America’s Founding Fathers serve as patriarchs of the nation’s civil religion, but also as flashpoints in debates about faith in U.S. society. The President’s Day holiday spotlights this enduring focus on religion and the nation’s leaders – then and now – a theme running through recent books and movies, and in ongoing arguments about church and state.
The Republican and Democratic presidential tickets are set, with Mitt Romney, a Mormon, heading the GOP slate and Paul Ryan, a Catholic, as his vice presidential pick. That’s the first time the Republican ticket includes no Protestants. They will face President Barack Obama, a Protestant who worships in different churches, and Vice President Joe Biden, a Catholic.
Feb. 12 marks the birthday of Charles Darwin and the celebration of Darwin Day, an observance that highlights the theory of evolution set forth in Darwin’s 1859 work, The Origin of Species. But in state legislatures and on the campaign trail, the debate over evolution is about more than science.
A new survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life explores the views of American Mormons as opposed to the usual focus on how Americans view Mormons. This approach makes the findings especially valuable, and they are an important addition to ReligionLink’s resources on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Mormons are at the center of the national conversation about religion in large part because of the Republican presidential primary campaign. Mitt Romney, a lifelong Mormon, is a top contender for the GOP nomination, but evangelical Christian concerns about Mormonism may impede his prospects and could recast this “Mormon moment” in American culture.
The legitimacy of the death penalty has emerged as a hot topic in the national conversation. Oregon’s governor declared a moratorium on executions, the execution of convicted murderer Troy Davis in September sparked controversy, and in October the Supreme Court heard a case whose outcome could affect the use of the death penalty.
The anniversary of the Jan. 22, 1973, Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion always sparks discussions about this hot-button issue, and the annual March for Life in Washington is one focus of attention. But the Republican takeover of the House has also raised hopes — and concerns — that new legislation could limit abortion rights.
The 2010 midterm congressional elections promised to reshape the political landscape, and they did just that, as Republicans swept to victory in the House while cutting deeply into the Democratic majority in the Senate. But the vote also recast the terrain on moral and social issues important to believers of all political persuasions.
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RT @SileSkelley: Republicans In Congress Killed A Media Shield Law That Would Have Protected The Associated Press http://t.co/A1oVyvizUO via @zite
Over 11,200 letters were sent to Congress yesterday. Will you contact Congress and ask them to protect SNAP and... http://t.co/KJUDoy8QCG
@tomandmilner on the off occasion..Was guna send you my extra bangin notes on FP role of Congress but not now that you're being mean
Infographic: Visualizing the gender gap in Congress http://t.co/nkp8Cz4AyB #fem2 #p2 #women
Infographic: Visualizing the gender gap in Congress: Women of the 113th has created an infographi... http://t.co/6H0wPVCnuy #OccupyWomenCopyright © 2013 ReligionLink. Log in
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