Tag: politics

Christian Chronicle, Religion News Service, Washington Post

Cyntoia Brown, granted clemency, says Christian school’s program changed her life

While in a Tennessee prison for murder, Brown got a degree with the help of Lipscomb University. By Bobby Ross Jr. Each semester, the LIFE program at Nashville’s Lipscomb University, which is associated with the Churches of Christ, pairs students with inmates serving time in the Tennessee Prison for Women. This week, the most high-profile graduate of that academic program — offered behind the prison’s … Continue reading Cyntoia Brown, granted clemency, says Christian school’s program changed her life

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

Texas GOP leader who is Muslim declares victory over bigotry

By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service Dr. Shahid Shafi, a trauma surgeon who is Muslim, declared victory over bigotry and a win for religious freedom after fellow Republicans in Texas’ most conservative urban county voted 139-49 with 10 abstentions to retain him in a key leadership position. The much-anticipated vote Thursday night (Jan. 10) by the Tarrant County GOP came during a … Continue reading Texas GOP leader who is Muslim declares victory over bigotry

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

How Kendra Horn turned Oklahoma’s 5th District blue for the first time in 44 years

Religion played a role as the 42-year-old Democrat pulled off one a major upset. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKLAHOMA CITY — U.S. Rep.-elect Kendra Horn, D-Okla., knelt at the front of the sanctuary as the Rev. Joseph Alsay, rector of St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, anointed her with chrism, a consecrated oil. “Kendra, may God bless you with enough … Continue reading How Kendra Horn turned Oklahoma’s 5th District blue for the first time in 44 years

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

Texas GOP dispute pits religious freedom against claims of ‘stealth jihad’

The appointment of a Muslim doctor to a county’s party leadership has fractured the Republicans of Tarrant County. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service FORT WORTH, Texas  — Lisa Grimaldi Abdulkareem describes herself as a conservative Republican who believes in freedom and prosperity. “Less bureaucracy, lower taxes and stronger national security — it is simple for me,” said Abdulkareem, the Tarrant County … Continue reading Texas GOP dispute pits religious freedom against claims of ‘stealth jihad’

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Washington Post

In red-state Oklahoma, marijuana ballot question splits people of faith

Oklahoma residents grapple with faith, legalizing medical marijuana. @washingtonpost version of my @RNS story on State Question 788 https://t.co/hmmIRp7xzJ — Bobby Ross Jr. (@bobbyross) June 10, 2018 Clergy on both sides of State Question 788, which would permit the distribution of medical marijuana, call it a moral issue. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKLAHOMA CITY — As Presbyterian minister Bobby Griffith … Continue reading In red-state Oklahoma, marijuana ballot question splits people of faith

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Washington Post

‘Jesus loves me and my guns’: Faith and firearms touted at the NRA’s prayer breakfast

By Bobby Ross Jr. | For The Washington Post DALLAS — Midway through his 15-minute testimony at the National Rifle Association’s annual prayer breakfast Sunday, retired major league first baseman Adam LaRoche took off his sweater. Underneath, LaRoche — who hit 255 home runs in a 12-year career — sported a black T-shirt with a message that drew cheers from the firearms-friendly crowd of about 1,300. “Jesus … Continue reading ‘Jesus loves me and my guns’: Faith and firearms touted at the NRA’s prayer breakfast

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service, Washington Post

Pompeo’s Kansas church asks God to ‘give him strength’ in Senate confirmation process

“Mike has enemies because of his faith who may try to paint him in a poor light and make it difficult for him to reach the Secretary of State position,” the pastor of nominee Mike Pompeo wrote to his congregation. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service WICHITA, Kan. — Under fire from Muslim, Jewish and human rights groups for a record of … Continue reading Pompeo’s Kansas church asks God to ‘give him strength’ in Senate confirmation process

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

When adoption agencies can turn away gay prospective parents, what happens to the kids?

Those who study the issue say it’s hard to tell exactly how such rules governing adoption affect the numbers of children placed in “forever” homes.  By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma lawmakers may soon sanction private adoption agencies turning away same-sex couples and other prospective parents who don’t meet their religious criteria, a possibility cheered by the Roman … Continue reading When adoption agencies can turn away gay prospective parents, what happens to the kids?

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

Texas city council members censure colleague over anti-Islam Facebook post

By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service PLANO, Texas — The city council of heavily Republican Plano has voted to censure one of its members for an anti-Islam Facebook post — a post for which he has apologized but over which he refuses to resign. The 7-1 vote Sunday was a decisive repudiation of the kind of exclusionary rhetoric that President Trump himself … Continue reading Texas city council members censure colleague over anti-Islam Facebook post

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.