topics / findingDulcinea

Atheist Ads Implemented in UK and Spain Stopped Short in Italy - January 19, 2009 12:29 PM

The controversial atheist bus advertisements now displayed on certain buses in the UK and Spain will not appear in Genoa, Italy due to conservative opposition.

Minnesota Woman’s Conviction for Smuggling Wildlife Highlights Hmong’s Culture Shock - January 16, 2009 12:03 PM

A Hmong shaman has been sentenced for illegally importing and selling animal parts into the United States, but her lawyer argues that her traditional beliefs are to blame.

Pope Benedict Criticized by Italian Rabbis - January 15, 2009 02:59 PM

An Italian rabbi accused Pope Benedict XVI of undoing “last 50 years of Church history,” underscoring the rising tension between Jews and the Catholic Church.

Is Gay Bishop’s Inaugural Role A Voice of Balance? - January 13, 2009 11:27 AM

Was Obama’s tapping of Gene Robinson, the openly gay bishop of the Episcopal Church in New Hampshire, to mollify gays over evangelical pastor Rick Warren’s role?

Former Employee Sues IRS Over Ban on Sikh Religious Knife - January 11, 2009 09:01 AM

A member of the Sikh faith has filed suit against the IRS, alleging religious intolerance led to her firing in 2006 for carrying a kirpan, or small ceremonial knife, to work.

Witch Hunting—and Burning—Flourishes in Papua New Guinea - January 09, 2009 01:28 PM

A woman burned alive was the latest person to be accused of being a witch by villagers in the South Pacific island nation, where torture and killings tied to witchcraft are widespread.

Atheism Bus Ads Stir Debate in Spain, and Worldwide - January 08, 2009 04:19 PM

Spain is the next stop for controversial bus advertisements promoting atheism, while the United Kingdom and United States have or had similar campaigns.

Women's Quran Greenlighted by Religious Authority - December 31, 2008 07:02 AM

Cairo's Al-Azhar University, considered Sunni Islam's top arbiter of doctrinal interpretation, has okayed its first interpretation of Islam's chief sacred text by a woman.

New Report Indicates Abuse, Neglect of Children From Polygamist Sect - December 24, 2008 01:26 PM

Child Protective Services has concluded its investigation into a polygamist sect in Texas, and reported several instances of abuse and neglect.

Saudi Judge Says Girl Must Wait Until Puberty to Get Divorced - December 22, 2008 02:58 PM

An eight-year-old Saudi girl betrothed to a man 50 years her elder has not been granted a divorce on the grounds that she has not reached puberty.

Cremation Site Provides New Information About American Indian Burials - December 22, 2008 01:30 PM

A small cremation pit found off Georgia’s Ossabaw Island shows that the prehistoric American Indian tribe who once lived there cremated their dead.

Obama’s Selection of Rick Warren for Inauguration Incites Criticism - December 19, 2008 01:24 PM

The choice of Pastor Rick Warren to give an invocation at Obama’s inauguration has produced his first real rift within his party, though criticism is hardly relegated to the left.

Bangladeshi Woman’s Legal Victory Step Forward Against Forced Marriage - December 16, 2008 10:30 AM

A Bangladesh court called for the release of London doctor Humayra Abedin, who had allegedly been held captive by her parents to get her married to a Muslim man.

GPS Guards Baby Jesus, as Houses of Worship Go High-Tech - December 12, 2008 08:58 AM

This year, many churches and synagogues are turning to GPS and cameras to secure their holiday decorations from theft.

Scientists Say We’ll Soon Kiss Mistletoe Goodbye - December 11, 2008 10:59 AM

Mistletoe, once a central Christmas tradition, is in decline both in use for Christmas kissing and maybe in future availability.

Agriprocessors Wins Funding Despite Debt and Controversy - December 03, 2008 12:58 PM

The nation's largest kosher meat packing plant will receive funding from a bank to reopen despite arrests, fines and federal conspiracy charges made against its managers.

Is Obama the Antichrist … Or the Messiah? - December 01, 2008 07:56 AM

Absent of any hyperbole, some Christians are quite seriously offering evidence tying President-elect Barack Obama to the antichrist, while others see him as messianic.

Bob Jones University Apologizes for Decades of Racist Policies - November 25, 2008 10:59 AM

Bob Jones University’s Web site has declared that the administration is sorry for its “racially hurtful” policies, but the apology isn’t enough for some.

Court Says Families Can Reunite if They Leave Alamo’s Church - November 23, 2008 12:28 PM

Two of the teens removed from Tony Alamo’s center in Arkansas can go back to their parents, but only if the families cut ties to the church.

Conservatives in Episcopal Church Seek to Split into New Denomination - November 23, 2008 08:00 AM

Disagreements over the role of gays in the church and the interpretation of scripture are pushing conservative Episcopalians to leave the church in favor of a new U.S. church also under the Anglican Communion.

Sectarian Violence Roils India Before Elections - November 20, 2008 09:56 AM

Arrests made in connection with terrorist attacks in India may affect voter sentiment ahead of state and general elections.

Amish Farmers Sue Michigan, USDA Over RFID Tags - November 19, 2008 07:59 AM

Amish farmers are suing for being forced to use radio frequency identification (RFID) on cows, which violates scriptural warnings.

Appeals Court Overrules Annulment Based on Virginity - November 18, 2008 01:26 PM

A French court has overturned a couple’s annulment, which was sought after the groom discovered his bride was not a virgin.

Egyptian Doctor’s Sharia-Based Sentence Sparks Outcry - November 14, 2008 11:00 AM

Egyptian citizen Raouf Amin el-Arabi, a doctor for the Saudi royal family, has been imprisoned for allegedly getting a Saudi princess addicted to painkillers.

Italian Court Gives Father Right to Let Daughter Die - November 13, 2008 05:39 PM

The father of Eluana Englaro will be allowed to remove his daughter from life support after Italy’s highest court allowed a landmark decision to stand.

Furor Reignites Over Mormon Baptisms of Jews - November 11, 2008 03:58 PM

Criticism over a Mormon practice of posthumously baptizing people of other faiths has resurfaced as a Jewish group ends negotiations with the church.

Churches’ New Responsibility: Protecting Parishioners - November 10, 2008 11:29 AM

More churches are hiring security staff or enlisting trained volunteers to protect the thousands of worshippers who gather there on weekends.

Modern 'Bible Illuminated' Includes Celebrity Photos - November 06, 2008 11:48 AM

The “Bible Illuminated,” with its pop culture depictions of the New Testament, is one of many recent attempts to present the Scriptures in an innovative light.