Holy Relics » Blogroll

Hezbollah Gunmen Take Control of Beirut (Religion News)

Jose — Tue, 20 May 2008 07:00:18 +0000

Hezbollah Gunmen Take Control of Beirut
Tensions are high in Lebanon’s capital after three days of gun-battles have seen Hezbollah fighters taking control of much of the city. At least 11 are dead, and on Friday Hezbollah fighters attacked a pro-government TV station.

Tensions are high in Lebanon’s capital after three days of gun-battles have seen Hezbollah fighters taking control of much of the city. At least 11 are dead, and on Friday Hezbollah fighters attacked a pro-government TV station.

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

Source: www.npr.org

Gay issue dividing Lutheran Church in Canada
A Lutheran church parish in Newmarket plans on ordaining a married gay man despite warnings it is breaking Church teachings and it will face disciplinary action, including expulsion, if it goes ahead.
Source: pewforum.org

Pastor John Hagee on Christian Zionism, Katrina
John Hagee believes the end of days, the Rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ are imminent. He says that the rebirth of Israel and the restoration of Jerusalem are a prelude to the return of the Lord.

John Hagee believes the end of days, the Rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ are imminent. He says that the rebirth of Israel and the restoration of Jerusalem are a prelude to the return of the Lord.

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

Source: www.npr.org

Fla. to Consider Key Church-State Question
The potential repeal of a century-old Florida law barring state funding for religiously affiliated organizations is to be put before the voters there this fall, at the end of a lobbying battle that has attracted the attention of President Bush and has engaged a coalition of liberal or secular educational groups.
Source: pewforum.org

Disaster Tests Local Chinese Congregation’s Faith
A week ago, a massive earthquake hit the province of Sichuan in southwestern China, damaging a Christian church in the city of Chengdu. A recent visit reveals that although the quake also rocked parishioners’ faith, it did not destroy it.

A week ago, a massive earthquake hit the province of Sichuan in southwestern China, damaging a Christian church in the city of Chengdu. A recent visit reveals that although the quake also rocked parishioners’ faith, it did not destroy it.

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

Source: www.npr.org

Jewish Court Questions Conversions
Hundreds – and, perhaps, thousands – of Jewish converts may soon have their status invalidated. The High Rabbinical Court in Israel has questioned the integrity of an official who oversaw their conversions. Rabbi Shaul Farber, director of the Jewish Life Information Center and Shaney Gilbert, who converted to Judaism 2005, discuss the case and its implications.

Hundreds – and, perhaps, thousands – of Jewish converts may soon have their status invalidated. The High Rabbinical Court in Israel has questioned the integrity of an official who oversaw their conversions. Rabbi Shaul Farber, director of the Jewish Life Information Center and Shaney Gilbert, who converted to Judaism 2005, discuss the case and its implications.

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

Source: www.npr.org

Tags: metaphysics, religious artifacts, Buddist, hebrew

Pope Delivers Serious Message to Young Catholics (Religion News)

Jose — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:00:26 +0000

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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, religious artifacts, wiccan, Hindu

Assessing Race in America, Obama Calls Pastor Divisive (Religion News)

Jose — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 07:00:20 +0000

Assessing Race in America, Obama Calls Pastor Divisive
Senator Barack Obama renewed his objection to the controversial statements delivered by the longtime pastor of his Chicago church, but declared in a speech here Tuesday that it was time for America to ?move beyond some of our old racial wounds.?
Source: pewforum.org

Christians, Muslims Move Ahead on Global Talks
Religious leaders plan to meet this year in the US, Britain, and at the Vatican to defuse tensions.
Source: pewforum.org

Climate Change Prompts Debate Among Baptists
A group of Southern Baptist leaders says the denomination has been “too timid” in addressing environmental issues. The letter may show the growing influence of a younger generation of evangelical Christians.

A group of Southern Baptist leaders says the denomination has been “too timid” in addressing environmental issues. The letter may show the growing influence of a younger generation of evangelical Christians.

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

Source: www.npr.org

Survey on American Belief Overturns Some Scholars’ Theories
Findings in the study shed new light on issues around which there has been no scholarly consensus.
Source: pewforum.org

Evangelicals Find the Center
Rejecting political partisanship, more Evangelicals are embracing a broader agenda.
Source: pewforum.org

Flocking to the Right
Evangelical Protestants don’t have a monopoly on the religious right.
Source: pewforum.org

McCain Mixes Up Iraqi Groups
Sen. John McCain, in the midst of a trip to the Middle East that he hoped would help burnish his foreign policy expertise, incorrectly asserted Tuesday that Iran is training and supplying al-Qaeda in Iraq, confusing the Sunni insurgent group with the Shiite extremists who U.S. officials believe are supported by their religious brethren in the neighboring country.
Source: pewforum.org

Religious Leaders Help Renters Buy in New Orleans
The Jeremiah Group has developed a loan plan to turn the city’s low-income renters into homeowners. Instead of rejecting the idea as an impractical suggestion by idealistic do-gooders, the state embraced it.

The Jeremiah Group has developed a loan plan to turn the city’s low-income renters into homeowners. Instead of rejecting the idea as an impractical suggestion by idealistic do-gooders, the state embraced it.

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

Source: www.npr.org

Tags: holy relics, hebrew, christianity, Islam

French Activists Fight Female Genital Mutilation (Religion News)

Jose — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 08:00:46 +0000

Many Muslims in sub-Saharan and North African countries observe the ancient rite of female genital mutilation. One estimate says more than 50,000 affected women now live in France, where a campaign to prosecute those responsible is under way.

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

Mitt Romney’s campaign for the presidency brought more attention to the Mormon Church than it has had in years. What the church discovered was not heartening. read more…

The Archbishop of Canterbury says the adoption of certain aspects of Sharia law in the UK “seems unavoidable”. read more…

The president and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) has died after leading millions of Mormon faithful for nearly 13 years. Gordon B. Hinckley was 97. He had spent most of his adult life in the Mormon leadership.

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

The violent attacks by al-Qaeda and by the Sunni insurgent group al-Qaeda in Iraq have led people and religious groups in the Muslim world to reduce their financial support for Osama bin Laden’s terrorist network and to question its leadership, senior U.S. intelligence officials told Congress yesterday. read more…

Tags: Hindu, Islam, christianity, holy relics

Church Announces Different Kind of ‘Comeback’ (Religion News)

Jose — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 20:00:16 +0000

Sens. Hillary Clinton and John McCain weren’t the only ones “resurrected” in the past week, notes commentator Peter Manseau. The Roman Catholic Church announced that it will exhume the body of Padre Pio, an Italian priest made a saint in 2002.

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

The economy is emerging as a big issue in the presidential campaign. Presidential contenders in both parties are touting their economic plans for reviving the ailing economy. Upcoming contests will be critical for some candidates.

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

Italians rally to support Pope Benedict after he cancelled a speech for the opening of the academic year at Rome University following student protests. The students and some professors say the pontiff’s reactionary views and “anti-science” attitudes made him an unsuitable speaker.

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

The cemetery in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf, called the Valley of Peace, holds the remains of millions. It’s the coveted final resting place for Shiite Muslims from around the globe. The site is considered auspicious because it is next to the tomb of Imam Ali, the Prophet Muhammad’s son-in-law and the man Shiites believe to be his true heir.

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

Pastor Rick McKinley and his wife Jeannie McKinley are tired of the consumerism that dominates Christmas time. Instead, they are part of the Advent Conspiracy, a mission to encourage people to worship more and spend less around the holidays.

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

Father A.J. Cote, a Dominican friar, was sued two years ago for allegedly abusing a minor. Depositions in the case reveal the Dominicans operate under a system where warning signs can go undetected and a problem priest can find refuge in new assignments for years.

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

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

Forget arranged marriages or Western-style dating; an increasing number of young Muslims are turning to companionship organizations in hopes of meeting a spouse, while maintaining respect for their Islamic traditions. It fills a void for American Muslims, particularly converts to Islam.

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

Giuliani Endorsed by Televangelist Pat Robertson (Religion News)

Jose — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 20:00:30 +0000

Televangelist Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Coalition, is endorsing Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani. This comes as a surprise to some since Giuliani backs abortion and gay rights, a position that puts him in conflict with most conservative organizations.

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

The state’s new law mandating a moment of silence at the start of the school day may be derailed after a federal judge on Wednesday blocked its imposition in one suburban district. read more…

Proclaiming a sense of new energy and empowerment, the nation’s Roman Catholic bishops on Wednesday issued instructions to Catholic voters that their eternal salvation could be at stake when they cast ballots. read more…

Many conservative voters are hesitant to back Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, whose faith is Mormon. The former Massachusetts governor faces a particular challenge in South Carolina, where voters are largely evangelical.

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

Some lawmakers in Oklahoma have turned down free copies of the Koran from a state panel on diversity after a Tulsa legislator claimed the Muslim holy book condones killing innocent people. Islamic groups say they need to do a better job of educating Americans about the Koran.

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

A jury says a Kansas church has to pay more than $10 million in damages for protesting at the funeral of a U.S. Marine killed in Iraq. Church members waved signs saying, “Thank God for Dead Soldiers.” They believe the war is God’s retribution for U.S. tolerance of homosexuals.

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

U.S. Catholic bishops on Wednesday (Nov. 14) overwhelmingly approved new moral guidelines for Catholic voters that prioritize ending abortion and warn that political choices could impact a person’s salvation. read more…

In December 1968, Mitt Romney returned home from a Mormon mission in France to find a changed country. read more…

Tags: metaphysics, religious products, christianity, hebrew

Rival Shiites in Iraq Agree to Truce (Religion News)

Jose — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:00:31 +0000

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.

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

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

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

Jose — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 19:00:14 +0000

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: religious products, christianity, Hindu, wiccan

Study: College Campuses May Nurture Faith (Religion News)

Jose — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 07:00:35 +0000

For any who think that the university is hostile territory to religion, there is new evidence that Jesus is still a big man on campus. read more…

Presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani is rejecting calls to fire one his top homeland security advisers, Rep. Peter King, after the Long Island Republican said there are “too many mosques” in the United States. read more…

A Calfornia pastor decided to have Sunday services in an unlikely location — a popular Los Angeles nightclub. During church service, popular hip hop songs play, and the pastor connects Christianity to popular cultural references.

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

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

The Internal Revenue Service has told a prominent Pasadena church that it has ended its lengthy investigation into a 2004 antiwar sermon, church leaders said Sunday. read more…

Tags: hebrew, Hindu, holy relics, Buddist

Taliban Hostages Were Visiting With Christian Group (Religion News)

Jose — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 19:01:39 +0000

Taliban Hostages Were Visiting With Christian Group
The 23 South Koreans captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan are still being threatened with execution, but the deadline has been delayed. The hostages are members of a church group that rented a bus in Kabul to travel on a dangerous road to Kandahar.

The 23 South Koreans captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan are still being threatened with execution, but the deadline has been delayed. The hostages are members of a church group that rented a bus in Kabul to travel on a dangerous road to Kandahar.

» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us

Source: www.npr.org

Reporter’s Religion Beat Leads to Faith Crisis
Los Angeles Times religion reporter William Lobdell was an evangelical Christian when he took the job, and during his time on the beat, he almost converted to Catholicism. But he says that after covering religion for eight years, he has lost faith in Christianity and left the religion beat.

Los Angeles Times religion reporter William Lobdell was an evangelical Christian when he took the job, and during his time on the beat, he almost converted to Catholicism. But he says that after covering religion for eight years, he has lost faith in Christianity and left the religion beat.

» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us

Source: www.npr.org

L.A. Catholic Diocese to Pay $660M in Abuse Cases
In Los Angeles, a judge is expected to sign the largest settlement ever in a clergy sex-abuse case. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to pay $660 million to more than 500 people who say they were abused by priests and other clerics.

In Los Angeles, a judge is expected to sign the largest settlement ever in a clergy sex-abuse case. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to pay $660 million to more than 500 people who say they were abused by priests and other clerics.

» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us

Source: www.npr.org

Report: Religion Still Marginalized in Foreign Policy
U.S. foreign policy officials have shown an increased understanding of religion’s importance to American diplomacy, but the government’s activities in that area display a “lack of strategic thinking” that hampers efforts abroad, according to a new report.
Source: pewforum.org

Secularists Wary of Turkish Party’s Roots in Islam
The Justice and Development Party’s win in Turkey’s elections has secularists nervous, as the prime minister’s party has roots in political Islam. Soner Cagaptay, an expert in Turkish secularism, says Turkey’s brand of Islam is progress-oriented and outward-looking.

The Justice and Development Party’s win in Turkey’s elections has secularists nervous, as the prime minister’s party has roots in political Islam. Soner Cagaptay, an expert in Turkish secularism, says Turkey’s brand of Islam is progress-oriented and outward-looking.

» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us

Source: www.npr.org

Sex Abuse Divides, Unites Best Friends
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles will settle its clergy abuse cases for at least $600 million, by far the largest payout in the church’s sexual abuse scandal, The Associated Press learned.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles will settle its clergy abuse cases for at least $600 million, by far the largest payout in the church’s sexual abuse scandal, The Associated Press learned.

» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us

Source: www.npr.org

Catholics Concerned Latin Mass Not Progressive
Earlier this month, Pope Benedict approved two major documents that Vatican observers see as signals of a major theological shift in the Catholic Church. The Pope approved wider use of the old Latin mass and reasserted the primacy of the Roman Catholic Church above all other Christian religions.

Earlier this month, Pope Benedict approved two major documents that Vatican observers see as signals of a major theological shift in the Catholic Church. The Pope approved wider use of the old Latin mass and reasserted the primacy of the Roman Catholic Church above all other Christian religions.

» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us

Source: www.npr.org

Tags: Buddist, christianity, metaphysics, religious artifacts