Monthly Archives: October 2009
Thursday’s religion round up
By Daniel Burke — October 29, 2009
President Obama signed a hate crimes bill into law, angering conservative Christians, who called it “a very sad day for America.” Federal agents killed the leader of a radical Muslim group near Detroit. A Senator wants to feds to look into the sweat-lodge deaths. Washington residents are planning a religious service in support of same-sex […]
COMMENTARY: Our longing for home is a longing for God
By Tracy Gordon — October 29, 2009
(RNS) When I was a child I lived in a small logging town in Southern Oregon. Bly had one paved road and the short walk down my dirt street ended in the woods. I remember a deer entering a clearing while I was sitting on a log next to my dad as he read. On […]
A New Michael Steinhardt Award
By Mark Silk — October 29, 2009
In our day, a statement of such awe-inspiring obtuseness has been emitted by a Great Personage that it not only demands widespread notice but actually merits special recognition for all time. Therefore and herewith, I announce the b’rit milah (we Jews don’t do baptisms) of the Michael H. Steinhardt Award for Macher Dopiness, the first […]
Blue Dog Bart Stupak will vote for health care reform…
By Mark Silk — October 29, 2009
…even if his abortion exclusion amendment fails, according to what he said recently in Cheboygan. There were members of the audience who were not happy. So why doesn’t Stupak make a better case for himself. Such as that it’s not a question of the federal government paying for abortions but helping subsidize the purchase of […]
The New Israel Lobby
By Mark Silk — October 29, 2009
The state of the Israel Lobby is healthy. J Street, the new liberal alternative to the venerable neocon AIPAC, has concluded its first big DC shindig, having received the imprimatur of the Obama administration in the form of an address by National Security Advisor Jim Jones. True, New York’s U.S. senators, Schumer and Gillibrand, withdrew […]
First female bishop elected to lead German Protestants
By Tracy Gordon — October 28, 2009
ULM, Germany (RNS/ENI) The Evangelical Church in Germany has elected Bishop Margot Kassmann to be its new leader, the first time a woman has become the highest representative of 24 million German Protestants. The decision was made on Wednesday (Oct. 28) by the EKD’s highest governing body, its synod, meeting in Ulm, southern Germany. Fifty-one-year-old […]
Slain N.J. priest spoke of firing accused janitor
By Tracy Gordon — October 28, 2009
CHATHAM, N.J. (RNS) Two days before he was found stabbed to death in a church rectory, a New Jersey priest told a school principal a missing background check might force him to lay off the parish janitor, who was later charged in the priest’s slaying, according to court documents. Father Edward Hinds, 61, pastor at […]
French court finds Scientology guilty of fraud
By Tracy Gordon — October 28, 2009
PARIS (RNS) For the second time this month, the Church of Scientology has won a battle against its dissolution in Europe, despite a stiff sentence handed down by a French court against its operations here. In a verdict delivered Tuesday (Oct. 27), a Paris court fined the church’s Celebrity Center and its bookshop in the […]
eBay blocks auction to raise money for accused killer
By Tracy Gordon — October 28, 2009
(RNS) The online auction house eBay has halted a proposed auction of items that aimed to raise funds for the defense of the man charged in the May killing of abortion provider Dr. George Tiller. “Based on the details we know about the anticipated listings, we believe these would violate our policy regarding offensive material,” […]
COMMENTARY: Halloween with all the trimmings
By Cathleen Falsani — October 28, 2009
(RNS) Saturday will be my 10-year-old son Vasco’s first Halloween. He arrived in the U.S. from Africa just a few months ago, and as far as we can discern there is no Oct. 31 holiday in his native Malawi. But as a fourth grader here in Southern California, Vasco is all about Halloween. He’s been […]
Abuse settlement in New Orleans a surprise to some
By Tracy Gordon — October 28, 2009
NEW ORLEANS (RNS) When the Archdiocese of New Orleans announced last week (Oct. 20) it will pay $5 million to an undisclosed number of adults who claimed that as children they were beaten, berated and sexually molested at Catholic orphanages, it took some by surprise. The archdiocese announced a package settlement of 20 lawsuits, most […]
10 Minutes with … Rabbi Arthur Schneier
By Tracy Gordon — October 28, 2009
(RNS) When Pope Benedict XVI became the first pontiff to visit a U.S. synagogue last year, it was to meet with Rabbi Arthur Schneier at his Park East Synagogue in Manhattan. A Holocaust survivor, Schneier has spoken on religious tolerance throughout the world through his Appeal of Conscience Foundation. Schneier continues his interfaith outreach this […]
Wednesday’s religion round-up
By Daniel Burke — October 28, 2009
Federal authorities charged two Chicago men with plotting terrorist attacks in Europe, including the offices of the Danish newspaper that published anti-Muslim cartoons several years ago. An anti-abortion activist is calling on people to burn effigies of Speaker Pelosi and Sen. Harry Reid, e-Bay says it will block an auction to raise money for the […]
When pastors’ silent suffering turns tragic
By Tracy Gordon — October 28, 2009
HICKORY, N.C. (RNS) What kind of personal pain would cause a 42-year-old pastor to abandon his family, his calling and even life itself? Members of a Baptist church here are asking that question after their pastor committed suicide in his parked car in September. Those who counsel pastors say Christian culture, especially Southern evangelicalism, creates […]
Focus on the Family pays for abortions
By Mark Silk — October 28, 2009
That’s the burden of Amy Sullivan’s charge over on Swampland. She’s ascertained that Focus ensures its employees through Principal Insurance Company, which includes abortion services in its health insurance policies. Even assuming that Focus’ own group plan does not include abortion coverage, isn’t the organization still indirectly underwriting abortions? And how is that different from […]
