Mid-City Christian

Monday, September 24, 2018

Why Christians Need to Support Women’s Rights and Religious Freedom in the Muslim World

Religious Freedom

Why Christians Need to Support Women’s Rights and Religious Freedom in the Muslim World

There is a correlation between these two liberties that must be uncovered.

Shirin Taber

Although women’s rights and religious freedom are not commonly associated with one another in the world of the 1.6 billion Muslims, there is a correlation that must be uncovered.

According to Women and Religious Freedom by Nazila Ghanea, inherent in religious freedom is the right to believe or ...

ten women from Christian history

She Shaped Me: 10 Exemplars of Faith

Christian leaders reflect on the women from history who’ve influenced them.

Kelli B. Trujillo

Throughout history, God has used faithful women in powerful ways for the good of the church and the world. They are women of character and virtue, women who struggled and made mistakes, women who took risks and devoted their lives to answering God’s call. Above all, they are women who deeply loved God. Here, ten contemporary women reflect on the examples of ten women from Christian history who have significantly influenced their own faith in Jesus.

The Problem with Sacred Spaces

Any space can, and does, become sacred when it’s animated by God’s presence and activity through the lives of a submitted people.

Jeff Christopherson

Cultures are often defined by their sacred spaces. Think of the majestic cathedrals throughout Europe—their vast ceilings and ornate wall coverings testified to the grandeur of the God worshipped inside.

But sacred space is not limited to religious buildings. Some vividly recall formative conversations ...

Christian life always includes the cross

· Archbishop Chaput shares theological critique of youth synod prep document

Archbishop Charles Chaput offered Friday on First Things a critique by a theologian of the working document for the upcoming Synod on Youth, which highlights five principal theological difficulties in the document.

· In Lithuania, Francis tells priests to hear their people's cries

· May Lithuania become model of fight for human rights, Pope prays at former KGB headquarters

· Two pilgrims trek 30 miles to Encuentro to raise awareness of immigration issues

· Gomez to Encuentro: Jesus sent disciples, Guadalupe sent Juan Diego, God sends you

· Pope Francis: Christian life always includes the cross

· Passing opioid bill an important first step in addressing crisis, bishop says

· When the Church finds itself in times of trouble, imitate Mary, bishop says

· ‘We’re brothers and sisters in Christ’: For Encuentro Catholics, immigration is personal

· Court strikes down Hawaii law requiring pregnancy centers to advertise abortion

· Pope Francis praises Lithuania’s history of hospitality

· Did Pope Francis call himself 'the devil?'

· Bishop Cantu to Encuentro Catholics: Don't become spiritual tumbleweeds

· Pope recognizes illicitly ordained Chinese bishops

· Encuentro Catholics ‘heartbroken’ by scandals, but unshaken in faith

· Daily Readings

· Saint of the Day

China aims to control Christianity

Do politics belong in church?
Christian Century: 11 pastors and theologians weigh in.

Improper formation?
Commonweal: Kavanaugh & the prep-school culture.
America: Brett Kavanaugh and toxic masculinity: lessons from another all-male Jesuit high school

Faith leaders encouraging members to be 'political' not partisan
The Deseret News: Voter awareness efforts do come with some risks for faith groups that want to increase political engagement, not partisanship.

With Vatican talks and bulldozers, China aims to control Christianity
The New York Times: The moves to assert control over Catholic and Protestant churches reflect a broader effort to establish control over society under President Xi Jinping.
The (London) Guardian: Vatican signs historic deal with China -- but critics denounce sellout

Where is the Jewish Mister Rogers?
Religion News Service: Judging from his Facebook feed, Jeffrey Salkin may be the last rabbi in America to see the bio-pic about Fred Rogers -- "Won't You Be My Neighbor?"

Did Kamala Harris cover up for San Francisco archdiocese sex abuse?

Did Kamala Harris cover up for San Francisco archdiocese sex abuse?: Former San Francisco district attorney could have legally intervened, but chose not to
Pope recognizes illicitly ordained Chinese bishops: Vatican announces decision after provisional Vatican-China deal on the nomination of bishops was signed in Beijing on Sept. 22

Save Us From the Deniers of Hell

John Horvat II

Anyone who wonders why the Catholic Church is in its present crisis need only read Dr. Scott Bruce’s “Do We Still Need to Believe in Hell?” The Wall Street Journal article (9/15-16/18) recently appeared in its popular weekend review section. It was a rather typical yet brutal appraisal of the notion of Hell. The author […]

Regis Nicoll

In Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, a Greek war hero faces imposing challenges in his long journey home. After decimating the armies of Troy, king Odysseus sets out for Ithaca only to find himself wrestling against more formidable foes. For ten years the whims of gods and the winds of fate hinder his journey, while […]

Sean Fitzpatrick

When Evelyn Waugh came to Hollywood in 1947 to discuss the film rights for Brideshead Revisited, he visited a graveyard: Forest Lawn Memorial Park. He had heard it praised as a place unsurpassed in beauty, taste, and sensitivity; a place where “faith and consolation, religion and art had been brought to their highest possible association.” […]

In private letters, Benedict rebukes critics of Pope Francis

Evangelical leaders are frustrated at GOP caution on Kavanaugh allegation
The New York Times *
With Kavanaugh allegations, religious leaders remain divided on court nomination
Religion News Service
Anti-abuse activists pan U.S. Catholic bishops’ new proposals
The Associated Press
Church sex abuse review is ordered by Cardinal Dolan
The New York Times *
Donald Wuerl’s handling of abuse claims imperils his legacy as a reformer
The Washington Post *
At the church she called home, she found her own quiet way to protest
The Boston Globe *
The 0.1 percent: Gay ex-Mormon Derek Kitchen looks to shake up Utah politics
NBC News
Michigan football team barred from praying for coach’s ailing daughter on field
USA Today

International Headlines

China distances children from families to subdue Muslim west
The Associated Press
Pakistan criticizes China over treatment of ethnic Muslims
The Guardian
Indonesia’s presidential hopefuls woo millennials, Muslims as election in focus
Reuters
Five years after mall Kenya attack, al-Shabab’s threat grows
The Associated Press
Pope to preach solidarity on Baltics visit in shadow of hostile Russia
Reuters
In private letters, Benedict rebukes critics of Pope Francis
The New York Times *
Catholic priest in Slovakia challenges celibacy rules
Th Associated Press
Bali to bring in new rules for visiting temples after decline in ‘quality of tourists’
The Guardian

Analysis & Commentary

Why hasn’t Trump’s refugee policy repelled his Christian supporters?
The Atlantic
A secretive religion tries to secure its future
The Economist *
How an ancient Islamic holiday became uniquely Caribbean
The Conversation
Why schools are banning yoga
The Atlantic
They banned her film because it featured LGBT characters. So she took them to court — and won
Buzzfeed

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Friday, September 21, 2018

Benedict XVI defends resignation and title ‘pope emeritus’

· Catholic education group applauds Australian school funding plan

A $4.6 billion funding package for Catholic and independent schools in Australia has won the support of a national Catholic education group, which says the plan corrects key flaws from the previous funding model.

· It's our duty to fight racism, Pope tells international conference

· Retired Green Bay auxiliary bishop failed to report abuse, withdraws from ministry

· Dolan 'impatient' waiting for apostolic visitation in response to McCarrick

· Irish doctors question readiness to introduce legal abortion

· Experts respond to new policies for handling allegations against bishops

· Catholics in Korea look to martyrs amid nuclear negotiations with Pyongyang

· 'Leave no stone unturned,' Cardinal Dolan tells NY archdiocesan investigator

· N Ireland court hears challenge to prosecution of woman over abortion pills

· Youth synod deserves in-depth Catholicism, not LGBT lobbying, critics say

· Nigerian bishops: Prayer, especially the rosary, will 'save our country'

· Catholic Charities is collecting airline miles to reunite refugee families

· Benedict XVI defends resignation and title ‘pope emeritus’ in private letters