Monthly Archives: September 2011
Parents of dead baby defend use of faith-healing
By Tiffany McCallen — September 28, 2011
OREGON CITY, Ore. (RNS) Two years to the day after their newborn son died, two parents accused of choosing faith healing over medical care said Tuesday (Sept. 27) that given the chance, they would do nothing differently. Dale and Shannon Hickman are charged with second-degree manslaughter for failing to provide medical care for their son […]
New Jersey leads U.S. in till death do us part
By Tiffany McCallen — September 28, 2011
(RNS) Poor New Jersey — derided for “Jersey Shore,” aggressive driving and talking too fast. But when it comes to happily ever after, the Garden State is No. 1. A recent U.S. Census report shows the Northeast — and New Jersey in particular — has the lowest divorce rate in America, trailed closely by New […]
Report says trends for U.S. churches mostly pointing down
By Tiffany McCallen — September 28, 2011
(RNS) American congregations have grown less healthy in the last decade, with fewer people in the pews and aging memberships, according to a new Hartford Seminary study. But there are also “pockets of vitality,” including an increase in minority congregations and a surge in election-related activities at evangelical congregations. The findings coming from the new […]
Shana Tova
By Mark Silk — September 28, 2011
While the coming year does not seem very promising in the sweetness department, you never can tell. A Happy New Year to Jews and Gentiles alike!
Wednesday’s Religion News Roundup
By Lauren Markoe — September 28, 2011
Happy New Year! It’s almost 5772! Just a few hours left to make your Jewish New Year resolutions. Christians in Syria are backing dictator Bashar al-Assad, who has afforded them some protection, as much of the Sunni Muslim country looks forward to his ouster. Christians are incensed in Britain that BBC broadcasters will on longer […]
Tuesday Godbytes
By Jack Jenkins — September 27, 2011
Christian E-Zine Relevant takes a look at how video games engage the nature of God by highlighting a new game based on the Dead Sea Scroll’s version of the Book of Enoch. Still nothing about who Mario prays to, though. Sarah Posner over at Religion Dispatches examines “Bring Back the Holy Bible and Christian Prayer […]
Update: Church/jail sentencing program under review
By Tracy Gordon — September 27, 2011
BAY MINETTE, Ala. (RNS) An alternative sentencing plan that would give inmates the choice between time in jail or a year in church will be delayed for several weeks while lawyers review it to make sure there are no legal issues. The American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama sent a letter to city leaders on […]
Christians outraged as BBC drops B.C./A.D. dating method
By Tracy Gordon — September 27, 2011
LONDON (RNS) British Christians are incensed after the state-funded BBC decided to jettison the terms B.C. and A.D. in favor of B.C.E. and C.E. in historical date references. The broadcaster has directed that the traditional B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini, or Year of the Lord) be replaced by B.C.E. (Before Common Era) and […]
Dead Sea Scrolls now available online
By Tracy Gordon — September 27, 2011
JERUSALEM (RNS) Five of the Dead Sea Scrolls that have been stored for decades in a climate-controlled exhibit at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem are now available in digital form to anyone with an Internet connection. A website (http://dss.collections.imj.org.il) developed by the Israel Museum and Google allows online visitors to examine the scrolls in minute […]
`Values voters’ still motivated by gay marriage, abortion
By Tracy Gordon — September 27, 2011
WASHINGTON (RNS) Amid a political climate dominated by economic concerns, social conservatives are as concerned as ever about issues like abortion and gay marriage, a leading conservative activist said Tuesday (Sept. 27). Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council (FRC), spoke about what “values voters” and evangelicals want in a presidential candidate as Republicans […]
Tuesday’s Religion News Roundup
By David Gibson — September 27, 2011
Barack Obama really is the Antichrist, at least according to a heckler last night during the president’s fundraiser in Los Angeles. “Jesus Christ is still God!” shouted David Serrano before security dragged him off. “You are the Antichrist!” The president smiled and agreed with the first part, though he issued no formal denial of the […]
COMMENTARY: What would Jesus argue about?
By Tom Ehrich — September 27, 2011
(RNS) What if America truly were a Christian nation? Not a Southern Baptist nation, or an Episcopal nation, or a Roman Catholic nation. Not grounded in the doctrinal and ecclesiastical isms that have grown up over the centuries. But a Christian nation, doing what Jesus did. Well, we wouldn’t be arguing about sex, that’s for […]
TV’s favorite serial killer finds religion
By Tracy Gordon — September 27, 2011
(RNS) That whole “Thou shalt not kill” part of the Ten Commandments seems pretty clear — except maybe to Dexter Morgan, the beloved serial killer protagonist in Showtime’s hit drama, “Dexter.” Dexter lives by his own commandment — the “Code of Harry,” bequeathed by his father to help his sociopathic son survive — by ridding […]
Scalia and JFK
By Mark Silk — September 27, 2011
In his speech to the Houston Ministerial Association in 1960, John F. Kennedy famously declared: I do not speak for my church on public matters; and the church does not speak for me. Whatever issue may come before me as President, if I should be elected, on birth control, divorce, censorship, gambling or any other […]
Monday Godbytes
By Jack Jenkins — September 27, 2011
CNN has an article entitled “The gospel according to Justin Bieber.” Really, what else do you need to know? Tech blog Gizmodo is excited about a newly-digitized version of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Apparently Google made all the digital magic happen, and they’re available for your online perusal (how’s your ancient Hebrew?) here. The Friendly […]
