Monthly Archives: December 2004
NEWS FEATURE: Some Shoppers Find More Meaning, Less Stress, in Alternative Gifts
By Adelle M. Banks — December 9, 2004
c. 2004 Religion News Service (UNDATED) Cheryl Smith had given up on Christmas _ the commercial aspects of it, that is. But this holiday season, the Laporte, Minn., secretary is giving gifts to 10 friends and family members by supporting a Dallas-area ministry that aids persecuted pastors in China. WorldServe Ministries provides donors who give […]
NEWS FEATURE: Taking Comfort in a White House Christmas
By RNS Blog Editor — December 9, 2004
c. 2004 Religion News Service WASHINGTON _ There were no Christmas trees in Theodore Roosevelt’s White House. Speculation was that the president, an ardent environmentalist, would not have it. But Roosevelt was no Scrooge. At a children’s party he hosted in 1903, some 550 young guests upended chairs in their scramble after TR, who had […]
NEWS FEATURE: California Man Launches Campaign to `Save Merry Christmas’
By Kein Eckstrom — December 9, 2004
c. 2004 Religion News Service (UNDATED) Manuel Zamorano is making a list, checking it twice, and Macy’s is definitely coming up as naughty, not nice. Zamorano, a 56-year-old grandfather from suburban Sacramento, Calif., is so irritated that Macy’s has removed “Merry Christmas” banners from its stores and advertising that he now chairs the “Committee to […]
NEWS SIDEBAR: Web Sites Offer Alternative Gifts for the Holidays
By RNS Blog Editor — December 9, 2004
c. 2004 Religion News Service A Sampling of online religious resources for alternative giving: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association The famous evangelist’s organization offers alternative gifts, including Christian literature in Braille and donations to an emergency fund to help pastors comfort families continuing to cope with the aftermath of hurricanes that hit Florida earlier this year. […]
RNS Weekly Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — December 8, 2004
c. 2004 Religion News Service Study: More `Declining’ Southern Baptist Churches (RNS) The percentage of Southern Baptist churches that can be described as “declining” has increased in the last two decades, a church growth study has found. The Leavell Center for Evangelism and Church Health at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary found that 23.9 percent […]
RNS Daily Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — December 8, 2004
c. 2004 Religion News Service Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Wash., Third to File for Bankruptcy (RNS) In an expected move, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Wash., filed for bankruptcy protection Monday (Dec. 6) to grapple with sexual abuse claims. Bishop William S. Skylstad announced in mid-November that the diocese planned to file for Chapter […]
NEWS FEATURE: Books Worth Giving for the Holidays
By RNS Blog Editor — December 8, 2004
c. 2004 Religion News Service (UNDATED) New religious titles being published near the winter holidays offer gift-givers and book lovers the sort of choices one wishes for this time of year. Some scholarly titles might be read on chilly winter evenings by the fireside. Others are perfect for bedtime snuggles with little ones. A few […]
COMMENTARY: Do You See What I See?
By RNS Blog Editor — December 8, 2004
c. 2004 Religion New Service (Tom Ehrich is a writer and computer consultant, managing large-scale database implementations. An Episcopal priest, he lives in Durham, N.C. Visit his Web site at http://www.onajourney.org.) (UNDATED) Two moments on a Saturday before Christmas: one sad, the other cheerful. On our way to shopping, we visit my favorite cafeteria for […]
NEWS STORY: Are Visions of Kosher Fruitcake Dancing in Your Head? Try Chrismukkah
By RNS Blog Editor — December 8, 2004
c. 2004 Religion News Service (UNDATED) From their homestead in Paradise Valley, Mont., Ron Gompertz and his wife, Michelle Gantt, are having a little fun with the December dilemma that faces many of the country’s estimated 1 million Jewish/Christian interfaith families: Hanukkah or Christmas? Instead of stressing out about whose holiday to observe, they’re mixing […]
RNS Daily Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — December 7, 2004
c. 2004 Religion News Service Ads Rejected by Networks Fueling Interest in UCC, Church Says (RNS) Materials for a United Church of Christ ad campaign that was rejected by CBS and NBC as “too controversial” have been “flying off the shelves,” church officials said. A 30-second spot featuring beefy bouncers outside a church denying entry […]
NEWS STORY: Science Offers New Theories on Star of Bethlehem
By RNS Blog Editor — December 7, 2004
c. 2004 Religion News Service (UNDATED) In the Gospel of St. Matthew, it’s the apparition that heralds the birth of Jesus. Today, it features in Christmas trappings from tree toppers to carols to cards. No children’s Nativity play is complete without its tinfoil likeness above the storied stable. But what was the Star of Bethlehem? […]
COMMENTARY: Goy oh Goy! Is that Good for the Jews?
By RNS Blog Editor — December 7, 2004
c. 2004 Religion News Service (Marc Howard Wilson is a rabbi and syndicated columnist in Greenville, S.C. His essays may be found at http://www.MarcMusing.com. He may be reached at MarcWilson1216(at)aol.com.) (UNDATED) Years before the mellifluous Cat Stevens morphed into the nefarious Yusef Islam, the Jewish community claimed the Moon Shadow as one of our own, […]
NEWS STORY: Catholics Mark 150th Anniversary of Immaculate Conception Dogma
By RNS Blog Editor — December 7, 2004
c. 2004 Religion News Service (UNDATED) The Immaculate Conception was once such a widely beloved belief that laity lobbied popes to endorse it, and one of the most famous plays in NFL history _ the Immaculate Reception _ was named for it. But as the Catholic Church marks the 150th anniversary of the dogma on […]
RNS Daily Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — December 4, 2004
c. 2004 Religion News Service Pope’s Foreign Minister Condemns “Christianophobia” ROME (RNS) Pope John Paul II’s foreign minister warned Friday (Dec. 3) that the war against terrorism has spread “Christianophobia” in parts of the world where Western policy is believed to be determined by Christianity. Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, secretary for relations with states, issued the […]
NEWS STORY: Hispanic Immigrants Wary of Catholic Background Checks
By RNS Blog Editor — December 4, 2004
c. 2004 Religion News Service (UNDATED) Wracked by a child sex abuse scandal, Catholic churches across the country are requiring background checks on all volunteers and staff who work with children. But this increased scrutiny is having unintended effects among Hispanic immigrant volunteers, triggering apprehension and anxiety. At a time when increased security requirements have […]
