Episcopal Cafe – Page 432

Without God

September 21, 2008 5 Comments

Let’s grant that science and religion are not incompatible—there are after all some (though not many) excellent scientists, like Charles Townes and Francis Collins, who have strong religious beliefs. Still, I think that between science and religion there is, if not an incompatibility, at least what the philosopher Susan Haack has called a tension, that has been gradually weakening serious religious belief, especially in the West, where science has been most advanced.

Bishop reactions to Duncan issue, Saturday edition

September 20, 2008 1 Comment

Today in reactions to the HoB vote of Friday, we have several reports–not so much of reactions as explanations of “why I voted the way I did.” The reports indicate that the conversation was respectful and that there was an undercurrent of sadness throughout the proceeding.

Professor Blair’s first class

September 20, 2008 1 Comment

Tony Blair, as Howland Distinguished Fellow at Yale University, “officially” kicked off his teaching career yesterday with an address and question & answer session to some 2,000 students at Yale’s Woolsey Hall. His engaging style and sense of humor were apparent in the forum, which sets the stage for the Faith and Globalization Initiative. Blair also is teaching a course on faith and globalization as part of the initiative, which is “a three-year collaboration among Yale’s Divinity School, the School of Management and Blair’s own Tony Blair Faith Foundation,’ according to the Hartford Courant.

Pentecostalism goes global

September 20, 2008 No Comments

In the Times Literary Supplement this week, David Martin explores the history of the Pentecostal Movement and why it’s spreading worldwide, citing Palin’s nomination as

Beyond Gideon

September 20, 2008 No Comments

The Associated Press’s religion feature this week is on a trend among “boutique” hotels to offer a menu of spiritual food. Page around in the

Democrats and evangelicals

September 14, 2008 No Comments

As Barack Obama and John McCain move into the final two months of this longest of elections, white evangelical or “born again” Christian voters are being fought over more fiercely than at any time in modern history. Both parties employ evangelical outreach specialists. Both are spending a lot of time courting evangelical leaders. And both are holding meetings with “values voters” to try to reassure them.

Evangelicals and torture

September 14, 2008 No Comments

The poll of 600 Southern white evangelicals was released Sept. 11 in Atlanta in connection with a national religious summit on torture. It shows not only are white evangelical Southerners more likely than the general populace to believe torture is sometimes or often justified, but also that they are far more likely—to tweak a phrase from Proverbs—to “lean on their own understanding” regarding the subject.

Barring Yahweh

September 14, 2008 2 Comments

Observant Jews have traditionally not used the name Yahweh, refusing to pronounce the so-called proper name of God out of respect, or to be sure they do not misuse it. Now neither will Roman Catholics, at least in their worship services.

Marilynne Robinson’s “Home”

September 14, 2008 2 Comments

“Home” is set in the Boughton household at the time of Jack’s sudden return, and is an intense study of three people: the Reverend Boughton, the old, dying patriarch; his pious daughter Glory; and the prodigal Jack.

Nigeria on re-evangelizing the West, among other things

September 13, 2008 1 Comment

A Nigerian tabloid has reported on a Metroplitan Community Church congregation in Nigeria that, according to the paper, is “first openly declared gay church in the country.” Along with the story, they’ve noted that both Muslim and Christian Leaders have condemned the church, like homosexuality, as evil, and are using that as a basis for their campaign to re-evangelize the West.

The Archive

Author: Episcopal Cafe