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The Incredible Shrinking Catholic Church

By Paul Gorrell

…ous. Drawn together by this shared narrative, the church community is small, insular, and rigid in its political commitments and ethical expectations. Hauerwas’ church engages with the world by transforming its members, not by seeking to transform the ethics of its non-members. This is where the resemblance between Benedict and Hauerwas ends. While Benedict is leading his church into a period of contraction through strict orthodoxy, he wants to ma…

Global Anti-Gay Forces Plot Against ‘Satanic’ Equality Movement

By Peter Montgomery

…for being black or Irish. Mr O’Reilly told PinkNews he was upset at the refusal, saying: “We would understand if her company was solely aimed at her religious group – but it’s not. She does not refuse anyone due to their religion yet she is quite happy to refuse us because of our sexuality.” …“It’s not just wrong, it’s illegal to discriminate against people when you are providing goods and services, you should not discriminate on the grounds of se…

Hold Your Applause: Potential Changes to Roles of Catholic Women and LGBTQ+ People May Just Be Vatican Breadcrumbing

By Mary E. Hunt

…anks that are for men only. In other words, women can serve but men preside, decide, and proscribe. Or, try this false juxtaposition in the IL: “In particular, does authority arise as a form of power derived from the models offered by the world, or is it rooted in service?” (par. 57). It’s as if the Church were without power struggles and as if no social models were rooted in service. Wrong on both counts. A path to women deacons is hinted at here…

Transgender and Christian: Finding Identity

By Jori Lewis

…nital modification. Such differences vary according to socioeconomic status, age, and cultural context, but, in general, transgender people are sprinkled across every color and creed. Transgender people, though, are much less likely to take part in an organized religion than non-transgender people, according to researchers. In their article “Understanding Spirituality and Religiosity in the Transgender Community: Implications for Aging,” authors J…

Contrary to Claims of Anti-Trans Muslims, LGBTQ+ Acceptance is Widespread in the History of Islam

By Ali Olomi

…ing their hands with henna, and wearing feminine clothing. One mukhannathun, Hit, was even in the household of the Prophet Muhammad. Tuways earned a reputation as a musician, performing for clients and even for Muslim rulers. When Yahya ibn al-Hakam was appointed as governor, Tuways joined in the celebration wearing ostentatious garb and cosmetics. When asked by the governor if he were Muslim Tuways affirmed his belief, proclaiming the declaration…

The Religious Case Against Religious Discrimination in Cakeshop Case

By Patrick Hornbeck

…eligious convictions. Laws that require businesses like hotels, restaurants, and, yes, even bakeries to treat all their customers equally “safeguard the ability of each citizen to participate fully in society with dignity.” To the contrary, a decision in Philips’ favor could give sanction to those who, relying on their religious beliefs, might refuse to serve others of a different faith, or of no faith. The denominations are careful to note that t…

Debunking the Myth That Democracy Is “Incompatible” With Islam

By Asma Afsaruddin

…osopher Jacques Derrida similarly depicted Islam as “the other of democracy,” for, according to him, democracy is a European notion that belongs to the Graeco-Christian tradition alone. After September 11, these views have gained more currency in influential circles as prophetic auguries of the inevitable clash between a democratic modern West and an incorrigibly “medieval” and illiberal Islamic world. Contemporary Issues in Islam Asma Afsaruddin…

Religious Exceptions Not So Exceptional According to New Study

By Patricia Miller

…hile most Catholic health care institutions have accepted the accommodation, a number of the nation’s 260 Catholic institutions of higher learning as well as Catholic nonprofits are seeking a broader exemption that would in effect bar their insurers from providing contraceptive coverage as specified under the accommodation designed by the Department of Health and Human Services. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a consolidated case challengin…

A Secret History of Satan

By W. Scott Poole

…ur next book? I plan to continue my collaboration with dark powers. In fact, I am, hopefully, not yet done with Satan. I am in very early talks with an accomplished documentary filmmaker about turning the book into a film or perhaps a documentary series. It’s too soon to pass along any details, but I am hopeful. For my next book, I plan to examine the role of the monster in American history and try to consider what American beliefs about monstrosi…

Are Evangelical Films Destined to Leave Secular Audiences Behind?

By Daniel Silliman

…t sort of controversy to really drive ticket sales. Most evangelical movies, though, have done only well enough to convince others that it’s possible, even if the formula for success hasn’t quite been perfected yet. If they’re not smash hits, faith films haven’t all been complete commercial misses either. The first installment of The Chronicles of Narnia brought a big profit for Walt Disney and Walden Media—around $750 million globally. After a fe…