JERUSALEM — When Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat decided to open a municipal parking lot that had been closed on Saturdays, the Jewish Sabbath, his office said he simply was being practical. Extra parking is needed to help ease lines of…
Bible helped set captives free, sheriff says
COVINGTON, La. (RNS) — An Alabama woman used the spine of a Bible to conceal several hacksaw blades that helped her husband and three other inmates escape a maximum-security prison. Claudia Buras was booked into the St. Tammany Parish jail…
Christian schools report more closures, see increased drops in enrollment
A Colorado-based organization of Christian schools is reporting that more than 200 schools closed or merged in its last fiscal year. As of June 30, 186 schools had closed and 16 had merged, according to the Association of Christian Schools…
White House advisory council maps out faith-based plans
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Members of a new White House advisory council have mapped out plans to link government and religious groups, from interfaith service projects to regional town halls on fatherhood. Eboo Patel, founder of Chicago-based Interfaith Youth Core, said…
Good Samaritan series hopes to kick-start Christian action
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (RNS) — The camera follows Steve Jones as he walks along an alley in Grand Rapids, Mich., just as he did one early December morning singing “O Holy Night.” He came upon a man sleeping in the…
Tweeting churches discover the gospel according to Twitter
ORLANDO, Fla. (RNS) — Tweeting during church? Isn’t it rude? David Loveless doesn’t think so. Loveless is lead pastor of Discovery Church, a nondenominational congregation that draws about 4,000 on Sundays to three locations in Orlando. The congregation always has…
Would Jesus sue over WWJD letters?
BECKER, Minn. (RNS) — A Minnesota couple is suing a debt collection agency for putting the initials “WWJD” on its collection letters, arguing that it breaks an anti-harassment law by portraying debtors as hell-bound sinners. Sara and Mark Neill of…
How do you spell lust? Try M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I
WASINGTON (RNS) — Las Vegas may be known as “Sin City,” but when it comes to transgressions per capita, parts of the Bible Belt may burn much hotter, suggests a new study by Kansas State University geographers. The project, conducted…
Poll shows mixed feeling about same-sex marriage, gay rights
WASHINGTON (RNS) — A large survey on American attitudes toward homosexuality reveals mixed feelings about gay rights, with Americans saying states should not be forced to recognize same-sex unions, but also saying gay couples should have access to federal spousal…
Religious people make better citizens, but youth are increasingly secular
WASHINGTON (RNS) — First, the silver lining: people of faith are better citizens and better neighbors, and America is “amazingly” religious compared to other countries, Harvard University professor Robert Putnam said. Now, the cloud: young Americans are “vastly more secular”…
For financial guru Dave Ramsey, sour economy has an upside
EDMOND, Okla. — In a gloom-and-doom economy, Christian financial guru Dave Ramsey fashions himself as a prophet of hope. Part stand-up comedian, part economics professor, Ramsey built a multi-million-dollar business by dispensing simple financial advice: Live on a budget. Don’t…
Foundation website seeks to bridge religion and science
WASHINGTON — A year after stepping down as director of the Human Genome Project, Francis Collins is embarking on a new venture — one that may be even harder than deciphering DNA. Collin’s new BioLogos Foundation aims to be a…