Big Churches Do Bigger Business

More launch own programs to provide affordable homes

(NEWSER) - Churches that have long called for an increase in affordable housing have started taking matters into their own hands, the Washington Post reports: A growing number of them have launched their own housing projects, partnering with developers to build whole communities. Their weekly flow of donations allows them to qualify for financing, and the resulting real estate revenue diversifies church income and helps underwrite community programs like food banks. More»

(NEWSER) - A suspected arsonist set fire to Sarah Palin's church in Wasilla, Alaska, causing about $1 million in damage, the Anchorage Daily News reports. Investigators say they don't know if Palin's connection to the Wasilla Bible Church is a factor, and they have no suspects. Palin stopped by the church today and issued a statement saying she's sorry if it's somehow connected to the "undeserved negative attention the church has received" since she entered the public stage nationally. More»

Was expelled from missionary school where he killed 2

(NEWSER) - The gunman at two Colorado church shootings yesterday had been expelled from the missionary school where killed two people, the AP reports. He also sent the school hate mail in recent weeks and may have "hated Christians," police said. The school admitted that it had kicked out the gunman, Michael Murray, a few years ago due to "issues with his health." More»

Buoys and other material from Japan show up on Alaska shores

(NEWSER) - Buoys by the hundreds are just part of the "unprecedented" waves of debris washing up on Alaska's shores. Montague Island, located some 120 miles southeast of Anchorage, has lately seen a steady stream of buoys, styrofoam, and other items that have made their way across the Pacific, likely in the wake of Japan's March 2011 tsunami, the Telegraph reports. More»

Julie Anne Smith labeled church a 'cult'

(NEWSER) - An Oregon church is suing a woman who called the place a "cult" in a Google review. The defamation suit is seeking $500,000 after Julie Anne Smith allegedly accused the "creepy" church of "indoctrination," reports the Raw Story . "Don’t waste your precious lives and relationships being held emotionally/spiritually captive by this so-called church," Smith wrote, alleging that the pastor knew of a sex offender in the church but had done nothing to protect kids. More»