Posts in North America
Did Faith Change Former General Electric CEO Jack Welch?

(OPINION) The billionaire’s funeral raised the question of his personal legacy as well as his spiritual life. Based on interviews over the years, Welch, who grew up Catholic but did not practice for years, began to privately cultivate a Christian faith later in life with his wife Suzy, a Baptist.

Read More
A Pilgrimage to Eternity:​ A tour through Christianity’s complex history

(REVIEW) Best-selling author and ​NY Times​ op-ed contributor Timothy Egan lets us tag along on his journey from Canterbury to Rome in his latest book, ​A Pilgrimage to Eternity​. He’s on his camino​ – the Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage of over a thousand miles beginning from the English world’s oldest church and ending at St. Peter’s Square. 

Read More
Ben Affleck's New Film Introduces Religion To The Conversation on Addiction

Ben Affleck’s new film, The Way Back, takes a classic trope and exploits the old cliche for a slightly new take on an old tale: the film focuses less on the redemption of the team and more on the redemption of the coach.

Read More
‘The Eating Church’ Has Fed New York's Hungry For 24 Years and Now Its Pantry Is Dwindling

Last year, Advent Lutheran Church fed more than 8,000 people, more than 20 times the number of its congregation. While food prices are rising, their funds are declining, and New York’s hungry — battling rents rising faster than wages— keep coming.

Read More
Faith Groups Are Converting Property Into Free and Low-Income Housing

Faith communities and interfaith coalitions from Washington to Texas, New York to California, are dedicating portions of their property to permanent or long-term homes for the homeless. Experts on homelessness and housing say this movement could make faith communities crucial to solving California’s — and maybe the nation’s — homeless crisis.

Read More
Christian School Accusing Maryland of Religious Discrimination Continues Legal Battle

The Bethel Christian Academy case illustrates the broader fight that often pits the government and taxpayer-funded programs with religiously-affiliated schools that adhere to a doctrinal covenant opposing same-sex marriage. The state calls it discrimination, while the school argues that its religious freedom has come under attack.

Read More
Can Catholics eat plant-based 'meat' during Lent?

Plant-based products have unleashed a meaty debate in church pews and on message boards over whether products like the Impossible Burger can or can’t be eaten during Lent and if doing so is ultimately a sin.

Read More
Collaboration is key for Holocaust educators

(OPINION) In Georgia, several publicly-funded Holocaust education initiatives face budget cuts. As Americans’ knowledge about this history declines, these programs should work together to find creative ways to survive and expand their reach.

Read More
U.S. Catholics split on Trump and church teachings

As Democrats running for president prepare for a Super Tuesday contest that could very well determine a nominee, support among some segment of American Catholics for President Donald Trump is growing. Overall, the poll found that U.S. Catholics remain sharply divided when it comes to both the president and church teachings.

Read More
LDS Church releases handbook long held secret, changes policies for LGBTQ people

The Mormon church has combined and updated its handbook, a portion of which had previously remained off-limits for lay members. Several changes relate to LGBTQ members, while the church remains firm in its support for only traditional marriage.

Read More
LDS leaders are poised for a major rollback of secrecy

(OPINION) For the first time, the authoritative Mormon rules guidebook will be available to the public. It will be a historic breakthrough.

Read More
Treating congregations like families is one response to the #ChurchToo era

(OPINION) Shifting gender roles and expectations mixed with revelations about sexual misconduct in church communities make relationships in congregations a complicated matter. Adjusting how we divide people in church may help them navigate life better.

Read More
More Jews are learning to fight anti-Semitism — with their hands

A self-defense school in New York City is busy training Jewish groups from area synagogues and schools as anti-Semitic violence has increased. Local officials and religious leaders are urging more Jews to take more precautions and responsibility for their security.

Read More
Ministers who survived church shootings hold forum on security

The two preachers, one from Tennessee and one from Texas, have both experienced the real-life nightmare of Sunday morning worship giving way — suddenly and inexplicably — to deadly gunfire.

Read More
'Accept the Call' shows Somali father wrestling with his American son's radicalization

The 2019 documentary, now airing on PBS, follows a Somali father’s quest to understand why his American-born son tried to join ISIS in Syria.

Read More