LGBTQ
After traditionalist churches left, UMC may be more — not less — diverse
By Yonat Shimron — April 16, 2024
(RNS) — Even after the departures, 24% of North Carolina clergy remaining in the denomination disagree with allowing LGBTQ people to get married and ordained within the denomination.
Faith and LGBT Politics with R. G. Cravens
By Ray Kirstein — April 13, 2024
State of Belief host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush talks with Dr. R. G. Cravens of the Southern Poverty Law Center, author of the book "Yes, Gawd! How Faith Shapes LGBT Identity and Politics in the United States."
Transgender inclusion? World’s major religions take varying stances on policies toward trans people
By David Crary, Mariam Fam, and Deepa Bharath — April 10, 2024
(AP) – Around the world, major religions have diverse approaches to gender identity, and the inclusion or exclusion of transgender people. Some
Latter-day Saints leader addresses congregants without a word on racial or LGBTQ+ issues
By Hannah Schoenbaum — April 8, 2024
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Russell M. Nelson announced the planned construction in a pre-recorded closing speech at the twice-annual Salt Lake City conference. It's traditionally watched by millions worldwide.
Ahead of General Conference, queer United Methodist delegates organize a caucus
By Yonat Shimron — April 4, 2024
(RNS) — After a four-year COVID-19 delay, and the departure of about 25% of its U.S. churches, the United Methodist Church is meeting again and the issue of human sexuality is back on the agenda.
The Trump camp and the White House clash over Biden’s recognition of ‘Transgender Day of Visibility’
By Josh Boak — March 31, 2024
WASHINGTON (AP) — In 2024, the March 31 designation overlaps with Easter, Christianity's holiest day. Trump's campaign accused Biden, a Roman Catholic, of being insensitive to religion, and fellow Republicans piled on.
Study: Unaffiliated Americans are the only growing religious group
By Yonat Shimron — March 27, 2024
(RNS) — The Catholic Church saw the largest decline in religious affiliation of any religious group in 2023.
BYU’s LGBTQ students spotlighted in new grassroots documentary
By Kathryn Post — March 14, 2024
(RNS) — 'A Long Way From Heaven,' which debuts at a private premiere this week, was developed in secret over the last three years.
Calvin University President Wiebe Boer resigns after misconduct complaint
By Bob Smietana — February 26, 2024
(RNS) — 'The report did not include allegations of sexually explicit communication or physical contact, but the alleged conduct is concerning and inappropriate,' the trustees said in their statement.
Ministry accused of covert conversion therapy moves across from Adventist university
By Kathryn Post — February 23, 2024
(RNS) — Coming Out Ministries, which promotes freedom from the 'chains of homosexuality,' is setting up its headquarters across from Andrews University in the hopes of reaching students.
Greek lawmakers are debating a landmark bill to legalize same-sex marriage. Here’s what it means
By Derek Gatopoulos — February 14, 2024
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The journey toward legalizing same-sex civil marriage in Greece has been long and contentious, with governments in the past shying away from a confrontation with the Orthodox Church.
Legislation aims to ‘decolonize’ United Methodists, give parity to non-US conferences
By Yonat Shimron — February 6, 2024
(RNS) — A proposed regionalization plan would undo the dominance and control of the US church and make it on par with United Methodist conferences abroad.
The UMC lost a quarter of its churches — most in the South
By Yonat Shimron — January 26, 2024
(RNS) — The same area of the country that tends to be the most politically conservative and Republican-leaning was where most United Methodist churches voted to leave the denomination.
Capitalizing on his teachings on sex, Pope Francis’ critics shame themselves
By Thomas Reese — January 16, 2024
(RNS) — Jesus didn’t spend his time obsessing over people’s sex lives.
Wheaton College restricts employees’ ability to state preferred pronouns
By Kathryn Post — January 10, 2024
(RNS) — Updates to the policy do not appear to explicitly prohibit students from using or stating preferred pronouns, including they/them pronouns.
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