Monthly Archives: December 2006
RNS Daily Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — December 23, 2006
c. 2006 Religion News Service Same-Sex Couples in New Jersey Get Marriage Without the Name (RNS) New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine signed a bill Thursday (Dec. 21) that will give those in same-sex civil unions “all of the same benefits, protections and responsibilities” the state confers on married couples. “Through our actions today, we will […]
Christmas Wars Prove Lucrative Fundraising Opportunity for Advocacy Groups
By Daniel Burke — December 23, 2006
c. 2006 Religion News Service (UNDATED) For Conservative Christan groups, this year’s hot gift is a weapon for fighting back in the “War on Christmas,” be it a button, a bumper sticker or a memo with advice to the troops. The Mississippi-based American Family Association says it has sold more than 500,000 buttons and 125,000 […]
Christmas Wars Prove Lucrative Fundraising Opportunity for Advocacy Groups
By Daniel Burke — December 23, 2006
c. 2006 Religion News Service (UNDATED) For Conservative Christan groups, this year’s hot gift is a weapon for fighting back in the “War on Christmas,” be it a button, a bumper sticker or a memo with advice to the troops. The Mississippi-based American Family Association says it has sold more than 500,000 buttons and 125,000 […]
GUEST COMMENTARY: Moving from Crisis to Hope in the Middle East
By RNS Blog Editor — December 23, 2006
c. 2006 Religion News Service (UNDATED) Achieving a lasting peace in the Middle East might seem hopeless given the fractious history of the region. As Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious leaders, however, we believe peace is an essential of faith that can be attained. In this holy season, our shared commitment compels us to recognize […]
Some Civil Servants Balk at Performing Civil Unions:
By Stephanie Wang — December 23, 2006
c. 2006 Religion News Service NEWARK, N.J. _ For mayors, standing before a love-struck couple as they say “I do” is one of the lighter and more pleasant aspects of their job. But mayors across New Jersey have found themselves grappling over that duty when it comes to gay couples who may ask them to […]
RNS Daily Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — December 22, 2006
c. 2006 Religion News Service Three Ex-College Students Admit Burning Alabama Churches BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) Three former college students face seven to eight years in federal prison after admitting Wednesday (Dec. 20) they participated in burning nine churches in Alabama. Wearing orange jail jumpsuits and leg irons, Matthew Cloyd, Russell Lee Debusk and Benjamin Nathan […]
RNS Daily Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — December 22, 2006
c. 2006 Religion News Service Three Ex-College Students Admit Burning Alabama Churches BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) Three former college students face seven to eight years in federal prison after admitting Wednesday (Dec. 20) they participated in burning nine churches in Alabama. Wearing orange jail jumpsuits and leg irons, Matthew Cloyd, Russell Lee Debusk and Benjamin Nathan […]
COMMENTARY: What Happens After Rites of Passage?
By James Rudin — December 22, 2006
c. 2006 Religion News Service (UNDATED) Bar/bat mitzvah. Teenage baptism. Jukai. Shahada. Sacred thread. Millions of Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus have participated in one of these rituals or witnessed such rites of passage that are intended to bond people to a faith community. But what is the lasting effect of these ceremonies? Do […]
COMMENTARY: What Happens After Rites of Passage?
By James Rudin — December 22, 2006
c. 2006 Religion News Service (UNDATED) Bar/bat mitzvah. Teenage baptism. Jukai. Shahada. Sacred thread. Millions of Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus have participated in one of these rituals or witnessed such rites of passage that are intended to bond people to a faith community. But what is the lasting effect of these ceremonies? Do […]
Giving to Charity Is a Year-End Tradition
By RNS Blog Editor — December 22, 2006
c. 2006 Religion News Service (UNDATED) Donating to charity at the end of the year is a tradition for countless Americans. Some folks rush to beat the deadline for same-year tax deductions. Some don’t think of making contributions until seasonal reminders arrive in the mail. Others simply feel more charitable during the holidays or have […]
Giving to Charity Is a Year-End Tradition
By RNS Blog Editor — December 22, 2006
c. 2006 Religion News Service (UNDATED) Donating to charity at the end of the year is a tradition for countless Americans. Some folks rush to beat the deadline for same-year tax deductions. Some don’t think of making contributions until seasonal reminders arrive in the mail. Others simply feel more charitable during the holidays or have […]
Latinos Will Shape Future Religious Landscape
By Jeff Diamant — December 22, 2006
c. 2006 Newhouse News Service (UNDATED) The bongo drums and keyboard at Iglesia El Shaddai, a Pentecostal church in Elizabeth, N.J., are being played so briskly they can support a conga line. The El Salvadoran-born pastor shakes a tambourine, some women rock their hips and everyone sings praise to Jesus in Spanish. Soon the pastor […]
Latinos Will Shape Future Religious Landscape
By Jeff Diamant — December 22, 2006
c. 2006 Newhouse News Service (UNDATED) The bongo drums and keyboard at Iglesia El Shaddai, a Pentecostal church in Elizabeth, N.J., are being played so briskly they can support a conga line. The El Salvadoran-born pastor shakes a tambourine, some women rock their hips and everyone sings praise to Jesus in Spanish. Soon the pastor […]
Herod: Nice Guy?
By RNS Blog Editor — December 21, 2006
Historians, Fans Defend the `Real’ King Herod Nope. King Herod certainly doesn’t qualify as a nice guy, but his image has been buffed and shined of late, as Nicole Neroulias reports in this full text RNS article, linked above. Quote: Annually vilified in Christmas pageants as the tyrant responsible for the slaughter of Bethlehem’s baby […]
Herod: Nice Guy?
By RNS Blog Editor — December 21, 2006
Historians, Fans Defend the `Real’ King Herod Nope. King Herod certainly doesn’t qualify as a nice guy, but his image has been buffed and shined of late, as Nicole Neroulias reports in this full text RNS article, linked above. Quote: Annually vilified in Christmas pageants as the tyrant responsible for the slaughter of Bethlehem’s baby […]
