Monthly Archives: February 2009
Dolan on Williamson: Pope’s bad
By Mark Silk — February 27, 2009
Maybe. In its story on New York’s new archbishop, the Jewish Week got this from Paula Simon, executive director of Milwaukee’s Jewish Council for Community Relations. Simon, in a telephone interview with The Jewish Week, said the archbishop apologized for the impression given by the pope’s action that the Catholic Church condones denial of the […]
So long, Jimbo
By Mark Silk — February 27, 2009
Or not. According to Eric (“Nothing Happens in Colorado Springs that I don’t know about”) Gorski, Dobson will continue to be the marquee personality of Focus on the Family. The question is whether his slow fade from administrative responsibilities will make any difference in the organization’s life and times. As a force in the wide […]
Common Ground, Intl. Division
By Mark Silk — February 27, 2009
You’ve got your secular human rights advocates and your unsecular religious liberty advocates, and last week, Hillary Clinton pissed off both by assuring the Chinese that such matters would not get in the way of the two countries working together on the global economic crisis. True no doubt, but not the kind of thing secretaries […]
Perkins vs. the pornstar
By Kevin Eckstrom — February 27, 2009
Politico is reporting that an interesting pair might be running against Louisiana Senator David Vitter in the 2010 senate race. Pornstar Stormy Daniels and Family Research Council Chief Tony Perkins are reportedly both interested in the senate seat. Daniels doesn’t have political experience; her body of work is a little more, um, risque (even for […]
House members call for anti-abortion steps in spending bill
By Tracy Gordon — February 27, 2009
(RNS) More than 180 House members sent a letter to House Democratic leaders on Wednesday (Feb. 25), calling for upcoming spending bills to maintain longstanding anti-abortion provisions. “These measures … reflect the moral concerns of many Americans who do not wish to see their tax dollars used for any organization that provides abortion services,” said […]
Court sides with Montana church over free speech
By Tracy Gordon — February 27, 2009
(RNS) The free speech rights of a Montana church were violated when it was told to register as a political committee after hosting an anti-gay marriage event in 2004, an appeals court ruled Wednesday (Feb. 25). The decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals about Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church in East Helena, […]
Women from across Judaism to gather for prayer event in New York
By Tracy Gordon — February 27, 2009
NEW YORK — More than 350 women from four Jewish movements will gather in New York City (March 1) for an unprecedented dialogue on female spirituality in Judaism. Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist Jewish participants in the sold-out event, called “This Is My Prayer – Va’ani Tefillati: Jewish Women in Prayer,” will come from all […]
U.S. Catholic and Jewish leaders meet to mend fences
By Tracy Gordon — February 27, 2009
WASHINGTON — In the wake of controversies that have roiled longtime Jewish-Catholic relations, leaders from both faiths announced the launch of a new permanent dialogue between Catholics and Jews in the United States. The joint project of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center and the Anti-Defamation League, announced here Thursday (Feb. 26) comes at […]
Hard times
By Kevin Eckstrom — February 27, 2009
The rough economic climate has the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association laying off 55 people, 10 percent of its entire workforce by March 20 of this year. The layoffs and other money saving measures taken by the evangelical ministry are expected to cut 15 percent of the annual budget. Despite declining revenue from books and endowment […]
Tibetans mark their new year with a protest
By Daniel Burke — February 26, 2009
TONGREN, China: It was an auspicious start to Losar, the Tibetan New Year: Snow fell across this mountain valley as red-robed Buddhist monks in a prayer hall began chanting and beating drums. But a monk watching the ritual Wednesday morning wanted to make one thing clear: The ceremony was one of mourning, not of celebration. […]
No. 1, meet No. 2
By Kevin Eckstrom — February 26, 2009
Arkansas churches finally have something in common with bars: Church goers cannot carry concealed weapons into their places of worship. While the State House approved a measure allowing concealed weapons to be taken to church, the bill died when the Arkansas state judiciary committee stalled its passage. The issue raises some interesting church-state questions.The First […]
Study: Terror fight must include battle of ideas
By Kevin Eckstrom — February 26, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP) – A task force of Middle East experts is urging the Obama administration to work within Muslim communities in the United States to counter extremism and prevent Islamic militant groups from gathering new recruits.
Imams unable to grasp needs of Western Muslims: report
By Kevin Eckstrom — February 26, 2009
Imams are out of touch with the needs of Western Muslims, and divorced from the struggles their congregants face in secular society, according to a new report from a leading Canadian scholar.
Catholic movement rocked by news of founder’s scandal
By Tracy Gordon — February 26, 2009
NEW ORLEANS — Hundreds of Louisiana families affiliated with a conservative lay spiritual movement within the Catholic Church have been rocked by revelations that the movement’s revered priest-founder for decades led a secret life — and has a daughter. An estimated 200 families in New Orleans and Baton Rouge belong to Regnum Christi, said Jim […]
COMMENTARY: Purim will fall amid grim backdrop of anti-Semitism
By Tracy Gordon — February 26, 2009
(UNDATED) As a child growing up in post-World War II America, the Jewish holiday of Purim was always filled with costume parties, satirical skits, carnivals, tasty sweets, and gaiety. The highlight of the holiday, to be celebrated March 10 this year, is the public reading of the Megillah (the scroll containing the biblical book of […]
