Religion Dispatches
…We have an unprecedented access to cheap goods, yet we must recognize that cheap goods are cheaply made. I am not speaking of quality, I am speaking of cheap labor. We must recognize that through the act of shopping, whether it is for an article of clothing, a toy, a pint of strawberries, or even our morning cup of coffee, we participate in a global economy that values profit over people. Disposable goods are made by disposable people, faceless in…
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…e success either. The opening weekend saw sales of more than $6 million in tickets. That’s the kind of number that will inspire others to try and figure out the formula for the faith-and-family blockbuster. Yet, with the cost of the film reportedly exceeding $30 million, it’s an open question whether or not the Left Behind reboot will get a second installment. The marketing problem of evangelical movies is still, stubbornly, a problem. The general…
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…pastors. Their suitability for ministry is in deep question. In the recent Brazilian case, Archbishop Walmor Oliveira de Azevedo Belo Horizonte, the president of National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB), opined: “Sexual violence is terrible, but the violence of the abortion is unjustifiable, considering all existing resources available to guarantee the lives of both children.” I beg to differ with him. Sexual violence and all that surrounds…
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…versal Church of the Kingdom of God, the major Pentecostal denomination in Brazil. Although Brazil is the world’s largest Catholic nation, the local evangelical community is increasing and now accounts for a fifth of the 200 million inhabitants of the country. Known for their religious songs on YouTube as “Jesus heals” and “I am Israel” Crivella drew criticism for his statements against homosexuals, Catholics and African religions. In a book he wr…
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…omitant failure to invest in public education, health, and transportation, Brazilian authorities turned down the Vatican’s request. Francis’s visit to Brazil does serve to highlight the promise of his focus on the poor. He will visit Varginha, one of the poorest communities in Manguinhos, an area popularly known as “the Gaza Strip” for its high levels of violence among drug traffickers and between them and the police. Francis will not only celebra…
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…ou’ll read an excerpt below—has surprised me, too. I wish I could find my airline companion and give him this book, to surprise him, too—in a good way. (I would accept Lakers tickets in lieu of apologies, but I think that particular era is done.) This whole book is a result of a profound evolution, and needs to be seen as such. American Muslims have gone through a lot over the last few decades. We were never the caricature Islamophobes made us ou…
Read More…that could be used to target media, social media, and human rights groups. Brazil: Legislator Says Drought God’s Punishment for Pride Parade Pastor Sargento Isidório, a legislator in the Brazilian state of Bahia who describes himself as an “ex-homosexual, ex-junkie and ex-thug,” is blaming the area’s drought on the Gay Pride Parade: “When the skies close up and there is no rain, because the people have sinned against you— here I’m talking about th…
Read MoreAt oral argument in Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. and Conestoga Wood Specialties, Inc. v. Sebelius this morning, the Supreme Court justices spent a great deal of time questioning the lawyers in the case about whether corporations have a religious conscience, and whether Congress intended to protect it when enacting the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). What was most striking, though, was how all three female justices, Sonia So…
Read More…he Guardian: Supported by evangelical Christians, protestors from the Free Brazil Movement accused the exhibition – which included 263 works from Brazilian greats such as Candido Portinari and Lygia Clark – of promoting blasphemy, paedophilia and bestiality, charges its curator vigorously denied. “They are passing the limits of tolerance and we are giving them a response,” said Silas Malafia, a leading evangelical pastor. Brazil’s artistic communi…
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…rindade, after “a 13-year courtship.” CNN reports: “It’s the first time in Brazil that a mayor has starred in his own same-sex marriage!” Souza said with a laugh. “We want to give visibility to gay marriage and encourage others to take advantage of their rights.” He said he has received some hate mail, but mostly messages of support on social media. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Brazil since 2013 after a decision by the National Council of J…
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