SIDEBAR: Evangelical alternatives to the Boy Scouts
(RNS) They have pledges. They have merit badges. And they may go camping. But they’re not the Boy Scouts.
Culture
Church-based scouting alternatives attract interest
(RNS) As the Boy Scouts of America considers whether to change its membership policy to admit gay members, some alternative church-based groups are fielding inquiries from people concerned about the action.
Tamerlan Tsarnaev’s burial angers Va. Muslims
(RNS) The burial ended a frustrating search for a community willing to take the body, which had been kept at a funeral parlor in Worcester, Mass., as cemeteries refused to accept the remains, fearful about gravesite vandalism and backlash from the public.
Monday’s Religion News Roundup: Graduation Wars * Divine Superman * Footloose Mahony
The Bible as a book? Crazy! Can Christians disagree without getting fired? Is empathy overrated? Is Superman a god?
Left behind: Families struggle to navigate life after suicide
DRAPER, Utah (RNS) Many communities and individuals still struggle with how best to support those left behind after a loved one commits suicide. Now faith-based groups are starting to help.
Three popes at Vatican as Francis welcomes head of Egypt’s Copts
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis on Friday (May 10) met with Pope Tawadros II, head of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church, an encounter that brought the number of popes residing within the Vatican walls to three this week. It also put a spotlight on the suffering of Christians in Egypt.
Friday’s Religion News Roundup: Silver spire * Anglican church attendance * Psychics in trouble
A new spire tops the One World Trade Center. Anglican church attendance is stabilizing. Psychics’ predictions? A history of failure.
Tamerlan Tsarnaev buried in undisclosed location
(RNS) An undisclosed community has accepted the body of Boston bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev, which is now “entombed,” according to police in Worcester, Mass.
ANALYSIS: Where are the Christians on burying Tsarnaev?
BOSTON (RNS) Most faith leaders agree everyone deserves a dignified burial, no matter what crimes they’ve committed, as a matter of Christian principle. But a mix of factors is leading them to keep low profiles on the debate over how to handle the remains of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev.
US anti-abortion leaders join Rome’s March for Life
VATICAN CITY (RNS) American anti-abortion leaders will be in Rome on Sunday (May 12) to participate in Italy’s third March for Life and lend their expertise to the nation’s small anti-abortion movement as it tries to learn from its American counterpart.
