Belief in Brief: The origins of St. Valentine’s Day

Roman Catholic Origins: According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, there are three different martyrs named Valentine. Two were in the clergy in Italy during the second half of the third century. The third lived in Africa. However, not much is known about him. There are two prominent legends about St. Valentine: During the reign of Emperor [...]

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Dinner and Divination

The Ozark Avalon Church is having a dinner and divination fundraiser tonight, Friday the 13th, for Mid-Missouri Pagan Pride, a non-profit organization that promotes religious tolerance. Dinner is at the Stein House Restaurant – 421 Main St., Boonville, Missouri – and includes three readings from the following categories: tarot, runes and astrology. Doors open at [...]

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Religion Headlines for April 7

Here’s some headlines on faith from around the world. 219 children, women taken from sect’s ranch Authorities search for more kids at Texas ranch Research explores what 1.3 billion Muslims think How Would Jesus Choose? The Episcopal Property War Civil Rights Groups Seeing Gradual End of Their Era The story behind the Dalai Lama’s visit [...]

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Stonehenge excavation

Stonehenge, a popular and baffling tourist site, will be undergoing an excavation until April 11 to determine its exact date of construction. Geoffrey Wainwright, president of the Society of Antiquaries and Timothy Darvill, Stonehenge scholar from Bournemouth University, will lead the dig. Wainwright and Darvill believe that the bluestones, the oldest stones at the site, [...]

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Encyclopedia explores love in religion

For those curious about the interplay between love and religion, it is now possible to purchase “The Encyclopedia of Love in World Religions” for only $256. With 300 entries written by over 200 international scholars, the illustrated encyclopedia, edited by Yudit Kornberg Greenberg, a professor at Rollins College, explores adultery, homosexuality, filial love, celibacy, forgiveness, [...]

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Prayer amendment still in Senate committee after passing House in February

A proposed constitutional amendment to further define religious freedom in Missouri that passed in the House in February has yet to move out of the Senate committee it was referred to a month ago. The amendment sponsored by Rep. Michael McGhee, R—Odessa, “guarantees a citizen’s First Amendment right to pray and worship in all public [...]

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Faith Headlines March 31

In 2008 race, US religious vote fragmenting McCain making quiet play for Catholic vote Pope Reaches Out to American Catholics Side note: This articles has great interactive graphics that give a demographics breakdown of American Catholics. For more information you might also want to check out the recent Pew Forum study on American Catholics. Itinerary [...]

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OpEd: Race and the Social Contract

Eduardo Porter, writing in an OpEd piece for The New York Times, highlighted the disparity in the amount of support given to social programs in racially homogeneous communities in comparison to more diverse settings. He notes that race plays a large role in how much Americans are willing to give to help their fellow citizen. [...]

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Religion Headlines for March 28

Muslims condemn Dutch lawmaker’s film I put the original headline of this CNN story up but I would caution you with some of the language used in the report. It’s vague and overtly general at times, particularly the headline. As such, I offer an alternative headline: Islamic organization condemns film defaming Quran. Let us know [...]

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Groups respond to Obama’s call for race discussion

Many religious and academic groups have responded to Sen. Obama’s call for a racial dialogue. Click here for more.

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