Monthly Archives: October 2010
Vatican appeals for former Iraqi leader’s life
By Tracy Gordon — October 28, 2010
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican on Tuesday (Oct. 26) called for former Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz to be spared the death penalty, and suggested it might intervene diplomatically on his behalf. “The position of the Catholic Church on the death penalty is known,” said the Rev. Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See […]
Vitter riding high despite `very serious sin’ with D.C. madam
By Tracy Gordon — October 28, 2010
WASHINGTON (RNS) When Sen. David Vitter admitted in 2007 to a “very serious sin” after his phone number appeared on the list of a Washington escort service, the “family values” Louisiana Republican’s political career was suddenly on life support. The man who had made his name decrying public corruption and demanding that President Bill Clinton […]
Hoping to avert disaster, Democrats turn to black churches
By Tracy Gordon — October 28, 2010
WASHINGTON (RNS) Facing an electoral bloodbath at the voting booth next Tuesday, Democrats are turning to a key part of their base — African-Americans — and are using the black church to help get voters to the polls. In an election where Republicans appear poised to recapture the House and possibly the Senate, strong black […]
Has anyone seen Rod Dreher?
By Mark Silk — October 27, 2010
Whatever happened to Rod Dreher? As a writer he wasn’t everybody’s cup of tea. Actually, he wasn’t my cup of tea. But he had a distinctive voice that made him into Beliefnet’s premier blogger, and seems to have earned him his current gig as director of publications at Templeton. On his arrival, he moved his […]
10 minutes with … Pastor Bruce Wersen
By Tracy Gordon — October 27, 2010
BURLINGTON, Wash. (RNS) About an hour north of Seattle, blue-state Washington becomes Glenn Beck country, literally: the Fox News personality and religious revivalist’s hometown of Mount Vernon celebrated “Glenn Beck Day” and presented him with a key to the city last year. Beck’s childhood friend, Pastor Bruce Wersen, fuses entertainment and mass media formats on […]
U.S. is feeling charitable, just not through churches
By Tracy Gordon — October 27, 2010
(RNS) Americans are being more generous to religious charities, but why are they skimping on their giving to churches? A new report from Empty Tomb Inc., an Illinois-based Christian research organization, contains an analysis that found from 2007 to 2008, Protestant churches saw a decrease of $20.02 in per-member annual charitable gifts. Meanwhile, Empty Tomb’s […]
COMMENTARY: The stories of our lives
By Cathleen Falsani — October 27, 2010
(RNS) “At the deepest level the story of any one of us,” theologian Frederick Buechner wrote in his book, “Yellow Leaves,” “is the story of all of us.” Standing on the beach surrounded by 75 friends and family last weekend, a few minutes before my son was baptized in the Pacific Ocean, Buechner’s words rolled […]
Wednesday’s Religion News Roundup
By Kevin Eckstrom — October 27, 2010
The AP looks at anti-Mormon sentiment rearing its head in races in Nevada and Idaho, a preview of what Mitt Romney could face in a 2012 White House bid (Romney’s campaigning against fellow Mormon Harry Reid in Nevada). Jeff Sharlet, who’s built his career tracking the elusive evangelical group that runs the infamous C Street […]
Christianity’s contributions mostly negative, Americans say
By Tracy Gordon — October 27, 2010
(RNS) When asked about Christianity’s recent contributions to society, Americans cited more negatives than benefits, according to a new survey. The negative contribution cited most was hatred or violence in the name of Jesus, according to the Barna Group survey. Other frequently cited examples included opposition to gay marriage and the Roman Catholic Church’s sex […]
Mormon leader weighs in on same-sex attraction
By Tracy Gordon — October 27, 2010
SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) Mormons may not know until the hereafter what causes same-sex attraction, but “God loves all his children” and expects everyone to do the same, a top Mormon leader said Sunday (Oct. 24). While the message — delivered to more than 200,000 Utah Mormons — may not seem significant, the messenger was. […]
Gulf Coast food banks still in high demand
By Tracy Gordon — October 27, 2010
NEW ORLEANS (RNS) Even with the deep sea oil hemorrhage halted and much of the fishing in the Gulf of Mexico reopened, major charity groups say the needs of impacted families remain dire. Officials from the local affiliates of Second Harvest Food Bank and Catholic Charities said members of the fishing, oil and service industries […]
COMMENTARY: Blessed are the weak
By Tom Ehrich — October 27, 2010
(RNS) When Jesus stood in the valley and taught his disciples, he stood among many who were sick and lost, and troubled by evil spirits. He called them “blessed.” In this large assembly, he also saw some who were rich, well-fed, happy, and held in high regard. To these winners in life he said, “Woe […]
Does Palin err in downplaying her beliefs?
By Kevin Eckstrom — October 26, 2010
Contra Costa Times (RNS): Sarah Palin once pursued politics out of a religious sense of calling, and considered her choice as vice presidential candidate by 2008 GOP nominee John McCain as part of “God’s plan.” Read more.
On Halloween Sunday, some opt for All Saints’ alternative parties
By Tracy Gordon — October 26, 2010
(RNS) While ghouls, witches and wizards run door-to-door for treats this Halloween, St. Michael, St. Patricia and St. Lawrence will swap candy in their basement, sharing stories of their heroic exploits. One child, wrapped in toilet paper, sticks out from the rest, not because he’s an Egyptian mummy but rather St. Lazarus, the dead man […]
National Cathedral hires a new resident mouse chaser
By Tracy Gordon — October 26, 2010
WASHINGTON (RNS) The newest employee at Washington National Cathedral was nowhere to be found in her office on a recent afternoon. She was probably out and about, staffers said, doing God’s work. “She likes to bring gifts from her adventures,” said Jean Jawdat, the deputy director of the Cathedral Choral Society. “She presents us with […]
