NAR news and blog week in review – April 26, 2009

Gay Penguins Tale Tops List of ‘Challenged’ Books for 3rd Year
And Tango Makes Three, released in 2005 and written by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, remained at the top of the latest report by American Library Association (ALA) that identifies which books have received the most complaints challenging its content. Coming in second on ALA’s most challenged books list was Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials , a trilogy of fantasy novels which tells the story of a young heroine and her battle against a dominant religious authority called the Magisterium. Read the article here.

Pope Benedict names 5 new saints
Among the newly canonized are Portugal’s 14th century independence leader and a priest who ministered to factory workers at the dawn of the industrial era. Read the story here.
FYI: Beatification is the first step to possible sainthood. The Vatican must certify one miracle attributed to the candidate’s intercession for beatification, and a second miracle that occurred after beatification for the candidate to be declared a saint.

Move over Dalai Lama, the Dalai Camel has arrived
A new self-proclaimed Messiah, The Dalai Camel, announced his new parody religion and coming out party via his new website. Visit his website, and read the article.

Studies find children of gay parents are…normal kids
Sociologists published an analysis in 2001 in the American Sociological Review of 21 studies of children raised by homosexual parents and found that, overall, they were no more likely to suffer from psychological problems than kids raised in conventional homes. Their findings were generally endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association and other mainstream organizations. Read more here.

Massive Christian celebration allowed in Vietnam
In what religious freedom advocates regarded as a breakthrough in Vietnam, authorities granted rare permission to unregistered house church groups to hold a large, public Easter-related service. Read more here.

Mimes for Jesus
Enough said. Now watch the video at the Friendly Atheist blog.

The Facebook Bible
You new it was coming. It was inevitable. Currently it’s only Genesis 1 and 2. But more is on the way. Here it is.

Four things to consider before you join the Amish.
From boingboing: “I know, I know. The recession blows. The job you may soon lose is stressful and unpleasant. And beards are more popular these days. But before you abandon your fast-paced lifestyle for a quieter, more-cow-filled one, there are a few things you need to think about.”

Tagged as: week in review