Wednesday digest

Subscribe by RSS feed: magazine, blogs, news. See all feeds.

New today from the Century:

• Beth Felker Jones on the demise of the Purple Pie Man: "My school-aged self was intrigued by the Purple Pie Man. Since then, kids' TV has spun off in two directions: more violence for boys, threatless universes for girls."

• Sarah Azaransky on the civil rights movement and the global community

• Greg Carey reviews Geza Vermes, who "provides a compelling sketch of the charismatic trajectory in ancient Judaism and locates Jesus within that pattern." (subscription required)

• Carol Howard Merritt on technology and ethics

In the news:

• Conservatives promote House bill to protect opponents of gay marriage
• Assault on professor part of wave of attacks on Sikhs, Muslims, others
• United Methodist high court to consider challenges to gay teachings
• Catholic chaplains given marching orders barring service to gay couples