Missouri
‘Three Billboards’ wins best religious film
By Jeffrey Salkin — January 8, 2018
(RNS) — Even miserable SOBs can change, and grow. You never know what's really inside.
Heartland pagans embrace the eclipse
By KC McGinnis — August 21, 2017
BOONVILLE, Mo. (RNS) — As Americans across the country watched the moon eclipse the sun, pagans gathered here to appreciate the rare phenomenon with their own rituals.
Contested sacred space USA: Conflict and cooperation in the heartland
By Kimberly Winston — August 11, 2017
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (RNS) — From Jerusalem to Ayodhya, the world has no shortage of contested religious sites. But here in the U.S., the three largest Mormon denominations have found a way to peacefully share places that all of them hold sacred.
US top court set to rule on religious rights; travel ban looms
By Reuters — June 25, 2017
WASHINGTON (Reuters) The ruling in Trinity Lutheran v. Comer potentially could narrow the separation of church and state.
To avoid government meddling, the state should not fund churches
By Holly Hollman — April 20, 2017
(RNS) To avoid unconstitutionally funding religion or unnecessarily meddling in church affairs, Missouri has in the past wisely chosen to prohibit state funding of churches altogether.
In America, religious groups should pay their own way
By Barry Lynn — April 18, 2017
(RNS) A pending case at the U.S. Supreme Court could dramatically affect the religious freedom of all Americans.
Muslim groups raise funds to repair vandalized Jewish cemetery
By Ashley Lisenby — February 22, 2017
UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. — 'We want the Jewish community to know that the Muslim community stands with you in solidarity as anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and hate in general is on the rise in our nation,' Imam Djilali Kacem said.
Vandals wreck headstones at historic Jewish cemetery in St. Louis
By USA Today — February 21, 2017
UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. — Police, who are reviewing security footage, would not say whether they are considering the incident a hate crime.
Planned Parenthood files federal lawsuit challenging Missouri abortion laws
By RNS staff — December 1, 2016
(St. Louis Post-Dispatch/Kansas City Star) The lawsuit challenges requirements that abortion clinics meet standards for surgical centers and that their doctors have privileges in a nearby hospital.
Kansas City teacher astonishes with $2 million gift to Jesuits
By Sally Morrow — February 9, 2016
KANSAS CITY (RNS) Anna Kurzweil lived a simple and unpretentious life. So when it emerged that she left such a large sum to the Jesuits, nobody could believe it.
Protests return to Ferguson streets, state of emergency declared
By Reuters — August 11, 2015
FERGUSON, Mo. (Reuters) Police in riot gear clashed with protesters in Ferguson, Missouri, early on Tuesday to mark the anniversary of the police shooting of an unarmed black teen whose death sparked a national outcry over race relations.
Protesters take to Ferguson streets to mark anniversary of Michael Brown killing
By Reuters — August 9, 2015
FERGUSON, Mo. (Reuters) More than 200 protesters carrying bullhorns, drums and signs demonstrated against police in Ferguson, Missouri, on Saturday night, with some placing the roasted head of a pig on a barricade in front of officers.
The fight to show that Black lives matter, in Ferguson and beyond, needs atheist allies
By Chris Stedman — November 24, 2014
I know not all atheists identify as secular humanists, but for those that do—for the nonbelieving individuals and groups who, like me, contend for secular rights and ethical reasoning conducive to the wellbeing of all humans—I need you.
What happens next in the 20 states that still ban gay marriage?
By Brad Heath — October 7, 2014
(RNS) The U.S. Supreme Court's decision Monday leaves unchanged 20 state laws blocking same-sex unions. Each is already under legal attack, and some judges in those cases had been waiting to see what the high court would do. The court's instruction Monday: Proceed.
Missouri lawmaker, wife ask court for contraception insurance exclusion
By Jennifer S. Mann — September 9, 2014
ST. LOUIS (RNS) State Rep. Paul Wieland and his wife, Teresa, say the contraceptive benefit required by the Affordable Care Act violates their religious beliefs as Catholics and parents of three daughters.