Monthly Archives: December 2013
Father Knows Best: Can my husband divide our assets without my approval?
By Martin Elfert — December 31, 2013
The last handful of times that I have been to a wedding, one word in the service has particularly caught my attention. That word is “mutual.”
Democrats Believe Minimum Wage Will Be a Winning Issue in 2014. Are They Right?
By MacKenzie Babb — December 31, 2013
As Democratic and Republican congressional candidates prepare for the 2014 local and national elections, each party is seeking to find an issue that will rally support among voters; according to Jonathan Martin and Michael D. Shear’s latest for The New York Times, Democratic Party leaders may have found it in their efforts to increase the minimum wage.
Pastor Andy Stanley tells Christians ‘how to be rich’
By Jonathan Merritt — December 31, 2013
The mega-church pastor has a new message about poverty, wealth, and the prosperity gospel.
2013: Atheism’s 10 defining moments
By Chris Stedman — December 31, 2013
Atheism was in the headlines perhaps more than ever before in 2013. To highlight some of atheism’s defining moments and trends from the last year, I worked with a panel of ten writers, scholars, and activists to come up with ten major moments or currents in American atheism from 2013. Their contributions are below. Godless […]
GOP now the anti-evolution party
By Mark Silk — December 31, 2013
Astonishingly, a plurality of Republicans now believe that humans and other living things have existed in their present form since the beginning of time.
My worst New Year’s Eve ever . . . one year later
By Jana Riess — December 31, 2013
The month of January is named for the Roman god Janus, the god of two faces—one looking forward, the other gazing back. Whatever your dreams are for the coming year, may you be able to gaze at the past without regret and the future without fear.
Boy Scouts Christian alternative launches with 500 troops
By Adelle M. Banks — December 31, 2013
(RNS) “We have a very excited group of churches and Christian organizations that are joining us,” said the leader of Trail Life USA, which was formed as an alternative to the Boy Scouts. “They’re ready to go.”
COMMENTARY: Decency on the rise
By Tom Ehrich — December 31, 2013
(RNS) Did everything come up roses? Sadly, no. It was a rotten year in some respects. Think NSA, Chase Bank, John Boehner, Koch Brothers, scammers preying on soldiers and the elderly, payday lenders and other bottom-feeders. Even so, I end the year feeling positive.
Katy Perry “not Christian,” and why that matters
By Laura Turner — December 31, 2013
Going to a Christian college in Santa Barbara, it was hard to escape the shadow of Katy Perry. Every third person had known her growing up–they were in elementary school together, or sang in the same church choir, or took dance classes together. I even ended up at the same party as her sister once, […]
Report: 8 countries on UN Human Rights Council restrict religious freedom
By Brian Pellot — December 31, 2013
LONDON (RNS) A new report says eight current and incoming member states of the U.N. Human Rights Council were among 24 countries to imprison believers and atheists in 2013 for violating local laws that restrict freedom of religion or belief.
Painting bought by a British priest is found to be a Van Dyck masterpiece
By Trevor Grundy — December 31, 2013
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) He bought it a dozen years ago at a local antiques shop to help brighten up a Derbyshire retreat home run by his church.
Best Dressed Pope * Bad Book Covers * Muslim Informants : Tuesday’s Religion News Roundup
By Lauren Markoe — December 31, 2013
Esquire names Pope Francis the best dressed man of the year. The year's worst Christian book covers. And Britain praises Muslims for informing on extremists.
Duck Dynasty restored!
By Mark Silk — December 30, 2013
I for one am glad that A&E has seen fit to lift Phil Robertson's suspension as patriarch of its hit reality show.
Why religious groups care about the new Boy Scouts policy on gay youth
By Tobin Grant — December 30, 2013
The new Boy Scouts of America policy begins January 1. Youth will no longer be kept out of scouting because of sexual orientation. This is a big deal for religious organizations -- 70 percent of troops are hosted by churches, synagogues, or other religious groups.
COMMENTARY: The evangelical unease over contraception
By Jacob Lupfer — December 30, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Evangelical concerns about contraception are about much more than contraception, and the debate over birth control is a mere skirmish in a larger theological and ideological battle.
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