The Latest: December 2006 Archive

12/27, 1:10p CT: Tom Donnelly wants your thoughts on the Latino influence on American Catholicism.

12/26, 9:24a CT: The New York Times has a half-page story on the outstanding political strategy work of our dear friend and board member Mara Vanderslice.

12/25, 2:12a CT: Merry Christmas!  E.J. Dionne lays out the significance of Christmas in the African-American experience: the birth of a savior of the oppressed.

12/21, 4:01p CT: Catholic leaders in Poland actually oppose an effort to pass legislation naming Jesus the country's honorary king. 
“Let parliament deal with passing better laws that we need,” an
archbishop said.  One wonders whether America's righty religious
leaders would have the same sense of priority.

12/21, 12:52p CT: Gannett News Service refers to a religious emphasis on poverty and creation care as the "Democrats' spin."

12/19, 1:01p CT: The "War on Christmas" is a lucrative fundraising campaign for conservative Christian groups.

12/18, 12:51p CT: Conservative evangelicals branch out; a New Jersey boy records his science teacher proselytizing; military tortures Iraq whistleblower.

12/17, 2:23p CT: Harry Reid says Tim is going to be fine
, though in truth it will be a while until we know much more.  Our
friend Noah Pinegar in Johnson's office says the main goal thus far has
been rest.

12/15, 4:26p CT:  A statement from Tim Johnson's office says
he's in stable (though still critical) condition.  The blood was
removed from his brain; surgery was a success.  It did say there was
weakness on the right side of his face, so physical therapy will be
part of the recovery.  Looks OK for now; stay tuned.

12/14, 12:51p CT: Would Jesus shop at Wal-mart?

12/14, 10:06a CT: Update on Tim: he's recovering from surgery OK and it wasn't a stroke, though the long-term prognosis is still unclear.  Here's the statement from his office, with Jesse's notes.

12/13, 4:27p CT: Everyone, please pray.  Senator Tim Johnson of South Dakota has been hospitalized with a possible stroke.  He is a friend of Faithful Democrats and a great man. 

12/13, 1:38p CT: The Democratic Caucus faith guru Burns Strider is about to start working for Hillary's campaign.  The article also mentions our friend Joshua DuBois, Obama's point-man on faith.

12/13, 11:22a CT: Another megachurch pastor comes out of the closet: Paul Barnes of Grace Chapel in Colorado.  Let's hope this trend inspires a wave of compassion rather than condemnation.

12/12, 12:18p CT: Cross Left keeps torture as a moral issue in the public light.

12/12, 11:50a CT: Walmart is under pressure for selling the Left Behind video game

12/11, 12:34p CT: Mitt Romney flip-flops from his pro-gay, pro-choice past.

12/7, 3:15p CT: The bipartisan Tithing Bill will make its way to the President for its signature.

12/7, 12:30p CT: Iraq Study Group urges shifts in policy warning “the situation in Iraq is grave and deteriorating,”

12/7, 1:47a CT: Lisa Sharon Harper interviews a world-class theologian.

12/6, 10:41p CT: Needed correction…last week we helped
organize a letter signed by about 30 religious leaders sticking up for
Rick Warren and Barack Obama.  A few articles — as well as a response
by right-wing leaders — have referred to the letter as a Faithful
Democrats initiative.  It was not.  To be clear: Although we invited
several of our friends to sign on and we were the earliest site to post
the piece in its entirety, numerous signatories are not Democrats and
most were not affiliated with our group.

12/5, 1:10p CT: Senator Sam Brownback seeks the Republican nod for President, he is a favorite of the conservative Christians.

12/5, 11:14a CT: Imitatio Christi learns from Jose Padilla.  Cross Left keeps the torture as a moral issue rhetoric going.

12/4, 11:58p CT: Evangelicals are seeking a new place at the table.  Senator Obama drew a standing ovation at Saddleback this past weekend, while taking a stand for condom use.

12/1, 3:07p CT: Our friends at Christian Alliance for Progress have a bone to pick with a new video game in which Christians kill non-Christians (and vice-versa). 

12/1, 2:15p CT: Saddleback's AIDS summit is under way with 2,000 people in the first night.  Meanwhile, conservative Christian groups, including Focus on the Family, urge cuts to Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.