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Adelle M. Banks Religion News Service Texas megachurch pastor John Hagee has successfully worked with copyright lawyers to get more than 120 videos featuring him removed from YouTube. The development was reported by The Huffington Post, whose blogger Max Blumenthal discovered that a video he had made at Hagee’s Christians United for Israel conference last…

Grand Rapids Press Cascade Township, Mich. (RNS) – A gay man is suing two heavyweight Christian publishers, claiming their versions of the Bible that refer to homosexuality as a sin violate his constitutional rights and have caused him emotional pain and mental instability. Bradley LaShawn Fowler of Canton, Mich., is seeking $60 million from Zondervan,…

By Daniel Burke Religion News Service WASHINGTON (RNS) The nation’s Catholic bishops have rejected a new translation of Mass prayers, a rare instance of U.S. prelates denying a Vatican-ordered liturgical change. While ballots are still coming in, it’s clear they won’t add up to the 166 needed to pass the new translation, said Sister Mary…

Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News – July 9, 2008 Jul. 9–Growing up in the Dominican Republic, Wendy Canelones was curious about the custom her grandmother and great-grandmother had of lighting candles on Friday afternoon. She assumed it was just an old habit. But she was unaware — as were her relatives — that they were carrying…

Associated Press – July 8, 2008 PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Cambodians celebrated in the streets Tuesday after their country succeeded in having an 11th century Hindu temple declared a World Heritage landmark despite objections in neighboring Thailand, which claims territory around the site. Thousands danced, sang and waved Cambodian flags, chanting “Long live Preah Vihear…

Associated Press Nassau, Bahamas – John Templeton, an investor and mutual fund pioneer who dedicated much of his fortune to promoting religion and reconciling it with science, has died. He was 95. Templeton died Tuesday from pneumonia at Doctors Hospital in Nassau, Bahamas, said his spokesman Donald Lehr. Templeton created the US$1.4 million Templeton Prize…

Associated Press Mount Vernon, Ohio – The decision to fire a science teacher accused of preaching his Christian beliefs in the classroom and burning crosses on students’ arms has divided residents of this Ohio town and rekindled the debate over the separation of church and state. Teacher John Freshwater, 52, was fired last month after…

Associated Press London, England – The Church of England’s ruling body voted its support Monday for women to become bishops, a move that risks further division because it lacked accommodation for traditionalists opposed to the idea. The decision after hours of debate among leaders of the British church came even as the Anglican church worldwide…

By Greg Garrison Religion News Service (RNS) Thousands of pilgrims from across the country visited central Alabama for a five-day prayer retreat focused on a woman who has reported daily sightings of the Virgin Mary since 1981. Marija Lunetti, from Medjugorje in the former Yugoslavia, reported daily visions while pilgrims gathered outside the house where…

Associated Press – July 7, 2008 BEIJING – China urged the Dalai Lama again on Monday to show support for the Beijing Olympics, in an apparent effort to link the demand more closely with continued talks. The statement from a Chinese spokesman to the official Xinhua News Agency included other previously issued conditions for talks:…

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