Monthly Archives: August 2009

Hate groups on the rise in U.S.

Posted on August 24, 2009 by melissa nann burke

I caught a re-broadcast this morning of NPR segment on the Southern Poverty Law Center’s annual report on hate groups active in the U.S. The number of groups continued to rise in 2008. Last year, 926 hate groups were active … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere | 5 Comments

‘Snakehead’ author on NPR’s ‘Fresh Air’

Posted on August 20, 2009 by melissa nann burke

I meant to post this a while ago: The interview that “Fresh Air’s” Terry Gross did with author Patrick Radden Keefe, who recently published “Snakehead,” the story of the Golden Venture that takes place in part in York. If you … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Local events | Leave a comment

ELCA recognizes gay relationships

Posted on August 20, 2009 by melissa nann burke

The vote to approve a much-debated social statement that acknowledges, among other things, the validity of same-sex relationships that are “chaste, monogamous and lifelong” came down to one vote on Wednesday evening. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America churchwide assembly … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere, Mainline Protestants | 1 Comment

Religious leaders discuss health care with Obama

Posted on August 19, 2009 by melissa nann burke

On Wednesday afternoon, people of faith have been invited to participate in a live webcast call-in with President Barack Obama. The webcast, called 40 Minutes for Health Reform, is sponsored by more than 30 denominations and religious organizations including Protestants, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecomony, Science | Leave a comment

Date growers rush to fill Ramadan orders

Posted on August 18, 2009 by melissa nann burke

Halal markets around the world are stocking extra dates in advance of the holy month of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month that begins Saturday. Muslims traditionally break the fast with dates, a practice believed followed by the prophet Muhammad. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam | Leave a comment

Word of the Day: Antediluvian

Posted on August 16, 2009 by melissa nann burke

Today’s word has been used by English-speakers as far back as 1657, according to the Page-A-Day calendar. antediluvian 1. of or relating to the period before the flood described in the Bible 2. made, evolved or developed a long time … Continue reading →

Posted in Word of the day | 12 Comments

Drinks for believers, doubters

Posted on August 10, 2009 by melissa nann burke

Announcements about two new drinking groups came across my desk recently. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg is launching its own Theology on Tap, an outreach to young adults ages 21 to 30-something that’s been popular in other dioceses. Think … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheists, agnostics, doubters, Catholicism | Leave a comment

Lutherans headed to Minneapolis

Posted on August 3, 2009 by melissa nann burke

Update: Follow the Rev. Cliff Eshbach’s blog (Cliff’s Notes) for daily reflections on the assembly in Minneapolis. Also, Lutherans using Twitter to comment on the assembly will use the tag “#CWA09.” Voting results will be posted here and other multimedia … Continue reading →

Posted in Denominational doings, Mainline Protestants | Leave a comment