North Carolina
Natural by nature, pagans expect some digital rituals to survive the pandemic
By Heather Greene — March 16, 2021
(RNS) — ‘Having used online resources for the past year has allowed us to think of community in new ways,’ said one ritual leader.
Faith, medical leaders collaborate to get COVID-19 vaccine in arms of more people
By Yonat Shimron and Adelle M. Banks — February 18, 2021
(RNS) — ‘A really wonderful facet of this work is the multifaith cooperation that we’re seeing already,’ said White House official Melissa Rogers.
Samaritan’s Purse to open a North Carolina field hospital for COVID-19 patients
By Yonat Shimron — December 31, 2020
(RNS) — The evangelical humanitarian relief organization headed by Franklin Graham will open a 30-bed field hospital to help five small hospitals in the western part of the state.
Apt Bible passage at Catholic Mass coincides with earthquake
By Associated Press — August 11, 2020
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Scripture quite literally came to life for several Catholic churches in North Carolina as a rare earthquake rattled portions of the state over the weekend.
Billy Graham statue to replace that of white supremacist in US Capitol
By Yonat Shimron — August 3, 2020
(RNS) — The 10-foot, 10-inch-tall statue of the renowned evangelist will replace a statue of Charles Aycock that both the state of North Carolina and the US House want removed.
The (national) fall and (local) rise of pro-life Democrats
By Charles C. Camosy — May 10, 2019
(RNS) — The evisceration of pro-life Democrats from Congress is all but complete, but on the local level Democratic parties are increasingly committed to a diversity of opinion on abortion.
Southern Baptist minister embroiled in election fraud controversy
By Jack Jenkins — December 4, 2018
(RNS) — The allegations are awkward for Harris, who made a name for himself in the Tar Heel state as a conservative crusader and once argued for greater involvement for pastors in politics.
Faith-based disaster-relief teams on standby as Florence nears
By Yonat Shimron — September 12, 2018
DURHAM, N.C. (RNS) — The biggest of the volunteer groups ready to clean up from Hurricane Florence have the words ‘Baptist’ and ‘Methodist’ in their titles.
The culture wars need to make a safe space for conscience
By Jacob Lupfer — July 31, 2018
(RNS) — The booing of Christian soccer player Jaelene Hinkle for following her conscience shows that we need to turn down the temperature in the culture wars.
A preacher to millions took comfort in a local church pastor
By Yonat Shimron — March 2, 2018
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (RNS) — The renowned evangelist believed he too needed the guidance and support of a local pastor — a man he chose to preside at his burial.
Private funeral and weeklong events planned for Billy Graham
By Yonat Shimron — February 21, 2018
DURHAM, N.C. (RNS) — The funeral service will be held under a tent, similar to the one the evangelist preached under in Los Angeles in 1949, a revival that catapulted him into the public eye.
Supreme Court asked to review North Carolina county prayer ruling
By Jerome Socolovsky — October 13, 2017
WASHINGTON (AP) — A lower court ruled that county commissioners' practice of leading the prayers themselves and inviting the audience to join, always in the Christian faith, violated the First Amendment by establishing Christianity as a preferred religion.
Believers in the power of prayer gather at state capitols for annual rite
By Yonat Shimron — May 4, 2017
RALEIGH, N.C. (RNS) In Washington, it was a highly partisan day. But there was very little politics at National Day of Prayer events here and across the nation.
Repeal of N.C.’s ‘bathroom bill’ stumbles
By Sean Rossman — December 22, 2016
(USA Today) A deal has fallen apart to undo the North Carolina law known as the 'bathroom bill' in a sign of the state's bitter political divide.