evangelical
SIDEBAR: Evangelical alternatives to the Boy Scouts
By Adelle M. Banks — May 13, 2013
(RNS) They have pledges. They have merit badges. And they may go camping. But they’re not the Boy Scouts.
More than reggae: Honoring Marley, a prophetic voice of protest
By Omid Safi — May 11, 2013
Reggae is at its most revolutionary force when it is prophetic, emancipatory, raw, justice-oriented, anti-colonial, imbued with love and life-affirming.
And very much like Hip-Hop in this case, what a tragedy to see such powerful prophetic medium commercialized to enable awful, awful drunken dancing.
Happy Redemption, O Holy Bob.
Left behind: Families struggle to navigate life after suicide
By Lisa Schencker — May 10, 2013
DRAPER, Utah (RNS) Many communities and individuals still struggle with how best to support those left behind after a loved one commits suicide. Now faith-based groups are starting to help.
God of Thunder, God of Rain
By Omid Safi — May 8, 2013
As I look back on my own life, I see a few periods of dark storms, even thunder and lightning. There were periods where the storms of life came, events that shattered me, or at least shattered my sense of who I was. At the time they seemed to last forever, and it was hard to tell the difference between myself and the suffering. Then they were gone. Those pains were always followed by merciful rain.
When God Answers Your Prayer
By Jana Riess — May 4, 2013
It’s not like I have a slew of miracle stories I can trot out from more than a quarter century of being a Christian, Latter-day or otherwise. But a recent experience has taught me that sometimes, miracles do happen.
5 dumbest things said about the Boston Marathon Explosions: Fox News, (some) Republicans
By Omid Safi — April 27, 2013
The purpose is not (merely) to expose and ridicule—ok, maybe there is a touch of that—but rather to shine the light on areas of shortcoming that we, all of us, will have to deal with if we are to get to a more beautiful place than we are right now.
Q&A with Greg Laurie about prayer in times of grief
By Adelle M. Banks — April 26, 2013
(RNS) Pastor Greg Laurie, honorary chairman of Thursday’s National Day of Prayer, talked about prayer, grief and what not to say when a friend’s loved one dies.
10 Essential points about the Boston Marathon bombers, Islam, and America
By Omid Safi — April 20, 2013
It’s not about Islam, or Chechnya. It’s about America. What happens now matters. How we as a nation move forward is critical. Do we turn our attention where it belongs, on comforting and healing the victims of Monday’s attacks, or do we turn into an angry mob accusing all Muslims of a crime that two men committed?
Gun Control and “A Pretty Shameful Day for Washington”
By Jana Riess — April 18, 2013
How strange that I live in a country where a convicted felon can never cast another vote in a public election, but can easily purchase a gun on the Internet -- a gun that could murder hundreds of people in a public place. Our Senate has made sure that in this way at least, a criminal's "rights" are well protected.
Evangelicals see promise in immigration proposal
By Caleb K. Bell — April 17, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Evangelicals' tentative endorsement of the Senate's immigration blueprint could be key because more than any other religious group, white evangelicals harbor the most reservations about opening citizenship to immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally.
George Beverly Shea, the voice of Billy Graham crusades, dies at 104
By Adelle M. Banks — April 17, 2013
(RNS) George Beverly Shea, Billy Graham’s soloist on crusade stages for more than half a century, died Tuesday at age 104.
“No more hurting people. Peace.”
By Omid Safi — April 16, 2013
Here was a lesson that Martin Richard, the wise 8-year old, had already learned:
If you can, bring joy and love to humanity.
If you cannot, and you can, at least cause no harm.
Boston Marathon, Terrorism, and President Obama
By Omid Safi — April 16, 2013
In the aftermath of the Boston Marathon, President Obama stated: "Any time bombs are used to target innocent civilians, it is an act of terror."
Mr. President, I wonder if you realize how right you are.
Mr. President, I wonder if you realize what that means when we are the ones dropping bombs on civilians in Afghanistan, Yemen, and Pakistan.
First response to Boston Explosion
By Omid Safi — April 15, 2013
On days like this, many feel like giving up on humanity.
It is a natural urge, but do not. Don’t.
Some are using this story to perpetuate hatred against this ethnic group or that religious group.
Some are urging us to pray to the One for all of us.
Where do we stand?
Tiger Woods, and the unspoken legacy at the Masters
By Omid Safi — April 13, 2013
While we are discussing these "scandals" related to Tiger Woods' penalty, let’s not forget to talk about the Master Tournament host’s vicious history of sexism and racism.
