LGBT
Nancy Pearcey and Jonathan Merritt spar on the hottest of hot topics
By Jonathan Merritt — January 26, 2018
Pearcey's razor-sharp mind combined with a compelling personal story makes her a powerful, if undervalued, champion for conservatives.
Trump’s first-year report card: How’d he do on issues important to evangelicals?
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 25, 2018
(RNS) — In the days after Donald Trump's surprise election in 2016, conservative evangelical Christians made clear their high expectations for the president they had helped put into office.
Brownback deserved more Democratic support
By Jacob Lupfer — January 25, 2018
(RNS) — I would not vote for Sam Brownback. I certainly did not vote for the president who nominated him.
But we need to get back to common sense and common decency. Democrats: Sam Brownback is not your enemy.
In Germany, Catholic Church grapples with blessings for gay marriage
By Tom Heneghan — January 23, 2018
(RNS) — Though presiding at a gay marriage remains out of the question, some church officials have suggested that priests should be allowed to bless gay unions.
Evangelical chaplain’s suspension intensifies denomination’s gay marriage debate
By Adelle M. Banks — January 11, 2018
(RNS) — She is not the only Evangelical Covenant Church pastor who faces disciplinary action for taking part in the nuptials of gay couples or affirming them in other ways.
Rich Stearns to retire from charity behemoth World Vision
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — January 10, 2018
(RNS) — During his tenure, World Vision grew to collect $1 billion in annual revenue in 2017, making it No. 15 on Forbes’ list of the nation’s largest charities.
Largest group of Mennonite churches leaves denomination
By Kimberly Winston — January 2, 2018
(RNS) — The question of homosexuality and the church splits another Protestant group.
RNS Best of 2017: Eugene Peterson backtracks on same-sex marriage
By Jonathan Merritt — December 31, 2017
(RNS) — After condemnation from conservatives, 'The Message' author says he regrets telling RNS columnist Jonathan Merritt that he would officiate a same-sex wedding.
Sexuality, race, and gender: 3 explosive insights about America’s 100 largest churches
By Jonathan Merritt — December 29, 2017
Last October, evangelicalism was rocked by the launch of ChurchClarity.org, an organization that reports churches’ LGBTQ+ policies and rates congregations based on their level of clarity. The website angered Christians on both sides of the issue. Some conservatives attacked the CC’s liberal leadership, while some progressives claimed that labeling churches undermined progress. Nevertheless, Church Clarity persisted. […]
Australian Parliament allows same-sex marriages
By Jerome Socolovsky — December 7, 2017
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Amendments meant to safeguard freedoms of speech and religion for gay-marriage opponents were all rejected, though those issues may be considered later.
The sacred space of Giovanni’s room
By F. Romall Smalls — December 4, 2017
(RNS) — 'I know this may sound crazy to those who still harbor deep spiritual and psychological wounds from 'church hurt' around their sexuality, but I urge you to trust and believe that although some humans may have harmed you, G-d, however, is still seeking to be reconciled with you through unconditional love,' writes F. Romall Smalls.
Living with HIV and AIDS, and unwelcome in Zimbabwe’s churches
By Jeffrey Moyo — November 15, 2017
HARARE, Zimbabwe (RNS) — 'The church knew we were in a gay relationship, but preachers used to indirectly attack us each time they stood to preach,' said Liberty Siziba, whose partner died of AIDS.
A suggestion for younger evangelicals: Lose the label
By Tom Krattenmaker — November 13, 2017
(RNS) — 'Given the baggage it’s taken on, the term is probably not salvageable. The effort to redeem it is probably not worth the cost in time and energy,' writes Tom Krattenmaker.
New book alleges gay sex in Vatican dorm, shady banking
By Jerome Socolovsky — November 9, 2017
ROME (AP) — The Italian journalist who was put on trial by the Vatican for publishing confidential documents has penned a new book alleging a host of Catholic sins, including gay sex in the dormitory of the Vatican's youth seminary.
ISO better church models for manhood and womanhood
By Julie Roys — October 26, 2017
(RNS) — 'Over three decades of ministry, I have seen both men and women struggle to live up to uni-dimensional caricatures of both hyper-masculinized manhood and hyper-feminized womanhood,' writes Julie Roys.
