Monthly Archives: February 2012
Tempers flare over priest fired over Mass prayers
ST. LOUIS (RNS) A Roman Catholic bishop in Illinois confirmed that a priest was fired because he "simply would not and could not pray the prayers of the Mass" as written in a new translation of the Mass. By Tim Townsend.
Both sides gear up in N.C. gay marriage fight
WILMINGTON, N.C. (RNS) Here in the only Southern state that does not have a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, both sides are gearing up for a fight at the ballot box on May 8. By Amanda Greene.
Southern Baptists won’t vote on name change
(RNS) When Southern Baptists gather for their annual meeting this June, they will not be asked to create a new official name after top leaders decided it was not worth pursuing. By Adelle M. Banks.
Ala. bill would move religion classes off campus
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) A proposed Alabama law would allow churches or ministries to teach a religion class to public school students off campus, if parents and school boards give permission and the churches provide transportation and other expenses. By Greg Garrison.
Blacks say atheists were unseen civil rights heroes
Why is Martin Luther King, a Christian, remembered by so many for his contributions to the civil rights movement while A. Philip Randolph, an atheist, is honored by so few? That is a question many black nonbelievers are asking this Black History Month. By Kimberly Winston.
Sketches of famous black atheists
(RNS) Sunday's (Feb. 26) ``Day of Solidarity for Black Non-Believers, will include a remembrance of African-American atheists of the past. Here's a list of some famous (and not-so-famous) black nonbelievers. By Kimberly Winston.
Wednesday’s Religion Roundup: Ashes on the go; Obama’s faith; Mormon Pinners
Why Ash Wednesday belongs out of the church and out on the streets
The priests who offer ashes in public on Ash Wednesday are not doing something for the sake of convenience or expediency; Rather, we will be in public, with our prayers and our crosses of ash, to meet the Christ who died in a public place. By Lauren Winner.
Southern Baptists to stick (mostly) with same name
(RNS) A task force recommended Monday (Feb. 20) that the nation’s largest Protestant denomination maintain its official name but give Southern Baptists the option of calling themselves "Great Commission Baptists.’’ By Adelle M. Banks.
Court says Quebec parents can’t pull students out of religion class
TORONTO (RNS) Canada's highest court has ruled that children in Quebec schools cannot opt out of a course on ethics and world religions. By Ron Csillag.
Rick Santorum defends views on Obama’s theology
WASHINGTON (RNS) Republican presidential contender Rick Santorum, leading the GOP field in national polls, is defending his views questioning prenatal testing and President Obama's "theology." By Susan Page.
President Obama’s five most personal religious statements
On Ash Wednesday, Episcopalians take it to the streets
CHICAGO (RNS) At least 49 Episcopal churches in 12 states will offer ashes to passersby on Ash Wednesday at train stations, bus stops, college campuses and busy intersections. "We live in a time where we can’t just sit back and wait for people to come to us," said Bishop Stacy Sauls. By Piet Levy.
After C.S. Lewis College flops, a free campus for the taking
NORTHFIELD, Mass. (RNS) The billionaire Oklahoma family that owns the 217-acre college campus here aims to give it away to a Christian institution for free. All the winner needs is an orthodox Christian vision and the financial wherewithal to pull it off. By G. Jeffrey MacDonald.
COMMENTARY: The phony war on religion
(RNS) Religion's enemy isn't government. If anything, the American system has bent over backwards to protect religion from the accountability, fairness and justice that are expected of other citizens. No, religion's enemy -- if it has one -- is itself. By Tom Ehrich.
