Religion and Politics

Separation of Church and Estate

Jeff Schweitzer | Posted 11.24.2008 | Politics

Read More: Catholic Church, Religion, Property Tax, Megachurches, Church and State, Walz v. Tax Commission of the City of New York, Churches and Politicking, Religious Tax Exemptions, Catholic Church John Kerry, Prop 8, Christian Echoes National Ministry, Founding Fathers, Churches and Political Funding, Same-Sex Marriage, Cardinal Humberto Medeiros, Pledge of Allegiance, Religion and Politics, Religious Right, Church Tax Exemption, Inc. v. u.s., Rev. Jay Scott, Catholic Church Obama, Tenth Circuit Court, Politics News
Jeff Schweitzer

Churches are political organizations that routinely violate IRS statutes, undermining any claim they might have had to property tax exemptions.

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Looking Deeper into Palin's Beliefs

Ralph White | Posted 11.23.2008 | Politics

Read More: Nationalism, Religious Right, Religion and Politics, Religion, Sarah Palin Religion, Barack Obama, Religious Beliefs, Sarah Palin, Politics News
Ralph White

Sarah Palin's rise shows there is still an appetite in America for charismatic leadership devoid of political substance; for a pretty face, a down home manner, and a torrent of distorted attacks.

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The Religious Right's War on Christmas Began Centuries Ago

Bruce Wilson | Posted 11.22.2008 | Politics

Read More: Christmas, Religion and Politics, Religion, Christianity, War on Christmas, Bill O'Reilly War on Christmas, Politics News
Bruce Wilson

As it happens, once upon a time there was a real "War on Christmas" and it was initiated by the theocratic Christian right of its day, Swiss Calvinists and Scottish Presbyterians.

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The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Phil Zuckerman | Posted 11.20.2008 | Politics

Read More: Religion, California Gay Marriage, Prop 8, Proposition 8, California, Religion and Politics, California Prop 8, Gay Marriage, Politics News
Phil Zuckerman

The most irreligious nations right now are among the most successful, while the most religious nations tend to be among the most destitute.

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Sarah Palin Gets a TV Show!

Steven Shehori | Posted 11.18.2008 | Entertainment

Read More: Politics, John McCain 2008, President Obama, Sarah Palin, Steven Shehori, Breaking Politics News, Religious Right, Religion and Politics, Election 2008, 2008 Election, Barack Obama, Republicans, Sarah Palin and Gay Marriage, Vice Presidential Candidate Palin, Sarah Palin TV Show, Sarah Palin and Religion, Election 2008 Sarah Palin, Political Humor, Entertainment News
Steven Shehori

Simply put, Sarah Palin represents what we admire most in our politicians. Folksy and winking? Check. But even more impressive? She is, to coin a term, untakedownable.

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After Prop 8, James Dobson Asks Who Would Jesus Fire?

Matthew Filipowicz | Posted 11.18.2008 | Entertainment

Read More: Layoffs, Religion, California Gay Marriage, Proposition 8, Satire, Job Layoffs, James Dobson, Religious Right, Religion and Politics, Political Satire, California Gay Marriage Ban, California Prop 8, Gays, Focus on the Family, Gay Marriage, Entertainment News
Matthew Filipowicz

The truth is, spreading hate and intolerance is a business just like anything else. And in business, sometimes you're forced to make tough choices.

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Where Will The Obamas Worship? (PICTURES)

The Huffington Post | Willow Lindley | Posted 11.18.2008 | Living

Read More: Obama Slideshow, Religion, Obama White House, Slideshow, Barack Obama Religion, Religion and Politics, Obama President, Barack Obama, United Church of Christ Obama, United Church of Christ, Barack Obama Church, The Obamas, Obamas Worship, Living News

With the Obamas' impending move to Washintong DC in January, many have begun to speculate on all aspects of the family's new life, including where Sas...

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Gays as the New Religious Bogeyman

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach | Posted 11.17.2008 | Politics

Read More: Marriage, Religion and Politics, Religion, Homosexuality and Religion, Proposition 8, Judaism, Gay Marriage, Family, Politics News
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

Religion in America has made homosexuality into a false bogeyman, which has seriously distracted religion from giving real values to an increasingly valueless society.

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Marriage, Money and LDS Possibilities

Dwayne Raymond | Posted 11.14.2008 | Politics

Read More: Religion and Politics, Money, Norman Mailer, Gay Marriage, Mormons, Mormon Prop 8, Latter Day Saints, Politics News
Dwayne Raymond

Marriage is not an easy union, regardless of genitalia. Fifty percent end abysmally. This begs the question: why do the Mormons want to keep gays out of it?

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No Communion For Obama Supporters, Says South Carolina Priest

AP | MEG KINNARD | Posted 11.14.2008 | Politics

Read More: Obama Victory, Religion, Communion, Barack Obama, President Obama, South Carolina, Religion and Politics, Politics News

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina Roman Catholic priest has told his parishioners that they should refrain from receiving Holy Communion if they...

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In Defense of the 2009 (and Beyond) Dream

Jane Devin | Posted 11.13.2008 | Politics

Read More: Barack Obama 2008, Religious Right, Religion and Politics, Civil Rights, American Dream, Politics, Obama Hope, Women's Rights, Violence Against Women, Orphans, President Obama, Obama Administration, 2008 Presidential Election, Obama White House, Obama Change, Obama Change We Can Believe In, Obama Presidency, Idealism, Foster Care, Politics News
Jane Devin

If we can dream it, it is possible. A battle to revitalize the human spirit requires no enemies, and a revolution of peace requires no violence.

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MRFF to Demand That Pentagon Immediately Cease All Ties to Obama-Bashing Ministry

Chris Rodda | Posted 11.10.2008 | Politics

Read More: Islamophobia, Religion and the Military, Military Religious Freedom Foundation, Religion and Politics, Religion, 2008 Election, Barack Obama, Politics News
Chris Rodda

Revival Fires, "at the request of the Chief Chaplains of the Pentagon," has been shipping Bibles to Iraq, via military airlift, since 2003.

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Their Own Receive Them Not

Terrance Heath | Posted 11.09.2008 | Politics

Read More: African-American Voters, California Gay Marriage, Proposition 8, California, Gay Rights, Black Voters, Proposition 8 Passes, Religion and Politics, Black Churches, Black Christianity and Gay Marriage, Gay Marriage, African Americans, Black Christians, Politics News
Terrance Heath

Ed. Note: I plan on writing something about black voters, the passage of proposition 8 in California, and the discussion that has ensued about whether...

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An Open Letter on Prop 8: Enough with the Anti-Black Outrage

Raymond Leon Roker | Posted 11.08.2008 | Politics

Read More: Religion, California Gay Marriage, Proposition 8, Ban on Gay Marriages, Religious Right, Racism, Religion and Politics, California Gay Marriage Ban, Gay Marriage, Politics News
Raymond Leon Roker

This letter is from Kathryn Kolbert --among other things, it called the accusatory rhetoric of gay activists towards African Americans, "deeply wrong and offensive."

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Really Protecting Marriage in California: A New Ballot Initiative for 2010

Kirker Butler | Posted 11.07.2008 | Politics

Read More: Prop 8, Religion and Politics, Election Results, California Election Results, Gay Marriage, Politics News
Kirker Butler

In a tremendous victory for parents who don't like having to explain uncomfortable issues to their children, Proposition 8 has passed in California.

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Historically Black Homophobia

Terrance Heath | Posted 11.06.2008 | Politics

Read More: Religion, Equality, California Gay Marriage, Education, Gay Rights, Proposition 8, Black Voters, LGBT Rights, Religion and Politics, Discrimination, California Gay Marriage Ban, African-American History, Civil Rights, Gay Marriage, Same-Sex Marriage, Marriage Equality, Politics News
Terrance Heath

Ed. Note: I plan on writing something about black voters, the passage of proposition 8 in California, and the discussion that has ensued about whether...

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"Fagots -- Stay Out"

Tom Gregory | Posted 11.06.2008 | Politics

Read More: Janis Joplin, Barney's Beanery, Prop 8, No on 8, David Bohnett, President Obama, Religious Right, Michael Fleming, Religion and Politics, Matthew Shepard, Adolf Hitler, Rosa Parks, Lawrence King, Same-Sex Marriage, Marriage, Politics News
Tom Gregory

In Barack Obama's silence, he voiced his opinion. Obama quietly let millions of his supporters vote for their political evolution while simultaneously selecting prejudice.

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The Incredible Shrinking God Gap

Steven Waldman | Posted 11.05.2008 | Politics

Read More: Religion, Obama, God Gap, Barack Obama, God, Barack Obama Religion, Religion and Politics, Observance, Politics News
Steven Waldman

No Democrat since Jimmy Carter has spoken as openly, and as often, about his personal faith, as Barack Obama.

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Premature Emancipation? A Pragmatist's View of the Gay Marriage Struggle

Gary Cohan | Posted 11.05.2008 | Politics

Read More: Lawrence vs. Texas, Mormon Church, Karl Rove, Culture Wars, Ballot Initiative, Theocracy, U.S. Constitution, 2008 Election, Homosexual Rights, Civil Rights, U.S. Supreme Court, California Gay Marriage, Red States, Gay Rights, Human Rights, Ban on Gay Marriages, American History, California Supreme Court, Women and Politics, Religion and Politics, Premature Ejaculation, Separate but Equal, Separation of Church and State, Poltical Strategy, Gay Issues, Gay Marriage, Albert Einstein, Prop 8, No on Prop 8, Church of the Latter Day Saints, Yes on Prop 8, Mormon Prop 8, Politics News
Gary Cohan

Civil rights are not won in the war zone of national elections or State referenda but, rather, in a series of small but important evolutionary steps.

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"A message to the Red States"

Michealene Cristini Risley | Posted 11.01.2008 | Politics

Read More: Blue States, Red States, Religion and Politics, Humor, 2008 Election, Obama Red States, Politics News
Michealene Cristini Risley

I received this letter via an email chain and found it thought provoking amidst all the pre-election jitters. The writer forces us to think and reve...

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Why Voting And Religion Don't Mix

Rabbi Irwin Kula | Posted 11.01.2008 | Living

Read More: Religion and Politics, Religion, The Inner Life, Church and State, Living News
Rabbi Irwin Kula

Religion invoked as a reason to vote for or against a political candidate - by which we generally mean invoking god and some scriptural passage or oth...

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The Meek Shall Not Inherit

Terrance Heath | Posted 10.29.2008 | Politics

Read More: Prosperity Gospel, Barack Obama Tax Plan, Wealth, Economy, Tax Cuts, Joe the Plumber, Religion and Politics, George Lakoff, Barack Obama, McCain Tax Cuts, Politics News
Terrance Heath

In my work-related news reading this morning, I came across an interesting take on Obama's exchange with "Joe the Plumber." The truth is that Obama in...

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Will God Stop Voting?

Deepak Chopra | Posted 10.29.2008 | Living

Read More: George Bush, Mark Foley, John MCain, John Ashcroft, Religion and Politics, Religious Right, Larry Craig, God, Barack Obama, Voting, Religion, Living News
Deepak Chopra

There never will be, and never should be, a religious reason to pick one candidate over another. God hasn't personally voted in an American election, but he keeps voting by proxy.

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Pray for Sarah Palin Dot Com

Lisa Derrick | Posted 10.29.2008 | Living

Read More: Pray for Sarah Palin, Religion and Politics, Prayer, Sarah Palin, Fundamentalists, Living News
Lisa Derrick

The website prayforsarahpalin.com asks Christians to pray for Palin but heck, what about the rest of us?

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Goodbye, Cruel World

Jane Smiley | Posted 10.28.2008 | Politics

Read More: Religion and Politics, Right Wing, John McCain, 2008 Election, Barack Obama, Politics News
Jane Smiley

When we choose between these two men, we are choosing between two worlds -- the world of ignorance, fear, manipulation, and cruelty, and the world of rational investigation, weighing of options, and planning.

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