Monthly Archives: March 2014
Blurred Vision * Myanmar’s Muslims * Saudi insanity: March’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — March 31, 2014
World Vision flip-flops on hiring same-sex-married employees. Burma’s Muslims face new hurdles for marriage and childbirth. And Saudi goes nuts with new buffet and baby name bans. Sink your teeth into this all-you-can-eat March Recap while you still can.
What to do when you don’t like what you see in the mirror
By Jonathan Merritt — March 29, 2014
Bestselling author and pastor Kyle Idleman says Christians need to take an honest look in the mirror.
Great advice for Mormon sister missionaries
By Jana Riess — March 29, 2014
With tens of thousands of Mormon sister missionaries now serving around the world, where are they going to get the low-down on what to expect out in the field? This inspiring new book of personal essays offers some honest advice.
Will World Vision flip-flop = lawsuits?
By Mark Silk — March 28, 2014
I understand World Vision's original decision to hire Christians in same-sex marriages had nothing to do with the threat of lawsuits. But that doesn't mean the decision's reversal in the face of widespread evangelical outrage won't invite them.
Survivors Petition Governor & General Assembly
By Religion News LLC — March 28, 2014
Schererville, Indiana — Sexual assault survivors and supporters have collected almost 1,700 petition signatures in less than three weeks to eliminate the statute of limitations (SOL) on sexual assault in Indiana. They have added the members of the State Senate and House to receive their petition, along with Governor Mike Pence. The Governor’s Director of […]
Thrivent Financial is no longer for Lutherans only
By David Yonke — March 28, 2014
(RNS) The company chose to use the Apostles' Creed -- a statement of Christian belief dating back to the 4th century -- as the determining factor in whether a person is eligible to join Thrivent.
COMMENTARY: The tragedy of America’s failed immigration system
By Mary Ann Walsh — March 28, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) Data show that our nation’s effort to cope with undocumented immigrants does not work. It is costly, most especially, I fear, for the soul of a nation.
Quote of the Day: New York Times film critic A.O. Scott
By Ron Ribiat — March 28, 2014
“‘Noah’ is rated PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned). ‘And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and only Noah remained alive, and they that were with him in the […]
Israel may be cut out of Pope Francis’ visit to the Holy Land
By Michele Chabin — March 28, 2014
JERUSALEM (RNS) Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal told journalists that Pope Francis' pilgrimage to Jordan and the Palestinian-ruled West Bank will take place, even if the Israeli foreign ministry strike continues.
Pope Francis summons ‘Bishop Bling’ to the Vatican for private talks
By Eric J. Lyman — March 28, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Vatican sources confirmed Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst met with the pontiff at the Apostolic Palace but released no information about what the two men discussed.
No place to call home: Abuse in a Christian community
By Boz Tchividjian — March 28, 2014
An interview with abuse survivor and filmmaker, Jamie Prater, about his powerful new film that documents abuse in a well known Christian community. How many other Christian environments may be 'No Place to Call Home' for His little ones?
Stormy weather * Pope and change * Dear Russell : Friday’s Roundup
By Kevin Eckstrom — March 28, 2014
This is hopefully the last Roundup to include something about the "Noah" film. But certainly not the last about Pope Francis. And most definitely not the last on Russell Moore's advice for the bedroom.
Just how crazy is Saudi Arabia? 9 WTF headlines from March alone
By Brian Pellot — March 28, 2014
As President Obama visits the land of cheap oil and oppression today, he needs to know one thing. On the nutty scale between Charlie Sheen and Amanda Bynes, Saudi Arabia is off-the-charts Dennis Rodman insane. Here’s a quick rundown of this month’s most absurd Saudi headlines showing just how crazy crazy can be.
World Vision’s Rich Stearns: ‘A bad decision, but we did it with the right motivations’
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — March 27, 2014
(RNS) "We were trying to find some kind of solution to a divisive issue that would create some space of togetherness around differences within the church. Our regret is that we caused more division instead of finding a place of more unity."
ANALYSIS: World Vision’s gay marriage flip-flop reflects evangelical angst as culture shifts
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — March 27, 2014
World Vision may have gone back to the status quo, but the larger issue of how religious institutions will handle a growing acceptance of same-sex marriage will not go away. If anything, this is just the beginning.
