Monthly Archives: September 2011
Jury convicts Dale, Shannon Hickman of manslaughter in faith-healing trial
By Tracy Gordon — September 30, 2011
OREGON CITY, Ore. (RNS) A jury on Thursday (Sept. 29) unanimously convicted an Oregon couple, Dale and Shannon Hickman, in the faith-healing death of their infant son. Both parents were found guilty of second-degree manslaughter, a Class B felony that requires a sentence of at least six years and three months in prison under Oregon’s […]
Pentagon: Chaplains can celebrate gay marriages
By Tracy Gordon — September 30, 2011
WASHINGTON (RNS) Military chaplains can lead same-sex marriage ceremonies on and off military bases, the Pentagon announced Friday (Sept. 30), in a move that closely followed the repeal of a ban on openly gay service members. “A military chaplain may participate in or officiate any private ceremony, whether on or off a military installation, provided […]
Humanists denied a spot in cancer fundraising relay
By Tracy Gordon — September 30, 2011
Friday Godbytes
By Jack Jenkins — September 30, 2011
The internet made a lot of noise over megapastor Rob Bell‘s recent decision to leave his church to go do vague, undefined things. Well, it looks like we now know what those “things” are: Rob Bell is collaborating with Carlton Cuse – the Executive producer of the hit show “Lost” – to create a spiritual […]
Friday’s Religion News Roundup
By Kevin Eckstrom — September 30, 2011
If you haven’t seen it yet, drop whatever you’re doing and take a few minutes to read our own Dan Burke’s compelling and poetic account of Terri Roberts, whose son killed five Amish schoolgirls and wounded five others five years ago this weekend. Roberts now spends every Thursday bathing and reading to an Amish girl […]
New Orleans pastor on restaurant quest can’t live by bread alone
By Tracy Gordon — September 30, 2011
NEW ORLEANS (RNS) Minister Ray Cannata’s mission is almost complete. Four years ago he set out to eat at every restaurant in New Orleans. By mid-September, he’d already checked 719 eateries off his list and only had 10 meals to go before the ceremonial conclusion of his quest on Oct. 21, when he’ll have dined […]
Thursday Godbytes
By Jack Jenkins — September 30, 2011
So some of you asked yesterday if we here at RNS “forgot” about Rosh Hashanah… Oh ye of little faith. The twitterverse certainly didn’t forget, what with President Obama tweeting well-wishes to all his Jewish followers. Not to be left out, Republican Presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Herman Cain also extended new year greetings. Looks […]
Churches lose fight over Ala. immigration law
By Tracy Gordon — September 29, 2011
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (RNS) A federal judge jolted the national immigration debate on Wednesday (Sept. 28) by approving most parts of Alabama's aggressive immigration law that religious leaders had called the “meanest” in the nation. In a ruling hailed by many state officials, U.S. District Judge Sharon Lovelace Blackburn refused to block much of Alabama's far-reaching […]
ThursdayâÂ?Â?s Religion News Roundup
By David Gibson — September 29, 2011
Alabama takes center stage, as a federal judge’s ruling upholding core elements of the state’s toughest-in-the-nation immigration law was at least a partial victory for religious leaders who opposed the entire law. U.S. District Judge Sharon Blackburn ruled that the religious leaders did not have standing to challenge the law, though other groups – including […]
Mother cares for her son’s Amish victims
By Tracy Gordon — September 29, 2011
LANCASTER, Pa. (RNS) Terri Roberts was eating outside with a co-worker on a bright October day when an ambulance wailed nearby and a helicopter swooped overhead. As she often did at a sirens’ sound, Roberts said a quick prayer. “Little did I know what I was praying for,” she said. Walking back to her office, […]
Supreme Court to weigh churches’ hiring rights
By Tracy Gordon — September 29, 2011
WASHINGTON (RNS) The Supreme Court on Wednesday (Oct. 5.) will hear one of most important religion cases in decades, centered on the degree to which religious institutions should be exempt from anti-discrimination laws. The case started at a Lutheran elementary school in Michigan where a teacher claimed she was fired in violation of the Americans […]
U.S. Christians rally around Iranian pastor
By Tiffany McCallen — September 28, 2011
WAHSINGTON (RNS) Religious freedom advocates rallied Wednesday (Sept. 28) around an Iranian pastor who is facing execution because he has refused to recant his Christian faith in the overwhelmingly Muslim country. The British-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide has asked international supporters to urge Iranian officials to halt plans to execute Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani. The pastor […]
Wednesday Godbytes
By Jack Jenkins — September 28, 2011
Cathleen Falsani of the Sojourner’s God’s Politics blog talks about National Back to Church Sunday (wait, that was THIS PAST weekend?!). America Magazine reports on an online effort to start a Catholic Petition against the death penalty. Coming on the heels of President Obama’s encounter with a heckler Monday night, CNN reports on a (possible) […]
Wednesday Godbytes
By Jack Jenkins — September 28, 2011
Cathleen Falsani of the Sojourner’s God’s Politics blog talks about National Back to Church Sunday (wait, that was THIS PAST weekend?!). America Magazine reports on an online effort to start a Catholic Petition against the death penalty. Coming on the heels of President Obama’s encounter with a heckler Monday night, CNN reports on a (possible) […]
Is there a death penalty-sized hole in Catholicism’s âÂ?Â?seamless garmentâÂ?Â? ethic?
By Tiffany McCallen — September 28, 2011
(RNS) Is Catholic opposition to the death penalty losing traction as opposition to abortion, gay marriage, contraception and other causes become the defining “pro-life” issues for the American hierarchy? That’s what some Catholics are asking after the bishops’ Pro-Life Activities Committee on Monday (Sept. 26) released its message for October’s “Respect Life Month” campaign, which […]
Page 1 of 11
