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Close encounters of the God kind: Scalzi, others mix religion in science fiction
By Emily McFarlan Miller — November 14, 2018
CHICAGO (RNS) — Religion often makes an appearance in best-selling, Hugo Award-winning author John Scalzi’s works of science fiction — including his latest, 'The Consuming Fire.' And that’s not unique to Scalzi.
As immigrants come north, ‘Let Our Families Go’ caravan heads for border tent city
By Eric Berger — November 14, 2018
(RNS) — The goal of the trip, an organizer said, is to 'raise our voices and ensure that indefinite detention of asylum seekers does not happen.'
Seminaries partner with prisons to offer inmates new life as ministers
By Yonat Shimron — November 14, 2018
NASHVILLE, N.C. (RNS) — Evangelical schools such as Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary offer inmates a free, on-site college degree if they promise they'll minister to other inmates once they graduate.
How to talk about racism in the church without becoming bitter
By Jemar Tisby — November 14, 2018
(RNS) — Unfortunately, many predominantly white Christian outlets and organizations prove extremely hostile to any anti-racist messages. But those particular places do not represent the church as a whole.
Khashoggi’s death is just one reason to boycott hajj. Every Muslim has reasons not to.
By Dilshad Ali — November 13, 2018
(RNS) — Some American Muslims are saying it's time to send a message to Saudi Arabia by boycotting the pilgrimage to Mecca. Why it's important to keep hajj a personal, not a political decision.
In Kenya, a pastor’s refusal to marry an HIV-positive bride stirs debate over AIDS stigma
By Fredrick Nzwili — November 13, 2018
(RNS) — Pastor Jesse Karanja, the leader of Mizpah House of Prayer Church, insisted a couple take tests for HIV and pregnancy as guests waited in the church.
Churches use political pressure, small-dollar loans to fight predatory payday lending
By Mark A. Kellner — November 13, 2018
(RNS) — Congregations are helping people avoid — or dig out from — exorbitant debt obligations by providing an alternative.
Jerusalem mayoral race exposes religious-secular rift
By Michele Chabin — November 12, 2018
JERUSALEM (RNS) — A fight over nightclub closures on the sabbath represents a larger tug-of-war over whose values will prevail — the ultra-Orthodox Jews' or those of their more mainstream Jewish neighbors.
Welcoming veterans to belated college careers with yoga and a dose of Taoism
By Tom Verde — November 12, 2018
(RNS) — Manhattan College’s Veterans at Ease program seeks to help veterans reintegrate into civilian and academic life after being separated from both for years of isolating service.
Notre Dame students cite faith as they kneel during national anthem to protest racism
By Jack Jenkins — November 12, 2018
(RNS) — The students argued their demonstration was in the spirit of Notre Dame's former president, the Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, who protested with Martin Luther King Jr.
Vatican instructs U.S. bishops to halt voting on sex abuse measures
By Jack Jenkins — November 12, 2018
BALTIMORE (RNS) — Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, citing the urgency of the abuse crisis for the American church, urged that the bishops still discuss the "action items" on the issue.
How the Great War gave us the US Conference of Catholic Bishops
By Michael McKinley — November 12, 2018
(RNS) — The USCCB began as a war council gathered to present a patriotic Catholic face at a critical time for the US and American Catholics.
Photos of the Week
By Kit Doyle — November 9, 2018
(RNS) — This week’s gallery includes Diwali - the Hindu festival of light, Natitas - the Bolivian skulls festival, and more.
Lutheran school in Thousand Oaks learns how to grieve after losing one of its own
By Cathleen Falsani — November 9, 2018
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Like any of the mass shootings that have become near-daily trauma to the American psyche, the massacre here happened in precisely the kind of place such things aren’t meant to happen.
Faith leaders denounce Trump proclamation denying asylum outside border crossings
By Emily McFarlan Miller — November 9, 2018
(RNS) — Religious support for the policy did not immediately fill inboxes and social media timelines. But opposition had started even before the rules were made official.
