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Religion News in Brief

President Barack Obama's address to the Muslim world last June was chosen as the top religion story of 2009 in a survey of journalists who cover the beat.

Air Force Academy says religious climate improving

The Air Force Academy says religious tolerance has improved dramatically since allegations five years ago that evangelical Christians harassed cadets who didn't share their faith. Even the school's most vocal critic agrees.

Christian goods spoof commercial brands or logos

Christian stores have just the Christmas gift for Facebook fans: A "Jesus Christ wants to be your friend" T-shirt that mimics the design of the popular social networking site.

Christian goods spoof commercial brands or logos

Christian stores have just the Christmas gift for Facebook fans: A "Jesus Christ wants to be your friend" T-shirt that mimics the design of the popular social networking site.

Religion News in Brief

Russia's highest court has upheld a ruling that halts the activities of a regional branch of Jehovah's Witnesses and bans dozens of its publications.

Atheists at Christmas: Eat, drink and be wary

Angie O'Neill recently moved into a new apartment complex for seniors and she's trying to make new friends. But Christmas is a tough time of year for an atheist.

Religion News in Brief

A court in northern China has sentenced five leaders of an unauthorized Protestant church to prison terms of up to seven years on charges including illegal assembly, rights groups reported.

Court won't revive student's suit over grad speech

The Supreme Court won't revive a student's lawsuit against a school that punished her for talking about her religion during her high school graduation speech.

Familiar Bible phrases in culture

Familiar Bible phrases in contemporary culture:

Rare exhibition brings together Spanish sacred art

An unprecedented exhibition at the Indianapolis Museum of Art is drawing visitors from around the world to see 71 pieces from 45 lenders in Spain, Mexico, Peru and other countries.

Religion News in Brief

An Oregon legislative leader plans to introduce a bill to repeal a 1923 state law that bans teachers from wearing religious garb.

'Woe is me' to those who miss biblical rhetoric

If a phrase like "Woe is me" sounds familiar, it should. It comes from the Bible and has entered everyday language.

Court turns down student over religious speech

The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from a student who complained that high school officials violated her constitutional rights when they turned off her microphone during her religion-tinged graduation speech.

Religion News in Brief

Former megachurch pastor Ted Haggard said he will continue to hold weekly prayer meetings at his home, three years after he was ousted from the church he founded amid a scandal involving a male prostitute and drug use.

Catholic documents in oldest US city preserved

Sister Catherine Bitzer slowly opened a file box and carefully removed a brittle page, scarred by years of neglectful storage, mold and insects. At 415 years old, the marriage record written by a Roman Catholic priest is still readable and is one of the oldest known European records from the United States.

Gone to the dogs: LA church starts pet service

When the Rev. Tom Eggebeen took over as interim pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church three years ago, he looked around and knew it needed a jump start.

On ‘Survivor,’ the weak shall not inherit

New York lawyer Elizabeth Kim, 33, was voted off Foa Foa. Russell was annoyed by her constant talking — and by the threat she posed to his strategy. Liz knew she was at risk if only because she was one of the tribe's physically weaker members, but Jaison's poor performance during the immunity challenge almost saved her. Almost.

Religion News in Brief

An Ohio village's Christmas parade has been canceled amid concerns over possible lawsuits, expected protests and logistical problems.

Scoop: Scientologists not anti-gay, official says

The Church of Scientology is responding to claims that the religion is anti-gay, an allegation made by “Crash” director Paul Haggis, who is publicly denouncing the church’s practices.

Evangelists target spiritually cold New England

It's hard to tell in the quiet of a color-splashed autumn morning, but Redeemer Fellowship Church is trying to set roots in a rough neighborhood. For churches, anyway.

Religion News in Brief

A polygamous sect is asking the Utah Supreme Court to overturn a state court decision that stripped the religious purposes from its communal land trust.

Religion News in Brief

Rudimentary telescopes, celestial globes and original manuscripts by Galileo are going on view at the Vatican Museums as part of an exhibit marking the 400th anniversary of the astronomer's first celestial observations.

Former religion reporter now preaches from pulpit

On the first Sunday morning of October, pastor Steve Scott looked far beyond the surroundings of his western Wisconsin congregation to find worthy subjects for their prayers: recent natural disaster victims in Indonesia and the Philippines.

Ky. church ordains sex offender as minister

A tiny Louisville church's newest minister is a gifted music leader and popular among its three dozen members.

Religion News in Brief

The nation's Roman Catholic bishops have revised a recent statement on salvation, Jews and evangelizing in response to Jewish concerns over the document.

The Vine
Born! Born! Born in Bethlehem; Just Not in December
Source: Australian News Network

The phenomenon of the 'Star of Bethelehem' continues to be debated. I know I will hear from Terra Cognita again - ha! As a side note...science is debating whether the Myan calendar and the dreaded 2012 prediction is basically the same astronomical event.

Priest: Thou shalt not steal (unless it's from big business) - CNN.com
Source: CNN

Finally, religion being used to do some good.

The Seventh Commandment: Protect the Marital Relationship The Ten Commandments
Source:

Men and women were designed to be together, to need each other. Marriage, a natural union of a man and a woman, is divinely ordained, established by God at the creation.

Priest in Britain Advises Congregation to Shoplift
Source: FOXNews.com

"My advice as a Christian priest is to shoplift," Jones reportedly told churchgoers during his Sunday sermon. "I do not offer such advice because I think that stealing is a good thing, or because I think it is harmless, for it is neither."

Defending abortion from a liberal Christian perspective
Source: UU World

For most of the history of the Catholic Church, one did not become a human being or a person until well after conception.

Jewish anger as Pope Benedict moves Pius XII closer to sainthood
Source: Guardian Unlimited

The outpouring of rage is rightfully so. It's appalling that Benedict would even consider Pius XII for sainthood when he clearly supported the Nazi regime during the Holocaust. But then again... Benedict is a Nazi sympathizer.

"Honour Killings" of women in Britain: doubling every year!
Source: Telegraph

"Honour killings" are now running at the rate of one a month, it has emerged, following a shocking rise in violent crimes committed in Britain in the name of religion.

On religious discrimination, India next only to Iraq: US thinktank - India - The Times of India
Source: Times of India

A study carried out by Washington-based Pew Research Centre, the highly respected US thinktank, said India is next only to Iraq when it comes to social hostility and religious discrimination perpetrated by individuals and groups.

Atheists Celebrate Christmas, Too
Source: San Jose Mercury News

It's the winter solstice, and Silicon Valley's atheists, agnostics and humanists want to extend their sincere, secular season's greetings.

Your Right To Be Healed

To many this will come as Good News: Did you know that you have a right to be healed of your sickness or the pain you suffer?

"And in rare cases", sayeth the Lord, "Thous shalt Shoplist"
Source:

A parish priest in Northern England has been criticized for telling his congregation that it's acceptable for vulnerable people to shoplift.

'Thou shalt shoplift' says priest
Source: BBC News

A priest from North Yorkshire has advised his congregation to shoplift if they find themselves in hard times. Father Tim Jones, the parish priest of St Lawrence and St Hilda in York, said people should steal from big chains rather than small businesses.

Christmas Display Targets Islamic Faith -- baltimoresun.com
Source: The Baltimore Sun

This video, a compilation of Christmas lights displays from Gainesville, Florida, starts off like any other. You'll see a nice selection of lights and houses decorated for the holidays.

Imams out of touch, says Australian Government report
Source: Melbourne Herald Sun

IMAMS in Australia are badly trained, speak poor English and are "out of touch with contemporary reality", the Federal Government has been warned.

Christmas Spirit & Islam by Amil Imani
Source: The New Media Journal Headline News

This is the time of the year that the air is filled with everything Christmas. There is something for everyone: gifts for family and friends, prayers at churches, and Christmas music everywhere.

John Paul II Closer to Canonization
Source: ZENIT RSS-Newsfeed

"Benedict XVI authorized the decrees that recognize the heroic virtue of Popes John Paul II and Pius XII, which pushes them both one step closer to canonization."

Bible Study - Satan's Role in Causing Suffering Why Does God Allow Suffering?
Source:

Satan is a major reason for people's suffering. The Bible tells of "that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan" (Revelation 20:2), who rules over mankind as the "prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2).

MacKillop to be Australia's first saint - Yahoo!7 News
Source: Yahoo! News

Mary MacKillop is set to become Australia's first saint after approval from the Pope arrived for her second miracle.

Christmas is a Christian holiday - if you're not in the club, then buzz off.
Source: The Baltimore Sun

Unitarians listen to the Inner Voice and so they have no creed that they all stand up and recite in unison, and that's their perfect right, but it is wrong, wrong, wrong to rewrite "Silent Night." If you don't believe Jesus was God, OK, go write your own damn "Silent Night" and l …

Witches' brew at winter solstice (The false history of Wicca)
Source: Slate

Christmas and Hanukkah may be the most well-known end-of-year religious holidays, but each December, Wiccans celebrate winter solstice, which marks the shortest day of the year.

In a Rich Tapestry of Columns, a Search for Common Threads
Source: The New York Times

This has been a consistently good column on beliefs and as this piece says it has not ducked the tough questions

Sex On Earth. Sex In Heaven?
Source: Pravda

In reading this column, I found this line curious:

Faith Diary: TV Sex
Source: BBC News

The BBC's Religious Affairs correspondent Robert Pigott looks at the prospect of TV advertisements for abortion services and condoms, and the enduring legacy of the Protestant reformer Calvin.

Support lower for U.N. text on religion defamation
Source: Reuters

The U.N. General Assembly condemned defamation of religion for the fifth year running on Friday but support continued to erode for a resolution Western countries say threatens freedom of speech.

Gaza must be rebuilt now
Source: Guardian Unlimited

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