Although — or perhaps because — I’m a religion reporter who has specialized in Judaism (including all kinds of circumcision rituals) and spent a few years working in the Bay Area, I’ve been content to just briefly mention the anti-circumcision ballot measure in San Francisco. Until now. Some context: California, especially San Francisco, is infamous for…

Hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day weekend — prayers and picnics alike. Here’s my top five list interesting faith-related news from the past few weeks worth keeping an eye on: Battle over circumcision is shaping up in California (JTA) Bishop Eddie Long settles with accusers of sexual misconduct (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly) Crystal Cathedral…

President Obama is giving gave a speech about the “Arab Spring” and related upheavals in the Middle East this morning, and is meeting with Israeli officials tomorrow and Sunday (unless the world ends). Here’s the text of the speech, which included this message about Osama bin Laden and Islam: Bin Laden was no martyr. He was a…

As religious and secular outlets alike scramble to cover the hell out of the death of Osama bin Laden, the two emerging angles have been “what’s the appropriate way to react to the news” and “was the at-sea burial Islamically appropriate, and does it matter?” It’s impossible to come up with a concise roundup of links, even narrowed…

More from Beliefnet and our partners
More from Beliefnet and our partners