NEWS OF THE WEEK
As President Obama this week urged Congress to prevent massive federal spending cuts from going into effect March 1, many religious groups emphasized the so-called sequester would disproportionately impact low-income Americans. Although Social Security, Medicare, and some anti-poverty programs are … More
Human rights and religious freedom advocates are ramping up pressure on Iran to release an Iranian-born American Christian pastor who was recently sentenced to eight years in prison there. Saeed Abedini was convicted last month of threatening Iran’s national security … More
This weekend (February 24) Jews celebrate Purim, when children join in the retelling of the story of Queen Esther and the Jews’ deliverance from a plot to destroy them. The long tale is called the megillah, from which any other … More
In Fredricksburg, Virginia, members of the Episcopal Church joined other religious and community leaders in a Civil War-era church to mark the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori led a service asking for forgiveness … More
Pope Benedict XVI stunned the world this week with the surprise announcement that he has decided to resign—the first pope to step down in 600 years. Pope Benedict’s resignation is to take effect on February 28. The College of Cardinals … More
In his State of the Union speech this week (February 12), President Obama addressed several issues of concern to many faith groups. The president pushed for stricter gun control, comprehensive immigration reform, and protections for senior citizens, the middle class, … More
Tibetan rights groups say since 2009 at least 100 Tibetans inside China have set themselves on fire to protest Chinese rule. The majority have been monks and nuns. Also this week, in Nepal, a former monk died after he set … More
The prominent American-born Jewish philosopher, Rabbi David Hartman, has passed away. He was 81. A leader of liberal Orthodoxy, Hartman founded the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem where he encouraged the study of many schools of Jewish thought. In a … More
Western Christians this week marked the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday (February 13), when many receive an ash mark of penance on their foreheads. In recent years, some congregations have made it easier for those who can’t get to … More
There was more attention this week to the ethical debate surrounding America’s use of weaponized drones in the war on terror. The discussion came amid a Senate intelligence committee confirmation hearing for John Brennan, nominated to be the next head … More
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