Monthly Archives: July 2008
Amish not immune to high fuel prices
By James Ewinger — July 29, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service FREDERICKSBURG, Ohio _ As sawdust mixed with sweat on his brow, mill owner Isaac Stutzman laughed at the thought of outsiders assuming his horse-and-buggy Amish community is immune to skyrocketing fuel prices. Stutzman then turned serious as he spoke about ripping timber into boards for pallets and furniture with an […]
Death of evangelist Laurie’s son prompts online support
By Adelle M. Banks — July 29, 2008
The son of evangelist Greg Laurie died Thursday in a car accident in Riverside County, Calif., the Los Angeles Times reported. As the investigation continues into the cause of the crash – police said Christopher Laurie was driving alone “at a high rate of speed” – there has been an outpouring of support online for […]
Minister crusades for clean language
By Kevin Eckstrom — July 28, 2008
The Rev. Sandra Butler-Truesdale, of the District, has heard enough cussing to last her a lifetime, so she’s doing something about it. “I came from a generation in which people respected themselves, their elders and their children. Cussing has almost become a language of the norm,” said Mrs. Butler-Truesdale, who last week began her quest […]
Citing need for unity, Baylor University fires President John Lilley
By Kevin Eckstrom — July 28, 2008
“The reality is that the board lost confidence in John’s ability to unite the various Baylor constituencies,” Dr. Batson said. “A lot of the faculty members were upset, and our faculty is important to us.” This spring, Dr. Lilley overruled faculty recommendations and denied tenure to 12 of 30 candidates at the Baptist university in […]
Obama wins young evangelical voters in battleground-state push
By Kevin Eckstrom — July 28, 2008
Sophomore Michelle Miller is the head of her university’s Obama for America chapter, and she’s doing everything she can to get him elected. That isn’t surprising, considering the 46-year-old senator’s popularity among college voters. What is surprising is Miller’s college: Liberty University, the Christian school in Lynchburg, Virginia, started by Moral Majority founder Jerry Falwell. […]
Muslim Day at Six Flags a time to relax and connect with others
By Kevin Eckstrom — July 28, 2008
For the fourth time since 2004, Six Flags in Gurnee is sponsoring Muslim Day, bringing in outside caterers to provide halal food and turning an amphitheater into a makeshift mosque to accommodate Muslims who observe dietary laws and strict prayer schedules.
What’s tougher to get than a same-sex marriage? A same-sex divorce
By Kevin Eckstrom — July 28, 2008
Around the country, same-sex couples are discovering that getting divorced can be far more complicated than getting married. Sometimes, as with Ormiston and Chambers, the problems stem from living in a state with different laws from the state where the marriage took place.
The GOP Agenda
By Mark Silk — July 27, 2008
The religious right may or may not be moribund, but so far as I can see, there’s little sign that the Republican Party is interested in doing any other than returning to the glory days of the old alliance of small government conservatism with a dollop of family values disengaged from any responsibility as the […]
Sun and Sand
By Mark Silk — July 26, 2008
I’m off for a week’s vacation. Prediction: sunny skies with intermittent blogging.
RNS Daily Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — July 26, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service Orthodox church destroyed on 9/11 signs deal to rebuild (RNS) A New York City Greek Orthodox church destroyed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks will be rebuilt down the street from Ground Zero, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced on Thursday (July 24). St. Nicholas Church will […]
Pope meets Iraqi P.M.
By Tracy Gordon — July 26, 2008
VATICAN CITY-Pope Benedict XVI met Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki at his summer residence outside Rome on Friday (July 25) for talks focusing on the ongoing violence in Iraq and the impact of the bloodshed on its Christian minority.
Colo. college wins fight over state scholarships
By Tracy Gordon — July 26, 2008
A Christian college in Colorado that requires students to attend chapel, and staff to affirm that the Bible is “infallible,” should be allowed to receive state scholarship funds, a federal appeals courts has ruled.
New prayers at Mass OK’d by Vatican
By Tracy Gordon — July 26, 2008
The Vatican has approved a new English translation of the Order of Mass, clearing the way for significant changes to the familiar prayers spoken by a generation of American Catholics.
Orthodox church destroyed on 9/11 signs deal to rebuild
By Tracy Gordon — July 26, 2008
A New York City Greek Orthodox church destroyed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks will be rebuilt down the street from Ground Zero, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced on Thursday (July 24).
In the pews, a woman’s hat is never just a hat
By Kristi Jourdan — July 26, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service (UNDATED) Dr. Seuss’ character Bartholomew Cubbins and his 500 hats have nothing on Paula Ellis. For Ellis, a bishop’s daughter and retired sheriff’s deputy in Kent County, Mich., wearing hats _ or “crowns,” as they’re sometimes called _ to church and other formal events is a sign of respect. “You […]
