Monthly Archives: May 2008
Man of God
By Mark Silk — May 30, 2008
When does a “controversial” preacher become a public pariah? In Jeremiah Wright’s case, it was when he danced gleefully around the podium before dozens of cameras at the National Press Club. In John Hagee’s case, it was when an old audiotape seemed to suggest that he believed God had acquiesced in the Holocaust to hasten […]
Over the Line?
By Mark Silk — May 30, 2008
Last week, Tacoma News Tribune political reporter Niki Sullivan wrote a story about an appearance by Washington State’s GOP gubernatorial hopeful Dino Rossi at a meeting of the local chapter of the Christian Businessmen’s Connection. On the strength of an audiotape and a blogger’s post, Sullivan suggested that the not-for-profit had violated the IRS rules […]
Southern Baptists face wide-open leadership race
By Adelle M. Banks — May 30, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service (UNDATED) When Southern Baptists meet for their annual convention in Indianapolis this June, they will have the opportunity to cast ballots for the highest number of contenders for president in the last three decades. At least six leaders with a range of experience _ in big churches, small churches and […]
RNS Daily Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — May 30, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service Midwife to Amish wins court appeal HARRISBURG, Pa. (RNS) A Pennsylvania appeals court has said a state board was wrong to fine and shut down the practice of a Lancaster-area midwife who has delivered thousands for babies for the Amish. But it is unclear whether it’s illegal for Diane Goslin […]
RNS Daily Digest
By Dick Staub — May 30, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service (UNDATED) I never thought I’d say the names Sharon Stone and John Hagee in the same sentence, but in this media age, the lines between bombastic televangelist and beauteous Hollywood celebrity are blurring. At a Cannes Film Festival press conference, there was Stone, in all her radiant glory, offering her […]
Conservatives warn of flood of gay marriage lawsuits
By Jonathan Rubin — May 30, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service WASHINGTON _ California’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage could “spawn lawsuits all over the country,” trampling states’ rights and limiting religious freedom, a coalition of conservative groups warned Thursday (May 29). The Washington-based Family Research Council issued that warning the same day it asked the California Supreme Court to stay […]
Conservatives warn of gay marriage lawsuits
By RNS Blog Editor — May 30, 2008
WASHINGTON -California’s approval of same-sex marriage could “spawn lawsuits all over the country” that may impact states’ rights and religious freedoms, a coalition of conservatives said Thursday. The Washington-based Family Research Council issued the warning the same day they asked the California Supreme Court to stay its decision, and a day after New York Gov. […]
Midwife to Amish wins court appeal
By RNS Blog Editor — May 30, 2008
HARRISBURG, Pa. -A Pennsylvania appeals court has said a state board was wrong to fine and shut down the practice of a Lancaster-area midwife who has delivered thousands for babies for the Amish.
Collins to leave NIH post
By RNS Blog Editor — May 30, 2008
WASHINGTON -Dr. Francis Collins, who helped decode human DNA and build bridges between scientists and religious believers, will resign as director of the National Human Genome Research Institute on August 1.
Few churchgoers tithe, study says
By RNS Blog Editor — May 30, 2008
Linda Pateo of Gardendale, Ala., says she and her husband, Robert, try to give 5 percent of their income to their church and 5 percent to Christian charities, but it’s difficult with three children in college. “I have strong feelings that God expects first fruits,” Pateo said. “Sometimes we fall short. It’s something we are […]
COMMENTARY: There’s a storm a brewin’
By RNS Blog Editor — May 30, 2008
I never thought I’d say the names Sharon Stone and John Hagee in the same sentence, but in this media age, the lines between bombastic televangelist and beauteous Hollywood celebrity are blurring. At a Cannes Film Festival press conference there she was, Sharon Stone, offering her views on the earthquakes in China. “And all these […]
And the winner is …
By Kevin Eckstrom — May 30, 2008
We always knew Manya Brachear was a rising star among religion reporters, but now we have proof, courtesy of the American Academy of Religion. Brachear is the lead winner of the AAR’s annual journalism contest. Also taking home a plaque is our own Jeff MacDonald, although he entered for work published in the Christian Science […]
Tempest in a coffee cup
By Kevin Eckstrom — May 30, 2008
So perhaps you’ve heard about this kerfluffle over the keffiyeh involving quickie-dinner expert Rachael Ray, Dunkin Donuts and Yassir Arafat. No? Here’s the digest version: Ray (the creator of all those tasty 30-minute meals) is also the public face of Dunkin Donuts and recently taped an ad in which she was wearing a black-and-white scarf. […]
No love for `The Love Guru’
By Kevin Eckstrom — May 29, 2008
Just about every day when I sit down at my desk, there’s an email from Rajan Zed, a self-proclaimed “acclaimed Hindu leader” who is perhaps best known for his one-man crusade to offer Hindu prayers in state legislatures around the country. I’ve talked with him a few times, and he’s a nice guy, but can […]
Father Mike
By Mark Silk — May 29, 2008
Father Michael Pfleger, the priest of the Chicago’s famous largely African-American Catholic Church St. Sabina’s, has been called the greatest white black preacher in America. Here, last Sunday, he did some major signifying as the guest preacher at, yes, Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ, wherein he makes some serious ugly fun of Hilary Clinton […]
