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By Allison Steele Religion News Service Sayreville, N.J. – When Sejal Vyas’ mother died suddenly last year, her family wanted a traditional Hindu funeral with sacraments like incense and kindling, but her father also had a special request. After the service, the father wanted his wife’s casket carried from room to room in the couple’s…

By Adelle M. Banks Religion News Service Almost three-quarters of Americans who haven’t darkened the door of a church in the last six months think it is “full of hypocrites,” and even more of them consider Christianity to be more about organized religion than about loving God and people, according to a new survey. Almost…

By Daniel Burke Religion News Service The court battle over church assets between the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and 11 breakaway congregations has already cost both sides more than $2 million, according to representatives. The secessionist Anglican District of Virginia has spent about $1 million on legal fees thus far and anticipates spending as much…

By Tom Gordon and Stan Diel Religion News Service LADONIA, Ala. (RNS) An intruder did more than torch the pulpit and scorch the sanctuary ceiling at Woodland Baptist Church on Friday (Jan.4). He scattered frozen treats, pickles and popcorn kernels, left a trail of syrup, stole a VCR and a DVD player and gutted a…

By Adelle M. Bank 2008 Religion News Service WASHINGTON — Two of the six ministries with finances under investigation by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, have been unwilling to cooperate, citing privacy rights and questioning Grassley’s focus on groups that preach the “prosperity gospel.” In an update released Tuesday, Grassley urged the noncooperating ministries to view…

By Daniel Burke 2008 Religion News Service (RNS) A top panel of U.S. scientists has published a new book asserting that belief in the theory of evolution and religious faith “can be fully compatible,” and that creationism has no place in science classes. The 88-page “Science, Evolution, and Creationism,” produced by the National Academy of…

Associated Press Khartoum, Sudan – The Sudanese army shot at a “clearly marked” U.N. convoy in war-torn Darfur, critically wounding a driver, in the first attack against the peacekeepers since their mission began this month, the United Nations said Tuesday. The U.N. condemned the attack, which occurred late Monday, and said it had protested to…

Associated Press Paris – On some days her world was awash in light, on others dark shadows enveloped her, and all of Paris. The secret diary of a young Jewish woman recounting two years under the German occupation – published for the first time this month – portrays the slow shattering of her life under…

By G Jeffrey MacDonald Religion News Service Stephen Dear has spent the past 10 years waging an uphill battle to abolish the death penalty in the American South. He’s had virtually no help from the region’s powerful evangelical clergy. But unlike in years past, Dear has new confidence that within six months, he can round…

Associated Press – January 7, 2008 WASHINGTON – Supreme Court justices indicated Monday they are deeply divided over a challenge to the way most states execute prisoners by lethal injection, which critics say creates an avoidable risk of excruciating pain. With executions in the United States halted since late September, the court heard arguments in…
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