Monthly Archives: December 2014
The ‘plane’ truth about the ultra-Orthodox (COMMENTARY)
By Jeffrey Salkin — December 29, 2014
(RNS) Ultra-Orthodox men who refuse to sit next to women on airplanes are disruptive, inexcusably rude, and damaging to Judaism itself.
Would-be papal assassin Mehmet Ali Agca expelled from Italy
By Josephine McKenna — December 29, 2014
(RNS) Mehmet Ali Agca's expulsion came two days after he placed flowers on the late pope’s tomb in St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday.
How Christians forgot Jesus’ Jewishness, and why they should recover it
By Jonathan Merritt — December 29, 2014
Jesus was not the first Christian; he was a faithful practicing Jewish person. According to one Catholic historian, forgetting this fact has severe consequences.
Islamic insurgency isn’t just a Mideast problem, as Africans know all too well
By Fredrick Nzwili — December 29, 2014
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) In 2014, Africans suffered dozens of deadly terror attacks by groups either allied with Islamic State leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi or using similarly bloody tactics.
11 defining moments in 2014 for the Christian LGBT conversation
By Eliel Cruz — December 29, 2014
These stories touched on defining moments in modern Christianity.
Wiesenthal Center releases top 10 anti-Semitic incidents of 2014
By Lauren Markoe — December 29, 2014
(RNS) "Anti-Semitism is not just a Jewish problem, and it certainly is not going to get solved without awakening the non-Jewish world to deal with it," said Rabbi Abraham Cooper.
Missing AirAsia jet* Forgiveness flowers* Papal popularity: Monday’s Roundup
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — December 29, 2014
Pope Francis by the numbers, Alicia Keys reads Genesis, werewolf wariness in Argentina and more.
Why Arab states are banning Ridley Scott’s “Exodus”
By Mark Silk — December 29, 2014
The reasons are pretty weak.
Pope Francis laments the ‘helpless cries of children’ around the world
By Josephine McKenna — December 25, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) "My thoughts go out to all the children today who are killed and mistreated, be it those even before they are born who are deprived of the generous love of their parents and buried in the egoism of a culture that does not love life."
Amid tears, ‘cry out with joy:’ Pope Francis’ Christmas Day blessing
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — December 25, 2014
In his annual "Urbi et Orbi" address to the city and the world, his text features the prayers for peace and health in lands torn by strife and by Ebola .
‘How do we welcome the tenderness of God?’ Pope Francis’ Christmas Eve homily
By Yonat Shimron — December 24, 2014
(RNS) "When we realize that God is in love with our smallness, that he made himself small in order to better encounter us, we cannot help but open our hearts to him, and beseech him: “Lord, help me to be like you."
Using ‘flower speech’ and new Facebook tools, Myanmar fights online hate speech
By Mari Michener Oye — December 24, 2014
YANGON, Myanmar (RNS) “It’s not enough to complain about content. That just removes the bad stuff after you already saw it,” said Matt Schissler, an adviser to the civil society group Paung Ku.
Despite death threats, cartoonists challenge religious hatred and censorship online
By Brian Pellot — December 24, 2014
CAPE TOWN (RNS) Vishavjit Singh is one of many cartoonists using art to fight religious intolerance, hatred, stereotypes and censorship attempts online.
Countdown to Santa: How to keep Christ in Christmas tomorrow
By Jonathan Merritt — December 24, 2014
Author Amy Julia-Becker gives three surprising ways to honor Christmas' religious roots. Hint: It won't require swearing off gift giving.
Catholic cardinals try to soften Pope Francis’ harsh message
By Josephine McKenna — December 24, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Cardinal Walter Kasper said the pope was like “a Jesuit spiritual guide” and wanted senior clerics to reactivate their “evangelical spirit.”
