Monthly Archives: December 2013
Church of England to consider optional clerical robes
By Trevor Grundy — December 23, 2013
(RNS) The General Synod, the Church of England’s governing body, is prepared to debate a controversial motion that would make clerical vestments optional.
Pussy Riot singers freed under new Russian amnesty law just in time for Sochi
By Laura Turner — December 23, 2013
Pussy Riot, the all-female Russian punk band, saw two of its members jailed last year following their now-famous “punk prayer” in Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral. A new amnesty law, which comes conveniently before the February start date of the Winter Olympics being held in Sochi, Russia, freed bandmates Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova just […]
Bishop John Schol of Greater New Jersey United Methodist Conference Speaks Out on Gays and Lesbians in the United Methodist Church and the Frank Schaefer Trial
By Religion News LLC — December 23, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Ocean, NJ) – On Friday, December 20, Bishop John Schol of the Greater New Jersey United Methodist Conference responded to the United Methodist Church’s decision to remove the credentials of Reverend Frank Schaefer for conducting the marriage ceremony of his gay son. In an emotional video statement, Bishop Schol first addresses gay […]
A celebrity photographer’s faith-driven cause
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — December 23, 2013
(RNS) Each year, the nonprofit Help-Portrait pulls together professional photographers, hairstylists and makeup artists to spend one Saturday taking free portraits of people who normally can't afford it.
Muslim Christmas celebrations gain a toehold
By Omar Sacirbey — December 23, 2013
(RNS) These days, a growing number of Muslims celebrate Christmas, or at least partake in some ways, even if they don’t decorate their homes with trees and a light show. Indeed, many Muslim families have created their own unique Christmas traditions.
Philanthropist Edgar Bronfman Sr. devoted his life to Jewish survival
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — December 23, 2013
(RNS) Heir to the Seagram's beverage fortune, he devoted half his life to Jewish leadership, community and philanthropic projects worldwide.
Religion & Ethics Newsweekly Video: Christmas peace
By Sally Morrow — December 23, 2013
How do contemporary Christians understand Christmas as a season of peace in today’s often chaotic world?
Pope to visit the Holy Land, but details spark debate
By David Gibson — December 23, 2013
(RNS) Pope Francis is planning to visit Jordan, Israel and the West Bank in May. But the itinerary of the brief trip is sparking debate even before details of the papal pilgrimage have been finalized.
Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly listings – Dec. 27 & Jan. 3
By Religion News LLC — December 23, 2013
Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly is a production of THIRTEEN for WNET. Visit www.pbs.org/religionandethics for additional information. Show #1717 will be fed over PBS at 5:00 p.m. EST on December 27 (check local listings). Show #1718 will be fed over PBS at 5:00 p.m. on January 3 (check local listings). Show #1717: A look back at […]
At Christmas, a rare collaboration to restore an ancient church
By Michele Chabin — December 23, 2013
(RNS) In what some are calling the biggest miracle in Bethlehem since the birth of Jesus, the three churches that share responsibility for the Nativity church put aside centuries of tense relations this past year to ensure the restoration of the ancient site is completed.
Culture war galore * A duck franchise * Mecca’s governor: Monday’s religion news roundup
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — December 23, 2013
Forget Christmas wars. Culture wars are all the rage. Duck Dynasty battles continue. And Mecca has a new governor.
An American priest answers the Vatican questionnaire
By Mark Silk — December 23, 2013
Last month, the Vatican sent around a questionnaire on "pastoral challenges to the family," in preparation for its big bishops' synod in Rome next October. One priest has answers that his bishop may not want to hear.
Merry holidays! * Quack attack * Shariah law in London: Religious Freedom Recap: Dec. 16 – 23
By Brian Pellot — December 23, 2013
The Flying Spaghetti Monster invades state capitols. Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson quacks up a controversy. And Muslim protesters threaten 40 lashes for selling alcohol in my London neighborhood.
‘None’ could be religion’s new normal in Britain, USA
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — December 23, 2013
No matter how you ask or calculate it, “no religion” is growing at a faster rate than religions are growing in Great Britain and the USA.
The year’s 10 most intriguing religion books
By John Murawski — December 22, 2013
(RNS) Jesus, Paul, food, charity, and prayer were just some of the areas examined in this year's crop of books under the broad heading of religion. Here's our list of the year's most interesting religion books, numbered but not ranked.
