religious artifacts, holy relics, religious products

Archive for October, 2007

Brownback and Giuliani Discuss Abortion (Religion News)

Sen. Sam Brownback pronounced himself “much more comfortable” with Rudy Giuliani’s position on abortion after the one-time rivals for the Republican presidential nomination discussed the issue Thursday. read more…

The National Association of Evangelicals has called on the U.S. government to take action to reduce persecution of the Dalits, the “untouchable” residents of South Asia. read more…

Mitt Romney’s aggressive efforts to position himself as a tough abortion opponent are paying off: He’s been hailed by family-values activists and seems well on his way to becoming the choice of many in the Christian conservative community. read more…

Jay Hein, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, was at Baylor University Thursday, attending a panel discussion of the Baylor-led grant initiative FACTS (Faith and Community Technical Support). read more…

One school of thought on the religious right holds that if Rudy Giuliani would commit to an unequivocal anti-abortion position, they could vote for him. read more…

Tags: , , ,

Comments Off

A Day in the Life of a Tireless Imam (Religion News)

An imam serves as a link between Muslims and God. In Virginia, Imam Lamptey guides worshippers in prayer, but he also fills many other roles, from marriage counselor to financial adviser. His religious responsibilities compel him to devote long days serving his community.

An imam serves as a link between Muslims and God. In Virginia, Imam Lamptey guides worshippers in prayer, but he also fills many other roles, from marriage counselor to financial adviser. His religious responsibilities compel him to devote long days serving his community.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

read more…

For much of the Muslim world, Thursday is the final day of the holy month of Ramadan. In Istanbul, it’s a festive time — celebrated with special foods, street fairs and bumper cars. Ivan Watson sends this audio postcard.

For much of the Muslim world, Thursday is the final day of the holy month of Ramadan. In Istanbul, it’s a festive time — celebrated with special foods, street fairs and bumper cars. Ivan Watson sends this audio postcard.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

read more…

Let’s say it unequivocally: Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith should not be an issue in this presidential campaign. Period. read more…

The Vatican’s selection of Houston as the see for its newest American cardinal speaks volumes about the importance of Hispanics to the future U.S. Catholic Church. read more…

Seven thousand evangelical Christians from nearly 100 countries are in Israel this week to show support for the Jewish state. But a growing number of people are concerned about missionary activity.

Seven thousand evangelical Christians from nearly 100 countries are in Israel this week to show support for the Jewish state. But a growing number of people are concerned about missionary activity.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

read more…

Tags: , , ,

Comments Off

John McCain: Keeping Faith, on His Own Terms (Religion News)

How the Arizona senator, once a POW ‘pastor,’ finds purpose in his beliefs and survival. read more…

A tragic school shooting left an Amish community devastated, but not resentful. But the ability to forgive doesn’t mean that the families have been able to quickly get over their grief.

A tragic school shooting left an Amish community devastated, but not resentful. But the ability to forgive doesn’t mean that the families have been able to quickly get over their grief.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

read more…

Conservative Christians from around the country will be meeting in Washington tomorrow for the Family Research Council’s second annual Values Voter Summit. All the major Republican presidential candidates will be attending.

Conservative Christians from around the country will be meeting in Washington tomorrow for the Family Research Council’s second annual Values Voter Summit. All the major Republican presidential candidates will be attending.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

read more…

New publication will focus on “radical elements’ of LDS history. read more…

The IRS closes its investigation of All Saints Episcopal church in Pasadena, Calif. The church will keep its tax-exempt status despite a sermon that prompted the probe. But the church is dissatisfied with the resolution.

The IRS closes its investigation of All Saints Episcopal church in Pasadena, Calif. The church will keep its tax-exempt status despite a sermon that prompted the probe. But the church is dissatisfied with the resolution.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

read more…

Bowing to pressure, Sen. David Vitter, R-La., has backed off an attempt to steer $100,000 to a Christian group that supports teaching religious and alternative theories of creation alongside evolution in science classrooms. read more…

Tags: , , ,

Comments Off

Gingerly, Romney Seeks Ties to Christian Right (Religion News)

He has invoked the Rev. Rick Warren, a popular evangelical author and megachurch pastor. He has quoted Scripture and alluded to the Gideon Bible as favorite late-night reading. And he has cited his belief in Jesus Christ as his personal ?savior.? read more…

The IRS closes its investigation of All Saints Episcopal church in Pasadena, Calif. The church will keep its tax-exempt status despite a sermon that prompted the probe. But the church is dissatisfied with the resolution.

The IRS closes its investigation of All Saints Episcopal church in Pasadena, Calif. The church will keep its tax-exempt status despite a sermon that prompted the probe. But the church is dissatisfied with the resolution.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

read more…

Bishops in the Episcopal Church have crafted a document they hope will ease conservatives’ concerns in the United States and abroad. In Africa and South America, which have the most active members in the worldwide Anglican Communion, bishops wanted a statement from the Americans about the direction of the church — and specifically on its views on homosexuality.

Bishops in the Episcopal Church have crafted a document they hope will ease conservatives’ concerns in the United States and abroad. In Africa and South America, which have the most active members in the worldwide Anglican Communion, bishops wanted a statement from the Americans about the direction of the church — and specifically on its views on homosexuality.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

read more…

An imam serves as a link between Muslims and God. In Virginia, Imam Lamptey guides worshippers in prayer, but he also fills many other roles, from marriage counselor to financial adviser. His religious responsibilities compel him to devote long days serving his community.

An imam serves as a link between Muslims and God. In Virginia, Imam Lamptey guides worshippers in prayer, but he also fills many other roles, from marriage counselor to financial adviser. His religious responsibilities compel him to devote long days serving his community.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

read more…

The most surprising recent national polling result was an answer given by Republicans who attend church weekly when Gallup asked their presidential preference. A plurality chose Rudy Giuliani, a Catholic who in 1999 said: “I don’t attend regularly, but I attend occasionally.” read more…

A group of Christian conservatives unhappy with the field of Republican presidential candidates may bringing a third-party candidate into the race for the White House.

A group of Christian conservatives unhappy with the field of Republican presidential candidates may bringing a third-party candidate into the race for the White House.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

read more…

Tags: , , ,

Comments Off

Extolling Faith-Infused Politics (Religion News)

Extolling Faith-Infused Politics
GOP hopeful talks of abortion, hope at dedication Mass.
Source: pewforum.org

Doubts Greet Evangelical Christians in Israel
Seven thousand evangelical Christians from nearly 100 countries are in Israel this week to show support for the Jewish state. But a growing number of people are concerned about missionary activity.

Seven thousand evangelical Christians from nearly 100 countries are in Israel this week to show support for the Jewish state. But a growing number of people are concerned about missionary activity.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

Source: www.npr.org

Christian Conservatives Mull Third-Party Candidate
A group of Christian conservatives unhappy with the field of Republican presidential candidates may bringing a third-party candidate into the race for the White House.

A group of Christian conservatives unhappy with the field of Republican presidential candidates may bringing a third-party candidate into the race for the White House.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

Source: www.npr.org

Nativity Dispute Divides Berkley
Christmas may be weeks away, but a quarrel that has become an annual holiday tradition across America is in full swing: heated disputes over religious displays on public property.
Source: pewforum.org

Ottawa Anglicans Approve Same-Sex Blessings
The Ottawa diocese of the Anglican Church of Canada has approved same-sex marriage blessings in a move sure to inflame tensions in the worldwide Anglican Communion in the debate over gay rights.
Source: pewforum.org

Gingerly, Romney Seeks Ties to Christian Right
He has invoked the Rev. Rick Warren, a popular evangelical author and megachurch pastor. He has quoted Scripture and alluded to the Gideon Bible as favorite late-night reading. And he has cited his belief in Jesus Christ as his personal ?savior.?
Source: pewforum.org

GOP Foreign Policy Statements Due Before Jewish Coalition
As the Republican presidential primary becomes increasingly combative, the four leading candidates will gather tomorrow in Washington to address the Republican Jewish Coalition in a forum that will likely center on national security and Middle East policy.
Source: pewforum.org

Tags: , , ,

Comments Off

Extolling Faith-Infused Politics (Religion News)

GOP hopeful talks of abortion, hope at dedication Mass. read more…

As it struggles with a Taliban insurgency, Afghanistan’s government is building Islamic schools. It’s an effort to keep Afghan families from sending their sons to religious schools with a more militant bent in neighboring Pakistan.

As it struggles with a Taliban insurgency, Afghanistan’s government is building Islamic schools. It’s an effort to keep Afghan families from sending their sons to religious schools with a more militant bent in neighboring Pakistan.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

read more…

He has invoked the Rev. Rick Warren, a popular evangelical author and megachurch pastor. He has quoted Scripture and alluded to the Gideon Bible as favorite late-night reading. And he has cited his belief in Jesus Christ as his personal ?savior.? read more…

The pain of infertility can be especially hard on people of faith because some religious traditions object to a number of medical procedures used to overcome it. read more…

Younger voters more concerned about environment, health care. read more…

Just as Western missionaries spread the Christian message to Africa, African and other Anglican leaders are staking claims in the U.S. In the past two years, there’s been a flurry of reverse colonization as archbishops from Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Bolivia and Singapore have taken conservative Episcopal churches under their wings.

Just as Western missionaries spread the Christian message to Africa, African and other Anglican leaders are staking claims in the U.S. In the past two years, there’s been a flurry of reverse colonization as archbishops from Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Bolivia and Singapore have taken conservative Episcopal churches under their wings.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

read more…

A group of Christian conservatives unhappy with the field of Republican presidential candidates may bringing a third-party candidate into the race for the White House.

A group of Christian conservatives unhappy with the field of Republican presidential candidates may bringing a third-party candidate into the race for the White House.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

read more…

Washington’s National Cathedral, now 100 years old, plays a prominent role in the life of the nation. The Protestant Episcopal church has hosted presidents and offered a place to mourn during national crises.

Washington’s National Cathedral, now 100 years old, plays a prominent role in the life of the nation. The Protestant Episcopal church has hosted presidents and offered a place to mourn during national crises.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

read more…

Tags: , , ,

Comments Off

For Romney, His Mormon Faith Is Both a Blessing — and a Political Curse (Religion News)

For Romney, His Mormon Faith Is Both a Blessing — and a Political Curse
Snagging the cover of a well-read magazine is a big bump for any presidential candidate, but when Mitt Romney found his chiseled face on Newsweek’s cover, he was less than thrilled.
Source: pewforum.org

Prayer Optional, Silence Required, Lawmakers Say
State lawmakers moved Illinois to the forefront of the national school-prayer debate Thursday, requiring public schools to provide students with a brief moment of silence at the start of classes.
Source: pewforum.org

Scholars Say Evangelicals and Their Votes Are Shifting
The face of evangelicalism is changing, two authors at the Pew Research Center said Thursday (Oct. 11), and with that change comes uncertainty about who evangelicals will vote for in next year’s presidential election.
Source: pewforum.org

US Cardinal: Catholic Church Must Speak Louder Against Abortion
The retired archbishop of Washington said Thursday that the prospect of both major party presidential candidates favoring abortion rights is evidence the Catholic Church must more forcefully preach on the issue.
Source: pewforum.org

IRS Clears California Church, But Dispute Isn’t Over
The IRS closes its investigation of All Saints Episcopal church in Pasadena, Calif. The church will keep its tax-exempt status despite a sermon that prompted the probe. But the church is dissatisfied with the resolution.

The IRS closes its investigation of All Saints Episcopal church in Pasadena, Calif. The church will keep its tax-exempt status despite a sermon that prompted the probe. But the church is dissatisfied with the resolution.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

Source: www.npr.org

Tags: , , ,

Comments Off

Rival Shiites in Iraq Agree to Truce (Religion News)

Radical Shiite cleric Muqtada Sadr and his chief rival, Abdelaziz Hakim, reached a truce Saturday to end bloodshed between their loyalists that has killed scores of Iraqis and raised fears of a new front in the Iraq war. read more…

Supreme Court to rule whether international treaty trumps state law. read more…

Republicans no longer have a firm grip on religion in political discourse, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama told Sunday worshippers. read more…

In what organizers call a historic gathering of African-American clergy, dozens of ministers from across the USA will gather here today with medical professionals and lawmakers to map a plan to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic sweeping the black community. read more…

The American Catholic Church has relied on priests from abroad to fill vacancies caused by the dwindling number of U.S.-born priests. But American parishioners often have trouble understanding the priests’ foreign accents. A program in Texas is helping priests preach with their pronunciation.

The American Catholic Church has relied on priests from abroad to fill vacancies caused by the dwindling number of U.S.-born priests. But American parishioners often have trouble understanding the priests’ foreign accents. A program in Texas is helping priests preach with their pronunciation.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

read more…

As it struggles with a Taliban insurgency, Afghanistan’s government is building Islamic schools. It’s an effort to keep Afghan families from sending their sons to religious schools with a more militant bent in neighboring Pakistan.

As it struggles with a Taliban insurgency, Afghanistan’s government is building Islamic schools. It’s an effort to keep Afghan families from sending their sons to religious schools with a more militant bent in neighboring Pakistan.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

read more…

Tags: , , ,

Comments Off

U.S. Muslims Hail Ramadan Resolution as Symbol of Acceptance (Religion News)

U.S. Muslims Hail Ramadan Resolution as Symbol of Acceptance
U.S. Muslims are welcoming a congressional resolution commemorating the Islamic holy month of Ramadan as an important, if symbolic, sign that they are gaining acceptance in America.
Source: pewforum.org

Lawmaker Protests Censorship
An Ohio lawmaker on Thursday demanded that Capitol officials change a policy that resulted in the word “God” being removed from a certificate accompanying a flag being sent to one of his constituents.
Source: pewforum.org

Tory’s Schools Position Divisive, McGuinty Says
Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty said yesterday that extending public funding to all faith-based schools could lead to lawsuits, expensive building projects and quarrels over what’s being taught.
Source: pewforum.org

Publicly Funded Hebrew Charter School Opens in Fla.
The nation’s first publicly funded Hebrew charter school has just opened in Broward County, Fla. Opponents, including some Jewish residents of the area, say this precedent raises the prospect of publicly funded Islamic or fundamentalist Christian schools in Florida.

The nation’s first publicly funded Hebrew charter school has just opened in Broward County, Fla. Opponents, including some Jewish residents of the area, say this precedent raises the prospect of publicly funded Islamic or fundamentalist Christian schools in Florida.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

Source: www.npr.org

Sect Leader Convicted of Accessory to Rape
Jurors convict Warren Jeffs on charges of accomplice to rape. The leader of the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints forced a 14-year-old follower to marry her 19-year-old cousin.

Jurors convict Warren Jeffs on charges of accomplice to rape. The leader of the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints forced a 14-year-old follower to marry her 19-year-old cousin.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

Source: www.npr.org

Giuliani Tries to Reassure Religious Conservatives
Facing a revolt from some Christian conservative leaders over his stance on abortion, Rudolph W. Giuliani sought to reassure religious voters that he respected their faith but in turn asked them to respect his candor, even if they disagreed with him.
Source: pewforum.org

Bride Wed at 14 Testifies at Polygamist’s Trial
A former teenage bride testified Friday at the trial of Warren Jeffs, leader of a polygamist sect in Utah and Arizona. She recalled the day in 2001 when she says Jeffs ordered her to marry her cousin. Jeffs is accused of coercing the then-14-year-old into a union she says she did not want.

A former teenage bride testified Friday at the trial of Warren Jeffs, leader of a polygamist sect in Utah and Arizona. She recalled the day in 2001 when she says Jeffs ordered her to marry her cousin. Jeffs is accused of coercing the then-14-year-old into a union she says she did not want.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

Source: www.npr.org

Op-ed: Romney Can’t Ignore Religious Bias
When Mitt Romney appeared last week (via closed circuit from California) before the Council of Retired Chief Executives meeting in Washington, he faced kindred souls: rich Republicans who had managed big enterprises.
Source: pewforum.org

Tags: , , ,

Comments Off

Young Evangelicals Diverge from GOP (Religion News)

Young evangelical Protestants continue to cling closely to their bedrock conservative values. Yet they are abandoning trust in the White House and straying from the Republican Party, according to an analysis that tracked waning sentiments from 2001 to 2007. read more…

Defense attorneys in the trial of Warren Jeffs, leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, cross-examine a woman who was 14 when she says Jeffs arranged a marriage for her. Jeffs faces life in prison if convicted of charges of accomplice to rape in the arranged marriage.

Defense attorneys in the trial of Warren Jeffs, leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, cross-examine a woman who was 14 when she says Jeffs arranged a marriage for her. Jeffs faces life in prison if convicted of charges of accomplice to rape in the arranged marriage.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

read more…

Iran state-controlled TV is featuring a mini-series about a love story between an Iranian Muslim man and a French Jewish woman during World War II: Zero Degree Turn.

Iran state-controlled TV is featuring a mini-series about a love story between an Iranian Muslim man and a French Jewish woman during World War II: Zero Degree Turn.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

read more…

A federal judge on Friday struck down a requirement that firefighters in the District of Columbia be clean-shaven. read more…

Washington’s National Cathedral, now 100 years old, plays a prominent role in the life of the nation. The Protestant Episcopal church has hosted presidents and offered a place to mourn during national crises.

Washington’s National Cathedral, now 100 years old, plays a prominent role in the life of the nation. The Protestant Episcopal church has hosted presidents and offered a place to mourn during national crises.

? E-Mail This???? ? Add to Del.icio.us

read more…

Alarmed at the possibility that the Republican Party might pick Rudolph W. Giuliani as its presidential nominee despite his support for abortion rights, a coalition of influential Christian conservatives is threatening to back a third-party candidate. read more…

Tags: , , ,

Comments Off