deilogos

There’s a new slogan making its way onto car bumpers and across the Internet: “Pray for Obama: Psalm 109:8.” The verse reads “May his days be few; may another take his office.” Beliefnet’s “Psalm 109:8–A Prayer for Obama” says the “Prayer for Obama” is meant to “entreat God to destroy the president.” Is this prayer a call for violence against the President? Does it accord with Christian principles? (more…)

“U.S. Catholic bishops approve document on marriage.” “Since marriage and same-sex unions are different realities, it is not unjust discrimination to oppose the legal recognition of same-sex unions,” the letter says. “These unions pose a serious threat to the fabric of society that affects all people.” Such pronouncements come as no surprise, but should churches be responsible for setting such guidelines?

Intelligence² Debate: Is the Catholic church a force for good in the world? Speaking for the motion, Archbishop John Onaiyekan and Ann Widdencombe MP. Speaking against the motion, Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry.

Should faith-based social service programs be required to abide by the same anti-discrimination laws as other organizations? “Faith-Based Discrimination,” a recent New York Times editorial, argues that President Obama should make good on his promise to prevent faith-based programs that receive federal funding from discriminating against employees on the basis of their religion.

James Ray Death Lodge? In the wake of two deaths and dozens of hospitalizations at an Arizona sweat lodge ceremony, should intense, physically demanding religious ceremonies be regulated more strictly?

“The eager young men at Conservapedia are p.o.’d that the Bible might be seen as too liberal. So they’ve come up with the Wiki-style Conservative Bible Project, to make sure the Lord doesn’t go all wobbly on us.” From the Department of Old Tyme Scribology, Rod Dreher on “Conservatizing the Bible“.

Kirk Cameron’s “Origin Of Species”. In a plot to subvert “Darwin Day” on November 22, 2009, actor Kirk Cameron says that he and like-minded activists plan to deliver 50,000 copies of an altered version of Darwin’s book to students at dozens of U.S. universities. (more…)

Where does evolution leave God? Karen Armstrong says we need God to grasp the wonder of our existence. Richard Dawkins argues that evolution leaves God with nothing to do. “Man vs. God“.

The first comparative survey of U.S. conservative and progressive (or liberal) religious activists has just been published. Are one’s religious leanings a reliable indicator of what issues they care most about and even what faith they subscribe to?

Do certain qualities in a culture predispose it to being more religious than another? Dr. Tom Rees claims to have found evidence to show that religious societies tend to be the most unequal, and concludes that inequality leads to religion. Listen to an interview with Tom Rees on the BBC Radio 4’s “Thinking Aloud”.