Debates over whether diverse viewpoints are an asset or a hindrance are prevalent in American politics. On the one hand, different views can allow for new ideas to develop, and old modes of thinking to be challenged, altered, and maybe…
Judges in Vatican financial trial order prosecutors to release evidence to defense
Vatican judges presiding over a megatrial of clergy and employees in connection with a large-scale financial scandal ordered on Wednesday (Oct. 6) that additional material be handed over to the defense teams and that some evidence collected during the investigations…
Jennifer Lyell wanted to stop her abuser by telling her story. Instead, her life fell apart.
Jennifer Lyell was trying to do the right thing. In the spring of 2019, Lyell, then a well-respected leader in Christian publishing, decided to publicly disclose that she was a survivor of sexual abuse.
Trial begins to assess damages in 2017 Texas church massacre
A trial to assess damages owed to families of the victims of the Sutherland Springs church massacre began with vivid witness accounts of the shooting.
After tweaking rituals during the pandemic, a Jewish burial society in Pittsburgh has made amends
Tahara, the act of washing and purifying the deceased, is paramount to Jewish burial. So when the pandemic descended on the United States in March 2020, members of a Pittsburgh-based Jewish burial society devoted to the practice made a difficult…
Mormon president: Church leaders speak ‘pure truth’
The president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints urged members Saturday to listen to the faith’s leaders when they seek “pure truth” and expressed gratitude for those who have followed church guidance during the pandemic, which has…
U.S. charges Canadian man, alleging he’s an Islamic State fighter, propagandist
U.S. prosecutors on Saturday said they charged a Saudi-born Canadian man for aiding the Islamic State militant group, alleging he tossed grenades in battle and worked with propagandists who publicized the beheading of hostages including U.S. journalist James Foley.
Abortion, guns, religion top a big Supreme Court term
The future of abortion rights is in the hands of a conservative Supreme Court that is beginning a new term Monday that also includes major cases on gun rights and religion.
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’: The controversial musical phenomenon turns 50
On March 25, 1971, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, a small, private Lutheran college held an illegal performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar.” The stripped-down, oratorio-style show was an entirely student-led endeavor featuring a physics major…
New report: white evangelicals are America’s most anti-trans demographic, but encouraging data overall
In the latest important, if entirely unsurprising, news we learned this week that white evangelicals are more opposed to transgender rights than any other demographic in the United States. The data is found in a new report by the Public Religion Research Institute, “Most…
Anchorage mayor defends anti-maskers who wore yellow Stars of David in protest
The mayor of Alaska’s largest city defended anti-mask protesters who wore yellow Stars of David in reference to the Holocaust, calling their use of the Nazi-era symbol a “credit” to the Jewish people.
Congressional members share own abortion stories at hearing
Three Democratic members of Congress on Thursday offered deeply personal testimony about their own abortions as a congressional committee examined how to respond to conservative states that are passing laws limiting abortion access.