Will there be a ‘mass exodus’ of religious groups from the Scouts?
(RNS) Now that Boy Scout delegates have taken their long-awaited vote and permitted openly gay Scouts, will there be a mass exodus by religious groups? It depends on who you ask.
Culture
Atheists like what they see in Pope Francis’ new openness
(RNS) When Pope Francis said believers and atheists can agree on the goal of doing good, and that even atheists were part of Christ’s redemption, atheist leaders say this is the kind of pope they can work with.
Pastor’s tornado tweets stir up a theological debate
(RNS) Popular evangelical author and speaker John Piper regularly tweets Bible verses, but two verses tweeted after the Oklahoma tornado struck some as at best insensitive and at worst bad theology.
ANALYSIS: Can gay Catholics find a home in the Catholic Church?
(RNS) As U.S. Catholics grow increasingly accepting of homosexuality, there’s going to be inevitable conflict as an uneasy “Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell” policy clashes with gay Catholics’ increasing visibility in the form of marriage licenses or wedding announcements.
Study suggests bad World War II experiences led vets to church
(RNS) “If veterans have had a bad experience, it is clear that one alternative that has helped people understand the world or find a common community has been religion,” researcher Craig Wansink said.
Muslims condemn savage attack on British soldier
LONDON (RNS) “They have done a cowardly, barbaric act,” said Imam Ajmal Masroor of the Islamic Society of Britain. “They have insulted God and Islam. They are low vile scum.
Video: Hasid & Hipster – Unite The Beards
The Lubavitcher movement released a “Unite the Beards” video, inviting hipsters and Hasidim alike to come together in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Thursday’s Religion News Roundup: Cleaver assault * atheist prayer * Hasid hipster?
A man was hacked with cleavers by men claiming to be Muslims. An atheist lawmaker delivers a prayer. A Brooklyn Hasidic group thinks men’s beards are hipster-ish.
Gay Mormon characters step out of the shadows
(RNS) Twenty years ago, a gay Mormon character stepped onstage for the first time in Tony Kushner’s “Angels in America.” A lot’s changed since then, fueled by the church’s role in Prop 8 and its efforts to build bridges to gays and lesbians.
Chelsea Clinton to promote interfaith work at NYU
WASHINGTON (RNS) Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton is now the co-founder and co-chairwoman of New York University’s Of Many Institute, a program for “multifaith” education.
