political polarization
Trump’s language of evil
By Phyllis Zagano — February 16, 2024
(RNS) — A manner of speaking is infesting our politics that is insulting to both the subject and the listener.
This Lent, take up some practices that counter the worst of our politics
By Michael Wear — February 14, 2024
(RNS) — Yes, we have to go through this presidential campaign season. Here’s a way to do it better.
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.
Our Bizarro New World Where Russell Moore Is a ‘Liberal’ + Russell Moore
By Roxanne Stone — October 5, 2023
Katelyn and Roxy talk to Moore about why he left the SBC, how he thinks of his own legacy there, and trying to lead a Christian institution when it’s tearing apart at the seams.
Are white evangelical pastors at odds with their congregants? A new study says no.
By Yonat Shimron — August 9, 2023
(RNS) — A new study shows white evangelical clergy are as conservative, if not more so, as the people in their churches.
‘Purple church’ pastors mull leadership strategies in polarizing times
By Yonat Shimron — March 27, 2023
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (RNS) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina held a leadership forum to help pastors figure out how to speak out without alienating half of their members.
As politics poison churches, a nonprofit is teaching a new skill: Deep listening
By Yonat Shimron — July 15, 2022
(RNS) — Resetting the Table does not seek agreement. But it hopes the techniques it teaches will allow people to see each other in all their humanity.
Our spiritual leaders need to step up to heal our political divisions
By Simone Campbell — February 16, 2022
(RNS) — The Constitution’s goal of a ‘more perfect union’ is a spiritual idea. It is now in jeopardy.
Americans are furious about vaccinations. It’s not helping.
By Paul Brandeis Raushenbush and Mary Ellen Giess — December 13, 2021
(RNS) — Listening, not anger, will help us get to where we need to go.
David French on Christian nationalism and evangelicals’ existential angst
By Yonat Shimron — February 3, 2021
(RNS) — The conservative writer said Christian believers need to be reminded of the toxic effects of fear.
Robert Putnam thinks religion could play a role in healing divisions
By Yonat Shimron — November 24, 2020
(RNS) — The renowned political scientist and his co-author say the reforms enacted in response to the Social Gospel movement of the Progressive Era might provide a lesson.
John MacArthur claimed there is ‘no pandemic.’ He was politicizing science, experts say
By Yonat Shimron — September 1, 2020
(RNS) — The church appears to be wading into a highly politicized campaign to minimize or outright deny the existence of the coronavirus.
Melissa Rogers, Christianity Today’s Ted Olsen hope for common ground in divided US
By Adelle M. Banks — January 24, 2020
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Author Melissa Rogers said ‘being opponents on one issue does not make us enemies; it makes us potential collaborators on something else.’
American faith groups agree: Trump should act more presidential
By Bob Smietana and Jack Jenkins — October 22, 2019
(RNS) — American faith groups are just as divided as political parties — disagreeing about immigration policy, climate change and the future of the country, according to a new poll from the Public Religion Research Institute. One thing they do agree on is that they wish President Trump would act more presidential.
James K.A. Smith: St. Augustine might just be the therapist we need today
By Roxanne Stone — October 11, 2019
NEW YORK (RNS) — 'There are ways in which we've set freedom up so that almost everything we imagine as freedom turns into addictions,' said Smith in an interview with Religion News Service about his new book, 'On the Road With Saint Augustine.'
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