A Mid-Year News Roundup
- play show:
Date: 18 June 2009
Religion Redux
An abortion doctor is murdered in church, Obama addresses the Muslim world, and gay marriage becomes legal in several states. Our regular news commentators discuss the ongoing impact of the most important stories on the religion beat over the last six months.
Kevin Eckstrom, editor of Religion News Service
Kim Lawton, reporter and managing editor of Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly
KidSpirit Magazine: The World According to Middle Schoolers
Begins at 22 min 30 sec
KidSpirit magazine helps young people tap into their natural wonder about God, religion and the origins of the Universe. Each issue asks 11-to 15-year-olds big, spiritual questions, like, "Can Science explain religion?" or, "Is There a Limit to What We Should Know?" It's all created for kids, by kids, and this week we meet its editor. Plus, members of the KidSpirit editorial board read selections from the magazine, and 15-year-old Susan Yassky shares an essay about her grandfather.
Elizabeth Dabney Hochman, editor and publisher of KidSpirit
Susan Yassky, member of the KidSpirit Editorial Board
Short Term Missions = Short Term Impact?
Begins at 36 min 6 sec
This year, between 1 and 2 million American Christian missionaries will head to a foreign country, paint some houses, and go home. But what happens to the people they leave behind? Are they really better off? Andy Crouch explains why there's often a huge gap between what Americans want to accomplish and what their hosts actually need. His new documentary, Round Trip, helps missionaries prepare for their journey.
Andy Crouch, executive producer of Round Trip, senior editor at Christianity Today
This Week's Interfaith Calendar
June 21- Solstice (Pagan)
On the summer solstice, daylight lasts longer than at any other time of the year. Followers of earth-based religions in Europe and elsewhere often celebrate the solstice, also known as Litha, by lighting a Midsummer’s bonfire.
June 24- Birth of Saint John the Baptist (Christian)
This Christian feast celebrates the birth of Jesus’ cousin, Saint John the Baptist. According to Christian tradition, Saint John baptized Jesus, along with many of Jesus’ followers, on the banks of the Jordan river. Most scholars believe this event actually happened during the life of the historical Jesus.
