Jefferson Davis’ statue coming down in Richmond, Va., and Walmart refusing to fly the Mississippi state flag because of its Confederate emblem are powerful signs the movement against white supremacy is taking hold, Robert P. Jones said during an online discussion hosted June 26 by the BJC.
New drama focuses on forgiveness
WASHINGTON (RNS) — For playwright Marcus Gardley, the theater is his pulpit, and plays are his sermons. His latest production, Every Tongue Confess, seeks answers to the questions that swirled around the spate of arsons that hit black churches in…
Forgiveness for black church arsons theme of new drama
WASHINGTON (RNS) — For playwright Marcus Gardley, the theater is his pulpit, and plays are his sermons. His latest production, Every Tongue Confess, seeks answers to the questions that swirled around the spate of arsons that hit black churches in…
‘Vilification of religions’ resolution passes United Nations committee
NEW YORK (RNS) — A United Nations committee has adopted a resolution combating the "vilification of religions," but religious freedom advocates who oppose the measure say support for it continues to diminish. The resolution by Islamic countries is scheduled to…
Young people see Christians as judgmental, study shows
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Young people have graded Christianity, and so far, the report card doesn't look good. Majorities of American young people describe modern-day Christianity as judgmental, hypocritical and anti-homosexual. What's more, many Christians don't even want to call themselves “Christian” because…
Christian men gather on National Mall
WASHINGTON—In numbers that were far fewer but with a faith that was nonetheless fervent, evangelical Christian men gathered in the shadow of the Washington Monument Oct. 6 for a day of spiritual renewal that recalled a much larger meeting of…
‘In God We Trust’ motto still mints controversy after 50 years
WASHINGTON—Fifty years after “In God We Trust” first appeared on U.S. paper currency, those four little words have proven to be the source of big debate in the courts. Michael Newdow, the California atheist known for trying to strip “under…
State Department reports Iraqi insurgency hurts religious freedom
WASHINGTON (RNS)—The continuing insurgency in Iraq is significantly harming the freedom of worship in that country, the State Department said in its 2007 International Religious Freedom Report. The recently released report lists Iraq among 22 countries it notes for either…
Complaints of church politicking up in 2006
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Complaints about improper politicking by tax-exempt organizations went up 43 percent in the 2006 elections compared to 2004, according to a report by the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS was asked to investigate 237 cases involving churches and other…
Atheists view ‘radical Christianity’ as threat
WASHINGTON (RNS)—More than half of atheists and agnostics think “radical Christianity” is just as threatening in the United States as “radical Islam,” a new study reveals. The Barna Group, a Ventura, Calif.-based research firm, found 56 percent of atheists and…
Hispanics transforming nation’s religious landscape
WASHINGTON (RNS)—About half the nation's Hispanics —including many who are Roman Catholic—consider themselves charismatics or Pentecostals, creating a new confluence of streams in American Christianity, a new study has revealed. “Simply put, Latinos are transforming the nation's religious landscape,” said…