PARIS (RNS) — Days after being elected pope in 2005, Pope Benedict XVI referred to one of Europe’s patron saints, Benedict of Norcia, as he explained his choice of papal name to thousands of pilgrims massed in St. Peter’s Square….
Some black church leaders feel jilted by President Obama
WASHINGTON (RNS) — When President Obama was elected, some black pastors — fresh from a campaign that featured extensive outreach to their churches — expected meetings with the president, or at least to be enlisted as informal advisers. For better…
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…