President Barack Obama
Alan Gross release hailed as Hanukkah ‘miracle,’ first step in ‘normalized’ U.S.-Cuba relations
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — December 17, 2014
(RNS) The return of the aid worker may also lead to "normalizing" relations after a 54-year trade and tourism embargo with Cuba.
Evangelicals a mixed bag on Obama’s immigration move
By Adelle M. Banks — November 20, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) Evangelicals are a key voting bloc for the GOP, but on immigration some are taking a pragmatic step away from the party.
Obama heads to Myanmar as ethnic and religious tensions percolate
By Thomas Maresca — November 12, 2014
SITTWE, Myanmar (RNS) As Myanmar steps into the spotlight this week, the worsening plight of the Rohingya Muslim minority is casting a shadow over the country's hopes for democratic reforms.
Religion loses clout: Why many say that’s a bad thing
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — September 22, 2014
(RNS) 32 percent of Americans support clergy endorsing candidates from the pulpit -- a jump from 24 percent in 2010 .
Al-Qaida overshadowed by Islamic State’s influence
By Jim Michaels — September 5, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) The rivalry between Al-Qaida and the Islamic State has forced the United States to rethink its approach to combating terrorism in the region.
Christian leaders call for end to US strikes in Iraq, focus on peaceful resolution
By David Gibson — August 28, 2014
(RNS) The letter stands in contrast to a petition launched by conservative Catholic, evangelical and Jewish activists who demanded that President Obama sharply escalate military action against Islamic extremists.
Global religious hot spots get their own U.S. envoy
By Lauren Markoe — August 20, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) Congress created a new job at the State Department to protect religious minorities across the Middle East. But is the position really open?
Krista Tippett’s ‘On Being’ honored by White House for engaging listeners on what it means to be human
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — July 31, 2014
(RNS) In its citation, the White House said Krista Tippett’s show “avoids easy answers, embracing complexity and inviting people of all faiths, no faith, and every background to join the conversation.”
Rabbi David Saperstein tapped as first non-Christian to serve as U.S. ambassador for religious freedom
By Lauren Markoe — July 28, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) A Reform rabbi and lawyer, Saperstein, 66, has led the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism for 40 years, and has spent his career in Washington, focusing on social justice and religious freedom issues.
ANALYSIS: Did Obama finally thread the needle on gay rights and religious freedom?
By David Gibson — July 21, 2014
(RNS) The result was a split-the-baby solution that largely pleased Obama’s gay rights supporters while mollifying some religious critics and leaving enough ambiguity to blunt the opposition of more hard-line foes.
Party ties, not religious ones, drive down Obama’s approval rating
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — July 11, 2014
(RNS) The newest Gallup poll finds most Christians don’t approve of President Obama and most Muslims do.
COMMENTARY: Why a religious exemption would not open the floodgates
By Kirsten Powers — July 9, 2014
(RNS) Religious exemption opponents claim it would relegate gays to second-class citizens. But religious institutions in the U.S. already enjoy exemptions to discriminate in hiring, including refusing to hire women in senior leadership.
Obama’s faith-based advisers divided over religious exemption for anti-gay discrimination
By Adelle M. Banks — July 8, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) “An exception would set a terrible precedent by denying true equality for LGBT people, while simultaneously opening a Pandora’s Box inviting other forms of discrimination,” more than 100 signatories wrote Tuesday in a letter to President Obama.
LGBT workers may feel impact of Hobby Lobby ruling
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — July 1, 2014
(RNS) The next religious liberties faceoff may be between LGBT workers and private business owners who, the Supreme Court says, have religious rights.
Growing coalition presses Obama to end policy on religious discrimination in hiring
By Adelle M. Banks — June 20, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) President Obama campaigned against a Bush-era discrimination policy for religious groups that receive federal grants. Now a growing coalition of groups is trying to hold him to his promise.
