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October 2008
- Christianity in China Grows Quickly, Quietly
  
  Economist | Oct 3, 08 3:32 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Despite government restrictions, Christianity in China is widespread and growing. Authorities typically look the other way, occasionally applying pressure that only seems to spread religion's influence, reports the Economist. Most of the Protestant "house churches" consist of 25 people—the largest legal gathering—where new Christians lead newer converts in bible study. "In China, the 2-year-old Christian teaches the 1-year-old," says a pastor. More »
September 2008
- Clerics to Defy IRS, Endorse Candidates From Pulpit
  
  Los Angeles Times | Sep 25, 08 12:08 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Pastors from 22 states plan to purposely defy the IRS this Sunday by endorsing presidential candidates in their sermons, the LA Times reports. The so-called “pulpit initiative” aims to trigger a legal showdown, testing the constitutionality of the law forbidding such endorsements by tax-exempt groups. “There is nobody who will ever tell me what I can and cannot say from behind my pulpit,” said one reverend, “except the spirit of God.” More »
- Dems Again Losing Catholics Over Abortion
  
  New York Times | Sep 17, 08 10:37 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Though progressive Catholics have worked hard to convince churchgoers that the Democrats share the church's views on the Iraq war, immigration, and health care, abortion is again turning Catholic voters away from the party, the New York Times reports. As conservative bishops have scolded Catholics like Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden for contradicting the church's teachings, liberals are facing a setback. More »
- Bible Underpins Palin's Politics
  
  New York Times | Sep 6, 08 8:31 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Sarah Palin's pastors say an abiding faith in the Bible is at the core of her personal and political life, the N ew York Times reports. She attends the nondenominational Wasilla Bible Church. Its links to groups which seek to convert Jews and "cure" gays have caused concern—but townspeople say the unassuming, conservative church is a true reflection of Alaska. More »
- Dems Better Organized, Top Righties Say
  
  Politico | Sep 3, 08 1:36 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Top Republicans are convinced Democrats have out-organized them, and hold a significant tactical advantage heading into the fall, Politico reports. “The left has been incredible,” Rep. Eric Cantor said today. “When you’re talking about tactics … we’re at a disadvantage.” Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay says Democrats won in 2006 because they built “one of the most powerful political coalitions” ever. More »
August 2008
- The Real Loser at the Pastor Rick-Quisition: America
  
  Washington Post | Aug 20, 08 1:35 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Discussion of whether John McCain or Barack Obama "won" Saturday’s Saddleback inquisition misses the point, Kathleen Parker writes in the Washington Post . When the presidential candidates are publicly interrogated on their beliefs by a minister, even one as exemplary as Rick Warren, the only winner is the minister—and the biggest loser is America. More »
- It's Obama's World, But McCain Has a Foothold
  
  Washington Post | Aug 18, 08 2:15 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - John McCain seemed personal, clear, and passionate. Barack Obama seemed nuanced, composed, and competent. So who won? Dueling Washington Post op-eds come down on either side. Consummate Washington insider Sally Quinn argues that Rick Warren's serial interviews weren't a debate, meaning there can't be a winner. But the candidates presented dueling visions of the world. More »
- Candidates Score in Pastor Rick-a-thon
  
  National Review | Aug 17, 08 12:43 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Pastor Rick stressed that last night's Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency wasn't a debate, but that won't stop the pundits from deciding who came out ahead: Byron York, of the National Review , sees the night as a big win for McCain, who's had a "much bigger life." More »
- Candidates Bound for Spiritual Showdown
  
  Christian Science Monitor | Aug 15, 08 4:36 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - The presidential candidates will put their spiritual views on display tomorrow night, appearing with Rick Warren, the country's most popular pastor, at his megachurch in California. The back-to-back 1-hour interviews are clear signs of both the importance of religion in the campaign and the emergence of a new type of evangelical preacher, the Christian Science Monitor reports. More »
- Young Evangelical Vote Is Up For Grabs
  
  Washington Post | Aug 15, 08 12:29 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - When Barack Obama and John McCain meet with pastor Rick Warren tomorrow, they’ll be fighting for the future of an increasingly split evangelical voting block, the Washington Post reports. Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life, is at the forefront of a movement rippling through young evangelicals and prompting them to focus on issues outside the normal Republican purview, like AIDS, poverty, and climate change. More »
July 2008
- Evangelicals Fall for Obama's Line
  
  American Spectator | Jul 29, 08 6:40 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Barack Obama talks such a good game that he may fool a sizable contingent of evangelicals into supporting him, David N. Bass writes in the right-wing American Spectator. "Unlike past Democratic presidential nominees, he's not schizoid when it comes to talking about his own faith (which, admittedly, is a clash between the bizarre and the watered-down)," Bass writes. More »
- Paper Runs Obama's Western Wall Prayer
  
  Associated Press | Jul 25, 08 3:10 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - The prayer Barack Obama put in Jerusalem’s Western Wall yesterday was removed by a Jewish seminary student and published in a local newspaper, the AP reports. It read, “Lord—Protect my family and me. Forgive me my sins, and help me guard against pride and despair. Give me the wisdom to do what is right and just. And make me an instrument of your will.” More »
- Judaism's Black Converts Growing Part of US Mosaic
  
  Christian Science Monitor | Jul 17, 08 8:55 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - The number of African-Americans converting to Judaism is growing, the Christian Science Monitor reports, at a time when Democrat Barack Obama is seeking to renew what was once a strong alliance between the groups. Politics, though, plays a small role; "Obama's candidacy, African-Americans choosing to be Jews ... is all part of the great American story of freedom and choice," one observer says. More »
- Dubai Cracks Down on Nude Tourists
  
  Associated Press | Jul 15, 08 6:38 AM CDT
  
  (AP) - It hasn't been all fun and games for Western vacationers on Dubai beaches, thanks to decency police who have detained 79 people in recent days for topless sunbathing and nudity, AP reports. The Muslim city-state is attracting hordes of foreign sun seekers, who are being scrutinized by cops on the ground and in beach watchtowers. Detained vacationers were "disturbing families," said a Dubai spokesman.