Monthly Archives: January 2007
Scientists and evangelicals; 10 Minutes With Philip Jenkins; Thr3e; Bridgeport United Church of Chri
By RNS Blog Editor — January 18, 2007
Wednesday’s RNS report features an article by senior correspondent Adelle M. Banks on scientists and evangelicals coming together to overcome their mutual suspicion: They sat together at a long table at the National Press Club on Wednesday (Jan. 17), a dozen representatives of the scientific and evangelical communities. They not only declared their joint concern […]
COMMENTARY: Soul-Searching in Poland
By Frances Kennedy — January 18, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service (UNDATED) The news of the collaboration of Polish bishops and priests with the communist-era regime is a layer cake of revelation about the long-idealized practice of Catholicism in that country. The reports in no way lessen the greatness of the late Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski of Warsaw, or of Cardinal Karol […]
One Roof Bridges Differences for Three Faiths
By RNS Blog Editor — January 18, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service PORTLAND, Ore. _ “We’re a different kind of church!” the Bridgeport United Church of Christ’s Web site proclaims. How different? The church is home to a Jewish congregation and housed a Catholic liturgical community that may return. While it is common for synagogues and churches to share space, several experts […]
10 Minutes With … Philip Jenkins
By Daniel Burke — January 18, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service (UNDATED) On a global scale, scholar and author Philip Jenkins says, Christianity is headed south. While membership in churches north of the equator, particularly in mainline denominations, is generally falling off, pews in the so-called “global South” are packed with believers, according to the Pennsylvania State University professor. But as […]
Christian Horror Film Isn’t Much of Either
By RNS Blog Editor — January 18, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service (UNDATED) The scariest thing about director Robby Henson’s Christian horror film “Thr3e” is the spelling of its title. The movie, distributed by Fox Faith, is an adaptation of the novel by Ted Dekker. I cannot comment on the book, but the movie is neither particularly Christian nor particularly horrific. While […]
RNS Weekly Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — January 17, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service Judge: Veterans Affairs’ Spiritual Assessments Constitutional (RNS) A federal judge has upheld aspects of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ chaplaincy program, saying its use of “spiritual assessments” of patients is constitutional. The Freedom From Religion Foundation sued VA officials last April, charging that they violated the First Amendment with an […]
History of Religion
By Daniel Burke — January 17, 2007
Maps have a way of demonstrating just how small we are in the scheme of things-what one might call the “blip factor.” Maps, like this History of Religion, which include a time axis (the spread of religion over 5,000 years) multiply that blip factor exponentially. Putting the ol’ ego aside, if you’re looking for a […]
Holy Eucharist or Bargaining Chip?
By Daniel Burke — January 17, 2007
The politicization of the sacrament of Holy Communion continues apace, this time in the Catholic diocese of Nsukka, Nigeria, where the faithful were told that the way to the altar winds through the voting booth. No voter’s card, no communion: church – Breaking News – World – Breaking News Money quote: “Whoever has not collected […]
RNS Daily Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — January 17, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service Donald Lawrence Wins Big at Stellars Two Years in a Row (RNS) For the second year in a row, gospel artist Donald Lawrence walked away with the most honors at the annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards for his work with his choir, the Tri City Singers. The vocalist won Saturday […]
RNS Daily Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — January 17, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service Donald Lawrence Wins Big at Stellars Two Years in a Row (RNS) For the second year in a row, gospel artist Donald Lawrence walked away with the most honors at the annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards for his work with his choir, the Tri City Singers. The vocalist won Saturday […]
Contemporary Jewish Humor Pushes Boundaries
By RNS Blog Editor — January 17, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service (UNDATED) Where have you gone, Uncle Miltie? The comic’s appeal and humor were so universal that Milton Berle was given the unofficial title “Mr. Television” during the 1950s. Think Jewish humor today, and one pictures the episode of “The Simpsons” in which Krusty the Klown tries to revive a flagging […]
COMMENTARY: Life As It Is, Or As We Wish It To Be
By Tom Ehrich — January 17, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service DURHAM, N.C. _ Now that our local District Attorney has asked a state prosecutor to take over assault charges against three Duke University lacrosse players, it seems an even chance that the case will simply go away. Many want exactly that. The alleged victim would lose her day in court. […]
Fears Rise of Poland’s Catholic Foundation Eroding
By By David Gibson — January 17, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service (UNDATED) When Benedict XVI was elected pope nearly two years ago, it was obvious that the cardinals in the conclave chose the elderly German theologian in hopes that he might halt, or even reverse, what the electors viewed as the massive secularization of Europe, once the heartland of the faith. […]
Churches Use Web to Reach Old, New Members
By RNS Blog Editor — January 17, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service (UNDATED) When the Rev. Tom Litteer looked out over his congregation from the pulpit one Sunday morning a few years ago, he saw rows and rows of empty seats. Not exactly an uplifting sight. The First Presbyterian Church of Sparta, N.J., typically attracts 500 worshippers to its four services over […]
Slippery Slope
By Tracy Gordon — January 13, 2007
Quote of the Day: Christian Medical Association CEO David Stevens “By stressing the educational level of sperm and egg donors, this center is preying on parents who have fallen victim to the false notion that babies are a status symbol, and that intelligence, race or appearance are somehow measures of worth. Do we really want […]
