$1.7M is approved for restoration of historic Black church
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The federal government has approved $1.7 million for the restoration of one of the oldest Black…
Religion
Happy Twosday! Numbers such as 2/22/22 have been too fascinating for over 2,000 years
This Feb. 22, the world hits an unprecedented milestone. It’s the date itself: 2/22/22. And this so-called “Twosday” falls on…
Many faith leaders wary of religious exemptions for vaccine
By the thousands, Americans have been seeking religious exemptions in order to circumvent COVID-19 vaccination mandates, but generally they are…
Millions in tax dollars flow to anti-abortion centers
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Anti-abortion centers across the country are receiving tens of millions of tax dollars to talk women…
Governor’s ‘Christian values’ statement questioned
Gov. Mike Parson has no “litmus test for appointments,” his spokeswoman said Friday, despite a statement earlier in the week…
Pandemic changes death rituals, leaves grieving families without a sense of closure
The unexpected death of a friend and colleague to COVID-19 in January 2021 led me to start researching how American…
Pope New Year’s message: Pandemic is hard, but focus on the good
VATICAN CITY (AP) — In his New Year’s wishes to the world, Pope Francis encouraged people Saturday to focus on…
Desmond Tutu, South African equality activist, dies at 90
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Desmond Tutu, South Africa’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist for racial justice and LGBT rights and retired Anglican…
Pope demands humility in new zinger-filled Christmas speech
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis urged Vatican cardinals, bishops and bureaucrats to embrace humility this Christmas season, saying their pride,…
Many churches cancel in-person Christmas services
(AP) — Amid the surge of coronavirus cases across the U.S., numerous churches have canceled in-person Christmas services, disappointing pastors…
What’s your religion? In U.S., a common reply now is ‘None’
Nathalie Charles, even in her mid-teens, felt unwelcome in her Baptist congregation, with its conservative views on immigration, gender and…
Women breaking through to top roles in Black churches
When an opening for bishop arose in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in 2010, Teresa Jefferson-Snorton looked around to see…
How Christmas became an American holiday tradition, with a Santa Claus, gifts and a tree
Each year, the celebration of Christmas has religious leaders and conservatives publicly complaining about the commercialization of the holiday and the growing…
Conflict over abortion laws won’t abate if Roe v. Wade falls
On both sides of America’s abortion debate, activists are convinced that Roe v. Wade — the 1973 Supreme Court ruling…
Justices signal they may toss Roe, allow new abortion limits
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court’s six conservative justices, hearing the biggest challenge to abortion rights in decades, have indicated…
Abortion rights at stake in historic Supreme Court arguments
WASHINGTON (AP) — Abortion rights are on the line at the Supreme Court in historic arguments over the landmark ruling nearly 50…