Forgiveness and 'Spin Sorrow'

For Jews, Forgiveness Isn't Always Cut and Dried

Ansley Roan compares the Jewish concept of forgiveness with the spate of recent public apologies from such headliners as Mel Gibson and Senator George Allen, in this week's full text RNS article, linked above.

Quote:

Public apologies by public figures are often driven by public opinion, said L. Gregory Jones, dean of Duke University's Divinity School.

"It's what I call `spin sorrow,'" he said. "It's a public relations spin to construct a carefully worded apology that often says something like 'I'm sorry people's feelings were hurt.'"

Merry Ramadan?

Muslims Try to Shield Ramadan from Commercialization

RNS's Omar Sacirbey looks at the effects of commercialization on the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in this week's full-text article, linked above.

Quotes:


"There's no doubt that there's commercialization," said Mohammed Abdul Aleem, CEO of Islamicity.com, a mainly educational Web site that also sells a variety of Islamic-themed goods through its online "bazar." "But the nature of Ramadan forces you to focus on the spiritual aspect, and the commercial aspect is quite minimal because it's 30 days of fasting, and the prayer rituals that are within Ramadan, they are difficult to commercialize."

and

"We're not taught to be austere in all aspects," said Adnan Khattak, a sales manger at www.islamicbookstore.com. "Having family-oriented fun is not discouraged."

Different strokes for different folks

Quote of the Day: Willow Creek Community Church Pastor Bill Hybels

"I'm not an arm waver and a clapper and a dancer. Music doesn't do that to me, although it stirs me inside."

-- The Rev. Bill Hybels, senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, a South Barrington, Ill.-based megachurch, speaking about how he chooses to stand, eyes closed in contemplation, while others in his sanctuary sway and wave their arms in praise. He was quoted by the Chicago Tribune.

Portraying Jesus

Quote of the Day: "Emerging Church" Leader Brian McLaren

"When we present Jesus as a pro-war, anti-poor, anti-homosexual, anti-environment, pro-nuclear weapons authority figure draped in an American flag, I think we are making a travesty of the portrait of Jesus we find in the gospels."

-- Brian McLaren, leader of the "emerging church" movement and founding pastor of Cedar Ridge Community Church in Montgomery County, Md. He was quoted by The Washington Post.

Lawsuits Away

Suit Filed to Stop Bush Marriage Initiative

RNS's Daniel Burke reports on a lawsuit filed by Americans United for Separation of Church and State to halt government grants to a program which offers Bible-based marriage workshops, in this week's full-text article, linked above.

Quote:

"We haven't done anything wrong and we have not used any money for religious activities," [Bob] Whiddon [Jr., a former Churches of Christ pastor] said.

Great Preaching at 88

Gardner Taylor Inspires New Generation of Preachers

Religion & Ethics Newsweekly's Kim Lawton profiles famed preacher Gardner C. Taylor in this week's full-text RNS article, linked above.

Quote:

"He almost single-handedly has elevated and made visible great preaching," said Richard Lischer, who teaches preaching at Duke Divinity School in Durham, N.C.