Monthly Archives: November 2007
Some worry `Compass’ points kids in the wrong direction
By RNS Blog Editor — November 27, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service (UNDATED) It’s the holiday season, which means it’s time for another Hollywood wintry blockbuster with a cast of talking animals, witches and an earnest child to point the way to truth and justice. But those who applauded the Christian allegory in “The Chronicles of Narnia” or “The Lord of the […]
Who knew Hanukkah could be so dangerous?
By Kevin Eckstrom — November 27, 2007
And it’s not just the open flames on those Hanukkah menorahs … Turns out frying those potato latkes in hot oil is a fire hazard (keep the handle of the pan turned inward). And watch your sleeves as you light a candle and say the traditional blessing … and you can say a blessing over […]
A Tale of Leaning Church Towers
By Adelle M. Banks — November 27, 2007
In case you missed it over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, The Washington Post ran a story about a very old and very crooked church tower that has gradually leaned to the east over its 625 years of existence in Bad Frankenhausen, Germany. As engineers consider how to right it, they’ve got another famous structure for […]
Unique Evangelism Challenge
By Adelle M. Banks — November 27, 2007
Sharing a rather unique challenge to evangelism, Bible teacher and author Anne Graham Lotz’s ministry has announced in an e-mail message to supporters that a planned event in Manila may be in jeopardy because the arena has opted for a different event: cock fighting. Here’s what the e-mail message, from the ministry of the daughter […]
Princes press the flesh
By Francis X. Rocca — November 26, 2007
National Catholic Reporter‘s John Allen conveys well the “democratic” flavor of the reception for new cardinals held this past Saturday at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace. I spent an hour and a half in a crowd outside the Bronze Doors waiting to get in. It would have been longer but I tagged along with a group […]
New wave of Buddhist writers emerges and gets noticed
By Daniel Burke — November 22, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service (UNDATED) A reader is more likely to encounter a talking bag of Doritos than a Buddhist monk in George Saunders’ surrealist stories. The celebrated author, who has earned comparisons to Kurt Vonnegut and Mark Twain, has been practicing Buddhism at a Tibetan temple in upstate New York for several years. […]
RNS Daily Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — November 22, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service Labor group alleges crucifixes made in sweatshops (RNS) Some crucifixes sold in the United States are made under “horrific” conditions in a Chinese factory, a labor rights leader said Tuesday (Nov. 20) in front of New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Charles Kernaghan, director of the National Labor Committee, told reporters […]
COMMENTARY: The ghosts of Hanukkah Past, Present and Future
By James Rudin — November 22, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service (UNDATED) I had the craziest dream the other night. Three wraiths appeared speaking perfect English. Each one claimed to be the “true” spirit of Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights that begins at sunset Dec. 4. The first wraith was “The Spirit of Hanukkah Past,” who recounted the historical […]
10 minutes with … Karen Armstrong
By Marcia Z. Nelson — November 22, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service (UNDATED) Independent scholar and former Catholic nun Karen Armstrong has been writing books for 25 years. In an age of narrowly focused scholarship, she has tackled the broad scope of the world’s great religions. Her breakthrough work, “The Great Transformation: The Beginning of Our Religious Traditions,” examines the spiritually fertile […]
COMMENTARY: The Catholic-Orthodox women problem
By Phyllis Zagano — November 22, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service (UNDATED) The recent joint Catholic-Orthodox statement that affirmed the primacy of the pope could signal a circling of the wagons around the shrinking influence of the churches of Rome and old Constantinople. Unfortunately, it could also be another trumpet blast against women’s ordination. But first, the big picture: The two […]
What’s up with … the Episcopal property fights?
By Daniel Burke — November 22, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service (UNDATED) Could a Civil War-era Virginia law resolve million-dollar property fights between the Episcopal Church and breakaway conservative congregations? A county court in Northern Virginia is hearing arguments between the Episcopal Church and 11 congregations that split last January to join the more conservative Convocation of Anglicans in North America. […]
RNS Weekly Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — November 21, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service Chicago Lutheran church tests gay policy (RNS) A Chicago congregation is testing the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s new policy on gay clergy by ordaining a lesbian who did not take a vow of celibacy. Resurrection Lutheran Church ordained the Rev. Jennette Lynn Rude, 27, on Saturday (Nov. 17) despite […]
Endorsement Watch: Huckabee Tries Not to Be “Left Behind”
By Adelle M. Banks — November 21, 2007
Seems former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is working to not be “left behind.” He’s gained the support of both authors of the popular “Left Behind” apocalyptic series. His campaign announced Monday that he received the outright endorsement of series co-author Jerry Jenkins, the first time Jenkins has endorsed a candidate. And The New York Times […]
RNS Daily Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — November 21, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service British cardinal slams lesbian parenting bill LONDON (RNS) The top Catholic leader in England and Wales has condemned as “profoundly wrong” proposed legislation that would make it easier for lesbian couples to become parents using in vitro fertilization (IVF). Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor of Westminster said a bill to remove the […]
Faithful keep the faith by clicking the mouse
By RNS Blog Editor — November 21, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. _ As David Magid studied for his bar mitzvah, his instructor directed him to an important blessing the 12-year-old would have to recite at the ceremony. “Barchu et Adonai ha-m’vorach” (Bless the Lord, who is to be blessed), David said, speaking into the microphone attached to his […]
