Monthly Archives: July 2009
Faithful can now `tweet’ prayers to Western Wall
By Tracy Gordon — July 24, 2009
JERUSALEM (RNS) People of all faiths can now “tweet” their prayers via Twitter to the Western Wall, one of Judaism’s most sacred sites. Since the beginning of July, more than 1,000 people have sent messages known as “tweets” to Alon Nir, the Israeli who came up with the Wall Twitter initiative. Nir prints out every […]
Report: U.S. funded religious programs in Africa, Iraq
By Tracy Gordon — July 24, 2009
WASHINGTON (RNS) The federal government used taxpayer dollars to rebuild mosques in Iraq and teach Bible-based abstinence in Africa, violating a prohibition on funding “inherently religious activities,” according to a recent audit of the U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID). The report by the agency’s inspector general, released Wednesday (July 22), said “some USAID funds […]
Advocates don’t adopt “Orphan”
By Adelle M. Banks — July 24, 2009
“There’s something wrong with Esther,” reads the poster for “Orphan,” a movie out from Warner Bros. on Friday. Christian adoption agencies are countering that claim with their own: “There’s something wrong with millions of children having no family.” A trailer for the R-rated movie shows a nun warning the woman about to adopt Esther that […]
Faith in Football?
By RNS Blog Editor — July 24, 2009
Looks like Florida Gators’ quarterback Tim Tebow is tackling prison inmates and other potential believers with his faith. Sports Illustrated profiled Tebow using his force off the field as a Christian missionary man. From the story: “Watching Tebow zip passes into the seams of opposing defenses, lower his shoulder in short yardage and exhort his […]
Wardens walk fine line on religious materials for inmates
By Tracy Gordon — July 24, 2009
Don’t let your kid major in English, pastor
By Mark Silk — July 24, 2009
A new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research shows that while the Humanities are most likely to attract religious youth as majors, they are also most likely to turn them away from religion. The explanation? Postmodernism. The authors suppose that what’s taught in Humanities (and many Social Science) courses is one or another […]
Palin down, Huckabee up
By Mark Silk — July 24, 2009
WaPo’s lede on its new poll is that Sarah Palin’s favorables are down with the American public. That’s news? We’re talking about a decline from 51-46 unfavorable last October to 53-40 now. The actual bad news for Palinites, if not for Sarah herself, is that Mike Huckabee is now the 2012 front-runner among Republican and […]
N.J. corruption sting nabs 44 rabbis, politicians
By Tracy Gordon — July 24, 2009
NEWARK, N.J. (RNS) A wide-ranging, 10-year probe of New Jersey corruption that led to charges against 44 religious and political leaders stems from the “pervasive nature of public corruption in this state,” acting U.S. Attorney Ralph Marra told reporters Thursday (July 23). The investigation has led to charges against prominent politicians including two members of […]
On hallowed ground
By RNS Blog Editor — July 24, 2009
Yesterday Jewish and Christian leaders reconsecrated the grounds of the now-infamous Chicago cemetery, where all those bodies were dug up and dumped in an apparent money-making scheme. “We need to rededicate this ground that has been desecrated,” said the Rev. Steve Jones, the sheriff’s office chaplain, according to the Associated Press. “When the gates do […]
Anglicans offer baptism/wedding for out-of-wedlock parents
By Tracy Gordon — July 24, 2009
LONDON (RNS) The Church of England, in a bid to keep pace with the changing times, has begun promoting a “2-for-1” service that allows couples to combine a marriage ceremony with the baptism of their children born out of wedlock. Guidelines for the controversial “hatch and match” liturgy went out Thursday (July 23) to the […]
Russia to offer religious courses in schools
By Tracy Gordon — July 24, 2009
MOSCOW (RNS/ENI) Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has given the green light to efforts by religious leaders to introduce religion to schools and to offer chaplains to the military. “Their implementation will help strengthen the moral and spiritual foundations of our society, as well as strengthen the unity of our multiethnic and multireligious country,” he said […]
European rabbis, imams pledge cooperation at end of U.S. tour
By Tracy Gordon — July 24, 2009
WASHINGTON (RNS) More than two dozen rabbis and imams from nine European nations pledged to jointly fight Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in their home countries at a meeting at the White House Thursday (July 23). The visit came at the conclusion of a four-day tour of New York and Washington that was organized by the Foundation […]
Catholics skeptical as Democrats aim to reduce abortions
By Tracy Gordon — July 24, 2009
WASHINGTON — Both sides in the abortion culture-war called a tentative truce on Capitol Hill Thursday (July 23) as Democrats and prominent faith-based groups unveiled legislation that aims to reduce and prevent abortions. The bill, crafted by Rep. Rosa DeLauro, an abortion-rights supporter from Connecticut and abortion opponent Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio, includes methods […]
No word yet
By RNS Blog Editor — July 23, 2009
Jurors have yet to reach a verdict, even after a week of deliberations, in the faith-healing trial of the Worthingtons, whose daughter died when they opted for prayer in place of medical treatment. Steve Mayes at The Oregonian has been following the story about the couple, whose Oregon City church, Followers of Christ, rejects modern […]
In (???) We Trust
By Kevin Eckstrom — July 23, 2009
This just in, from the Dept. of Things That We Meant to Post on Tuesday But Didn’t Get Up Until Thursday … In the wake of Walter Cronkite’s death, the folks over at WaPo are wondering who will take his place as the Most Trusted Man (or Woman) in America. The answers ranged from the […]
