Need to know: Tuesday, May 3, 2016
15 United Methodist clergy, candidates come out as gay
Although they may face charges under church law, they made the announcement a week before UMC's 2016 General Conference.
Report: Religious freedom deteriorating around the world
It faces “serious and sustained assault,” according to a new annual report from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
White evangelicals sour on Ted ‘Lucifer’ Cruz
Indiana is chockablock with white, born-again Christians voters that the Texas senator has been banking on.
Roman police seize thousands of fake Vatican souvenirs
Police estimate the counterfeit trinkets market value at about 1.7 million euros ($1.96 million).
North Korea sentences US missionary to 10 years hard labor
The Christian missionary was convicted for stealing military secrets for South Korea.
Latest news from RNS
Easter fire destroys New York Serbian Orthodox cathedral
(RNS) A New York landmark is gutted.
Wheaton tarnishes itself again
The College needs to take a moral stand on its disgraced alumnus and honoree Dennis Hastert.
Two US missionaries found dead in Jamaica
The missionaries were found slain in a rural area that has long struggled with violent crime.
More views from RNS
Why I am not laughing at Broad City
Jews have every right to be concerned over the most recent episodes of "Broad City." Do we really need more anti-Semitic stereotypes?
Christians are ‘called to resist’ Trump
Faithfulness to Jesus Christ is at stake, writes David Gushee.
Gay Mormon rocker no longer singing praises for his faith
Tyler Glenn's new solo video describes Mormonism as claustrophobic for LGBT people.
A great rabbi passes
Ben-Zion Gold, who directed Harvard Hillel for four decades.
Bonus tracks
- Evangelicals must confront the ethical dilemma of partisanship
- Franklin Graham promotes Scientology views against marijuana
- Florida man charged with plotting to blow up a Miami-area synagogue
- Muslim woman claims attacker maligned her, dumped liquid on her
- Indian guru mocked for saying he ‘refused’ a Nobel Peace Prize