HARRISBURG, Pa. (RNS)—Jesus and Moses were sold out, but consumers still could line up at the checkout counter to pay for Mary, Noah, David and a ferocious-looking Samson, packaged with Delilah in hot pink. The world of posable action figures…
SECOND OPINION: Greeting a new pastor
On a recent Sunday I said farewell to a wonderful congregation where I have served for the past four months. I want to leave behind these thoughts on how to greet a new pastor. • First, honor the complexity. “Keep…
Book reveals Mother Teresa’s prolonged ‘dark night of the soul’
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Ten years after her death, a new book of Mother Teresa's personal letters illustrates a profound and private spiritual struggle—much of it unknown to the world that would come to admire her for her work with the poor and…
Investors with moral agenda are bullish on faith-based mutual funds
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Religious activists with a moral agenda for corporate America used to rely primarily on consumer boycotts and sympathetic lawmakers to get Wall Street's attention. But now their toolbox is growing—and there's a lot more money in it. Over the…
Progressive Baptists protest hip-hop lyrics, global warming & Iraq war
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Delegates to the annual meeting of the Progressive National Baptist Convention have called for protests of music lyrics demeaning to women and minorities. “We are speaking out publicly against the denigration of women, minorities and the kind of self-hatred…
Billy Graham’s access to Oval Office spanned 11 U.S. presidents
It doesn't take long to make a list of religious leaders who've made personal connections with each of the last 11 U.S. presidents. There's really just one name: Billy Graham. The evangelist who has spent the last six decades preaching…
Romney’s faith faces uphill fight in South Carolina primaries
WASHINGTON — Can a Mormon win the White House? It's a question on the minds of many voters watching former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney — not to mention Romney's campaign itself. But for the Romney camp, the more immediate question…
Religion still ‘marginalized’ in foreign policy
WASHINGTON (RNS)—U.S. foreign policy officials have shown an increased understanding of religion's importance to American diplomacy, but the government's activities in that area display a “lack of strategic thinking” that hampers efforts abroad, according to a new report. U.S. officials…
Faith changes little over a lifetime, research reveals
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Michele Dillon and Paul Wink have interviewed scores of septuagenarians about their faith—or lack thereof—and compared their answers to those they gave during their teens and middle age. What did they discover? People really don't change much over time—religiosity…