RELIGION BRIEFING

Saturday, October 11, 2008

YOM KIPPUR

Rabbi Alleges Threat Over Chicken Ritual

New York City police are investigating a rabbi's complaint that threatening e-mails were sent in connection with the slaughter of chickens to atone for sins before Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement.

Rabbi Shea Hecht of the National Committee for Furtherance of Jewish Education says the e-mails were sent by supporters of a People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals campaign opposing the ritual, known as kapparot. He says some people added threatening and anti-Semitic comments to an online PETA form letter.

The Brooklyn-based Jewish organization slaughters about 4,000 chickens.

A PETA spokesman says the ritual is abusive and unnecessary.

-- Associated Press

VATICAN

Pope Pius XII Defended Over Holocaust Action

The Vatican has stepped up its defense of Pope Pius XII, countering allegations that the wartime pontiff was silent about the Holocaust by saying he saved Jews through prudent diplomacy.

The Vatican newspaper dedicated an entire page Tuesday to praising Pius, including an impassioned tribute from the Holy See's secretary of state. Last month, Pope Benedict XVI declared that Pius, who died 50 years ago, worked courageously to save Jews, and on Thursday Benedict celebrated an anniversary Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for him.

The Vatican has started the process for Pius's beatification, the last formal step before possible sainthood. Some Jews have accused Pius of not speaking out forcefully enough against the Holocaust.

-- Associated Press

PSYCHOLOGY STUDY

Religious People Found Kinder, on 2 Conditions

Religious people are more helpful and generous than others -- but only on two conditions, according to a new study published in the prestigious journal Science.

University of British Columbia psychology researchers Ara Norenzayan and Azim Shariff concluded that religious people act more kindly than atheists on condition that they believe their acts will enhance their reputations among their peers. The second condition is being freshly reminded, in a subconscious way, of the existence of a morally tinged God or supernatural being, the researchers said.

Religious people are inclined, under these conditions, to be more giving and honest than others because their belief in God assumes the existence of an all-knowing "supernatural police" force that monitors their behavior, Norenzayan said in an interview.

But once researchers remove the two conditions, Norenzayan said, "all of a sudden you don't find any differences between the moral behavior of religious people and non-religious."

-- Religion News Service

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Bethesda Church Joins Nationwide Campaign

Worship services and Sunday school have been canceled at Bethesda United Methodist Church tomorrow so members can spend the weekend serving the community.

Doing home repairs for the elderly, cleaning up sections of Rock Creek Park, assembling "flood buckets" for Hurricane Ike victims with bleach and sponges and sending a team to rebuild homes in New Orleans are some of the activities that the 400 church members are engaging in, said the Rev. Jenny Cannon. It is meant to communicate that the church is "more than coming together for worship."

The effort is part of a nationwide campaign called "Don't Go to Church, Be the Church," sponsored by World Vision, a faith-based nonprofit; Zondervan, a Christian publisher; and Outreach, a Christian outreach organization. In its second year, the initiative encourages churches to close their doors for one weekend and help neighbors in need.

About 300 churches are participating this year, according to Faith in Action, the organization coordinating the campaign.

-- Jacqueline L. Salmon