Tuesday’s Religion News Roundup: Myrlie’s Prayer, Fast Pastor, An Atheist Church

Myrlie Evers-Williams will deliver the opening prayer at President Obama's second inaugural. Prince Charles worries about change in the royal religion department. Meet "the Czech Joe Lieberman."

Myrlie Evers-Williams, wife of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers, has been chosen to deliver the opening prayer at President Obama's second inaugural.

Myrlie Evers-Williams, wife of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers, has been chosen to deliver the opening prayer at President Obama’s second inaugural.

Myrlie Evers-Williams, widow of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers, will deliver the opening prayer at President Obama’s second inaugural.

It is believed to be the first time that a women and non-clergy member will deliver this very public invocation.


America is poised for a religious renaissance, the editor-in-chief of The Gallup Poll tells our own Dan Burke, who has read Frank Newport’s new book, “God Is Alive And Well.”

And England is poised for  . . .  not too much change in the royal religion department if Prince Charles and The Church of England get their way.

A Mississippi pastor trains thousands of souls to run marathons — for the good of both body and spirit.

David Gibson reports on the petitioners who want the White House to designate the Roman Catholic Church a hate group for its opposition to gay rights.

Weighing in, activist Rob Watson imagines Pope Benedict XVI accompanying his two-dad family on their recent trip to Disneyland.

The pope voices concern over the growing gap between rich and poor, and notes that Disneyland can make you poor. Wait, he didn’t say that last part about the Magic Impoverishing Kingdom.


In France, 50 Muslim activists write an open letter decrying a proposed law that would allow gay couples to marry, joining the Catholic-dominated opposition to the proposal.

Meanwhile, the Vatican is calling out the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) after the leader of the traditionalist breakaway group called Jews “enemies of the Church,” according to our man in Rome. Chances for reconciliation between SSPX and the Holy See? I’m saying not so good.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles must release the names of hundreds of priests and church leaders identified in internal documents recounting decades of sexual abuse allegations, says a judge.

Is Natan Sharansky the guy who can solve the emotional question of how women are allowed to pray at the Judaism’s most holy site? Ready or not, the job is his.

Meet Jan Fischer, aka the Czech Joe Lieberman. He’s soon likely to be the first Jew in the world to win the presidency of a country other than Israel.

The first atheist church opens in London. A contradiction in terms? A true first? You decide.


SCOTUS: The Supreme Court of the United States will hear cases on gay marriage on March 26 and 27 but won’t take up a challenge to a Georgia law barring the bringing of guns to church.

– Lauren Markoe

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