Do ancient ruins in Israel support or contradict the Bible’s depiction of King David and King Solomon? Archaeologists debate the matter as digging proceeds at Megiddo, where scholars are unearthing and dating the remains of cities, altars, and battlefields at one of civilization’s most violent crossroads. More →

February 6, 2004

A growing black middle class and the lack of available land in cities are luring some African-American congregations to the suburbs, depriving their old neighborhoods of the ministries that had served them. More →

February 6, 2004

“Dr. King liked jazz,” says Rev. Michael Haynes of Twelfth Baptist Church in Boston, “I think music is just a wonderful opportunity to bring humans together. And what it did in the civil rights movement – it was the means through which they got inspiration and challenge.” Rev. Haynes invited his brother, renowned jazz drummer Roy Haynes, to be part of a special musical service honoring King. More →

January 23, 2004

RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY profiles Peter Steinfels — Catholic, THE NEW YORK TIMES religion columnist, and author of the book A PEOPLE ADRIFT. Steinfels discusses the challenges facing the U.S. Catholic Church, from the sex abuse scandal to ordination of women, which he fears may send the church into an “irreversible decline” if they are not acted upon. More →

October 3, 2003

RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY previews upcoming U.S Supreme Court cases. At issue are recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in schools, state funding for religious education, and the case of Death Row inmate Delma Banks. More →

October 3, 2003

For the first time in 40 years, the “Greatest Story Ever Told” is being retold in a new round of films with religious themes. The first is THE GOSPEL OF JOHN. Visual Bible International, a faith-based media company, has produced a verbatim adaptation from the GOOD NEWS BIBLE — an accessible translation written in 1966. More →

October 3, 2003

With 2003 as its eleventh year, the program called Seeds of Peace brings together the children of people who are often enemies, so that they might learn what they have in common. So that they might one day fight for peace rather than against each other. More →

August 22, 2003

Many churches encourage their young people to memorize Scripture. In the Free Methodist Church, they do it through a friendly competition called “Bible Quizzing.” 2003 marks the 50th anniversary of Bible Quizzing in the evangelical denomination. 123 teams from across the nation competed in the Church’s National Bible Quizzing Final Tournament. More →

July 18, 2003

Buddhists pay special tribute to the dead during the Bon or Obon Festival — the Feast of Lanterns. More →

July 18, 2003

The new governing council in Iraq met this week, a first step toward creating a constitution and holding elections. The council includes representatives of all the country’s major religious and regional groups. But on the ground, U.S. forces continue to take casualties almost every day. More →

July 18, 2003