Wednesday’s religion roundup

Gay marriage seems to be all over the news, especially here in WDC, where a bill to legalize gay marriage seems all but inevitable (vote is set for Dec. 1). WaPo profiles Bishops Harry Jackson, a black megachurch pastor who is intent on stopping gay marriage in the District, even though he actually lives in […]

Gay marriage seems to be all over the news, especially here in WDC, where a bill to legalize gay marriage seems all but inevitable (vote is set for Dec. 1). WaPo profiles Bishops Harry Jackson, a black megachurch pastor who is intent on stopping gay marriage in the District, even though he actually lives in Maryland. And while we’re on the gay topic, Catholic bishops were told yesterday that there is no reliable link between gay priests and pedophilia.

Speaking of Washington, WaPo is also reporting that the famous (or infamous) “C Street House” that provided refuge for a number of conservative Christian politicians is no longer tax-exempt and is paying residential taxes, just like their neighbors. The Wall Street Journal says “restrictions on abortion coverage approved in the House version of the health-care bill likely will affect the affordability of the procedure for only a small minority of women.”

Federal officials say the TSA violated the rights of Rastafarian employee who was told he would lose his job if he didn’t cut his hair, and a former editor at the Washington Times filed a complaint after he said he was forced to attend a mass wedding of the Unification Church (which owns the newspaper).


On the international front, the US and others are criticizing Israel’s decision to expand settlements in disputed territory, and a UN food summit ends with mere “crumbs” for the world’s hungry. Afghans say poverty, not the Taliban, is the major source of woe in the troubled country.The Vatican, meanwhile, would like reforms in the veto power of the UN Security Council’s five permanent members (including the U.S.). ABC is reporting that Pope John Paul II’s possible sainthood is picking up steam.

The Yemeni cleric who advised alleged Ft. Hood shooter Maj. Nidal Hasan apparently issued an online directive on July 15 to attack “government armies in the Muslim world.” Law enforcement officials tell WaPo the statement didn’t go far enough to get the cleric in legal trouble. An Illinois congressman said his remarks calling Islam a “savage religion” were misinterpreted.

President Obama says he and daughter Malia are reading “The Life of Pi,” and he’s intrigued by its “chapters that really have to do with Hinduism, Christianity…” Filmmaker David Lynch says he’s headed to India to make a film about Beatles guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

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