Articles by Whitney Jones

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U.S. hunger rate still at historic high

Nov 16, 2010 by Whitney Jones

The number of Americans struggling with hunger remained stable in 2009 despite the economic downturn but at the highest recorded level, according to new federal figures.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released statistics November 15 showing that one in seven American households could not buy adequate food last year due to lack of money and other resources.

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Conservatives send a warning shot in ousting Iowa judges

Nov 04, 2010 by Whitney Jones
(RNS) Three of the seven justices on the Iowa Supreme Court who voted to legalize same-sex marriage last year lost their jobs on Tuesday (Nov. 2), but conservative activists are warning they might not be the last.
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Craving forgiveness, but choosy in giving it

Nov 03, 2010 by Whitney Jones

Most Americans have a desire for more forgiveness in their lives, but they are more critical when choosing whom to forgive, according to a new survey.

Sixty-two percent of American adults said they need more forgiveness in their personal lives, and 94 percent wanted to see more forgiveness in the country, according to a study by the Michigan-based Fetzer Institute.

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Air Force Academy cites progress in tackling religious intolerance

Nov 02, 2010 by Whitney Jones
WASHINGTON (RNS) A recent survey on the religious climate of the U.S. Air Force Academy showed that 41 percent of non-Christian cadets face unwanted proselytizing at least once during a year-long period.
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U.S. is feeling charitable, just not through churches

Oct 27, 2010 by Whitney Jones
(RNS) Americans are being more generous to religious charities, but why are they skimping on their giving to churches?

A new report from Empty Tomb Inc., an Illinois-based Christian research organization, contains an analysis that found from 2007 to 2008, Protestant churches saw a decrease of $20.02 in per-member annual charitable gifts.
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Gays in the armed forces: Israelis say ‘no problem’

Oct 22, 2010 by Michele Chabin and Whitney Jones

Israel, like the United States, is a largely secular society with deep religious roots. And Israel, like the U.S., is home to vocal religious conservatives who frown on homosexuality. But Israel, unlike the U.S., has allowed gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military for 17 years. In fact, they are required to do so.

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U.S. Sikhs urge Obama to visit Golden Temple, despite rumors

Oct 22, 2010 by Whitney Jones
(RNS) American Sikhs are urging President Obama to visit the famed Golden Temple in India next month, despite his administration's reported concern that wearing the headscarf required for entry will inflame false rumors that Obama is a Muslim.
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U.S. disputes claim that Islam is invalid faith

Oct 19, 2010 by Whitney Jones

Islam is a valid religion that is entitled to constitutional protection, says a U.S. attorney who stepped into a debate about a proposed mosque and Islamic center in Tennessee.

News

Courts uphold teen's piercing, religious license plates

Oct 13, 2010 by Whitney Jones

(RNS) Two federal courts have issued strong defenses of religious expression in two separate decisions, one involving a teenager's nose piercing and the other a license plate.