The film zeros in on a Haredi (which means “those who tremble before God”) Jewish population living in modern-day Tel Aviv, Israel. Amid celebrating the Jewish holiday of Purim, a family mourns the death of Esther (Renana Raz, Munich), who dies giving birth to her first son, Mordecai. Esther’s death sends a shock wave of […]
religion
Posted inNews
Say it ain’t so, Joe
Credit: Brad Gregg In a June 20 Time story about veterans and public service, Klein mused while mentioning cleanup after the Moore tornado that it’s “funny how you don’t see organized groups of secular humanists giving out hot meals,” insinuating that only the religious kind organize to help out their fellow man. But you faithful […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Slumming it
In the past year, Feed the Children has changed both its focus and its leadership. Now it hopes to educate people about its mission by recreating the atmosphere of an African slum inside an Oklahoma City warehouse. After walking through a hallway lined with pictures of kids in Feed the Children programs, visitors see a […]
Posted inNews
Hard rain’s a-gonna fall
Credit: Brad Gregg The U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals cleared the way last week for Cressman to proceed with a lawsuit concerning Oklahoma’s pesky state plates. In 2011, he filed suit against state officials because he does not want to be forced to advertise “images, messages and practices that he cannot endorse or accept.” […]
Posted inNews
Be reasonable
Aimee Breeze Credit: Mark Hancock Freethinkers statewide will meet Saturday at the Cox Convention Center for FreeOK, their largest gathering. Freethought describes a philosophical position that asserts that beliefs and opinions ought to be based on reason, evidence and science, rather than faith, dogma or revelation. While freethought tends to attract atheists, agnostics and skeptics, […]
Posted inNews
God and tornadoes
Those messages are coming from everywhere. After speaking in Vermont at the annual meeting of United Church of Christ churches in my denomination, this small and cash-strapped body of small New England parishes handed me a check for $5,000 to help with tornado relief. So many people have prayed for us and supported us through […]
Posted inNews
Atheists, assemble!
Credit: Brad Gregg Stand-up comic Doug Stanhope started an Indiegogo campaign called Atheists Unite for Vitsmun and hoped to raise $50,000 in rebuilding funds over a 60-day period. The campaign goal was met in less than 24 hours. A week later, $107,566 had been raised. “Let’s show the world that you don’t need to believe […]
Posted inNews
Praise the who?
Credit: Brad Gregg “I guess you’ve got to thank the Lord, right?” Blitzer asked. “Do you thank the Lord? For that split-second decision?” The woman hesitated briefly. “I … I’m actually an atheist,” she answered politely before both she and Blitzer broke into awkward, albeit wonderful, laughter. “But we are here,” the woman added, “and […]
Posted inNews
Pondering religious freedom
Perhaps Weigand could explain how Hobby Lobby’s claim to religious freedom entails that its owners’ religious freedom is more important than that of their employees. How is the religious freedom of employees an issue here? Is taking emergency birth control a religious act or obligation? If it is, how does refusing to finance an employee’s […]
Posted inNews
Another Hobby Lobby question
If Hobby Lobby is successful, will a Jewish-owned company still have to honor Christmas and Easter as holidays? Just asking. —John Buckley, Norman