Money & Giving
Brooklyn Rabbi pleads guilty to money laundering
By Tracy Gordon — April 11, 2011
TRENTON, N.J. (RNS) Of all those targeted in what became the biggest FBI sting operation in New Jersey history, Rabbi Mordchai Fish was among the most secretive. He changed cell phones constantly, worried aloud about electronic bugs and had cash couriers all over Brooklyn. On Friday (April 8), the tearful 58-year-old Orthodox rabbi pleaded guilty […]
Evangelist testifies in ex-bodyguard’s murder trial
By Tracy Gordon — April 8, 2011
WATERLOO, Ill. (RNS) Televangelist Joyce Meyer said Wednesday (April 6) she testified “honestly and truthfully” in a closed pretrial deposition in the murder trial of her former bodyguard, Christopher Coleman. But Meyer said she would honor a request not to reveal the substance of what was said. The testimony was originally slated to be public, […]
Court says Adventist postmen can’t get Saturday off
By Tracy Gordon — April 4, 2011
(RNS) Neither snow nor rain nor Saturday Sabbaths should keep a Missouri mailman from his appointed rounds, a federal appeals court has ruled. Seventh-day Adventist Hosea Harrell argued he was the victim of religious discrimination when the U.S. Postal Service refused to give him Saturdays off. Harrell took the days off anyway and was fired […]
COMMENTARY: As we forgive those who trespass against us …
By Tracy Gordon — March 31, 2011
(RNS) How do I forgive those who have wronged me? Can I restore a relationship with someone who has deeply hurt me? Can ethnic groups set aside centuries of grievances and warring ways? Can the proverbial lion lay down with the lamb? My friend Marty composed the music for the most successful game franchise in […]
Poll: Most Americans don’t blame God for natural disasters
By Tracy Gordon — March 24, 2011
(RNS) We may never know why bad things happen to good people, but most Americans — except evangelicals — reject the idea that natural disasters are divine punishment, a test of faith or some other sign from God, according to a new poll. The poll released Thursday (March 24), by Public Religion Research Institute in […]
Charitable giving stabilizes as recession ebbs
By Tracy Gordon — March 24, 2011
(RNS) Charities are seeing improvements in fundraising, with fewer charities reporting declines in 2010 compared with 2009, according to a report released Tuesday (March 22). But a larger percentage of organizations reported bringing in about the same amount of revenue both years, says the report by the Nonprofit Research Collaborative, a coalition of six organizations […]
Forgiveness scholar opens up on role of faith
By Tracy Gordon — February 25, 2011
VATICAN CITY (RNS) For more than a quarter of a century, psychologist Robert D. Enright has been a pioneer in the scientific study of forgiveness — the kind of guy Time magazine once dubbed “the forgiveness trailblazer.” He’s probed the mental and physical benefits that incest survivors, adult children of alcoholics, cardiac patients and others […]
Report: Churches, charities not in competition for dollars
By Tracy Gordon — February 15, 2011
(RNS) Houses of worship and other charities often aren’t in competition for dollars but instead tend to reap donations from similar donors, a new study shows. Slightly more than 50 percent of people who financially supported congregations also gave to at least one charitable organization in the last year, according to a study conducted by […]
Author recounts bomb memories from historic church
By Tracy Gordon — February 4, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.(RNS) Carolyn McKinstry pointed to a doorway in the balcony of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church and memories started rushing back — good ones. “I used to run all over this place as a little kid,” she said. “That was my hiding place.” McKinstry also has some difficult memories, like Sept. 15, 1963, when a […]
Court says religious knowledge test improper in asylum case
By Tiffany McCallen — January 22, 2011
(RNS) A Chinese Christian should be given another chance at asylum after an immigration judge thought the man couldn’t answer “basic questions” about Christianity, a federal appeals court has ruled. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said on Wednesday (Jan. 19) that Lei Li was improperly denied asylum after the judge was unsatisfied by […]
YWCA drops Christian affiliation from name
By Tracy Gordon — January 11, 2011
LONDON (RNS) The British branch of the YWCA has dropped “Christian” from its official name because it “no longer stood for what we are or what we do,” the women’s charity has announced. After 155 years, the Young Women’s Christian Association will now be known as Platform 51, the charity says in an announcement carried […]
COMMENTARY: I wonder as I wander through Advent
By Tom Ehrich — December 14, 2010
(RNS) This year we bought a small Christmas tree. We couldn’t afford $90 for a larger tree, or maybe we chose not to afford it. I wonder if our family Christmas will be diminished by a small tree. We will be giving fewer and simpler gifts this year, too. Same reasons: can’t, or won’t. I […]
COMMENTARY: Doing more with less
By Tracy Gordon — December 7, 2010
(RNS) It’s hard to gauge just how many Americans feel broke this Christmas. Those who feel broke don’t want to talk about it. Those who sell to the broke are hoping they don’t give in to discouragement. And those who brought about this mess are spending lavish bonuses and catering to the rich. But as […]
`Father Oprah’ and wife welcome first daughter
By Tracy Gordon — December 4, 2010
(RNS) The Miami priest once known as “Father Oprah,” who joined the Episcopal Church after his breaking his Catholic vow of celibacy, announced the birth of his first child on Thursday (Dec. 2). “With thanksgiving to God, the giver of all life, my wife and I announce the birth of our beautiful baby daughter Camila […]
First lady expands `Let’s Move’ to religious groups
By Tracy Gordon — December 1, 2010
WASHINGTON (RNS) First lady Michelle Obama has expanded her “Let’s Move” initiative to reduce childhood obesity to include working with religious and community organizations. “We can provide all the information in the world but it’s really the leadership and respect that so many of you have garnered through your congregations and communities that’s going to […]
