WASHINGTON (RNS) — A na-tional atheist lobbying group is calling on President-elect Barack Obama to overhaul military policies in an effort to reduce what it sees as religious discrimination in the armed forces. The Secular Coalition for America has written…
Three decades later, memories of Jonestown tragedy linger
WASHINGTON (RNS) — In life, the 900 people who followed Jim Jones to build a utopian commune in the South American jungle in 1977 were relatively anonymous. But in death, the Jonestown pilgrims became front-page news when they died a…
Not all belief in paranormal phenomena is created equal
WASHINGTON (RNS) — For some Americans, ghosts, Bigfoot and UFOs aren't the stuff of tabloid teasers or X-Files reruns. They believe paranormal phenomena are real — as real as a resurrected Jesus and a devious Satan are to millions. In…
Publishers seek to give the Bible a thoroughly modern makeover
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The Bible is getting a makeover as publishers try to catch every type of customer's attention and draw in new readers who would be unlikely to pick it up in its traditional form. With different packaging, The…
Gay marriage dealt setback in California
WASHINGTON (RNS) — In a razor-thin outcome, California voters overturned same-sex marriage rights in the nation's most populous state, as similar bans on gay marriage were approved in Arizona and Florida. The verdicts by voters in three large and growing…
Evangelicals say they’re not going anywhere
Faced with a Barack Obama presidency and Democratic gains in Congress, evangelicals are planning their next steps in a transformed political landscape, with hopes for some common ground and plans to continue fighting for social issues that had mixed results…
American Muslims relieved, hopeful at Obama election
After months of balancing their support for the presidential candidate with concerns that their allegiance could do more harm than good, millions of relieved American Muslims cheered the election of the son of a Muslim immigrant whose middle name is…
Re-energized religious left delivers for Obama
WASHINGTON (RNS) — After the election of Democrat Barack Obama as president, you might expect religious progressives to start polishing their resumes for prominent Washington posts. But liberal faith leaders said they have little interest in securing White House sinecures,…
Pastor creates interfaith church where Christians are not in charge
NEW YORK (RNS) — A Christian, a Jew, a Muslim, a Buddhist and an atheist walk into a prayer meeting. Any number of punch lines could follow. But the members of Faith House Manhattan have serious business in mind. They…
Churches try to meet need of developmentally challenged kids
DAMASCUS, Md. (RNS) — On Sunday mornings at Damascus Road Community Church, when most children are dismissed from the sanctuary for Sunday school, another set of children and adults head to “The Haven.” Up to four dozen people gather in…
Catholic views on abortion, gay marriage depend on frequency of church attendance
WASHINGTON (RNS) — U.S. Catholic voters are split on the issues of abortion and same-sex marriage between those who attend church at least twice a month and those who attend church less often, according to a new survey by the…
ANALYSIS: ‘Thou shalt not bear false witness’ –unless it’s in a campaign ad
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Distortions, stretches, half-truths and omissions are familiar features of political campaigns. But independent fact-checkers and analysts say outright falsehoods in candidates' ads may be reaching a level not seen since TV commercials entered presidential politics more than…