Godbeat

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The Village Voice goes apocalyptic

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The Village Voice raises some fair questions about why officials from the Bush administration are discussing foreign policy with what the Voice calls “apocalyptic Christians,” but it could do a better job of understanding basic theological categories. Reporter Rick Perlstein writes in an urgent tone about the Apostolic Congress, which represents members of the United Pentecostal Church. (R.G. Upton, pictured with the Bushes and his wife, leads the Washington lobby.)


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Newsweek confronts galloping literalism

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Newsweek‘s cover package on “The New Prophets of Revelation” rings true, for the most part, to readers familiar with the work and personalities of Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. Indeed, much of the fun in David Gates’ reporting is in the contrasts between the pushy, polyester-clad LaHaye and the self-deprecating, jeans-favoring Jenkins.


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Nativity wars update: How not to cover a religion news story

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When we last visited the Palm Beach soap opera about the Menorah and the Nativity scene, the church-state experts at the Palm Beach Post had concluded that this was not a case that hinged on U.S. equal-access laws. No, it was about — cue drum roll — two uppity Christian ladies who were guilty of “recidivist anti-Semitism.”


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When does schism become schism?

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A consistent theme in coverage of the United Methodist Church’s General Conference was how “stunned” delegates were by a suggestion of freeing theologically divided Methodists to go their separate ways. Reporters also seemed stunned by the idea: after conservatives won the crucial votes on sexuality issues, sometimes by substantial majorities, why would William Hinson of the Confessing Movement within The United Methodist Church float such a risky trial balloon?


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