marriage
Pope Francis urges couples to ‘work on love’ and take their engagement seriously
By Rosie Scammell — May 27, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “Betrothal is, in other words, the time in which two people are called to work on love, a shared and profound task,” the pope said.
Colliding visions of marriage at the Supreme Court (ANALYSIS)
By Kevin Eckstrom — April 28, 2015
WASHINGTON (RNS) As the Supreme Court finally took up the vexing question of same-sex marriage, the case came down to two competing visions of marriage: what it's been, what it should be, and who gets to decide.
Affirmation is not a civil right, and it cannot be coerced (COMMENTARY)
By Jacob Lupfer — April 14, 2015
WASHINGTON (RNS) If the holdouts eventually abandon their religious opposition to homosexuality, it will be because of persuasion, not coercion.
TONY CAMPOLO: Why Christians should vote for Hillary
By Tony Campolo — April 13, 2015
The former spiritual advisor to President Bill Clinton says he supports Hillary even though he is pro-life. He lays out why he thinks other Christians should too.
Must Christianity change its sexual ethics? History may hold the key (COMMENTARY)
By Trevin Wax — April 8, 2015
(RNS) It’s commonplace to assume that society’s redefinition of marriage, gender and the purpose for sexuality will eventually persuade the church to follow along. But if we were to jump forward into the 22nd century, I wonder what we would see.
Oklahoma plan to restrict same-sex marriage may backfire
By Reuters — March 20, 2015
OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) Oklahoma's conservative lawmakers came up with a religious tactic to block same-sex weddings. In a twist, their efforts to restrict who can perform marriages could make it easier for gay couples to wed.
Oklahoma bill would abolish state’s role in granting marriage licenses, leave it in clergy hands
By Greg Horton — March 12, 2015
OKLAHOMA CITY (RNS) Oklahoma state Rep. Todd Russ said the federal government is attempting to change the traditional definition of marriage, so his legislation would place the responsibility for officiating marriages in the hands of clergy.
Pope Francis says he wants all annulments to be free
By David Gibson — January 23, 2015
(RNS) Some U.S. dioceses, which account for nearly half of all annulment cases in the global Catholic Church, no longer charge fees, usually about $400, to obtain an annulment.
When straight women marry gay Mormon men, struggle often ends in divorce
By Peggy Fletcher Stack — January 13, 2015
When straight Mormon women married Mormon men who were attracted to other men, as many as 69 percent of those marriages ended in divorce.
Conservative Jews question notions on dating, marrying only Jews
By Lauren Markoe — January 8, 2015
(RNS) Reform Jews already allow their rabbis to preside at weddings between Jews and non-Jews. Is the Conservative movement next?
1 in 3 Americans want a divorce between clergy and civil marriages
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — December 2, 2014
Many say it's time for clergy to quit saying "By the power vested in me by the state … " during a church wedding.
What ever happened to Rob Bell, the pastor who questioned the gates of hell?
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — December 2, 2014
(RNS) Exchanging his evangelical bona fides for the blessing of Oprah may yet prove -- for some -- to be Rob Bell's most unforgivable sin. Which is not to say that he cares very much what anyone says these days.
Sexual revolution is destroying families, Russell Moore tells Vatican conference
By Josephine McKenna — November 18, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Southern Baptist ethicist said the sexual revolution appeared to have imposed a new patriarchy that enabled men to “pursue a Darwinian fantasy of the predatory alpha male” for the pursuit of power and pleasure.
Russell Moore, Rick Warren to join Vatican conference on marriage and family life
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — November 3, 2014
(RNS) Organizers say the new conference will show that while the Catholic hierarchy is split on how to address contemporary challenges to marriage and family life, the church can nonetheless seek common ground with religious leaders outside the Vatican.
Southern Baptists, LGBT activists happily coexist, but for how long?
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — October 31, 2014
(RNS) For both sides, alleged friendships could pose a risk, as relationships could be perceived as acceptance.
