Monthly Archives: October 2013
Trailer For IRREPLACEABLE Receives Exclusive World Premiere at the Vatican
By Religion News LLC — October 29, 2013
(New York, NY, October 28, 2013) – This past weekend, approximately 150,000 pilgrims traveled to the tomb of St. Peter in Rome for the Pilgrimage of Families. The sacred event, endorsed by the Pontifical Council for the Family, was the first meeting of Pope Francis with the families of the world. Speaking Saturday evening in […]
Vatican’s pop culture guru Gianfranco Ravasi backpedals his tribute to rocker Lou Reed
By Eric J. Lyman — October 29, 2013
ROME (RNS) Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, who was considered a leading candidate to become pope in the March conclave that selected Pope Francis, is no stranger to pop music-related controversy.
Italians question merits of Catholicism elective in public schools
By Eric J. Lyman — October 29, 2013
ROME (RNS) For the first time in history, the entire class of one Italian high school opted out of an elective on Roman Catholicism earlier this month, reopening a long-standing debate over whether state money should be used to fund a class that focuses on a single faith.
Is it easy to share your faith with anyone?
By Religion News LLC — October 29, 2013
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 29, 2013 – Recent popes have challenged Catholics to participate in the New Evangelization. But, unfortunately, most Catholics feel ill-equipped and unprepared to take up the challenge. Terry Barber, founder of St. Joseph Communications, has written a new book, HOW TO SHARE YOUR FAITH WITH ANYONE: A Practical Manual for Catholic Evangelization, […]
Zimmerman Gun Raffle * Machine Gun Preacher * Is Yoga Religious? : Tuesday’s Religion News Roundup
By Lauren Markoe — October 29, 2013
A gun rights group planned to raffle off the same model of gun used to kill Trayvon Martin -- and a Bible. The "machine gun preacher" gets a big award. And a court tries to decide whether yoga is religious.
COMMENTARY: The buck never stops
By Tom Ehrich — October 29, 2013
(RNS) No one will accept accountability, for we live in age when the "buck" never stops on one's own desk, if it stops at all.
Survey: Libertarian numbers are small but their social, political clout is growing
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — October 29, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) There is a notable exception to libertarians' generally socially liberal views: On legalizing same-sex marriage, 59 percent oppose it.
Suzan Johnson Cook defends her work on religious freedom and explains why she left
By Lauren Markoe — October 28, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) The Obama administration's ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom is hoping to make more money in the private sector.
Ellen Davis unearths an agrarian view of the Bible
By Yonat Shimron — October 28, 2013
(RNS) Ellen Davis' work makes the case that Christian theologians have for too long focused narrowly on the spiritual component of Scripture and in the process have overlooked the Bible’s material concerns.
Methodist court sidesteps changes to gay policies
By Renée K. Gadoua — October 28, 2013
(RNS) The United Methodist Church’s highest court issued three rulings this weekend that do not change church policy toward gays and lesbians but allow bishops to accept resolutions expressing dissent from church teachings.
Readers Are Awesome
By Jana Riess — October 28, 2013
I didn't have readers for a very long time. As in, I didn't have readers for *years*. So thank you for spending time with my book, and for being kind enough to let me know about it. I appreciate you more than I can say.
Air Force Academy drops ‘So help me God’ from honor oath
By Kimberly Winston — October 28, 2013
(RNS) The Air Force Academy's Honor Oath was adopted by the academy’s first class in 1959 without the words "So help me God," which were added in 1984 following a cheating scandal.
Where is the “tainted money” of yesteryear?
By Mark Silk — October 28, 2013
Once upon a time, Americans worried about powerful business organizations buying influence through philanthropy. No longer.
Brazil’s police take Bible classes to reduce stress
By Janet Tappin Coelho — October 28, 2013
(RNS) Amid concerns about police brutality, Brazilian military police officers are taking Bible study classes during their working hours to help them deal with stress and improve their personal and family lives. But the Christian-based course has hit controversy.
Pope Francis ushers in a Latin American tourist boom
By Eric J. Lyman — October 28, 2013
ROME (RNS) Among the Latin Americans flocking to Rome, the pope's fellow Argentines are leading the way, with 66 percent more people traveling from the pope’s homeland compared to a year ago.
