Meredith Somers
Articles by Meredith Somers
Wild for America: Palin’s new TV series is her next step into limelight
Sarah Palin is hitting the road with her guns, fishing rods and "Mama Grizzly" persona. She is returning to reality TV as host of "Amazing America," a weekly series on the Sportsman Channel set to begin in April. Published March 18, 2014
Some forgo parties, recall heritage on St. Patrick’s Day
Americans will don their Kelly green on Monday, gathering at bars and along parade routes to celebrate St. Patrick, the patron saint of dancing leprechauns and half-price pints of Guinness — or so the past few decades would suggest. Published March 16, 2014
Christ in the City puts Pope Francis’ vision at work on Denver streets
Four months into his papacy, Pope Francis made an unscheduled stop during his trip to Brazil for World Youth Day. At the Cathedral of Rio, a large audience of young people waited expectantly in the July rain. Published March 13, 2014
New group aims to conduct census of Muslim Americans
A newly-formed umbrella group of American Muslim organizations is planning to conduct a census as a means to help promote the rights and goals of its members. Published March 12, 2014
Three Gulf countries sink ‘Noah’ before movie’s launch
Three Persian Gulf countries are banning the Hollywood blockbuster "Noah" for its anti-Islamic content. Published March 10, 2014
Lenten season marks big business for seafood sector
The Lenten season is often treated as a time for fasting. But for restaurants in the seafood sector, it means big business for the next 40 days. Published March 6, 2014
ACU at 50: Strong and looking ahead
The year the American Conservative Union began, Ronald Reagan was a newly minted Republican, Nikita Khrushchev had been recently ousted as leader of the Soviet Union, and the U.S. was just beginning to deepen its involvement in the Vietnam War. Published March 5, 2014
Ready for spring? D.C. cherry blossoms to bloom by mid-April
As D.C.-area residents navigated icy roads and slushy sidewalks Tuesday, the National Park Service promised that not only is spring on the way, but its blush-colored herald soon will appear. Published March 4, 2014
MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Son of God’
Just about everybody in "Son of God" is looking good. As portrayed by Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado, Jesus looks like a surfer-dude sibling of Ashton Kutcher. Published February 27, 2014
Experts say immigrants are changing the U.S. religious landscape
Non-Western Christian influences are causing U.S. churches to shift their roles from worship centers to community advocates, amid an unprecedented increase in the number of immigrants entering the country, a panel of religious experts said Wednesday. Published February 26, 2014
U.S. Christianity growing, changing through immigration
Latin America, Asia and Africa are reshaping the U.S.' religious landscape, scholars say. Published February 26, 2014
Hog Heaven: Virginia church catering to bikers welcomes the rough and the ragged
Without missing a beat, Mr. Rawls looked to the crowd at Seven Cities Freedom Biker Church and began his hourlong sermon on making no excuses when it comes to following God. Published February 25, 2014
Bible saves bus driver from assailants’ bullets
An Ohio bus driver is saved by the Bible — literally — in an attack by thugs. Published February 25, 2014
Two churches — one white, one black — assemble for God
For two Pentecostal organizations, 11 a.m. Sunday no longer will be the most segregated hour in America. Published February 20, 2014
Cardinal Donald Wuerl hits U.N. report on Catholic sex abuse scandal
NEWSMAKER INTERVIEW: Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl, a longtime advocate for victims of pedophile priests, took aim this week at a recent U.N. commission report on the Catholic Church's child sex abuse scandal, saying it failed to recognize the progress the church has made in the past decade. Published February 13, 2014
Religion Freedom commission: Consider sanctions to end Christian persecution
The U.S. should consider economic sanctions on countries where Christians endure persecution, torture and death to help ensure security here and abroad, a religious rights advocate told Congress Tuesday. Published February 11, 2014
Hollywood films a testament to renewed interest in Bible stories
In the beginning, there was "The Bible," the most-watched cable TV show of 2013. Following its flood of faith-inspiring success are three Bible-based movies set to open in theaters this year. Published February 9, 2014
Catholics outraged over U.N. report on sex abuse
Conservative Catholic groups expressed outrage Wednesday over a U.N. panel's scathing report on the Vatican's sex abuse scandal, saying the oversight group overstepped its authority by calling for the Catholic Church to change some of its fundamental laws on homosexuality, birth control and abortion. Published February 5, 2014
Japanese man wins landmark lawsuit on religious oppression
A Japanese man who had been kidnapped by family members and subjected to violent attempts to renounce his religion has won a court ruling against his captors, an outcome religious freedom advocates applaud while saying more needs to done to stop religious oppression in Japan. Published January 31, 2014
Pentagon rules under scrutiny by religious rights proponents
Religious rights advocates are scrutinizing a Pentagon directive that allows service members not only to wear beards and turbans as expressions of their faith, but also gives chaplains the right to refuse practices that violate their beliefs, such as performing same-sex marriages. Published January 30, 2014