Barack Obama
What evangelicals miss in the marijuana debate
By Jonathan Merritt — January 27, 2014
The debate over marijuana legalization has reignited, but some evangelicals are ignoring a critical part of the debate.
Will Shorter Lines Boost Voter Turnout at the Polls?
By MacKenzie Babb — January 23, 2014
The bipartisan Presidential Commission on Election Administration has released a report encouraging jurisdictions across the country to cut down on long lines at polls on Election Day by expanding early voting, increasing online voter registration, and checking voter registration lists against those provided by other states.
The pope and the president: What to look for in the Obama-Francis summit
By David Gibson — January 21, 2014
(RNS) What will the two leaders talk about? What issues will they avoid? With Pope Francis, anything is possible, but here are some initial ideas on how the summit could play out.
Isaac Hunter, son of Obama spiritual adviser Joel Hunter, dead in apparent suicide
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — December 10, 2013
(RNS) Isaac Hunter, 36 and father of three, had resigned from his megachurch pulpit after he admitted that he had engaged in an affair with a staff member.
Women bishops * Blasphemous twits * Gay tornadoes: Religious Freedom Recap: Nov. 18-25
By Brian Pellot — November 25, 2013
The Church of England welcomes women bishops. Another man is arrested for tweeting about the Prophet Muhammad in Kuwait. And word is God sent tornadoes to Illinois last week because s/he was upset about the state’s new gay marriage law. Watch out, Hawaii.
Behind scenes, Catholic bishops seek an exit strategy for Obamacare mandate
By David Gibson — November 20, 2013
(RNS) After repeatedly drawing a line in the sand over the White House's birth control coverage mandate, a growing number of bishops have begun to push back, arguing that such hard-line rhetoric has put them in an untenable position.
C.T. Vivian adds Presidential Medal of Freedom to a lifetime of activism
By Adelle M. Banks — November 20, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) As one of the last surviving members of a generation of civil rights icons, the Rev. C.T. Vivian was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by the nation's first African-American president.
In Oval Office, evangelicals press for immigration reform
By Lauren Markoe — November 13, 2013
(RNS) On the same day that House John Boehner signaled that there would be no immigration reform this year, some of the nation’s most prominent evangelical pastors met with President Barack Obama on Wednesday (Nov. 13) to try to advance the issue.
Pastor Doug Wilson says ministers who voted for Obama should resign. Maybe he should go first.
By Jonathan Merritt — October 29, 2013
Pastor Doug Wilson says ministers who voted for Obama are unfit, but his comments raise questions about his own ministry.
Divisive pastor Mark Driscoll says Christians should stop infighting
By Jonathan Merritt — October 23, 2013
Mark Driscoll, known for his divisive rhetoric, says Christians should make peace.
Obama’s spiritual advisor releases President’s daily email devotionals
By Jonathan Merritt — October 21, 2013
Joshua Dubois shares daily devotionals he sent Obama during his tenure on the campaign and at the White House.
Persian Peace? * Mass Martyrdom * Erotic Sermons: Religious Freedom Recap: Sept. 23-30
By Brian Pellot — September 30, 2013
Iran’s president picks up the phone. The archbishop of Canterbury condemns recent attacks on Christian “martyrs.” And German Protestants get frisky in the pews.
‘Burkini’ Compromise? * Pope Hearts Atheists * Dozen Muslim March: Religious Freedom Recap: Sept. 9 – Sept. 16
By Brian Pellot — September 16, 2013
Welcome to the Religious Freedom Recap, our weekly look back at the top stories and developments on religious liberty around the world.
ANALYSIS: Is ‘Just War’ doctrine another victim of the Syrian conflict?
By David Gibson — September 11, 2013
(RNS) The central problem is not that the just war doctrine is being dismissed or condemned, but that both sides in the debate over Syria are citing just war theory, but are reaching diametrically opposed conclusions.
On Syrian conflict, three Christian perspectives
By Jonathan Merritt — September 3, 2013
As America considers military intervention in Syria, Christians gravitate toward three perspectives.
