Monthly Archives: April 2014
Is Britain Christian? Does it matter? A divided country debates
By Brian Pellot — April 25, 2014
British politicians and pundits are at each others’ throats---again---debating whether or not the United Kingdom is and should be a "Christian country." As with all things British, the answer is complicated, controversial and tied up in history.
Why all these papal saints?
By Mark Silk — April 25, 2014
Why are almost all contemporary popes being canonized? And does it matter if they're not really saints?
Who owns the name “Mormon”?
By Jana Riess — April 24, 2014
I listen to the Mormon Matters podcast, get Primary ideas from Mormon Mommy Blogs, and learn about new books from the Association of Mormon Letters. But the LDS Church is making a stand about organizations and businesses like these that lay claim to the name "Mormon."
The culture war is so last century
By Tobin Grant — April 24, 2014
Culture wars are the rule, not the exception, in American history.
Darren Aronofsky: I’m not religious, but the environmental messages in ‘Noah’ are
By Lauren Markoe — April 24, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) Darren Aronofsky may not be religious, but the environmental messages in his "Noah" film definitely are.
Meet the women behind the miracles credited to John Paul II and John XXIII
By Josephine McKenna — April 24, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) A Costa Rican mother of four says she was healed of an inoperable brain aneurysm after praying to Pope John Paul II and receiving a message of "don't be afraid."
Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly listings – April 25
By Religion News LLC — April 24, 2014
Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly is a production of THIRTEEN for WNET. Visit www.pbs.org/religionandethics for additional information. Show #1734 will be fed over PBS at 5:00 p.m. EST on April 25 (check local listings). India’s Invisible Domestics – From India’s impoverished villages, millions of girls and young women flock to the cities – or are forced to […]
COMMENTARY: John XXIII and John Paul II: Two Catholic saints for the Jews
By Noam E. Marans — April 24, 2014
(RNS) We must never forget the centuries of Christian enmity that preceded the Holocaust, but we must also be ready to praise those like John XXIII and John Paul II who modeled a new narrative of Christian-Jewish relations.
Losing my religion: Clergy who no longer believe gather online
By Kimberly Winston — April 24, 2014
(RNS) A new "Rational Doubt" blog hopes to help those who feel isolated by doubt in a sea of believers, pairing clergy who have lost their faith and left the pulpit with those struggling with leaving religion.
Quote of the Day: Jack Jenkins
By Ron Ribiat — April 24, 2014
“God promised that God wouldn’t do this again, make the flood. But God didn’t say that we couldn’t do it to ourselves.” — Jack Jenkins, senior writer at the Faith and Progressive Policy Initiative of the Center for American Progress, on how the staunch environmental message of Darren Aronofsky’s “Noah” movie accords with Scripture.
3 reasons we’re afraid to talk about hell
By Jonathan Merritt — April 24, 2014
A majority of Americans believe in heaven and hell, yet they shy away from discussing the latter. Here's three reasons why.
Quiz: Are you as Bible-smart as you think?
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — April 24, 2014
Do you really know your Scripture? Test yourself with questions like the American Bible Society's survey.
Obama: Pope Francis ‘makes us want to be better people’
By David Jackson — April 24, 2014
(RNS) Time magazine listed Pope Francis in its annual "100 most influential people" issue and asked the president to write a tribute. Obama lauded the pontiff for his "message of inclusion" and his many acts of kindness.
Bible survey: Many Americans scramble their Scripture
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — April 24, 2014
(RNS) Many Americans overestimate their Bible knowledge, missing key points on critical issues.
On Ayaan Hirsi Ali, atheists, and free speech
By Chris Stedman — April 24, 2014
Controversy over Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s rescinded honorary doctorate continues, with many framing it as an unforgivable insult to a prominent women’s rights activist. Sarah Jones says the reality is a bit more complicated.
