Virginia
Biblical guide marks 400 years since enslaved Africans arrived in Virginia
By Adelle M. Banks — February 27, 2019
WASHINGTON (RNS) — 'Lament and Hope, a Pan-African Devotional Guide' was produced by Bread for the World and is set to be dedicated at a prayer service at a Washington church on the last day of Black History Month.
States’ move toward abortion extremism heats up ‘cold civil war’
By Charles C. Camosy — January 31, 2019
(RNS) — Common ground on abortion is substantial, if we only took time to look.
Alaska archdiocese launches commission to review church files on sexual abuse
By Jack Jenkins — October 24, 2018
(RNS) — The inquiry could take nine months to complete and will include 'recommendation on improvements regarding Archdiocesan governance, policies, and procedures concerning sexual misconduct,' according to a release.
Mayor of Virginia city targeted by anti-Semitic tweets after criticizing marchers
By Sharon Bernstein — May 14, 2017
(Reuters) Charlottesville Mayor Mike Signer was the target of anti-Semitic tweets after speaking out against white nationalists who converged on a local park carrying blazing torches the night before.
5 faith facts about Jim Webb: He’s mum about faith
By Leslie Miller — July 6, 2015
(RNS) VoteSmart.org lists his religion as “Protestant.” But the only reference to church that turns up on a web search is his home in the Northern Virginia suburb of Falls Church.
At PETA’s shelter, most animals are put down. PETA calls them mercy killings.
By Lauren Markoe — March 12, 2015
(RNS) People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals doesn't want you to wear or eat any animal. But it euthanizes thousands of animals at its Virginia shelter -- the kindest thing it can do for them, it says.
Supreme Court allows gay marriage to expand to 30 states
By Richard Wolf — October 6, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) The unexpected decision by the justices immediately affects five states in which federal appeals courts had struck down bans against gay marriage: Virginia, Indiana, Wisconsin, Oklahoma and Utah.
Appeals court ruling clears way for gay marriage in the heart of Bible Belt
By Richard Wolf — July 29, 2014
(RNS) A federal appeals court panel in Virginia became the second one this summer to strike down a state ban against same-sex marriage Monday (July 28), making it more likely that the Supreme Court will settle the issue as early as next year.
8-year-old student not feminine enough, school says
By Melanie Eversley — March 26, 2014
(RNS) Officials at Timberlake Christian School said the child's clothing and behavior were inappropriate.
Virginia judge strikes down gay marriage ban
By Richard Wolf — February 14, 2014
(RNS) A ruling by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen sets the stage for a possible Supreme Court showdown, though cases from Utah and Oklahoma also are headed that way.
Anti-Shariah movement changes tactics and gains success
By Omar Sacirbey — May 16, 2013
(RNS) After losing steam in recent years, the anti-Shariah movement has scored a string of victories by, ironically, leaving the words "Shariah" and "Islam" out of bills that restrict state courts from considering foreign law.
Tamerlan Tsarnaev’s burial angers Va. Muslims
By Gary Strauss — May 13, 2013
(RNS) The burial ended a frustrating search for a community willing to take the body, which had been kept at a funeral parlor in Worcester, Mass., as cemeteries refused to accept the remains, fearful about gravesite vandalism and backlash from the public.
A Religious Breakdown of 12 Battleground States
By Mark Silk — November 3, 2012
Our resident religion & politics guru Mark Silk assesses the religious layout of 12 battleground states - and explains why religion will matter on Election Day.
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