The Right Church? — Long-time religion writer Richard Ostling (Christianity Today, the Associated Press) offers this approach to guiding church shoppers and seekers: “This request characterizes the church-shopping by many would-be returnees and is worth some attention.” Of possible interest as spiritual diversity increases on campus.
Top 50 Countries Most Difficult for Christians
Top 50 Countries Most Difficult for Christians — Open Doors released its annual World Watch List (WWL) that ranks the top 50 countries “where Christians face the most persecution,” aiming to create “effective anger” on believers’ behalf. It wasn’t increased violence that primarily drove persecution to record levels in 2014, but rather increased “cultural marginalization.” […]
British Churches Assert Magna Carta’s Christian Heritage
British Churches Assert Magna Carta’s Christian Heritage — The Magna Carta is the 13th-century document enshrining the rights, privileges and liberties of the clergy and the nobles. Considered a founding document for human rights, it enumerates the church’s right to appoint its own clergy, bishops and archbishops following a bitter church-state row about who should […]
Update: Cost to Small Businesses That Refuse to Participate in Same-Sex Weddings
Update: Cost to Small Businesses that Refuse to Participate in Same-Sex Weddings — These business owners declined to work with same-sex couples, stating their religious beliefs prevented participation in same-sex ceremonies. The couples sued, alleging discrimination. Here’s an update on where their cases stand as 2015 gets underway
Atlanta Fire Chief Dismissed: Religious Bias?
Atlanta Fire Chief Dismissed: Religious Bias? — Mayor Kasim Reed’s decision to dismiss his fire chief last week for giving co-workers copies of a Christian self-help book condemning homosexuality is fanning new kinds of legal and political flames. See also NYT article.
Covering Religious Violence: 8 Factors Journalists Should Know
Covering Religious Violence: 8 Factors Journalists Should Know — Journalists and policymakers must not jump to the conclusion that religious differences are enough to fuel religion-related violence, warns Prof. John Wolffe, in a report titled, “Religion, Security and Global Uncertainties.” Wolffe advocates digging deeper to learn why and how stable, diverse communities break down, resulting […]
Faith on the Hill
Faith on the Hill — Nine-in-ten members of the newly elected 114th Congress are Christian — a significantly higher share than is seen in the general population. Many other major religious groups are also represented in the body, including Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and the unaffiliated. This Pew Center report does the break-down.
What Scientific Idea is Ready for Retirement?
What Scientific Idea Is Ready for Retirement? — This 4 min. video collage offers several responses to this question. Possibly useful for discussion about the tentativeness of science, definitions and claims about knowledge, and the authority of paradigms.
In Search of a Science of Consciousness
In Search of a Science of Consciousness — Philosopher Alva Noe reviews Waking, Dreaming, and Being, (Columbia Univ. Press, 2014) a new book by Evan Thompson on neuroscience, the problem of consciousness, and religious meditation. Thompson continues the ongoing discussion on the phenomenological gap between what neuroscience accounts for and what we actually experience.
A Teacher’s Guide to Discussing Religion in the Public Classroom
A Teacher’s Guide to Discussing Religion in the Public Classroom — From a public high school social studies teacher, this brief article continues the discussion of the place of religion in tax-funded schools and the role of religious content in civil discourse in a liberal democracy.
