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In the wake of the Pittsburgh shooting, finding a new Jewish voice at Shavuot
By Beth Kissileff — June 7, 2019
(RNS) — Many of the things that those killed did helped others find their own Jewish voices. And that, in some ways, is what Shavuot is about.
Mexican Pentecostal church says leader is innocent, denies sex crimes charges
By Aysha Khan — June 7, 2019
(RNS) — The head of Mexico's largest evangelical church, La Luz del Mundo, has been charged with a string of sex crimes against minors in Los Angeles, including rape, human trafficking and child pornography. Church leaders and followers say he is innocent.
Religion in the classroom: Where the faithful and the ACLU can agree
By Stephen Mansfield — June 7, 2019
(RNS) — A Pew poll from 2010 found that a majority of Americans cannot name the first book of the Bible but can provide the names of the four Beatles.
Jerusalem pride parade draws thousands, guarded by police
By Michele Chabin — June 6, 2019
JERUSALEM (RNS) — Jerusalem's parade draws thousands of LGBTQ Israelis and their allies, to an event guarded by thousands of police. Unlike in Tel Aviv, known as one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the world, Jerusalem's residents aren't always welcoming. Its pride parade has sparked controversy and, in at least one case, violence, in the past.
Why I used to believe in the prosperity gospel like Kenneth Copeland believes
By Costi W. Hinn — June 6, 2019
(RNS) — I grew up in the prosperity gospel. I lived it, believed it and bankrolled it. Here's why people are so tempted by it.
Mother Emanuel’s forgiveness narrative is ‘complicated,’ says reporter-turned-author
By Adelle M. Banks — June 6, 2019
(RNS) — 'The churches themselves are as segregated as ever,' Jennifer Berry Hawes says of Charleston, S.C. 'What has changed is that there are efforts to bridge divides between the people in those churches.'
In St. Louis, former houses of worship are retooled to meet the city’s needs
By Bill Motchan — June 6, 2019
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — Many retired but architecturally significant houses of worship are surviving by converting to new uses that benefit their neighborhoods or cities in ways their original congregants might approve but never imagined.
Forced conversions, marriages spike in Pakistan
By Bob Smietana — June 6, 2019
LAHORE, Pakistan (RNS) — 'The ugly reality of forced conversions is that they are not seen as a crime, much less as a problem that should concern ‘mainstream’ (Muslim) Pakistan,' said Mehdi Hasan, chairperson of the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.
Beth Moore’s ministry reignites debate over whether women can preach
By Yonat Shimron and Adelle M. Banks — June 5, 2019
(RNS) — After suggesting on Twitter that she was spending Mother’s Day preaching at a church — though she did not use the word “preaching” — a crowd of prominent Southern Baptist men charged after her.
Latest Catholic scandal spotlights questions of consent in priest-parishioner relationships
By Jack Jenkins — June 5, 2019
(RNS) — The fact that the accuser is an adult has not spared the church new scrutiny about its slowness to respond to sexual misconduct claims or about what experts have been quick to call confusion regarding what constitutes consent.
Southern Baptist seminary denies request for reparations
By Adelle M. Banks — June 5, 2019
(RNS) — EmpowerWest, a coalition of black and white pastors in Louisville, Ky., where the seminary is located, recently contacted seminary officials with their request.
Churches wipe out millions in medical debt for others
By Roxie Hammill/Kaiser Health News — June 5, 2019
(KHN) — Churches have been teaming with RIP Medical Debt, a nonprofit that arranges no-strings-attached retirement of people's medical debt, with 18 places of worship payoffs in the past 18 months alone.
Amid Ramadan celebrations, Jordanians fear an uncertain future
By Ken Chitwood — June 5, 2019
AMMAN, Jordan (RNS) — In Jordan, young Muslims count their blessings during Ramadan but worry about the future.
Woman accuses Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of dismissing sex abuse case
By Nicole Winfield — June 4, 2019
HOUSTON (AP) — Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has been accused of covering up abuse by one of his chief aides. A Texas women says Monsignor Frank Rossi manipulated her into a sexual relationship, while serving as her spiritual counselor and confessor and while asking her for donations. She says DiNardo allowed Rossi to continue as a priest with no penalties. The archdiocese says Rossi was suspended.
The complex role of faith in the women’s suffrage movement
By Elizabeth E. Evans — June 4, 2019
(RNS) — Faith played a complicated role in the fight for women's suffrage. Some activists said their faith inspired them to fight for the vote. Opponents said suffrage was against God's will.
