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Hawaii Democrat poised to be elected first Hindu in Congress
Hindu Americans have run America's major companies and universities, won Nobel prizes and Olympic gold medals, directed blockbuster movies, and even flown into space....
Mormons in our pages
My sister went to St. Olaf; I went to Wheaton. The differences are many--she chose Olaf after hearing both orchestras--but one that's always struck me is the fact that she was able to study world religions with tenure-track professors who actually practice them. I was not, because Wheaton requires faculty to sign a statement of faith--a model that has upsides but also pretty serious downsides.
I have no problem with people of faith who maintain, in a pluralistic world, that their particular tradition offers something crucial and unique. I am one. But when it comes to learning about another faith tradition, given the option why would you want to learn from someone who isn't personally invested in it?
What are productive ways to talk about climate change?
Earlier this year, the Century published a piece by an environmental scientist on just how radical the current shift in CO2 levels are—from the perspective of 50 million years. As I was working with that scientist, Lee Vierling, on the piece, we struggled to find a language that he and I and readers of the Century could share.
He wanted something that was fluid and scientifically absolutely accurate. He also wanted to be certain that he was not using scare tactics.
Thursday digest
New today from the Century: Lillian Daniel on AAR-SBL and the Hyatt boycott, Bruce Epperly reviews Living the Questions, more.
Living the Questions, by David M. Felten and Jeff Procter-Murphy
On more than one occasion, pastors and laypersons from progressive congregations have confided in me, “We are a little weak in our theology; we know what we don’t believe but have trouble articulat...
Leaving and grieving
This is the third time I've said goodbye to a congregation. I should know how by now, but I'm still overwhelmed by the emotional awkwardness.
Female Lutheran pastor mounts uphill bid for Ohio congressional seat
TOLEDO, Ohio (RNS) While the presidential candidates have been discussing values and downplaying their personal religious beliefs, faith is front and center in the race for Ohio's 5th Congressional...
Sultans of Satire aims to bridge gaps with Muslims, Arabs through comedy
LOS ANGELES (RNS) Unshaven and wearing a black hoodie and cap, Omar Elba looked out from the lectern, surrounded by a gold cross and organ pipes....
Foot traffic a worry at the Sistine Chapel
Five hundred years ago, on October 31, 1512, Pope Julius II led an evening prayer service to inaugurate the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo’s newly finished vault frescoes....
Legislating from the bench?
The U.S. Supreme Court has decided to consider whether to grant review of the Defense of Marriage Act. This follows the recent appellate court decision declaring the 16-year-old law unconstitutional. Judges in New York and Boston have now said DOMA violates the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause and interferes with a state’s right to set marriage eligibility requirements.
But the final word will come from the Supreme Court.
Wait, what? You're a liberal?
Recently I was having a conversation with someone and I said that a certain author was too conservative for me, but that his material could certainly be adapted to other uses, and they responded th...
Wednesday digest
New today from the Century: Craig Barnes on leaving his congregation, Steven Porter on the Supreme Court and DOMA, more.
The Philosophy of Hebrew Scripture, by Yoram Hazony
Hazony argues that the classical divide between “Athens and Jerusalem”—or reason and revelation—comes from a misunderstanding of Hebrew scripture....
Sunday, November 11, 2012: Mark 12:38-44
Some years ago I visited a Roman Catholic parish in one of the poorest areas of Mexico City....
Personal soundtrack
After school, I was milking the cow and listening to the radio when I heard a menacing baritone intone the words, "I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die." It made an impression.
Obama endorses gay marriage push in Washington, Maine
President Barack Obama on Thursday (Oct. 25) endorsed the same-sex marriage referendum on the Washington state ballot and also formally backed a similar measure on the ballot in Maine....
Looking for an undecided voter? Check the pulpit
Pollsters and politicians hunting for the rare and elusive undecided voter might want to train their sights on the pulpit....
Top Southern Baptist official breaks pledge, endorses Romney
Breaking a longstanding personal pledge, Southern Baptist leader Richard Land has endorsed GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, saying next week's election is the most important since Abraham Linc...
Awarded a free campus, Christian college declines
Five weeks after accepting a free, 217-acre campus in western Massachusetts, a for-profit Christian university has walked away from the gift....