Prop 8 sponsors seek to disqualify gay judge hearing case

In San Francisco, California, sponsors of California's gay marriage ban are reportedly seeking to disqualify Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker because he has been in a long-term, same-sex relationship. Meanwhile, experts are reportedly claiming that sexual orientation is an untried judicial disqualification.

However, the authors of Proposition 8 are allegedly claiming that Walker did not disclose his relationship while he presided over the case and has not stated whether or not he has any interest in marrying his partner.

The NY Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background for careers in ministry.

Battling Episcopalians take fight to Virginia courtroom

In Fairfax, Virginia, a long-running dispute between the Episcopal Church and several so-called "breakaway congregations" over homosexuality and Christian doctrine was back in a court on Monday, where real-estate and contract law took center stage.

The New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in ministry.

Important 'Save the Date' for 9/11 survivors, families

The WTC Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program will hold a conference for 9/11 workers and volunteers and their families. Information about health findings, benefits and the Zadroga Act will be presented on Saturday, May 7, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The event will take place at the United Federation of Teachers headquarters in Manhattan, 52 Broadway, New York, NY.

For more information or to register, call 1 (888) 702-0630, or go to wtc exams.

The New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in ministry.

Woman allegedly stabbed for asking smoker not to light up

Treating others as we would treat ourselves is an age-old axiom that bears repeating, especially in light of some of the ways that doesn't happen.

In particular, it was recently reported that a New Jersey woman was stabbed in the face on a New York City subway -- after she asked a man not to smoke on the train. The attack occurred on the No. 3 train near Chambers Street on Tuesday morning. The woman was later treated and released at an areas hospital, while her alleged attacker was charged with felony assault and possession of a weapon.

The NY Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in ministry.

King James Bible blows out 400 candles

This year marks the fourth century since the King James Bible was first published in May 1611. Originally printed in English, the Bible continues to have new translations.

KJV has become a cultural touchstone throughout the ages, and has been a force in shaping art, politics, government, and societies around the globe as a whole.

The New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in ministry.

Cambridge prof says he knows when Last Supper happened

Cambridge University Professor Colin Humphreys says he knows when The Last Supper happened.

Did the Last Supper happen the Wednesday before the crucifixion? Well, University of Cambridge Professor Colin Humphreys believes there is a case for introducing a "fixed date" for Easter. Using biblical, astronomical and historical information, Humphreys said he has calculated an exact time Jesus shared this meal with his disciples.

Reportedly, Matthew, Mark and Luke all say the Last Supper took place at the start of Passover. Meanwhile, John reported that the Last Supper took place before Passover. However, the truth of when the Last Supper actually took place may well be found in the calendar being used.

The NY Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in ministry.

Tibetan lama makes his home in suburban New Jersey

Geshi Dakpa survived the Chinese invasion of his homeland, Tibet, in 1959.

Photos by Jim Purcell

A Howell Township Tibetan Buddhist temple is the home to Geshi Dakpa, a lama who has survived the Chinese invasion of Lhasa, Tibet, studied Buddhism in India and Thailand, and taught at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dakpa is the spiritual shepherd of more than 300 families now and discusses life, death and loss as he reveals his insights about living a full and happy life. Are there secrets about enlightenment and living life happily? Surprisingly, nothing each of us do not already know.

The New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every walk of life, for careers in ministry.

Benson awards control of $114M to polygamous church members in controversial federal court decision

WARREN JEFFS

In Salt Lake City, Utah, a federal judge has turned control of $114 million in communal assets over to leaders of a polygamous church founded by jailed religious Warren Jeffs. U.S. District Court Judge Dee Benson said that church leaders, and not the state of Utah, should manage the assets being held by the United Effort Plan Trust.

Utah courts previously authorized the seizure of trust money during 2005. The following year, a state judge permitted the trust to be stripped of its religious tenets and opened its class of beneficiaries to former church members. About 6,000 church members then sued in federal court.

The New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in ministry.

Sanctuary at Ebenezer Baptist Church to reopen in Atlanta

In Atlanta, Georgia, the sanctuary where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached, at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, is being re-opened to the public after being closed since 2007.

The sanctuary will be re-opened by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar on Friday. The site is managed by the National Park Service and has been designated as a National Historic Site. The Rev. Dr. King, Jr., had co-pastored at the church with his father, beginning in 1960 and concluding with his assassination in 1968.


The NY Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in ministry.

Church of England creates special prayer for the royal couple

The Church of England has created a special prayer for the royal wedding of Great Britain's Prince William and future Princess Kate Middleton, in advance of the 'wedding to end all weddings' thus far in this short century.

According to church leaders, this newly-minted prayer can be used in private prayer or during group worship. This new prayer petitions God's assistance in strengthening the couple's will and deepening their faith and love for one another.

The New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in ministry.

Florida Quran burning sparks deaths during Afghani riots for 2 days

In Afghanistan, Saturday marked a second day of protests in the wake of a small Florida church burning a Quran publicly. Nine people died in Kandahar and more than 80 were injured during a wave of violence, which was fueled by anti-foreign sentiment. Many have said this was the last thing needed in the region after nearly a decade of war.

During Friday, 11 people were killed, including seven foreign United Nations employees in the northern town of Mazar-i-Sharif. The desecration by the U.S. church has further strained already tenuous ties between Afghanistan and the West.

The NY Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in ministry.

Muslim girl reportedly terrorized because of her Islamic religious beliefs

A 13-year-old Muslim girl was reportedly terrorized in Staten Island because of her religion. Most recently, her head scarf was yanked off by an 11-year-old, according to published reports. The girl allegedly said she has been labeled with the name "Terrorist" by her peers, due to her Islamic heritage.

Meanwhile, the girl is an eighth-grade honors student at Berta Dreyfus Intermediate School 49 in Stepleton. The abuse has reportedly been going on for three months. During the most pronounced of the attacks, it is reported that the girl's lip was busted and her headdress was tattered.

The NY Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every walk of life, for careers in ministry.