Boycotting Obama at Notre Dame Is Vulgar Zealotry

William Pfaff / Truthdig Apr 1, 2009 In respect to tradition, one would expect Obama to deliver Notre Dame's commencement address in May, but a crowd of Fighting Irish have decided to try to keep the new president away from the hallowed campus for fear that some of his thinking might rub off on them. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

America Has Become Less Religious

Staff / Truthdig Mar 10, 2009 The percentage of Americans who follow no religion has doubled since 1990, according to a new survey of religious identity. At 15 percent, they are now the third largest group, behind Catholics and Baptists. The Christian majority has dwindled by 10 points in the last 18 years. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Finding Peace in the Culture Wars

E.J. Dionne Jr. / Truthdig Mar 5, 2009 If President Obama's primary task is to restore economic growth, he has also been waging a quiet, long-term campaign to ease the nation's divisions around religious and moral questions. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Lawsuit Says Church Used Alaska as a Dumping Ground for Pedophiles

Staff / Truthdig Jan 16, 2009 A new lawsuit alleges that the Jesuit order of the Catholic Church sent problem priests to remote Alaskan villages, where their crimes would have a reduced chance of discovery. A former monk and advocate for sex abuse victims told the Anchorage Daily News, "They were specifically targeting the Athabascan and the Yup'ik cultures, because they wouldn't talk." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Gifts Worthy of Christmas

E.J. Dionne Jr. / Truthdig Dec 25, 2008 On this consumer holiday, let us recognize those whose satisfaction comes not from accumulating material goods or political power: The relief workers and community builders lending their energy to the poorest people in villages and urban slums scattered around the globe. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Maryland Police Keep You Safe From Terrorist Nuns

Staff / Truthdig Dec 8, 2008 How did two nuns end up on a list of terrorists? Blame a now-defunct investigation by the Maryland State Police, who sent undercover troopers to spy on political groups and identify supposed terrorists, among them pacifists, environmentalists, a congressional candidate and those two feisty nuns. Update Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

NYT: Mormons Made the Difference in Passage of Prop. 8

Staff / Truthdig Nov 16, 2008 Many of us living in California definitely took notice when the battle over Proposition 8 suddenly heated up and became more contentious in the days before it passed. The New York Times has the story on what happened in that final stretch before the election. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Abortion Is the Right Issue for Starting the Healing

E.J. Dionne Jr. / Truthdig Nov 14, 2008 Obama's most urgent task is to repair an ailing economy. But one of his most important promises was to end the cultural and religious wars that have disfigured politics for four decades. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

‘No on 8’ Protesters March on Mormon Temple in L.A.

Staff / Truthdig Nov 7, 2008 Tuesday's elections are a thing of the past, but the battle over California's Proposition 8 is still going on. On Thursday, a large group of demonstrators marched in Los Angeles in protest of the ban on gay marriage, with the Westwood area's Mormon temple as their eventual destination. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

End of a Catholic Commandment?

E.J. Dionne Jr. / Truthdig Oct 21, 2008 Catholics, who are quintessential swing voters and gave narrow but crucial support to President Bush in 2004, are drifting toward Barack Obama. And this time, some church leaders are suggesting that single-issue voting -- such as on abortion -- is by no means a Catholic commandment. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Obama’s Leap of Faith

E.J. Dionne Jr. / Truthdig Jul 4, 2008 Barack Obama keeps trying to end the wars over culture and religion, and good for him. The 1960s are so 40 years ago. But Obama's opponents, as well as some of his friends, won't let him do it. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Using Communion as a Weapon

E.J. Dionne Jr. / Truthdig Jun 3, 2008 Word spread like wildfire in Catholic circles: Douglas Kmiec, a staunch Republican, firm foe of abortion and veteran of the Reagan Justice Department, had been denied communion. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )