Religion Dispatches
For months, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) anticipated that this year’s annual Washington DC policy conference, slated to kick off Sunday, would focus on US pressure to deter Iran’s nuclear ambitions. But much to AIPAC’s dismay, two recent events threaten to blunt that message, alter the tone and content of the conference and, more broadly, the US-Israel relationship. One event involves the highly publicized US-Israel disagr…
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…ted Church of Christ, we both come out of the Evangelical and Reformed tradition. I know for example that it is a pet peeve of yours, as it is mine, when that German side of the tradition gets ignored. Walter: Right. Dan: Do you think any of that tradition survives in your work? Walter: Oh, very much so. I’m increasingly aware of it and, I think, intentionally work that way. Dan: From the perspective of social justice or engagement? Walter: From s…
Read MoreSince writing my two articles about the ongoing scandal in the Catholic Church, I’ve been having some interesting conversations by email and phone with Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Some people have emailed me to say “right on.” Others, like some of my relatives, are just hurt, scared, and wondering if they can trust anything about their local priest, diocese, or bishop. I’ve received invitations to come and join the Episcopal Church (are yo…
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…ing into a proper cultural phenomenon. Its success brought it back to televisions in the U.S. for the first time in nearly 30 years, airing first on Syfy and now on BBC America. So viewers on both sides of the Atlantic are finally able to see a remarkable science fiction show that doesn’t shy away from issues of philosophy, ethics, politics, and theology. For instance, there’s the first season episode “Dalek,” in which the Doctor’s face-off with a…
Read More…er crossed paths and received help from groups like Army of God (which explicitly supports killing abortion providers) and Operation Rescue, which is less explicit. Operation Rescue’s Troy Newman issued a statement after Tiller’s death condemning the violence and claiming that his group “has diligently and successfully worked for years through peaceful, legal means” to end abortion. Army of God, Robb reports, has a manual which asserts, “Whosoever…
Read MoreAmerican Vision is a Christian Reconstructionist organization that publishes books and newsletters, runs a discussion board, a web-based radio show, and annual conferences and engages in other activities to promote the dominionist views of its founder Gary DeMar, as well as those of one of its most well-known associates, Gary North, the son-in-law of Christian Reconstructionist founder R.J. Rushdoony, and a supporter of Ron Paul whose economic wr…
Read More…as his ongoing attempts to teach creationism and his refusal to remove religious posters and other items from his classroom—has been dragging on since October 2008. The attorneys have until July 26 to present briefs that will serve as their final arguments. They then have until Aug. 2 to respond before the referee reaches a decision. As always, Richard Hoppe, over at Panda’s Thumb, has the most comprehensive accounts of the debacle, which first b…
Read More…have been getting calls from some soldiers who don’t want to serve in the military next to openly gay men and women. They want to know if this means they could qualify for conscientious objector status. So far, the calls are few and far between. The New York Times builds its whole story out of a handful of phone calls and an email. But the article indicates that those who run the various nonprofits that help soldiers achieve conscientious objector…
Read More…ay’s Christian Woman 3. Order camouflage Bible 4. Call Pat Robertson for spiritual guidance 5. Put hubbie on short leash 6. See if can find any prayer warriors willing to go all biblical on Levi 7. Send Rush a belated wedding gift Mel Gibson 1. *&^%^%$#@!!! 2. Mail in donation to Christians United for Israel 3. Promote The Passion of The Christ 4. Drink 5. Drive 6. Repeat Pope Benedict 1. Order unkosher communion wafers 2. Get a little behind in w…
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…oach of Ramadan in the summer, to say nothing of this year’s unbearable humidity. But I was worried about Ramadan for months now, and for another reason. When the first sliver of a crescent moon is sighted, it marks the beginning of a new month (or a new year). Some Muslims have adopted calculation in advance, choosing to figure out the months well in advance. Makes it easier to plan. Others, myself included, like to wait up all night to hear word…
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