religious left
Pastor asks federal court to sanction immigration officials
By Jack Jenkins — December 22, 2021
(RNS) — The request is part of an ongoing lawsuit in which the pastor accuses federal officials of violating her religious freedom by surveilling her after she officiated at immigrant weddings.
A pro-democracy faith movement is forming. Will it be enough?
By Jacob Lupfer — December 17, 2021
(RNS) — The Scriptures say little about voting rights, leaving faith groups struggling to inspire activism.
Lawmakers join faith leaders to voice support for ‘Build Back Better’ package
By Jack Jenkins — October 20, 2021
WASHINGTON (RNS) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi defended provisions such as the child tax credit, saying lawmakers should ‘make sure that all children have the opportunity that they deserve — they’re all blessings containing their spark of divinity.’
Voting rights demonstration leads to faith leaders’ arrests outside White House
By Jack Jenkins — October 19, 2021
(RNS) — Among the detained were the Rev. Jamal Bryant, Rabbi David Saperstein and actress Alyssa Milano.
Outgrowing your religion
By Jana Riess — September 29, 2021
(RNS) — 'If God is really God-sized, as we say God is, then God is OK with our vacillation and our doubt and our inconsistencies,' says North Carolina pastor John Pavlovitz. 'So we should be, too.'
After months of protests, Poor People’s Campaign requests meeting with Biden
By Jack Jenkins — September 23, 2021
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The group’s co-chair, the Rev. William Barber II, preached at Biden’s inaugural prayer service but has challenged the president on the Senate filibuster.
Christian leaders meet with White House to advocate for social programs, voting rights
By Jack Jenkins — September 22, 2021
(RNS) — ‘Those who have benefited the most should contribute to the common good of society and invest in the most vulnerable,’ the faith leaders said in a letter.
Maine faith leaders sign letter calling on Sen. Susan Collins to back For the People Act
By Jack Jenkins — August 10, 2021
PORTLAND, Maine (RNS) — The effort adds to mounting religious pressure on lawmakers to pass the sweeping voting rights bill.
DNC Chair Jaime Harrison: ‘I’m happy to take the role that the Lord has given me’
By Jack Jenkins — April 27, 2021
(RNS) — "My grandma told me after I lost the election for the U.S. Senate, she said, ’Jaime, sometimes in life, when one door closes, the Lord opens up others,’” DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison said.
Obama faith adviser accuses Trump counterpart of laying spiritual groundwork for Capitol insurrection
By Jack Jenkins and Adelle M. Banks — April 22, 2021
(RNS) — ‘The chickens came home to roost on Jan. 6,’ said Joshua DuBois, faith adviser to Barack Obama, in an exchange with Johnnie Moore, an evangelical Christian adviser to Donald Trump.
From the filibuster to DC statehood, clergy rally around a growing voting rights agenda
By Jack Jenkins — April 16, 2021
(RNS) — "I hear Jesus saying to America: 'I was hungry and you filibustered,’" said the Rev. Freddy D. Haynes.
Planned Parenthood announces new clergy advocacy board members, many from red states
By Jack Jenkins — April 13, 2021
(RNS) — 'As a clergyperson who discovered my call to ministry within a Planned Parenthood, it was a no-brainer,' said the Rev. Katey Zeh, who heads the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
Texas faith leaders condemn new election bills as Jim Crow dressed up in a ‘tuxedo’
By Jack Jenkins — April 8, 2021
(RNS) — Faith leaders in Texas are accusing Gov. Greg Abbott and other Republicans of using 'election integrity' as an excuse to enact restrictive laws that target voters of color.
AME church delays boycott of Georgia companies, plans protest at Masters Tournament
By Jack Jenkins — April 7, 2021
(RNS) — The faith leaders say they will wait at least until an AME bishop meets with the heads of several companies next week.
Georgia faith leaders to leave water bottles around Capitol in protest of new voter laws
By Jack Jenkins and Adelle M. Banks — March 30, 2021
(RNS) — Faith leaders also joined in a lawsuit charging that provisions of Georgia's new law are unconstitutional and violate the Voting Rights Act.
