News - October, 2011

News

Supreme Court sidesteps issue of roadside crosses

Oct 31, 2011 by Adelle M. Banks

The Supreme Court says it will not reopen a case in which a lower court ruled that highway crosses memorializing Utah state troopers are unconstitutional.

The court decision October 31 was harshly criticized by Justice Clarence Thomas, the lone dissenter. He said it "rejects an opportunity to provide clarity" to an area of church-state law that is "in shambles."

News

Seminaries look to update ministers’ skill set

Oct 31, 2011 by G. Jeffrey MacDonald

For more than 200 years, Andover Newton Theological School has trained future pastors to have expertise in biblical studies, pastoral care and preaching. But the nation's oldest school of theology has decided that in today's world, that is no longer enough, and other schools are starting to agree.

News

St. Paul's dean resigns, cites protest controversy

Oct 31, 2011 by Jo Siedlecka

London, October 31 (ENInews)--The Rev. Graeme Knowles, dean of St. Paul's Cathedral, resigned on 31 October as the fallout continued over the handling of an "Occupy London Stock Exchange" anti-corporate protest camped outside the church's doors.

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Cardinal’s claim disputed by Catholic theologian

Oct 31, 2011 by David Gibson

An unusual public dispute is brewing between Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl and a feminist theologian who essentially accused Wuerl of lying about the hierarchy's review of her work.

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Girl's death prompts moral soul-searching in China

Oct 31, 2011 by Calum MacLeod

c. 2011 USA Today

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Baptist school expels transgender student

Oct 31, 2011 by Bob Allen

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (ABP) – California Baptist University expelled a transgender student who listed her gender as female on her application form and appeared on an MTV reality show saying she is biologically male.

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UK churches seek action on tax avoidance

Oct 31, 2011 by Jo Siedlecka

London, October 31 (ENInews)--Representatives from the United Kingdom's main Christian denominations and charities submitted a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer (treasury secretary) on 31 October, urging the government to tackle tax avoidance in order to "Close The Gap" between rich and poor.

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Less than half of Americans know Romney's a Mormon

Oct 27, 2011 by Adelle M. Banks

c. 2011 Religion News Service

(RNS) Less than half of Americans know that GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney is a Mormon, despite recent media attention focused on his faith, a new survey shows.

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St. Paul's cleric resigns, cathedral supports legal steps to remove protesters

Oct 27, 2011

ENInews Staff/ENS

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Pope convenes interfaith summit, but prayer is optional

Oct 27, 2011 by Francis X. Rocca

c. 2011 Religion News Service

ASSISI, Italy (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI hosted some 300 representatives of world religions here on Thursday (Oct. 27) for an interfaith summit on justice and peace, with distinct changes made to the event first convened 25 years ago by Pope John Paul II.

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Penn Jillette's 10 Commandments for atheists

Oct 27, 2011 by Kimberly Winston

(RNS) In his new book, "God, No!" atheist magician Penn Jillette tells how he was challenged by conservative radio host Glenn Beck to come up with an atheist's version of The Ten Commandments.

    "I wanted to see how many of the ideas that many people think are handed down from (G)od really make sense to someone who says, `I don't know.'"

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Magicians say their craft makes them see faith as just hocus-pocus

Oct 27, 2011 by Kimberly Winston

c. 2011 Religion News Service

(RNS) Magician Penn Jillette and his shorter, quieter partner Raymond Teller have mystified audiences around the world with theircard tricks and other illusions that would make even Harry Houdini proud.

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Clergy, politicians find out how far food stamps go

Oct 27, 2011 by Josef Kuhn

Religious leaders and members of Congress were getting a firsthand taste of what it's like to eat on $4.50 a day as part of the Food Stamp Challenge in Wash­ington. In the challenge, participants try to live for a week on the average amount received by people who use food stamps, known as the federal Supple­mental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP).

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Activists bemoan low priority given to religious freedom

Oct 27, 2011 by Lauren Markoe

c. 2011 Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS) Religious freedom advocates on Wednesday (Oct. 26) lamented America’s failure to protect the faithful abroad, saying things have gotten worse, not better, since the issue first gained tractionmore than a decade ago.

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Faith groups target `Super Committee' on poverty

Oct 26, 2011 by Josef Kuhn

WASHINGTON (RNS) As the deadline for a federal deficit-reduction plan looms, religious communities are holding prayer vigils, phoning politicians and organizing letter campaigns in a bid to protect safety net programs for the poor.