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Tuesday's Religion News Roundup: Three Daniels, Faking Gay and a Gingerbread Hanukkah House

World magazine picks not just one but three people this year who exemplify Daniel. Is it OK to fake being gay to make a moral point? And so Jews don't get jealous: a gingerbread Hanukkah house.

Tuesday’s Religion News Roundup: Three Daniels, Faking Gay and a Gingerbread Hanukkah House
Hanukkah House photo courtesy of The Forward

WORLD magazine's annual “Daniel of the Year” issue breaks tradition, and profiles not one but three people — all Chinese dissidents — who have “exhibited bravery in defense of God's authority, not their own autonomy.” 

A young evangelical Christian pretends he's gay for a year and writes a book about the whole faith-changing experience. You wonder about morality experiments that lead to book deals. 

Sure to rekindle the “do we really need to make Hanukkah more like Christmas?” debate: The Forward publishes a recipe for a gingerbread Hanukkah house complete with vanilla taffy mezuzah.


As lots of media mentioned, the pope joined the Twitters. 

Most Americans say that employers — even religious ones — should provide birth control coverage to their employees, according to a survey released on Monday

A Pennsylvania man shot his ex-wife as she played the organ during church services.

A few months back RNS previewed “An Article of Hope,” a documentary about Israel's first astronaut, the explosion of a space shuttle and a tiny Torah that traveled from Bergen-Belsen to the stars. Now the film has a new title and an airdate on PBS. On Jan. 31, the 10th anniversary of the loss of the Columbia astronauts, the network will show “Space Shuttle Columbia: Mission of Hope.”

Pope Benedict XVI issues new rules to keep a tighter rein on Catholic charities and calls for a world authority to act as a moral force.

A Catholic teen's confirmation was called off after he expressed opposition to an amendment to prohibit gay marriage in Minnesota's constitution.

Add to your knowledge: What's the difference between a sister and a nun? A canon lawyer explains.

A faithful Catholic makes rosary repair her retirement project.

Who wants to read more about that stupid fiscal cliff? Read about religion. It's just more interesting. Sign up for the free Religion News Roundup — we just need your email in the box below.


I take it back. The fiscal cliff has its religious crags. WWJD about it? 

The principal of a Jewish high school for boys in Brooklyn has been convicted of 75 counts of sexual abuse.

Thanks to The Forward for the photo of the gingerbread Hanukkah house.

– Lauren Markoe

 

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