Category: Religion

LAPD probing Danny Masterson over sex assault allegations

In this March 24, 2014 file photo, actor Danny Masterson arrives at Youth for Human Rights International Celebrity Benefit at Beso Hollywood in Los Angeles. Los Angeles police are investigating after three women reported being sexually assaulted by Masterson in the early 2000s, but the actor denies the allegations, which he says are motivated by the producer of an anti-Scientology television series.

Actor says sexual assault claims are false and tied to anti-Scientology movie

Los Angeles police are investigating after three women reported being sexually assaulted by actor Danny Masterson in the early 2000s, but the actor denies the allegations, which he says are motivated by the producer of an anti-Scientology television series. The inquiry was launched after three women came forward and reported they were sexually assaulted by Masterson in the early 2000s, said Officer Drake Madison, a Los Angeles police spokesman, on Friday.

Abuse survivor quits popea s panel over Vatican stonewall

Frustrated by what she described as Vatican stonewalling, an Irish woman who was sexually abused by clergy quit her post Wednesday on a pontifical panel advising Pope Francis about how to protect minors from such abuse. The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors said Marie Collins quit out of “frustration” at an alleged lack of cooperation from other Vatican offices, known as the Curia.

Vatican, Rome’s Jews putting on first-ever joint museum show

The museums of the Vatican and Rome’s ancient Jewish community have teamed up to host their first-ever joint exhibit, building on decades of improved Catholic-Jewish relations after centuries of mistrust. The exhibit’s focus is the menorah, the seven-armed candelabrum depicted in Jewish, Catholic and secular art over the centuries.

New top monk has ‘proven credentials’

The appointment of Somdet Phra Maha Muniwong as the new Supreme Patriarch by His Majesty the King has left no room for doubt about his credentials for the top monastic post, according to people close to him. Committed to the ascetic life, staying away from physical pleasures and comforts, the 90-year-old abbot of Wat Rajabopit in Bangkok has proved to be a worthy successor to the late, highly-revered supreme patriarch, Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, who passed away on Oct 24, 2013.

Conway Not Uniquely Dishonest While Representing Presidents Administration

CNN has grave concerns about White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway’s credibility and even refused to have her on its Sunday show recently, apparently to protect viewers from her Jedi mind trick powers. CNN subsequently invited Conway to appear on the network, infuriating a chorus of liberal media critics who insist she must be shunned like a harlot in an Amish colony.

Sam Armytage gets heated over bushfire started by smokers

White House vows to immediately reintroduce immigration ban after ‘outrageous’ judge cancels it with national injunction and Trump is told: ‘No one is above the law – not even the President’ Father of woman, 19, ‘strangled and thrown off a 50ft bridge by her two male classmates – including one who took her to PROM’ – comes face to face with the pair in court Comedian Patton Oswalt’s wife had an undiagnosed heart condition and was killed by a cocktail of Adderall, Xanax and fentanyl Texas high school math teacher pleads GUILTY to engaging in sexual activity with two 17-year-old students – but WON’T have to register as a sex offender Polygamist couple are found guilty of marrying their 13-YEAR-OLD daughter off to 60-year-old Warren Jeffs – and the girl is still missing Virginia woman wins $1 MILLION payout after catching horrific bacterial infection that left her covered in boils from a … (more)

Exit Ramp: Pfefferman Judaism

It’s just another day in the chaotic life of the Pfefferman family, the members of which can never quite figure out what being Jewish means to them, how much they want to celebrate it, and whether or not it is getting in the way of their various southern California-style quests for self-fulfillment. Is “Transparent,” which critics have called the most Jewish show in the history of television, promoting a 21st-century image of Jews as narcissists? “Transparent” certainly puts Judaism front and center, from its depiction of everything from a Shabbat dinner to a Yom Kippur service to a Havdalah ceremony.

Jude Law, HBO’s new, young Pope, is no angel

In the new limited series “The Young Pope,” Jude Law plays Pope Pius XIII, the newly elected head of the Roman Catholic Church who is definitely not a saintly figure. Born Lenny Belardo, the former archbishop of New York, he is complex and contradictory – extremely conservative and yet capable of great compassion toward the poor.

Keith Lemon reveals the late George Michael had wanted to work with …

One dead and nine shot at Florida airport: Panic in Ft Lauderdale as gunman opens fire in baggage claim and passengers run for their lives Liberal heckler who accosted Ivanka Trump on a JetBlue flight hides his face from a reporter at his Brooklyn home as he’s seen for the first time since he hurled abuse at her Scientology lawyer goes on national TV to slam Leah Remini for show that led to death threats against their leader David Miscavige More Hillary Clinton emails surface – and show how anti-gay Sharia law ruler The Sultan of Brunei treated Bill ‘like part of his family’ Russian election-year cyber attacks fall-out is a ‘witch hunt’ orchestrated by Democrats, says Trump as he asks Congress to investigate leak of top-secret hacking intelligence report EXCLUSIVE: Angelina Jolie accuses Brad Pitt of ‘publicly impugning’ her character in new court documents saying actor is ‘terrified the … (more)

Onstage: Jan. 5-12

Fiasco Theater’s inventive staging of ‘Into the Woods’ runs through Sunday at the Kennedy Center. The cast features Laurie Veldheer as Cinderella with Eleasha Gamble, Anthony Chatmon II and Vanessa Reseland.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir singer quits over Trump inaugural

In this Oct. 1, 2016, file photo, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sings in the Conference Center at the morning session of the two-day Mormon church conference in Salt Lake City. Choir member Jan Chamberlin posted a resignation letter that she says she sent to choir leaders on her Facebook page Thursdaym Dec. 29, 2016.

Mormon Choir Performance at Trump Inauguration Draws Ire

The announcement that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir will perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony hasn’t been met with universal applause. Erika Munson, co-founder of the pro-LGBT rights group Mormons Building Bridges, said the performance will be seen as the faith’s official stamp of approval for Trump.

Turmoil in the Vatican after a popea s death

Robert Harris writes intelligent thrillers based on historical events, from the rise and fall of the Roman Empire to the tumultuous 21st century. Some of his notable books include “Enigma,” about the breaking of Germany’s secret code in World War II, and “Fatherland,” a scary and suspenseful alternate history based on what could have happened if the Nazis had won World War II.