John Lennon remembered on anniversary of his death

The sad death of music legend and peace activist John Lennon is remembered today. Lennon was killed exactly 30 years ago while returning to his New York City residence after a studio session. Yoko Ono, Lennon's widow, noted that the world is still learning from her late husband's messages of peace.

"On this tragic anniversary, please join me in remembering John with deep love and respect. The world was lucky to have known him. We still learn so much from him today. John, I love you," Ono said.

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.

Sojourners seeking to raise the level of religious conversation

In Sojourners: Faith, Politics, Culture there is "A Covenant for Civility" circulating, which seeks to solicit "…a pledge by church leaders from diverse theological and political beliefs who have come together to make a covenant with each other to model civility in the public square."

Among the seven elements of the covenant there is: "We will ever be mindful of the language we use in expressing our disagreements, being neither arrogant nor boastful in our beliefs."

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.

Successor named for Bishop John M. Smith, of NJ's Trenton Diocese

Bishop John M. Smith, 75, of the Trenton Diocese, in New Jersey, is slowly heading into retirement after his successor was named by Pope Benedict XVI weeks ago. Yet, it will not be until July 2011 that Bishop Smith formally steps away from his office, to be replaced by the Very Rev. David M. O'Connell, 55.

Rev. O'Connell is the former president of the Catholic University of American, in Washington D.C., and officially becomes the bishop once Bishop Smith retires. He will take the helm of a diocese comprised of 111 parishes in Monmouth, Ocean, Burlington and Mercer counties.

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

Pentagon edges toward lifting ban on gays serving in the military

On Tuesday, the Pentagon issued a cautious plan for lifting the ban on gays openly serving in the U.S. armed forces. According to an eight-month federal study, 70 percent of all soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines offered that there would be no effect or a positive effect from lifting the ban.

However, the study noted that support for gay soldiers did tend to cease as combat units were polled. Combat arms units are generally considered to include infantry, cavalry, armor, and field artillery, among others.

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

Cleveland church to close after remaining members take vote

In Cleveland, Ohio, the Broadway United Methodist Church, which was constituted as a Sunday school in 1872, is getting ready to close. A church building that once held hundreds of worshippers on Sunday mornings now draws only about 20 people for services.

On Nov. 17, only 17 church members were at worship and, after service was concluded, voted to close the debt-ridden church by a vote of 16-1. This was the final blow for a once-thriving church that, in recent years, had disbanded its choir, shutdown its preschool and exhausted its endowment.

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.

Dalai Lama to quit role as head of the exiled Tibetan government

The Dalai Lama, 75, has stated he is seeking to quit his role as ceremonial leader of the Tibetan government-in-exile. This was reported by one of the Dalai Lama's aides on Tuesday. It is being speculated that this represents another step in the process of the aging Dalai Lama in passing the torch of succession.

As the leader of the dominant Gelug arm of Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama is the top religious leader in Tibet. However, many of the Dalai Lama's predecessors also served as Tibet's ruler. This Dalai Lama was ruler of the country when Chinese troops forced him into fleeing to India in 1950.

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

Atheists and agnostics gather in Springfield for 'Skepticon' event

In Springfield, Missouri, thousands from around the country are converging upon the city to talk about religion, or perhaps the lack of it. Atheists and agnostics are taking part in a convention dubbed "Skepticon," and have assembled the largest event of its kind ever.

Skepticon is now in its third year and has grown larger every year. Event organizers reportedly chose Springfield for a host city because of its reputation as the "Buckle in the Bible Belt."

During the convention, atheists and agnostics will reportedly share why they lost their faith or have not been able to form it in the first place.

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.

As holidays near, jobless benefits on the line for 2 million

As we collectively head into the Holiday Season, job benefits will run out for 2 million people unless they are renewed by a Congress that is locked in partisan division. While extended unemployment benefits are being reviewed for adoption, so are preserving tax cuts for people earning more than $200,000.

The two issues have created renewed arguments in the halls of Congress. An extension of jobless benefits enacted this past summer expired on Dec. 1 and, on Thursday, a bill to extend them for three months failed in the House.

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.

Eid al-Azha is what Muslims do when they cannot go to Hajj

Eid al-Azha is an annual festival within Islam. It is celebrated in the last month of the Mulsim calendar, during Zul Hijja. Muslims gather from around the world to celebrate Hajj during the month of Zul Hijja.

To celebrate Eid al-Azha is to take part in a day of solidarity. Only a relatively few Muslims would be able to travel to Mecca and perform Hajj by making a pilgrimage. Everyone else takes part in Eid al-Azha wherever they live. Eid al-Azha is a day of sacrifice.

Muslims make symbolic sacrifices on this day. It is important to know that Hajj and its practices are symbolic re-enactments of acts performed by the family of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Ishmael, and his mother was Hajira.

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

Saudi government plans improvements for Hajj pilgrims

As the 2010 Hajj pilgrimage begins this week, Muslims from around the world are returning to the holy cities of Mecca and Medinah. In all, about 3 million pilgrims are expected to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Among the down sides of so many people descending upon a few areas, though, there is extreme traffic.

In recent years, extreme traffic congestion has been compounded by swine flu and severe flooding. However, the Saudi government is making important changes to improve the lot for pilgrims. Among other innovations, the government will unveil a new high-speed commuter train for pilgrims in 2011. In addition, the Saudi government is rolling out improved drinking water and sanitation facilities during the event.

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.

In the Bronx 6 Catholic schools given word about impending closure

Six Bronx parochial schools are among 31 facing closure throughout New York City. According to Darlene Rhem, a teacher at St. Augustine School, many people at her school are upset.

The Archdiocese of New York made the move after considering its financial situation recently. Accordingly, the 31 schools designated for closure are considered "at risk." The schools selected for closure span the city, including the Bronx and Westchester.

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.

Mt. Sinai study: Most Americans live nearby to hospice care

A majority of Americans live within about 15 minutes from hospice care. And, the vast majority of the rest of America lives about an hour from a hospice provider. Notably, the results from a team of researchers from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine have recently published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine.

According to Melissa S.A. Carlson, Ph.D., assistant professor of geriatrics and palliative care medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, data suggests that the proximity to hospice care by populations does not necessarily translate into additional use of hospice care by ordinary Americans.

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

Pope Benedict XVI criticizes Spanish law during Barcelona dedication

Pope Benedict XVI recently came out and defended "traditional families" and the rights of the unborn. He was directly attacking Spanish laws, which allow for gay marriage, fast-track divorce and easier abortions than in many other places. The pope made these statements which he dedicated Barcelona's iconic basilica, the Sagrada Familia.

The pope encouraged Spanish Catholics to rediscover Christian teachings and apply them to their everyday lives. While the pope was in Barcelona, about 2000 gay and lesbian protestors held what they termed as a "kiss-in" to protest the pontiff's visit. The pope has previously characterized gay and lesbian relationships as "intrinsically disordered."

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

AME keeps its focus on community with Rosa Parks Villa in South LA

Since the African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in Pennsylvania during the 18th century by Richard Allen, social engagement and economic development have been central themes for the denomination. During its rich history, the AME church has fought slavery and prejudice, founded colleges and seminaries and supported community development projects throughout the country.

One of the most recent examples of the AME church's focus upon civic development has been the recent $17-million Rosa Parks Villa, overlooking 10 Freeway and Crenshaw Blvd., in Southern Los Angeles.

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.

Haiti braces for possible hurricane as tropical storm closes

Haiti's troubles are not gone yet. According to published reports, the island nation is expecting to be hit by a hurricane. Haiti experienced an earthquake in January, which led to wide-ranging suffering, death and loss throughout that country.

The government has, thus far, issued a red alert for Tropical Storm Tomas. The storm is traveling at 50 mph and could unleash heavy flooding around Haiti. According to Bryant Castro, who works for the American Refugee Committee, tensions are elevated in Haiti and people are very concerned about their belongings.

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

Southern Baptist pastor comes down against practicing yoga

Christians in Atlanta, Georgia who practice yoga are rejecting an edict by Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler, who believes the stretching and meditative practice is movement away from the Christian path.

However, according to Northside Baptist Church Associate Pastor Michael Gregg, the entire ministerial staff at his church practices yoga. "It’s not about religion," said Gregg of yoga. His wife, in fact, teaches a weekly yoga course at the church.

According to a recent study, about 15.8 million people practice the ancient physical art form and exercise.

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