SPOKANE, Wash. (RNS) Churches in Washington state are being reminded that collecting money for a political cause is not OK -- including a high-stakes ballot battle over gay marriage. By Tracy Simmons.

WASHINGTON (RNS) A security guard was shot Wednesday morning (Aug. 15) in the headquarters of the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian lobbying group. By Chris Lisee.

(RNS) Vice president Joe Biden sits to the left of Catholic doctrine on abortion and other life issues. Fellow Catholic Paul Ryan, the newly minted GOP vice presidential candidate, sits to the right of his church on fiscal policy. If the 2012 presidential campaign proves anything, it's that there is no perfect Catholic politician. By Daniel Burke.

The Coalition of African-American Pastors describes itself on its website as a "nonpartisan group of truthfully mostly Democrats." But interviews and a review of tax documents reveal deep connections with the right. By Aamer Madhani. 

(RNS) President Obama's support for gay marriage has put some black clergy in a bind, torn between their political loyalties and their religious beliefs. By Adelle M. Banks.

(RNS) In an unconventional move, a number of high-profile business executives have come out on the issue of gay marriage. By Laura Petrecca.

(RNS/ENInews) Scotland announced it will allow same-sex weddings as early as 2015, becoming the first country in the United Kingdom to do so. By Trevor Grundy.

(RNS) Prominent evangelical author Jonathan Merritt has revealed in an online interview that had an encounter with another man that “went beyond the bounds of friendship.” By Adelle M. Banks.

(RNS) Gay and lesbian Episcopalians are celebrating their church’s approval on Tuesday (July 10) of a liturgical rite for blessing same-sex couples. But conservatives are threatening to take “drastic” steps to distance themselves from the Episcopal Church. By Daniel Burke. 

SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) Gay Mormon men who are married to women don't claim that their path is the right one for all Mormon gays, and the LDS Church has stopped officially recommending it as a "cure" for homosexuality. Still, as support group numbers indicate, many devoutly religious members still see it as the way to go. By Peggy Fletcher Stack.

WASHINGTON (RNS) While many black pastors do not like President Obama's recent embrace of gay marriage, they still plan to vote for him and expect other African-Americans to follow their lead. By Lauren Markoe.

(RNS) A federal appeals court in Boston has ruled the federal Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, setting up a potential showdown over same-sex marriage in the Supreme Court and providing another culture war issue for the already contentious presidential campaign. By David Gibson.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI has wrapped up his regular meetings with small groups of U.S. bishops, touching all the hot-button issues of the presidential campaign, from same-sex marriage to religious freedom, and many more. Here's a recap of what he said. By Alessandro Speciale.

(RNS) In an unprecedented act of defiance, a California branch of the Presbyterian Church (USA) refused a ruling from a church court to rebuke a pastor who wed same-sex couples. By Daniel Burke. About 300.