Awesome tweet of the day:
The father of liberal theology, Fred Schleiermacher, was born today in 1768. “Born” and “today” are just metaphors, of course. (via our friends @shipofools)
Hot off the Press: Full text of Interview Magazine’s lengthy conversation on the 20-year anniversary of Achtung Baby with Bono, The Edge, and Oscar winning director Davis Guggenheim.
They're calling her "The Erma Bombeck of Spirituality." Author Jana Riess's new book Flunking Sainthood is getting absolute rave reviews and HUGE buzz in the book world. Reviewer Yvonne Neff calls it, "the most entertaining introduction to spiritual disciplines ever written. For that matter, it may be the only entertaining book ever written in that genre." Publisher's Weekly even named it one of the Top 10 Religion Books of the Year! Brava, Jana!
Over the weekend, Jews and Muslims in New Jersey joined hands to alleviate hunger and build bridiges between the two religious comminutues.
The words "flatulence," "monkey’s crotch," and "Jesus Christ" are among 1,600 words that Pakistan cell phone services have banned from appearing in text messages.
Speaking of flatulence ... from the department of You Can't Make This Stuff Up, the government of Malawi, Africa has introduced legislation that would make it illegal to break wind, if you will, in public. The law was introduced along with new measures to criminalize those who would "interfere with the burial of a dead body" and those who "pretend to be fortune tellers." Really. See for yourself:
The U.N. weather agency reports that a new record has been reached in global greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide emissions have risen 39 percent since the industrial era began in 1750.
GOOD begins a new video series of the ordinary, simple joys of life. See their first interview with The Urban Farmer.
With all the sexual abuse scandals receiving attention, Secret Survivors is a documentary theater production in which child sexual abuse survivors break the silence around their experiences.
Looking for a good film to watch over the holiday week? The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have announced fifteen finalists for the Best Documentary category for the upcoming Oscars. See more via Paste.
Monday afternoon smiles brought to you by Kermit the Frog and Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Conchords), singing “Life’s a Happy Song” from the soon-to-be-released Muppets movie. More at New York Times.
Joshua Witchnger is an editorial web assistant for Sojourners.
Got something to say about what you're reading? We value your feedback!