Monthly Archives: January 2013
Arkansas Senate OKs guns in churches
By Doug Stanglin — January 29, 2013
(RNS) The Arkansas Senate has passed a bill lifting a ban on carrying concealed weapon in church, but church leaders would be allowed the final say.
COMMENTARY: Deep in the heart of Texas mythology
By Tom Ehrich — January 29, 2013
AUSTIN, Texas (RNS) Those who try to simplify American culture and demand that it be uniform (fitting their standards, of course) fail to see the beauty of diversity and the half-truth of the mythologies we create.
Tuesday’s Religion News Roundup: Self-Bondage * Gay Scouts * Reproductive Coercion
By Lauren Markoe — January 29, 2013
A priest handcuffs himself to relieve stress. Some troops already have gay scouts. Docs worry about women forced to conceive.
The 10 best things I was ever told about ‘Christian sex’
By Melissa Otterbein — January 28, 2013
I've heard the most appalling -- and the most beautiful -- messages about sex in the church. Too often, the church is silent and bashful about sex, and when the church has spoken out about sex, many messages I heard have either been shaming or repressive. Here's the 10 best thing I've ever heard about "Christian sex."
So long, Catholic Boy Scouts?
By David Gibson — January 28, 2013
Surprising news: Boy Scouts of America Says Discussing End to Ban on Gay Members By REUTERS DALLAS (Reuters) – Boy Scouts of America is discussing ending a longstanding ban on gay members and whether to allow local organizations to decide their own policy, a spokesman said on Monday. Lifting the ban would mark a dramatic […]
Doctors warn against ‘reproductive coercion’
By Kim Painter — January 28, 2013
(RNS) While researchers don't know exactly how common it is, the nation's leading group of obstetricians and gynecologists says women should be screened for 'reproductive coercion.'
GUEST COMMENTARY: The Vatican’s strong defense of the Jews
By Philip A. Cunningham — January 28, 2013
(RNS) The head of a schismatic traditionalists recently labeled Jews ``enemies of the Church.'' And while that statement could have sparked an interfaith crisis, it's instead motivated Catholic leaders to directly repudiate him with strongly worded pledges of friendship with Jews.
Graphic of the Week | Overlapping “Pro-Choice” and “Pro-Life” Identities
By Cristina Stanojevich — January 28, 2013
This week's graphic illustrates the overlapping "pro-life" and "pro-choice" identities among religious groups.
Catholic bishop tries to explain how a priest ended up in ‘self-bondage’
By Tim Townsend — January 28, 2013
There are signs that a younger generation of Catholic leaders have learned lessons from the last decade and are attempting to be as open as possible when a crisis comes to their diocese. Yet in the case of a priest diagnosed with "non-sexual self-bondage," that desire for transparency may have produced a response that caused more harm than good.
What would Jesus pack?
By Mark Silk — January 28, 2013
In Matthew 10:34, Jesus declares, provocatively, "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." So far as I know, however, this is not a scripture that white evangelicals appeal to when justifying their opposition to gun control.
Quote of the Day: Actress Megan Fox
By Ron Ribiat — January 28, 2013
(RNS) “It feels like a lot of energy coming through the top of your head — I’m going to sound like such a lunatic — and then your whole body is filled with this electric current. And you just start speaking, but you’re not thinking because you have no idea what you’re saying. Words are […]
Monday’s Religion News Roundup: Iranian pastor * ‘Jewier’ prayers * Megan Fox’s tongue
By Daniel Burke — January 28, 2013
A Christian pastor was sentenced in Iran. Three rabbis sought to make their inaugural prayers "Jewier." Megan Fox speaks in tongues.
Buddhist Leader Issues Peace Proposal Calling for Abolition of Nuclear Weapons, Dialogue between China and Japan
By Religion News LLC — January 28, 2013
TOKYO: On January 26, 2013, Daisaku Ikeda, president of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist association, published his 31st annual peace proposal, “Compassion, Wisdom and Courage: Building a Global Society of Peace and Creative Coexistence.” Ikeda stresses the centrality of the dignity of life and calls for action toward abolition of nuclear weapons, the need to […]
Immigration Reform
By Martin E. Marty — January 27, 2013
Tomorrow is the beginning of what will be a congressional battle over immigration reform. The subject was rarely and lightly handled in the political wars last year, perhaps because both parties found other issues to be more important for the country or more exploitable by their candidates. Whoever thought that the issue would remain relatively […]
Video: 2013 March for Life
By Adelle M. Banks — January 25, 2013
Throngs of anti-abortion activists gathered on the National Mall Friday (Jan. 25) for a rally marking the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision to legalize abortion. After speeches by new March for Life President Jeanne Monahan and political and religious leaders, they marched to the steps of the high court.
