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.
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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.
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.
Mormons say they’re OK with change in Scouts’ gay policy
SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) Mormon officials, who sponsor more Boy Scout troops than any other organization, say they are “satisfied” with the Scouts’ latest compromise on allowing gay members.
Top Mormon leader warns against ‘tolerance trap’
SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) Just because the nation may change its laws to “tolerate legalized acts of immorality” does not make those acts any less spiritually damaging, senior Mormon apostle Boyd K. Packer said.
Brigham Young and Jesus Christ would break the Mormons’ no-beard rule
SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) If they lived today, nearly half of Mormon church presidents would be forbidden from serving in the faith’s 141 temples worldwide. That’s because being clean-shaven is generally a requirement for men to be Mormon temple workers.
Mormons steal a page from ‘Book of Mormon’ popularity
TORONTO (RNS) The Mormon church bought three full-page ads in the upcoming Toronto production of “The Book of Mormon.” “The book is always better,” reads one of the ads.
For aging religious leaders, is it still ’till death us do part’?
(RNS) When aging religious leaders reach the top echelons of temporal and spiritual power, their followers have a certain expectation: Till death us do part. But Pope Benedict XVI’s surprise resignation has shifted that calculus, prompting introspection about when, if and how to let go of religion’s senior management.
When spouses lose faith, sticking together is hard
(RNS) Kylee and Matt Duff were the picture of Mormon happiness until Matt began to question his beliefs. Some couples, like the Duffs, can survive a loss of faith, but for others it means the loss of a marriage. By Peggy Fletcher Stack.
Years of tension yield to thaw between gays, Mormons
SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) After years of tension between Mormons and gay rights activists — with political action and theological pronouncements on one side, protests and pain on the other — the gulf between the two groups has begun to narrow. By Peggy Fletcher Stack.
