Monthly Archives: July 2013
Why the “Ender’s Game” Boycott Is Stupid
By Jana Riess — July 23, 2013
With the “Ender’s Game” boycott, we’re being told to avoid a movie because the author of the book on which it is based holds anti-gay views. But what, exactly, does this have to do with the film itself?
Chinese Malay couple faces prison for posting photo of them eating pork
By Richard S. Ehrlich — July 23, 2013
(RNS) The couple allegedly posted a photograph of themselves earlier in July, smiling at a roadside restaurant while eating pork stew with chopsticks.
Tuesday’s Religion News Roundup: Rio Explosives * Russell Moore * Ugly Churches
By Lauren Markoe — July 23, 2013
A pipe bomb is safely detonated at a shrine to be visited by Pope Francis. What's on Russell Moore's iPod? And talk about ugly churches.
Evangelicals decry ‘silence’ on sexual abuse
By Adelle M. Banks — July 23, 2013
(RNS) "These events expose the troubling reality that, far too often, the Church’s instincts are no different than from those of many other institutions, responding to such allegations by moving to protect her structures rather than her children.”
Quote of the Day: Zach Hillbillyboy Osborne
By Ron Ribiat — July 23, 2013
“I apologize for my rude behavior towards your alls monument what I did was stupid and immature and yes I’m 15 which is no excuse for my actions and I sincerely apologize to every one I offended.” — Zach Hillbillyboy Osborne, who sprayed tobacco spit on the nation’s first atheist monument in front of the […]
Location, Location, Location: How Your Hometown Affects Your Economic Mobility
By MacKenzie Babb — July 22, 2013
A recent report finds that your childhood hometown plays a significant role in how easily you’ll advance to higher income brackets as an adult.
COMMENTARY: A history of discrimination earns President Obama a right to speak
By Jeffrey Weiss — July 22, 2013
(RNS) Imagine that Joe Lieberman had been elected president. And that in a moment of crisis, he felt compelled to explain that some American Jewish support for Israel is partly explained by the Jewish cultural memory of the Holocaust. Would he be accused of whatever the Jewish equivalent of “race-baiting” might be?
Reformist priest sees potential ally in Pope Francis
By Kevin Eckstrom — July 22, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) The Rev. Helmut Schuller is the key organizer behind a group of about 430 Austrian priests who are openly challenging the hierarchy on allowing women priests, married priests, same-sex marriages and lay Catholics' voice in the election of bishops.
The evolution of Southern Baptist ethicist Russell Moore
By Bob Smietana — July 22, 2013
(RNS) — Russell Moore is conservative but not angry. He's skeptical about politics, and believes that kindness is not a weakness. He's also critical of Bible Belt faith, which he says sees Christianity as a normal part of American life.
Humanists want a military chaplain to call their own
By Kimberly Winston — July 22, 2013
(RNS) The Humanist Society -- like all organizations that represent nonbelievers -- is not among the Department of Defense’s list of approximately 200 groups allowed to endorse chaplains. They want to change that.
God says U.S. Supreme Court is influenced by Evil: My Conversation with God on July 21, 2013
By Religion News LLC — July 22, 2013
The Ministry of Second Timothy, Inc. www.theMinistryof2Timothy.org (Jacksonville, Fl – 7/22/2013) “It was daytime. I was lying in my bed sleeping after having feasted all night into pre-sunrise hours in observance of “Christians observing Ramadan”, when God awoke me and began a conversation with me. ” Deirdre, Messenger of Yahweh GOD: “IT IS HARDER TO DISCERN EVIL […]
MainlineDecline, Decline-Talk, and Decline-ism
By Martin E. Marty — July 22, 2013
Notice: millions of citizens are not “bowling alone,” or being “spiritual” on their own, in splendid entrepreneurial isolation. We observe them instead in tens of thousands of parishes and temples where, in difficult places and against cultural odds, old faithful and new faithful people pray, give for, and through, “institutional religion,” serve their God, serve others, and, yes, are interesting.
Why We Love Zombies. And Vampires. And Buffy.
By Jana Riess — July 22, 2013
In the genre of horror we are working out our deepest anxieties. Vampires, zombies, and the like are stand-ins for our other fears, the ones we can't talk about. That means fear of death, of course -- but even worse, of being a living corpse who drains those we love.
Malaysian Muslims ask Vatican to recall envoy over use of “Allah”
By Richard S. Ehrlich — July 22, 2013
(RNS) In an escalating confrontation, dozens of Islamists marched to the Vatican's mission in Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, after prayers, and presented a 670-word memorandum calling for the archbishop's recall.
Monday’s Religion News Roundup: Sinful St. Louis * Francis for Pope! * Mormon Doubts
By Kevin Eckstrom — July 22, 2013
They're sinning (a lot) in St. Louis, apparently. Uncle Frank meets a mess and lots of high expectations as he touches down in Brazil. And we finally know how many Anglicans it takes to change a light bulb.
