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From the Checkbook to the Collection Plate: How Clergy Get Paid
October 06, 2016
Yes, we're going there. How do churches and synagogues get their congregations to pay up? And, a guitar-playing nun who chose a traditional life - and a habit - at 24.
Petr Kratochvil
A Tricky Theological Question: How To Keep The Lights On October 07, 2016
It’s the time of year when many Jews around the country are pulling out their checkbooks to buy tickets for High Holy Day services, leaving many non-Jews a bit confused. Maureen had never heard of paying for a service, or collecting dues for a house of worship-- the so called "country club model." She's used to a collection plate being passes across her lap. so why do Jews pay dues, and Christians don't? And while we're talking about money, why are some clergy underpaid? The answers may surprise you.

Christian Smith, author of Passing the Plate: Why American Christians Don't Give Away More Money
Rabbi Dan Judson, author of the upcoming book, Pennies for Heaven: A History of American Synagogues and Money
Credit: Catholic University of America
Nuns Now: A Mountain Bike Accident, And Then A Calling October 07, 2016
At the time of the second Vatican council in the 1960s, almost all nuns had strict daily schedules, wore religious garb, and had to ask permission from a superior to do anything out of the ordinary. Today, very few nuns retain this traditional lifestyle... but Sister Miriam Holzman was drawn to it. In this second installment of our Nuns Now series, Sister Holzman tells us why she chose to give away virtually all her earthly possessions, including her cell phone, when she was just 24.

Sister Miriam Holzman belongs to the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. She is pursuing a masters degree in philosophy at the Catholic University of America.





Sister Miriam, second from the right, on Old Rag Mountain in Virginia.
Credit: Ashley Campbell
Special Live Event: Is Religion a Problem or Solution? October 07, 2016
Is religion a force for good, or a force for evil? In a special live event at George Mason University in Virginia, Father Gerry Creedon laid it on the table. For many people, he told the audience, religion is about "legalism, fear, guilt and repression." For others, it is "a source of freedom, liberation, justice, and mercy." Where do you stand? Take a listen to our lively June 3rd conversation, then let us know what you think on our Facebook page.

Father Gerry Creedon, priest and former head of Catholic Charities
Reverend Alison Miller, Unitarian Universalist Minister
Maria Dakake, Professor of Islamic Thought at GMU
Emma Green, Senior Associate Editor of The Atlantic


Read Maureen's thoughts about our event in the National Catholic Reporter.
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Special Live Event: Andrew McKnight and Dragons Head October 06, 2016
Enjoy some soulful tunes by Dragons Head and storyteller-folk singer Andrew McKnight, who provided a musical interlude at our George Mason event.


  Andrew McKnight