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 Rev Robert H. Schuller preaches on March 11, 1998.
July 4th, 2011
06:23 PM ET
Crystal Cathedral founder Schuller bounced from the boardBy Eric Marrapodi, CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor (CNN) - The Rev. Robert H. Schuller built the Crystal Cathedral, one of America's first megachurches, from the ground up but now the 84-year-old has been voted out by the church's board. In a statement issued by the church Monday, church officials said Schuller's role with the board was merely changing. "Now 84 years old, Dr. Schuller has been working toward semi-retirement, since total retirement is not an option for this pastor who is still just as passionate about his calling," the statement said. "Recently, the board of directors of Crystal Cathedral Ministries voted to change Dr. Schuller's position from that of a voting board member to the honorary Chairman of the Board Emeritus, a non-voting position," the statement added. It continued to say the move would allow more time for speaking engagements and writing opportunities for Schuller. "He will also continue to speak in the pulpit of the Crystal Cathedral and on the Hour of Power, and meet with staff in creative and vision-casting meetings," the church release read. "Hour of Power" is a weekly television program that was started by Schuller. Schuller's granddaughter, Angie Schuller Wyatt, said the vote took place several days ago. "He was ousted by the board in the same way my father was. It was surprising, but not completely unexpected," she said. 
July 4th, 2011
12:32 PM ET
End of Jewish golden age on Capitol Hill?By Dave Schechter, CNN The following may cheer those who complain that Jews exercise too much influence in the American political system. “The massive overrepresentation of Jews on Capitol Hill, long a source of pride for the community, has been shrinking in recent years and could drop in the coming election cycle from 41 to the mid 30s, a level last seen 15 years ago,” Nathan Guttman recently wrote in The Forward, the Jewish newspaper. Perhaps a golden age of sorts is coming to an end.
July 4th, 2011
11:22 AM ET
Atheists explain flying ad campaignOn the Fourth of July across the U.S., American Atheists are taking to skies with a flying banner ad campaign. They will be flying over busy holiday hot spots like beaches and parks with banners that read: "Atheism is Patriotic" and "God-LESS America." Some pilots balked and would not fly the banner ads. Justin Jaye of Fly Signs Aerial Advertising, told the Belief Blog last week, "I've been in this business for 20 years and I've never run into so much resistance on people flying," Jaye said. "I've had pilots who are actual atheists who said, 'Justin, I am an atheist and I won't fly it because I can't wear a bulletproof vest.'" 
July 4th, 2011
10:48 AM ET
Israeli police brace for more protests over rabbi's arrestBy Mike Schwartz and Kevin Flower, CNN Jerusalem (CNN) - Police in Jerusalem braced Monday for more street protests by ultra-orthodox Jews and right-wing nationalists following the high profile detention Sunday of a well known rabbi for his alleged endorsement of a controversial religious text which justifies the killing of non-Jews. Rabbi Yaakov Yosef, the son of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef the spiritual leader of the Shas party and an important member of Israel's governing coalition, was questioned by investigators Sunday on suspicions of incitement to violence and racism according to Israeli police. Yosef's detention was the second high-profile move by police in just over a week in their investigation of public endorsements of a religious treatise called "The King's Torah" written by Yosef Elitzur and Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira, the head of a Jewish religious school in the extremist Israeli settlement of Yitzhar. Read the full story here about the protests over rabbi's arrest
July 4th, 2011
10:41 AM ET
Muslim Brotherhood undergoing generational rift in EgyptBy Shahira Amin, For CNN Cairo, Egypt (CNN) - Islam Lotfy may look like your average 35-year-old Cairene. He's dark, clean-shaven, slightly chubby and wears glasses. There's nothing in his appearance that hints at his Islamist identity, save for the prayer mark on his forehead. Lotfy is, in fact, an active member of the Muslim Brotherhood - Egypt's largest opposition movement, which was banned from politics under the former regime of Hosni Mubarak. Lotfy is a lawyer who specializes in human rights cases and also a member of a youth coalition that comprises young Egyptian revolutionaries of varied ideologies. The young members of the coalition are united by a single goal: ensuring Egypt's transition to a civil democratic state. More than four months after Mubarak was forced from office in mass uprisings that erupted January 25, Lotfy and other young Muslim Brotherhood members say they are feeling increasingly alienated from the Islamist organization that shaped their political beliefs and influenced their behavior for most of their lives. Read the full story here of the generational rift in the Muslim Brotherhood
July 4th, 2011
10:33 AM ET
My Take: Why the U.S. is not a Christian nationBy Kenneth C. Davis, Special to CNN Editor's note: Kenneth C. Davis is the author of "Don't Know Much About History: Anniversary Edition" (HarperCollins). He posts regularly at his blog at http://www.dontknowmuch.com/. (CNN) - As America celebrates its birthday on July 4, the timeless words of Thomas Jefferson will surely be invoked to remind us of our founding ideals - that "All men are created equal" and are "endowed by their Creator" with the right to "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." These phrases, a cherished part of our history, have rightly been called "American Scripture." But Jefferson penned another phrase, arguably his most famous after those from the Declaration of Independence. These far more contentious words - "a wall of separation between church and state" - lie at the heart of the ongoing debate between those who see America as a "Christian Nation" and those who see it as a secular republic, a debate that is hotter than a Washington Fourth of July. It is true these words do not appear in any early national document. What may be Jefferson's second most-quoted phrase is found instead in a letter he sent to a Baptist association in Danbury, Connecticut. Read the full story here why Davis says America is not a Christian nation. |
  About this blog
The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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