Faith Leaders Debate Morality Of Marijuana Legalization

NEW YORK (RNS) Sunday’s Super Bowl was dubbed by some as the “pot bowl,” as the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks hail from the two states where fans can soon get marijuana as easily as they can get pizza. As public opinion has shifted in support of legalized marijuana, religious leaders are wrestling over competing interests, including high prison rates and legislating morality.

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According to a 2013 survey from the Public Religion Research Institute, 58 percent of white mainline Protestants and 54 percent of black Protestants favor legalizing the use of marijuana. On the other side, nearly seven-in-10 (69 percent) white evangelical Protestants oppose it.Catholics appear to be the most divided Christian group, with 48 percent favoring legalization and 50 percent opposing it. Opinions on how states should handle those who possess or sell marijuana varies among Christian leaders.

Caught in the middle of the debate are pastors, theologians and other religious leaders, torn over how to uphold traditional understandings of sin and morality amid a rapidly changing tide of public opinion..more brief

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Imam Shamshad Visits Two Inland Empire Mayors

Imam Shamshad’s mission is to inform the citizens of Southern California in general — and its religious and civic leaders in particular — about the true teachings of Islam and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s Baitul Hameed Mosque on Ramona Ave. in Chino is celebrating its 25th anniversary in July, and its Imam, Shamshad A. Nasir, is on a mission — a public relations mission that’s been on-going since the mosque was built and which he has continued since being stationed at the Chino Mosque as the worldwide Ahmadiyya Community’s southwest regional missionary in the U.S More Brief

After Retiring from Ministry in 2010, Pastor Dennis Leonard Is Back and Will Open Heritage Christian Center Church in Colorado

Bishop Dennis Leonard preaches the prosperity gospel during a Sunday morning worship service at the Heritage Christian Center in Denver in 2006|| BCCN1 Dennis Leonard built Heritage Christian Center into a flourishing multiracial church by connecting with hurting people.From the pulpit, the preacher mined his past life frequenting nightclubs and recovering from divorce. Members volunteered at a church food bank and fed the homeless. The choir was top-notch. Leonard also preached a gospel of prosperity suggesting a bountiful return for those who gave generously to the church — that has been criticized for preying on the vulnerable.Then he walked away, retiring in 2010 and moving to California. Leonard is about to embark on a second act in Colorado, announcing plans to open a Heritage Christian Center in Aurora with a 1,500-seat sanctuary in a former sporting goods store the church bought.“I want you to know we are coming back for you,” Leonard said during a Friday night guest appear...

Osun gov, Omisore worship together at Catholic pilgrimage centre

Nigeria Osun State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola and his main challenger in the August governorship election, Senator Iyiola Omisore, weekend, despite their political differences worshiped together at the annual Oke-Maria Pilgrimage, at Otan-Ayegbaju, Boluwaduro Local Government Area of the state. The Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan and Apostolic Administrator of Osogbo Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin had announced the likely attendance of the duo around 10.00pm on Saturday , urging devotees at the 'Maria Shrine' (prayer mountain), to shelve their political differences.. more brief

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