Monthly Archives: August 2013
Friday’s Religion News Roundup: Duck devotees * Tongues 101 * Friendly Francis
By Kevin Eckstrom — August 23, 2013
(RNS) Who's watching "Duck Dynasty"? A lot of Christians, it turns out. A how-to guide to speaking tongues (even if you wanna fake it) and Pope Francis takes it down even a few more notches.
Dominican Sisters of Mary Top Billboard Charts at #1
By Religion News LLC — August 23, 2013
ATLANTA, August 23, 2013 – The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist amazed the recording industry with their #1 debut album, MATER EUCHARISTIAE, on both the Classical Overall and Classical Traditional Charts this week. Heads turned as many labels vied for the top spot this week and are scrambling to find out the […]
NCR Receives Hilton Foundation Grant for Sisters Coverage
By Religion News LLC — August 23, 2013
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation has awarded a grant of $2.3 million over three years that will allow the National Catholic Reporter Publishing Co. to embark on a ground-breaking project to give greater voice to countless of Catholic sisters around the globe. With the use of the Hilton Foundation grant, NCR plans to build a […]
The International Religious Freedom Commision strikes back
By Mark Silk — August 23, 2013
On Monday, I argued that the State Department's new office of religious engagement signifies a diplomatic turning away from exclusive preoccupation with other countries' failure to guarantee religious liberty. On Wednesday, it became clear that the heads of the independent U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) see it this way too.
“Secrets of Heaven” revealed in new book from Prophet Marshall Vian Summers
By Religion News LLC — August 22, 2013
BOULDER, Colo., Aug. 22, 2013 — On September 9th, prophet and faith leader Marshall Vian Summers will release his newest book: Secrets of Heaven: Mystery Teachings of the Angels. Secrets of Heaven is the newest book in a series of world teachings called “The New Message for Humanity.” The secrets reveal hidden truths and new […]
Memories of the March: 10 voices recall 1963 March on Washington
By Adelle M. Banks and Corrie Mitchell — August 22, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Religion News Service asked participants in the 1963 March on Washington to reflect on their lasting memories of the event, whether the Rev. Martin Luther King's dream has been achieved and how the 1963 march shaped their faith.
By removing Islam display, Kansas school surrenders to ignorance
By Charles C. Haynes — August 22, 2013
‘God is the best artist’ takes off on social media
By Menachem Wecker — August 22, 2013
(RNS) The notion of God as an artist is hardly new. But when Twitter and Pinterest users take to their smartphones to snap pictures of sunrises and sunsets and attribute those “masterpieces” to God, they are exhibiting a new sort of adoration.
Quote of the Day: Alan Robertson of ‘Duck Dynasty’
By Kevin Eckstrom — August 22, 2013
“We’re kind of the John the Baptists of the 21st century. It’s how you imagine, with the wild hair and the locusts.” — Alan Robertson, the newest cast member of AMC’s “Duck Dynasty,” on the show’s popularity with Christian audiences.
Islamic TV station in England fined for inciting violence
By Trevor Grundy — August 22, 2013
(RNS) One caller to the TV program asked in Urdu what punishment was due for anyone showing disrespect to the Prophet Muhammad. "We are ready, and should be ready at all times, to kill a blasphemer,” was the response.
Christians and the myth of the “hookup culture”
By Jonathan Merritt — August 22, 2013
Some conservative Christians decry a growing "hookup culture" among America's youth. New data shows they are wrong.
COMMENTARY: The persistent stained-glass ceiling
By A. James Rudin — August 22, 2013
(RNS) In the 40 years since America's first female rabbi was ordained, nearly 650 female rabbis have entered the Reform movement. Yet, Jewish and Christian clergywomen still face visible and invisible obstacles in their careers.
Alan Robertson on ‘Duck Dynasty’: Not ‘The 700 Club for Rednecks’
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — August 22, 2013
"Our faith is the main part of our lives, but it’s better to be subtle. It’s more effective. When Jesus talked in parables, he wanted people to seek and find. I think it’s better that it’s funny," Alan Robertson said.
Churches raised funds, encouraged crowds at ’63 march
By Deborah Barfield Berry — August 22, 2013
(RNS) Through passionate pulpit sermons, religious leaders helped bring busloads to Washington. Fifty years later, organizers are again turning to churches to help mark the anniversary of the march.
A Mormon among the Evangelicals
By Jana Riess — August 22, 2013
This week I am a guest on the Revangelical podcast, talking about Mormonism with a young evangelical who has felt drawn to learn more about my religion.
