NEW ORLEANS (RNS)—A recent debate at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary was titled “The Future of Atheism,” but the heart of the dialogue explored a related question: Can mankind's age-old belief in God be explained purely as a stubbornly recurring…
Dobson, others seek ouster of NAE officer for support of efforts to end global warming
More than two dozen evangelical leaders are seeking the ouster of Richard Cizik from the National Association of Evangelicals because of his “relentless campaign” against global warming. In a March 1 letter to L. Roy Taylor, chairman of the NAE…
Muslim congressman uses Jefferson’s Quran to take oath of office
When incoming lawmaker Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, took the oath of office Jan. 4, he placed his hand on a Quran once owned by Thomas Jefferson. The Minnesota Democrat has drawn fire from conservatives, including a…
Ellison won’t be first politician to forgo Bible in taking oath of office
When Keith Ellison, the Minnesota Democrat who last month was elected the first Muslim in Congress, announced he would take his oath of office on Islam's holy book, the Quran, he provoked sharp criticism. The ensuing discussion has revived the…
Rick who?
If Britney Spears, Denzel Washington and James Dobson were in a lineup, most Americans would know the first two but draw a blank on the evangelical leader. A new study by the Barna Group found that a majority of Americans,…
Author probes Thanksgiving’s ‘deep religious impulses’
With its celebration of bounty and goodwill, not to mention its endearing lack of commercialization, Thanksgiving may be the most beloved of American holidays. But is the Thanksgiving Americans celebrate today mere myth-making, resting on ahistorical stereotypes? Take the fabled…
ANOTHER VIEW: Big faith on the big screen
Hollywood has been abuzz lately with the big news that more faith-based movies like The Passion of the Christ and Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe are on the way, but the reaction so far has…
Questions and answers on N.J. gay marriage decision
Q: What did the New Jersey Supreme Court rule? A: The majority said that while there is no “fundamental right to same sex-marriage” in New Jersey, it is unconstitutional to deny gay couples the same rights as married couples. Q:…
New Orleans churches stagger back to life
Seventy-five people gathered in bright sunshine on a recent Sunday outside Reaping the Harvest Full Gospel Baptist Church in New Orleans. They applauded as pastor Troy Lawrence, resplendent in a three-piece gray pinstriped suit, cut a red ribbon and, for…