Cruz’s Proverbs * Gosnell’s gospel * Francis’ excommunication: Wednesday’s Religion News Roundup

Father Jim Martin goes on "The Colbert Report" to defend Pope Francis and Richard Dawkins goes on "The Daily Show" to defend atheism. New rules for Catholic chaplains and gay couples in the military, and the Methodist high court will hear a challenge to church teaching on gays.

"Our Lady of Perpetual Exhaustion" by Cynthia Ferrell Johnson, Mixed Media (2012).

“Our Lady of Perpetual Exhaustion” by Cynthia Ferrell Johnson, Mixed Media (2012).

In his filibuster to try to defund the health care reform law, Republican Sen. Ted Cruz has been reading just about everything under the sun, from Toby Keith’s country music lyrics to Ayn Rand’s libertarian bible, “Atlas Shrugged,” to selections from “Duck Dynasty.” He has even gone through “Green Eggs and Ham” and the menus from Denny’s, Benihana and White Castle – which don’t have those Seussian offerings, quite.

Of course, he at one point went for the actual Bible — not Ecclesiastes, oddly, but the wisdom of Solomon. Not everyone was pleased:


He does have many supporters, who sent him suggestions, such as Proverbs 10:4:

“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”

Watching the anger build among members of Cruz’s own party over his tactic, I’d suggest he go to the next chapter for Proverbs 11:29:

“He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.”

Better yet, Senator, go watch the movie. What verse would you suggest Mr. Cruz read?

 

And no, journalists don’t come off so well. Atheists do.

The religious right is not about to go quietly. CBN’s David Brody reports that the American Renewal Project has sent an email blast to more than 10,000 pastors declaring that “Unless politicians see scalps on the wall, they will never respect our policies, marches, sermons or prayer rallies.” It goes on to say that, “Registering the Christian constituency to vote, and getting them to vote is the game. Game on.”

Game over for the scandal-plagued Catholic archbishop of Newark, John Myers? Pope Francis has sent him the man who will replace him, a few years ahead of Myers’ sell-by date. Mark Silk says that’s a start, but the pope needs to do more.

The other pope, Benedict XVI, has broken his self-imposed retirement silence to defend his own record on sex abuse. He saves his best stuff for some theological and philosophical jousting with his atheist interlocutor. It’s good stuff.

Both popes might take encouragement that the number of priests is on the rise in the U.S. after years of decline. Cathy Grossman cites several factors that may explain the spike – beyond the Holy Spirit, natch.

If any of those men become chaplains in the armed forces they won’t be able to have anything to do with gay couples, and may not even be able to assist at the funeral of gay service personnel if it could be construed as supporting same-sex marriage. That’s under new rules issued by the archbishop for the chaplains.


Yes, the pope is still Catholic: Francis has excommunicated and defrocked an Australian priest, apparently for advocating women’s ordination (and gay rights, it seems) and for celebrating the Eucharist when he was barred from doing so.

Cool: Father Jim Martin, chaplain to “The Colbert Report,” was on the show last night to talk all things Francis with Stephen. Oh, and he introduced Metallica. Not even Francis has done that. A must-see.

The Colbert Report
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Equal time: Neo-atheist Richard Dawkins was on “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart. The question: whether scientific advancement or religious fundamentalism will bring about the end of civilization as we know it.

Creepy: Philly abortionist Kermit Gosnell, convicted of murder in one of the grislier crimes of recent memory, is reading his bible in jail and says he is “spiritually innocent.” He says he was railroaded by Catholics in the D.A.’s office, and he is writing “abortion-inspired poetry.” That’s a kind of revenge. Read it at your peril in Philadelphia Magazine.

Makes me want to turn to “Our Lady of Perpetual Exhaustion.” Our own Kathleen Burgess has the story on a remarkable new exhibit, featuring icons like the one above.

This just in: Facing regular acts of open defiance to church law, the top court of the United Methodist Church is set to consider rulings challenging church teaching on homosexuality.


The assault on a Columbia University professor is apparently part of a wave of attacks on Sikhs who are mistaken for Muslims. Not that getting the religion right would make it any less terrible, but really…

So the MacArthur “genius grants” came out and I wasn’t on the list. Yes, it still hurts. So to find solace, and some good barbecue, I – and the rest of the RNS team – are heading off to Austin to the annual Religion Newswriters Association conference. Katy, bar the door!

It also means that there won’t be a Daily Religion News Roundup for Thursday and Friday, but we’ll be back first thing Monday. Be sure and sign up by typing your email in the box below so you don’t miss anything.

Arrivederci, y’all.

David Gibson

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