(RNS) — A counseling student who declined to advise a gay client might have been expelled from her university because of her faith, a federal appeals court ruled on Jan. 27. Citing her evangelical Christian religion, Julea Ward disagreed with…
Religious groups blast Santorum on ‘equality’ comment
(RNS) — Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus are accusing Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum of bigotry and ignorance after he said that “equality” is solely a Judeo-Christian concept. “Where do you think the concept of equality comes from?” Santorum said on…
Praying for New Orleans, one block at a time
NEW ORLEANS (RNS) — Millie Campbell slipped the transmission into reverse and backed her blue Chevrolet away from her spotless brick home. “Oh God,” she said, “we thank you for the blood of Jesus.” Then the 76-year-old cranked the wheel…
Muslims call for NYPD chief to resign over video
NEW YORK (RNS) — Muslim American groups are calling for the resignation of New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly after the NYPD showed a documentary, The Third Jihad, to more than 1,489 police officers and detectives in 2010. Muslim…
Mohler slams stem-cell study
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist seminary president termed reports that embryonic stem cell treatments might have improved the vision of two blind patients “downright ominous.” “Might” is the key word, said Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary,…
Leonard installed in Baptist studies chair at Wake divinity school
By Jim White Amid academic pageantry, Baptist historian Bill Leonard was officially installed Jan. 24 as the first Dunn Professor of Baptist Studies at Wake Forest University School of Divinity. James Dunn and Bill Leonard recessing after the divinity school’s…
Woman to lead American Baptists in Indiana, Kentucky
Soozi Whitten Ford By Bob Allen Soozi Whitten Ford, an ordained minister and longtime American Baptist leader, has been named executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of Indiana and Kentucky. Her election, announced Jan. 23, ends a year-long search…
Anti-violence advocate awarded by FBI
By Bob Allen Former Baptist Women in Ministry leader Kathy Manis Findley recently received an award from the FBI recognizing her efforts to combat domestic violence and child abuse in Arkansas. FBI Special Agent Valerie Parlave (left) presents award to…
10 minutes with … Lobsang Sangay
DHARMSALA, India (RNS) — At least three Tibetan Buddhist monks drank gasoline and set themselves ablaze in January, bringing the count of self-immolations to 15 since March 2011. Lobsang Sangay, the prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, attributes the deaths…
COMMENTARY: Spike Lee does right thing by religion
PARK CITY, Utah (RNS) — I have a confession to make. The only real reason I saw Spike Lee’s new film at the Sundance Film Festival here is because it is set in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn, where…
After angering Catholics, White House honors teachers
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Following days of tension between the Obama administration and the U.S. hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church, the White House on Jan. 25 heralded nine Catholic educators as “Champions of Catholic Education.” “Irony is the word of…
Top Catholic bishop feels betrayed by Obama
WASHINGTON (RNS) — In the wake of President Obama’s controversial decision to mandate that religious groups pay for contraceptives for their employees, much of the coverage focused on how the president had disappointed progressive allies by giving religious groups an…