For the first time, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has responded publicly and openly to some of the most contentious issues of its past, quietly posting a series of essays on its official website in response to large numbers of young Mormons leaving the church because they no longer believe in the accuracy of LDS history and teaching. Contributing correspondent Deborah Potter spoke with a Mormon church elder about what he hopes the essays will accomplish, and also with former Mormons or “Post-Mormons” trying to adapt to the world outside the Mormon church.
Author Archives: Fred Yi
Faith-Based Activism on Climate Change; Recalling Liberation Theology
In south Louisiana, faith-based activists are trying to help vulnerable communities affected by climate change; and we look back at the legacy of liberation theology, a movement begun in Latin America that sided with the poor and oppressed over the rich and powerful.
Recalling Liberation Theology
With its link between protecting the Earth and helping the poor, Pope Francis’s encyclical recalls the era of the liberation theology movement in the Catholic Church. It was a controversial effort begun in Latin America in the 1960s-1980s to side with the poor and oppressed over the rich and the powerful and to promote social justice and transformation. Correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro spoke with some of the aging veterans of Nicaragua’s liberation theology struggles of a generation ago.
Religious Responses to Charleston Church Shooting
There were many statements of sympathy from religious organizations in response to the June 17 shooting at historic Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. Follow the links below to read what they had to say.
New York Board of Rabbis
Washington National Cathedral
Birth Control in the Philippines; Rancher Nuns; Ramadan on the Road
A law that provides the poor with free access to contraceptives in the Philippines is at the center of a national debate about Catholic Church teaching, sexuality, and poverty; a community of Benedictine nuns in Colorado live a life of prayer and work on a 300-acre cattle ranch; and Muslim hip-hop group Native Deen describes what it’s like to observe Ramadan when they’re far away from home.
Birth Control in the Philippines
A law enacted last year in the predominantly Catholic Philippines requires public health facilities to offer free contraception to the poor. The Catholic Church strongly opposed the law. But supporters say the law is necessary to curb the country’s soaring population growth—the principal cause, many believe, of its high poverty rate.
Ramadan on the Road
During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims who are able are expected to fast from sun up to sun down. This can pose special challenges for Muslims in many professions. We talk with members of the Muslim hip-hop group Native Deen about how they observe Ramadan’s strict requirements while on musical tours.
Latino Converts to Islam; John Unger; Shinnyo Lantern Floating
The growing number of Latino converts to Islam face challenges inside and outside their communities; West Virginia state senator John Unger is a legislator and the pastor of three mainline Protestant churches of different denominations; and a Buddhist ritual held in New York City honors people who have dedicated their lives to the cause of peace.
Charles Marsh on Dietrich Bonhoeffer
“The lure of the political” changed Dietrich Bonhoeffer as a pastor and theologian. He prayed with the conspirators to assassinate Hitler, and he conferred blessings on the various coup attempts. Watch our interview with Charles Marsh, author of “Strange Glory: A Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.”
Micro Preemie Ethics; Diminishing Prospects for Pastors; Jordan River Baptism Site
Medical technology allows premature and critically ill newborns to survive, but it also confronts parents and doctors with difficult bioethical decisions; seminary students face uncertain job futures at churches; and new archaeological discoveries at the Jordan River have renewed interest in a pilgrimage site revered by Muslims, Jews, and Christians.
