By The Way: Gay Marriage in Iowa, not California?
To all the breathless detractors of “flyover country,” think about the history of Iowa before expressing shock.
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The Bible as Security Blanket, Blindfold, or Weapon
Drawing on sources as diverse as feminist theology, biblical criticism and Midrash, renowned poet Alicia Suskin Ostriker’s latest book of essays seeks to rescue the Bible from the clutches of narrow conservatism.
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Pop-Eye: Global Jesus on Film
In this invitation to inter-cinematic dialogue, S. Brent Plate offers a Lenten season roundup of Jesus films from all across the world, and not a blue-eyed protagonist among them.
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Survey Says: Mainline Clergy Lean Liberal
Conservative clergy and pundits have worked overtime to create the impression that there’s only one “Christian” position on the issues. A new survey proves otherwise.
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Pretty People, Shiny Clothes: Biblical Illiteracy in NBC’s Kings
Television fails once again to do justice to the complexity of biblical narrative.
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Divine Inspiration: Kings Works Wonders
Drawn from the Bible, Kings takes a risk that pays off. Plus, we get Ian McShane.
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Grasping At Straws: The Problem with Common Ground on Abortion
What could possibly be wrong with finding “common ground” on abortion, as a recent Cleveland Plain Dealer op-ed suggested? A closer look at the “commongroundniks” leaves a lot to be desired for those who don’t compromise on respect and support for women.
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Pro-Life Tempest Over Obama’s Notre Dame Speech
Obama’s scheduled Notre Dame commencement has a small, largely powerless, group of Orthodox Catholics singing for publicity to an obliging media. Why did Notre Dame take the bait?
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By the Way: Religious Right Losing its Grip?
College Democrats at Pat Robertson’s Regent U., Notre Dame’s refusal to rescind an invitation to the pro-choice president—younger evangelicals and Catholics are in rebellion and it doesn’t bode well for the once-commanding presence of the religious right.
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Double Helix: Science & Religion as Cultural Kindling; A Response to The New Republic
A recent New Republic book review argued that science and religion cannot be reconciled. In response, biologist Arri Eisen suggests that we acknowledge the ‘pink elephant’—the thorny questions that arise when religion and science meet—and use it as an opportunity to teach and learn about the conflicting perspectives.
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