church

Stories 161 - 180 | << Prev   Next >>

Holy Hell: Churches Squeezed by Economy

(Newser) - The hallelujahs are strained in US churches these days as donations plunge at the same time demand for aid is skyrocketing, reports the Wall Street Journal. Congregations across the nation are slashing budgets and even laying off staff, including pastors. Churches and synagogues usually weather downturns well, but not this...

Forget Chastity: Marry Earlier, Say Evangelicals

(Newser) - The evangelical stress on abstinence until marriage is fantastic, writes Mark Regnerus—himself devout—in Christianity Today, "but promoting it has come at a cost." Doing so has "turned our attention away from the damage that Americans are doing to the institution of marriage by discouraging it...

Churches Put Faith in Housing Biz
Churches
Put Faith
in Housing Biz
Aug 8, 2009 10:39 AM CDT

Churches Put Faith in Housing Biz

More launch own programs to provide affordable homes

(Newser) - Churches that have long called for an increase in affordable housing have started taking matters into their own hands, the Washington Post reports: A growing number of them have launched their own housing projects, partnering with developers to build whole communities. Their weekly flow of donations allows them to qualify...

'Islamist' Bomb Kills 5 at Philippines Cathedral

45 injured in blast blamed on Islamic separatists

(Newser) - A bombing outside a church in the southern Philippines this morning killed five and injured 45, Reuters reports. The military blamed the attack on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a militant separatist group, the BBC notes. “The rebels are getting desperate and they are no longer choosing their targets,...

Obama Picks a Church: Camp David's

Prez dodges crowds at non-denominational site

(Newser) - Though they were sought by most parishes inside the Beltway, the Obamas have chosen Camp David's nondenominational chapel for their place of worship, Time reports. The decision follows in the footsteps of President Obama's predecessor in opting for a more private churchgoing experience—especially after throngs arrived hours early to...

Ky. Church: Praise the Lord, Pack Your Heat

(Newser) - Some 200 pistol-packing parishioners filled a church in Louisville, Ky., yesterday to celebrate the somewhat unlikely combination of freedom of religion and the right to bear arms, reports the Courier-Journal. Church members checked to ensure the weapons were unloaded and holstered before pastor Ken Pagano led the congregation in patriotic...

'Gay Exorcism' at Conn. Church Draws Ire of Rights Groups

Boy, 16, thrashes and vomits in YouTube clip

(Newser) - A Connecticut church is under fire for performing a “gay exorcism,” WPIX-TV reports. A video posted on YouTube (since removed) by Manifested Glory Ministries shows priests commanding “homosexual demons” to leave the body of a 16-year-old boy. During the ritual the boy thrashes around, and even vomits....

Jobless Cling to Their Faith in Detroit

Religions offer comfort as jobless face pain, hunger

(Newser) - Thousands of Detroit's jobless are coping with fear and desperation by falling back on faith, the Detroit Free Press reports. Houses of worship are increasingly fielding calls from people seeking jobs, food, and housing—but above all, congregants say, they find comfort. "When the tension comes and the pressure...

Irish Church Long Shielded Pedophiles: Report

Long-awaited report finds rampant abuses at reform schools

(Newser) - Sexual abuse was endemic in Irish Catholic institutions until the 1980s, a 9-year government inquiry has found. Over a 60-year period, 2000 children—mostly boys, now over 50—suffered physical and sexual abuses at the rigid schools, the BBC reports. Church officials encouraged beatings and shielded pedophiles in their orders,...

Hipster Jesus Unveiled
 Hipster Jesus Unveiled 
May 14, 2009 2:59 AM CDT

Hipster Jesus Unveiled

Jesus given jeans and a trim for British church's new statue

(Newser) - A Catholic church in Britain has given Jesus a 21st century makeover, the Daily Telegraph reports. Uckfield Catholic Church's "Jesus in Jeans" sculpture, to be hoisted to the top of its bell tower this week, depicts a rockin' Jesus with a trim haircut and sporting baggy jeans. The design...

US Youth May Yet Return to Religion, Despite the Right

The religious right has driven young people away, but a change in tone could lure them back: Putnam

(Newser) - Young Americans would likely become more religious if faith were disentangled from the polarizing practices of evangelical conservatives, Michael Gerson writes in the Washington Post. That’s a good thing, because research for an upcoming book found that religious Americans give more time and money—to secular and religious causes...

Japanese Say 'I Do' Stateside to Save Money

Couples like marrying in NY, Hawaii to duck $100K nuptials

(Newser) - Thousands of Japanese couples have chosen to marry in the US over the past decade to avoid pricey weddings back home, NPR reports. Favored destinations like Hawaii and New York City may not be cheap, but they're easier on the pocketbook than ceremonies that include hundreds of family, friends, and...

Miss Cali Really, Really Not Sorry on Gay Marriage

(Newser) - Carrie Prejean, the controversial Miss California, defied state sponsors who asked her to apologize for her remarks about gay marriage, the AP reports. On the contrary, Prejean—coached by her San Diego megachurch’s founder, a former NFL player—has become more resolute in her beliefs. “I learned that...

Calif. Sunday School Teacher May Also Face Rape Charge

Will be charged today; may face death penalty

(Newser) - The California Sunday school teacher set to be accused of killing 8-year-old Sandra Cantu may also face rape and child molestation charges, qualifying her for the death penalty, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Melissa Huckaby will be arraigned this afternoon; prosecutors will charge her with murder but are debating whether...

Obamas Head to Episcopal Church for Easter Services

St. John's, across from White House, also where family worshiped on Inauguration Day

(Newser) - President Barack Obama and his family celebrated Easter today at St. John's Episcopal Church, across from the White House. The Obamas left the White House at midmorning for services. St. John's is popular with presidents—it's where President George W. Bush often attended services. Obama hasn't attended public church services...

Woman Killed After Priest's Car Plows Into Churchgoers

Elderly woman dies, 4 others injured in Good Friday accident

(Newser) - A woman was killed and four were injured when a priest lost control of his car and drove into Good Friday churchgoers in eastern Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Witnesses said the priest, 79, had finished assisting with services at St. Maurice Catholic Church and was driving around to the...

Italy Quake Caused Massive Damage to Medieval Heritage

Ancient churches, castles in Abruzzo suffer serious quake damage

(Newser) - The 6.3 earthquake in Italy yesterday caused massive damage to what had been one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities, ANSA reports. Large sections of a famous 13th-century basilica and three other historic churches in the mountain city of L'Aquila have crumbled. An ornate 1584 gate to the community has...

Sick of Compromise, Christian Right Drops Politics

New generation of religious conservatives question old guard's tactics

(Newser) - A new generation of religious conservatives is turning its back on political activism, Kathleen Parker writes in the Washington Post. Today's Moral Majority accuses Christian leaders like James Dobson of bringing the cultural wars from churches to Congress and compromising their beliefs. Now, “Dobson and the Christian right political...

Lawyer: Lyme Disease Afflicted Church Shooter

Man, 27, charged with murder in 'deteriorating' mental state

(Newser) - The 27-year-old man charged today with murder and aggravated battery in yesterday’s Illinois church shooting was suffering mentally and physically from Lyme disease, his attorney tells the Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat. Terry Joe Sedlacek was ordered held without bail, though he’s still in the hospital recovering from self-inflicted...

Pastor Killed in Ill. Church Shooting

Three others injured, including suspect

(Newser) - Illinois state police say a man shot a pastor to death and injured others at a church during a service in Maryville. Master Trooper Ralph Timmins says the man walked down the aisle during the early Sunday service at First Baptist Church in Maryville, exchanged words with pastor Fred Winters,...

Stories 161 - 180 | << Prev   Next >>
Most Read on Newser