Monthly Archives: March 2008
Controversial convert
By Francis X. Rocca — March 25, 2008
The latest episode in Pope Benedict’s tumultuous relationship with the Muslim world is controversy over the conversion to Catholicism of Egyptian-born journalist Magdi Allam, an outspoken critic of his former faith whom Benedict personally baptized at the Vatican on the day before Easter. Among those criticizing the high-profile baptismal ceremony was one of the 138 […]
He’s Gone Again
By rvineis — March 25, 2008
Rev. Wright was set give his first public sermon since relinquishing his post this evening, but the event was called off for “security concerns” and the potential for a media circus.
Hillary at the Plate
By Mark Silk — March 25, 2008
OK, gang. Hillary Clinton is now prepared to call Barack Obama to account for what his pastor says. As in the following quotes from today’s Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: “He would not have been my pastor,” Clinton said. “You don’t choose your family, but you choose what church you want to attend…”You know, I spoke out against […]
He’s Back… …
By rvineis — March 25, 2008
Rev. Wright will be delivering three sermons starting with the first tonight in Florida. The church where Wright is speaking is banning recording devices, but stay tuned for a bootleg recording.
Rebellious Religion Redux
By rvineis — March 25, 2008
Politico’s Andrew Glass points out in a worthwhile read that Rev. Wright is certainly not the first or most controversial pastor in American history. Two figures mirror Wright’s controversy and fall from grace. They are Rev. Samuel Buchard made famous for his “Rum, Romanism and Rebellion” line that hurt Republicans in the 1880’s and Charles […]
The Precious
By Mark Silk — March 25, 2008
It’s probably not worth overburdening the analogy, but since James Carville has insisted that he said what he meant, and meant what he said, I’ll indulge myself. Whether or not we are (as Reid suggests) to understand Hillary Clinton–really, the Clintons a deux, since Bill Richardson is Bill’s disciple–as Jesus, the idea is that Richardson’s […]
Pope marks Easter with nod to Muslims, China
By Frances X. Rocca — March 25, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service VATICAN CITY _ Easter is the most sacred feast in the Christian calendar, when believers of all denominations celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. But for Pope Benedict XVI, this year’s Easter celebrations were fraught with significance for the Catholic Church’s relations with the non-Christian world _ particularly Islam […]
Pope marks Easter with nod to Muslims, China
By RNS Blog Editor — March 25, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service Judge rules against woman seminary professor (RNS) A federal judge in Texas has ruled against a former professor at a prominent Southern Baptist seminary who said she was dismissed because of her gender. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary was within its rights when it decided not to renew the contract of […]
Pope marks Easter with nod to Muslims, China
By Shona Crabtree — March 25, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service (UNDATED) This is the time of year when the Catholic Church enjoys the greatest growth spurt of the entire year _ an estimated 150,000 adult converts who were baptized or confirmed into the church on Easter. A recent survey shows 44 percent of Americans now profess a religious affiliation that’s […]
Another Award for the Dalai Lama’s Mantel …
By Kevin Eckstrom — March 25, 2008
The Dalai Lama may be at odds with the Chinese troops currently stationed in his homeland, but the good folks at Hofstra University think he deserves the inaugural $50,000 prize for fostering interfaith harmony. Hofstra gave the exiled leader of Tibetan Buddhism the Guru Nanak Prize on Monday, and His Holiness will accept it in […]
Easter at the Lincoln Memorial
By Kevin Eckstrom — March 25, 2008
In case you (like most of us) were still sleeping when the sun crept over the U.S. Capitol on Easter morning, Lee Love has some smart pics of the Easter Sunrise Service at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington …
Martin Marty’s Picks for Mt. Preachmore
By Kevin Eckstrom — March 25, 2008
Martin Marty, the unparalleled scholar of American religious history at the University of Chicago, lists his top preacher picks to replace Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and Roosevelt on Mt. Rushmore: Walter Rauschenbush, Harry Emerson Fosdick, Reinhold Niebuhr, Martin Luther King, Jr., and William Sloane Coffin. They all preached to many classes of people, including those powerful […]
Conan the Buddhist dog
By Daniel Burke — March 24, 2008
Those who believe in reincarnation may take a special look at a Zen Buddhist temple in southern Japan, where a young Chihuahua named Conan prays with the monks. The 18-month-old black-and-white pup joins in the daily prayers at the temple, sitting up on his hind legs and putting his front paws together before the altar. […]
Dems by Religion
By Mark Silk — March 24, 2008
A new Gallup poll breaks down the Democratic primary electorate by religion. Gallup properly ledes its story with the finding that Jewish Democrats favor Clinton by a small amount (48 percent to 43 percent) that is within the margin of error. Exit polls in states with a sufficiently large Jewish population to provide meaningful results […]
Easter at TUCC
By rvineis — March 24, 2008
Fox News’ Jeff Goldblatt covered Easter services yesterday at Trinity United Church of Christ. As Goldblatt explains, the services did address the recent controversy referring to Rev. Wright’s fall from grace as “a public lynching”. Here are some highlights. trinityby luvnews
