It’s always interesting to see how religion beat professionals tackle the big issues of the day. And these days, that means the economy. Recently we looked at a PBS program on the moral and religious dimensions of Wall Street problems. Steven Waldman had an item questioning whether attacks on “greed” were too simplistic. Among other things, he notes that Prosperity Gospel folks have sent some interesting messages about financial rewards from God.
Confessions of texting worshippers
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch‘s Tim Townsend had an amazing story on Tuesday that shatters any notion that the religion beat is only about stuffy theology or culture wars. The religion beat this week in St. Louis is about cell phone texting your pastor during his sermon and possibly having him respond before his sermon is over.
Left of the dial: campaign dispatches
More than any other story in this campaign cycle, Democratic outreach to evangelical Christians has some serious staying power. We have been told over and over that Democrats have ramped up their outreach to religious voters and we’ve been told all about every part of that effort.
Yes, we still want corrections
Obama's faith? Trust your biases
The czar of Beliefnet is on fire, right now, when it comes to analyzing the mix of religion and rumor that is dominating American politics at the moment (even while the stock market rages on).
When is a beard a religious beard?
Southern Baptists and porno mags
What is it about the traditional Christian view of a male priesthood that causes mainstream journalists to just lose their minds? Normally I write about this topic when we’re analyzing the outsized and generally inaccurate coverage of Roman Catholic Womenpriests. But The Atlanta Journal-Constitution wanted to get into the act with a story on Southern Baptist opposition to female clergy.
Now that was easy, wasn't it?
As I mentioned the other day, it was great getting to spend part of Saturday hanging out at the Religion Newswriters Association meetings here in Washington, D.C.
What faith of his fathers?
In his new cover story for The Atlantic Monthly, writer Jeffrey Goldberg portrays John McCain as a believer in the military in general and the right use of military power specifically. My summary of Goldberg’s article is lengthy, so please bear with me.
