Monthly Archives: January 2013
Why Obama is not the fulfillment of Martin’s Dream
By Omid Safi — January 21, 2013
No, Brother Obama, that talented, charismatic, and eloquent speaker, is not yet the fulfillment of Brother Martin’s dream.
Obama extols a biblical vision of equality for all in second inaugural
By David Gibson — January 21, 2013
(RNS) A presidential inauguration is by tradition the grandest ritual of America’s civil religion, but President Obama took the oath of office on Monday (Jan. 21) in a ceremony that was explicit in joining theology to the nation’s destiny and setting out a biblical vision of equality that includes race, gender, class, and, most controversially, sexual orientation.
Audio Slideshow: Welcoming a sister
By Tracy Simmons — January 21, 2013
NEWPORT, Wash. (RNS) On Sunday Sravasti Abbey welcomed a new novice nun to its community. In an ordination ceremony Daniela Mieritz took vows and became Venerable Thubten Jampa. Ruby Pan also took vows to become an Anagarkia.
Monday’s Religion News Roundup: Presidential Prayers * Flu in the Pew * Preacher Shot
By Lauren Markoe — January 21, 2013
Washington gets inaugural religion. Clergy fight the flu. And gun violence against a pastor.
SSM in RI: Bishop v. Bishop
By Mark Silk — January 21, 2013
Tomorrow, the Rhode Island General Assembly will hold its first vote on whether to legalize same-sex marriage. If things go as expected, the Ocean State will shortly make New England the first marriage equality region in the country.
Episcopalians battle over aid to Israel
By Solange De Santis — January 20, 2013
(RNS) A group of prominent Episcopalians is criticizing their church's stand on Israel, urging it to join 15 other denominations who call for an accounting of U.S. aid to Israel. By Solange De Santis.
A new Jewish prayer for MLK Day
By Lauren Markoe — January 19, 2013
American synagogues have a new prayer for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The faith of dogs
By Omid Safi — January 19, 2013
If this faithfulness and love is the faith of dogs, I pray for the faith of dogs for us human beings.
Graphic of the Week | Attitudes About Abortion
By Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux — January 18, 2013
Tuesday, January 22nd, marks the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy. Our new graphic of the week demonstrates that public attitudes about abortion cannot be r...
‘So help me God’ isn’t in official presidential oath
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — January 18, 2013
(RNS) When President Obama rests his hand on two historic Bibles to take his second-term oath of office Monday, he'll add a phrase not mentioned in the Constitution: "So help me God." But the Almighty's role on the Capitol steps is a controversial one. By Cathy Lynn Grossman.
As flu outbreak spreads, faith leaders preach caution
By Solange De Santis — January 18, 2013
(RNS) As the flu outbreak spreads across 47 states some religious denominations are advising congregations to take precautions, but others believe avoiding infection is just a matter of common sense. By Solange De Santis.
David Brody and the Judeo-Christian Right Tradition
By Mark Silk — January 18, 2013
In its January issue the Newsmax magazine (not available online) profiles David Brody, the chief political correspondent of the Christian Broadcasting Network who started out his religious life as a Reform Jew.
Friday’s Religion News Roundup: Lance hedges * Manti puzzles * Roe ages
By David Gibson — January 18, 2013
Lance Armstrong's "confession" is not convincing everyone, while the mystery about Manti Te'o's fake girlfriend is prompting some soul-searching. Though not enough. And is Scientology "self-destructing"?
RNS EXCLUSIVE: Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton to preach at inaugural National Prayer Service
By Daniel Burke — January 18, 2013
(RNS) The Rev. Adam Hamilton, a United Methodist pastor from Kansas known for his centrist views, will deliver the sermon at the National Prayer Service Tuesday at Washington National Cathedral, which concludes President Obama's inaugural ceremonies. By Daniel Burke.
Quote of the Day: Rabbi David Saperstein and Rabbi Julie Schonfeld
By Ron Ribiat — January 17, 2013
“The challenge that we now must face is not only political; it is also spiritual. It is the challenge to hold before us the human face of Sandy Hook so that out of our national dialogue, we can enact the changes that ensure this will never happen again.” — Rabbi David Saperstein and Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, writing […]
