The federal judge who will decide the constitutionality of California’s ban on gay marriage wants lawyers to discuss the meaning of “choice” in sexual orientation in closing arguments on Wednesday, according to the AP.
A Utah parole board refused to commute the sentence of convicted murderer Ronnie Lee Gardner, who is scheduled to die on Friday by firing squad, in accordance with his Mormon heritage. A Catholic bishop who lives about a mile from the Royal Bafokeng stadium has been kept awake all night by 44,000 World Cup fans blowing on their vuvuzelas. The BBC is considering blocking out the sound of the high-pitched horns, which resembles a large hive of bees, from its broadcasts after a deluge of complaints.
Spain is poised become the latest European country to ban body-covering Islamic veils. Under pressure from the European Union, Greece is drafting a law that would eliminate required religious oaths for members of Parliament, witnesses at trials, and various public offices.
An influential group of evangelicals says it will sit out Iowa’s gubernatorial race. Churches are partnering with cash-strapped public schools to buy supplies and other things. A six-story statue of Jesus in Ohio was struck by lightening and burned to the ground.
The First Church of Christ, Scientist has a new president; Catholic University does, too. The one-year-old Anglican Church in North America created two new (small) diocese in the South and Great Lakes region.
An American who says he’s on a mission to kill Osama bin Laden was arrested in Pakistan. Muslim Uighurs in China have still not recovered from battles with the communist government. The new Catholic Mass is coming next November, according to an Illinois bishop. The Tennessean’s intrepid Bob Smietana looks at how believers are using iPhone apps for spiritual development.
USA Today looks at the ethics of how we treat animals. Buddhists in Delaware prayed for and rescued horseshoe crabs. Disgraced Christian painter Thomas Kinkade spent a night in the clink on suspicion of drunk driving. A new exhibit looks at Andy Warhol’s Catholic roots. The Church of England is telling vicars to love their wedding congregations – for better or worse.
