Thursday’s Religion News Roundup

U.S. Catholic bishops, as we told you yesterday, released a 350-page study on the “causes and context” of the abuse scandal by researchers at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the verdict seems to be: blame the ’60s. Victims’ groups dismiss the conclusions, saying the blame lies with the church hierarchy. Researchers say their […]

U.S. Catholic bishops, as we told you yesterday, released a 350-page study on the “causes and context” of the abuse scandal by researchers at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the verdict seems to be: blame the ’60s.

Victims’ groups dismiss the conclusions, saying the blame lies with the church hierarchy. Researchers say their numbers and methodology are sound. Mark Silk has doubts about the celibacy findings in the report.


Mike Huckabee‘s exit from the 2012 race leaves many evangelicals without a natural choice, which may make GOP primary voters focus on economic (not social) issues. House Homeland Security Chairman Peter King — he of the Muslim “radicalization” hearings — is keeping his options open on a run for the Oval Office.

A Catholic church in West Palm Beach, Fla., is praying for the soul of OBL, despite some parishioners’ discomfort with the idea.

CNN tallies all the pop culture milestones they’ll miss if, as Harold Camping predicts, true believers are raptured into glory on Saturday. “Left Behind” co-author Tim LaHaye, who knows a thing or two about end-times fantasies, calls Camping’s prediction “not only wrong but dangerous.” Camping tells CNN he’s not nervous as the end draws nigh.

Jewish groups are fighting to erect a memorial to Jewish military chaplains (there isn’t one now) at Arlington National Cemetery.

A longtime waiter at the Waldorf-Astoria is suing for workplace harassment because of his Muslim faith; according to the suit, supervisors changed his name-tag from “Mohamed” to “John” during a 9/11 memorial service at the storied hotel.

The Christian Century asks why religious observance is up but church membership seems to be down. Broadway star (and “Glee” actress) Kristen Chenoweth hopes her new show “Good Christian Belles” gives Christianity a better image.

San Francisco officials certified a ballot measure that will ask voters whether to ban circumcision on any male younger than 18; there are no religious exemptions included in the measure. The Census Bureau says Americans are staying married longer.


Beijing would like B16 to acknowledge the “reality of religious freedom” in China, even as the Vatican says there are bishops who remain “under pressure.” You can add Libya to the list of Arab/Middle East countries where Christians feel pushed to the brink of extinction.

A Filipino bill to provider greater access to contraception — which the president is risking excommunication over — is headed for a knock-down drag-out fight in the legislature.

— Kevin Eckstrom

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