(RNS) A Missouri bishop has lifted the public censure of a church that hired a lesbian priest in 2000 — believed to be a first since the nation’s largest Lutheran denomination removed a ban on gay clergy last summer. Bishop Gerald Mansholt of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America lifted the public censure and admonition…

PRESCOTT, Ariz. – An Arizona judge said Wednesday that he will modify the conditions of release for a motivational speaker charged with manslaughter, but will wait to issue a written order on the matter later this week. Attorneys for James Arthur Ray have been trying to persuade the judge to lower his $5 million bond.…

JERUSALEM – Two parts of an ancient biblical manuscript separated across centuries and continents were reunited for the first time in a joint display Friday, thanks to an accidental discovery that is helping illuminate a dark period in the history of the Hebrew Bible. The 1,300-year-old fragments, which are among only a handful of Hebrew…

c. 2010 Religion News Service WASHINGTON (RNS) As Congress and the Pentagon grapple with a proposal to allow gays to serve openly in the military, some chaplains — especially evangelicals — worry the change will infringe on their religious beliefs. “It’s morally wrong,” said the Rev. Billy Baugham, executive director of the International Conference of…

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