Monthly Archives: May 2014
Jimmy Carter 3.0: Building a post-presidential legacy
By Adelle M. Banks — May 28, 2014
(RNS) No longer just a former president, he’s Jimmy Carter 3.0: The globe-trotting, Sunday school-teaching, house-building elder statesman is living out his faith through humanitarian causes -- seeking to conquer the abuse of women and eradicate global disease.
Atheists lose latest legal fight over ‘In God We Trust’
By Lauren Markoe — May 28, 2014
(RNS) Court after court has affirmed that printing and engraving the country's motto on its money does not violate the U.S. Constitution.
Phenomenal woman: recovering with Maya Angelou
By Rachel Marie Stone — May 28, 2014
Her words strengthened my weakened and wearied soul; that her words somehow helped me to inhabit my own body again. Thank you, Ms. Angelou.
Clergy abuse victims are divided over Pope Francis’ offer to meet
By David Gibson — May 28, 2014
(RNS) Some victims of clergy sex abuse say Pope Francis' first-ever encounter with victims is simply stagecraft aimed at distracting the public from what they say are the pope’s larger failures to address the abuse crisis.
Maya Angelou’s: Moments from a life of surprise
By Laura Turner — May 28, 2014
Maya Angelou died today at the age of 86. Her life took more surprising turns than most novels -- we recount them here.
Pregnant Pakistani woman stoned to death by her family
By Michael Winter — May 28, 2014
(RNS) Every year, hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Pakistani women are killed by their families for actual or imagined adultery or premarital sex. Public stoning is rare, however.
Maya Angelou * WWJSpeak? * Sustainable schmaltz: Wednesday’s Roundup
By David Gibson — May 28, 2014
The remarkable poet and novelist and so many other things has died. Aramaic or Hebrew? Or both? Artisanal gefilte fish? Snake handling pastor bitten. Priests' wives speak out.
What an atheist learned from working with Zoroastrians
By Chris Stedman — May 28, 2014
What can atheists learn from working with faith communities? Humanist Zach Cole reflects on what he learned from Zoroastrians, and why atheists should partner with religious communities for service to humanity.
Foursquare President Elected to a Second Term
By Religion News LLC — May 27, 2014
Los Angeles, Calif. (May 27, 2014) —The president of The Foursquare Church is to serve a second term, continuing to lead the more than 6,600 U.S. credentialed ministers through a season of major change. Glenn Burris Jr. was ratified Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in a historic vote at the denomination’s annual convention, the first giving […]
Who are the three bishops under Vatican review for sex abuse?
By Josephine McKenna — May 27, 2014
(RNS) “Sexual abuse is such an ugly crime ... because a priest who does this betrays the body of the Lord," the pope said emphatically. “This is very serious. It is like a satanic Mass.”
COMMENTARY: Rolling a joint, a metaphor for a nation losing its way
By Tom Ehrich — May 27, 2014
(RNS) The legal calculation is that he won't get caught. The moral calculation is that not a single one of the people around him matters at all.
Is the Vatican preparing to punish bishops for covering up abuse?
By Mark Silk — May 27, 2014
If I were Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City, I'd be nervous. It looks like the Vatican's about to bring the hammer down.
Mormons face challenges on social media
By Jana Riess — May 27, 2014
One challenge for the hierarchical LDS Church is that the same centralized structure that enables its strong and unified social media presence is also a potential obstacle to the participatory give-and-take of social media.
Abuse Victims * Celibacy Question * Hajj Heist : Tuesday’s Roundup
By Lauren Markoe — May 27, 2014
The pope makes news in the Mideast, but even more winging his way back to the Vatican . . . on victims of abuse, priestly celibacy, you name it.
Quote of the Day: Pope Francis
By Ron Ribiat — May 27, 2014
“It is a bit ridiculous: ‘Tell me, when does your Christ rise from the dead? Mine will next week.’ ‘Well, mine was resurrected last week.’” — Pope Francis, telling reporters about the need for Western Christians and Eastern Orthodox Christians to set a common date for Easter, after meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Jerusalem.
