Monthly Archives: November 2013
Federal judge: Clergy tax-free housing allowance is unconstitutional
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — November 24, 2013
(RNS) A federal judge has ruled that clergy's exemption from paying taxes on housing is not constitutional.
Spelling out your views for end-of-life care is a ‘spiritual’ act
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — November 22, 2013
(RNS) Most people have not written down their views on the treatments they want -- or don't want -- if they become too ill to speak for themselves. But one expert says there's spiritual value in completing advance directives.
COMMENTARY: Muslim superhero Kamala Khan is no match for real-life Islamophobia
By Faiza Patel — November 22, 2013
NEW YORK (RNS) Kamala Khan may make a few people think that Muslims can be heroes as well as villains, but vanquishing anti-Muslim prejudice will take a more sustained and energetic effort by Khan’s human counterparts.
Mark Driscoll accused of plagiarism by radio host
By Jonathan Merritt — November 22, 2013
Janet Mefford accuses Pastor Mark Driscoll of plagiarizing in his recent book during a heated radio interview.
Could Mormon leaders learn from Pope Francis?
By Jana Riess — November 22, 2013
The way Pope Francis has re-energized the Roman Catholic Church in just eight months is nothing short of astonishing. What might Mormon leaders learn from this example?
Religious groups rally around U.N. climate talks in Warsaw
By Eric J. Lyman — November 22, 2013
WARSAW, Poland (RNS) The Warsaw U.N. climate talks includes wider participation from faith-based groups, in part because climate change now touches on issues of poverty alleviation, development, forced emigration, as well as stewardship of the planet.
Max Lucado on his new film and why December is so painful for so many
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — November 22, 2013
(RNS) "Miracles exist to reveal God, but miracles don’t exist for God to do me any favors. There are occasions where God intervenes in the natural flow of events to display his power, as much as to do something kind for me."
Atheists challenge IRS over nonprofit finances
By Kimberly Winston — November 22, 2013
(RNS) Current tax law requires all tax-exempt organizations, including American Atheists, to file a Form 990 financial report -- except churches and church-related organizations.
‘Lost Faces of the Bible’ reconstructs four skeletal remains using science, forensics
By Michele Chabin — November 22, 2013
(RNS) In a new National Geographic series, an international team of archaeologists, forensic anthropologists and facial reconstruction experts has tried to recreate the faces of three adults and a newborn whose skeletal remains date back to biblical times.
Aging expert Vern Bengtson: Boomers will return to church
By Janice Lloyd — November 22, 2013
(RNS) Baby boomers might not be that different from the Greatest Generation when it comes to religion, says aging expert Vern Bengtson.
Melissa Deckman on the Limits of Libertarianism for Women
By MacKenzie Babb — November 22, 2013
Affiliated scholar and PRRI board member Dr. Melissa Deckman discusses the gender gap in libertarianism today.
50th anniversary * Massachusetts Puritans * Homeland churches: Friday’s Religion News Roundup
By Yonat Shimron — November 22, 2013
You may have noticed: Today is the 50th anniversary of the death of JFK, C.S. Lewis and Aldous Huxley. Descendants of Massachusetts Puritans auction a book of psalms. Churches where Homeland was filmed.
Update: Evangelist Billy Graham released from hospital
By Katherine Burgess — November 21, 2013
(RNS) “Mr. Graham was alert and in good spirits during his stay,” said Dr. William R. Hathaway, chief medical officer at Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C. “We are pleased with the results of Mr. Graham’s evaluation.”
Ancient woman priest? Not exactly.
By Mark Silk — November 21, 2013
I confess I was pretty excited to read on Huffpost that the Vatican had cleaned up some third-century catacomb frescos and unveiled a female figure with arms raised, acting like a priest. Holy Da Vinci Code!
C.S. Lewis: 50 years after death, more popular than during lifetime
By Jonathan Merritt — November 21, 2013
Author C.S. Lewis is more popular 50 years after his death than during his lifetime.
