Science & medicine

Archive for 'Science & medicine'

Faith and mental illness: Churches open up on treatment

The suicide of evangelist Rick Warren’s son this month shocked the pastor’s followers and the public, but it also revealed a growing awareness within Christianity about the importance of dealing with mental illness. This edition of ReligionLink provides resources on covering issues related to faith and psychiatry.

Roe v. Wade at 40: Covering the ongoing debate over abortion

The 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion falls on Jan. 22, and the March for Life, the annual anti-abortion rally in Washington, is on Jan. 25. Debate over this issue is as intense as ever yet it’s unclear that either opponents or supporters of abortion rights are winning.

Eve of destruction? Doomsday prophecies spike before Dec. 21

Predictions about the world’s demise are not new but rumors of apocalypse have spiked as Dec. 21 approaches, a date when many say an ancient Mayan calendar will wind down – and signal the end of the world as we know it. Experts debunk this idea but the story illustrates our fascination with The End.

Farm bill and food aid: Congress debates key legislation

Congress has begun debating a massive farm bill that affects struggling families as well as those who make their living from agriculture: Food stamps and other federal nutrition programs account for about 80 percent of the $100 billion in annual spending under the legislation. ReligionLink explores the role faith groups are playing in shaping the debate.

Biblical archaeology: Searching for the historical Jesus

Easter is an annual rite of spring, and so it seems are new claims and books and television programs about the Jesus of history. This year is no exception, as a number of developments related to the Bible and archaeology are coinciding with the Christian remembrance of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Contraception controversy: Church and state and birth control

A federal regulation mandating that all health insurance companies provide contraception coverage with no out-of-pocket cost to clients has prompted a sharp backlash from many religious groups – especially Catholics. It also reignited a debate over the morality of birth control that had lain dormant.

Evolution debates in legislatures and on campaign trail

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.

Abortion controversies: New developments prompt new debates

Abortion rights and health care are rarely far from the headlines, but they are especially hot topics given the furor over the decision — later rescinded — by the Susan G. Komen foundation to end most of its grants to Planned Parenthood.

Older Entries »