Search for "cheap airline tickets from salt lake city to phoenix phone number 1-800-299-7264"

No More Religious Groups in NYC schools—Where’s a Hipster Church to Go?

By Nicole Greenfield

…. The use of public schools for services may now be off-limits in New York City, but the use of other public spaces to help spread the gospel is thriving. Reminiscent of the coffeehouse churches that preceded them (which apparently were what lured the founders of Bronx Household of Faith to New York City in the first place), the theaters and the bars and the concert halls are not just cool and comfortable new spots to worship, but they are the cur…

Freedom of Religion Means Freedom for All

By Lauri Lebo

…e somebody lately protests the building of a new mosque—either in New York City or in other cities across the country—they’re always careful to cloak their opposition with earnest assurances that they’re not opposed to religious freedom. But there is only one response to such an assertion: Yes…you…are. (And I’m talking to you, Anti-Defamation League). In a statement opposing New York City’s approval of the building of an Islamic center two blocks…

Fight the Tower: Protests Continue at Union Theological Seminary

By Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons

…e. And finally, Union was founded as the first seminary located in a major city. Our commitment to New York City and the needs of urban communities is central to Union’s future. During one community discussion of the project, the option of moving Union’s campus came up. President Jones said, “We’re a New York institution.” The question for Union to consider is which New York it commits itself to? The rapidly gentrifying New York that drives people…

Churchgoers, Stay Home—It’s The American Way

By Shelby Balik

…lis has, for the first time, publicly broadcast its calls to prayer to the city’s Muslim community so they can pray in unity from home. But in other cases, this transition has meant providing entirely new services. Temple Emmanuel, a Reform synagogue in Dallas, Texas, hosted a Zoom seder for 500 people, despite never having organized congregational seders before. The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of York (Pennsylvania) sponsors online worksh…

Burning Man: Fear of an Alternative Pagan Social Order

By John W. Morehead

…on city for Burning Man, for example, were met with strong opposition from city leaders out of fear that “the city’s image and business projects would be tainted,” and of course religious groups, including conservative evangelicals, have had their issues as well. Although a few evangelical critics have written positive analyses of Burning Man, including an essay in Christian Research Journal by Steve Rabey, and a recent essay in Christianity Today…

Russian Zombies Follow in Pussy Riot Footsteps

By Joseph Laycock

…ess the spreading zombie phenomenon. Yakovlev received permission from the city to organize a “Zombie Parade” earlier this summer, but his permit was revoked. It is not entirely clear why the city decided to shut down the zombie parade, but it appears to have been in response to a coalition of religious groups and moral entrepreneurs. The local Russian Orthodox diocese complained that “raising the dead” is un-Christian. (The irony of this claim wa…

Hajj Journal: Makkah as the Most Romantic City

By Amina Wadud

Besides my falling in love with a rather simplistic architectural structure (after all, it is a cube), I observe the hajj as the most romantic place on the earth. It’s definitely a place you should go with your partner, husband, or wife. I have never seen so many Muslim couples so affectionately connected. They hold hands as they pass through the crowded streets. Our hajj guide directed that the stronger one physically, usually the man, should wa…

No Christmas in the Village of Philly

By Anthea Butler

…e Christmas Wars have started in the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia. City officials have decided that a sign marking the entrance to the Christmas Holiday Market is offensive. The City’s Managing director has been bombarded with calls regarding the change, while irate (normal) Philadelphians have been excoriating City Managing director Rich Negrin and others for the change in the sign. The market, modeled after the German Christmas markets,…

A Matter of the Heart: Talking to Gay Christian Rocker Jennifer Knapp

By Kristin Rawls

…rts and shows, as well as contributing to these dialogues we’re having. My phone’s ringing off the hook, and I’m participating as much as I can in discussions with LGBT lay people and clergy. There are so many people who want to have a positive dialogue about this. I’m getting to the point that I feel like I can engage at a positive level and contribute to that conversation. So, did you follow the recent change in the Presbyterian Church-USA? Th…

The Atheist Encounter with Christianity: A Failure to Disbelieve?

By Paul Wallace

…hese ideas correlate with reality? To find out, I say again: Get to know a number of highly intelligent, thoughtful Christians. Don’t go to the ones who talk a lot about hell or insist on converting you. The thoughtful ones are out there, I promise. With the Internet they’re not too hard to find and they live in every city and town in America. Ask as many questions of them as possible, and encourage them to ask as many questions as possible. Take…