Rap Sheet
Links on R&P from around the web
Presidential Election: Religious Voting Groups Could Determine the Winner
posted on November 2, 2012While religious discussion has been noticeably absent in both campaigns, religious groups still play a large role in the upcoming election, writes Mark J. Rozell at The Washington Post. Rozell examines the breakdown of support of religious groups, and potential strategies for both candidates to tap into this support. Rozell writes, “Indeed, in what looks to be such a closely contested election, the turnout of any of the above [religious] groups is potentially critical.”
Minorities Fear End of Secularism in Egypt
posted on November 2, 2012Daniel Steinvorth and Volkhard Windfhur of Der Spiegel write about Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi’s shift towards a more accepting view of religion intermingling with politics. These new attitudes, backed by the Muslim Brotherhood, are indicative of a larger shift towards a “single party-system,” creating a backlash from Morsi’s initial backers. Steinvorth and Windfhur write, “precisely the thing that secularists, leftists and Christians have long feared is coming true: Egypt is growing ever more religious.”
Israel Left on Life Support
posted on November 2, 2012In the context of a weakening liberal party in Israel, Tal Kra-Oz at Tablet looks at how the annual memorial rally for Yitzhak Rabin, traditionally a significant event for liberal Israelis, has diminished in importance. Kra-Oz believes that this is a part of a larger political problem in Israel. Kra-Oz writes, “[The] willingness of the left, as typified by their willingness to cede the rally to voices from the right, to gloss over the things Rabin died for—ending the occupation for the sake of Israel, if not for the sake of peace—is symptomatic of a dangerous trend in Israeli society … At the very least, the Israeli public is entitled to politicians on both sides willing to face the issues head on.”
Wanted: New Archbishop of Canterbury – Must Have Plans to Fill the Pews
posted on November 2, 2012Andrew Brown for The Guardian considers the issues facing the incoming Archbishop of Canterbury. Brown looks at the various problems facing the Church of England through an examination of the church’s relative vitality in the English countryside. Brown writes, “What keeps the Church of England running is not its leadership nor its structures. It’s the clergy’s faith in God … The next archbishop will have to get that bit right if he is to inspire his followers.”
On the 2012 Elections: A Statement of the Pennsylvania Catholic Bishops
posted on November 2, 2012At First Things, a group of Pennsylvania Catholic bishops write about the importance of Tuesday’s presidential election, focusing mainly on the issue of religious liberty. The bishops “urge citizens to vote this year, and we encourage Catholics to learn what our faith believes about the issues at stake in the 2012 election.” The bishops conclude, “In this Year of Faith, let us bring our faith to bear on how we vote this Election Day.”
How Romney Used His Church’s Charity Status to Lower His Tax Bill
posted on November 1, 2012Alex Seitz-Wald at Salon reports on Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s donations to the Mormon Church. Seitz-Wald finds that many believe these donations to be an attempt to exploit a tax loophole, “which allows someone to park money or securities in a tax-deferred trust marked for his or her favorite charity, but which often doesn’t pay out much to the nonprofit.”
How Romney Used His Church’s Charity Status to Lower His Tax Bill
posted on November 1, 2012Alex Seitz-Wald at Salon reports on Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s donations to the Mormon Church. Seitz-Wald finds that many believe these donations to be an attempt to exploit a tax loophole, “which allows someone to park money or securities in a tax-deferred trust marked for his or her favorite charity, but which often doesn’t pay out much to the nonprofit.”
Reformation Day
posted on November 1, 2012For First Things, Timothy George analyzes the intentions of Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses, which he purportedly posted on October 31, 1517. George compares Luther’s intentions to their historical consequences. “On this Reformation Day, it is good to remember that Martin Luther belongs to the entire Church, not only to Lutherans and Protestants,” writes George.
After Hurricane Sandy, Chaplains And Faith-Based Organizations Offer Aid And Tend to Spiritual Needs
posted on November 1, 2012Jaweed Kaleem of The Huffington Post reports on the aid pouring in from religious organizations into the areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. Religious organizations are setting up throughout the damaged regions, hoping to “[share] the gospel of Jesus Christ to comfort the spiritually afflicted,” Kaleem. Jack Munday, international director of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, said, “We’ll do all we can in the face of this catastrophe to offer emotional and spiritual care and the hope and compassion of Jesus Christ.”
When Evangelicals Were Pro-choice
posted on November 1, 2012Jonathan Dudley of CNN looks at the history of the evolving evangelical stance on abortion. Contrary to widespread belief, many evangelicals were initially pro-choice, a position that eventually shifted through considerable political efforts. Dudley writes, “But before casting their ballots, such evangelicals would benefit from pausing to look back at their own history. In doing so, they might consider the possibility that they aren’t submitting to the dictates of a timeless biblical truth, but instead, to the goals of a well-organized political initiative only a little more than 30 years old.”