Police: Pakistani Teen Innocent of Blasphemy, But Case Continues

Charges stem from the alleged burning of the Quran

2012-09-24

Ashley Fantz CNN

(CNN) -- A 14-year-old Pakistani girl who had faced life in prison for allegedly burning the Quran will have her case heard in juvenile court, the girl's lawyer told CNN. Read the complete article

Free Speech or Incitement? French Mag Runs Cartoons of Prophet Mohammed

Any depiction of Islam's prophet is considered blasphemy by many Muslims

2012-09-19

Jim Bittermann, Pierre Meilhan and Holly Yan CNN

PARIS (CNN) -- After a week of deadly, international protests against an anti-Islam film, a French satirical magazine is fueling the debate between freedom of expression and offensive provocation. Read the complete article

Killing Shines Light on Sensitivities Around Prophet Mohammed

‘Notion of God verses any depiction of God or any sacred figure is very strong,’ says professor

2012-09-15

Dan Gilgoff and Eric Marrapodi CNN Belief Blog Co-Editors

(CNN) -- Violence over depictions of the Prophet Mohammed may mystify many non-Muslims, but it speaks to a central tenet of Islam: that the Prophet was a man, not God, and that portraying him threatens to lead to worshiping a human instead of Allah. Read the complete article

VIDEO: Black Public Media Presents "Ask A Muslim"

First episode asks why Muslim men wear beards and Muslim women cover their hair

2012-08-07

Helen Silvis Of The Skanner News

Black Public Media has released the first episode of six, in its new web series, “Ask a Muslim.” Read the complete article

Pastors Ban Gang Colors and Clothing From Funerals

Police and community justice staff praise pastors agreement

2012-06-19

Helen Silvis Of The Skanner News

A group of about 30 pastors from about 20 Portland churches want to make funerals gang-free zones, by banning the colors, clothing and music associated with gangs during funerals. Read the complete article

St. Charles Catholic Church held benefit for man who has lost both hands and feet

2012-06-11

Bruce Poinsette of The Skanner News

Family, friends and the Sierra Leone community held a fundraising dinner for Issa Kamara who was diagnosed with Meningococcal Septicemia nearly three months ago after returning home from a trip to Sierra Leone.

Read the complete article

Death of Snake Handling Preacher Shines Light on Lethal Appalachian Tradition

He enjoyed handling snakes during worship services, but it's a tradition that has killed about 100 practitioners since it started in the east Tennessee hills in 1909

2012-06-03

Julia Duin Special to CNN

(CNN) -- When Mack Wolford, one of the most famous Pentecostal serpent handlers in Appalachia, is laid to rest Saturday at his West Virginia church, a week after succumbing to a snake bite, his friends may very well show up with boxes of copperheads, rattlesnakes and cottonmouths.

U.S. Nuns Come Out Swinging Against Vatican After 'Radical Feminist' Claims

The Catholic Church said the nuns were too focused on social justice and not enough on opposing abortion, euthanasia and same-sex marriage

2012-06-02

Dan Gilgoff CNN

(CNN) -- The leadership representing most of America's nuns came out swinging Friday against the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church, in the face of charges from the Vatican that the nuns are espousing "radical feminism" and straying from church teaching.

Popular Email chain letter is a hoax and bears no resemblance to any form of mysticism

"June 2012 has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays and happens only once every 823 years"

2012-06-01

such combinations are commonplace and occur every year

Firstly it is utter nonsense because the month of June always has 30 days not 31. Secondly any month that has 31 days will have three such days. Thirdly such combinations are commonplace and occur every year. Fourthly none of this gobbledygook bears any resemblance to any form of mysticism. Read the complete article

Franciscan Files Tell Abuse Story Inside the Roman Catholic Order

The documents show how abuse in a religious order can be closely tied to the formation of children who grow up to become brothers and priests

2012-05-23

Gillian Flaccus The Associated Press

The documents show how abuse in a religious order can be closely tied to the formation of children who grow up to become brothers and priests, said Terence McKiernan, founder and co-director of Bishop Accountability.org, which collects documents on clergy sex abuse and posted the Franciscan files online Wednesday. Read the complete article