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…
U.S. laws chill Muslim philanthropy
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Laws meant to eliminate terror financing are targeting Muslims unjustly, interfering with their right to practice Islam and resulting in a decline in charitable giving, the American Civil Liberties Union has charged. The 166-page report, “Blocking Faith,…
Graduation rates at religious schools outpace those at other universities
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Religiously affiliated universities rank the highest nationwide in graduating their students, while hundreds of public and private universities fall far below the low average of graduated students, according to a recent report based on data from the…
What to do with excess embryos? One researcher has an idea
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The woman across the table told Jeanne Loring she was on the horns of a dilemma — feed and clothe her existing family or continue to pay to keep frozen her embryos from an earlier fertility treatment….
No longer Episcopalians, Anglicans launch own church
PLANO, Texas (RNS) — Conservative Anglicans disenchanted with the liberal drift in their U.S. and Canadian churches say they are confident that a new church body launched last week will one day gain a seat in the worldwide Anglican Communion….
Even at 500, Calvin isn’t slowing down
Like most 24-year-old men, Stephen Jones is keenly interested in sin. But while many of his peers enjoy their youthful indiscretions, Jones takes a more, shall we say, Puritanical stand. The weekend of June 12-15, Jones and 4,000 other young…