Berlin attack piles pressure on Germany’s Merkel over refugees
RNS/USA Today The deadly truck rampage through a Christmas market crowd here marked a new setback for Chancellor Angela Merkel’s hopes for political survival at a time when opposition is growing over her open-door policy for migrants. “This was exactly the kind of terrible event that could seriously affect the German elections” next year, said Michael […]
Americans split on ‘Merry Christmas’ or ‘Happy Holidays’
RNS Americans remain split on whether they prefer to be met in stores with “Merry Christmas” or a more general greeting like “Happy Holidays,” according to poll results released Monday by Public Religion Research Institute. The poll found 47 per cent of Americans say stores and other businesses should use “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings” out […]
BOOKS: TAKING A SECOND LOOK AT DEUTERONOMY
DAVID ADAMS dives into George Athas’ new commentary on Deuteronomy…
ESSAY: AN ACCIDENT OF BIRTH…
As Christmas approaches, NILS VON KALM reflects on what being born into a life of privilege means when there remains such injustice in the world…
Rio’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue to get a facelift
RNS The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro has launched an international appeal for donations to help restore Christ the Redeemer, Brazil’s most famous statue, considered one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. “Christ the Redeemer, with its open arms, is the greatest showcase for Rio and Brazil,” said Cardinal Orani João Tempesta, the […]
‘No Christmas or carol singing’ orders to school staff in Santa Claus’ homeland of Turkey
World Watch Monitor “No more Christmas celebration and/or lessons on Christmas including carol singing is permitted, effective immediately”. An email on 13th December sent to about 35 German-funded teachers at Istanbul Erkek Lisesi (also known as Istanbul High School) saying that the National Ministry of Education had communicated that no more of these activities should […]