Wednesday’s roundup

The judge presiding over California Prop 8 case has reportedly reached a decision and will hand down a ruling this afternoon. BP says it has reached a “significant milestone” in sealing the Gulf of Mexico well, but Catholic Charities in New Orleans says the energy giant has not heeded its request for more relief money […]

The judge presiding over California Prop 8 case has reportedly reached a decision and will hand down a ruling this afternoon.

BP says it has reached a “significant milestone” in sealing the Gulf of Mexico well, but Catholic Charities in New Orleans says the energy giant has not heeded its request for more relief money to help families stricken by the leaking oil.

Everyone notes that a NYC panel decided to clear the way for the Islamic community center and mosque near ground zero, which Pat Robertson’s legal firm immediately announced it would appeal. NYC Mayor Bloomberg gave an impassioned defense of the planned mosque, alluding to the city’s history of religious tolerance and assuring Muslims of their right to worship.


Benedictine Sisters say they are “dismayed” that anti-immigration advocates are using a car crash that killed one nun and injured two others on Sunday for political gain. The driver, who was allegedly drunk, was also reportedly an illegal immigrant. The Roman Catholic bishops of Mexico denounced Arizona’s controversial immigration law.

NPR asks whether universities discriminate against religious conservatives. The NYT has not one, but two articles on Chelsea Clinton’s interfaith wedding. One traces the unorthodox spiritual journey of the rabbi who co-officiated; the other explores how mixed marriages often evoke mixed emotions.

The Rev. Bernice King broke her 10-month silence since being elected head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, urging members of group founded by her famous father to end their bitter fighting. An Ohio judge rejected a Muslim couple’s request to order their Christian convert daughter to continue chemotherapy treatment for cancer. The girl believes a faith healer took care of the cancer.

A Sudanese court sentenced 19 young Muslim men to 30 lashes and a fine for wearing women’s clothes and makeup. Archaeologists claim to have found John the Baptist’s remains in Bulgaria.

Basketball star Amar’e Stoudemire says he went to Israel for “purely spiritual” reasons, and not to trace Jewish roots, as had been reported. Bristol Palin dumped Levi Johnston and is now looking for someone with “religious beliefs and a good family.” Some scholars say the iPhone has become a religion.

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