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 Author Simon Sebag Montefiore has written a new biography of the city of Jerusalem.
December 9th, 2011
11:01 AM ET
Jerusalem’s biographer explains a city steeped in holiness, violenceBy Todd Leopold, CNN (CNN) -– Its name translates from Hebrew as “abode of peace,” but for more than 3,000 years, Jerusalem has been anything but peaceful. Ancient civilizations conquered it. The Romans left it a slaughterhouse. Muslims, the Crusaders, the Ottomans, the Israelis and the Palestinians all have left their mark, often in blood. And that’s not even to bring up the religious disputes, the clashing neighbors, the fanatical pilgrims and the earthquakes. (Yes, earthquakes.) Yet Jerusalem maintains its status as perhaps the most important and holy city in the world. It is here that the three great monotheistic religions lay their claims, that countless cultures have built centuries-old shrines, and where arguably the world’s biggest geopolitical conflict, between Israelis and Palestinians, plays out every day. British historian Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of the new book “Jerusalem: The Biography,” knows the city well. His great-great uncle, financier Moses Montefiore, was a major philanthropist who founded one of the city’s first “new” neighborhoods in the 1860s. 
December 9th, 2011
10:43 AM ET
CNN iReport: Doug and the Bible Project(CNN)– CNN iReporter Doug Logeais recorded this video of himself assembling an art project that visualizes every word in the Bible. "I really just wanted to see what it would look like to see the entire Bible all at once," he said. "Every page. Every word. Not just your favorite passage and ignoring what you don’t like. The whole thing. What would it look like?" Read the full story here and send in your own I-Reports here.
December 9th, 2011
05:49 AM ET
Belief Blog's Morning Speed Read for Friday, December 9
By Dan Merica, CNN Here's the Belief Blog’s morning rundown of the top faith-angle stories from around the United States and around the world. Click the headlines for the full stories. From the Blog: CNN: ‘Plan B’ decision puts pro-life groups, bloggers in an unfamiliar position  The event featured more than 500 guests, according to the White House CNN: Obama hosts an early Hannukah reception 
December 9th, 2011
04:21 AM ET
‘Plan B’ decision puts pro-life groups, bloggers in an unfamiliar positionBy Dan Merica, CNN Washington (CNN) – The decision by Kathleen Sebelius to keep age restrictions on the purchase of the “morning after pill” puts some conservative religious groups in an unfamiliar position – endorsing a move by the Obama administration. Groups like the Family Research Council, who regularly find themselves on the opposite end of decisions made by the Obama administration, came out in support of the administration and in particular, Sebelius, the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. “Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was right to reject the FDA recommendation to make this potent drug available over the counter to young girls,” stated a release by the pro-life Family Research Council.
December 9th, 2011
12:04 AM ET
Obama hosts an early Hannukah receptionBy CNN Wire Staff (CNN) – President Barack Obama on Thursday celebrated the Jewish holiday of Hannukah a bit early, holding a White House reception more than a week before the eight-day festival begins. "We're jumping the gun just a little bit," Obama told several hundreds guests at the event taking place 12 days before Hannukah starts on December 20. "The way I see it, we're just extending the holiday spirit." FULL STORY |
  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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