Israeli Right Demonizes Israeli Left, With American Money
The recent firing of a progressive leader by the Jerusalem Post has lit up the international press. If Israel is entering its own McCarthy era, as many fear, it is not without American support—on both sides. So where’s the American media coverage?
Believing in Tiger Woods
While Tiger Woods’ public apology offers us the chance to talk about rituals of confession and repentance, we must not forget to ask who this mythical “public” is that we hear so much about.
Whether it’s the Mayan prediction of the 2012 cataclysm or the theology of the rapture, predictions of the end of the world tell us as much about ourselves as about the coming apocalypse. And we’ve got plenty to worry about either way.
Tiger Woods has admitted being serially unfaithful to his wife. What does this have to do with religion? Try the themes of transgression, confession, and the institution of marriage.
In a recent Christian Century feature presenting the reading habits of some “expert observers of the religion scene,” one expert added a curious disclaimer to his mention of RD.
Planned Parenthood ‘Stung’ By Lila Rose
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.
What happens when the flagship vehicle for mainline Protestant voices starts to falter?
Would Manny Ramirez’s Clone Use Steroids?
Unless you are a geneticist the answer may surprise you. The ethical problems with cloning turn out to be the result of some confusion about what cloning is, and isn’t.
Outrage Outs Closeted Pols Opposed to Gay Rights
Documentarian Kirby Dick maintains that his new film isn’t merely righteous mimicry of tabloid journalism.
In a recent speech on the the economy, Obama could have stressed biblical justice; instead he opted for a “post-partisan” emphasis on firm foundations and solidarity in common cause.
Will the Real Progressive Christians Please Stand Up?
A walk through recent Christian history—from the rise of evangelicalism, through neo-Orthodoxy, and on to Liberation theology—reveals the roots of the current debate among those who identify as progressives.
Survey Says: Mainline Clergy Lean Liberal
Conservative clergy and pundits have worked overtime to create the impression that there’s only one “Christian” position on the issues. A new survey proves otherwise.
Pretty People, Shiny Clothes: Biblical Illiteracy in NBC’s Kings
Television fails once again to do justice to the complexity of biblical narrative.
10 Media Rules for Effective Theology
Whether it’s a “U2charist,” a campaign to help the poor, or simply agreeing to speak like a regular person, here are the top ten rules for theologians who want to reach a new public.
Don’t Blame Secularism: Reading Blind Spot: When Journalists Don’t Get Religion
A new book of essays argues that the American media suffers due to secularism and a general ignorance of religion. But is secularism really at the heart of it, or is it a far broader and longer-standing relationship with ignorance of our “enemies” that creates the Blind Spot?
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.
Evangelicals are seeking more “power” in newsrooms. The emphasis on the label “evangelicals,” makes me wonder whether they can ever put any other label ahead of that.
While the media constantly breaks the news that religious people hold complex views when it comes to LGBTQ Americans, it comes as no shock to religious people themselves.
A new survey reveals not only that church attenders and youth have swung back into Obama's camp, but that he's perceived as "friendlier" toward religion than McCain.
Dispatches from the Election: The 2008 Election and the Soul of America
Our election columnist stands at the fulcrum of hope and dismay as he contrasts the candidates' rhetoric...
McCain and Obama each had one problematic pastor. Palin has four...
Community Organizing and Symbolic Electioneering
McCain's choice of Palin and her veiled suggestion that Obama's faith-based work might not represent a correct interpretation of either politics or theology are symbolic messages aimed at a specific religious constituency...
Liberal media claims that Obama was "sandbagged" at Saddleback, but is this just a knee-jerk reaction to evangelical influence in politics?
When one religious voice seems to dominate public discussion we need to ask why. Is it because it is the only voice speaking? Or is the media ignoring other voices?
McCain's new ad mocking Obama's charismatic campaign of hope and the belief that we can do better is being criticized as 'blasphemous' and offensive to liberal Christians...