Tonight’s debate may be one of the most anticipated of the year. Somehow I sense there will be a let-down in terms of theatrics since that’s probably what both sides are seeking. However, what we will be looking for this evening will be religious questions and answers.
Fasting during football and Ramadan
The Baltimore Sun had a pretty solid article last week about the challenges Muslim athletes face during the month of Ramadan, where fasting during daylight hours is a priority. In reading this article, I wonder whether other local newspapers have covered the issue last month. My local newspaper hasn’t to my knowledge, but let me know if you are aware of other local stories that appeared in September.
No room for God in the sensational?
The East Valley Tribune, the daily newspaper that covers the Pheonix, Arizona’s East Valley, has a very interesting profile about a month ago about a former reporter for the National Enquirer who was told often to be careful about using the word “God” in his articles and to “steer clear of ‘any way endorsing religion or faith.’” The Tribune rightly put this information in the lead of the profile of this ex-tabloid reporter Chris Benguhe but does little to follow up for why this is the case in tabloid journalism land.
Where does 007 kneel?
Religion is not the first topic that comes to mind for James Bond, the MI6 agent portrayed in dozens of movies, numerous print productions, more than a handful of video games and who knows how many parodies. I know the next Bond film Quantum of Solace is scheduled for released in November, but this weekend isn’t too early to take a light-hearted look at the possible religious faith of this womanizing, fearless secret agent thanks in large part to The Times‘ http://timesonline.typepad.com/faith/2008/04/was-james-bond.html “>Faith Central blog.
Looking for religion at the debate
Few things excite me more than a good presidential debate. Tonight I’ll be live blogging certain aspects of the first debate between the Democratic Candidate Barack Obama and the Republican Candidate John McCain. While it is supposed to focus on foreign policy (and no doubt the economy will be something of a topic), my focus will be on any religious aspects that may come up. Other items are fair game for comment of course.
Missing religion in academia
The New York Times earlier this week had a very interesting story on the latest strategy from conservatives to gain influence on American institutions of higher learning. The article takes the perspective that a lot of what these conservatives are doing is a sly new strategy to turn the clock back in American education:
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.
Who's calling who an evangelical?
This morning brought religion news junkies yet another case of authorities investigating a religious group for doing things that are against the law and against any sense of society’s morality. In this case, it is the Southwestern Arkansas-based Tony Alamo Christian Ministries, more than 100 police from federal and state agencies and six children in state custody. There have been no arrests, but people expect the leader, Tony Alamo, to be arrested soon once again.
No faith in parachute journalism
When a county in the heartland has an unemployment rate of 10 percent, should religious issues be written out of the news articles on what is influence people’s votes this fall? That is apparently the case in this USA Today article on how small town Ohio is going to play a big role in determining the next president this November.