debate
The Talmud has a lesson for our cancel-culture world
By Will Berkovitz — July 17, 2020
(RNS) — As our ancient rabbis understood, debate — and the people who engage in it — is vital to advancing society.
Iceland could become first country to ban male circumcision
By Kim Hjelmgaard — February 20, 2018
(USA Today) — The legislation being debated by Iceland's Parliament would impose a six-year jail term on anyone who 'removes part or all of (a child's) sexual organs' for nonmedical reasons.
No handshake and no middle ground
By Jacob Lupfer — October 20, 2016
(RNS) The missing handshake symbolized an icy and intensifying disdain between the candidates and the American public during the presidential debate, now a rite of America’s civil religion.
Terror is not debatable
By Jeffrey Salkin — April 14, 2016
An academic debate on the acceptability of Palestinian terror raises the question: Are there no limits?
Prayer shamers get both prayer and policy wrong (COMMENTARY)
By Jennifer A. Marshall — December 9, 2015
(RNS) Debate has been the missing element time and again on a range of issues, from gun control and poverty to climate change.
Christian sexuality debate in Boston mirrors national conversation
By Jonathan Merritt — April 24, 2015
The conversations at the Q conference did not mirror the raging debates common on cable news networks, but they may more closely resemble the national conversation as it occurs in many homes, workplaces, and churches.
Keeping the baby vs. abortion: Americans muddled morality about the unborn (COMMENTARY)
By Trevin Wax — March 30, 2015
(RNS) The debate over abortion reveals our society’s inconsistency: We only affirm the humanity of the unborn if the child is “wanted.”
There’s no such thing as atheist fundamentalism
By Chris Stedman — December 19, 2014
"This nefarious use of the term reveals the charge of 'atheist fundamentalism' for what it sometimes is: A weapon to marginalize critique of religion and the religious, and to maintain a status quo in which religious viewpoints, practices, and communities are privileged over nonreligious ones."
Yes, atheists can be fundamentalists
By Chris Stedman — December 18, 2014
"Fundamentalism as an ideological category has historically been limited to religion. But as atheism grows and begins to double as a political identity for many, I propose expanding that category to include nonbelievers."
Debate: Are there really ‘fundamentalist atheists’?
By Chris Stedman — December 17, 2014
Some people argue that atheism is "the new fundamentalism." But are there really "fundamentalist atheists"? Two atheists weigh in.
World Magazine column demonstrates evangelicals’ double standard
By Jonathan Merritt — November 17, 2014
The magazine attacks a pro-evolution Christian group for presenting a pro-evolution Christian perspective at their gathering. No, seriously.
Arguing the minors and missing the majors (COMMENTARY)
By Tom Ehrich — November 4, 2014
(RNS) We argue about things that don't matter because we can't face the things that do.
Let’s talk about sex, baby (er, millennial Christians)
By Jonathan Merritt — October 20, 2014
RNS' Jonathan Merritt and Sarah Pulliam Bailey interview popular pastor and author John Mark Comer as they explore this tricky topic. Comer believes sex is not just "play for grown-ups," but a "joining of body and soul...in self-giving love."
A pagan holiday? NJ school district cancels, reinstates Halloween celebrations
By Jessica Mazzola — October 16, 2014
MAPLEWOOD, N.J. (RNS) Parents of students at the Seth Boyden Elementary School in Maplewood received a note home from the principal saying that the annual Halloween celebration would be canceled. The following day it was reinstated.
What was missing from the Ben Affleck and Bill Maher Islam debate
By Chris Stedman — October 6, 2014
Ben Affleck, Bill Maher, and Sam Harris debated Islam over the weekend. But their debate was lacking something incredibly important: The voices and perspectives of Muslims and ex-Muslims.
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