Congress
Congress plants ‘Anne Frank’ sapling at U.S. Capitol
By Lauren Markoe — April 30, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) A three-foot sapling grown from the same Amsterdam tree graces the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, a symbol, lawmakers said, of the young girl's abiding faith in humanity.
Meet James Woods, who could be the first open atheist elected to Congress
By Chris Stedman — April 27, 2014
Arizona's James Woods could be the first person elected to U.S. Congress to openly campaign as an atheist, and the first blind member of Congress in nearly 100 years. He spoke with RNS about his beliefs and his campaign.
Secular Coalition flunks most members of Congress on church-state report card
By Kimberly Winston — April 1, 2014
(RNS) More than half of lawmakers received F's on church-state issues in a report card issued by the Secular Coalition of America.
2013: Atheism’s 10 defining moments
By Chris Stedman — December 31, 2013
Atheism was in the headlines perhaps more than ever before in 2013. To highlight some of atheism’s defining moments and trends from the last year, I worked with a panel of ten writers, scholars, and activists to come up with ten major moments or currents in American atheism from 2013. Their contributions are below. Godless […]
Frank Wolf, champion of religious freedom, will end congressional career
By Lauren Markoe — December 17, 2013
(RNS) Rep. Frank Wolf, one of the loudest and most persistent voices in Congress for the right of people around the globe to practice their religions freely, will not seek an 18th term.
Activists end immigration fast as thousands of others take up the cause
By Lauren Markoe — December 3, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) The "Fast for Families" enters a new phase as the original group of fasters begin to recover from the physical ordeal and a larger group -- many of them political and pastoral celebrities -- take up the cause.
Immigration activists gather for prayer vigil at the ‘Fast for Families’
By Katherine Burgess — November 13, 2013
Many at the event told stories of having themselves immigrated or having friends endure the pains of familial separation due to the immigration system.
Feds release first guidelines for confronting a church shooter
By Lauren Markoe — June 18, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Though shootings at churches and other houses of worship remain relatively rare, they can make inviting targets for gunmen -- particularly disturbed individuals -- who are looking for a highly visible target to settle a grudge or make a political statement.
At makeshift National Mall graveyard, clergy demand gun control
By Lauren Markoe — April 11, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Clergy from California to Connecticut created a makeshift graveyard on the National Mall on Thursday as they exhorted Congress to strengthen gun control.
Interfaith clergy deliver loaves and fish to budget debate
By Caleb K. Bell — March 20, 2013
(RNS) Surrounded by baskets of fish and bread, with the Capitol at their backs, clergy attacked the Republican budget plan that came before the House on Wednesday.
Mr. President, leave your Bibles at home
By A. James Rudin — January 17, 2013
(RNS) It's the constitutionally mandated oath of office, not the pair of historic Bibles, that is both necessary and sufficient for President Obama to begin his second term. Linking that oath to any religious text does not add to its efficacy. By A. James Rudin.
Humanists slice and dice the world’s sacred texts
By Kimberly Winston — January 11, 2013
(RNS) "A Jefferson Bible For the 21st Century'' takes Thomas Jefferson’s slice-and-dice Bible one step further. By Kimberly Winston.
Religion & Ethics Newsweekly Video: Religion and the New Congress
By Sally Morrow — January 7, 2013
The new 113th Congress, which was sworn in Thursday (January 3), includes several religious firsts. Democrat Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii is the first Hindu member of Congress. Mazie Hirono, also of Hawaii, is the first Buddhist senator, although she describes herself as non-practicing, and Kyrsten Sinema, a Democratic representative from Arizona, is the first member […]
Jewish and Christian leaders try to revive at-risk interfaith group
By Lauren Markoe — November 29, 2012
(RNS) Jewish and Christian leaders are trying to revive a decade-old roundtable on Israel that's now in danger of falling apart after 15 Christian clergy asked Congress to investigate U.S. aid to Israel. By Lauren Markoe.
New Congress more religiously diverse, less Protestant
By David Gibson — November 19, 2012
(RNS) Three Buddhists, a Hindu and a “none” will walk into the 113th Congress, and it’s no joke. Rather, it’s a series of “firsts” that reflect the growing religious diversity of the country. By David Gibson.
