Monthly Archives: February 2014
How many young Arizona Catholics won’t be at Mass?
By Michael J. O'Loughlin — February 26, 2014
The Arizona Catholic Conference urged passage of the now-vetoed gay discrimination bill. How many young Catholics won't be at church Sunday?
Free books — 10 million of them — help keep Jewish kids Jewish
By Lauren Markoe — February 26, 2014
(RNS) Dolly Parton gives out free books to boost literacy. Harold Grinspoon figured: Why not give out free Jewish books to boost Jewish literacy?
Throwdown! IngramSpark vs. Amazon’s CreateSpace, Part 2
By Jana Riess — February 26, 2014
Bottom line: If I were Ingram I’d be quaking in my Tennessee boots.
Is new Katy Perry video blasphemous? Some think so
By Omar Sacirbey — February 26, 2014
(RNS) Nearly 60,000 people have signed a Change.org petition demanding that YouTube take down a Katy Perry video they say is blasphemous and offensive to Muslims. Others say the flap is much ado about nothing.
Vatican theologians OK alleged miracle attributed to Pope Paul VI
By Eric J. Lyman — February 26, 2014
ROME (RNS) Now that a panel of theologians have signed off on a miracle attributed to the intercession of Pope Paul VI, it only requires a review by Pope Francis to be considered official.
Quote of the Day: Former Pope Benedict XVI
By Ron Ribiat — February 26, 2014
“The only condition for the validity of my resignation is the complete freedom of my decision. Speculations regarding its validity are simply absurd.” — Pope Benedict XVI, in an interview with La Stampa, one year after he formally resigned from the papacy.
Oleksandr Turchynov’s Baptist faith may help defuse Ukrainian crisis
By Olga Rudenko — February 26, 2014
KIEV, Ukraine (RNS) Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov is neither Ukrainian Orthodox nor Eastern Rite Catholic, and that may be the key to his success at a time when fissures between East and West are threatening to split the country, analysts say.
As Arizona debates LGBTQ rights, American Atheists prepares for CPAC
By Chris Stedman — February 26, 2014
Despite being disallowed from having a booth, American Atheists has pledged to attend CPAC, citing a desire to bring politically conservative atheists into their organization. Does this align with their pro-LGBTQ statements?
Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly – February 28
By Religion News LLC — February 26, 2014
Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly is a production of THIRTEEN for WNET. Visit www.pbs.org/religionandethics for additional information. Show #1726 will be fed over PBS at 5:00 p.m. EST on February 28 (check local listings). Program Note: due to pledge, please be sure to check the local listings. Solitary Confinement – The debate over whether some prisoners should […]
Journalists, editors eligible for $5,000 scholarships for religion courses
By Wendy Gustofson — February 26, 2014
(Columbia, Mo.) — RELIGION | NEWSWRITERS invites journalists to apply to its Lilly Scholarships in Religion Program. The scholarships give full-time journalists up to $5,000 to take any college religion courses at any accredited institution at any time. Religion headlines are dominating news coverage—politics, religion, Islam in America — now is the perfect time to […]
‘Miraculous Tales’ takes viewers through faith and lore
By Kellie Moore — February 26, 2014
COLUMBIA, Mo. (RNS) The film, set in Ireland, lives up to its name. There are stories of folklore cures, a priest people flock to for prayers, a passionate preacher, and an old man who experiences his own miraculous moment.
‘Manakamana’ takes viewers on a virtual pilgrimage
By Kellie Moore — February 26, 2014
COLUMBIA, Mo. (RNS) The entire film takes place in a cable car – going up, coming down, looking around. Through the camera lens, viewers ride with men and women, young and old, people and animals.
Bombs explode Zanzibar calm as religious tensions flare
By Fredrick Nzwili — February 26, 2014
(RNS) The semiautonomous archipelago off the coast of Tanzania is mostly Muslim, and assailants have targeted churches, burning some and killing or severely injuring Christian clerics.
Does the Bible prohibit providing services for same-sex weddings? Theologians weigh in.
By Jonathan Merritt — February 26, 2014
Top Christian theologians offer their perspectives on recent debates about whether Christians should serve same-sex couples getting married. Their opinions surprisingly differ from many mainstream voices dominating the conversation.
Beard transplants * Tossing toddlers * Popeapalooza : Wednesday’s Roundup
By Kevin Eckstrom — February 26, 2014
We're sifting through the RNS mailbag this morning and our legions of staff have organized everything into nice little piles for your reading pleasure and general edification.
