WASHINGTON (RNS) — The number of churches that reported a drop in giving due to the sour economy rose nearly 10 percent last year, according to new survey. In 2009, 38 percent of churches reported a decline in giving, versus…
Biologist who aims to reconcile religion and science wins Templeton Prize
IRVINE, Calif. (RNS) — A biologist and former Dominican priest who has attempted to reconcile religion and science has won this year's Templeton Prize — an honor awarded to scholars who study how science and religion intersect. Francisco J. Ayala…
Fewer than half of Americans link Easter to the Resurrection
WASHINGTON (RNS) — While most Americans describe Easter as a religious holiday, fewer than half of the adults surveyed link it specifically to the Resurrection of Jesus, a Barna Group study shows. Seven in 10 respondents mentioned religion or spirituality…
Secular Jew writes about two years spent undercover in conservative church
LYNCHBURG, Va. (RNS) — Evangelical Christians were a mystery to Gina Welch. All she really knew about conservative evangelicals was that they were trying to change the country in ways she didn’t like. When she found herself living among them…
After condemning greed, what should Christians do about the economy?
NEW YORK (RNS) — Ever since the Great Recession began in the fall of 2008, Christians and other faith leaders have criticized the specuative excess and greed that led to the crisis. A consensus on what to do about it,…
Dobson plans new radio ministry, to focus on same themes
COLORADO SPRINGS (RNS) — Religious broadcaster James Dobson will leave the “Focus on the Family” radio program in late February but will continue on the airwaves through a new ministry. Officials at the Colorado-based ministry that Dobson founded three decades…
Accused parents say son’s faith-healing death was no crime
PORTLAND, Ore. (RNS) — Two parents charged with criminally negligent homicide in the faith-healing death of their teenage son will ask a judge to dismiss the charges because they followed the advice of state child welfare workers. Attorneys for the…
In Alabama, football coach has more Facebook fans than God does
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) — University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban may not be bigger than God in Alabama, but he has more fans on Facebook. Saban edged out the Almighty to claim the top spot in a ranking of…
Author worries online communities are hurting genuine relationships
PORTLAND, Ore. (RNS) — When it comes to Facebook, Jesse Rice sees an immensely popular social networking site that’s great for sharing photos and keeping in touch with friends. He also sees something that encourages attitudes and behaviors that don’t…
President Obama’s ‘spiritual cabinet’ shapes faith policy, tends his soul
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Near the end of a bumpy first year in office, President Obama readied for a Christmas vacation in Hawaii, but before he left, he called on a group of five ministers for a spiritual recharge. Like previous…
Faith-based panel submits proposals; some issues remain unsolved
WASHINGTON (RNS) — A White House advisory council March 9 submitted 164 pages of recommendations on ways the federal government can partner better with faith-based groups in tackling a host of social problems, from poverty to improving interfaith relations. Still,…
At Carter’s church, former president’s Sunday school class still a draw
PLAINS, Ga. (RNS) — With its aging storefronts and small train depot, its graceful pecan trees and clipped fields of peanuts, cottons and hay, peace still seems possible in this tiny town. And nowhere is that peace protected more fiercely…