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By Adelle M. Banks Religion News Service The decades-old discussion of sexuality in the United Methodist Church will include a new wrinkle–transgender laypeople and clergy–when the nation’s second-largest Protestant denomination meets next week in Texas. Methodists will meet for their quadrennial General Conference from April 23-May 2 in Fort Worth, Texas. Beyond sexuality, they are…

By Jonathan Rubin 2008 Religion News Service Passover is a time of celebration for Jews, but this year an old foe — expensive Passover prices — is putting a damper on the festivities for some Jewish families. Rising corn and grain prices, fuel increases and a sluggish economy are putting the squeeze on some Passover…

Associated Press – April 16, 2008 PHILADELPHIA – Sen. Barack Obama on Wednesday criticized former President Jimmy Carter for meeting with leaders of the Islamic terrorist group Hamas as he tried to reassure Jewish voters that his candidacy isn’t a threat to them or U.S. support for Israel. The Democratic presidential candidate’s comments, made to…

Associated Press – April 16, 2008 WASHINGTON – An enthralled South Lawn crowd of more than 9,000 sang “Happy Birthday” to Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday – twice – and President Bush said that the first papal White House visit in 29 years was a reminder for Americans to “distinguish between simple right and wrong.”…

By Michele Chabin Religion News Service Tel Aviv, Israel – As religiously observant Jews know all too well, preparing for Passover can be backbreaking work. Every corner of the house, every toy box, sofa crevice and schoolbag must be scoured for “hametz” — leavened foods made from grain. As it turns out, it’s no different…

Associated Press Aboard the Papal Plane – Pope Benedict XVI said Tuesday he was “deeply ashamed” of the clergy sexual abuse scandal that stained the U.S. Catholic Church and pledged to work to make sure pedophiles do not become priests. Benedict was answering questions submitted in advance by reporters aboard a special Alitalia airliner as…

Associated Press Seattle – In a showing of pro-Chinese support, hundreds of demonstrators protested outside a college arena Monday as the Dalai Lama spoke to students on solving problems through dialogue. Thousands of people have flocked to Seattle to hear the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader speak since he arrived Thursday for a five-day conference on…

Associated Press – April 14, 2008 NEW YORK – Pope Benedict XVI may not see them or hear them, but aggrieved Roman Catholic activists hope his U.S. visit this week will help them draw attention to issues ranging from the ordination of women and gay rights to sex abuse by priests and the Vatican ban…

Associated Press – April 14, 2008 GRANTHAM, Pa. – Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said Sunday that the potential for life begins at conception as she and presidential rival Sen. Barack Obama answered questions about faith and religion in both their personal lives and the public discourse. In a forum devoted to an issue rare…

Associated Press – April 13, 2008 SEATTLE – The Dalai Lama said Sunday that Tibet cannot make any more concessions to China and called for a reduction of Chinese aggression in his former homeland. The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader denied Chinese claims that he has called for Tibet to be split from China and that…
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