Religion Dispatches
…d by Ronald Reagan. But the man knew what he spoke of. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loT_pYzi3Vw In sharp contrast to the bleakness of “Mama Tried” stands the deep hope of the greatest Christmas song ever written, “If We Make It Through December,” with its trusting assertion “I plan to be in a warmer town come summertime.” Haggard rarely name-checked the Lord in his songs, but he didn’t need to. You couldn’t listen to a line like that without kn…
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…t was aware of, but could not confirm, those reports. India: International Commission of Jurists Calls For Repeal of Sodomy Law Last Friday the International Commission of Jurists released a briefing paper calling on the Supreme Court to decriminalize same-sex relations. The Court has agreed to review its 2013 decision that reinstated the colonial-era sodomy law. Newsgram published John Burbidge’s memoir of his journey of personal and sexual disco…
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…anchised classes, and to solve their financial burdens Smith implemented a complex and communitarian system of property redistribution called “The Law of Consecration.” “If ye are not equal in earthly things,” one of Joseph Smith’s revelations bellowed, “ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things” (Doctrine and Covenants 78:6). Smith—who himself came from a family that faced immense financial troubles—chastised one of his clerks for emphasizi…
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…n Mixtape.” I thought to myself, “He’s done it again.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jz1VRfdbmY In the spring of 2015, I completed my master’s thesis on theology and the arts. Coming from a Pentecostal tradition, I often wrote on how the sacred exists outside the walls of the church. I was determined to integrate my love of musicals with my theological work. When I discovered the Hamilton cast was almost entirely made up of people of color, I k…
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…n’t—keep them safe. In Baltimore, symbolic gestures on the pulpit are best complemented by concrete actions in our streets. In coming years the black church’s role in the struggle for justice might be less pivotal than it may have been in earlier eras. It remains to be seen whether the engagement of black churches in issues that directly affect black people will call more people to the pews on Sundays. But if these actions are consistently success…
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…a reflection of a broken world, and others believe that “the neighbor and community are best served when same-gender relationships are lived out with lifelong and monogamous commitments that are held to the same rigorous standards, sexual ethics, and status as heterosexual marriage.” 73% of members believe homosexuality should be accepted by society. Assemblies of God (Evangelical) Members (as of 2010): 3,030,944 The Assemblies of God deems “ho…
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…from deviant sexual orientation,” she said. Reuters reports that National Commission on Human Rights commissioner Muhammad Nurkhoiron “has lambasted the KPI’s ban and said the commission should instead encourage programs that could shed light on the LGBT community.” Australia: Religious leaders call for parliamentary vote, not plebiscite, on marriage Forty religious leaders, including Catholic, Anglican, Uniting, and Buddhist leaders, urged Prime…
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…men and 14 men—both new and old members—say they’re seeking friendship and community. Most newcomers introduce themselves as transplants from around the country. A young man, visiting from Michigan, is checking out the church community to see if Santa Monica might be a good place to move. A group leader emphasizes that through YMA you can go out to bars and talk about God, but in casual conversation others downplay religion, stressing that members…
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…ion, that’s racism under another name. I don’t care how awakened they’ve become, if their religion depends on stripping elements off other cultures for them to coo over and feel exotic, then that’s orientalism. I can’t take time off work for Gowri Habba and Ganesh Chaturthi because my boss thinks us Hindus have too many holidays. I can’t bring in a homemade lunch without getting stares. I can’t go to a company dinner in a sari even if it’s designe…
Read More…ina Pierson that demonstrates the campaign’s overall tone-deafness when it comes to Catholics: https://twitter.com/katrinapierson/status/148442868065894400 Of course, a strong Trump showing in the first two-thirds of the primary calendar would largely make the Catholic-leaning later states a moot point. But if Ted Cruz manages to peel off enough of the evangelical vote from Trump to keep himself, and Rubio, in the race through April, the Northeast…
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