WASHINGTON (RNS) — He considered moving to a Zen monastery before shifting his sights to Silicon Valley, where he became a brash businessman. He preached about the dangers of desire but urged consumers to covet every new iPhone incarnation. “He…
At America’s religious campuses, atheist groups operate underground
DAYTON, Ohio (RNS) — Late one night over pizza, University of Dayton students Branden King and Nick Haynes discovered neither of them believed in God. Surely, they thought, they couldn’t be the only unbelievers at the Roman Catholic college. Last…
On religious campuses, atheists operate underground
DAYTON, Ohio (RNS) — Late one night over pizza, University of Dayton students Branden King and Nick Haynes discovered neither of them believed in God. Surely, they thought, they couldn’t be the only unbelievers at the Roman Catholic college. Last…
Evangelicals urge caution with nuclear weapons, more disarmament
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The National Association of Evangelicals on Nov. 8 called for greater precautions with nuclear weapons and a renewed effort toward disarmament. “The rules have changed in the past 25 years,” NAE President Leith Anderson said. “Nuclear weapons…
St. Paul’s reopens, protesters evicted
LONDON (RNS) — London’s historic St. Paul’s Cathedral reopened its doors to visitors Oct. 28 for the first time in a week, as authorities moved to evict hundreds of camped-out protesters. St. Paul's was closed for the first time since…
Historic London cathedral reopens and moves to evict protesters
LONDON (RNS) — London’s historic St. Paul’s Cathedral reopened its doors to visitors Oct. 28 for the first time in a week, as authorities moved to evict hundreds of camped-out protesters. St. Paul's was closed for the first time since…
Report: Tithing hits record low and recession only partly to blame
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (RNS) — Tithing to mainline Protestant churches as a percentage of income is at its lowest level in at least 41 years, according to a new report, and churches are keeping a greater share of those donations for…
Under pressure, D.C. shelter ends church-service requirement
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Prompted by civil liberties groups, a taxpayer-supported homeless shelter in the nation’s capital will no longer require its clients to attend religious services. “We’re pleased that the D.C. government will no longer be supporting such religious coercion,”…
Washington’s National Cathedral needs millions in quake repairs
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The Washington National Cathedral will need “tens of millions of dollars” over “numerous years” to repair extensive damage to the nation’s second-largest church following an Aug. 23 earthquake, church officials said Oct. 4. The landmark church requires…
Best-selling pastor Rob Bell is off to L.A. to write more books
GRANDVILLE, Mich. (RNS) — Megachurch pastor Rob Bell, whose best-selling book raised evangelical eyebrows by questioning traditional beliefs on hell, knew it was time to address the “giant, glowing, loud” elephant in the room on Sunday morning, Sept. 25. What’s…
Some British Christians outraged as BBC drops B.C./A.D. dating method
LONDON (RNS) — Some British Christians are incensed after the state-funded BBC decided to jettison the terms B.C. and A.D. in favor of B.C.E. and C.E. in historical date references. The broadcaster has directed that the traditional B.C. (Before Christ)…
Rob Bell leaving Mars Hill to focus on writing
GRANDVILLE, Mich. (RNS) — Megachurch pastor Rob Bell, whose best-selling book raised evangelical eyebrows by questioning traditional beliefs on hell, knew it was time to address the “giant, glowing, loud” elephant in the room on Sunday morning, Sept. 25. What’s…