Monthly Archives: November 2008
Let my people go
By Kevin Eckstrom — November 26, 2008
Nicholas Cafardi, the Catholic legal scholar who raised some eyebrows (and some blood pressures) with his endorsement of Barack Obama on these pages a few months back, is back in the spotlight with another swipe at the U.S. Catholic bishops. Money quote: “Every time in the past that the People of God have been held […]
Hindus find new faiths in marriage
By Jeff Diamant — November 26, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service NEWARK, N.J. _ The perfect man for Aparna Kachalia, who was born to Hindu parents from Bombay, will be one who loves the 20-year-old sophomore at Dartmouth College and treats her well. If he happens to be Hindu, great. If not, no problem. “A lot of people in my generation […]
At this church, there’s always room at the inn
By Nancy Haught — November 26, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service PORTLAND, Ore. _ Eric Bahme no longer apologizes for being a preacher who keeps his eye on the bottom line. He is both a pastor and a businessman, he says, because that’s how God made him. “Within every single person, God plants a desire,” said Bahme, 45. “I was created […]
COMMENTARY: Let’s cut to the chase, shall we?
By Tom Ehrich — November 26, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service (UNDATED) I doubt that much sleep was lost, in heaven or on earth, when the tiny Episcopal Diocese of Quincy, Ill., recently voted to secede from the national Episcopal Church for being too liberal. With 1,800 members scattered over a large area bordering the Mississippi River, the diocese has long […]
Whither interreligious dialogue?
By Francis X. Rocca — November 25, 2008
RNS contributor David Gibson considers Pope Benedict’s latest statement on the subject here. John F. Cullinan reflects on the recent Vatican seminar with Muslim leaders here.
Tmatt goes after On Faith (again)
By Kevin Eckstrom — November 25, 2008
Terry Mattingly over at GetReligion is going after the Washington Post’s On Faith blog -again. This time, he’s following a critique by Andrew Walsh up at Trinity College’s Religion in the News journal that picks apart On Faith for having too much opinion, not enough news. The money quote from the Religion in the News […]
Visitor card fingers alleged church robber
By Adelle M. Banks — November 25, 2008
Here’s a unique crime story: The Ledger of Lakeland, Fla. reported last week that a 28-year-old man was charged with robbing a Southern Baptist church after authorities tracked him down through the visitor’s card he filled out at the previous week’s service. Harold Williams of Lakeland, Fla., was charged with robbery and disrupting a religious […]
Tantrum
By Mark Silk — November 25, 2008
Various people have been trying to figure out why various conservative Catholic bishops and associated lay eminences seem to have gone off their meds since the election. Writing in Slate, Melinda Henneberger puts it down to anxieties over the Freedom of Choice Act, a piece of legislation beloved of the pro-choice left that would (presumably) […]
That Woman
By Mark Silk — November 25, 2008
This, from Lauren Collins’ interview with Mike Huckabee in the current New Yorker, is worth pondering: While some of Huckabee’s gripes come off as rinky-dink—in the book, he admonishes Romney for hogging golf-cart parking spaces during the Iowa straw poll—others are more stinging. Asked about Sarah Palin, he responded, “She, uh, was an appropriate choice, […]
Pope may change sign of peace in the Mass
By Tracy Gordon — November 25, 2008
VATICAN CITY -Pope Benedict XVI may change the sequence of the Catholic Mass, including the sign of peace exchanged between worshippers, in order “to create a more meditative climate” of worship, a senior Vatican official said.
Dalai Lama says he will lead until death
By Tracy Gordon — November 25, 2008
CHENNAI, India-The Dalai Lama tried to end speculation that he is on the verge of retirement, telling a gathering of Tibetan spiritual leaders that he has a “moral responsibility” to lead until his death.
New report says global hunger crisis worsening
By Tracy Gordon — November 25, 2008
WASHINGTON-The number of people living in extreme poverty has grown by 100 million, and the number of hungry people has increased by 75 million in the last two years, according to a report issued Monday (Nov. 24) by the Bread for the World Institute.
Bob Jones University apologizes for racist policies
By Tracy Gordon — November 25, 2008
Bob Jones University, the conservative Christian school in Greenville, S.C., that did not admit African-American students until 1971 and banned interracial dating until 2000, has apologized for its past racial policies.
Jews, Muslims seek better ties in `Twinning’ program
By Tracy Gordon — November 25, 2008
NEW YORK-Nicole Neroulias reports on a new nationwide interfaith initiative that says Jews and Muslims have more to learn than fear from each other. More than 100 mosques and synagogues signed up for a “Weekend of Twinning” in hopes of forming relationships to confront the dual threats of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
Monks, now homeless, look to future after wildfires destroy monastery
By Lilly Fowler — November 25, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service SANTA BARBARA, Calif. _ For more than 60 years, Mount Calvary Monastery sat as a patch of holy ground high atop the Santa Barbara hills, home to seven Benedictine Anglican monks whose only jobs in life were prayer and welcoming pilgrims. Now, after one of the most devastating fires to […]
