Monthly Archives: January 2013

New Survey Finds Increased Support for Better Mental Health Services to Prevent Future Mass Shootings, Stricter Gun Control Laws

By Religion News LLC — January 24, 2013

“Pro-Life” Identity Linked to Opposing Gun Control Among Evangelicals, Not Catholics WASHINGTON — Americans are more likely to believe that improving mental health screening and support is the best way to prevent mass shootings, compared to enacting stricter gun laws, putting a greater emphasis on God and morality in school and society, having stricter security […]

Creepiest pro-choice video possible?

By David Gibson — January 24, 2013

I suppose there are other ways the abortion rights movement could undermine its cause, but the video posted below seems pretty effective, and ironic: just as pro-lifers are debating whether they should use graphic images, since they turn off so many people, the Center for Reproductive Rights takes the opposite tack with this send-up of […]

“Atheist pro-lifer”? Not an oxymoron

By David Gibson — January 24, 2013

Rather, it is a thing, as Catholic World Report explains: Kelsey Hazzard is a 24-year-old, pro-life University of Miami alumna and recent graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law. She was raised in the United Methodist Church, but as an adult began having doubts about God. “I took a break from religion for […]

Thursday Religion News Roundup: Women warriors * Abortion march * Awestruck

By Yonat Shimron — January 24, 2013

Women can now serve in combat and the Bible has three role models. Friday is the annual March for Life, but abortion activists are more divided than ever over tactics. Catholics launch a new social networking site.

The shifting center

By Michael J. O'Loughlin — January 23, 2013

Support for same-sex marriage and gay rights in general is no longer radical. In just a few short years, it’s become mainstream. How will churches and religious bodies that were once within in the mainstream on the issue, including leaders in the Catholic and Evangelical churches, conduct business in the public square?

Happy Birthday to the Prophet Muhammad! (from a female point of view)

By Omid Safi — January 23, 2013

The poem describing the inner meaning of the Prophet's birthday goes on to describe the very physical experience of birth, that magical experience where a life enters this world through a grace-filled opening, resulting in an opening of a new gate of mercy for humanity.

Photo Slideshow: America’s most `Bible-minded’ cities

By Sally Morrow — January 23, 2013

The California-based Barna Group and the American Bible Society say Knoxville, Tenn., is America's most "Bible-minded City," at least based on regular Bible reading and belief in the accuracy of the Good Book.

Indiana man seeks to withdraw guilty plea in Ohio mosque arson

By David Yonke — January 23, 2013

TOLEDO, Ohio (RNS) Randolph Linn, the Indiana truck driver who pleaded guilty last month to federal arson and related crimes committed at the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo, has asked to withdraw his plea.

Abortion foes debate best PR approach

By David Gibson — January 23, 2013

(RNS) When thousands of abortion opponents gather Friday to protest 40 years of Roe v. Wade, they will be divided in how to stir people to join their cause: shock them with graphic images of aborted fetuses, or convince them with affecting ultrasounds and reasonable arguments.

Poll shows a double standard on religious liberty

By Lauren Markoe — January 23, 2013

WASHINGTON (RNS) Half of Americans worry that religious freedom in the U.S. is at risk, and about a third say "the gay and lesbian community” is to blame.

KingdomVoices Connects Churches With Voice Talent

By Religion News LLC — January 23, 2013

Living Power has launched KingdomVoices.com, a specialized online casting service designed to connect churches and faith-based organizations with qualified voice over talent. Churches and organizations that need a professional quality voice for their media projects will find this service to be invaluable. Project managers needing a special voice can freely scroll through the website […]

Lutherans warn Vatican against simpler conversions

By Alessandro Speciale — January 23, 2013

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Lutheran leaders have warned the Vatican that the creation of a structure to welcome conservative Lutherans into the Catholic Church would harm dialogue and damage ecumenical relations.

40 years after Roe, abortion remains legal — but restricted

By Richard Wolf — January 23, 2013

WASHINGTON (RNS) Forty years after the Supreme Court legalized abortion, the constitutional right many Americans take for granted is coming under increased scrutiny.

Quote of the Day: Python hunter Blake Russ

By Ron Ribiat — January 23, 2013

“We don’t hunt on the Sabbath.” — Blake Russ, quoted in The New York Times. Russ is one of a trio of young Mormons who are among those joining Florida’s “Python Challenge 2013,” aimed at eradicating invasive Burmese pythons in the Everglades.

Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly Listings — January 25