Government & Politics
Thousands protest ‘bulldozer justice’ against Indian Muslims
Incoming Bishop Stephen Chow says he feels the pressure of leading Hong Kong diocese
Healing and unity? Not yet
‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ to use church land for affordable housing
As he walks neighborhoods, candidate documents his city’s Virgin Mary shrines
Conservatives flock to ‘values voter’ summit, but message may be mixed
How the Sabbath cured one man’s hatred
Poll: Most Americans say employers should cover contraception
(RNS) Most Americans believe employers -- even religious ones -- should provide contraception coverage for their employees, according to a new survey by LifeWay Research. By Daniel Burke.
Secession theology runs deep in American religious, political history
(RNS) Ever since President Obama won re-election, more than 700,000 Americans have petitioned the White House to let their respective states secede. Observers say those leading the charge are framing it in terms that suggest a deep-seated religious impulse for purity-through-separation is flaring up once again. This time, it’s playing out on a political stage. By G. Jeffrey MacDonald.
New Congress more religiously diverse, less Protestant
(RNS) Three Buddhists, a Hindu and a “none” will walk into the 113th Congress, and it’s no joke. Rather, it’s a series of “firsts” that reflect the growing religious diversity of the country. By David Gibson.
Atheists sue IRS for failure to monitor church politicking
(RNS) A First Amendment watchdog group is suing the Internal Revenue Service for not challenging the tax-exempt status of churches whose pastors engage in partisan politicking from the pulpit. By Kimberly Winston.
Catholic bishops warn Congress not to throw poor off “fiscal cliff”
(RNS) As Congress embarks on high-stakes budget negotiations to avoid the “fiscal cliff,” leaders of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops are urging elected officials not to target programs for the poor and instead raise taxes and reduce defense spending. By David Gibson
With Petraeus, echoes of that other warrior David
(RNS) It’s tempting to view the sex scandal surrounding former Gen. David Petraeus through a religious lens. Even before his fall from grace, some Pentagon colleagues compared Petraeus to the biblical King David - another proud and powerful warrior. By Daniel Burke.
Hawaii Democrat poised to be first Hindu in Congress
(RNS) Hindu Americans have succeeded as engineers, doctors and lawyers in America, but one profession has been out of reach: Congress. That could change next week as Democrat Tulsi Gabbard looks poised to win a seat in Hawaii. By Omar Sacirbey.
Well before Romney, Mormon founder Joseph Smith ran for president
On June 27, 1844 Mormon prophet Joseph Smith's presidential campaign was cut short by a barrage of bullets. He's the first presidential candidate to be assassinated, according to historians.
