Christianity

Faithful to Celebrate Obama With Dance, Song

January 15, 2009

Author: Julia Duin

Source: The Washington Times

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/15/faithful-to-celebrate-obama-with-traditional-dance/

A variety of religions will be whooping it up this weekend at something unique in terms of inaugural festivities: religiously oriented balls.

The African American Church Inaugural Ball will have several bishops in attendance. A Masonic ball is scheduled...

Read more about Faithful to Celebrate Obama With Dance, Song

DUP Man Urges Religious Fightback Against 'No God' Campaign

January 15, 2009

Author: Sam Lister

Source: Belfast Telegraph

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/dup-man-urges-religious-fightback-against-no-god-campaign-14140238.html

Christian groups have been urged by a senior DUP politician to launch a counter-strike to the “There is Probably No God” bus advertising campaign.

Gregory Campbell wants alternative...

Read more about DUP Man Urges Religious Fightback Against 'No God' Campaign

Atheist's Protest Ends Recitation Of Lord's Prayer In N.J.

January 15, 2009

Author: Joe Moszczynski

Source: Religion News Service

http://pewforum.org/news/display.php?NewsID=17345

For nearly 60 years, the town council here started its meetings by reciting the Lord's Prayer. Council members felt the passage gave them guidance and inspiration.

That tradition ended recently after the council's attorney advised members they should heed a request by a resident, an avowed atheist, to stop the practice.

Doug...

Read more about Atheist's Protest Ends Recitation Of Lord's Prayer In N.J.

Iraq Christians Face 'Bleak Future'

January 14, 2009

Author: Joe Sterling

Source: CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/12/24/iraq.christians/index.html

It's a bittersweet Christmas season for Joseph Kassab, who grew up in Iraq under Saddam Hussein's Baathist regime and now lives in Detroit, Michigan. Tempering the season's joy is his concern for fellow Iraqi Christians, who have endured killings, displacement and daily intimidation.

Christians in Iraq face a "bleak future...

Read more about Iraq Christians Face 'Bleak Future'

Italian Rabbis Withdraw From Interfaith Celebration With Catholics

January 14, 2009

Author: Bruce Tomaso

Source: The Dallas Morning News

http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/01/italian-rabbis-withdraw-from-i.html

Italy's rabbis announced they were pulling out of the Italian Catholic Church's annual celebration of Judaism, saying Pope Benedict XVI's actions were turning back 50 years of interfaith progress.

Speaking for the assembly of Italian rabbis, Elia Enrico Richetti, the...

Read more about Italian Rabbis Withdraw From Interfaith Celebration With Catholics

Battle On Crèches In Schools Goes to City Hall

January 13, 2009

Author: Javier C. Hernandez

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/14/education/14nativity.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

In public schools, it is known as the December Dilemma — the delicate balancing of menorahs, Christmas trees, stars and crescents along hallways and in front offices. The New York City Department of Education has long granted such symbols a public place during the holiday...

Read more about Battle On Crèches In Schools Goes to City Hall

Mosque Hosts Interfaith Discussion On Gaza Crisis

January 12, 2009

Author: Aman Ali

Source: The Journal News

http://lohud.com/article/20090112/NEWS02/901120330/-1/newsfront

The local interfaith community came together yesterday to share perspectives on the crisis in the Gaza Strip.

"People really need to talk about this conflict," said Anees Shaikh, communications director for the Upper Westchester Muslim Society in Thornwood. "We see a need for people to say what they want to say in an...

Read more about Mosque Hosts Interfaith Discussion On Gaza Crisis

Minister Chosen for Inaugural Prayer Service

January 11, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/11/AR2009011101465.html

The Rev. Sharon Watkins, pastor of a Protestant denomination with about 700,000 members in the United States and Canada, will deliver the sermon at the National Prayer Service that caps the inauguration activities of Barack Obama.

Watkins will be the first woman to give the...

Read more about Minister Chosen for Inaugural Prayer Service

National Leaders: Christian, Muslim And Jew Pray for Peace Among Nations

January 10, 2009

Author: Rev. Peg Chemberlin

Source: The Star Tribune

http://www.startribune.com/yourvoices/37397179.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUdcOy9cP3DieyckcUsI

The National Council of Churches reports that on Jan. 9, “leaders of three faiths that trace their origins back to a common ancestor -- the Patriarch Abraham -- joined their hearts and pens today to form a...

Read more about National Leaders: Christian, Muslim And Jew Pray for Peace Among Nations

Spiritual Convenience Food for the God-Shaped Hole In Your Life

January 9, 2009

Author: Duke Helfand

Source: Irish Times/The Los Angeles Times

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0109/1231454443296.html

Ever-adaptable American capitalism is pioneering new products to bring religion to those in a big hurry, writes Duke Helfand in Los Angeles

So you're racing through another jam-packed day, late picking up the children from football practice because you got stuck at the office. Then you pay...

Read more about Spiritual Convenience Food for the God-Shaped Hole In Your Life

Faith-Based Communities Gather for ‘Prayer for Peace’ Service

January 8, 2009

Author: Julia Torres-Barden

Source: Midlothian Exchange

http://www.midlothianexchange.com/index.php/news/article/faith-based-communities-gather-for-prayer-for-peace-service/18167/

President of the Virginia Muslim Coalition for Public Affairs Imad Damaj, called his faith brothers, Rev. R. Charles Grant at Bon Air Presbyterian Church and Rabbi Ben Romer of Congregation Or Ami, to...

Read more about Faith-Based Communities Gather for ‘Prayer for Peace’ Service

Faith-Healing Trials to Take Center Stage In Oregon

January 8, 2009

Author: Rick Bella

Source: Religion News Service

http://pewforum.org/news/display.php?NewsID=17300

Two high-profile deaths from 2008 will land in the courts in 2009 when the Oregon justice system determines whether members of an Oregon City faith-healing church acted criminally in the deaths of two children who were denied medical treatment.

The trials, in Clackamas County Circuit Court, could lead to the first legal tests of a 1999 state law...

Read more about Faith-Healing Trials to Take Center Stage In Oregon

Indian Supreme Court Warns Orissa Over Religious Violence

January 7, 2009

Author: Achal Narayanan

Source: Religion News Service

http://pewforum.org/news/display.php?NewsID=17290

India's Supreme Court has told the state government of Orissa that it will not "tolerate persecution of religious minorities" and if the state government cannot protect Christians, "then quit office."

A three-judge panel of the Supreme Court issued the warning Monday (Jan. 5) following a petition filed by Roman Catholic Archbishop Raphael...

Read more about Indian Supreme Court Warns Orissa Over Religious Violence

Pages