White House takes stance against gay-marriage ban
(WASHINGTON) The Obama administration came out forcefully Thursday against California’s ban on same-sex marriage and, by extension, implicated similar bans in 37 other states.
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Rosa Parks statue unveiled at Capitol, celebrated by AME Church
WASHINGTON (RNS) A bronze statue of civil rights heroine Rosa Parks was unveiled Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol, a day for fellow members of her African Methodist Episcopal Church to celebrate one of their own among the pantheon of American heroes.
Scholars seek to reclaim a dirty word: secularism
(RNS) A conference at Georgetown University this week focused on cleaning up what many Americans consider a dirty word: secularism. The goal of the “Secularism on the Edge” conference was, in part, to define what secularism is and what it is not.
Christian left sees optimism in Obama’s second term
(RNS) Heartened by his inaugural calls for gay rights and for bold action on climate change, those on the U.S. Christian left are confident that Barack Obama will now claim the progressive legacy they believe he craves.
Catholic bishops reject new contraception proposals
(RNS) The nation’s Catholic bishops on Thursday (Feb. 7) rejected the Obama administration’s latest proposals to broaden the religious exemptions and accommodations in regulations that will require insurance companies or employers to provide free birth control coverage.
READ: Obama’s remarks at the 2013 National Prayer Breakfast
(RNS) President Obama addressed the National Prayer Breakfast this morning in Washington.
Preachers pray for unity at National Cathedral inaugural service
WASHINGTON (RNS) President Obama started his second term with a traditional worship service and a challenge to work towards healing the nation’s divides.
‘So help me God’ isn’t in official presidential oath
(RNS) When President Obama rests his hand on two historic Bibles to take his second-term oath of office Monday, he’ll add a phrase not mentioned in the Constitution: “So help me God.” But the Almighty’s role on the Capitol steps is a controversial one. By Cathy Lynn Grossman.
RNS EXCLUSIVE: Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton to preach at inaugural National Prayer Service
(RNS) The Rev. Adam Hamilton, a United Methodist pastor from Kansas known for his centrist views, will deliver the sermon at the National Prayer Service Tuesday at Washington National Cathedral, which concludes President Obama’s inaugural ceremonies. By Daniel Burke.
Mr. President, leave your Bibles at home
(RNS) It’s the constitutionally mandated oath of office, not the pair of historic Bibles, that is both necessary and sufficient for President Obama to begin his second term. Linking that oath to any religious text does not add to its efficacy. By A. James Rudin.
