Monthly Archives: December 2014
How churches can attract younger people (COMMENTARY)
By Laura Vanderkam — December 24, 2014
(RNS) It's not the music or the Facebook page that's a draw. It's responsibility and community.
Christmas Day 1914: Soldiers all together in no man’s land
By Tobin Grant — December 24, 2014
A new "celebrity single" celebrates the Christmas Truce, one of the most remarkable events in the history of warfare.
The ‘War on Christmas’ is actually a war on atheist voices
By Chris Stedman — December 24, 2014
If I was basing my impression on what I see reported on by Fox News and other networks, I would not think that less than 15 percent of atheists are anti-theists. In fact, I would assume the opposite.
God speaks to us through the songs we sing (COMMENTARY)
By Tom Ehrich — December 24, 2014
(RNS) If we listen closely, we will hear our own hearts reply, "Hallelujah!"
Lessons & Carols Edition * Mark Driscoll returns * No, Really: Wednesday’s Roundup
By David Gibson — December 24, 2014
How many Americans are Christian? Can you question the Virgin Birth and still be a Christian? Do Christians over-emphasize the birth of Jesus? Can Santa make it to every house in one night? And why Driscoll again, so soon?
A rabbi’s Christmas sermon: May God become incarnate in you
By Jeffrey Salkin — December 23, 2014
(RNS) Jews believe God cannot become human, and humans cannot become God. But sometimes we transcend that distance through prayer and worship, through the study of sacred texts and through altruistic acts.
Father Knows Best: How can I figure out what I really want to do with my life?
By Martin Elfert — December 23, 2014
...allow yourself a little stillness, you may be surprised by what you hear.
Pope Francis challenges Muslims to condemn violence in the name of God
By Josephine McKenna — December 23, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “Islam is a religion of peace, one which is compatible with respect for human rights and peaceful coexistence,” the pope said.
Can you question the Virgin Birth and still be a Christian?
By Kimberly Winston — December 23, 2014
(RNS) Why is the Virgin Birth the lynchpin of Christianity? Was it miracle or metaphor? And can you call yourself a Christian if you can't accept the idea of the Virgin Birth?
American Jewish coalition wants to break Israel’s Chief Rabbinate monopoly
By Lauren Markoe — December 23, 2014
(RNS) A broad coalition of American Jews is mobilizing to lobby against the Orthodox religious establishment in Israel.
Turkey plans to establish an Islamic university with a broader Muslim curriculum
By Michael Kaplan — December 23, 2014
ISTANBUL (RNS) Political unrest continues to sweep Egypt and Syria, once hubs for Islamic learning, and more students are turned off by Saudi Arabia’s more literalist interpretation of Islam. This gives Turkey an opening.
Stop the presses! No Catholic debate on Cuba deal!
By Mark Silk — December 23, 2014
The church's conservative wing signs on.
Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly listings – December 26 & January 2
By Religion News LLC — December 23, 2014
Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly is a production of THIRTEEN Productions LLC for WNET. Visit www.pbs.org/religionandethics for additional information. Show #1817 will be fed over PBS at 5:00 p.m. EST on December 26 (check local listings). Show #1818 will be fed over PBS at 5:00 p.m. on January 2 (check local listings). Show # 1817: Look Back […]
Video: Kevin Eckstrom on PBS NewsHour
By Sally Morrow — December 23, 2014
Religion News Service Editor-in-Chief Kevin Eckstrom talks to Gwen Ifill on PBS NewsHour on Monday night about Pope Francis' latest diagnosis of the ills that ail the Catholic Church.
