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Move Over, Harry, Christian Fantasy is Back
By
jmcgee
Whether using dragons, firefish or sword-wielding soccer moms, writers in the emerging category of Christian fantasy fiction are clamoring for a spot in the marketplace. Fantasy fiction in general commands a large following and copious real estate in bookstores. But while Web sites and Christian writing conferences brim with writers working on Christian fantasy, publishers…
Lawmakers Seek Bishops’ Help in Ending Iraq War
By
jmcgee
Washington – In a rare reversal of roles, 14 Catholic members of Congress are lobbying U.S. Catholic bishops to step up efforts to end the war in Iraq. The lawmakers, all Democrats, wrote to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops asking for a meeting to discuss how Congress “and the clergy can work together to…
Alabama Governor Urges Prayer for Rain
By
Jana Melpolder
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) With the state’s weather forecasters not delivering much-needed rain, Gov. Bob Riley has turned to a higher power, issuing a proclamation calling for a week of prayer for rain. Riley encouraged Alabamians to pray, starting Saturday (June 30), “individually and in their houses of worship.” “Throughout our history, Alabamians have turned in…
Study: LDS Faith Doesn’t Lead to Bankruptcy
By
Jana Melpolder
Jun. 29–At first glance, it seems logical to assume Utah’s high bankruptcy rate is connected to the large number of Mormons living in the state. After all, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints encourages members to pay 10 percent of their incomes in tithing, to marry young and to have a lot of…
Break for Muslim School Prayer Criticized
By
Jana Melpolder
San Diego, Jul 2, 2007 (UPI via COMTEX) — A San Diego elementary school is embroiled in controversy over a policy allowing Muslim students to pray during a school break. Critics told the San Diego Union-Tribune the policy at Carver Elementary either endorses a religion or crosses the line separating church and state. The policy…
Ministries Aren’t Just for the Big Names Anymore
By
Jana Melpolder
LAS VEGAS — Television ministry used to be the province of a few prominent preachers like Pat Robertson and the late Jerry Falwell. But the business — and it is a business — has definitely come of age. At this year’s National Association of Broadcasters convention, the “technologies for worship” pavilion drew hundreds of religious…
Methodists, Presbyterians, Brethren Report Lower Numbers
By
Jana Melpolder
Three mainline Protestant denominations — the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Church of the Brethren — have experienced steady decreases in U.S. membership rolls, continuing long-term trends, according to separate June reports. A “state of the church” report issued by the UMC said its U.S. membership fell to 7.9 million —…
Bush Announces Envoy to Islamic Countries
By
Jana Melpolder
(RNS) Hoping to improve America’s negative image in the Muslim world, President Bush said he will appoint a special envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference, a political group of 57 nations home to more than 1 billion Muslims. But at least one expert warned that while many Muslims will welcome the envoy, others…
Mo. Conceals Executioners’ Identities
By
jmcgee
Jefferson City, Mo. – People who carry out executions can sue others who disclose their identities, under a new law that followed reports that a doctor who attended Missouri executions had been sued for malpractice more than 20 times. Some of the 36 other death penalty states also shield the names of their executioners. But…
Doctor Challenges Kansas Abortion Law
By
jmcgee
Topeka, Kan. – Hoping to end a criminal case against him, a high-profile abortion provider filed a legal challenge Monday to the constitutionality of part of a Kansas law restricting late-term procedures. Dr. George Tiller, one of the few U.S. physicians performing late-term abortions, faces 19 misdemeanor charges in Sedgwick County District Court. Attorney General…
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