Pope calls for commitment to protect life as he doubles down on abortion in New Year’s Day message ROME (AP) — In his homily, he prayed that everyone learns to care for “every child born of a woman” and to protect “the precious gift of life: life in the womb, the lives of children, the lives of the suffering, the poor, the elderly, the lonely and the dying.” The post Pope calls for commitment to protect life as he doubles down on abortion in …

In Richard Hays, a rare combination of confidence and contrition (RNS) — All of this full and good life was funded by an unapologetic conviction about the mercy of God at work in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The post In Richard Hays, a rare combination of confidence and contrition appeared first on RNS.

Vatican decides not to put keffiyeh back in nativity VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The Vatican had hinted the controversial keffiyeh would be put back in the nativity scene on Christmas Eve. The post Vatican decides not to put keffiyeh back in nativity appeared first on RNS.

Richard Hays, influential scholar who changed his mind on same-sex marriage, has died (RNS) — The renowned New Testament scholar and former dean of Duke Divinity School described his most recent book as an act of repentance for the way his work had been used to harm LGBTQ people and to divide Christians The post Richard Hays, influential scholar who changed his mind on same-sex marriage, has died appeared first on RNS.

January 6th: Bad Theology, Bad for Democracy State of Belief host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush talks with Dr. Robert P. Jones, president of the Public Religion Research Institute, about the rewriting of history around the January 6, 2021 attacks on the Capitol and trends in religion and politics at the start of 2025. Also, Paul pays tribute to the late Jimmy Carter. The post January 6th:…

Pardon who? Hunter Biden case renews ethical debate over use and limits of peculiar presidential power (The Conversation) — Despite the controversy surrounding them, presidential pardons can provide a service – the question is how they are used. The post Pardon who? Hunter Biden case renews ethical debate over use and limits of peculiar presidential power appeared first on RNS.

Entering Jubilee 2025 with hope for our common home (RNS) — When we are tempted to lose hope, we must remember that it is not a feeling or an emotion but a virtue. The post Entering Jubilee 2025 with hope for our common home appeared first on RNS.

New Orleans’ attacker deserves to be understood like any Christian mass killer (RNS) — Muslims are exhausted by a double standard that portrays white attackers as mentally ill and all others as ideologically driven terrorists. The post New Orleans’ attacker deserves to be understood like any Christian mass killer appeared first on RNS.

119th Congress adds 2 Hindus, 2 nones, remains mostly Christian (RNS) — Despite America’s shifting religious landscape, the faith of the country’s representatives has changed little. The post 119th Congress adds 2 Hindus, 2 nones, remains mostly Christian appeared first on RNS.

Buddhist group says Army Corps’ Everglades project violates religious freedom (RNS) — A new lawsuit says the project could disrupt a retreat center for Soka Gakkai International-USA, a group popularized by Tina Turner and Orlando Bloom. The post Buddhist group says Army Corps’ Everglades project violates religious freedom appeared first on RNS.

Does a lack of faith lead to suicide? One study says yes. Scholars of secularism say no. (RNS) — A new study by a Christian scholar found higher rates of suicide and campus sexual assault in states where more nonbelievers live. But others who study secularism say correlation doesn’t prove the case. The post Does a lack of faith lead to suicide? One study says yes. Scholars of secularism say no. appeared first on RNS.

Catholics prepare to celebrate 50 years of first U.S.-born saint (RNS) — Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton founded the first congregation of women religious in the US and the first US Catholic girls’ school. The post Catholics prepare to celebrate 50 years of first U.S.-born saint appeared first on RNS.

Mindfulness is about ‘remembering’ − a practice of coming back to the now (The Conversation) — The point of mindfulness is not to be more productive at work or just to relax − it is inner transformation. The post Mindfulness is about ‘remembering’ − a practice of coming back to the now appeared first on RNS.

Hunter Biden case renews ethical debate over use and limits of peculiar presidential power (The Conversation) — Despite the controversy surrounding them, presidential pardons can provide a service – the question is how they are used. The post Hunter Biden case renews ethical debate over use and limits of peculiar presidential power appeared first on RNS.

Photos of the Week: Hanukkah; New Year commemorations (RNS) — This week’s photo gallery includes Hanukkah, commemorations for the New Year and more. The post Photos of the Week: Hanukkah; New Year commemorations appeared first on RNS.

How religion, wellness bros and conspiracies made some Americans doubt seed oils (RNS) — Clean eating and spiritual health have often been linked in American culture. The post How religion, wellness bros and conspiracies made some Americans doubt seed oils appeared first on RNS.

T.D. Jakes labels himself ‘Bishop Lazarus’ in return to pulpit on New Year’s Eve (RNS) — ‘God in his infinite wisdom and his great grace brought me back to this same spot,’ he told his congregation as he spoke for about 55 minutes. The post T.D. Jakes labels himself ‘Bishop Lazarus’ in return to pulpit on New Year’s Eve appeared first on RNS.

Should the Democrats (re-)embrace religion? (RNS) — The past may not be prologue. The post Should the Democrats (re-)embrace religion? appeared first on RNS.

On US-Mexico border, Catholic leaders prepare for return of Trump anti-migrant regime SAN ANTONIO (RNS) — Protecting parishioners from deportation has become a theme in the ministry of several Catholic leaders at the border. The post On US-Mexico border, Catholic leaders prepare for return of Trump anti-migrant regime appeared first on RNS.

The death penalty: Vengeance, justice or mercy? (RNS) — It is hard to believe Jesus would execute anyone. The post The death penalty: Vengeance, justice or mercy? appeared first on RNS.