Lauren Markoe

Lauren Markoe has been a national reporter for RNS since 2011. Previously she covered government and politics as a daily reporter at the Charlotte Observer and The State (Columbia, S.C.)

All Stories by Lauren Markoe

What baseball can learn from religion

By Lauren Markoe — April 4, 2018
(RNS) — The world of religion offers clues to the causes and consequences of the present troubles. It also suggests what it will take to revive the great American pastime.

The Slingshot: Defining Islamophobia; Bilking seniors; Americanizing Copts

By Lauren Markoe — April 3, 2018
A legal scholar says it's high time we define Islamophobia. A megachurch pastor takes from the elderly. The Coptic Christians caught between Egypt and America.

Christians, Jews and the dubious history of the Passion play

By Lauren Markoe — March 27, 2018
(RNS) — I judge every Passion play by asking if it tells a story that is totally free of anti-Jewish images, costumes and teachings.

The Slingshot: Stephen Hawking interment; Dalai Lama’s exhaustion; Gelfite fish explained

By Lauren Markoe — March 23, 2018
Stephen Hawking will be interred at Westminster Abbey. The Dalai Lama will limit his globetrotting. What the heck is gefilte fish anyway?

The last male rhino of its kind dies. African religious leaders call it a spiritual loss.

By Lauren Markoe — March 21, 2018
(RNS) — 'We believe God cannot commission the death of species that he had brought to life,' said the Rev. Charles Odira, a Kenyan Roman Catholic priest and conservationist.

The Slingshot: Case about abortion; Tweet about Jim Carrey; Book about gay bunny

By Lauren Markoe — March 20, 2018
A case about reproductive right and free speech is heard by the Supreme Court today. Mike Huckabee defends his daughter after Jim Carrey tweets. John Oliver writes a parody of a children’s book by Mike Pence’s wife and daughter.

Lightning kills 15 worshippers in Rwanda, as government cracks down on unsafe churches

By Lauren Markoe — March 13, 2018
(RNS) — The strike occurred as the Rwandan government continues to shut down houses of worship it deems unsafe and dissenters accuse it of trampling on religious rights.

The Slingshot: Francis’ anniversary; Lesbian wedding; Holy taxes

By Lauren Markoe — March 13, 2018
It's been five years since Pope Francis' election. A pastor pays a high price for presiding at a gay wedding in the Methodist Church. In Jerusalem, churches don't want to pay taxes and the city budget suffers.

Rwanda closes hundreds of churches and arrests pastors

By Lauren Markoe — March 7, 2018
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — The move, allegedly for building safety, hygiene and noise violations, is prompting allegations that the government of President Paul Kagame is trampling on religious freedom in the tiny East African nation.

The Slingshot: Faking religion; Sanctuary mosques; Supremacist teacher

By Lauren Markoe — March 6, 2018
A study shows the price of cleaving to a religion when belief is gone. Muslims worry mosques can't serve as true sanctuaries for undocumented immigrants. A middle school teacher hosted a shocking podcast.

Interfaith film misses Oscar, but raises hope in Africa

By Lauren Markoe — March 5, 2018
(RNS) — It spreads a message that many Africans say is too rarely heard: that people from different religious groups on the continent can be each other's heroes.

The Slingshot: Lying in honor; Expecting an arrest; Surging Anti-Semitism

By Lauren Markoe — February 27, 2018
An admirer takes exception to Capitol honors for Billy Graham. Catholics protest on behalf of Dreamers. Anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. spiked last year.

The Slingshot: Circumcision ban; Black Panther; Faith healing

By Lauren Markoe — February 20, 2018
Iceland is poised to ban ritual circumcision. The Black Panther movie grounds itself in African spiritual life. Child welfare advocates say dozens of children have needlessly died in Idaho because of the state’s faith-healing exemptions.

The Slingshot: Transgender teen; Christians only; Snowboarder faith

By Lauren Markoe — February 13, 2018
Religious parents go to court to stop their 17-year-old from transitioning. A Michigan town will let only Christians buy homes. Kelly Clark comes home with no medal but strong faith.

The Slingshot: Evangelical intellects; Cardinal’s compromise; Saloon priest

By Lauren Markoe — February 6, 2018
Christian study centers at elite colleges offer comfy chairs and heady discussion groups. In Germany, a powerful prelate considers benedictions for same-sex couples. A gritty priest loved by celebrities and barflies alike has died.
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