Religion and Media blog

Using religion to get guys to see Bieber biopic

2011-02-13T20:03:00.002-06:00

Entertainment Weekly has this quite interesting piece on the marketing of the new Justin Bieber biographical movie Never Say Never.

I have a pre-teen daughter and was at a movie theatre Friday, and missed the fact that the film is subtitled "For Nothing is Impossible with God." But Paramount is hoping religious leaders and other parents are more clued in than I am, and that a companion religious study guide and other marketing will encourage young men to see the film.

There's an interesting series of comments on the article (not of the highbrow variety - more of the typical Internet commentary type) and a very interesting story about Jimmy Kimmel and Diddy within.

Church Lady returns as Carvey hosts SNL

2011-02-09T09:14:00.002-06:00

You might enjoy Dana Carvey's reprisal of his popular Church Lady character, when he guest hosted Saturday Night Live. The character skewers popular TV shows, the Kardashians and does the superiority dance with a surprise guest star.

Religion app guides Catholics in confession

2011-02-07T09:08:00.000-06:00

Maureen Dowd's humorously titled editorial "Forgive me, Father, for I have linked" describes an iPhone/Pad app that guides the observant through a list of transgressions that can then be noted for later confession to a real priest.

The app is for real, and even has an imprimateur from Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne in Indiana.

Actor asked to comment on relationship of dead birds and Armageddon

2011-01-06T11:51:00.002-06:00

CNN's Anderson Cooper interviewed Left Behind series actor Kirk Cameron on the significance of large-scale bird kills as a predictor of the end of the world.

Cameron suggested Cooper would have been better off calling a veterinarian.

al Queda publishes web magazine

2010-10-12T12:01:00.003-05:00

CNN.com has this article discussing the publication of a second online issue of "Inspire" magazine. According to the article, the magazine, published in English, has articles featuring political opinion as well ones describing how to commit terrorist acts like bombings and shootings in crowds in a way to ensure media attention.

PBS series on God in America begins today

2010-10-11T08:28:00.000-05:00

You can find details on this historical series that runs this weekon the network's web site

O'Connell says she is not a witch

2010-10-10T06:30:00.000-05:00

President Barack Obama is not the only political figure having to state which religions he/she does not have.

Saturday Night LIve last night lampooned an ad by Delaware Republican candidate Christine O'Connell, in which the candidate opens with the words "I am not a witch." Watch the coverage on Hulu

or

see the real ad here.

Might be of interest in class

2010-09-28T09:23:00.002-05:00

A new Pew study shows Americans are ignorant about religion. CNN has an interactive quiz to test yourself.

An NPR story about religion, marriage and

2010-08-17T18:33:00.004-05:00

Deborah Amos, one of NPR's most seasoned reporters in the Middle East, has this story about a "Sex and the City" kind of blog for Egyptians about the desire to get married, but how family pressure and the lack of financial resources often stymies matrimony.

The story does not answer what kind of following the writer, Ghada Abdul-Aal, has. But now a television sitcom has debuted based on the blog. The story is part of a series about challenges facing Arab youth.

Mosque gets approval at Ground Zero

2010-08-04T09:22:00.004-05:00

I saw a commentary/wrap up on Good Morning America this morning about the decision to allow the building of a mosque at the Ground Zero site in New York City. It was interesting to watch ABC's George Stephanopoulos talking about this issue with a Fox News contributer (announced as such) who focused in the story on the fairness of the brand new mosque being approved when a Greek Orthodox congregation that was destroyed in 2001 has not been allowed to rebuild.

The story has gotten a lot attraction in the blogosphere, both from neutral and less neutral sources, but I thought it was interesting to compare both networks' coverage.

ABC here.

Fox here.

Interesting view on "leaving Christianity"

2010-07-30T20:20:00.002-05:00

The most popular story on CNN's website is one about Interview With the Vampire author Anne Rice stating that she is leaving Christianity.

The article quotes Rice's blog from two posts in which she both states that she has "quit being a Christian" and that "following Christ does not mean following His [sic] followers."

The Baltimore Sun's religion blog has a more extensive set of quotations, but in neither is there any context from the writer to explain the apparent contradiction between Rice's statement that she follows Christ, but does not consider herself a Christian, essentially because Christians are too narrow-minded.

Huffington Post offers slice of life piece on Christianity

2010-07-23T18:40:00.002-05:00

Huffington Post correspondent Mark Osler offers this personal reflection on an experience with a shipping clerk who offered to pray for him after he sent a package.

I know Mark from my time in Waco, but his piece inspired me to look at bit at the site's religion coverage, which is a mix of news an opinion typical of an online source. I also found this piece on online proselytizing for Mormons interesting.

Great summary of Europe issues with Muslim headscarves from EJC

2010-04-01T10:57:00.002-05:00

The European Journalism Centre, which provides resources to journalists working in the European Union, has this resource-rich blog post about the issues with Muslim women and headscarves that have appeared in Europe and most notably France.

From the beginning of time: New Lost explores interesting questions

2010-03-23T22:06:00.003-05:00

I just finished watching this week's Lost (thanks, TiVo!), and found that for an entertainment medium, the presentation of theological questions was very interesting.

For discussion:

How were themes of good vs. evil, free will and absolution examined in this episode?

What was the portrayal of the Roman Catholic church like?

In case you didn't see or record it, it should be on Hulu eventually.

Across societies, religious folks are fairer, study finds

2010-03-23T13:01:00.003-05:00

This science story in the New York Times was intriguing for it's finding that strangers in a WalMart were more likely to be fair to each other, than were people who lived in kinship clans. One finding regarding religion particularly caught my eye:

"People belonging to a modern “world religion,” like the Islamic faith of the Orma cattle herders in Kenya or the Christian faith of the Dolgan reindeer herders in Siberia, tended to share more of their prize than did adherents of local religions. As larger communities became possible after the invention of agriculture, the researchers write in Science, 'intersocietal competition may have favored those religious systems that galvanize pro-social behavior in broader communities, perhaps using both supernatural incentives (for example, hell) and recurrent rituals that intensify group solidarity.'"

Are religion and nationality interchangeable?

2010-03-16T13:07:00.002-05:00

Check out this lead story from The New York Times' web site.

The blurb reads "Clashes broke out between Palestinian youths and Israeli forces on Tuesday as an activist group drew attention to plans for more Jewish housing units."

For discussion: In a story like this, when is it appropriate to use national identity and when is it appropriate to use religious identity?

Pundit's swipe at social justice raises a variety of hackles

2010-03-12T13:19:00.001-06:00

Fox New's Glenn Beck created quite a stir with his statements about the low value of social justice.

Some reaction can be found from

Liberal Bloggers
Southern Baptists
A Mormon on Beliefnet
A wrap-up from Christianity Today

At least he has people talking.

Celebration at Hindu temple turns into deadly stampede

2010-03-04T22:55:00.002-06:00

The Wall St. Journal reports on a "http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704187204575100983084684828.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsSecond">stampede at a Hindu temple in India that it notes is "the latest in a string of disasters that highlights the terrifying frequency with which pilgrimages turn deadly when religious fervor collides with India's appalling infrastructure."

Although this story was covered by many media outlets worldwide (more than 800, according to Google), I thought the Journal's inclusion of context was really well done. Historical information, a quote from an expert and well-chosen photos combine to help the reader to understand the origin of an event that may puzzle readers in other parts of the world.

Pre-emptive backlash at Pat Robertson

2010-03-01T21:12:00.003-06:00

Pat Robertson, who has more than once blamed sins of residents for natural disasters, has been mocked in several stories about the Chile earthquake.

He's blamed a pact with the chupacabra

He can't blame the Devil or the French

He's said God is punishing the Chileans for persecuting a stand-up guy like Augusto Pinochet.

Which are true? None of them.

Article looks at history of inter-Islamic conflict

2010-02-27T21:07:00.001-06:00

An Op-Ed piece in the The New York Times follows on the Olympics with the story of the dissolution of the Islamic Solidarity Games this year because host country Iran wrote the words "Persian Gulf" on the flag for the event.

A quote from the story: "In this history of a single body of water, one sees a perfect example of the so-called Islamic Paradox that dates from the seventh century. For although the Prophet Muhammad took great pains to underscore the equality of all believers regardless of ethnicity, categorically forbidding any fighting among the believers, his precepts have been constantly and blatantly violated.

It took a mere 24 years after the Prophet’s death for the head of the universal Islamic community, the caliph Uthman, to be murdered by political rivals. This opened the floodgates to incessant infighting within the House of Islam, which has never ceased. "

Tiger Woods seeks to return to Buddhism to straighten ways

2010-02-19T16:36:00.001-06:00

This story from CBS news focuses on Tiger Woods' statement that a part of his reformation would include seeking to return to his Buddhist roots, following a path he said "my mother taught me at an early age."

The article does a nice job of tying Buddhist beliefs into the history of Woods, told though interviews he has given.

A little humor for a chilly Monday

2010-01-25T15:31:00.002-06:00

The religion and media version of Rick Rolling.

Jesus Rifles gain attention

2010-01-21T21:55:00.001-06:00

Stephen Colbert calls them "an armor-piercing Sunday School," while other media outlets have more serious stories.

Fox News
ABC news
American Public Radio

For discussion: How do the different media approach the story?

Group buys time for anti-abortion ad during Super Bowl

2010-01-20T06:05:00.003-06:00

CNN is reporting that Focus on the Family has bought ad time for this year's Super Bowl to air an ad against abortion. Although there have been issue ads during the Super Bowl before, notably an anti-smoking campaign, this may be the first to take on the abortion issue.

The CNN piece is largely a re-write of a press release from the organzation, which can be found here.

For discussion: Is the Super Bowl an effective way to reach people for this kind of issue?

Package highlights role of local church in Haiti crisis

2010-01-18T02:55:00.003-06:00

This package from The New York Times highlights the role of the church in disaster recovery and rebuilding in Haiti. I thought the multimedia components were interesting, as was the inclusion of the religion story in the "things are starting to return to normal" frame that usually emerges following a disaster.

Christian media responses to Haiti

2010-01-13T20:40:00.002-06:00

Christian radio network K-Love has modified its web page to focus on the Haiti earthquake. Meanwhile, CNN has this piece quoting Pat Robertson as say the earthquake was a result of a deal with the devil that the island nation made in order to break free from France.

Guaranteed to raise hackles

2010-01-11T21:30:00.002-06:00

This post at USA Today is guaranteed to upset some of the ladies in the audience, as readers are asked to refute a poster who says that it is worth it to be a believer because you get to be the God of women.

I wonder if it is a case of the media blowing an issue out of proportion - asking readers to create a buzz by refuting a straw man argument held only by the lunatic fringe?

Prayer, connections work to get jobs

2010-01-09T21:32:00.000-06:00

I saw this article on CNN today that gave examples of how the church is helping people deal with the difficult economy, with strategies including both the spiritual and the practical.

The article is kind of forced into a faith-based initiatives argument, suggesting that churches are more "caring and compassionate" when it comes to the helping find jobs, although I don't think the evidence in the article really supports this view.

It is, however, a good example of coverage of a faith-based institution with a focus on the institution rather than the faith-based.

Tiger Woods needs to convert

2010-01-04T21:39:00.000-06:00

Fox News' Brit Hume apparently encouraged Tiger Woods to choose Christianity as a way to find forgiveness for his actions.

This brings many questions into focus that might generate discussion including whether expression of religious belief is appropriate for a news professional and whether it is appropriate for news professionals to evaluate the actions of others in terms of requiring some sort of cleansing. The comments at the end of the brief clip are important, too.

Merry Happy

2009-12-25T21:45:00.000-06:00

A holiday treat for you religion and media folks:

The holiday episode of Community, a sitcom presenting the lives of a somewhat diverse group of community college students, who are studying in an environment that strives to eliminate anything sectarian or controversial. The school's mascot, the Human Being, is a faceless, beige person.

The holiday episode, called Comparative Religion, looks at what happens when a Christian student assumes that everyone believes as she does.

For discussion: would some conservative Christians I know be right in their criticism of the media in this case - is Christianity given special mocking?

Parents object to date designations

2009-11-16T09:02:00.003-06:00

This column in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's online site deals with parental objections to using BCE/CE rather than BC/AD.

I thought the article had a nice history and background on the controversy, but thought the descriptive lead was really odd. What do loafers and rimless glasses have to do with a parent having an opinion?

Controversial group gains no traction

2009-11-13T02:18:00.002-06:00

Westboro Baptist Church was here in Central Texas this picketing outside Ft. Hood while the memorial service was going on. When it was over, they came up and picketed at Baylor for a while, in front of our science building.

I knew about it through a grad student, who had a friend who was in contact with them because of a sociology of religion project where he had had contact with church members.

I didn't know about it through our local media, none of which covered either event. I imagine this is disappointing for a group that issues press releases and publishes a picketing schedule on its web site.

Kids' album on science subtly addresses religion

2009-11-08T19:14:00.003-06:00

Alternative rockers They Might Be Giants released a new children's album this fall called Here Comes Science, which features songs about the planets, the sun, electric cars, the periodic table and more. The first track, Science is Real, contains the lyrics I like the stories about angels, unicorns and elves. Now I like those stories as much as anybody else. But when I'm seeking knowledge, either simple or abstract, the facts are with science.

The band's John Flansburgh, in an interview with Wired said Although it wasn’t designed to create controversy, it’s still a big relief to me that the opening track, “Science is Real,” didn’t raise any red flags with the label. The song freely acknowledges the Big Bang and evolution, and casually conflates angels with unicorns and elves–all of which might bug some anti-science, pro-angel folk.
.

It has generated some notice, for example on the science blog Pharyngula and in the comments section on the Amazon listing for the album, where a few commenters mention that the album is likely to offend creationists.

Food for thought - does pro-angel necessarily mean anti-science? How about the reverse?

Story on LDS church draws comments

2009-10-26T12:41:00.001-05:00

This community story on the San Antonio Express News web site is typical regional/religion page fare. What I thought was interesting was the number of comments that the story drew.

Poynter's NewsU is hosting a webinar on newspaper comments.

"Greeting Card Emergency" addresses fall from faith

2009-10-23T20:26:00.000-05:00

This NPR story focused on David Dickerson, a former Hallmark Card wizard who left the company, wrote a memoir about this work for the company paired with his journey away from evangelical Christianity.

Dickerson now maintains the vlog Greeting Card Emergency, where readers can write in with their own situations for which there is no card and get his advice. He recently posted this entry about National Coming Out Day that includes card suggestions and a heartfelt thank you to friends who declared they were gay and, he says, started him on a journey away from his faith.

Atheist group advertises on New York transit

2009-10-21T09:35:00.003-05:00

According to this story from CNN, a group called the Big Apple Coalition for Reason will be advertising in multiple media as part of a campaign to make New Yorkers more aware about atheism and atheists. Supporters, who are spending money from an anonymous donation, are hoping to attract members to atheist groups and to promote dialogue about religion and morality.

I thought it was interesting the story quotes a representative defending both the campaign as non-aggressive and atheism in general.

In case you have it on your DVR

2009-10-19T09:59:00.002-05:00

Last week's Big Bang Theory, The Pirate Solution, has an interesting religious reference when one character attempts to lecture another from India about the significance of cows in the Hindu religion. The Indian character takes great offense at this and tells the other "The mood I'm in today, I'll take you out - I swear to Cow!"

Dietary issues are also mentioned when the Indian character mourns "Beef. I will miss you most of all," continuing to explain that in India, you can't get a Big Mac from McDonald's, but only a Chicken Maharaja Mac. And the special sauce is curry which "In India is not all that special, believe you me."

CBS does not post full episodes of this show on line, unfortunately.

The cross and the Supreme Court, from the lighter side

2009-10-16T11:51:00.000-05:00

Stephen Colbert weighed in on the issue of the cross in the Mojave in an episode of The Word that he called Symbol Minded. It's worth a look.

Sweat Lodge Practice Leads to Deaths

2009-10-14T23:39:00.003-05:00

This article from the AP focuses on the story of a retreat in Arizona that included two hours in a sweat lodge, after which two retreaters were found dead, with 19 others sickened.

I thought this story lacked context. What is a sweat lodge? Why might someone use one? Does it have risks? In the story, the only risk listed was that the sweat lodge was built without a building permit.

Here is a description of a sweat lodge ceremony.

More on the cross in the desert

2009-10-05T12:21:00.000-05:00

CNN has this story , which includes an interesting picture.

When is a cross not religious?

2009-10-01T10:58:00.002-05:00

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear an establishment clause case next week, involving the display of a cross at the Mojave National Preserve. The action thus far in the case is quite interesting, involving a request to build an adjoining Buddhist stupa and 3 separate laws passed by Congress, apparently to protect the cross as a memorial.

The LA Times has this interesting point-counterpoint about the case.

Midwinter call released

2009-09-28T09:14:00.000-05:00

CALL FOR PAPER ABSTRACTS AND PANEL PROPOSALS – 2010 AEJMC MIDWINTER CONFERENCE

March 5-7, 2010
Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication
University of Oklahoma
(Link to conference web page through http://www.ou.edu/gaylord)

The AEJMC Midwinter Conference is an annual forum for the presentation of research and debate in areas relevant to the 12 AEJMC groups (divisions, interest groups and commissions) sponsoring the event. It follows a rather informal structure that allows for presentations and extended discussions in a relaxed setting. The upcoming conference is scheduled for March 5-7, 2010 at the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication (University of Oklahoma) in Norman, Oklahoma. The location offers participants many winter diversions outside the conference activities, including world-class museums and art galleries.
Questions about paper and panel submissions must be directed to the appropriate midwinter chairs below. General questions about the conference can be sent to Elanie Steyn, Conference Site Host (elanie@ou.edu).
Paper submissions: Authors should submit research paper proposals consisting of a 300 to 500-word abstract by email to the midwinter chair (from the list below) of the group (division/interest group/commission) they wish to submit to. Please keep in mind that you can only submit any given paper abstract to one of the groups participating in the conference – submitting the same paper abstract to several groups is not allowed. Do not submit full papers. The abstracts should give a clear sense of the scope of the research and the method of inquiry. If researchers have completed their projects by the submission deadline, paper abstracts should also include research conclusions. Once their paper abstracts have been accepted, authors must submit complete research papers (not exceeding 30 pages) to the discussant of their session on the program. Discussants should receive full papers at least two weeks before the conference. Keep in mind that papers presented at this conference are also eligible for presentation at the AEJMC national convention. Authors are encouraged to use the midwinter conference as an opportunity to get feedback on their research, improve and finalize it for submission to the national conference.
Panel submissions: Panel organizers should submit proposals to the midwinter chair (from the list below) of the group (division/interest group/commission) they wish to present the panel to. Panel submissions should include the panel title, a description of the session’s focus, the issues to be discussed, and a list of panelists (potential and confirmed), including affiliation.
Format: Identify the paper’s author(s) or panel’s organizer(s) on the title page only and include the mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address of the person to whom inquiries should be addressed. The title should be on the first page of the text and on running heads on each page of text. Include your abstract or proposal as an attachment (saved with your last name as file name) in a standard word-processing format (preferably Word or RTF) and email it to the relevant midwinter chair. Also, ensure that you remove any identifying information from your document (with the exception of the title page).
Deadline: All submissions should reach the appropriate division/interest group/commission’s midwinter paper chair (see below) by December 1, 2009. Midwinter chairs will notify authors of acceptances and rejections by January 6, 2010.
Registration: Details on conference registration, hotel accommodation, and travel information will be available a http://www.ou.edu/gaylord.

Baha'i opression subject of editorial

2009-09-27T10:49:00.000-05:00

The rights of religious free expression are the subject of this opinion piece from CNN, where the author details the situation of the Baha'i in Iran, stating that the minority religious group's treatment is a barometer for the status of human rights in the nation as a whole.

The piece didn't say much at all about Baha'i beliefs or practices, which would have added useful context for most readers.

Hospital hires Shamans

2009-09-23T10:40:00.000-05:00

This article from the New York Times highlights a California hospital that has afforded clergy-type access to Hmong shaman who visit and provide healing ceremonies for patients.

The article broadens briefly to discuss other cultural adaptations that hospitals are making, such as alterations to menus to provide traditional foods.

I thought it was worth a look both for the writer's descriptions of Hmong healing ceremonies, and for the fact that the story refers to the rituals as part of a cultural adaptation, rather than a religious one.

Article on prayer illustrates non-believing reporter technique

2009-09-21T10:20:00.003-05:00

This article on prayer from the Sunday New York Times Magazine, written by Zev Chafets, features the following:

Cymbala instructed us to form prayer groups of two or three, stand facing one another and read the prayers out loud. I formed a threesome with the man on my left, a middle-aged political consultant from Washington, and a tall fellow on my right who had recently moved to New York from Gary, Ind. “Would you mind reading mine too?” I asked the tall man, handing him my card. “I don’t actually pray, and I don’t want Pete and Angela to get shortchanged.” He nodded with nonjudgmental solemnity, read the request and asked God to bless the couple with prosperity and health.

This transaction made me feel like a jerk. All Pete and Angela wanted was a simple prayer, and I couldn’t bring myself to offer one. I took the card back and said, “I’m having a good thought for Pete and Angela.” I wished them happiness and wealth, in Hebrew. The two words sound alike in Hebrew and are a commonly used secular benediction. My prayer partners said, “Amen,” and we all sat down.

I thought this was an interesting example of reporting from something you believe in and of participant observation.

Blog post reports on story

2009-09-18T12:21:00.002-05:00

The New York Times parenting blog has this report on on new research that shows that more religious areas of the country have higher teen pregnancy rates.

Blogger Lisa Belkin seeks reader comments, as always, and many had issue with Belkin's assertion that the relationship is not what one would expect.

Discrimination study gives ideas for class discussion

2009-09-16T09:25:00.002-05:00

A new Pew study you can shows that Americans believe Muslims and homosexuals are the most discriminated against groups in the U.S., media are reporting today.

A look at the original study could lead to interesting class discussions on how the media covered this study and in particular the religious issues it brings up and how religious groups treat homosexuals and how you cover that.

Article tries to integrate diet advice, dietary laws

2009-09-12T13:23:00.000-05:00

This article, run during Ramadan and shortly before Yom Kippur looks at a wide variety of religious eating practices and their likely effects on health.

Although the health advice is short and shallow, the thumbnail sketch of Kosher meat preparation was interesting. Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism are all mentioned, but much more scantily.

National Cathedral service part of 9/11 memorials

2009-09-11T09:46:00.002-05:00

As many news media are reporting today, one of the many remembrances of 9/11/2001 will be a service at the National Cathedral in Washington, D. C.

This service is being listed with other remembrances include those at the Pentagon and Ground Zero.

The National Cathedra, which is Episcopal, states that it is a place for people of all faiths, yet also describes itself as a group "joined together as the body of Christ." It does not receive any financial support from the government.

To learn more, visit their web site.

Radio story uses sound to carry religious elements

2009-09-09T20:34:00.000-05:00

I stumbled on this NPR story about a chaplain at the Atlanta airport and the variety of jobs that he has.

Although the story does not expressly mention religion much at all, I thought the use of ambient sounds in the story did a good job of illustrating the chaos of the airport vs. the still, calmness of the chapel and the chaplain. It's worth a listen.

"Apostate killing" threatened in U.S.

2009-09-03T15:47:00.002-05:00

CNN has this piece about a teenager who says her father threatened to kill her for converting to Christianity.

The article, which quotes the teen, her attorney and her family's attorney, quotes her father indirectly as saying the local mosque encouraged him to "deal with the problem," which readers would interpret as eliminate the youth.

There was little context in the story about the fate of Muslims who convert to Christianity, which has certainly been an issue in the past year in other countries. Even some links to those stories would have help provide some much-needed background beyond the he-said, she-said of this article.

Pet care insurance sold to Christians preparing for the rapture

2009-09-02T13:45:00.002-05:00

This unusual article describes pet care insurance that will provide atheists to care for for your pet after you are taken away in the rapture.

The article, written from a business news perspective, discusses the difference in marketing - ensuring customers that you do not, in fact, share their core values. Quite a difference from Whole Foods.

Politcs, religion mix in Asia again

2009-09-01T06:17:00.002-05:00

The AP has this story today about the strained relationship between China and Taiwan following the visit of Tibetan religious leader the Dalai Lama to "comfort" victims of a recent typhoon.

This article had a good capsule summary of the history of Beijing's disquiet with the Dalai Lama and of the relationship between China and Taiwan, although the visit is framed most as a political move, rather than a religious one.

Beijing's Xinhua news agency had this story of protests by Taiwanese over the visits. Interestingly, the state-run news service also had a story about the religious significance, which can be found here, and mentions religiously motivated relief efforts coming from China.

Secular camp video highlights "critical thinking"

2009-08-31T10:51:00.002-05:00

This video of a summer camp in Texas shows a camp that describes itself as secular. I thought it was interesting that secular was not really defined as either a-religious or anti-religious. The video consists of parents and camp staff describing what the camp tries to do, but the issue of why such a camp would be newsworthy is really only addressed in one short parent statement.

This begs the question of the newspaper web site video - does/should it have an angle or point of view?

Scholars embrace study of religion and media (!), report says

2009-08-30T13:11:00.000-05:00

This column, originally in the Boston Globe, explores the study of religion and popular culture as expressed in media. The column looks at venues from the American Academy of Religion to Christianity Today where Harry Potter/Christ parallels are discussed, but also mentions books engaging popular media and religion, written by religion journalists.

Are mega-churches part of a desire for bigger, better everything?

2009-08-23T21:11:00.002-05:00

I thought this post on academic venting site Rate Your Students was interesting for it's mention of mega-churches as a part of a generally super-sized life being sought by today's students and their parents. "Every aspect of their lives is mega- and easily purchased." And college serves as a way to increase spending power to increase the scale of everything.

"God knows where the money is"

2009-08-18T14:00:00.000-05:00

A Sunday New York Times article found here covers the Southwest Believer's Convention in Fort Worth, while discussing the stability of prosperity theology in tough economic times.

I thought the way the article depicted followers of Kenneth and Gloria Copeland was interesting, calling them "adoring audiences" and "delighted" by stories of the wealth of those preaching to them and quoting a researcher who called the preachers "Spiritual pickpockets," which implies that the followers are unwitting victims.

The photo slide show also has interesting views of the crowd, with close-up pictures of an obese man in a wheelchair, arms outstretched, a family making PB & J sandwiches with the bread set on an open Bible and an older woman dropping money on an altar.

I'm gonna need to ask you to uncover that, Ma'am

2009-08-17T09:58:00.001-05:00

This article from the LA Times about a woman's eviction from a public pool for wearing a full-body swimsuit as a Muslim woman is interesting because of the quotations used.

French authorities are quoted as saying:

"Islamic bathing suits don't exist in the Koran"
"In our country we cannot accept women prisoners behind a wire fence, cut off from all social life, deprived of all identity."
"This is the tip of the fundamentalist iceberg."

While Islamic sources, including the woman who was evicted are quoted:

"When Sarkozy says the burka is a problem for the 'dignity of women,' it means he's already finished his investigation."
Her only battle is "simply to be able to swim with my children in a pool."

What seemed to be missing from both sides was an idea that a woman might actually want to wear such a suit, on her own, without coercion from religious authorities.

List of countries that don't have religious freedom released

2009-08-14T20:13:00.003-05:00

India has been added to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom's list of nations that fail to protect religious freedom for citizens, according to this article from Christianity Today.

This is a Federal government entity that monitors "the status of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments, and to give independent policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and the Congress."

Act of Christian Charity Brings Littering Charge

2009-08-13T09:37:00.002-05:00

The LA Times has this story about an Arizona man who was convicted of littering for leaving water bottles in the desert to benefit potential illegal immigrants attempting to cross the barren, hot land to enter the U.S.

The fifth paragraph identifies "faith-based group No More Deaths," of which Walt Staton is a member. The story does not elaborate on the faith-based nature, so I visited the group's web site , which also makes users navigate down into the site pretty far to get past repeated references to the "Humanitarian" cause to learn that the Faith-Based Principles of Immigration Reform inform the group's work.

Article interviews Muslim teen

2009-08-12T21:57:00.003-05:00

This article from CNN's Generation Islam series was interesting in the choices of interview subjects.

The author interviews Muslim women who write books and social commentary on the status of Muslim women, but their views are contrasted with those of teenage Muslim girls.

The author gives a thumbnail history of the hijab that is skillfully written.

Website promotes mall church

2009-08-10T18:50:00.000-05:00

So I ended up staying at the Westin on the other side of enclosed mall in Boston where AEJ was held last week. As I was power walking between the two, several times a day, the odors of air conditioning and perfume gave way to a faint scent of candles as I passed the St. Francis Chapel, which is right across the way from the Sheraton.

I looked it up and found this web site which features several videos, a photo slide show, descriptions of services and events and a link to become a regular financial supporter, as well as a good bit of information on the sponsoring religious order.

The site is well-organized, but I thought that it was interesting that although there is a Spanish version, the videos linked from there are still in English.

Role of government in religion vexes in Asia

2009-08-07T22:39:00.002-05:00

I was in Washington, DC, earlier this week and saw, on the national mall, what I am now thinking must be a regular installation about Falun Gong, the religious movement that has faced oppression in China and has been trying to solicit support through a media campaign and demonstrations in other countries.

Then, today, I saw this article about a dispute between Buddhist monks and the government of Vietnam.

A particularly interesting element of the article is a quote that "Managing religious groups does not mean controlling them." In my Western viewpoint, managing the information from or about religious groups is, in fact, a powerful method of control, because it impairs or aids the religious group in spreading its message. What think you?

AEJMC annual meeting returns

2009-08-06T05:37:00.002-05:00

Religion and Media interest Group members have gathered in Boston to hear the latest research, and to discuss issues in media and religion. One panel, scheduled for tomorrow at 12:15, will look at why certain groups in society hate journalists and what journalists can do to treat these groups fairly and win their trust.

One group that may feel it gets unfair treatment in the US media is Muslims, so I thought this CNN package from Christiane Amanpour was an interesting one.

Catholic newspaper reports that church knew of abuses for years

2009-03-30T16:00:00.003-05:00

An investigative piece in the National Catholic Reporter suggests that Catholic Church officials were warned about pedophile priests as early as the 1950s.

The lengthy article tells the story of Father Gerald Fitzgerald, the head of the Servants of the Paracletes, a religious order that was dedicated to rehabilitating priest offenders. Fitzgerald, for many years, sought to purchase an island to provide the rehabilitation while protecting society from the priests.

Links to original letters and a breakdown of financial damage to the church are included.

Oliphant cartoon draws outrage

2009-03-26T22:13:00.002-05:00

Several Jewish groups have objected to a recent cartoon by Pulitzer Prize winner Pat Oliphant that shows a headless soldier pushing a fanged Star of David towards a small woman labeled Gaza.

I thought it was interesting that when there were controversial cartoons depicting Muhammed that offended Muslims, most media chose not to re-run the cartoons along with news stories about reaction. However, it was pretty easy to find a copy of the Oliphant cartoon in stories about reaction.

Feature illuminates value of religious coming-of-age stories

2009-03-23T09:05:00.005-05:00

Here in Texas, seeing a limo driving around on a Saturday afternoon generally means a quinceañera celebration is in progress. I had a chance recently to talk with a Latina friend about what the church service and subsequent ball mean in the life of teenagers.

Then I saw this charming feature in the New York Times over the weekend about 90+-year-old women celebrating a bat mitzvah that they weren't able to have during the Depression.

The story starts with the social issues of girls not getting recognition because of their gender during tight economic times, but moves to the religious significance in the lives of the women, by quoting them about the subject of the speech they offered after the reading from the Torah.

Pope's visit includes reaffirmation of condom ban

2009-03-19T10:52:00.000-05:00

When Pope Benedict XVI made his first trip to Africa as pontiff, the lead on the story was his reaffirming that for Catholics, condom use is wrong. IN addition to the story on CNN, the next day brought < A HREF="http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/18/martin.condoms/index.html?iref=newssearch"> this commentary, criticizing the Pope's approach.

It was interesting to see the division across nations in the opinion on the Pope's words, with England, Australia and the U.S. media criticizing the Pope's call for abstinence as unrealistic in the face of the AIDS crisis in African countries.

Taking the Saint out of Patrick's Day

2009-03-17T22:11:00.003-05:00

According to this story from my local paper, there is a movement afoot to remove Saint Patrick from the March 17 holiday.

This is in order to not be offensive to non-religious people who still want to enjoy the parades, green beer and other trimmings of the holiday, which is reminiscent of the issues people had with retailers wishing a Merry Christmas, rather than happy holidays or the even less committal Season's Greetings.

Religion blogger Terry Mattingly pointed to the article in his Get Religion blog, gaining several comments about whether the scope of the idea was really newsworthy.

Sharia adopted as peacemaking measure in Somalia

2009-02-28T19:01:00.002-06:00

Another country has agreed with rebel groups to institute Sharia, or Islamic law, in order to gain a cease-fire.

Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed announced today that he has approved the installation of Sharia Law, a move that will have to be ratified by the nation's parliament.

Stories about the move were pretty similar from the BBC and from Al Jazeera, although the latter focused more on the political aspect, while the BBC focused more on the violence.

Somalia has been cited by Christian rights groups for incidents where professions Christians and Christian converts have been beheaded.

New archibishop for New York

2009-02-24T15:17:00.000-06:00

With the mandatory retirement of Cardinal Edward Egan, the Vatican has named Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan, from Milwaukee, to head the diocese of New York.

You can read details that focus on the history of Dolan here in the LA Times. A story with more analysis of the state of the Catholic Church in New York is found in the New York Times.

Viewer reports detail experience of wearing religious clothing

2009-02-22T21:27:00.002-06:00

This series of iReports from CNN has first-person accounts from members of various religions explaining the meaning of clothing they wear and the reactions that they get. Perspectives include Muslim, Sikh and Orthodox Jew.

The unedited candor of the presentations is compelling.

Westboro pastor, daughter banned from Britain

2009-02-19T21:02:00.002-06:00

The BBC has this story about Fred Phelps and his daughter being banned from entering Great Britain, where they intended to protest at a play depicting the death of a gay youth.

The source commenting on the theology of the Westboro Baptist Church, known for villified protests at funerals for U.S. Servicemebers, is the principal of the school where the play is to be presented, which was an interesting choice.

Phelps' daughter has claimed that other church members will be secretly entering the country to carry out the protests.

Story localizes Pakistani political issue

2009-02-17T02:39:00.002-06:00

I thought this story in the New York Times was an interesting attempt to localize the issues in Pakistan's Swat region to New York.

It tells the story of Pakistani immigrants living in the U.S. who are finding that their families back in Pakistan are facing increased scrutiny and sometimes violence from Taliban sources who are convinced that the immigrants are U.S. sympathizers and the family members are spies.

News outlets cover Pakistan sharia law deal

2009-02-16T14:19:00.000-06:00

As was widely reported yesterday, in an effort to boost security in the mountainous Swat region, the Pakistani government has reached a deal with the Taliban to return the region to Islamic law.

In covering a story like this for a Western audience, context is critical if you want the readers/viewers to understand why this is significant. The Associated Press Coverage found here focuses on the U.S. political reaction, with only glancing attention to the issues that shariah law might bring about for civilians living in the region.

Another article published in the National, from Abu Dhabi, offers a lengthy historical context detailing the relationship of shariah law and the relative peace within the region.

CNN's international edition had a few grafs on the social impact here.

Reuters, a few years ago, ran a summary of sharia law in the context of another story. The brief summary does highlight some of the cultural issues that might be important for a Western audience.

Science blog discusses religion and science

2009-02-13T10:31:00.002-06:00

As Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday drew government attention and headlines, 200th of Charles Darwin also drew some media attention.

Scienceblogs is a compendium of blogs from a variety of scientists on a variety of topics, some of which are more personal than research focused.

I was interested in this post by Isis the Scientist, one of the regular bloggers. The author writes on the fit between her Catholic faith and her life as a researcher in a well-read post that generated 125 comments. In contrast, the US News blog link above drew 11 as of this time of this writing.

For discussion: How are blog entries like this similar to news accounts? News blogs? I-Reports? What kind of impact do they have on the public understanding and discussion? What does this imply for news? For PR?

Indulgences are back, Times reports

2009-02-10T15:08:00.002-06:00

This article, the most popular in today's on-line New York Times is interesting for it's explanation of theological issues.

The article discusses the availability of indulgences for Catholics and how it is becoming somewhat more prevalent in the church.

The indulgence is a tricky concept for a publication to get across to a variety of readers who include, as the article notes, those who vaguely remember that Martin Luther was against them - a fact pulled up from the recollections of high school history.

But I thought this explanation worked well:

"The indulgence is among the less noticed and less disputed traditions to be restored. But with a thousand-year history and volumes of church law devoted to its intricacies, it is one of the most complicated to explain.

According to church teaching, even after sinners are absolved in the confessional and say their Our Fathers or Hail Marys as penance, they still face punishment after death, in Purgatory, before they can enter heaven. In exchange for certain prayers, devotions or pilgrimages in special years, a Catholic can receive an indulgence, which reduces or erases that punishment instantly, with no formal ceremony or sacrament.

There are partial indulgences, which reduce purgatorial time by a certain number of days or years, and plenary indulgences, which eliminate all of it, until another sin is committed. You can get one for yourself, or for someone who is dead. You cannot buy one — the church outlawed the sale of indulgences in 1567 — but charitable contributions, combined with other acts, can help you earn one. There is a limit of one plenary indulgence per sinner per day."

Prayer Breakfast remarks in news and opinion

2009-02-06T21:34:00.001-06:00

President Barack Obama announced his plans for a faith-based initiatives office while attending the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington.

The move garned stories and commentary in a variety of media. The Washington Post focused more on Obama's incorporation of policy issues into the initiative.

USA Today live-blogged it on the newspaper's web site and ran a story.

The LA Times Fashion Blog reviewed Mrs. Obama's dress and linked to the AP story for news.

The story was the lead on Thursday's Catholic News Service home page.

Obama's plan stresses inclusiveness of a variety of faith traditions. The Muslim Link, which covers news of interest to Muslims in the U.S. Capitol area didn't have a story.

New York's Jewish Daily Forward did a brief advance. The Daily Forward actually publishes in print weekly, and it's unclear if they update their web site more regularly, however.

You can see the official White House coverage here.

Religion angle in story, but not really

2009-02-04T12:27:00.002-06:00

When a story has a headline like 'Mother of all believers' jailed in Iraq, you might expect that there would be a significant religion angle to the story.

Reading piece, it is about an Iraqi woman who recruits female suicide bombers. The nickname comes from an Iraqi military official. Some explanation of why this term would used would add a lot to the story, particularly as it seems, to Western ears, to conflate devotion and terrorism, which is a surprising word choice for a local official.

A marketing theme for Super Bowl Sunday

2009-02-01T14:36:00.004-06:00

As churches across the U.S. deal with their response to Superbowl Sunday (host a Superbowl party at the church? Host a non-related event? Cancel regular events?), those of us in the media business turn an eye to the advertisements that traditionally debut today.

From the blog Beyond Relevance comes this video, which asks "What if Starbucks Marketed Like a Church." The commentary on evangelical churches and their outreach is biting, but also funny.

God ambivalent about Super Bowl outcome

2009-01-30T15:15:00.002-06:00

In a reader-contributed piece in the Houston Chronicle, writer Ken Gurley states that the Almighty cares about football because people do. But Cardinals v Steelers, not so much.

To discuss: Is religion a safe area to allow unedited reader contributions?

Missionary nun serves in circus

2009-01-25T19:24:00.002-06:00

This story on CNN about life in the circus focused on how life for full-time traveling families is similar to and different from life for other families. The article discusses living arrangements, work schedules, the fact that a licensed teacher runs a one-room school for children traveling with the group.

A heavy transition in the latter part of the story reads "With any traveling family, there will inevitably be spiritual needs. Sister Dorothy Fabritze is a full-time circus worker and Catholic nun who holds religion classes, working across cultures, sharing the circus lifestyle."

The rest of the story focuses on the religion angle.

Texas curriculum vote gets attention

2009-01-23T10:29:00.003-06:00

The State Board of Education for Texas voted yesterday to remove language requiring public school teachers to discuss the weaknesses of evolution in academic presentations on selection.

The vote, which will set state education standards for the next 10 years, was quite close and garnered a lot of media attention in the state. Both sides are claiming victory, as can be seen in here and in the commentshere.

How to produce a prayer

2009-01-20T12:29:00.003-06:00

During the opening and closing prayers at today's inauguration, it was interesting to watch the choices the producers made in whom to show. President and Mrs. Obama were shown, heads bowed and eyes closed, although Sasha Obama was looking around at one point, and "First Grandma" Marian Robinson was pulling at her gloves.

Shots of the crowd showed a variety of poses - tears, looking around, people who were reciting the Lord's Prayer with Rick Warren and people who weren't.

For discussion: How to choose shots for this. Better to focus on the speaker? The President? A potpourri?

Catholics Insulted by Mexican Playboy Cover

2008-12-16T10:34:00.000-06:00

This piece on CNN yesterday highlights a controversy in Mexico over a Playboy Magazine cover depicting a scantily dressed woman wearing a veil, posing in front of a stained glass window, with the words in Spanish "Te adoremus, Maria." The model on the cover is María Florencia Onori, and the magazine's publisher asserts that the piece, released on the the Virgin of Guadalupe's feast day, is not supposed to depict Mary, the mother of Jesus.

The CNN story is an interview with Miami priest and radio host Father Albert Cutie, and, accoding to Cutie, Catholics aren't buying it. The cover is both offensive and blasphemous, Cutie says.

The story does a nice job of explicating the role of culture in the understanding of religion, explaining to non-Latino viewers the meanings that images and the words would have.

Poor economy packs pews

2008-12-14T21:37:00.002-06:00

According to this story in today's New York Times, tough economic times mean an increase in attendance at Christian churches, most specifically evangelical ones.

The article, which states "Many ministers have for the moment jettisoned standard sermons on marriage and the Beatitudes to preach instead about the theological meaning of the downturn," goes on to discuss a study that suggests that evangelical movements and churches flourish in uncertain times, a view that religion historians downplay.

The end of the article explores why mainline Protestant and Catholic churches have not seem attendance increases on the level of evangelical ones.

The article didn't mention if adherents of other faiths are flocking to their services as well, which could be an important element of balance in the story.

Humbug sign stolen from nativity scene

2008-12-05T22:16:00.002-06:00

This lead story from CNN states that an atheist sign that appeared next to a nativity scene in Washington state has been found.

The sign, which was reported stolen from the legislative building in Olympia, read "At this season of the Winter Solstice, let reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven and hell. Only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."

The Freedom of Religion Foundation has placed similar signs in other locations that have suffered minor vandalism.

One the most interesting things about the article, however, is the emphasis on free speech, both from the foundation and from government officials who faces large protests about the sign, but did not take steps to have it removed.

Episcopals splitting in U.S.

2008-12-03T11:03:00.002-06:00

This story from the AP details a call from conservatives in the U.S. and Canada to form their own group, to be called the Anglican Church in North America.

This short piece contains a thumbnail sketch of some of the issues that are influencing the split. But this longer piece from the Christian Science Monitor includes quotations from bishops worldwide concerning the need for the split and comments from Episcopal leadership about whether the diocese will leave with the Bishop.

But I found this piece from the BBC the best at explaining the changes in a way that lay persons could understand.

NBC makes an interesting story request

2008-12-01T15:07:00.003-06:00

This call for information from NBC is interesting on a few levels.

The network is attempting to bridge religion and the economic slowdown, which is a rather different idea.

The examples given for what people might have trouble paying for are interesting, though. Gas to get to services is one thing, but I think some readers/viewers might not classify Christmas trees or Hanukkah gifts as costs of religious observances.

I will be interested to see if they get responses from practitioners of other religions.

Article explores role of Islam in India

2008-11-29T14:16:00.002-06:00

Beginning with a quote from a gunman at the Oberoi Hotel, this article in Time looks at the status of Muslims in India. The gunman is quoted as saying that the attacks were revenge for the poor treatment of Muslims in that country.

In India, Muslims are less than 20 percent of the population, but, according to the article, "...generally speaking, Muslim Indians have shorter life spans, worse health, lower literacy levels and lower-paying jobs."

The article takes a historical approach and is a good background for understanding tensions within India and with the country's neighboring Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Also of interest is this older article from Religion and Ethics Newsweekly.

Commercialization of Christmas tackled in Parody Song

2008-11-28T22:37:00.003-06:00

Since Black Friday kicks off the Christmas shopping season, my gift to you is the lyrics from Stephen Colbert's Christmas-special-leading ditty "Another Christmas Song."

Enjoy.

Another Christmas Song
Sung by: Stephen Colbert

Ho! It’s another Christmas song
Whoa! Get ready brother for another Christmas song
They play for a month, Ad infinitum
One day it struck me someone must write ‘em
So! It’s another Christmas song

Santa Claus singing on naughty snow
Reindeer ringing in the mistletoe
The manger’s on fire,
The holly’s a-glow
Hear the baby Jesus cryin’ ho ho ho

Hey! It’s another Christmas song
Yay! Another oft’ returning
Royalty earning Christmas song
I’ve got plenty more so go buy a modem
Log on to iTunes and pay to download ‘em
Pay! For another Christmas song

Chestnuts glisten on a silent night
Sleigh-bells kissing by candle light
The tree is frozen, the winter’s bright
Who’d have thought the wise men look so white

You! Don’t you wanna sing along?
Too! My humble yule tide
Dreamed up pool side
Christmas song
Make it a part of your holiday canon
Make it the heart of my retirement plan and
Do! Sing another Christmas song

Beat it into ‘em fellows!
Watch my feet fly!

But wait! Who’s this?

Young ones starving on a dead-end street
Taped up tabloids on their frost-bit feet
Hear what they carol as they huddle for heat

Children: Please help the Colbert Children eat

Whoa! Just another Christmas song
No! This is like no other Christmas-mother-lovin’-song
Public to whom I’m so proud to have pandered
Please save my family and make this a standard
Go! Join the ever-growing throng
Who are singing
And swingin’
While my kids are clinging to the hope
My register’s ching-ching chinging from the cash I’m bringing
From another Christmas song
Copyright Stephen Colbert!

The whole special is airing on Comedy Central this month.

Pastor's call for week of "congregational copulation" draws coverage

2008-11-24T17:43:00.002-06:00

Grapevine, Texas, pastor Ed Young called his married congregants to have sex each night for a week, in a story covered by The New York Times, England's The Daily Mail , Canada's Toronto Globe and Mail Australia's News.com.au and others.

The way the stories were covered is interesting - some chose an analytical approach, interviewing sex therapists about whether the challenge would make a lasting difference. Another chose to interview other pastors to see if it would fly in their congregations.

Apparently, singles who attend Young's Fellowship Church were encouraged to eat chocolate and to ask God to send them a spouse.

Abortion activists change tactics

2008-11-21T23:01:00.000-06:00

This front-page story in the Washington Post describes a schism in the pro-life movement, with some pastors and conservative activists shifting focus from trying to overturn Roe v Wade to trying to reduce abortions by providing more services to pregnant women.

The article is particularly enlightening about the rift forming in the Catholic church between church authorities, who are staunchly pro-life and lay groups that are seeing other options to reduce abortions in America.

Priest asks parishoners to repent for votes for Obama

2008-11-17T13:02:00.002-06:00

Father Jay Scott Newman, a Roman Catholic Priest, is in the news after he asked his congregants who voted for Obama to repent of their choice to support a pro-choice candidate before the parishoners took communion again.

The head of the state's diocese rebuked the action, stating that the church recognizes freedom of conscience.

Mormons blamed for failure of Prop. 8, focus of protests

2008-11-15T23:10:00.002-06:00

There have been news reports of protests against Mormons since it was reported that Mormon support for Proposition 8 turned the tide and let the measure pass.

Mormon facilities have been vandalized, and some congregations have added security to deal with increased threats. Protests have been held in large California cities as well as in Salt Lake City, . There have been calls for boycotts of the state of Utah as a tourist destination, which might threaten the Sundance Film Festival.

What is in a word?

2008-11-13T11:48:00.002-06:00

In Somalia, there is a steady encroachment on key towns and ports, thanks to a militia belonging to a group called Shabab.

But what do you call the militia members as a group. If you are the LA Times, you call them islamic insurgents, but on the other coast, the NY Times calls them islamist insurgents.

According to religionstylebook.org, there is a difference, and an islamist is using a fundamentalist interpretation of Islam to further a political agenda, whereas Islamic is a more general-purpose adjective.

Editorial suggests Summum case is about establishment

2008-11-12T08:47:00.003-06:00

I missed this editorial that ran inside yesterday's Times suggesting that the Supreme Court case of Summum vs. Pleasant Grove City is not an issue of free speech, but rather one of establishment of religion.

Arguments in this case should be interesting to watch.

Religious angle critical in court story

2008-11-11T19:48:00.001-06:00

A story on page A1 of the New York Times today focuses on an interesting case being brought before the Supreme Court about whether a Utah town is required to afford a new religious movement the same right to display scriptures in a public park as it does Christianity.

This case is interesting because of the uncertainty of which part of the First Amendment is relevant - freedom of speech or establishment of religion. It was also an interesting challenge for the writer to, in a short news article, adequately summarize enough of the new religious movement's beliefs and behaviors to enable readers to understand the matters relevant to the case.

I read the web version linked to here, and this would have been a nice chance to have used the multimedia capabilities of the web to at least list all the aphorisms referenced in the article, or, better, to link to the group's web site.

Short story on monk fistfight lacks context

2008-11-09T15:21:00.002-06:00

This CNN story details a fistfight between Christian monks of varying affiliation at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem today.

The story reads like a crime story and, because of its length, I think, does not answer an important set of questions including what the historic tensions mentioned in the article are, where they came from, and how this fits into the overall realm of Christian experience in a religion that, at least theologically, isn't expected to put a lot of emphasis on locations.

Blog aggregates stories of Muslim women in media

2008-11-08T12:44:00.001-06:00

This blog, written by a group of Muslim feminists, provides analysis, commentary and aggregations of stories in the media that feature Muslim women.

The blog covers a world-wide area and a variety of news media and is worth a look.