Monthly Archives: May 2014
Religion & Ethics Newsweekly Video: Mormon missionary expansion
By Sally Morrow — May 29, 2014
"The number of people in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is going up steadily as a result of lower age limits for both men and women who want to serve as missionaries."
Muslim group sues Canadian prime minister for defamation
By Omar Sacirbey — May 29, 2014
(RNS) The row began when the prime minister's spokesman said, “We will not take seriously criticism from an organization with documented ties to a terrorist organization.”
Africa’s Islamic extremist groups are on the rise
By Fredrick Nzwili — May 29, 2014
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) Move over Al-Qaida. Africa's growing Islamic extremist groups include Boko Haram, Al-Shaabab and Seleka.
Quote of the Day: Ustaz Masridzi Sat
By Ron Ribiat — May 29, 2014
“We need to unite, we must declare jihad!” — Ustaz Masridzi Sat, president of Perkid, a Malaysian Muslim group, after traces of pork products were found in Cadbury chocolates in Malaysia. Perkid and other Muslim groups accused Cadbury of deliberately trying to weaken and divide Muslims by allowing forbidden pork products in chocolate.
John Ortberg shares what every soul needs
By Jonathan Merritt — May 29, 2014
Popular pastor and author says we "live on the planet of lost souls" and identifies what he calls the "nine needs of the soul."
Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly listings – May 30
By Religion News LLC — May 29, 2014
Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly is a production of THIRTEEN Productions LLC for WNET. Visit www.pbs.org/religionandethics for additional information. Show #1739 will be fed over PBS at 5:00 p.m. EST on May 30 (check local listings). Program note: due to pledge please check local listings. Pope Francis Middle East Trip Report – Pope Francis led an historic visit to the Middle East May 24-26 that […]
Orrin Hatch says gay marriage as ‘law of the land’ is inevitable
By Dan Harrie — May 29, 2014
SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) "Anybody who does not believe that gay marriage is going to be the law of the land just hasn’t been observing what’s going on,” Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch said.
Maya Angelou is not in heaven
By Jana Riess — May 29, 2014
Over the last 24 hours I've seen several people refer to Angelou as the "caged bird" of her writings, saying she is now free of the mortal body that caged her, that cages us all. I beg to differ.
Why has Arizona become a hotbed of atheist political participation?
By Chris Stedman — May 29, 2014
The state of Arizona is an unlikely home for visible atheist politicians. But according to secular lobbyist Seráh Blain, a new national initiative may help more states mirror Arizona’s rapid expansion of atheist participation in politics.
New Book Explores an Evangelical’s Acceptance of Same-Sex Marriage
By Religion News LLC — May 29, 2014
Louisville, KY— Mark Achtemeier, formerly a conservative church activist and opponent of gay and lesbian inclusion, underwent a change of heart not in spite of the Bible’s message but because of it. In The Bible’s Yes to Same- Sex Marriage (Westminster John Knox Press), Achtemeier reveals what led to his change of heart: the problems […]
Baptist decline * Drive-through prayer * Burial rights: Thursday’s Roundup
By Yonat Shimron — May 29, 2014
Membership in the Southern Baptist Convention declines. A Pennsylvania church opens a drive-through window. Lesbians in Berlin have a cemetery to themselves.
House passes bill to make cemetery desecration a religious freedom crime
By Lauren Markoe — May 28, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) The bill was suggested by Jewish groups who pointed out the frequent desecration of Jewish cemeteries abroad, especially in nations that once had significant Jewish populations.
From the Supreme Court, prayer rules that won’t work
By Charles C. Haynes — May 28, 2014
Politics and perils of closing school for religious holidays
By Charles C. Haynes — May 28, 2014
Wake-up call in Kansas: Anti-Semitism is alive and dangerous in America
By Charles C. Haynes — May 28, 2014
