In a nutshell: What is Boko Haram?
by Oren Dorell, USA Today (RNS) Boko Haram is among the most vicious terrorist groups operating in North Africa, home to some..
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Jewish Americans ask: What does it mean to be ‘pro-Israel’?
by Lauren Markoe WASHINGTON (RNS) Who speaks for the American Jewish community? On most any topic, there is no single answer. But..
Nigerian cardinal: Schoolgirls’ abduction is shameful
by Josephine McKenna VATICAN CITY (RNS) The kidnapping of 300 teenage schoolgirls by the Islamist group Boko Haram has shamed Nigeria, Cardinal..
Supreme Court upholds prayer at government meetings
by Richard Wolf, USA Today WASHINGTON (RNS) The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the centuries-old tradition of offering prayers at the start..
Kenya’s new polygamy law bad for families, Christian leaders say
by Fredrick Nzwili NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) Christian clergy fear that a new marriage law signed by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday (April..
Survey: When science and faith collide, faith usually wins
by Cathy Lynn Grossman WASHINGTON (RNS) Believers don’t buy the Big Bang, God-less evolution or a human responsibility for global warming. Actually, neither..
Methodists approve same-sex marriage benefits
(RNS) Same-sex partners can’t marry in a United Methodist Church. But if one of the spouses works at one of the denomination’s 13..
Historic Riverside Church recommends first woman as senior minister
by Sarah Pulliam Bailey NEW YORK (RNS) The famed Riverside Church in Manhattan has recommended the Rev. Amy Butler as its seventh..
Obamacare religious exemption hard to get
by Kathleen O'Brien, The Star-Ledger (RNS) Nestled in the fine print of the Affordable Care Act is a clause that allows people..
Protestant and Jewish leaders try to mend rift
by Lauren Markoe (RNS) Prominent mainline Protestant and Jewish leaders are trying to revive an interfaith group that dissolved 18 months ago..
Ukrainian order to register Jews may have a Westboro corollary (Commentary)
by Jeffrey Weiss (RNS) Now it seems clear that last week’s story about Ukrainian Jews being ordered to “register” was both real..
Jews ordered to register in east Ukraine
by Oren Dorell, USA Today (RNS) Jews in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk where pro-Russian militants have taken over government buildings..
Holy Week music sets a high bar, but one church rises to the challenge
by Mary Beth McCauley PHILADELPHIA (RNS) Think Christmas, and carols come to mind: “Joy to the World,” “Silent Night,” “The First Noel.” But..
Pope Francis asks forgiveness for clergy sex abuse scandal
by David Gibson (RNS) In his strongest personal remarks yet on the clergy sex abuse scandal, Pope Francis on Friday (April 11)..
After World Vision, evangelicals debate boundaries over sexuality
by Sarah Pulliam Bailey (RNS) World Vision found itself testing the evangelical boundaries in March when it announced it would recognize employees’..
Is support for Israel waning among evangelicals?
by Sarah Pulliam Bailey (RNS) American evangelicals have played a significant role in U.S. support for Israel; by some measures they are..
What the Presbyterians got wrong on Israel (Commentary)
By Rick Jacobs NEW YORK (RNS) Some 2,000 years ago, a prospective Jew in ancient Israel asked Rabbi Hillel to teach him..
From Beacon Hill to ‘Bishop Bling,’ clergy housing faces new scrutiny
by David Gibson (RNS) Bye-bye, “Bishop Bling.” So long, “Pastor Perks.” The so-called “Francis effect” may be real, at least when it..
Pope Francis calls traditional marriage an icon of God’s love
by Josephine McKenna ROME (RNS) Pope Francis stressed the importance of marriage between a man and a woman at his general audience..
Thrivent Financial is no longer for Lutherans only
by David Yonke DEARBORN, Mich. (RNS) For the first time in its long history, Thrivent Financial is not just for Lutherans. The..
Slow church movement fights the ‘McDonaldization’ of church
By Bob Smietana (RNS) Going to church these days can be a bit like eating at a fast food joint. It might..
English priest shadows women bishops for a job she can’t have — yet
by Adelle M. Banks WASHINGTON (RNS) The Rev. Sue Pinnington is on a five-week mission to compile a job description for a..
Kenyan Christian leaders oppose polygamy bill
by Fredrick Nzwili NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) Christian leaders are appealing to President Uhuru Kenyatta not to sign into law a proposed new..
Pope Francis hosts President Obama for talks on poverty, health care and immigration
By Eric J. Lyman VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis met with President Obama for the first time on Thursday (March 27) in..
World Vision reverses course on same-sex marriage policy
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey (RNS) After announcing earlier this week that it would no longer define marriage as between a man and..