Short reports and links
The myth and the reality of the “Catholic vote”
Patheos (blog) – Author Stephen S. Schneck, from Catholic University, argues that there are actually several different kinds of Catholic voters:
While there is not an obvious Catholic vote on the macro scale, there are three discreet “Catholic votes” that really matter in American elections. The first of these is Latino Catholics. Over the last three decades, Latino immigration has washed over the church in America like a flood. From insignificant numbers 40 years ago, Latinos now constitute one-third of all American Catholics. In the not-too-distant future, the majority of American Catholics will probably be Latinos.
Read more – http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2012/02/the-myth-and-the-reality-of-the-catholic-vote/
U.S. Embassy in Kabul Locks Down Amid Afghan Protests Over Koran Burning
Bloomberg – Seven Afghans died amid gunfire and the U.S. embassy in Kabul halted travel by its staff during a second day of protests over the burning by U.S. troops of the Koran, the Islamic scripture, at their main base in Afghanistan. Crowds of men turned violent, throwing stones and in some cases attacking offices or shops across Kabul and three nearby provinces of eastern Afghanistan, said local government spokesmen and residents reached by phone. In addition to the seven dead, 30 people were injured, according to a statement e- mailed by the Interior Ministry.
Read more – http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-21/koran-burning-at-biggest-u-s-military-base-in-afghanistan-brings-apology.html
Presbyterians censure retired pastor for marrying same-sex couples
Los Angeles Times – The Rev. Jane Adams Spahr officiated at 16 such weddings during the time they were legal in California. She loses her final appeal of censure as a national tribunal rules that she violated the church constitution.
Read more – http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-presbyterian-gay-marriage-20120222,0,3042357.story
Religion and politics – US Republicanstyle
RNS – In Ohio on Tuesday, Mitt Romney accused the Obama administration of having “fought against religion” these last three years. This comes after Santorum lambasted Obama’s “phony theology” and Franklin Graham questioned the president’s Christian bona fides. Republican presidential contender Rick Santorum, leading the GOP field in national polls, is defending his views questioning prenatal testing and President Obama’s “theology.” The unapologetic advocacy by Santorum seemed sure to please social conservatives in the Republican Party but also fuel questions about whether he could appeal to independent voters in a general election. Appearing on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday (Feb. 19), Santorum objected to including some prenatal tests in federal insurance mandates, saying the tests lead to more abortions. Santorum later said he was talking about Obama’s “worldview” on the environment, but as past speeches and interviews show, he has a history of denouncing Obama’s faith
Read more – http://www.religionnews.com/politics/election/rick-santorum-defends-views-on-obamas-theology
After C.S. Lewis College flops, a free campus for the taking
RNS – The C.S. Lewis College flopped and is giving away its Massachusetts campus for free. Watch out for the wardrobe. Jerry Pattengale’s cell phone won’t stop ringing as he leads a secretive group of four wide-eyed college administrators around a majestic campus built in 1879 by legendary evangelist D.L. Moody.Calls and visitors are pouring in for one reason: the billionaire Oklahoma family that owns the 217-acre site and its 43 buildings aims to give it away to a Christian institution. Free. No charge. Just take it.
Read more – http://www.religionnews.com/culture/education/after-c.s.-lewis-college-flops-a-campus-free-for-the-taking