religion

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Mormon Hunks Have Church Up in Arms

Maker of Mormon calendar excommunicated

(Newser) - An entrepreneur who says his aim was to improve the image of Mormons has been excommunicated by the church for publishing a calendar with photos of shirtless members of the faith. The “Men on a Mission” calendar doesn’t “tear down the beliefs of the church at all,...

Americans Switching, Not Losing, Religion

But people who abandon faith just 'drift away', new poll says

(Newser) - A majority of Americans who have abandoned organized religion "gradually drifted away," a new Pew Forum poll says. The finding surprised experts who expected policy debates or scandals—like clergy sex abuse in the Catholic Church—to fuel people's rejection of a faith. But overall, the survey...

Cardinal to Catholics: Tweet Your Prayers

(Newser) - Ireland’s Catholic leader is urging the faithful to engage social networking to spread the word of God, the Times reports. “Make someone the gift of a prayer through text, Twitter, or e-mail every day,” Cardinal Sean Brady said. “Such a sea of prayer is sure to...

US Atheists Step 'Out of Closet'

Growing movement seeks acceptance, not members

(Newser) - Atheists across the country are turning up the volume, gathering openly and advertising their lack of faith, the New York Times reports. Their goal isn’t to win others over—“The most important thing is coming out of the closet,” said one activist—and win acceptance for their...

Secular Kid Goes Undercover at Falwell's School

Book about his experience is out now

(Newser) - Kevin Roose spent spring break in Florida last year, but instead of boozing with the rest of the college students, he proselytized them. It was all part of the Brown University student’s undercover semester at Jerry Falwell-founded Liberty University, where he “had to follow their 46-page code of...

Controversial Muhammad Cartoon Goes on Sale

Some copies are signed by artists in hiding

(Newser) - Three years after political cartoons of the prophet Muhammad sparked violent riots in Muslim countries, the Denmark Free Press Society is selling prints of the controversial art. Some of the 1,000 copies, priced at $250 each, are signed by the artist, who remains in hiding due to death threats,...

Pope Out of Touch on Homosexuality: Blair

Former PM advocates 'metaphorical' reading

(Newser) - It's time for Pope Benedict to rethink his outdated views on homosexuality, charges former British prime minister Tony Blair. The Vatican considers homosexuality a "tendency" toward "moral evil," citing biblical references. But Blair, a Catholic convert, tells the gay magazine Attitude that religious leaders should treat the...

Americans Back Push for Better Muslim Relations

Want Better Relations With Muslims

(Newser) - Most Americans are on board with President Obama’s plan to “seek a new way forward” with the Muslim world, with 81% saying the initiative to improve relations with Muslim nations is important. This in spite of the fact that 55% say they lack a basic understanding of Islam,...

Playmobil Demands Pastor Stop Crucifying Toys

(Newser) - Playmobil has demanded that a German pastor stop using its toys to depict Bible scenes, reports the Telegraph. One plastic human figure has been given breasts to be a naked Eve, and another has been nailed to a cross. Photos of the altered figures have been posted on the internet....

UK Bans Ad With Lusty 'Pope'
 UK Bans Ad With Lusty 'Pope' 

Apr 2, 2009 4:02 AM CDT

UK Bans Ad With Lusty 'Pope'

It caused 'serious offense,' ad council rules

(Newser) - A British advertising commission has blocked the use of a dancing, beer-guzzling photo-manipulated "Pope John Paul II" in an advertisement promoting a nightclub, reports the Telegraph. "It was hugely offensive," said a spokeswoman for a Polish organization, one of several Catholics who complained about the brochure. "...

Polygamists Push to Legalize Marriages

Some 40,000 live in polygamous families in Utah

(Newser) - As many as 40,000 people live in polygamous families in Utah and parents are stepping up efforts to make plural marriages legal, reports the BBC. The lobbying organization Principle Voices is pressing for state law changes. Authorities rarely crack down on polygamous families unless they're linked to child brides...

Survey: Religion Shrinks in US
 Survey: Religion Shrinks in US 
Mar 9, 2009 7:00 AM CDT

Survey: Religion Shrinks in US

Most groups lose members; Christianity falls 11%

(Newser) - A new survey shows sweeping changes in US religious attitudes over the past 18 years, with most religions losing members despite population growth, USA Today reports. Those identifying themselves as Christians have dropped 11% in a generation; mobility and marriage patterns have uprooted many religious affiliations. “More than ever...

Real Buddhists Protest Buddha Bar

Peaceful protesters blast 'defamation of religion'

(Newser) - Indonesian Buddhists yesterday protested the opening in Jakarta of the latest in a popular chain of Buddha Bars established by a Parisian restaurant-lounge enterprise. The bar, which features a giant Buddha, is the first to be built in Southeast Asia. "It's impossible to put the exalted name" of Buddha...

LiLo Takes Up Judaism for Sam
 LiLo Takes Up Judaism for Sam 
Mar 3, 2009 9:05 AM CST

LiLo Takes Up Judaism for Sam

Catholic actress wants to convert

(Newser) - Lindsay Lohan apparently thinks her relationship with Samantha Ronson is strong enough to warrant a change in religion, the New York Post reports. The pair recently attended Ronson’s half-brother’s bar mitzvah, and Lohan, raised Catholic, now wants to convert to Judaism. LiLo’s dad? Not convinced: “She’...

Madonna Converts Jesus
 Madonna Converts Jesus 
Feb 13, 2009 9:03 AM CST

Madonna Converts Jesus

Singer's young paramour turns to Kabbalah

(Newser) - Madonna boytoy Jesus Luz, once a strict Catholic, is converting to Judaism. The Brazilian model, currently bewitched by the Kabbalah-practicing Material Girl, joined an online Kabbalah community and updated his website to reflect the change, the Mirror reports. But his “family are very traditional and quite religious so this...

To Save Itself, Press Should Become a Religion
To Save Itself, Press Should Become a Religion
OPINION
Feb 11, 2009 2:44 PM CST

To Save Itself, Press Should Become a Religion

Papers would enjoy the benefits of tithing and tax-exemption: Bates

(Newser) - As profits continue to fall, some have suggested turning newspapers into non-profit, endowed institutions similar to colleges. A better way to go non-profit would be for the press to declare itself a religion, writes Stephen Bates for Slate. The tax benefits would be substantial, as would legal protections for reporters-turned-priests,...

Take That, Atheists: Believers Plan Own Bus Ads

(Newser) - Christian groups in London have decided not to turn the other cheek: In response to a much-publicized ad campaign by atheists on city buses, the groups plan to take out ads of their own in the next two weeks, the Guardian reports. Their theological retort, delivered via mass transportation, will...

Mississippi Most Religious State, Vermont the Least

Bible belt has most religious states, New England some of least

(Newser) - If you’re looking for religion, head to Mississippi; if you want to avoid it, choose Vermont, a new Gallup survey suggests. Mississippi is ranked as America’s most religious state, with 85% saying religion is “an important part of daily life.” At the other end of the...

China Secretly Meets With Long-Banned Churches

Only state-backed religious groups legal; 100M worship in secret

(Newser) - Inching toward reconciliation after decades of opposition, China’s government invited leaders of the country’s banned Protestant churches to secret talks, the Times of London reports. The government is hoping to smooth relations as it celebrates its 60th year in power and aims for stability amid economic turmoil. Beijing...

Obama Attends Nat'l Prayer Service

(Newser) - Barack and Michelle Obama attended the traditional prayer service at the National Cathedral this morning, the AP reports, a custom dating back to the nation's first president. The newly-minted president sat in the front pew along with Joe and Jill Biden and Bill and Hillary Clinton for a rousing service,...

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