Nation

(RNS) — Democratic presidential hopefuls ramped up the God-talk while criss-crossing Iowa over the weekend, invoking the Bible and meeting with religious leaders while their Republican opponent President Trump worked to bolster support among evangelical Christians.

A majority of U.S. adults don’t want religion influencing government policy, with few exceptions, according to a new report from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research published on Jan. 2.

(RNS) — Several recent examples demonstrate an atypically religious — and particularly Christian — impeachment process, with lawmakers, faith leaders and even members of the same famous evangelical family invoking the Almighty while making the case for and against the president.

Economic security programs, also known as social safety nets, have been vital in efforts to reduce poverty over the past 50 years, according to a Center on Budget and Policy Priorities report published in late November.

Record numbers of U.S. adults report delaying medical treatment due to the cost, according to a Gallup report published Dec. 9.

The capacity of state environmental agencies to assess and enforce environmental protection policies is being diminished by funding and staff cuts, according to an Environmental Integrity Project report published Dec. 5.

(RNS) — For the first time, the name Muhammad has cracked the top 10 list of most popular baby names for newborn boys in the U.S., according to a parenting website that tracks the popularity of names among its users.

(The Conversation) Harriet Tubman worked as a slave, spy and eventually as an abolitionist. A historian of American slavery notes how belief in God helped Tubman remain fearless, even when she came face to face with many challenges.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) -- As retail stores hope the holiday shopping season gives their bottom line a lift, American Protestant pastors are less sure the economy is helping their congregation this year.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- On Monday (Nov. 18), the popular U.S. fast food chain, Chick-fil-A, Inc., announced a new policy concerning its charitable giving to take effect in 2020. It will will focus the company's charitable donations on the areas of hunger, homelessness and education.