Hackers group Anonymous takes down Vatican website: http://t.co/B6lbGAVp
WGN-TV calls doomsday prophecies "an illusion": http://t.co/mv8Gzyw7
RT @graceishuman: Really,? Asking people JUST LEAVING the service how they felt about it? Tacky, tacky, inappropriate
Whitney Houston's funeral service really took the world to church. Love Pastor Winans' honesty, very moving.
#teacher ? Here are appropriate responses to situations with your Jehovah's Witness student: http://t.co/A6UfqcgH
#Teachers: Want to know why your Jehovah's Witness student won't say the pledge and how to respond? http://t.co/EIdlgDwW
3 common questions teachers ask about their Jehovah's Witness students: http://t.co/kPTygb8r
3 common questions teachers ask about their Jehovah's Witness students: http://t.co/0y3R4WZV
Hey @BlackArtistNews check out this sculptor, this will blow your mind. My mind seriously can't take this in. http://t.co/I4VgB8ni
What do reporters have to say about balance in religion? Watch the video from last night's panel: http://t.co/jutu8oJ9
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Archive for April 2010
On April 15, US District Judge Barbara Crabb ruled that the law authorizing a National Day of Prayer in the U.S. is unconstitutional and violates the First Amendment (which prohibits a federal endorsement of religion). The National Day of Prayer has been a lawful celebration since 1952 and would have been celebrated this year on May 6.
In this article, Crabb said she didn’t want to suggest prayer is wrong; rather, she wanted to send a message that the government cannot endorse any one religious message from any religion.
President Obama’s role
President Obama did not put an end to the National Day of Prayer. Initially he had said he would proclaim the day but would pray privately (instead of publicly, as the day calls for). Crabb’s ruling stops him from being able to call for the celebration. Obama’s administration says it will appeal the ruling.
The American Center for Law and Justice has also filed an amicus brief to have the decision overturned. The group represents 31 members of Congress.
The Graham issue
The National Day of Prayer Task Force had organized an event at the Pentagon for the National Day of Prayer. Franklin Graham, son of Christian evangelist Billy Graham, was set to speak at the event. But after 9/11, Graham had called Islam a “wicked religion.” So Muslims called for him to be removed from the National Day of Prayer event, and the Pentagon withdrew his invitation. Following the withdrawl, the National Day of Prayer Task Force backed out of the Pentagon event.
Their anger hasn’t died down. But it all seems kind of moot if no one will be able to publicly celebrate the National Day of Prayer.
It seems both sides could be argued – of course Americans would like their freedoms protected without having government tell them what to believe. But does removing a long-held celebration suggest that what’s being celebrated is wrong? What do you think?
Created by Religion Transcends, 2010
In another example of interfaith services, FaithHouse Manhattan in NYC, a multireligious church, is holding interfaith gatherings twice each month. It’s part of a movement called “twinning” in which two or more religious groups get together to worship. The idea is that there are enough similarities that they can focus on those and can understand that all paths lead to God.
This Washington Times article admits that some evangelicals from various religions are not quite accepting of such gatherings, though they are becoming more open to the idea of interfaith dialogue. Perhaps there needs to be a distinction between interfaith foundations/movements/discussions and interfaith churches. It seems likely that more people would agree that talking about peace among religions is important. It seems less likely that evangelicals from all faiths could say “Yes, our religions are all the same and all lead to the same place.”
The goal of interfaith dialogue, interfaith gatherings, and so forth should be to allow each person to freely worship and believe without persecution, discrimination, and other barriers. If (and only if) twinned services can allow this freedom of belief without causing each religion to lose its unique identity or asking religions to ignore central tenets, then perhaps this is another way to transcend hate and work toward understanding.
Would you agree?
Created by Religion Transcends, 2010
Talk about diversity.
NorthWood Church, a Baptist congregation in Keller, Texas, recently combined services with the local Jewish temple and an Islamic Center. Over the course of four days, congregants from all three houses of worship met at the Temple Shalom, NorthWood, and the Dallas mosque to hold three separate services highlighting similarities among the religions.
The idea was to create understanding, an opportunity for dialogue, and ultimately cooperation. The pastor admits to receiving criticism about “watering down Christian doctrines” but says each religion does (and should) hold onto its own beliefs as the singular truth. It’s more about the religions opening up to each other to talk about their similarities and differences.
Want the rest of his answer to criticism? Check it out on the Ministry Today site. Religion Transcends applauds this minister’s attempts at love, peace, and understanding. He has transcended criticism and anger and hatred, seeking only to love those around him and to open his doors to them.
Disagree? Think it’s a bad idea?
Created by Religion Transcends, 2010
When Barack Obama took over the office of United States president, he switched up a number of traditions from his predecessors. Or at least he switched up a couple of programs instituted by his predecessor, Former President George W. Bush. The world is constantly watching to see what Obama will say about Islam, Christianity, God, prayer, religious leaders, etc. And we’re watching to see how often he attends a religious service – which service is it? where is it? is it enough? What is our fascination with Obama and religion? First let’s check out a brief timeline of Obama’s intersection with religion-related activities.
November 2008: Obama enrolls his children in a Quaker school in DC.
January 2009: Obama gives his first interview (speaking to Muslims) on Arabic TV.
February 2009: Obama introduces the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
May 2009: Obama chooses not to publically pray at the National Day of Prayer event and instead prays in private.
July 2009: Obama meets with the pope to talk about ways they can cooperate.
Fall 2009: The Bush administration had initiated a faith-based initiative to get involved in religious charities without telling religious charities who they can hire. Controversy surrounds Obama’s decision to maintain Bush’s faith-based initiative related to charities.
March 2010: Obama is urged to appoint a religious freedom ambassador (a position required by law).
Later that month, Obama tells NBC:
“We’ve decided for now not to join a single church. The reason is because Michelle and I have realized we are very disruptive to services,” Obama replied. “We occasionally go across the street to St. John’s, which is a church that a lot of presidents traditionally have gone to. We love the chapel up in Camp David. It’s probably our favorite place to worship because it’s just family up at Camp David. There’s a wonderful chaplain up there who does just a great job. So usually when we go to Camp David we go to church on Sundays there.”
Controversy surrounds this decision (check out the comments on this Fox Nation page).
April 2010:
At the beginning of the month, Obama spoke to multiple faiths with an interfaith holiday greeting (around Passover and Easter).
People are now counting the number of times Obama has attended church since he took office (the answer is four).
It seems that all of this controversy backed Obama into a corner where he likely felt forced to talk about beliefs he considered private. At a White House Easter breakfast on April 6, Obama told Christian leaders that he has been redeemed by Jesus Christ and is thankful for his sacrifice.
When a judge rules that the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional, Obama’s administration says it will appeal the ruling.
Does it matter whether he is religious/supports religions?
One’s religious beliefs could certainly have an effect on one’s ability to do his job, one’s decisions within that job, and so forth. And while we can all attempt to separate our beliefs from our life’s work, our worldview colors our actions. At this point, it seems Obama would do well to be open about his faith and religious views, setting an example of honesty and understanding for the country. But would it matter at this point? Have people already decided what religion Obama professes without hearing him out? If he came out and said “I’m Christian” would that satisfy those who are angry? Would it in turn anger members of other religious groups? Where do you weigh in?
Created by Religion Transcends, 2010