SALEM, Mass. (RNS) — When America’s first ordained missionaries sailed from here to India 200 years ago, they kicked off a movement to spread the faith and created America’s most potent export: Christianity. That’s the message that will reverberate across…
Alaska Airlines suspends prayer cards
NEW YORK (RNS) — After causing a bit of turbulence with some passengers, Alaska Airlines will no longer serve prayer cards with in-flight meals, the company announced Jan. 25. The cards, which take a line or two from the Book…
At 200, missionary movement ponders the future
SALEM, Mass. (RNS) — When America’s first ordained missionaries sailed from here to India 200 years ago, they kicked off a movement to spread the faith and created America’s most potent export: Christianity. That’s the message that will reverberate across…
COMMENTARY: The ultimate badge of honor
(RNS) — Even though men and women from every faith have been members of our armed forces since the Revolutionary War, the struggle for Catholic and Jewish chaplains to gain equality within the American military has been long and difficult….
Catholic bishop criticized for Hitler comment
HARRISBURG, Pa. (RNS) — The bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, Pa., is being criticized for saying Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini would love the country’s public school system because it teaches all children one set of beliefs….
Court says student’s faith may have led to expulsion
(RNS) — A counseling student who declined to advise a gay client might have been expelled from her university because of her faith, a federal appeals court ruled on Jan. 27. Citing her evangelical Christian religion, Julea Ward disagreed with…
Religious groups blast Santorum on ‘equality’ comment
(RNS) — Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus are accusing Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum of bigotry and ignorance after he said that “equality” is solely a Judeo-Christian concept. “Where do you think the concept of equality comes from?” Santorum said on…
Praying for New Orleans, one block at a time
NEW ORLEANS (RNS) — Millie Campbell slipped the transmission into reverse and backed her blue Chevrolet away from her spotless brick home. “Oh God,” she said, “we thank you for the blood of Jesus.” Then the 76-year-old cranked the wheel…
10 minutes with … Lobsang Sangay
DHARMSALA, India (RNS) — At least three Tibetan Buddhist monks drank gasoline and set themselves ablaze in January, bringing the count of self-immolations to 15 since March 2011. Lobsang Sangay, the prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, attributes the deaths…