Adelle M. Banks

Adelle M. Banks, production editor and a national reporter, joined RNS in 1995. An award-winning journalist, she previously was the religion reporter at the Orlando Sentinel and a reporter at The Providence Journal and newspapers in the upstate New York communities of Syracuse and Binghamton.

All Stories by Adelle M. Banks

Bishop Vashti McKenzie on leading National Council of Churches as it nears 75 years

By Adelle M. Banks — May 31, 2023
(RNS) — ‘I think that the difference, at this point, is that I am adding activism to advocacy,’ she said as she became NCC president after serving as interim leader.

Faith at Work conference builds momentum on religious inclusion in workplace

By Adelle M. Banks — May 26, 2023
(RNS) — ‘You can integrate faith into every aspect of your workforce, but it has to be voluntary,’ one expert said.

Saddleback Church appeals Southern Baptist Convention ouster over woman pastor

By Adelle M. Banks — May 16, 2023
(RNS) — It is one of three churches appealing decisions recently made by the denomination’s Executive Committee to remove eight congregations from official affiliation.

For 25th year, State Department reports on threats, triumphs in religious freedom

By Adelle M. Banks — May 16, 2023
(RNS) — The report, which assesses conditions in 199 countries, also looks at policies and laws, including those about blasphemy and apostasy, that ‘criminalize religious expression.’

Fewer evangelicals support public school childhood vaccine requirements, survey shows

By Adelle M. Banks — May 16, 2023
(RNS) — Significant majorities across religious groups say the benefits of childhood vaccines outweigh the risks from getting them.

COVID-19 health emergency is ending but faith-based vaccine clinics continue

By Adelle M. Banks — May 10, 2023
(RNS) — Over the last few years, African American congregations have provided outsized action on getting people tested and vaccinated.

John Blake, journalist on religion and race, goes personal with new memoir

By Adelle M. Banks — May 5, 2023
(RNS) — 'We really need to tell these stories about hope,' said Blake. 'There's a lot of Americans now who have given up ... and believe racism is just a permanent part of American life.'

More Americans pray in their car than in a place of worship, survey finds

By Adelle M. Banks — May 4, 2023
(RNS) — A distinct majority of those who pray (87%) said they believed they’d received an answer to their prayers in the last 12 months.

Faith leaders ask Biden to mark Mother’s Day with prayer day against gun violence

By Adelle M. Banks — May 3, 2023
(RNS) — Fellowship of Reconciliation leaders, who organized the letter, also pointed out ties that have been found between Christian nationalism and opposition to gun control legislation.

Iran, 27 other countries critiqued by watchdog for religious freedom violations

By Adelle M. Banks — May 1, 2023
(RNS) — The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom decried Iran’s use of violence against protesters in the wake of Mahsa Amini’s death.

60 years on, King’s ‘Letter from Birmingham Jail’ relevant as ever, say faith leaders

By Adelle M. Banks — April 28, 2023
(RNS) — King’s response to white clergy critics endures as a ‘road map’ for those working on justice and equal rights.

Most adults in US, 16 other nations say belief in God, morality not always linked

By Adelle M. Banks — April 20, 2023
(RNS) — Pew Research Center released the findings — that also hold true among most of those affiliated with a religion — from its Global Attitudes Survey.

Charles Stanley, TV preacher and Southern Baptist leader, dies at 90

By Adelle M. Banks — April 19, 2023
(RNS) — The author of dozens of books was recognized by people in the grassroots as well as in the highest echelons of American society.

Donald Lawrence: On taking the legacy of gospel music mentor Edwin Hawkins abroad

By Adelle M. Banks — April 14, 2023
(RNS) — ‘A lot of times people make gospel music so much about religion, they forget about the art of it,’ Lawrence said.

Can a teacher put John 3:16 in email signature? District says no; her lawyers say yes

By Adelle M. Banks — April 10, 2023
(RNS) — An official of a Virginia school district said its ‘determination is not based on any particular religious viewpoint.’
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