WASHINGTON (RNS) — Evangelical Christians should be defined by their theology — and not their politics — to avoid becoming “useful idiots” of a political party, a group of leaders said May 7 in a new statement. The document, “An…
Chaplain launches ‘adopt a terrorist’ prayer campaign
WASHINGTON (RNS) — An Army Reserve chaplain has decided to do his individual part in the war on terror. He co-founded an Internet ministry to pray for terrorists. “Adopt a Terrorist for Prayer” was launched in March and features a…
Key evangelical leaders endorse reconciliation
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Several prominent evangelical leaders have endorsed a “Reconciliation Referendum” that says Sen. Barack Obama's recent address on race did not go far enough and pushes church leaders to speak up more about the need to address racism….
Spirituality plays significant part in children’s happiness
TORONTO (RNS) — Spirituality contributes significantly to a child's overall happiness — even more so than for adults, according to a new study from the University of British Columbia. The study tested 315 children ages 9 to 12, measuring spirituality…
Most Americans believe sin exists; they just can’t agree which acts are sinful
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The vast majority of Americans believe sin exists, but they differ on which behaviors are sinful, according to a new survey by Ellison Research. The Phoenix-based marketing research company found 87 percent of Americans believe in the…
Delayed life choices demand new strategies, scholar insists
PRINCETON, N.J. (RNS) — As increasing numbers of young people postpone marriage and children, other life choices — like returning to church — are affected as well, according to a leading scholar of American Protestantism. As a result, Princeton Univer-sity's…
Theologian urges greater sensitivity to suicide
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) — Churches can be a major factor in preventing suicide if they are willing to learn about the problem and reach out with compassion, said a theologian who specializes in pastoral care related to suicide. “People who…
Some Jews ‘uneasy’ with high-profile Christian allies
WASHINGTON (RNS) — In recent years, conservative Christians have emerged as some of the most vocal supporters of the state of Israel — support many Jewish groups have welcomed at a time when they feel Israel is under siege. One…
What’s behind the Saudi monotheism summit?
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — A group of visiting Japanese scholars was making a routine courtesy call recently on King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz when the monarch raised a subject that, as he put it, had “obsessed me since two years…
Supreme Court to revisit decency standards
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The U.S. Supreme Court announced it will revisit limits on on-air vulgarity in the court's first case on unsavory speech in almost 30 years. After Cher and Nicole Richie used expletives during the 2002 and 2003 Billboard…
Black liberation theology provides the doctrine behind fiery rhetoric
NEWARK, N.J. (RNS) — Jeremiah Wright's condemnation of the United States — particularly pronouncing damnation on America — looped hundreds of thousands of times on YouTube and news broadcasts. In the process, the pastor preached himself and his most famous…
Obama pastor’s tough sermons just part of long, prophetic tradition
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The longtime pastor of Sen. Barack Obama's black megachurch in Chicago has come under fire for sermons that many have called racist, offensive — and even dangerous. Jeremiah Wright has called the federal government the “U.S. of…