July 22, 2008

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Grassley won't be GOP delegate
Ralph Z. Hallow/Washington Times (07/21/2008)
Evangelical Christians in Iowa, dominant in the state's Republican Party, have denied Sen. Charles E. Grassley his request for a place on the state's delegation to this summer's Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn. Mr. Grassley may attend the party's Sept. 1-4 nominating convention in St. Paul, but not as a voting delegate.

DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE
Muslims begin to copy the megachurch multi-site model
Mallika Rao/Religion News Service (07/22/2008: pewforum.org)
WASHINGTON -- Mosques across the country are beginning to use a model similar to the one used by some suburban and downtown megachurches, operating multiple sites to serve a large and dispersed congregation. Many of these "mosque chains" brand themselves as progressive, and sometimes feature gymnasiums and mixed-gender prayer areas for men and women. Some groups even host weekly services at churches or synagogues with the expressed goal of fostering interfaith goodwill.

Islam subway ads cause stir in New York
CNN (07/22/2008)
NEW YORK - Ads promoting Islam are to be placed on New York subway cars in September, but a U.S. congressman finds people sponsoring the messages unacceptable.

EDUCATION
Loyola's med school mistreated animals, reports show
Jodi S. Cohen/Chicago Tribune (07/22/2008)
U.S. Department of Agriculture inspections of Loyola University's medical school found numerous violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act, including improper procedures that resulted in the deaths of rabbits and dogs.

ARTS AND MEDIA
'Godspell' To Be Revived On Broadway
CBS/AP (07/22/2008)
The flower power of a 1970s Jesus returns to Broadway this fall with a revival of "Godspell." The pop musical, which has a score by Stephen Schwartz, opens Oct. 23 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, producer Adam Epstein announced Tuesday. It will feature Gavin Creel as Jesus and Joshua Henry as Judas. Also in the cast will be Diana DeGarmo of "American Idol" fame.