Religion

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

November 15, 2007 -- "Americans are a grateful people, ever mindful of the many ways we have been blessed. On Thanksgiving Day, we lift our hearts in gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy, the people we love, and the gifts of our prosperous land.    » read more »

November 13, 2007 -- Des Moines, IA – Matt Reisetter, a recognized and well-respected leader in Iowa’s evangelical community, has joined the Mike Huckabee for President campaign as its director of coalitions in Iowa.    » read more »

12 November 2007 -- Human rights groups are urging the Egyptian government to lift restrictions on religious freedom that discriminate against those who do not belong to one of three recognized religions.

Basma Moussa has not had a national ID card since 2004, when Egypt's Interior Ministry refused to issue her one unless she changed her religion. Moussa is an Egyptian member of the Baha'i faith, a monotheistic religion that developed in Iran in the 19th century.    » read more »

November 11, 2007 -- Little Rock, AR – Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee today announced additional endorsements from influential faith leaders across the country, augmenting a strong show of support he received Friday from Southern Baptist Convention leaders.

The new major endorsements include:

· Stephen Strang, Founder of Charisma Magazine – Lake Mary, Fla.

· Rick Scarborough, President and founder of Vision America – Pearland, Tex.

· Jerry Cox, President of Arkansas Family Council – Little Rock, Ark.    » read more »

Study Proves Abstinence-Only Programs Are Ineffective

Washington, DC — Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) President Cecile Richards praised a report released today by Douglas Kirby, Ph.D., and the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy definitively showing that abstinence-only programs are ineffective. Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest network of sex education providers, called on Congress to stop funding abstinence-only programs that do nothing to help teens prevent unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.    » read more »

Judge Hood rules that display is not covered by previous injunction

November 05, 2007 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher has directed that the “Foundations of American Law and Government” display be placed in the Capitol, following a ruling today by U.S. District Judge Joseph M. Hood that the display is not covered by a previous injunction.    » read more »

November 02, 2007 -- Kentucky Attorney General Greg Stumbo today questioned Kentucky Governor Fletcher's belated attempt to clarify a federal court order regarding posting the Ten Commandments on state grounds.

"I offered to clear the way for posting the Ten Commandments a year and a half ago." Stumbo noted. "Obviously, this issue was not important to the Governor until he could play politics with it."    » read more »

30 October 2007 -- The rock-hewn churches of Lalibela are among Ethiopia's crowning glories, recognized internationally as a unique and important site. Built in the early 1200s by King Lalibela, the churches continue to draw pilgrims from around the world and are a testament to the grandeur of the millennium that has just passed in Ethiopia.

Legend has it that before he became king, Saint Gebre Mesqel Lalibela fell into a deep sleep for three days after his half-brother tried to poison him.    » read more »

October 30, 2007 -- “The state has successfully defended the Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in a case that challenged that body’s practice of prayer before opening General Assembly Sessions.

Today’s decision confirms that federal courts exist to redress actual injuries rather than abstract philosophical disputes.    » read more »

25 October 2007 -- Vatican officials have presented a new volume called "Trial Against the Templars". The new publication is an expensive limited edition of the proceedings of the 1307-1312 papal trial of the mysterious medieval crusading order of warrior-monks who were accused of heresy.

Secret Vatican City archive documents detailing the heresy trials of the Knights Templar are to be sold for the first time.    » read more »

October 23, 2007 -- Washington, DC - In the wake of last week's endorsement of Mitt Romney by Bob Jones III and Bob Jones University Dean Robert Taylor, a column in today's USA Today asks how far Romney is willing to go to smooth talk Republican primary voters into backing his campaign.    » read more »

October 14, 2007 -- Des Moines, IA -- Senator Barack Obama today hosted an inter-faith forum at the Des Moines Public Library and talked about how his own Christian beliefs influence his commitment to fighting global climate change.    » read more »

October 3, 2007, Washington, D.C. – NPR News journalist Rachel Martin has been recognized with a “Best Radio Religion Reporting” award from the Religion Newswriters Association for her feature on the growing number of young Latino immigrants, mainly women, who are leaving the Catholic Church for the religion of Islam. The report aired on Weekend Edition Sunday on September 24, 2006, and is available at NPR.org.    » read more »

01 October 2007 -- Turkey's military has warned that it will defend the country's secular system of government, as Turkish lawmakers prepare to draft a new constitution.

Turkish army chief General Yasar Buyukanit said Monday in Istanbul that "no power can change Turkey's secular structure." He also repeated opposition to the creation of an independent Kurdish state in northern Iraq, saying it would pose a political and security risk to Turkey.

Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party, or AK Party, has made drafting a new constitution a top priority since winning elections in July.    » read more »

Albany, NY (October 1, 2007)—The U.S. Supreme Court today refused to hear Catholic Charities’ attempt to dismantle New York’s Women’s Health and Wellness Act. The law — which has been in effect since January 1, 2003 — requires insurance plans to cover women’s health services including osteoporosis exams, prescription contraceptives, and breast and cervical cancer screening.    » read more »