WASHINGTON (RNS) — At a time when the ideals of compromise and collegiality seem like a distant dream in the nation’s capital, an unusually diverse coalition of religious leaders is asking Americans to pray for civility. “Through daily prayer, we…
OUT LOUD
“If our Christmas is going to be all about getting upset at people trying to take away Christmas, isn’t that silly too?” Jonathan Morris The Catholic priest was speaking on “Fox & Friends” about the “war on Christmas.” (RNS) “What…
PBS program explores religious motivation of American abolitionists
(RNS) — As the nation marks the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, PBS is airing “The Abolitionists,” a three-part series that began Jan. 8. Documentarian Rob Rapley, the writer and director of the series, talked with Religion News Service…
OPINION: A focus on ‘followship’?
People emphasize “leadership” so much, it has become a buzzword. Isn’t it past time we focus on “followship”? I recently read Colin Powell’s book, It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership. Most of Powell’s observations are better suited to…
Bus ads in American cities aim to reclaim meaning of ‘jihad’
(brNS) — An ad campaign on San Francisco buses is aimed at trying to change public perception of the word “jihad,” which the program’s founder says has been distorted by extremists — Muslim and anti-Muslim alike. Ahmed Rehab, a 36-year-old…
NATIONAL BRIEFS
Commission wants clarifications from IRS. A commission created by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability called for clearer IRS guidance and greater involvement among donors to address ministries and other nonprofits that are not being financially accountable. Its 91-page…
Baptist church sign draws attention of Manhattan pedestrians, media
(ABP) — “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.” Thus read the sign recently in front of Madison Avenue Baptist Church, a New York City congregation whose pastor is all about convincing folks not…
OPINION: All clergy abuse cover-ups not the same
From one religious body to another, there’s a horrible sameness about the sexual abuse of children by those charged with their moral and spiritual development. The differences come in the institutions and communities, and how they deal with the abusers…
Children conceived through rape open new front in abortion culture wars
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Standing before the throngs at the March for Life on Jan. 25, Ryan Bomberger admitted that he was the poster child for one of the most difficult aspects of the abortion debate: his mother had been raped….
HeraldBeat: Tracking Baptists across the Mid-Atlantic
Transitions ON THE MOVE C. Allen Mahan, to Kentuck Baptist Church, Ringgold, Va., as pastor, in January. Mandy England Cole, to Ginter Park Baptist Church, Richmond, Va., as pastor. John T. Fulcher Jr., now serving as pastor of First Baptist…
Fasting like an Old Testament prophet gains followers during Lent
(RNS) — Amy Lester has followed Jesus for decades, but her keen appreciation for his sacrifice on the cross came only recently when she started eating like the prophet Daniel. During Lent, which starts Feb. 13, the 40-year-old mother of…
Christmas at Bluefield features community orchestra in two performances
BLUEFIELD, Va. — More than 130 singers from three Bluefield College voice ensembles and six local church choirs, along with 25 instrumentalists in BC’s Community Orchestra combined to perform the season’s most “amazing,” “moving” and “inspiring” Christmas production, Dec. 1…