Baptized but lost the faith? Want to rid yourself of that pesky ‘elect’ feeling? Edwin Kagan, director of American Atheists, will de-baptize you with his handy blow dryer. Or if you do believe in God, worried about what happens to Fido or Mr. Boots after you’re raptured? Eternal Earth-bound Pets, USA is a group of atheists willing to take care of your pet after you’ve been taken to glory.
Tuesday marked the 41st anniversary of the moon landing. What did evangelicals think about it, at the time?
NPR offers a view into religious life in China. So far, the series has profiled women imams, Protestants, and Catholics. Sufis from Pakistan brought ancient devotional music to modern New York City. The Umayyad Mosque in Damascus stands at the crossroads of Christianity, Islam, and Roman paganism. In Italy, the Catholic Church is advocating for the rights of immigrants—Muslim immigrants at that.
Do Rastafarians and Quakers have something in common?
A Hindu temple in Chicago inaugurated the Swami Vivekananda Spiritual Center this past weekend. The space will be used for yoga and meditation. It is dedicated to the Hindu leader who broke onto the American scene at the 1893 World’s Parliament of Religion, also held in Chicago. The World’s Parliament may return to the United States, as Dallas has made the list of possible host cities alongside Guadalajara and Brussels.
This week’s billboard story: A “My Life, My Death, My Choice, FinalExitNetwork.org” sign in New Jersey has stirred criticism from Catholics and suicide prevention groups.
Mainline churches are struggling to maintain their buildings as memberships and offerings decline. Some Christians don’t see the point of buildings. House churches are growing among many Christians disillusioned with traditional church structures. As one observer put it, “For many, church has become too much (like a) business while they just want to live like the Bible.”
Is religious studies a zoo?
The Spanish Parliament has rejected a ban on burqas in public. Some in Boulder, Colorado argue that new city council rules accidentally ban burqas and hijabs at meetings. And in case you’re unsure of the difference between a burqa and a hijab, take a look at this explanation.
A piece of artwork in the Sacramento County Public Law Library has caused a kerfuffle. The piece features a Bible with a label across the front reading “Warning! May Impair Judgement.” Speaking of poor judgment, a non-denominational Florida church plans to host “International Burn a Qur’an Day” on the anniversary of 9/11. The same Gainesville church made news in the past with its “No Homo Mayor” signs opposing an openly gay mayor.
Lt. Governor of South Carolina André Bauer discusses how he uses shoes to save souls. New York Governor David Paterson denied reports that he had swapped Judaism for his Catholic faith. However, Gwyneth Paltrow is taking mystical kabbalah to the Hamptons with her. In other actress news, Jennifer Anniston spent $4000 on a Buddhist statue.
