Monthly Archives: July 2008
Mass. moves step closer to expanding same-sex marriages
By Tracy Gordon — July 31, 2008
BOSTON- The state House of Representatives on Tuesday (July 29) voted to abolish a 1913 law that has the effect of preventing out-of-state gay couples from being married in Massachusetts unless they agree to move here.
Bush asked to press China on religious freedom
By Tracy Gordon — July 31, 2008
WASHINGTON -A federal religious freedom watchdog panel on Wednesday (July 30) asked President Bush to use his trip to the Beijing Olympics next month to speak publicly against abuses of religious freedom and human rights in China.
McCain, Obama urged to make poverty a priority
By Tracy Gordon — July 31, 2008
Nine faith leaders have banded together to urge Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain to present a 10-year plan to combat poverty when speaking at their national nominating conventions.
COMMENTARY: What happens at Lambeth doesn’t stay at Lambeth
By Phyllis Zagano — July 31, 2008
When Anglican bishops unpack memories of their 2008 Lambeth Conference, one recollection they will handle gingerly is that of Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, humbly accepting their standing ovation at its onset. That was before things got nasty. Anglicanism’s problems are on every religion’s laundry list. The constellation of Lambeth issues forms an interesting pattern. […]
Police find dead woman in evangelist’s freezer as he preaches
By Tracy Gordon — July 31, 2008
MOBILE, Ala.-While Anthony Hopkins was leading a revival in a small church on the outskirts of Jackson, Ala., on Monday (July 28) night, the body of a woman, presumed to be his wife, was stuffed in a freezer at his house in Mobile, waiting to be discovered by police. Acting on a tip given by […]
Body of balloonist priest found
By Adelle M. Banks — July 30, 2008
Authorities have confirmed the discovery of the body of the priest who set off attached to 1,000 helium-filled balloons from a Brazilian port city to raise money to build a worship center for truckers, the Associated Press reports. The Rev. Adelir Antonio de Carli, 41, left Paranagua on April 20 in an unusual fundraiser for […]
RNS Weekly Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — July 30, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service Hagee vows never to endorse another candidate WASHINGTON (RNS) Speaking to more than 3,000 followers gathered here, Texas megachurch pastor John Hagee said the “vicious national media firestorm” over his inflammatory remarks about Jews and Catholics has not weakened his vocal support for Israel. “We’re stronger than we’ve ever been,” […]
Cheesus Christ appears in Missouri
By Kevin Eckstrom — July 30, 2008
That Mother Teresa cinnamon bun is sooo 1996. Now a Missouri woman claims she’s found a Cheeto that looks like Jesus. They call him Cheesus. Of course they do. (This vido is what they call the “raw feed.” It’s missing the reporter’s voiceover. If I can find a better version, I’ll post it here. But […]
Young Jews experience sights (not sounds) of Holy Land
By Michele Chabin — July 30, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service JERUSALEM _ When Kyle Edenzon showed up for his first day of Hebrew school as a young boy, his parents asked the teacher to place their hard-of-hearing son in the front row to better help him understand the lessons. “But as soon as they left, the teacher put me in […]
Catholic church tallies cost of Katrina damage
By Tracy Gordon — July 30, 2008
NEW ORLEANS-The Archdiocese of New Orleans has released its first comprehensive report on the economic damage caused by Hurricane Katrina: $288 million in damage to its vast array of schools, churches, housing and nursing homes.
Mahony says immigration must be top priority
By Tracy Gordon — July 30, 2008
WASHINGTON-Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony, who heads the nation’s largest Catholic archdiocese, on Monday (July 28) urged presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain to make immigration reform a top-level priority.
British court rules for Sikh student’s bangles
By Tracy Gordon — July 30, 2008
LONDON-Britain’s High Court ruled Tuesday (July 29) in favor of a teenage Sikh student whose school who was banned from wearing a wrist bangle to school that she insisted was central to her faith.
Unitarians search for healing after deadly church shooting
By Tracy Gordon — July 30, 2008
Unitarian Universalist leaders say they will not allow a fatal shooting at a Tennessee church to deter their proud progressive teachings, even as police say those beliefs appear to be what prompted the deadly rampage.
COMMENTARY: Coming home from vacation
By Tom Ehrich — July 30, 2008
NEW YORK-Last Thursday, while walking a trail in Central Park, I felt so free and easy that I decided to run, rather than walk. I only ran a mile, but it was a revelation to discover that, after a 10-year vacation from running, I could still do it. On Friday, I added a second mile […]
RNS Daily Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — July 30, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service Unitarians search for healing after deadly church shooting (RNS) Unitarian Universalist leaders say they will not allow a fatal shooting at a Tennessee church to deter their proud progressive teachings, even as police say those beliefs appear to be what prompted the deadly rampage. On Monday (July 28), one day […]
