Mainline
Why faith communities are mobilizing against hate during Pride Month
By Paul Brandeis Raushenbush — May 28, 2024
(RNS) — While 2023 witnessed a frightening surge in hate, we know 2024 sadly has the potential to be even more alarming.
Why the UMC took a historic stand and condemned Hindu nationalism
By Neal Christie — May 24, 2024
(RNS) — The United Methodist Church is saying that we will not stand by silently while people are persecuted because of their faith and their conscience.
Defrocked in 2004 for same-sex relationship, a faithful Methodist is reinstated as pastor
By David Crary — May 22, 2024
(AP) – Earlier this month, delegates at a major UMC conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, struck down longstanding anti-LGBTQ policies and created a path for clergy ousted because of them to seek reinstatement.
A priest observed a ‘Eucharistic fast’ for racial justice. Now, he could be deposed.
By Kathryn Post — May 16, 2024
(RNS) — Ramey, an activist against white supremacy and former rector of an Episcopal church in Alexandria, Virginia, has refused to preside over the Eucharist or to receive it personally since 2022.
Can Donald Trump swear on the Bible to tell the truth?
By Jim Wallis — May 10, 2024
(RNS) — The former president is selling 'God Bless the USA' Bibles. What will happen if he has to swear on Scripture in court during one of his many trials?
Harvard religion professor Diana Eck on pluralism’s changes, challenges
By Adelle M. Banks — May 9, 2024
(RNS) — ‘I still think of myself as Christian, in the sense that that’s my family of origin,’ Eck said. ‘There are other families that I feel I belong to as well.’
Is the golden age of American Jews really ending?
By Mark Silk — May 8, 2024
(RNS) — Reports of its demise are premature.
In toxic time, hope can be the solid ground we can stand on
By Cassandra Lawrence — May 7, 2024
(RNS) — Severely tried in the months since Oct. 7, the interfaith community still looks to the promise of future flourishing.
After vote to repeal LGBTQ bans, many gay Methodists are now fully out
By Yonat Shimron — May 6, 2024
DURHAM, N.C. (RNS) — On the first Sunday after the conclusion of the denomination’s General Conference, many queer United Methodists celebrated their release from the tight and narrow spaces that had confined them.
A milestone reached in mainline Protestant churches’ decades-old disputes over LGBTQ inclusion
By The Associated Press — May 6, 2024
(AP) — The United Methodist Church, which stripped out its bans and related social teachings over the past two weeks, is the last of the major mainline church bodies to go through this process.
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.
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.
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.
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.
