ReligionDispatches - Devil's Advocate

Abortion Still Issue in Senate Health Care Reform Bill

Sarah Posner — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:16:01 PST

With reconciliation off the table, can abortion be a way conservative Dems block the bill?

Tell It All, Sister! NJ Female PCUSA Pastor Gets Married—To Another Woman!

David Gillespie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:07:01 PST

Which raises the thorny question: what will the church do about that pesky “fidelity and chastity” clause?

Rick Warren and Homophobia in Africa

Sarah Posner — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:31:01 PST

Controversial Ugandan pastor doesn't understand why ties were severed.

Is Joel Osteen, Success Mag Cover Boy, Really “God’s Best”?

Candace Chellew-Hodge — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:51:01 PST

With his signature combination of controversy-avoidance and biblical cherry-picking Joel Osteen promotes the good life.

Senate Health Care Bill Satisfies Pro-Choice Legislators on Abortion

Sarah Posner — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:55:01 PST

But will the anti-choice Democrats Stupak-ify it?

Jim Wallis' Egregious “Memo to Nation’s Leaders” on Stupak

Daniel Schultz — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:52:01 PST

Sojourners CEO Jim Wallis pleads for compromise on abortion after initial compromise was disregarded; Pastor Dan is appalled.

Just War Tradition v. David Brooks on 9/11 Trials

Louis A. Ruprecht — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:48:01 PST

With the 5 Gitmo detainees believed to be behind the 9/11 attacks being tried in Manhattan, conservatives push for the label of "war" over "crime." Just War tradition doesn't agree.

South Carolina Rejects Christian Vanity Plates

Candace Chellew-Hodge — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:47:01 PST

In a state where it's almost required to have a Christian-themed bumper sticker the legislature approved an "I believe" vanity plate. A federal judge has just deemed it unconstitutional.

The Boa Has Been Passed to New Generation

Mary E. Hunt — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:01:01 PST

A first person account of the recent National Equality March on DC. The future of LGBT advocacy is young and strong.

Are Muslims Really Given a Pass By “Elite Opinion Makers”?

Dan Mathewson — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:54:01 PST

A letter to the Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg from a scholar of religious extremism.

The Democrats Got Religion, At Huge Cost

Sarah Posner — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:09:01 PST

Faith outreach a craven quest for more votes.

Should Churches Get Tax Exemptions?

Daniel Schultz — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:41:01 PST

In the wake of the Catholic Bishops' lobbying hard for the Stupak Amendment a pastor weighs in on tax exemptions for Churches.

Talking Points on Freedom of Conscience and Federal Funds

Sarah Posner — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:10:01 PST

Religious organizations want to be trusted with federal funds. Shouldn't women be trusted too?

Is Karen Armstrong Right? Was Religion Always About Belief or Not?

Louis A. Ruprecht — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:45:01 PST

A commenter from a recent review of Karen Armstrong’s new book writes that a central claim of hers is “utterly false.” Our blogger examines that claim.

Perception v. Reality of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Sarah Posner — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:03:01 PST

Democrats bent to their wishes. Religious pro-choice advocates are asking why.

Latina in America: What CNN Got Wrong

Michelle Gonzalez Maldonado — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:41:01 PST

A four-hour documentary on what it means to be Latino/a in America misses the mark completely.

The Jarring Ugliness of Beauty Queen Carrie Prejean

Candace Chellew-Hodge — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:34:01 PST

Former beauty contestant claims she's being attacked. But it might be simply that — possibly for the first time in her life —someone stopped looking at her body long enough to listen to her words, and found her to be ugly.

Why Don’t Churches Have to Disclose Lobbying Activities?

Sarah Posner — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:42:01 PST

A Democrat in Congress has called for changes to the IRS rules on church issue advocacy. That’s not likely to change, but perhaps some transparency is in order.

Quiverfull on Your TV

The Editors — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:10:01 PST

Tune in tonight to watch Kathryn Joyce.

In Wake of Ft. Hood Tragedy, Few Recall Good Muslim-American Soldiers

Hussein Rashid — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:05:01 PST

Those who denigrate the service of Muslims in the US military only compound the tragedy.

Stupak Bent to Republicans, Not His Catholic Constituents

Sarah Posner — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:11:01 PST

His district is no more Catholic than the rest of Michigan or the country, but it is heavily Republican.

Will the Catholic Hierarchy Punish Six Stupak Supporters Who Voted Against Health Care Reform?

Sarah Posner — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:38:01 PST

Out of 23 Democrats who voted for Stupak-Pitts but against House health care reform bill, six are Catholics.

Letter to the Editor From the Author of Dying for Heaven

The Editors — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:14:01 PST

Bruce Lawrence’s unflattering review of Ariel Glucklich’s new book on suicide bombers elicited a spirited response from the author.

Anti-Choice Catholic Group Threatens to Target House Members at Church

Sarah Posner — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:51:01 PST

Threat to distribute voter guides focused on Stupak-Pitts and abortion voting records may run afoul of IRS rules.

Pro-Choice Groups Livid Over Passage of Stupak Amendment

Sarah Posner — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:20:01 PST

Groups had compromised with anti-choice ideologues to gain passage of broader health reform measure rewarded with biggest rollback of reproductive rights in decades.