Kathryn Post
@kathrynpost.bsky.social
National Reporter for Religion News Service. I cover exvangelicals and religious 'nones,' Christian higher ed., abuse and religious trauma, religion and culture. Find me on Signal: KathrynPost.08 https://religionnews.com/author/kathryn-post
Evangelical exiles are filling Restore Austin, a church for people seeking “an alternative to Christian nationalist, right-wing churches,” says Pastor Zach Lambert (@zachwlambert.bsky.social).
Booted from evangelicalism, a progressive, ‘post-evangelical’ church blooms in Texas
AUSTIN, Texas (RNS) — Led by Zach Lambert, Restore church is part of a small but growing countertrend.
religionnews.com
(RNS) — Gothard, subject of 'Shiny Happy People,' has been in a coma since June. At 91, the disgraced ministry leader is also named in an ongoing Texas lawsuit.
Bill Gothard abuse survivors still seek justice, healing as they reckon with his legacy
(RNS) — Gothard, subject of 'Shiny Happy People,' has been in a coma since June. At 91, the disgraced ministry leader is also named in an ongoing Texas lawsuit.
religionnews.com
RNS and Interfaith America are pleased to announce the Religion Journalism Fellowship is returning for its fifth year! For more information, and to apply for the 2025-26 fellowship, visit religionnews.com/2025/06/17/a...
Apply for the 2025-26 RNS/Interfaith America Religion Journalism Fellowship
Deepen your understanding of religious expression and develop your reporting and writing skills specific to covering belief, spirituality, interfaith cooperation and civic pluralism.
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After a decade of controversy, a long-awaited clergy psychedelic study is finally published: religionnews.com/2025/06/02/a...
After a decade of controversy, clergy psychedelic study is published
(RNS) — 'Johns Hopkins and NYU schools of medicine carried out the study, and that in itself speaks to the powerful presence psychedelics have in popular consciousness,' said scholar Gary Laderman.
religionnews.com
While corporate DEI initiatives are disappearing, many efforts focusing on religious diversity and inclusion have actually improved, according to a new report: religionnews.com/2025/05/20/r...
Report shows despite DEI cuts, religious inclusion is improving at Fortune 500 companies
(RNS) — Many faith-based inclusion efforts have remained in workplaces, even if they’re less visible, according to a new report.
religionnews.com
So remember how I said earlier this week the priest who was defrocked after making a Nazi-like salute was temporarily re-frocked? Well, according to the great @kathrynpost.bsky.social, it didn’t last long: he’s…been defrocked (technically, de-licensed) again. religionnews.com/2025/05/15/c...
Calvin Robinson, dismissed for Nazi-like salute, has priestly license rescinded, again
(RNS) — Robinson responded in an Instagram story, saying that ‘perhaps God is sending me a message.’
religionnews.com
@rns.org spoke to historian @bethallisonbarr.bsky.social about her experience as a pastor’s wife, the medieval Christian women who pastored women and men, and the connection between pastor’s wives and women’s ordination in this Q&A about her forthcoming book: religionnews.com/2025/03/07/s...
Scripture doesn't make rules for pastors' wives. Beth Allison Barr explains why it matters.
(RNS) — In ‘Becoming the Pastor’s Wife,’ Barr argues that the white, evangelical model for pastors’ wives is a product of culture, not Scripture.
religionnews.com
"In ‘Becoming the Pastor’s Wife,’ Barr argues that the white, evangelical model for pastors’ wives is a product of culture, not Scripture." Check out the interview with @bethallisonbarr.bsky.social at @religionnews.com.web.brid.gy about her upcoming book. religionnews.com/2025/03/07/s...
Scripture doesn't make rules for pastors' wives. Beth Allison Barr explains why it matters.
(RNS) — In ‘Becoming the Pastor’s Wife,’ Barr argues that the white, evangelical model for pastors’ wives is a product of culture, not Scripture.
religionnews.com
A positive religion story to end your week: The Christian Mental Health Initiative, a nonprofit founded by Christian psychiatrist Dr. Atasha Jordan, brings free mental health first aid trainings to churches. religionnews.com/2025/02/06/a...
Treading on taboos, a psychiatrist trains Christians to see spiritual side of mental health
PHILADELPHIA (RNS) — Spearheaded by Dr. Atasha Jordan, a Christian psychiatrist, the Christian Mental Health Initiative provides free mental health first aid trainings to churches.
religionnews.com
In light of Justin Welby’s resignation, I took a look at The Episcopal Church, The Anglican Church in North America and the Anglican Church of Canada’s response to abuse in recent years, and spoke to experts about what’s needed to make churches safer: religionnews.com/2025/02/04/a...
Anglican denominations' record on abuse prompts calls for victim-focused reform
(RNS) — In the U.S. and Canada, survivors and advocates have been advocating for change in Anglican denominations amid a groundswell of abuse and misconduct cases.
religionnews.com
The Anglican Catholic Church has defrocked priest Calvin Robinson for his apparent imitation of the Elon Musk salute. Robinson has defended the gesture as an “attempt at dry wit.” More about Robinson's dismissal and his religious background here: religionnews.com/2025/01/30/a...
Anglican priest Calvin Robinson defrocked over Nazi-like salute
(RNS) — Robinson has defended the gesture, with which he concluded his speech at the National Pro-Life Summit last week, as an ‘attempt at dry wit.’
religionnews.com
With federal funds stopped, local faith groups plan to redouble private efforts to settle refugees. “This work doesn’t change just because any president was elected,” Rabbi Daniel Fellman told me. Grateful to team up with Fiona André on this @rns.org story: religionnews.com/2025/01/29/w...
With federal funds stopped, local faith groups plan to redouble private efforts to settle refugees
PITTSBURGH (RNS) — Moving forward, experts say, private donations and volunteers from local faith groups will be more crucial than ever.
religionnews.com
BREAKING: Christian ministry leader Joyce Meyer is pausing her programming with Daystar Television Network, citing an ongoing controversy over alleged abuse coverup at the network.
Televangelist Joyce Meyer pauses program at Daystar, citing scandal at network
(RNS) — Meyer, whose popular show 'Enjoying Everyday Life' aired daily on Daystar, is the latest in a series of Christian leaders to break ties with the network after a controversy involving…
religionnews.com
For the Buddhists of Soka Gakkai International-USA, disrupting the natural environment is a matter of religious freedom, they argue in a new lawsuit: religionnews.com/2025/01/03/b...
Buddhist group says Army Corps’ Everglades project violates religious freedom
(RNS) — A new lawsuit says the project could disrupt a retreat center for Soka Gakkai International-USA, a group popularized by Tina Turner and Orlando Bloom.
religionnews.com
This year, churches across the US are observing the winter solstice via climate activism festivals, community labyrinth walks and spiritual, interfaith celebrations: religionnews.com/2024/12/20/w...
Winter solstice is having a moment — in churches, too
PITTSBURGH (RNS) — In mainline Christian circles, winter solstice celebrations and longest night services are growing in popularity.
religionnews.com
Episcopal Bishop Prince Singh, who continues to deny the claims against him, will be suspended from ministry for at least three more years. Singh's son called the outcome "a tragic conclusion to what has been a deeply painful and retraumatizing process." religionnews.com/2024/12/13/e...
Episcopal Bishop Prince Singh suspended but not deposed after Title IV investigation concludes
(RNS) — Singh's son called the outcome 'a tragic conclusion to what has been a deeply painful and retraumatizing process.'
religionnews.com
A proposed Ohio bill would require public schools to allow off campus religious instruction from groups like the Christian group LifeWise Academy and the Satanic Temple during the school day at parents' discretion. Full story @RNS: religionnews.com/2024/12/13/o...
Ohio could mandate public schools to allow third-party religious ed during school day
(RNS) — School boards would be required to permit Christian groups and the Satanic Temple alike to provide off-campus instruction.
religionnews.com
Faith leaders (including Pope Francis!), activists, and lawmakers are urging President Biden to commute the death sentences of those on death row before the end of his term, arguing the Catholic president has a moral — and even religious — obligation to do so. religionnews.com/2024/12/11/f...
Faith leaders, activists, the pope urge Biden to empty federal death row before Trump term
(RNS) — Activists and faith leaders hope to save the lives of 40 federal death row inmates, fearing Donald Trump would authorize an ‘execution spree’ after taking office.
religionnews.com
Some crowdsourcing: I'm on the lookout for nonreligious folks who sing in churches/church choirs around Christmastime. If that's you, and you're open to possibly being featured in an @rns.org story, please reach out! My DMs are open :)
“What was the most damaging was how they used faith, theology, Scripture, to silence victims, to shame victims, to scare victims. The victims were being revictimized, while the offenders were being forgiven & restored.” - @bozlaw.bsky.social 10 years later & too little has changed at Bob Jones U.
Kathryn Post@kathrynpost.bsky.social · 2y agoThis month marks a decade since GRACE issued its 300-page report about mishandling of abuse disclosures at Bob Jones University. Abuse survivors continue to call the school to prioritize student safety and healing over correction. religionnews.com/2024/12/05/1...
"I don’t know that in this life, I will ever be completely free of how much BJU adversely influenced my view of God." Important reporting by @kathrynpost.bsky.social:
10 years after GRACE abuse report, survivors fear too little has changed at Bob Jones
(RNS) — Abuse survivors involved in the initial investigation continue to call on the university to prioritize student safety and healing over correction.
religionnews.com
This month marks a decade since GRACE issued its 300-page report about mishandling of abuse disclosures at Bob Jones University. Abuse survivors continue to call the school to prioritize student safety and healing over correction. religionnews.com/2024/12/05/1...
10 years after GRACE abuse report, survivors fear too little has changed at Bob Jones
(RNS) — Abuse survivors involved in the initial investigation continue to call on the university to prioritize student safety and healing over correction.
religionnews.com
Jewish and Christian organizations are ramping up their efforts to resettle as many refugees as possible before Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, when the work may end.
Congregations, agencies race to resettle refugees ahead of Trump inauguration
DURHAM (RNS) — Donald Trump returns to the White House on Jan. 20, after which the US policy of admitting refugees is expected to be cut back, if not entirely eliminated.
religionnews.com
Tony Campolo- whose powerful preaching and sense of humor inspired young Christians that their faith could transform the world, has died religionnews.com/2024/11/19/t...
Tony Campolo, sociologist and famed Red Letter Christian, has died
(RNS) — Known as a powerful evangelist and social justice preacher, Campolo had long advocated that Christian faith can transform the world — and people's everyday lives.
religionnews.com
Before “Wicked” was a Blockbuster film and a hit Broadway musical, it was a 1995 novel rife with dark twists and a whole lot of religion. @RNS spoke with author Gregory Maguire for this Q&A on spirituality in Oz: religionnews.com/2024/11/19/q...
Q&A: 'Wicked' author Gregory Maguire on souls, saints and religion in Oz
(RNS) — In the 1995 novel that inspired the musical and film, the Wicked Witch of the West is a green-skinned child of a minister exploited for his missionary endeavors.
religionnews.com
Spent a couple days last week talking to preachers in TN - who voted for Trump - but were not looking for a savior or Christian power religionnews.com/2024/11/15/i...
In Tennessee's evangelical heartland, pastors say Trump's win won't solve America's woes
(RNS) — Evangelicals were the bedrock of Trump’s return to the White House, with some 80% of evangelical voters supporting him. For some Tennessee pastors, that was mostly about the economy — and they...
religionnews.com
In the new Broadway musical “Tammy Faye,” theatergoers can watch as Jerry Falwell Sr. grips his mic for his big solo number, Billy Graham spins into a dance break and Pentecostal televangelist Tammy Faye belts an 11 o’clock number: religionnews.com/2024/11/15/i...
Review: In ‘Tammy Faye,' evangelical Christians come to Broadway
NEW YORK (RNS) — With a soaring score from the legendary Elton John, the show casts Jerry Falwell Sr. as the villain, Jim Bakker as a miscreant and Tammy as the sparkly, open-hearted heroine.
religionnews.com
I asked Trump’s evangelical advisors and other pastors in his orbit what they want from a second Trump term. Of note: While some dismissed the idea of a national abortion ban, one close Trump ally was more precise, saying such a ban would *need exceptions.* religionnews.com/2024/11/13/w...
What evangelicals say they want from a second Trump term
(RNS) — ‘Our people were elated, for the most part, over the election results,’ said Robert Jeffress, a Southern Baptist pastor.
religionnews.com
Last week I wrote about Imam Wisam Sharieff, founder of Quran Revolution and former instructor with the AlMaghrib Institute, who has been arrested following an FBI criminal complaint that accused him of conspiracy to produce child pornography: religionnews.com/2024/11/06/i...
Imam Wisam Sharieff, founder of Quran Revolution, arrested for child porn
(RNS) — Sharieff was reported to the Alabama Department of Human Resources by a person who identified herself as Sharieff’s wife on Oct. 15, according to an FBI affadavit.
religionnews.com