Holy Relics

More than 400 children remain in the care of the state after reports of child sexual abuse prompted a raid on a Texas polygamist compound. Authorities maintain that they are protecting the kids, but families argue there was no evidence of abuse. Guests and callers weigh in on what’s best for the children.

More than 400 children remain in the care of the state after reports of child sexual abuse prompted a raid on a Texas polygamist compound. Authorities maintain that they are protecting the kids, but families argue there was no evidence of abuse. Guests and callers weigh in on what’s best for the children.

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Angel Kreutzans has been hobbling around for a month since her minivan broke down and the vehicle ran over her left foot as a truck began towing it. read more…

A young businessman in Saudi Arabia has produced a video in response to short film portraying Islam as a violent ideology that has provoked anger in the Muslim world. The new video, Schism, matches Bible verses with scenes of violence by Christians.

A young businessman in Saudi Arabia has produced a video in response to short film portraying Islam as a violent ideology that has provoked anger in the Muslim world. The new video, Schism, matches Bible verses with scenes of violence by Christians.

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Two weeks ago Afghanistan’s ministry of information and culture ordered several television stations around the country to stop airing soap operas imported from India. One station, Tolo TV, has refused to obey the ban.

Two weeks ago Afghanistan’s ministry of information and culture ordered several television stations around the country to stop airing soap operas imported from India. One station, Tolo TV, has refused to obey the ban.

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Read about the panelists debating the proposition “Islam Is Dominated by Radicals” in the latest in the Intelligence Squared U.S. series.

Read about the panelists debating the proposition “Islam Is Dominated by Radicals” in the latest in the Intelligence Squared U.S. series.

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The ironic thing is that before the big sheriff’s department armored personnel carrier appeared outside the Yearning for Zion Ranch, it was starting to seem as though America had finally figured out how to live with its polygamists. read more…

Authorities are working to match children from a polygamous sect in West Texas with their biological mothers. Terri Langford of the Houston Chronicle delivers the latest developments after a raid of the compound in El Dorado.

Authorities are working to match children from a polygamous sect in West Texas with their biological mothers. Terri Langford of the Houston Chronicle delivers the latest developments after a raid of the compound in El Dorado.

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Tags: religious products, Buddist, holy relics, metaphysics

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Pope Greets Satellite Radio’s ‘Catholic Channel’
Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States has ended. Over the weekend, the pope made a radio address on the Catholic Channel on Sirius Satellite Radio.

Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States has ended. Over the weekend, the pope made a radio address on the Catholic Channel on Sirius Satellite Radio.

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Source: www.npr.org

Scalia defends judicial views
At Lyric, Supreme Court justice extols interpreting law according to Framers’ intent.
Source: pewforum.org

Couple Straddles Love, Politics
David Hyman is a white Jewish Democrat. Farah Jiminez is a black Cuban-American Baptist Republican. But opposites sometimes attract. Hyman and Jiminez are happily married, despite their divergent political views. They explain how their differences brought them together, and why they haven’t driven them apart.

David Hyman is a white Jewish Democrat. Farah Jiminez is a black Cuban-American Baptist Republican. But opposites sometimes attract. Hyman and Jiminez are happily married, despite their divergent political views. They explain how their differences brought them together, and why they haven’t driven them apart.

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Source: www.npr.org

Church Group Urges Prayer for Lower Gas Prices
Lawmakers in the nation’s capital may be wringing their hands about record high gasoline prices. Others are putting their hands together — praying for help from a higher authority. Volunteers from a Washington, D.C., church soup kitchen launch a movement called Pray at the Pump.

Lawmakers in the nation’s capital may be wringing their hands about record high gasoline prices. Others are putting their hands together — praying for help from a higher authority. Volunteers from a Washington, D.C., church soup kitchen launch a movement called Pray at the Pump.

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Source: www.npr.org

Panelists: Is Islam Dominated by Radicals?
Read about the panelists debating the proposition “Islam Is Dominated by Radicals” in the latest in the Intelligence Squared U.S. series.

Read about the panelists debating the proposition “Islam Is Dominated by Radicals” in the latest in the Intelligence Squared U.S. series.

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Source: www.npr.org

Tags: metaphysics, Hindu, religious products, hebrew

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Pope Delivers Serious Message to Young Catholics
Pope Benedict XVI joined 20,000 teens at a rally in Yonkers, N.Y., Saturday night. Benedict’s predecessor, John Paul II, was extremely popular with young Catholics. The rally’s atmosphere was light, but the current pope’s message was not.

Pope Benedict XVI joined 20,000 teens at a rally in Yonkers, N.Y., Saturday night. Benedict’s predecessor, John Paul II, was extremely popular with young Catholics. The rally’s atmosphere was light, but the current pope’s message was not.

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Source: www.npr.org

If God Is Dead, Who Gets His House?
The fastest-growing faith in America is no faith at all. And now some atheists think they need a church.
Source: pewforum.org

Egypt’s Coptic Christians a Powerful Force
Egyptian Christians have developed a rich culture since Saint Mark brought the new faith to Egypt in Roman times. Today, Egypt is 90 percent Muslim, but the Copts are a powerful minority, says Father Mark Gruber, professor of anthropology and sociology at St. Vincent College in LaTrobe, Pa.

Egyptian Christians have developed a rich culture since Saint Mark brought the new faith to Egypt in Roman times. Today, Egypt is 90 percent Muslim, but the Copts are a powerful minority, says Father Mark Gruber, professor of anthropology and sociology at St. Vincent College in LaTrobe, Pa.

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Source: www.npr.org

Benedict Holds Stadium Mass for N.Y.C. Faithful
Pope Benedict XVI concluded his U.S. visit today with a tour of New York City. The pontiff stopped this morning at Ground Zero and gave a blessing at the site of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks there. In the afternoon he presided over a Mass for a capacity crowd at Yankee Stadium.

Pope Benedict XVI concluded his U.S. visit today with a tour of New York City. The pontiff stopped this morning at Ground Zero and gave a blessing at the site of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks there. In the afternoon he presided over a Mass for a capacity crowd at Yankee Stadium.

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Source: www.npr.org

Carter Says Hamas Open to Peace Deal
Hamas would accept a deal creating a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip if it was approved by Palestinians in a vote, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said on Monday after talks with Hamas leaders.
Source: pewforum.org

Opinion: ‘Might our religion be killing us?’
Is what we preach ? and ultimately, what we believe ? hastening the destruction of our planet?
Source: pewforum.org

Tags: religious products, wiccan, Hindu, religious artifacts

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Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama squared off Wednesday night in Philadelphia in what Newsweek correspondent Richard Wolffe calls “a waste of time.” Wolffe blames the debate’s moderators and network host ABC.

Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama squared off Wednesday night in Philadelphia in what Newsweek correspondent Richard Wolffe calls “a waste of time.” Wolffe blames the debate’s moderators and network host ABC.

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The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld Kentucky?s method of putting criminals to death by lethal injection, not only clearing the way for Kentucky to resume executions but ending an unofficial moratorium in the 35 other states that have the death penalty. read more…

Split reasoning opens door to new challenges. read more…

The United Methodist Church’s social policy agency has pulled a proposed resolution that would have withdrawn church investments in Caterpillar Inc. because the company supplies bulldozers to Israel. read more…

Pope Benedict XVI met privately Thursday with a group of victims of sexual abuse by priests. Only a handful of victims from the Boston area were invited to the private discussion, which lasted about an hour, church officials said.

Pope Benedict XVI met privately Thursday with a group of victims of sexual abuse by priests. Only a handful of victims from the Boston area were invited to the private discussion, which lasted about an hour, church officials said.

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State officials are seeking custody of more than 400 children taken from a polygamist ranch in West Texas two weeks ago. The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is trying to block the move.

State officials are seeking custody of more than 400 children taken from a polygamist ranch in West Texas two weeks ago. The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is trying to block the move.

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By a 7-2 margin, the justices determined that the most common method a three-drug cocktail that first sedates, then paralyzes, then kills is not cruel and unusual punishment.

By a 7-2 margin, the justices determined that the most common method a three-drug cocktail that first sedates, then paralyzes, then kills is not cruel and unusual punishment.

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Sen. Barack Obama on Wednesday criticized former President Carter for meeting with leaders of the Islamic terrorist group Hamas as he tried to reassure Jewish voters that his candidacy isn’t a threat to them or U.S. support for Israel. read more…

Tags: hebrew, religious products, wiccan, Buddist

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Representatives for victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests are threatening protests during Pope Benedict’s visit to the United States next week. The critics are particularly angry that he is not visiting Boston, the archdiocese at the center of the scandal.

Representatives for victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests are threatening protests during Pope Benedict’s visit to the United States next week. The critics are particularly angry that he is not visiting Boston, the archdiocese at the center of the scandal.

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Moderators of Sunday?s faith forum spared the Democratic presidential candidates no mercy as they drilled them on difficult theological questions ranging from ?Why does God allow people to suffer?? to ?Do you believe that God created the world in six days?? read more…

During Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the U.S., Catholics will listen intently to what he says, and how he says it, all in hopes of figuring out if Joseph Ratzinger has indeed become a kindly German Shepherd or whether he remains, as he was known, God’s Rottweiler. read more…

Pope Benedict XVI arrives in the United States on Tuesday for his first papal visit. He comes with a reputation as a rigid enforcer of dogma, but the German-born pontiff may receive a much warmer welcome here than he has been getting in increasingly secularized Europe.

Pope Benedict XVI arrives in the United States on Tuesday for his first papal visit. He comes with a reputation as a rigid enforcer of dogma, but the German-born pontiff may receive a much warmer welcome here than he has been getting in increasingly secularized Europe.

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Before he became pope, Benedict had earned a reputation as a strict policeman of Roman Catholic doctrine. But many theologians feel he has softened during the past three years.

Before he became pope, Benedict had earned a reputation as a strict policeman of Roman Catholic doctrine. But many theologians feel he has softened during the past three years.

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Tags: holy relics, wiccan, metaphysics, christianity

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‘Prosperity Gospel’ Churches’ Spending Reports Due
Monday is the deadline for some popular mega-churches to report to Congress on how they spend their money. These churches all preach wealth as an essential part of faith.

Monday is the deadline for some popular mega-churches to report to Congress on how they spend their money. These churches all preach wealth as an essential part of faith.

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Source: www.npr.org

Despite Odds, Boston Church Holds Easter Mass
An East Boston church that was supposed to shut down four years ago celebrated Easter Mass on Sunday. Our Lady of Mount Carmel was one of dozens of parishes ordered to close in the wake of a priest sex abuse scandal. Members of the parish have been holding a vigil in the building since 2004.

An East Boston church that was supposed to shut down four years ago celebrated Easter Mass on Sunday. Our Lady of Mount Carmel was one of dozens of parishes ordered to close in the wake of a priest sex abuse scandal. Members of the parish have been holding a vigil in the building since 2004.

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Source: www.npr.org

Dutch Film Criticizing Islam, Quran Angers Muslims
The government in the Netherlands is trying to defuse Muslim anger over a new film that accuses the Quran of inciting violence. The Netherlands’ ambassador to the United States, Christiaan Mark Johan Kröner, talks about the film, Fitna, by Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders.

The government in the Netherlands is trying to defuse Muslim anger over a new film that accuses the Quran of inciting violence. The Netherlands’ ambassador to the United States, Christiaan Mark Johan Kröner, talks about the film, Fitna, by Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders.

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Source: www.npr.org

Benedict Relies on Words, Not John Paul’s Dramatic Images
Pope John Paul II would kneel to kiss the ground of foreign countries. He unleashed doves to signal peace. He placed a prayer of atonement in cracks of Jerusalem’s Western Wall.
Source: pewforum.org

Obama Speech a Major Topic at Easter Services
On Easter Sunday, the new pastor at Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ delivered a sermon titled “How to Handle a Public Lynching.” The controversy stemming from the sermons of Trinity’s former pastor, Jeremiah Wright, and the speech on race by one of the church’s members, Barack Obama, was a major topic at many other churches.

On Easter Sunday, the new pastor at Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ delivered a sermon titled “How to Handle a Public Lynching.” The controversy stemming from the sermons of Trinity’s former pastor, Jeremiah Wright, and the speech on race by one of the church’s members, Barack Obama, was a major topic at many other churches.

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Source: www.npr.org

Tibet Protests and Risks for Freedom
The official Chinese news agency says about 10 Tibetan demonstrators have been killed, supporting protests begun by Buddhist monks in the capital city of Lhasa. Tibetan exile groups say at least 30 people have died. The protests of monks and others may not deliver freedom to Tibet anytime soon, but freedom is an effervescent ideal that can’t be bottled up forever.

The official Chinese news agency says about 10 Tibetan demonstrators have been killed, supporting protests begun by Buddhist monks in the capital city of Lhasa. Tibetan exile groups say at least 30 people have died. The protests of monks and others may not deliver freedom to Tibet anytime soon, but freedom is an effervescent ideal that can’t be bottled up forever.

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Source: www.npr.org

Tags: christianity, wiccan, religious artifacts, religious products

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Barack Obama’s minister, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, was removed from his honorary post on the senator’s Spiritual Advisor Committee. The move comes after broadcast and publication of some of the pastor’s more controversial speeches and sermons. Obama refused to repudiate the Rev. Wright but strongly condemned his remarks.

Barack Obama’s minister, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, was removed from his honorary post on the senator’s Spiritual Advisor Committee. The move comes after broadcast and publication of some of the pastor’s more controversial speeches and sermons. Obama refused to repudiate the Rev. Wright but strongly condemned his remarks.

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The Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s comments from the pulpit at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago have spotlighted on his church and his relationship with Barack Obama. The church being portrayed in the media, however, is unrecognizable to many who are familiar with the congregation.

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s comments from the pulpit at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago have spotlighted on his church and his relationship with Barack Obama. The church being portrayed in the media, however, is unrecognizable to many who are familiar with the congregation.

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An East Boston church that was supposed to shut down four years ago celebrated Easter Mass on Sunday. Our Lady of Mount Carmel was one of dozens of parishes ordered to close in the wake of a priest sex abuse scandal. Members of the parish have been holding a vigil in the building since 2004.

An East Boston church that was supposed to shut down four years ago celebrated Easter Mass on Sunday. Our Lady of Mount Carmel was one of dozens of parishes ordered to close in the wake of a priest sex abuse scandal. Members of the parish have been holding a vigil in the building since 2004.

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Tony Blair has explained his refusal to “do God” while Prime Minister by saying that talking about religions was always a “packet of trouble”. read more…

A generation ago, the Rev. Timothy McDonald founded First Iconium Baptist Church in east Atlanta to fight for the destitute and the victims of discrimination. read more…

Israel at 60 is as prosperous and secure as it has ever been, but its future looks increasingly uncertain, says Gideon Lichfield. read more…

In southern Japan, a long-haired Chihuahua has taken to following his master, a Zen Buddhist priest. As the priest sits in front of the altar to pray, the priest’s pup joins him. As seen on the Web, the dog sits on his hind legs and joins his front paws together in a prayer position.

In southern Japan, a long-haired Chihuahua has taken to following his master, a Zen Buddhist priest. As the priest sits in front of the altar to pray, the priest’s pup joins him. As seen on the Web, the dog sits on his hind legs and joins his front paws together in a prayer position.

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Much-publicized comments by Sen. Barack Obama’s former pastor are rooted in a religious philosophy largely unknown to white Americans. Black Liberation theology interprets the Bible and the gospels of Jesus through the struggle of African Americans against racism and oppression.

Much-publicized comments by Sen. Barack Obama’s former pastor are rooted in a religious philosophy largely unknown to white Americans. Black Liberation theology interprets the Bible and the gospels of Jesus through the struggle of African Americans against racism and oppression.

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Tags: religious artifacts, Hindu, hebrew, Buddist

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Arab Intellectuals Condemn Fatwa Against Writers
Arab human rights activists have condemned a Saudi religious edict calling for the execution of two writers for apostasy – giving a rare glimpse of tensions over Islam inside the conservative kingdom.
Source: pewforum.org

Tibet Protests and Risks for Freedom
The official Chinese news agency says about 10 Tibetan demonstrators have been killed, supporting protests begun by Buddhist monks in the capital city of Lhasa. Tibetan exile groups say at least 30 people have died. The protests of monks and others may not deliver freedom to Tibet anytime soon, but freedom is an effervescent ideal that can’t be bottled up forever.

The official Chinese news agency says about 10 Tibetan demonstrators have been killed, supporting protests begun by Buddhist monks in the capital city of Lhasa. Tibetan exile groups say at least 30 people have died. The protests of monks and others may not deliver freedom to Tibet anytime soon, but freedom is an effervescent ideal that can’t be bottled up forever.

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Source: www.npr.org

Opinion: Muslim True/False
Winning hearts and minds — the Bush administration, foreign policy wonks, even the U.S. military agree that this is the key to any victory over global terrorism.
Source: pewforum.org

‘Sundays in America’ Traces Yearlong Pilgrimage
In her book Sundays in America, Suzanne Strempek Shea discusses a yearlong pilgrimage, during which she visited a different Christian church every Sunday. The journey took her from her New England home to the West Coast to the Deep South to the Midwest.

In her book Sundays in America, Suzanne Strempek Shea discusses a yearlong pilgrimage, during which she visited a different Christian church every Sunday. The journey took her from her New England home to the West Coast to the Deep South to the Midwest.

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Source: www.npr.org

Minister Off Obama Team for Controversial Sermons
Barack Obama’s minister, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, was removed from his honorary post on the senator’s Spiritual Advisor Committee. The move comes after broadcast and publication of some of the pastor’s more controversial speeches and sermons. Obama refused to repudiate the Rev. Wright but strongly condemned his remarks.

Barack Obama’s minister, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, was removed from his honorary post on the senator’s Spiritual Advisor Committee. The move comes after broadcast and publication of some of the pastor’s more controversial speeches and sermons. Obama refused to repudiate the Rev. Wright but strongly condemned his remarks.

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Source: www.npr.org

Religious and Secular Families Unite Over Homeschooling Battle
Madison Browning, 8, spent a recent school day coloring, playing on swings at a park and whirling to Japanese string music at a cozy dance studio.
Source: pewforum.org

Diocese Trying to Restore Trust Through Prevention Programs
It was the worst of times for the Diocese of Oakland.
Source: pewforum.org

Tags: religious artifacts, christianity, holy relics, Hindu

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