U.S.
With a final flourish, United Methodist conference eliminates all anti-LGBTQ policies
By Yonat Shimron — May 3, 2024
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (RNS) — The reversals came in the wake of a schism that saw the departure of a quarter of its US churches — more than 7,600 congregations — over the past five years.
Churches tied to Civil Rights awarded National Park Service preservation funds
By Adelle M. Banks — May 3, 2024
To save their movement, student protesters should break camp
By Andre Henry — May 3, 2024
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United Methodists redefine marriage, end official condemnation of homosexuality
By Yonat Shimron — May 2, 2024
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (RNS) — A condemnation of homosexuality that has riven the denomination for 52 years was eliminated from the United Methodist Church’s rule book.
Expanding clergy sexual abuse probe targets New Orleans Catholic church leaders
By Jim Mustian — May 2, 2024
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The warrant contained several new details about the sex-trafficking investigation, including claims that some victims were sexually assaulted in a seminary swimming pool after being ordered to “skinny dip."
At time of rising antisemitism, Holocaust survivors take on denial and hate in new digital campaign
By Kirsten Grieshaber — May 2, 2024
DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) —It features videos of survivors from around the globe reading Holocaust denial posts from different social media platforms.
Azerbaijan named among religious freedom violators by religious liberty watchdog
By Adelle M. Banks — May 1, 2024
(RNS) — The commissioners recommended the State Department also retain the dozen countries that are currently designated as ‘countries of particular concern.’
United Methodists condemning Christian nationalism should address their complicity
By Brian Kaylor and Beau Underwood — May 1, 2024
(RNS) — The thinning of the UMC’s conservative ranks makes this week’s conference a perfect time to address the issue.
United Methodists strike down ban on ordination of gay clergy
By Yonat Shimron — May 1, 2024
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (RNS) — With a simple vote call and without debate, delegates to the General Conference removed the ban on the ordination of ‘self-avowed practicing homosexuals’ — a prohibition that dates to 1984.
‘A step back in time’: America’s Catholic Church sees an immense shift toward the old ways
By Tim Sullivan — May 1, 2024
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Generations of Catholics who embraced the modernizing tide sparked in the 1960s by Vatican II are increasingly giving way to religious conservatives who believe the church has been twisted by change,
75 Christian leaders urge president, Congress, churches to act on racism, poverty
By Adelle M. Banks — May 1, 2024
(RNS) — ‘Issues related to racism are now being fiercely debated across the country, and many people of color are fearful that racism is getting worse,’ reads their statement.
What we have to learn from students leading the charge for justice
By Serene Jones — April 30, 2024
(RNS) — We need to be the kind of faith and public leaders we want our students to become.
South Asian groups work to break cultural, religious stigmas around domestic violence
By Richa Karmarkar — April 30, 2024
(RNS) — In Sexual Assault Awareness Month, advocates hope to reshape the conversation around intimate partner violence within the diaspora.
Understanding America’s overlooked religious middle
By Robert P. Jones — April 30, 2024
(RNS) — The overlooked religious middle is poised to play an outsized role in the 2024 presidential contest.
United Methodist conference begins to drop contentious rules restricting LGBTQ clergy
By Yonat Shimron — April 30, 2024
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (RNS) — Among the rules overturned were a ban on bishops ordaining LGBTQ candidates for ministry, a ban on funding for LGBTQ affinity groups as well as a series of mandatory penalties for clergy who officiate same-sex weddings.
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