Monthly Archives: December 2008
Regulars! Occasionals! Almost Nevers!
By Mark Silk — December 31, 2008
Communion of the Saints
By Mark Silk — December 31, 2008
A few days ago, Ed Kilgore over at Beliefnet’s Progressive Revival lamented that the old-time creedal beliefs no longer define the body of the faithful the way they used to. These days, a “conventionally orthodox Protestant” like himself is likely to considered a bad Christian in many conservative Protestant circles because he supports abortion rights […]
COMMENTARY: An inspired choice, even with his uninspiring theology
By Tom Ehrich — December 31, 2008
(UNDATED) Whenever I lead a communications workshop, I show church Web sites that miss the mark: out-of-date designs and content, a “provider driven” and not “customer driven” focus, too many photos of buildings and clergy and not much apparent thought to what a visitor might be seeking. Then I show the Web site for Saddleback […]
N.J. says complaint over civil union can proceed
By RNS Blog Editor — December 31, 2008
TRENTON, N.J. (RNS) New Jersey officials said Monday (Dec. 29) that a lesbian couple can move forward with their discrimination complaint against a Methodist group that refused to let them use an oceanfront pavilion for a civil union. Since the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association regularly made the pavilion available for public use, including weddings, […]
Architect of ELCA merger dies at 90
By RNS Blog Editor — December 31, 2008
(RNS) The Rev. Robert J. Marshall, who led the former Lutheran Church in America and helped lay the groundwork for the church’s merger with two other denominations to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, died Dec. 22. He was 90. Marshall, a dedicated ecumenist, was elected president of the Lutheran Church in America, the […]
Poll: No evidence that recession pulls people into pews
By RNS Blog Editor — December 31, 2008
WASHINGTON (RNS) The economic recession has not led to an increase in attendance at U.S. houses of worship, according to Gallup pollsters. Despite anecdotal evidence cited in high-profile media outlets, Americans’ worship patterns have held steady in 2008, the Gallup Poll reports. Since mid-February, Gallup said, it has asked 1,000 adults a day how often […]
2009 Calendar of Religious Events
By RNS Blog Editor — December 31, 2008
Note: Holidays that begin at sundown continue through sundown the next day, unless otherwise noted. Jan. 5-14 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: Conference of Bishops, Jerusalem. Contact John Brooks at 773-380-2958; e-mail: jbrooks(at)elca.org; Web site: http://www.elca.org/news Jan. 6 Feast of the Epiphany (Christian celebration of the arrival of the Magi to visit the infant Jesus. […]
Fund raises money for needy Gentiles who aided Jews
By RNS Blog Editor — December 31, 2008
A bible for every taste (and for those with none)
By Francis X. Rocca — December 30, 2008
Defying the publishing industry’s doldrums, Bible sales remain robust, thanks in part to niche versions like the comic book Manga Bible. Other options include hot pink fake-leather binding, and a “Soul Surfer” edition featuring “tips on catching a good wave.”
Pray to stay
By Francis X. Rocca — December 30, 2008
Fascinating Wall Street Journal piece on a German housing development for low-income residents, built in the 16th century and still in operation. Tenants live virtually rent-free-as long as they pray for their benefactors’ souls.
Still At It
By Mark Silk — December 30, 2008
The two Dans are still mixing it up over religion and the Dems, God & Country Dan here and and here, and Pastordan here, the latter enlisting enough in the way of comments to suggest that the discussion has generated more than a modicum of interest, at least at the corner of Street and Prophet. […]
Clash of ideas
By Daniel Burke — December 30, 2008
Samuel Huntington, the controversial political scientist who popularized the idea of a clash of civilizations between Islam and Christianity, died Wednesday. Read the NYT obit here.
Beer & now
By Daniel Burke — December 30, 2008
The Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn has for years advocated the practice of “mindful eating” in which we take care to notice each moment in the eating experience. In fact, he says its one of the most important Buddhist practices. Stands to reason, then, that mindful drinking is also important. So, before […]
What does faith-based outreach look like under Obama?
By Kevin Eckstrom — December 29, 2008
NPR’s Day to Day program asked me, David Kuo and Lori Lipman Brown to look ahead at the role religion will play in an Obama White House. Here are our thoughts.
10 ways to count the year’s 10 best stories
By Kevin Eckstrom — December 29, 2008
In case you haven’t gotten your fill of the annual year-in-review stories (ours ran in the Washington Post this weekend), the guys over at Religion Dispatches have created their own Top 10 list of their favorite Top 10 lists … My personal favorite: The Onion’s Top 10 list. Why didn’t we think of that?
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