January 17, 2008

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Mormons Scrutinized in White House Race
Jennifer Dobner/Associated Press (01/17/2008: ap.google.com)
Despite Romney's attempts to keep the campaign focused on issues, questions about Mormons and their religious practices such as wearing sacred undergarments and conducting secret ceremonies inside their temples have dogged the candidate and, by extension, the 178-year-old Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Florida Primary: Lieberman, GOP seek out Jewish vote
Marc Caputo and Breanne Gilpatrick/Miami Herald (01/17/2008)
As the GOP goes after the Jewish vote -- which, if galvanized, could steer an election -- John McCain has scored big with Joe Lieberman's endorsement.

ABORTION
Abortions Hit Lowest Number Since 1976
Rob Stein/Washington Post (01/17/2008)
The number of abortions performed in the United States dropped to 1.2 million in 2005 -- the lowest level since 1976, according to a new report. The number of abortions fell at least in part because the proportion of women ending their pregnancies with an abortion dropped 9 percent between 2000 and 2005, hitting the lowest level since 1975, according to a nationwide survey.

Republicans emphasize anti-abortion beliefs
Jason George and Jill Zuckman/Chicago Tribune (01/17/2008)
TIGERVILLE, S.C. - With their Michigan primary losses in their rearview mirrors, South Carolina front- runners Sen. John McCain and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee crisscrossed the Palmetto State on Wednesday, touting their anti-abortion and pro-family credentials ahead of the nation's first Southern contest Saturday.

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Hundreds ask Legislature for ban on gay marriage
Jason Clayworth/Des Moines Register (01/17/2008)
Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday at the State Capitol, asking lawmakers to launch an effort to amend the state constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage.

EDUCATION
Sex-Ed Dispute Aired in Court
Daniel de Vise/Washington Post (01/17/2008)
A six-year battle over the content of a new sex education curriculum in Montgomery County schools came down to two questions posed yesterday in a Rockville courtroom: Can the school board legally teach students that homosexuality is innate? And can the lessons discuss sex acts other than copulation?

DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE
Episcopal church cracks down on dissidents
Michael Conlon/Reuters (01/17/2008)
CHICAGO - Leaders of the U.S. Episcopal Church have stepped up a crackdown on conservative dissidents, ordering one bishop to stop his religious work and threatening a second with the same thing. Both rebuffed the moves.

Lesbian's bid for ordination advances
Rebecca Trounson/Los Angeles Times (01/17/2008)
For nearly 23 years, Lisa Larges has sought to become a Presbyterian minister, but she has twice been formally rejected because of a long-standing ban on gay ordination by the Presbyterian Church USA. But in what appears to be the first national test of a 2006 policy change by the church, Larges, of San Francisco, has moved a step closer to joining the clergy.

CONGREGATIONS AND FAITH GROUPS
Georgia megachurch leader pleads guilty to lying in sex scandal
Dorie Turner/Associated Press (01/17/2008: chron.com)
ATLANTA — The 80-year-old leader of a megachurch pleaded guilty Wednesday to lying under oath about his sexual affairs and was sentenced to 10 years' probation. Archbishop Earl Paulk, who has been in ill health, was also fined $1,000 on a single felony count.