Monthly Archives: February 1996
Global Religion Report
By Carl Anderson — February 9, 1996
c. 1996 Religion News Service (Following is a collection of international religion stories compiled by RNS staff, wire and denominational reports.) Pope John Paul II returns to a transformed Central America (RNS)-Pope John Paul II, who last visited Central America in 1983, returned this week for a seven-day visit and found a politically transformed region […]
COMMENTARY: In a standing-room-only synagogue, there’s dancing in the aisles
By James Rudin — February 9, 1996
c. 1996 Religion News Service (Rabbi Rudin is the national interreligious affairs director of the American Jewish Committee.) (RNS)-As the sun began to set on a recent Friday evening, the wind- chill factor on Manhattan’s West Side was minus 18 degrees. And even though bitter gusts were blowing in from the Hudson River, more than […]
TOP STORY: Religion and Money:Colorado churches face measure to strip tax exemption
By Steve Rabey — February 8, 1996
c. 1996 Religion News Service (RNS)-Churches and other non-profit organizations have long enjoyed exemption from property taxes, but this fall Colorado voters could make their state the first in the nation to end that tradition. John Patrick Michael Murphy, a Colorado Springs personal injury attorney, has collected nearly 90,000 signatures in support of a constitutional […]
National Religion Report
By Carl Anderson — February 8, 1996
c. 1996 Religion News Service (Following is a collection of domestic religion stories compiled from RNS staff, wire and denominational reports.) Metzenbaum quits Reform board over stricter school policy (RNS)-Former Sen. Howard Metzenbaum has resigned from the board of Reform Judaism’s main governing body over its recommendation that children who also receive formal training in […]
RELIGION AND CULTURE: Why do we call it Valentine’s Day?
By RNS Blog Editor — February 8, 1996
c. 1996 Religion New Service (RNS)-How did a priest martyred for his faith in third-century Rome become a symbol of romance for sweethearts the world over? History says little of St. Valentine, the patron saint of lovers whose feast day is celebrated Feb. 14. Scholars agree he was a priest and physician who lived in […]
COMMENTARY: How shall we overcome sin?
By RNS Blog Editor — February 8, 1996
c. 1996 Religion News Service (Samuel K. Atchison is an ordained minister and has worked as a policy analyst and social worker to the homeless. He currently is a prison chaplain in Trenton, N.J.) (RNS)-With all due respect to my fellow African-Americans, we just don’t get it. Thirty years after the March on Washington, the […]
RELIGION AND CULTURE: Why do we call it Valentine’s Day?
By RNS Blog Editor — February 7, 1996
c. 1996 Religion New Service (RNS)-How did a priest martyred for his faith in third-century Rome become a symbol of romance for sweethearts the world over? History says little of St. Valentine, the patron saint of lovers whose feast day is celebrated Feb. 14. Scholars agree he was a priest and physician who lived in […]
NEWS FEATURE: Author says religion should be restored to rightful place in classroom
By Kimberly Winston — February 7, 1996
c. 1995 Religion News Service (RNS)-Is it a problem best left to Congress or to the classroom teacher? Lawmakers this year may consider two constitutional amendments that seek to protect and promote religious expression. A proposal by Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill., would prevent what he sees as discrimination against religious views in public venues, such […]
COMMENTARY: Think twice about Easter as a public school observance
By RNS Blog Editor — February 7, 1996
c. 1996 Religion News Service (Frederica Mathewes-Green is a member of the Eastern Orthodox Church. She is the author of the recent book”Real Choices”and a frequent contributor to Christianity Today and other publications.) (RNS)-At the local public elementary school, Christian parents are struggling to get Easter into pre-spring break celebrations. Where kids’ parties and programs […]
`Who do they say I am?’
By RNS Blog Editor — February 6, 1996
c. 1996 Religion News Service (RNS)-Since 1985, a group of scholars calling themselves the Jesus Seminar has pursued the “real” Jesus. Here, on some basic questions, is how their historical portrait clashes with the traditional theological figure as presented in the Bible. -Did Jesus’ body rise from the dead? Bible: Yes. The Gospels of Matthew, […]
TOP STORY: CHRISTIANITY: Was—and is—Jesus divine? Scholars clash over his identity
By RNS Blog Editor — February 6, 1996
c. 1996 Religion News Service (RNS)-Notebooks ready, 1,000 students pack the LaSells Stewart Center at Oregon State University. The midweek, evening event isn’t required coursework, but the topic is so intriguing, only balcony seats remain. “Who is Jesus?” On the left of the stage, both literally and figuratively, stands OSU’s Marcus Borg, representing Jesus scholars […]
Denominational Report
By RNS Blog Editor — February 3, 1996
c. 1996 Religion News Service (Following is a collection of news stories compiled from RNS staff, wire and denominational reports). Minnesota court will not review Lutheran pension suit (RNS)-The Minnesota Supreme Court will not review a lower court’s dismissal of a suit challenging the investment policies of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The court, […]
TOP STORY: THE VATICAN AMBASSADOR: Vatican ambassador in dispute over campaign funds
By RNS Blog Editor — February 3, 1996
c. 1996 Religion News Service ROME (RNS)-Lawyers for Raymond Flynn, U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, expressed optimism Friday (Feb. 2) that a legal dispute involving campaign expenses he allegedly failed to reimburse while mayor of Boston would be settled next week. Flynn added that he has no plans to resign his post. The assessment was […]
NEWS FEATURE: Former `Sanford and Son’ star trades studio for pulpit
By Cecile Holmes — February 3, 1996
c. 1996 Religion News Service MOBILE, Ala. _ When former television star Demond Wilson stands behind the pulpit, as he did recently at a small church here, he preaches the Gospel like any other fiery, charismatic evangelist. “I love the Word,” he shouted. “If you got your sword, hold it up.” The worshipers lifted their […]
NEWS STORY: Activists map strategy to counter Religious Right in upcoming election
By Carl Anderson — February 2, 1996
c. 1996 Religion News Service WASHINGTON (RNS)-Some 200 Protestant and Roman Catholic pastors, theologians and church-based community activists began gathering here Thursday (Feb. 1) to map an alternative strategy to the Religious Right in the 1996 election campaign.”The old categories and polarities-of left and right, Republican and Democrat-have failed us,”Jim Wallis, editor of Sojourners magazine, […]
