ReligionDispatches - Bill Berkowitz

C Street Scandal, the Media, the Future of the Family: An Interview with Jeff Sharlet

Bill Berkowitz — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:01 PDT

It was a hot summer for the Family, the exclusive conservative Christian group with designs on DC power—three politicians with ties to their C Street headquarters were caught in sex scandals. Jeff Sharlet, author of the definitive book on the secretive group, talks with us about the flickering media spotlight, and the future of the Family.

The Next Generation of the Pro-Life Movement

Bill Berkowitz — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 22:00:01 PDT

Young people are being trained by militant anti-abortion groups to be informed, media-savvy, publicity-oriented foot soldiers in the battle to outlaw abortion.

Planned Parenthood ‘Stung’ By Lila Rose

Bill Berkowitz — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:00:01 PDT

Lila Rose, a 20-year-old UCLA student, is taking on Planned Parenthood with a phony story, video equipment, and support from a host of Christian Right media outlets and organizations.

Eternal Culture War: Pat Buchanan on Notre Dame and Sotomayor

Bill Berkowitz — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:00:01 PDT

The original culture warrior has softened his rhetoric, but the message, aired all day long on various networks (it seems) is no less divisive than in the heady days of the early ’90s.

Spiritual Medicine: Bridging the Gap Between Religion and Psychology

Bill Berkowitz, Gale Bataille — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:01 PDT

Activists and advocates have launched an initiative to further the understanding of the role of religion and spirituality in mental health. Conferences next month will bring clergy and mental health workers together to break new ground.

RDBook: Christian White Nationalism in the Age of Obama

Bill Berkowitz — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:01 PDT

What’s a white racist to do these days? A new book examines the history of white nationalism as it has moved from the fringe to the mainstream, describes the religious roots of the movement, and alerts us to its political and social goals.

The New Christianity: What the Mainstream Media Has Missed

Bill Berkowitz — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:01 PDT

To cover a new religious movement, you have to know that the movement exists. An interview with Bruce Wilson.

Are Evangelicals Suffering From Buyer’s Remorse with Obama?

Bill Berkowitz — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:00:01 PDT

Plus: Let the Judicial Wars begin; Falwell Jr. warns of The Rapture; Out gays will create ‘turmoil’ in the military, says anti-gay leader, and more.

Jerusalem Countdown: Christian Zionists and the New Israeli Government

Bill Berkowitz — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:00:01 PDT

Three of the top Apocalypse-watchers of the Christian Right have big love for Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu.

Postcards From the Edge: Crackpot Anti-Gay Crusader Goes Global

Bill Berkowitz — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:00:01 PST

Scott Lively, the founder of Abiding Truth Ministries and the author of the the weird book The Pink Swastika, is declaring war against the Southern Poverty Law Center, while taking his anti-gay crusade overseas.

It's Bring Your Gun to Church Day

Bill Berkowitz — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:01 PST

Christian Security Network; The Rev. Lowery & The Rev. Moon Cross Paths; Economic Crisis May Downsize Death Penalty; Christian Author’s $10,000 Challenge; and Conservatives in Hollywood donate to McCain/Palin.

What in the Name of the Crusades are Tennessee Evangelicals Doing in Kurdish Iraq?

Bill Berkowitz — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:01 PST

In an exclusive interview, investigative reporter Mike Reynolds uncovers the special relationship between Iraqi Kurds and a group of American evangelicals that practices “spiritual warfare,” harbors a deep animosity toward Islam, and views the region as the evangelistic final frontier.

Culture Wars Today, Tomorrow, and Forever?

Bill Berkowitz — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:01 PST

Undermining Obama; The Haggards Play Oprah; Coral Ridge Ministries Makeover; Focus on the Family turns to plagiarist Tim Goeglein; GOP’s Taliban Fever; and AFA’s Project Push Back.

Worse Than Madoff: Amway Launches Domestic Revival

Bill Berkowitz — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:01 PST

The company whose founders helped finance the modern conservative movement is returning home to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary.

Conservative Black Preacher Leads Crusade Against Hate Crimes Legislation

Bill Berkowitz — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:00:01 PST

Bishop Harry Jackson, the African American head of the High Impact Leadership Coalition, has raised his profile by joining with top-shelf Religious Right groups in opposing gay rights and the inclusion of gays in hate crimes legislation.

Obamunism? The Traditional Values Coalition Coins a Term

Bill Berkowitz — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:00:01 PST

Plus: Anti-abortion groups march on; Tony Perkins’ advice to Obama; Focus on the Family sets Newsweek straight; CPAC rides again; a boom in Christian films; and Training against the death penalty.

Virtual Islam: Peace, Love, and Some Understanding?

Bill Berkowitz — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:00:01 PST

After spending a year exploring life in digital Islamic communities, a new project finds that people are building new narratives to find ways to coexist; their report even includes a policy recommendation for the Obama administration’s diplomacy efforts in the Middle East.

Religious Right Targets Obama Picks, Daschle and Holder

Bill Berkowitz — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 19:00:01 PST

Plus: Bill Maher’s “Christian Bashing”; African-American support for Prop. 8 exaggerated; Trouble in Narnialand and Worst anti-Gay voices

Amway, Religious Right Pyramid Scheme, Returns to the Motherland

Bill Berkowitz — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:00:01 PST

“Emerald”-level member uncovered fraud and deception before being kicked out; Charles Colson and “Redemption”; Americans United’s Top Ten Church-State stories; and more.

Death Penalty, Debated (Dedicated to the Memory of Sarah Horowitz)

Bill Berkowitz — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:00:01 PST

The tension between an anti-death penalty activist and her conservative father, author David Horowitz, echoes the nation’s tension.

Paul Weyrich, “Godfather” of Modern Conservative Movement, Dead at 66

Bill Berkowitz — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:00:01 PST

You may not know the name, but you know his work.

Religious Right to Newsweek: ‘Woe to [You] for Even Printing This’

Bill Berkowitz — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:00:01 PST

RD News Round-Up—December 15, 2008: Bush’s Faith-Based Initiative after 8 years; ‘War on Christmas’ mash-up; Religious Right layoffs and cutbacks, ‘Prop. 8—The Musical,’ Prop. 8 Gear, and the first Vietnamese American elected to Congress.

Proposition 8—the Rematch?

Bill Berkowitz — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:00:01 PST

RD News Round-Up—December 8, 2008: Proposition 8—The Rematch; California Supreme Court Justice in Religious Right’s Crosshairs; American Family Association’s 40th Birthday; and “The Last Languages Campaign,” Breakaway Episcopalians, and “Counterfeit Pro-Lifer[s].”

Purpose-Driven Empire

Bill Berkowitz — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:01 PST

RD News Round-Up—December 2, 2008. Rick Warren and Reader’s Digest’s multimedia platform; Faith-based orgs and Katrina; Churches for sale; Breakaway Episcopalians; and Bob Jones U. apologizes for racism; and Ted Haggard returns.

Busy Days For ‘eBay of Prophecy’

Bill Berkowitz — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:01 PST

RD News Round-Up—November 24, 2008: Religious Right’s ‘Obama Watch’; RaptureReady.com getting readier; Focus on the Family’s ‘I Stand for Christmas’ campaign; Proposition 8: The Aftermath; Huckabee’s revenge; Christian doctrine cures OCD?