Monthly Archives: March 2015
Where did Indiana law come from? A brief history of religious freedom (ANALYSIS)
By Jay Michaelson — March 31, 2015
(RNS) Until the last few years, RFRA cases were victimless. That all changed in the 2000s, as conservative activists began using RFRA in a new way: as a sword, rather than a shield.
400+ Catholic and evangelical leaders want to kill the death penalty
By Heather Adams — March 31, 2015
(RNS) Christian leaders say Jesus' state-sponsored execution should prompt believers to oppose the death penalty.
Anti-Semitism in US spikes after nearly a decade of decline
By Lauren Markoe — March 31, 2015
WASHINGTON (RNS) The trend of decreasing anti-Semitism in the country has taken a hairpin turn.
Atheists mourn the slaying of a second Bangladeshi blogger in a month
By Kimberly Winston — March 31, 2015
(RNS) Washiqur Rahman was silenced. But atheists, humanists and other nonbelievers in the U.S. won't be. They're speaking out about his death.
How to treat gays with dignity while respecting religious freedom (COMMENTARY)
By Trevin Wax — March 31, 2015
(RNS) Treating the LGBT rights/religious freedom conversation as a zero-sum game where one can only “win” at the expense of the other is actually a “no-win” for all of us.
Not all RFRAs are created equal: What’s different about Indiana’s controversial law
By Aaron Weaver — March 31, 2015
A core argument among the law's defenders is that there is already a federal RFRA and 19 other states have a law exactly like the Indiana's. But similar is not same.
World Youth Day 2016 Opening Ceremonies and Closing Vigil Officially Announced!
By Ron Ribiat — March 31, 2015
The Official World Youth Day Organizing Committee in Krakow, Poland has confirmed the official locations of the main World Youth Day events. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (July 27th-29th) the events will be held at Blonia Park. On Saturday and Sunday (July 30th-31st) the closing Vigil will be held 20 Km away, in Brzegi close […]
GOP hopefuls back Pence on Indiana religious freedom law
By Catalina Camia — March 31, 2015
Gov. Mike Pence -- who himself has been urged to run for president -- is receiving support from other Republican contenders for his signing of the legislation.
Trevor Noah has tweeted some awful things
By Laura Turner — March 31, 2015
New "Daily Show" host Trevor Noah was tapped just days ago, but is already caught up in a difficult scenario over offensive tweets.
Why Lena Dunham isn’t so funny (COMMENTARY)
By Jeffrey Salkin — March 31, 2015
(RNS) Jews laughing at themselves, and at Judaism, is an old and even venerable tradition.
New Daily Show host Trevor Noah is ‘colored’ — what that means here in South Africa
By Brian Pellot — March 31, 2015
Comedian Trevor Noah was “born a crime” to a black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss father in the final years of South Africa’s apartheid regime. At that time, officials classified him as “colored,” a label and identity still common here today.
Indiana officials embattled over law allowing a religious right to refuse service to gays
By Reuters — March 31, 2015
While lawmakers debate changes in the law, The Indianapolis Star published a page one editorial in huge type, headlined "FIX THIS NOW."
Rogue bishops announce ‘The Resistance,’ launch rebel Catholicism
By Reuters — March 31, 2015
The bishops, excommunicated by the pope and hunkered down in Brazil, reject Vatican II reforms. Said one: "The Pope is less Catholic than us."
Getting the most out of #HolyWeek
By Jonathan Merritt — March 30, 2015
The holy hashtags are already starting to trickle onto social media and you can expect a flood when the weekend arrives. How should we think about encountering God in a time when the sacredest days transform into trending topics?
In a groundbreaking vote, Latino evangelicals call for end to death penalty
By Jonathan Merritt — March 30, 2015
(RNS) Many religious groups, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, oppose the death penalty, but evangelical groups tend to take a more conservative stance.
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