The Rev. Gretta Vosper is an atheist pastor for the United Church of Canada. Video screenshot
Need to know: Monday, February 4, 2019
Atheist minister Gretta Vosper hopes to stay at Canadian church for the long haul
Gretta Vosper, a Toronto pastor and self-described atheist, will remain at her church after reaching a settlement with the United Church of Canada. Church officials had claimed belief in God was necessary for a minister. Vosper says she is still qualified to be a pastor.
Video stokes fears of anti-Semitic backlash in N.J. suburb
A video from a group called Rise Up Ocean County that paints Orthodox Jews as invaders has raised concerns in suburban New Jersey communities where the Jewish population is increasing.
Top US cardinal let priest accused of sexual abuse lead Mass
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo allowed the accused priest to lead the 9 a.m. Thursday Mass at his parish, the statement said, because he “was already scheduled to celebrate” it.
Hashtag stirs debate over role of Christian schools in US
“These schools are front and center in the politicization of knowledge and that’s problematic,” said Julie Ingersoll, a professor of religious studies at the University of North Florida.
How interfaith values support New York’s Reproductive Health Act
Policies like New York's recently enacted Reproductive Health Act allows women of all religions to follow their own faiths and consciences in their own lives, argues Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
Many people in mostly Christian countries believe values clash with Islam – poll
Almost one-third in UK see rift, finds survey ahead of pope’s visit to Arabian peninsula. The poll on attitudes towards religion, carried out by YouGov, was commissioned by the Muslim Council of Elders to mark the first papal visit to the Arabian peninsula.
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N. Korean Christians keep faith underground amid crackdowns
“I wanted to build my church and sing out as loud as I could,” said one North Korean woman who later defected to South Korea.
Pope calls for Yemen relief as he heads to UAE
“The people are exhausted by the long conflict and many children are hungry, but humanitarian aid isn’t accessible,” Pope Francis said.
Catholic leaders in Texas name 286 accused of abusing minors
The number represents one of the largest collections of names to be released since an explosive grand jury report last year in Pennsylvania.
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Why freaking out about Christian schools proves evangelicals’ irrational fears
(RNS) — Unless we treat our neighbors who believe differently with grace and tolerance, we put our heritage as a pluralistic society at risk.
Don’t give me a Mormon funeral
Bury me in purple, with a funeral that is geared for (and planned by) my non-Mormon family. But funeral potatoes are definitely OK, writes Jana Riess.
States’ move toward abortion extremism heats up ‘cold civil war’
(RNS) — Common ground on abortion is substantial, if we only took time to look.
