Monthly Archives: July 2009

Sightings: Understanding the ‘Open Carry Celebration’

In the most recent Sightings column, Joseph Laycock discusses the theology behind a Kentucky church’s recent Open Carry Celebration. Read more at the jump.

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Word of the day: Canicular

Stargazers and those who follow Roman mythology might be familiar with canicular. Canicular noun Of or relating to the dog days of summer

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Calvin at 500

Geneva is celebrating the “Calvin 2009 year,” which marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of this formative figure of the Reformation. Calvin was born July 10, 1509. Check out’s an RNS story about evangelical Christians’ interest in Calvin (Full … Continue reading

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Sightings: The Way You Make Me Feel

Religious studies professor Kathryn Lofton reflects on Michael Jackson’s divine parallels, brand identification and the ritual function of his music. An excerpt: Before the casket closes, take a moment, and download “The Way You Make Me Feel.” Listen. See what … Continue reading

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What’s with all the prayer breakfasts?

That’s the question asked by this recent Explainer on Slate.com. Great historical nugget here: The prayer breakfast got started in mid-1930s Seattle, where traveling preacher Abraham Vereide held morning meetings for politicians and businessmen to pray about — and try … Continue reading

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Job-loss support groups

The Lancaster papers have a feature about a job-loss support group at a church in Ephrata, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity. Have you heard of anything similar started by local congregations?

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