Ethics
Christianity was a major part of Indigenous boarding schools – a historian whose family survived them explains
By Brenda J. Child — August 2, 2022
(The Conversation) — A historian of the residential schools explains how religion played a key role in assimilationist systems for Indigenous children in Canada and the United States.
Tribal leaders, members react to pope’s apology on schools
By Associated Press — July 26, 2022
MASKWACIS, Alberta (AP) — He expressed sorrow over the schools' systemic marginalization, denigration and suppression of Indigenous people, languages and culture.
These adoptees refuse to be Christian pro-life poster kids
By Kathryn Post — July 25, 2022
(RNS) — They're challenging the often-religious argument that adoption is a simple, sacred and mutually beneficial solution to abortion.
Pope tells religious orders to report abuse, protect others
By Associated Press — July 19, 2022
ROME (AP) — Religious orders have had some of the worst records, in part because their diffuse structure outside the diocesan hierarchy has enabled abusers to easily move to different countries rather than face justice at home.
What does it mean to be a ‘person’? Different cultures have different answers
By Robert Launay — July 12, 2022
(The Conversation) — The fundamental issue at stake in abortion debates is personhood, which is viewed differently around the world, an anthropologist writes.
Fundie Fridays, the snarky critic of conservative religious zeal, faces YouTube termination
By Riley Farrell — June 30, 2022
(RNS) — By poking fun at fundamentalists, Jennifer Sutphin and James Bryant stand as symmetrically antithetical to Christian content creators. Thousands of followers worship them for it.
The ‘sonnenrad’ used in shooters’ manifestos: a spiritual symbol of hate
By Helen A. Berger — June 30, 2022
(The Conversation) — The far-right today shares more than just ideas with white supremacists of yesterday – they also share some pagan-inspired symbols.
Abortion and bioethics: Principles to guide U.S. abortion debates
By Nancy S. Jecker — June 23, 2022
(The Conversation) — A bioethicist explains the four ethical principles that guide medical practitioners’ thinking about abortion, such as autonomy and justice.
The history of Southern Baptists shows they have not always opposed abortion
By Susan M. Shaw — June 21, 2022
(The Conversation) — A scholar writes about how the Southern Baptist Convention’s views on abortion changed during the 1980s, when a more conservative wing seized control of the denomination.
UK sanctions Russian Orthodox head; decries forced adoption
By Associated Press — June 16, 2022
LONDON (AP) — Truss also targeted children's rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova, who has been accused of enabling the taking of 2,000 vulnerable children from the Luhansk and Donetsk regions in eastern Ukraine and facilitating their forced adoptions in Russia.
Blaming ‘evil’ for mass violence isn’t as simple as it seems – a philosopher unpacks the paradox in using the word
By Elise Springer — June 15, 2022
(The Conversation) — The word ‘evil’ sends a clear message – or does it? There are deep tensions in what the word means, and what it can accomplish.
Colorado bishops ‘weaponizing’ Communion, Catholic lawmakers say
By Kathryn Post — June 14, 2022
(RNS) — Catholic bishops asked Catholic lawmakers in Colorado who supported abortion rights legislation to voluntarily refrain from the sacrament.
German federal court rejects bid to remove antisemitic relic
By Geir Moulson — June 14, 2022
Despite the defamatory nature of the original statue, “the legal system does not demand its removal,” the federal court said.
ELCA presiding bishop releases report examining removal of Latino pastor by Bishop Rohrer
By Alejandra Molina — June 2, 2022
(RNS) — The report comes months after the Rev. Megan Rohrer’s actions were criticized by the Asociación de Ministerios Latinos de la ELCA as showing a ‘lack of empathy and understanding toward their Latinx siblings.’
Los Angeles archdiocese requests sheriff’s campaign ad filmed in church be taken down
By Alejandra Molina — May 20, 2022
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — 'The Archdiocese of Los Angeles was not properly informed prior to the filming either by the priest contacted at the parish, or the campaign,' the statement read, adding that it does not endorse political candidates.
