Tuesday’s Religion News Roundup: Marriage rights * Easter questions * Alligator meat

The Supreme Court hears arguments on same-sex-marriage. RNS answers readers questions about Easter. Catholics may eat alligator meat on Fridays during Lent.

Alligator meat is considered fish.

All eyes on the Supreme Court as it begins to consider two same-sex marriage cases today.

Republican National Chairman Reince Priebus says the party’s platform leaves no doubt about its opposition to same-sex marriage. Still, it needs to welcome those with other views, he said.

Same-sex couples should not be denied the right to civil marriage, says Marc D. Stern, general counsel of the American Jewish Committee. But they should not be allowed to force dissenting religious organizations to recognize or facilitate their marriages.


Southern Baptist Seminary prez Al Mohler agrees.

And Georgetown law professor David Cole says it would be unwise for the Supreme Court to impose a uniform federal solution on the constitutional right to marriage.

As reporters converge on the court this morning, it’s fitting to pay tribute to former New York Times Supreme Court reporter and  press freedom champion: Anthony Lewis, who died Monday.

For the first time in history, Mormon women will offer an invocation or benediction at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ church’s worldwide General Conference, April 6–7. In a church run by men, this really matters, says lawyer and blogger Steve Evans of Wisconsin.

Passover began last night. Now it’s onto Easter. Our own Dan Burke answers reader’s questions about the holiest Christian day. What was the ancient Christian view of resurrection, and does Easter borrow from pre-Christian pagan practices?

An Arizona woman has designed a workshop to help Americans heal from spiritual abuse, which she describes as when authoritarian religious groups use power and control to instill fear and guilt into worshippers.

Beware the serial convert. A high-profile Italian Muslim who converted to Catholicism and was baptized by Pope Benedict XVI announced he would leave the church to protest its soft stance against Islam.


RNS blogger Jonathan Merritt points to 10 inaccuracies in the History Channel’s Bible miniseries. Among them, a ram, not a lamb, was offered as a substitute in the Genesis story about the sacrifice of Isaac.

Michael J. O’Loughlin writes about Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri and her decision to support gay marriage.

Syrian dignitaries have buried a divisive pro-government cleric at the capital’s ancient Ummayyad Mosque, sparking outrage among Syrian opposition activists.

The Chinese government plans to eradicate all unofficial, Protestant house churches across the country.

A picture of an alligator

Alligator meat is considered fish.

Back home, the Southern Baptist Convention is likely to get its next spokesman on ethics and political issues today. That would be Richard Land’s replacement. No word yet who it might be.

Is it OK to eat alligator on Fridays during Lent? NPR asks that question after a Louisiana man wrote to Roman Catholic Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond. Aymond said yes, the alligator’s considered in the fish family.

And finally, after the obligatory four glasses of wine at last night’s Passover Seder, your Roundup scribe is ready for a nap. If you too are  heading out for the second Seder tonight, sign up for tomorrow’s Roundup today.


 

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