obituary
Joseph Lowery, minister, civil rights leader, friend of King, dies at 98
By Adelle M. Banks — March 28, 2020
(RNS) — ‘He was a champion for civil rights, a challenger of injustice, a dear friend to the King family,’ the King Center tweeted.
Remembering Roy Larson, legendary religion journalist and teacher
By Bob Smietana — February 27, 2020
(RNS) — The Chicago Sun-Times' longtime religion editor, who died this week at 90, taught us that we could be both hard-nosed reporters and decent people.
Funeral of Lois Evans, wife of Tony Evans, set for their Dallas church
By Adelle M. Banks — January 6, 2020
(RNS) — Though she was known mostly as the woman behind Evans, his church and ‘The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans’ broadcast, Lois Evans also served on the National Religious Broadcasters board.
Ram Dass, who introduced a generation to Hindu meditation, dies at 88
By Kimberly Winston — December 23, 2019
(RNS) — Pioneering the use of psychedelic drugs as spiritual practice, he also explored Buddhism and Hinduism, which took him to India and resulted in his 1971 best-selling book ‘Be Here Now.’
Pastor, author and mental health advocate Jarrid Wilson dies by suicide
By Alejandra Molina, Emily McFarlan Miller, and Roxanne Stone — September 10, 2019
(RNS) — News of Wilson’s passing followed a series of tweets he posted throughout the day Monday that dealt with suicide, including a post encouraging followers to remember that even though loving Jesus doesn’t cure mental illnesses, he does offer companionship and comfort.
Report: News coverage of Muslims is more negative than of other minority groups
By Aysha Khan — September 4, 2019
(RNS) — Researchers attributed some of the findings to coverage of violent conflict or Islamist groups, but also noted a lack of obituaries and wedding announcements about Muslims.
Trailblazing sociologist of religion Wade Clark Roof dies at 80
By Jack Jenkins — August 26, 2019
(RNS) — Despite his seminal book on religion among Baby Boomers, his former students say Roof’s most lasting presence will likely be felt in those he mentored.
Toni Morrison and the holiness of the living, breathing flesh
By Emilie M. Townes — August 8, 2019
(RNS) — What Morrison taught us is that the holy is both radically immanent and transcendent and in too much of our religious and theological thought we focus on the transcendent — at our peril.
A goodbye to a man who taught us how to look at death
By Bob Smietana — July 25, 2019
(RNS) — Rob said that being willing to die was different than accepting death. He did not want to make friends with death. Instead, he called it the 'final evil' — which he, as a Christian, was willing to endure.
Norman Geisler, theologian and prolific author, dies at 86
By Adelle M. Banks — July 1, 2019
(RNS) — A philosopher and longtime defender of conservative Christian beliefs, Geisler founded the International Society of Christian Apologetics in 2006.
Rachel Held Evans, Christian writer of honesty and humor, dies at age 37
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 4, 2019
(RNS) — Evans repeatedly made the best-seller lists with wise and funny chronicles of her faith, doubt, honest questions and evolving beliefs.
Former President George H.W. Bush dies at age 94
By Michael Graczyk — December 1, 2018
HOUSTON (AP) — Bush will be honored with a funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral, the White House said Saturday, and President Trump and first lady Melania Trump will attend.
Eugene Peterson, author of ‘The Message’ and pastor to other pastors, dies
By Emily McFarlan Miller — October 22, 2018
(RNS) — Among Peterson's last words were, 'Let's go,' according to a statement from his family.
Sen. John McCain: Known as a veteran but also a man of quiet faith
By Adelle M. Banks — August 27, 2018
(RNS) — The longtime Arizona Republican senator, a former prisoner of war who embraced patriotism loudly and religion quietly, died Saturday (Aug. 25) at the age of 81.
Appreciation: Philip Roth belongs in canon of greatest American authors
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — May 23, 2018
(RNS) — Roth was a literary archaeologist who dug deep into his imagination and memory to re-create the American Jewish milieu of his youth.