Monthly Archives: December 2013
Nearly 1 in 4 alums of leading U.S. interfaith organization are nonreligious
By Chris Stedman — December 30, 2013
Earlier this month, Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC)—a leading interfaith organization in the United States that works with college and university campuses to equip young people for cooperative service and dialogue around shared values—released intriguing numbers about the alumni of their programs. According to their survey results, nearly 1 in 4 IFYC alums identify as atheist […]
In Missouri, Oak Scouts offers an alternative to the Boy Scouts
By Heather Adams — December 30, 2013
(RNS) As the Boy Scouts of America gets ready to admit gay youth, one Missouri organization has already broken away. Oak Scouts is designed to be a safe space for everyone, regardless of faith or sexual orientation.
Dinesh D’Souza wanted you to buy this Christmas tree
By Laura Turner — December 30, 2013
The end of the year is a great time to think back over all the American human race has accomplished. There will be no shortage of retrospectives across the Internet: Celebrity deaths, strangest letters to Dear Prudence, best Longform reads, top Christian songs. Tomorrow, I’ll share a retrospective of my own in the form of some […]
2013: The top 14 Muslim news stories of the past year
By Omid Safi — December 30, 2013
2013 was a bloody, difficult, unraveling year for many Muslims around the world. May 2014 be a year that sees the discomforted comforted, the orphans cared for, the hungry fed, the naked clothed, the homeless provided with shelter. May there be a widening of the circle of compassion, may there be a real peace rooted in justice, and above all else, may all of us be participants in making it so.
$250,000 bail set for Philadelphia’s Monsignor William Lynn
By David Gibson — December 30, 2013
(RNS) “If the conviction is in question, is not the punishment in question?” asked Common Pleas Court Judge M. Teresa Sarmina in setting a $250,000 bail for Philadelphia's Monsignor William Lynn, whose conviction of sheltering abusive priests was overturned.
My 5 favorite religious books from 2013
By Jana Riess — December 30, 2013
This year, my favorite religious books included a riff on power from Andy Crouch, ruminations on birds and holiness from Debbie Blue, and a "Job through the ages" commentary from Mark Larrimore, as well as great novels by Mary Doria Russell and Lisa Samson.
Survey: Views on evolution driven by religion more than education
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — December 30, 2013
(RNS) The 21-point difference between college graduates and high school graduates who believe in evolution, for example, is less stark than the 49-point difference between mainline Protestants and evangelicals.
U.N. Human Rights Council fails to protect religious freedom
By Brian Pellot — December 30, 2013
A new report shows that eight current and incoming member states of the U.N. Human Rights Council were among 24 countries to imprison believers and atheists in 2013 for violating laws that restrict their basic human right to freedom of religion or belief.
Muslim informants lauded for helping keep England safe from terrorists
By Trevor Grundy — December 30, 2013
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) Britain’s domestic secret service -- M15 -- works hand in hand with informants who sometimes monitor sermons in mosques and tell the police about suspicious members.
Trayvon nativity * Snake jury * Obama’s faith: Monday’s religion news roundup
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — December 30, 2013
A church nativity scene is featuring Trayvon Martin in place of baby Jesus. A “Snake Salvation" star will face a grand jury. And the New York Times examines President Obama's church attendance.
There should be an international court to try cases of animal cruelty, says Oxford ethicist
By Religion News LLC — December 30, 2013
“Humanitarian organizations worldwide should collaborate in setting up an international court to judge cases of animal cruelty and specifically to assess the culpability of governments”, says Oxford ethicist Professor Andrew Linzey, Director of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics. “Individuals and groups should be able to bring cases before the court where governments have failed […]
Kenan and Kel’s Kel Mitchell still loves orange soda, God
By Laura Turner — December 28, 2013
If you’re anything like me, there are few words that warm your heart on hearing them as much as these: “Welcome to Good Burger, home of the Good Burger, can I take your order?” The voice behind the words was Kel Mitchell, one half of sketch comedy’s most brilliant duo, Kenan and Kel. Together, Kenan […]
3 reasons Christians should mourn before 2014
By Jonathan Merritt — December 28, 2013
Christians around the world observe the Feast of Holy Innocents on December 28. According to Jonathan Merritt, we have much to mourn today.
Does ‘Duck Dynasty’ or ‘Downton Abbey’ reflect your values?
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — December 28, 2013
The two family sagas are more different than camo vs. tweed. They reflect different ideas about religion and social values.
We must fight injustice to animals as we do injustice to blacks, women and gays – Archbishop Desmond Tutu
By Religion News LLC — December 28, 2013
“I have spent my life fighting discrimination and injustice, whether the victims are blacks, women, or gays and lesbians. No human being should be the target of prejudice or the object of vilification or be denied his or her basic rights. “But there are other issues of justice – not only for human beings but […]
