Pope Must Hide Cross at Jerusalem Site: Rabbi

They thought he was a lawyer

(NEWSER) - Israeli rabbis went rabid over a local dog because he was acting like a lawyer. A Jerusalem rabbinical court ordered the stoning death of the stray because they believed it was the reincarnation of a troublesome, foul-mouthed attorney who clashed with the court. The beast entered the Jerusalem financial court several weeks ago and would not leave, reminding judges of a curse from a late lawyer (made 20 years ago) after justices told his spirit to enter the body of a dog, reports the BBC . More»

Traditional names 'indelible seal' of faith ... and Chelsea is a no-no

(NEWSER) - Offbeat baby names are getting more common every year, but Pope Benedict XVI is having none of it. The pontiff took time out from baptizing 21 babies in the Sistine Chapel on Sunday to rail against the trend of giving babies names that don't come from saints or the Bible, Reuters reports—meaning handles like Crystal, Track, and Chelsea are no-nos. "Every baptized child acquires the character of the son of God, beginning with their Christian name, an unmistakable sign that the Holy Spirit causes man to be born anew in the womb of the Church," he said. More»

Muslims face worst prejudice, most unfavorable view

(NEWSER) - A whopping 43% of Americans report at least “a little” bias against Muslims, and a majority, 53%, have an unfavorable view of the religion, according to a Gallup poll released today. That makes Islam far and away the most reviled religion in the country; Only 18% reported some prejudice against Christians, and 15% admitted the same against Judaism. More»

Senator backed Medicare buy-in 3 months ago, and still should

(NEWSER) - “A hallmark of Judaism is disputation,” writes David Gibson, and it shows—Joe Lieberman is in a pitched battle with his home state coreligionists over health care reform. Rabbis from across Connecticut, in tones both dulcet and shrill, are lobbying the senator to drop his opposition to anything that sounds remotely public, while he contends that his decisions are based on the greater good. But is he reading his Torah correctly? More»

If you watch White Christmas , be considerate: also watch Munich

(NEWSER) - "Just because anyone with half a brain celebrates Christmas," Paul Rudnick writes in that bastion of traditional Christianity, the New Yorker , that's no reason to alienate your yarmulke-wearing friends. Some tips:

• Calling Jesus "Our Savior" might seem gauche. Just call him "the Jew that got away."
• Gifting for a mixed couple made easy: The Christian wife gets a candle, the Jewish husband "a lovely framed portrait of his parents, rending their clothes and sobbing."