Monthly Archives: May 2008
The Matter with Kansas
By Mark Silk — May 27, 2008
Strictly speaking, the constitutional ban on religious tests for office only prohibits the government from erecting religious barriers to public office, such as a requirement to swear to one’s belief in the Trinity. But the ban has over the years cast a penumbra, casting into disrepute efforts to make candidates’ religion (or lack thereof) a […]
Jew v. Jew
By Mark Silk — May 26, 2008
Julia Duin’s roundup of Jewish defenders of Pastor Hagee in the Washington Times has the virtue of making clear that holding God in some way responsible for the Holocaust is not beyond the bounds of Jewish opinion. Which isn’t to say that Jewish opinion is unanimous on this subject–as if Jewish opinion were unanimous on […]
Department of Clarification
By Mark Silk — May 25, 2008
Is Abe Foxman having second thoughts about John Hagee? Back in March, after charges of anti-Catholicism unsettled Hagee’s endorsement of John McCain, the ADL’s national director waved away the controversy as “not a Jewish issue,” telling the Forward, “Are we troubled by Hagee’s support of McCain and McCain’s acceptance? The answer is no, and that’s […]
Whither the Jews?
By Mark Silk — May 24, 2008
He’s the man the people choose, Loves the Irish and the Jews. In the wake of Barack Obama’s recent foray into South Florida’s Jewish community, Terry Mattingly has trouble getting his head around the 2008 version of the Jewish vote. “Very complex and confusing stuff,” saith tmatt. Actually, the stuff is not so complex or […]
Preachers on Parade
By Mark Silk — May 24, 2008
Anyone interested in following the time line of Wright/Hagee/Parsleyana in the campaign should take a look at Hans’ posting on the Obama-loving website, Too Much Information Anonymous.
RNS Daily Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — May 24, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service Calif. Episcopal church agrees to marry gay couples (RNS) A prominent liberal Episcopal church in Pasadena, Calif., says it will allow gay and lesbian couples to marry after the state’s Supreme Court opened civil marriage to same-sex couples starting next month. The move by All Saints Episcopal Church is likely […]
RNS Daily Digest
By Rebecca Cusey — May 24, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service (UNDATED) George Clooney lobbies for Darfur and Reese Witherspoon advocates for breast cancer research. Brad Pitt stumps for rebuilding New Orleans while his longtime partner Angelina Jolie travels on behalf of refugees. Then there’s U2 frontman Bono, who is perhaps the world’s biggest celebrity philanthropist with his longtime work on […]
Celebrities, faith-based charities sometimes at odds
By Tracy Gordon — May 24, 2008
George Clooney lobbies for Darfur and Reese Witherspoon works for breast cancer research. Brad Pitt stumps for rebuilding New Orleans while his wife, Angelina Jolie, speaks for refugees. U2 frontman Bono is probably the best known celebrity philanthopist with his work on debt relief, trade and AIDS in Africa. At the same time, the religious […]
British Catholics say abortion fight not over
By Tracy Gordon — May 24, 2008
LONDON-The British government’s refusal to reduce the time limit for abortions from the present 24 weeks has offended people of “all faiths and none,” but the fight will continue, says the leader of Roman Catholics in England and Wales.
McCain rejects second minister’s endorsement
By Tracy Gordon — May 24, 2008
Sen. John McCain has rejected the endorsement of Ohio megachurch pastor Rod Parsley for comments that called Islam a violent religion bent on world domination.
Calif. Episcopal church agrees to marry gay couples
By Tracy Gordon — May 24, 2008
A prominent liberal Episcopal church in Pasadena, Calif., says it will allow gay and lesbian couples to marry after the state’s Supreme Court opened civil marriage to same-sex couples starting next month.
Their names are lost to history, but their stories endure
By Tracy Gordon — May 24, 2008
Lot’s wife and daughters. The two thieves crucified with Jesus. The three wise men. They’re all iconic figures with well-known stories from the Bible, yet they all have one thing in common-officially, they have no names. Both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament are riddled with famous or infamous people who went nameless-in some […]
Talk show could be next project for Jakes
By Adelle M. Banks — May 24, 2008
Dr. Phil McGraw could be teaming up with Bishop T.D. Jakes, the Pentecostal preacher from Dallas, for a talk show featuring Jakes in the fall of 2009, The Hollywood Reporter says. Jakes, pastor of The Potter’s House megachurch, has appeared several times on “Dr. Phil,” which is distributed by CBS. CBS Television Distribution is considering […]
Christian singer’s daughter killed in family accident
By Kevin Eckstrom — May 23, 2008
The 5-year-old daughter of Grammy-winning Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman was struck and killed Wednesday by a sport utility vehicle driven by her brother.
Slaughterhouse raid could mean shortage of kosher meat
By Kevin Eckstrom — May 23, 2008
A huge immigration raid last week on the country’s largest kosher slaughterhouse could result in a shortage of kosher meat.
