Category Archives: Culture wars

Baptists and Methodists adopt differing responses to Boy Scouts

Posted on June 13, 2013 by John Hilton

The recent decision by the Boy Scouts of America to permit gay scouts is drawing interesting responses from the faith community. The two are inextricably linked since thousands of churches across the country sponsor Boy Scout troops. Many denominations have … Continue reading →

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Republicans double down on evangelicals while Catholics stress everyday faith

Posted on June 10, 2013 by John Hilton

A couple of interesting stories caught my eye over the weekend — both of which I viewed in the context of declining faith adherence. First off, I read a Washington Post blog piece on comedian Jim Gaffigan and his pro-Catholic … Continue reading →

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Gallup Poll: Americans believe religion is losing its influence on us

Posted on June 6, 2013 by John Hilton

A new Gallup survey is the latest indicator that religious influence is in sharp decline in America. Released last week, the poll revealed that 77 percent of Americans say religion is losing its influence. Since 1957, when the question was … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and media, Culture wars, Local events | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Election of openly gay Rev. R. Guy Erwin as Lutheran bishop continues stunning evolution on gay issue

Posted on June 4, 2013 by John Hilton

The openly gay Rev. R. Guy Erwin was elected bishop of the Southwest California Synod of the Evangelical Church in America Friday. It’s noteworthy how far America has come in a short period of time on the gay issue that … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture wars, Denominational doings, Elsewhere, Evangelicals, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Ellery Schempp to mark 50th anniversary of religious freedom court case with Harrisburg event

Posted on May 30, 2013 by John Hilton

Have you heard the name Ellery Schempp? Neither had I until yesterday, but in the lengthy history of our commitment to secularism, Schempp is more than just a footnote. Schempp, 72, is famous for being the primary student involved in … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia, Atheists, agnostics, doubters, Celebrities, Culture wars, Elsewhere, Local events | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Vermont fourth state to pass assisted suicide; Cardinal Sean O’Malley calls it ‘a tragic moment.’

Posted on May 28, 2013 by John Hilton

From footballers to frenchmen, everybody is talking about gay marriage. It seems to be the seminal issue of our time, one that crosses heavily into faith beliefs. So does assisted suicide. Last week, Vermont became the fourth U.S. state to … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholicism, Culture wars, Elsewhere, Politics | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Boy Scouts to vote today to permit homosexual members

Posted on May 23, 2013 by John Hilton

A long battle could be resolved today as the Boy Scouts of America will vote on whether to permit gay Scouts to join the organization. The compromise plan was announced April 19: it would no longer deny membership to youth … Continue reading →

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Oklahoma tragedy leads to inevitable ‘disappointed God’ theology

Posted on May 22, 2013 by John Hilton

I knew it was coming, although I hoped it wouldn’t. I’m talking about the inevitable “God is disappointed by (the homosexuals, Hollywood liberals, imperialistic America, Obama, etc.).” It’s become pro forma policy for certain evangelists to seize on any tragic … Continue reading →

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U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on government meeting prayers

Posted on May 21, 2013 by John Hilton

The news was somewhat buried Monday amid the tragedy in Oklahoma, but the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it will step into the fray and rule on yet another issue testing the delicate dance between the separation of church and … Continue reading →

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Keeping Ten Commandments out of public places good for Christians

Posted on May 15, 2013 by John Hilton

The battle cry over church and state has been fought relentlessly since the Founding Fathers decided the United States would be a secular nation. The modern concept of a wholly secular government is sometimes credited to the writings of English … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia, Arts and media, Culture wars, Elsewhere, Evangelicals | Tagged , , | 1 Comment