Christianity
Wife of Iran-held pastor hopes to rebuild marriage
By Reuters — January 23, 2016
But Naghmeh Abedini is not rushing the reunion.
Anglican leaders downplay censure of Episcopal Church
By Trevor Grundy — January 15, 2016
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) Exclusion of Episcopal Church from governance was “not a sanction; it’s a consequence” of its moves to allow clergy to perform same-sex marriages, the archbishop of Canterbury said.
Indoctrination is not the real issue in public school lessons on Islam (COMMENTARY)
By Linda K. Wertheimer — January 14, 2016
(RNS) A much bigger problem is pro-Christian and anti-Muslim bias that some educators may bring into the classroom.
Orthodox rabbis’ statement calls Christianity part of God’s plan
By Lauren Markoe — December 8, 2015
(RNS) Most Orthodox rabbis won't sign on, but it's notable that even some Orthodox rabbis want to place Christianity in a Jewish theological perspective.
Christians forgive murderers even after mass shootings (COMMENTARY)
By Rob Schwarzwalder — December 7, 2015
(RNS) There is a striking facet of the recent tragedies that shines brightly amidst their grim darkness: The witness of Christians who, in the face of evil, have displayed the love of their savior and the forgiveness he alone can bring.
Christians, don’t forget that we too have killed in God’s name
By David P. Gushee — November 17, 2015
The responsibility of religious leaders is to put their own house in order, not point fingers at other religions.
Author Phyllis Tickle dies at 81 – a profile
By David Gibson — September 22, 2015
LUCY, Tenn. (RNS) After learning of her Stage IV lung cancer diagnosis last spring, the renowned spirituality author said: “Am I grateful for this? Not exactly. But I’m not unhappy about it. And that’s very difficult for people to understand.”
Conservative Christians’ new scare word
By Jonathan Merritt — August 31, 2015
In the fight over gay rights, conservative Christians have a new enemy. No, it isn’t a politician or activist or organization. It isn’t a noun at all, in fact, but rather a verb: normalize.
Post-traumatic church syndrome? Yep, it’s a thing.
By Jonathan Merritt — August 24, 2015
In her hilarious and raw memoir, "Post-Traumatic Church Syndrome," Reba Riley describes her struggle to heal from wounds inflicted by institutional Christianity. Here she talks about healing.
When she converted from Islam to Christianity, did this woman risk her life?
By Jonathan Merritt — July 9, 2015
Rifqa Bary made headlines when she claimed her Muslim parents threatened to kill her. But a report by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) found discrepancies in Bary's story. Here she shares her story.
Chaplain violated Army rule in promoting Christian book
By Tom Vanden Brook — June 12, 2015
WASHINGTON — An active-duty Army chaplain has published a book titled "Jesus Was an Airborne Ranger" and appeared in a video in uniform to promote it, raising questions about the service endorsing Christianity as the Pentagon wages wars in Muslim countries.
Bright spots and tough challenges for evangelicals in Pew survey (COMMENTARY)
By Trevin Wax — May 18, 2015
(RNS) Divergent perspectives on the Pew survey are connected to larger narratives that frame how conservative and liberal Christians in the United States see themselves.
The future map of religions reveals a world of change for Christians, Muslims and Jews
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — April 2, 2015
(RNS) Muslims will grow, "nones" will lose market share and Christians will hold steady, according to new projections from the Pew Research Center.
How to access the spiritual power of poetry–even if you “just don’t get it”
By Jonathan Merritt — February 26, 2015
New York Times columnist David Brooks called Christian Wiman's "My Bright Abyss: Meditation of a Modern Believer" the "best modern book on belief." Here Wiman shares how people of faith can begin accessing the spiritual power of poetry even if, at first, they "just don't get it."
‘Year without God’ pastor: Why I’m no longer a believer
By Chris Stedman — December 29, 2014
Ryan Bell—the Christian pastor who spent 2014 living as an atheist—is ready for his big reveal. Bell tells RNS how he came to his decision and what it will mean to him and his loved ones.