky and Kimberly Winston — March 22, 2017
Tim Keller’s appearance is criticized because of his denomination’s anti-LGBTQ stance. The administration enforces a land-use rule that benefits a Virginia Muslim community. Putin is a Russian anomaly.
The Slingshot: Southern Baptist kumbaya; Jesus and the budget; 500 rabbis
By Lauren Markoe — March 21, 2017
Southern Baptists and Russell Moore exchange olive branches. Would Jesus have a problem with Trump’s budget? Hundreds of rabbis gather to talk resistance and work-life balance.
