The people have spoken in the great state of Illinois, and the law that required the state’s school students to pray or reflect for a moment every day seems to be on the way out. After passing twice through the state’s legislature (the second time by a supermajority due to the governor’s veto), the law that seemed like a good idea at the time looks like a goner.
Just another boring religion story
Obama and the Islam factors
News media from around the world parachuted into Ohio and Texas this week to cover the much anticipated primary elections that managed to further the Democratic Party’s confusion over their choice for a 2008 presidential candidate.
Devil is in the details
The Fort Wayne News Sentinel broke a fascinating story: Native Tim Goeglein, the White House’s liaison to conservative Christians, was guilty of plagiarizing columns for the paper. Here is what reporter Ashley Smith wrote in her lede:
Just another candlestick holder?
As you would expect, I have been following the coverage of the Russian “election” and the rise of Dmitry Medvedev. I have to admit that I have been frustrated by the reports that include snippets about his Orthodox faith and the role that it plays, or does not play, in his life.
Blessed are the question askers
I came across two stories within moments of each other yesterday. Both, ostensibly, deal with the same Barack Obama town hall event in Ohio. And that’s where the similarities end. Here’s the first paragraph (of three paragraphs!) from the Associated Press:
Preacher investigation needs more coverage
Someone needs to get a good in-depth interview with the staffer (or staffers) on Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley’s staff who is heading up the investigation of televangelists, which seems to be picking up lately. A couple of meager stories trickled out last week about a couple of ministers/evangelists who are responding to the senator’s inquiries.
Bible Girl meets Obama (kind of)
The other day, I went to an interesting Pew Forum event linked to the new books by E.J. Dionne (“Souled Out“) and Amy Sullivan (“The Party Faithful“). They should have included another book on a related topic — “Why Democrats Are Blue” — but you knew I would say that.
California intolerance wars
The Sacramento Bee had a rather interesting politics and religion story Wednesday about statements from a former UCLA basketball player who now heads a fellowship group for California legislators that attack another fellowship that “embraces people of all faiths without insisting that they accept Jesus Christ.”
