Monthly Archives: August 2008
COMMENTARY: Americans ready to break addiction to driving
By Tom Ehrich — August 26, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service (UNDATED) My assignment on Saturday was to stand on the front steps of our church and hand out free lemonade to pedestrians and bicyclists. For six hours, Park Avenue was closed to motor vehicles, part of a three-Saturday experiment in making Manhattan less dependent on automobiles. Normally, pedestrians must dodge […]
Preaching to the test
By Kevin Eckstrom — August 26, 2008
Are you a “Thumpin’ Theocrat”? A “Radical Reformer”? How about a “Private Patriot”? Just in time for the first day of school, Christianity Today has a new quiz up on its website allowing you determine what your political ideology would like like if charted on a graph. More specifically, it aims to measure political engagement […]
Biden pick provides Catholic link, but renews abortion debate
By Adelle M. Banks — August 26, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service WASHINGTON _ While supporters say Sen. Joe Biden provides a crucial link with Catholic voters, others say the new vice presidential running mate reprises an unwelcome debate over abortion and Communion. The senator chosen by Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama regularly attends a Greenville, Del., Catholic church. And while disagreeing […]
Is voting a Christian rite or right?
By Tim Murphy — August 26, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service (UNDATED) Jason Ford, 29, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., will be spending Election Day at home this year. A self-identified evangelical Christian, Ford cast his vote for President Bush in 2004, but says he and his wife plan to stay away from the polls Nov. 4, rather than vote for Sen. John […]
Popular pastor McLaren works to reunite religions
By Tracy Gordon — August 26, 2008
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.-Brian McLaren, a leader in the “emergent church” movement, says the three Abrahamic religions-Christianity, Judaism and Islam-are very dangerous.
Catholic Biden draws praise and criticism from faithful
By Tracy Gordon — August 26, 2008
WASHINGTON-Sen. Joseph Biden’s new role as vice presidential running mate immediately revives a debate over whether Catholic politicians who support abortion rights should receive Communion. The senator chosen by Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama regularly attends a Greenville, Del., Catholic church and-while disagreeing with his church’s stance on abortion-is known for supporting other key tenets […]
Jewish charity to launch microloan program for Gulf Coast businesses
By Tracy Gordon — August 26, 2008
A Jewish charity will launch an online campaign to use small loans to help the Gulf Coast’s struggling businesses recover, three years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the region.
Labor Day is time to celebrate link between faith and work, group says
By Tracy Gordon — August 26, 2008
American houses of worship should commemorate Labor Day weekend not as the last hurrah of the summer but as a time to celebrate the “sacred link between faith, work and justice,” according to a national social justice advocate.
RNS Daily Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — August 26, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service Jewish charity to launch microloan program for Gulf Coast businesses (RNS) A Jewish charity will launch an online campaign to use small loans to help the Gulf Coast’s struggling businesses recover, three years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the region. Jewish Funds for Justice’s 8th Degree campaign, named for Jewish medieval […]
Orwell is blogging
By Daniel Burke — August 25, 2008
This is not directly religious, but since the Democratic Convention, with all attendant hoopla, begins today, I thought it appropriate to note, with the NYT, that University of Westminster in London is publishing George Orwell’s diaries in blog-form online. Seventy years ago today, our man in Kent was noting oats harvest and owls. With WWII […]
RNS Daily Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — August 23, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service HHS issues proposed conscience rules on health care workers (RNS) The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued proposed rules on protecting health care workers who object to performing certain procedures _ including abortion _ for religious or moral reasons. “Doctors and other health care providers should not […]
Catholic group calls for more women in Mass texts
By Mallika Rao — August 23, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service (UNDATED) A letter was sent from Ohio to Vatican City this month with a message for Pope Benedict XVI backed by thousands of women from around the world. “We want women to stop being invisible in the church’s proclamation,” said Sister Christine Schenk, executive director of Cleveland-based FutureChurch. “If you […]
Grahams differ on upcoming film
By Adelle M. Banks — August 23, 2008
Evangelist Franklin Graham and his sister Gigi Graham have aired differences over the upcoming film about their father, “Billy: The Early Years.” Franklin Graham, president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, issued a statement declaring that the movie is not endorsed by the BGEA. “While the movie covers many aspects of my father’s early years, […]
Hallmark plan for gay marriage cards angers conservatives
By Tracy Gordon — August 23, 2008
Hallmark’s decision to introduce a new line of cards for gay marriages has drawn criticism from conservative Christian groups who accuse the company of promoting immoral behavior.
World Council of Churches marks 60th anniversary
By Tracy Gordon — August 23, 2008
The World Council of Churches will mark its 60th anniversary Saturday (Aug. 23) at a ceremony in Amsterdam, Netherlands, at the same church where its founding assembly took place.
