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June 2, 2008

Queer Inclusion in the United Methodist Church
June 2, 2008 11:45 AM

Amanda Udis-Kessler, Colorado College's Director of Institutional Research and Planning, just published a new book titled Queer Inclusion in the United Methodist Church. Noel Black spoke with her about her about her approach to the subject and why she chose to write about it.








Posted by Delaney Utterback at 11:45 AM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Gay & Lesbian , Religion

May 1, 2008

The Bible for Those on their Way
May 1, 2008 12:41 PM

Dr. Walter Brueggemann, author of Mandate to Difference is spending the weekend in Colorado Springs. The professor and United Church of Christ minister will give lectures and lead discussions as part of the seminar The Bible for Those on their Way, sponsored by the Colorado College chaplain’s office and First Congregational United Church of Christ.








Posted by Delaney Utterback at 12:41 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Religion

January 8, 2008

Colorado Muslims Reach Out to Activist Rabbi
January 8, 2008 6:04 PM

The largest community of Muslims in Colorado opened its doors to a Jewish rabbi this week, a man known for challenging the status quo of Arab-Israeli relations. Left wing Rabbi Michael Lerner of San Francisco addressed a standing room only crowd at the Colorado Muslim Society in Aurora, and said many Jews in the United States feel solidarity for Muslims in the post 9-11 world. Helen Gray was there.

LISTEN

Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:04 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Denver , Politics , Religion

December 12, 2007

Local News Roundup, Wed., Dec. 12, 2007
December 12, 2007 5:43 PM

Murray's Parents Speak

Ritter Visits Colorado Troops in Iraq

Salazar: No Renewable Mandate in Federal Energy Bill

Spud Pests in Colorado?

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:43 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Colorado , Colorado Springs , Crime , Environment , Health , Military , Religion

December 11, 2007

Latest Details on New Life Shootings
December 11, 2007 5:28 PM

Colorado Springs police say the man who killed four people at New Life Church in Colorado Springs and the Youth With a Mission training center in Arvada on Sunday died of a self-inflicted shotgun wound.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:28 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Crime , Religion

December 10, 2007

Jeanne Assam, "Hero" of New Life Shooting Speaks to the Press
December 10, 2007 6:02 PM

After keeping her identity secret for 24 hours, New Life Church and Colorado Springs police announced that the volunteer security guard who stopped the killing spree at the church Sunday is 42-year-old Jeanne Assam. Assam then took questions from the media at a press conference at the Colorado Springs police operations center downtown for about 10 minutes. Here is the press conference in its entirety.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:02 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Colorado Springs , Crime , Religion

December 9, 2007

New Life Church Shootings - UPDATE - Shooter Identified
December 9, 2007 4:24 PM


Brady Boyd, head pastor at New Life Church addresses the media Monday morning, Dec. 10, 2007

3 p.m. update, Dec. 10, 2007 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - A law enforcement official says the deadly rampages at a megachurch and a missionary training school were believed to have been carried out by the same person - Matthew Murray, a 24-year-old suburban Denver man who "hated Christians."

Text below updated at 1pm:
The two people killed in a shooting spree at New Life Church in Colorado Springs are being identified today as teenage sisters. Eighteen-year-old Stephanie Works and 16-year-old Rachael Works were killed when the gunman opened fire with a high-powered rifle. Senior Pastor Brady Boyd said ``our hearts are grieving this morning for them.'' One of the three people who were injured in the attack was the girls' father, 51-year-old David Works, who's in fair condition with gunshot wounds in his abdomen and groin area. Also injured were 40-year-old Judy Purcell, who suffered a gunshot wound to her right shoulder, and 59-year-old Larry Bourbannais, who had a gunshot wound in his left forearm. Both were treated and released. Boyd says ``the others that were wounded yesterday are doing well. All of them should recover. They don't have life-threatening injuries.''

Boyd said the gunman had no connection to the church, and called the incident a ``senseless random attack.'' He said the New Life security guard who shot and killed the gunman was a volunteer but he did not release her name. ``She's a real hero'' says Boyd this morning outside the church, "She probably saved 100 lives,'' because the gunman ``had a lot of ammunition to do a lot of damage.'' Boyd says the guard is a member of the church with a law enforcement background, but said she is not currently a law enforcement officer. He did say security was increased at the church after the earlier shootings in Arvada. Two people were killed on the Youth With a Mission campus after a staffer told a man he could not spend the night there.

Witnesses to yesterday's shooting spree at New Life described a horrific scene as a gunman opened fire there following a church service. Jessie Gingrich had left New Life and was in the parking lot getting into her car when she saw the gunman get a rifle from his trunk and open fire on a van full of people. She says she then cowered in her car, fumbling with the ignition key. She told ABC's ``Good Morning America'' today that she was expecting the next gunshot to come through her car, but ``by the grace of God, it did not.'' Ashley Gibbs was getting into a car when she heard the gunshots, which she said sounded like someone was kicking ice from the side of a car. She told NBC's ``Today'' show that she prayed God would bring him peace.


We will keep you posted as we learn more.

Here is a link to an AP story at NPR's website: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17060196

Posted by Delaney Utterback at 4:24 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Crime , Religion

November 26, 2007

Healthcare Reform In Colorado Part Two: Individual Mandates
November 26, 2007 5:14 PM

After more than a year of input and analysis, Colorado's bi-partisan Blue Ribbon Commission on Healthcare Reform has recommended the state adopt a Massachusetts-style "individual mandate." That means everybody has to buy health insurance, or face a fine. The state subsidizes the cost for those with low incomes. KCFR had reporter Martha Bebinger see how the idea is working out in Massachusetts.
[LISTEN]

PART ONE: Employer Mandate
In just over a month, Colorado's legislative session will convene. One of hottest topics will be health care reform. This week on KRCC, we're going to dig in to some leading reform ideas. One of those ideas is the so-called "employer mandate," that's where businesses have to provide insurance for their employees, or face a fine. KCFR's Andrea Dukakis has more.

[LISTEN]

Andrea's report is part of a larger series on health care reform produced at Colorado Public Radio. It includes other stories, and interviews with leaders in Colorado's reform efforts. To hear more, click HERE.

Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:14 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Business , Business/Labor , Health , Religion

November 20, 2007

Local News Roundup Tue., Nov. 20, 2007
November 20, 2007 6:22 PM

DIA Forecasts 2nd Busiest Travel Weekend Ever

Front Range Airport May Start Taking Passenger Jets

Beaver Creek Delays Opening For Lack of Snow

Feds: Denver Violating Ozone Limits

State Unemployment Rate Drops

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:22 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Business , Colorado , Denver , Environment , Religion , Transportation

November 1, 2007

Rev. Armstrong Formally De-Frocked by Colorado Episcopal Diocese
November 1, 2007 5:06 PM

The Episcopal Diocese of Colorado has formally de-frocked the Reverend Don Armstrong, of Grace Episcopal Church in Colorado Springs. The action came 30 days after a church court found him guilty of several financial crimes.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:06 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Crime , Gay & Lesbian , Legal , Religion

October 23, 2007

Armtrong's Attorney: Audit Says Client is Innocent of Financial Crimes
October 23, 2007 4:56 PM

An auditor hired by the Reverend Don Armstrong's attorney has found no evidence the pastor committed fraud or theft. Armstrong is the pastor of Grace Episcopal Church and St. Stephen's Parish in Colorado Springs. Last December, he was suspended by the Episcopal diocese of Colorado on suspicion of financial misconduct. In August, that body found him guilty of misappropriating nearly $400,000, lying to the IRS, illegally encumbering church property and other crimes. Armstrong has denied any wrongdoing, and says the diocese has no jurisdiction over him. But he remains under investigation by the Colorado Springs police department's financial crimes unit.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:56 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Crime , Legal Affairs , Religion

September 18, 2007

Local News Round-Up for September 18, 2007
September 18, 2007 6:18 PM

Senate OKs Pueblo Depot Cleanup Money

Anti-Abortion Minister Vows to Protest Dem Convention in Denver

CSU Gets TB Research Money

TB Patient Goes Back to Arizona

Gov. Ritter to Testify on Global Warming in DC

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:18 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Denver , Environment , Health , Military , Politics , Pueblo , Religion , Science

September 13, 2007

Local News Round-Up for September 13, 2007
September 13, 2007 5:08 PM

Inmate Attacks Limon Prison Supervisor

New GOP Senate Candidate Announces

Tancredo to Get Federal Matching Funds for Campaign

State Supreme Court OKs Lawsuit Against Denver Archdiocese

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:08 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Crime , Elections , Legal , Politics , Prisons , Religion

September 10, 2007

IRS Clears Dobson of Illegal Political Influence
September 10, 2007 6:38 PM

The IRS has cleared James Dobson of illegally using Focus on the Family to influence elections.

In 2004, two political watchdog groups filed complaints against Dobson, saying he used Focus to encourage followers to support Republican candidates. As a tax-exempt non-profit group, Focus on the Family is prohibited from trying to influence elections. An IRS audit says Dobson spoke as an individual and not for Focus, and therefore broke no rules. On his nationally-broadcast radio program, Dobson called the complaints attempts to intimidate religious leaders by Barry Lynn, head of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:38 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Legal , Politics , Religion

August 9, 2007

Springs Police Investigating Rev. Don Armstrong, DA May Appoint Special Prosecutor
August 9, 2007 5:22 PM

The Colorado Springs Police are investigating Reverend Don Armstrong for embezzlement, and District Attorney John Newsome (pictured) says a special prosecutor may be appointed.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:22 PM| | Comments (1) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Crime , Legal , Religion

August 2, 2007

Giuliani Coming to Colorado Springs
August 2, 2007 5:50 PM

Former New York mayor and current Republican presidential hopeful Rudy
Giuliani is scheduled to make a stop in Colorado Springs next week.
Giuliani plans to attend a $250 per person lunch reception at The
Broadmoor on August Tenth as part of an effort to bring all the
Republican front-runners to town. Giuliani will also attend a private
round-table for $1,000 donors at the home of Sinton Dairy executive Joel
Midkiff.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:50 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , El Paso County , Elections , Politics , Religion

August 1, 2007

New Life Church Nominates New Leader
August 1, 2007 5:09 PM

The evangelical megachurch in Colorado Springs has spent the last eight months looking for a replacement for Ted Haggard, who was dismissed in November after admitting to buying drugs and having a questionable relationship with a male prostitute.

New Life claims a membership of more than 10,000 people. Its pastoral selection committee has chosen Brady Boyd to take over as senior pastor. Boyd is currently an associate senior pastor at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas. An email to New Life members from the head of its selection committee says Boyd has strong leadership gifts, significant experience and training in senior pastoral ministry, and a passion for teaching the Scriptures. The email describes him as "a man of character, proven experience, and good reputation."

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:09 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Colorado Springs , Drug Use , Gay & Lesbian , Religion

July 31, 2007

Springs Group Wants Bibles in Newspapers Nationwide
July 31, 2007 6:03 PM

The Colorado Springs-based International Bible Society wants to once again distribute Bibles along with Sunday newspapers. The society, which once distributed Bibles in editions of the Colorado Springs Gazette, is now planning on spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to deliver them with eleven newspapers around the country, this year and next.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:03 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Colorado Springs , Religion

Diocese Court Hears Case Against Pastor at Springs' Grace Episcopal Church
July 31, 2007 5:50 PM

An Episcopal church court heard evidence today against the leader of one of Colorado Springs' most prominent congregations. Reverend Don Armstrong of Grace Episcopal Church is accused of embezzling nearly $400,000 from the church. Since the allegations arose, Armstrong and other Grace leaders have very publicly split with their parent organizations, the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado and the American Anglican Church. They've said the split is unrelated to the allegations, and is rooted in issues of church governance.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:50 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Colorado Springs , Religion

July 11, 2007

Noel Black Interviews Mike Jones
July 11, 2007 4:20 PM


Photo: Noel Black

The man who brought down New Life Church's Pastor Ted Haggard is visiting Colorado Springs to promote his new book. It's called, I Had to Say Something: The Art of Ted Haggard's Downfall. It's author, Mike Jones, has received a frostry reception at Colorado Springs bookstores. Both major national chains here declined to host Jones for signings. Independent bookseller Richard Skorman publicly announced that he wouldn't even sell the book, which he considers poorly written. The gay community has stepped in to show Jones their support and Jones appeared at DJs bar for a signing last Sunday where Noel Black caught up with him.

[LISTEN]

Read More --> Continue reading "Noel Black Interviews Mike Jones" »

Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:20 PM| | Comments (1) | Posted to Colorado , Colorado Springs , Drug Use , Gay & Lesbian , Literature , Religion

May 29, 2007

New Life: Attendance, Giving Remain Down
May 29, 2007 3:48 PM


Screen shot from
"The Root of All Evil?" Part 1. It's been 7 months since Pastor Ted Haggard was removed as the leader of New Life Church in Colorado Springs. This after he admitted to receiving massages and buying methamphetamine from a gay male prostitute in Denver over a period of years.

Prior to Haggard's departure, New Life claimed a congregation of 14,000 members. A new email from the church to its members now says that attendance remains down 20 to 25 percent, or by 2,800 to 3,500 members. Giving, the church says, remains 8 to 10 percent below pre-scandal levels.

New Life has yet to replace Haggard, but church leaders say they now have four finalists for the job, including Ross Parsely, who is currently a pastor at the church. The candidates will be interviewed in June.

Click on "Read More" to read the latest message from New Life Leadership to its members.

Read More --> Continue reading "New Life: Attendance, Giving Remain Down" »

Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:48 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Drug Use , Gay & Lesbian , Religion

May 11, 2007

Orphan Care and Adoption Summit at Focus on the Family
May 11, 2007 6:30 PM

In America, there are generally more families that want to adopt children than there are newborns available. But, the opposite is true for foster children. The government estimates that there about 115,000 kids in foster care in the country ready and waiting to be adopted. Evangelical leaders say that's a big motivation for the three-day Orphan Care and Adoption Summit wrapping up today at Focus on the Family. This is the third year they've held such a conference. The last two drew about a hundred people combined. This year, it's significantly bigger.
Click to see photos
from the event.

[LISTEN]
Listen to this story at NPR's website, as well. [NPR LINK]

Posted by Delaney Utterback at 6:30 PM| | Comments (4) | Posted to Children & Youth , Legal Affairs , Religion , Slideshow

May 9, 2007

Colorado's New Task Force on Foster Care
May 9, 2007 4:35 PM

Colorado Legislature passed a bill this year to create a 24-person panel to address problems in Colorado's foster care and adoption systems. The task force hopes to develop better methods to mediate conflicts between adoptive parents, agencies, birth parents and foster care groups.

Focus on the Family is one of the groups interested in joining the panel. Focus is launching the third annual three-day adoption summit in Colorado Springs today to encourage Evangelicals in the U.S. to consider adopting kids out of foster homes. Eric Whitney spoke with Mark Andre of Focus on the Family, who is Director of the Christian group's open care initiative.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Tay Wiles at 4:35 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Children & Youth , Religion

May 7, 2007

The BIG Something #2
May 7, 2007 11:17 AM


Intrepid Noel Black
does the radio dumpster diving,
so you don't have to.Like a pony head, but spicy...

This week on The BIG Something, Noel interviews Paul Asay, religion writer for the Colorado Springs Gazette. We also hear Episcopalian Bishop John Spong talk about Jesus for the non-Religious. And then there's the spicy pony head.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:17 AM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Animal Rights/Wellfare , Arts & Culture , Colorado Springs , Gay & Lesbian , KRCC Programs , Religion

May 4, 2007

Gazette Religion Writer on Grace Episcopal Split
May 4, 2007 10:45 AM

This week Grace Episcopal Church in Colorado Springs voted to elect new vestry members. The move signals an even wider rift between those loyal to the Episcopal Church and those who decided to split, and align themselves with the conservative Congregation of Anglicans in North American, or CANA.

The split has been shrouded in allegations of financial wrongdoing on the part of Reverend Don Armstrong and a heated dispute over the ownership of the historical Grace Church property downtown. To help sort out some the latest developments, Noel Black spoke with Gazette religion reporter Paul Asay.

The day after this interview took place, Paul Asay announced his resignation from the Gazette effective in two weeks. To hear a longer
interview with him about his four-year tenure covering everything from
Ted Haggard to the recent Episcopal schism, tune in to The Big
Something at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:45 AM| | Comments (1) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Crime , Legal Affairs , Politics , Religion

May 3, 2007

Jesus for the Non-Religious
May 3, 2007 4:10 PM

Are you a member of the church alumni association? Writer, theologian, and Episcopalian Bishop John Spong is concerned about people dropping out of church and becoming what he calls, church alumni. His most recent book is titled Jesus for the Non-Religious. It argues that literal readings of the Bible are turning people off from religion. Spong speaks tomorrow night, May 4th, at Colorado College. CC student Tay Wiles talks with him about his new book.

[ LISTEN]

Bishop John Spong will give a talk titled "The Source of Religious Anger" at Shove Chapel at Colorado College tomorrow, May 4th, at 7 p.m.. This is the first event of a two-day seminar called "Jesus for the Non-Religious," sponsored by the James W. White Endowed Lectureship of the First Congregational Church.

Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:10 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Religion , Visiting CC

April 25, 2007

Religion in the Military Debate at Air Force Academy
April 25, 2007 8:55 AM

Air Force Academy critic Mikey Weinstein debated evangelical Lawyer Jay Sekulow at the Academy on April 24th, 2007.

Click the link below to hear the entire debate.

Wienstein, who is an academy graduate is the founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. He has sued the Academy over what he says is officially sanctioned proselytizing of non-Christian cadets. Last October a federal judge threw the suit out. Wienstein has promised to appeal.

Jay Sekulow is the Chief Counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice, originally founded by Pat Robertson. The Christian Post Newspaper has named him one of the "ten most influential kingmakers for the Republican party.

Sekulow and Weinstein debated the appropriate balance between religious freedom and official neutrality in the military.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 8:55 AM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Education , Legal Affairs , Military , Religion

April 23, 2007

Weinstein, Sekulow Debate at Academy
April 23, 2007 4:48 PM

Air Force Academy critic Mikey Weinstein will debate Evangelical Lawyer Jay Sekulow at the Academy tomorrow.

Wienstein, who is an academy graduate is the founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. He has sued the Academy over what he says is officially sanctioned proselytizing of non-Christian cadets. Last October a federal judge threw the suit out. Wienstein has promised to appeal.

Jay Sekulow is the Chief Counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice, originally founded by Pat Robertson. The Christian Post Newspaper has named him one of the Ten most influential Kingmakers for the Republican party.
Sekulow and Weinstein will debate the appropriate balance between religious freedom and official neutrality in the military. The debate, which is open to the public, happens at 5:00 tomorrow afternoon in Arnold Hall at the Academy.

Because of limited parking and seating, those planning to attend should arrive no later than 4:30 p.m. The general public is encouraged to enter via the Academys North Entrance (I-25 Exit 156-B) and park at the Cadet Field House. Shuttle bus transportation will be provided to and from the debate venue.

Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:48 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Military , Politics , Religion

April 16, 2007

Religious Rally for Global Warming
April 16, 2007 4:07 PM

Over the weekend thousands of people rallied across the country to raise awareness about climate change. In Colorado, there were at least 35 events across the state. Among them was a rally by religious groups in Denver. It's part of an effort to create a moral dialogue around global warming and get more churches talking about the environment. Bente Birkeland reports.

To hear the complete story, click below:

[ LISTEN ]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:07 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Environment , Religion

March 26, 2007

Largest Episcopal Church in Colorado to Leave Denomination
March 26, 2007 5:55 PM

The vestry of Grace Church and St. Stephens Parish in Colorado
Springs, the largest Episcopal parish in the state and one of
Colorados oldest churches, voted to leave the Episcopal Church on
Monday morning. Effective today the parish affiliates with the
Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA), a missionary
diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican).


Read the Entire Press Release by Grace Episcopal Church Here


Posted by Matthias Barker at 5:55 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Gay & Lesbian , Religion

Bishop: Grace Epsicopal Can't Leave Diocese
March 26, 2007 5:44 PM

WHITNEY: The bishop of the Episcopal diocese of Colorado says Grace Episcopal Church in Colorado Springs cannot leave his diocese.

Read More --> Continue reading "Bishop: Grace Epsicopal Can't Leave Diocese" »

Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:44 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Gay & Lesbian , Religion

Statement from the Diocese of Colorado Regarding Grace and St. Stephen's
March 26, 2007 5:22 PM

Robert ONeill, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado, said today that it is with great sadness that I have received the news that the vestry of Grace and Saint Stephens Church decided this morning to affiliate with an Anglican bishop in Nigeria.

Read the Bishop's entire press release here


Posted by Matthias Barker at 5:22 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Gay & Lesbian , Religion

State's Largest Episcopal Church Abandons National Leadership
March 26, 2007 4:41 PM

The split in the Episcopal church in America has erupted in Colorado Springs. This morning the vestry, or board of directors, of states largest Episcopal church, Grace Episcopal and St. Stephens parish in Colorado Springs announced that it is severing its ties with The Episcopal church in America. Instead it will affiliate with the more conservative Convocation of Anglicans in North America, or CANA, led by Nigerian Bishop Peter Akinola.

Read More --> Continue reading "State's Largest Episcopal Church Abandons National Leadership" »

Posted by Matthias Barker at 4:41 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Gay & Lesbian , Religion

November 8, 2006

TED HAGGARD'S INVESTIGATORS SPEAK
November 8, 2006 3:42 PM


archivesTED HAGGARD'S INVESTIGATORS SPEAK
On Saturday, Reverend Ted Haggard was formally dismissed as head pastor at Colorado Springs' 14,000 member New Life Church. That happened just four days after Mike Jones, a Denver man who describes himself as a former prostitute went public with allegations that Haggard had paid him for sex, and to get methamphetamine for him, over a three year period. Haggard initially denied all the claims, and the admitted to getting a massage from Jones, and buying meth, although he says he didn't use the drug. We hear from the church panel who investigated and fired Haggard. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:42 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Legal , Religion

November 6, 2006

HAGGARD DISMISSED FROM NEW LIFE CHURCH FOR "SEXUALLY IMMORAL CONDUCT"
November 6, 2006 3:50 PM


archivesHAGGARD DISMISSED FROM NEW LIFE CHURCH FOR "SEXUALLY IMMORAL CONDUCT"
Without a doubt, Ted Haggard has "committed sexually immoral conduct," according to a statement issued by the evangelical board of overseers investigating claims that Haggard patronized a male prostitute and bought methamphetamine. The statement goes on to say that the board "decided that the most positive and productive direction for our church is his dismissal and removal. The overseers will continue to explore the depth of Pastor Haggard's offense so that a plan of healing and restoration can begin." [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:50 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Politics , Religion

NEW LIFE MEMBERS REACT TO HAGGARD'S PARTIAL ADMISSION OF WRONGDOING
November 6, 2006 3:48 PM


archivesNEW LIFE MEMBERS REACT TO HAGGARD'S PARTIAL ADMISSION OF WRONGDOING
This story ran on the Friday, Nov. 2 edition of National Public Radio's All Things Considered. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:48 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Politics , Religion

October 20, 2006

"GOD'S POLITICS," EVANGELICAL WRITER PROPHSIZES A NEW GENERATION OF RELIGIOUS ACTIVISM
October 20, 2006 4:10 PM


archives"GOD'S POLITICS," EVANGELICAL WRITER PROPHSIZES A NEW GENERATION OF RELIGIOUS ACTIVISM
Jim Wallis, author of "God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It" talks about a new generation of evangelical activists who care more about ministering to the poor and needy than "traditional" religious right issues. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:10 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Literature , Religion

October 18, 2006

RELIGION AND PUBLIC LIFE - WHY BE AFRAID?
October 18, 2006 3:59 PM


archivesRELIGION AND PUBLIC LIFE - WHY BE AFRAID?
That's the title of a symposium this week at Colorado College. CC Student Molly Adams has a preview. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:59 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Politics , Religion

May 24, 2006

A CHRISTIAN REPUBLICAN RUNS AGAINST MERRIFIELD
May 24, 2006 11:17 AM


archivesA CHRISTIAN REPUBLICAN RUNS AGAINST MERRIFIELD
You don't have to know a lot about Colorado politics to know that El Paso County, home to Colorado Springs, is a Republican stronghold. El Paso County has 13 senators and representatives in Denver, only one of them is a Democrat. And until today, that Democrat, Representative Mike Merrifield of Manitou Springs, was running unopposed. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:17 AM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Manitou Springs , Politics , Religion

January 4, 2006

Religious Bickering Goes Electronic
January 4, 2006 5:32 PM


archivesRELIGIOUS BICKERING GOES ELECTRONIC
Eric Whitney talks to blogger John Sonderickter about a recent email-exchange-gone-awry between Mike Weinstein and New Life Church Pastor Ted Haggard. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:32 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Media , Religion

Year in Review: Gay Rights
January 4, 2006 3:41 PM

YEAR IN REVIEW: GAY RIGHTS
During 2005, Fred Phelps (of "God Hates Fags" fame) visited Colorado Springs twice. We look at how his visits sparked a community dialogue about conflict and tolerance. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:41 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Gay & Lesbian , Religion

December 27, 2005

War on Christmas? Please.
December 27, 2005 12:46 PM


archivesWAR ON CHRISTMAS? PLEASE.
If you pay any attention to the media, it's been kind of hard to ignore the assertion from a certain segment of the political spectrum that there is a "war" on Christmas. But one local media player isn't buying it. Noel Black edits the monthly humor and opinion publication The Toilet Paper, and has these thoughts on Christian persecution. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 12:46 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Media , Religion

December 22, 2005

Agnostics at Christmastime
December 22, 2005 4:11 PM


archivesAGNOSTICS AT CHRISTMASTIME
The Colorado Freethinkers are a social group that speak out and act to preserve the separation of church and state. Molly Adams finds them at a party, where they talk about what Christmas looks like to them, and why they've chosen the spiritual path they have. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:11 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Holiday , Religion

Southern Colorado Muslim Christmas Experience
December 22, 2005 4:09 PM


archivesSOUTHERN COLORADO MUSLIM CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE
Of course not everyone in southern Colorado celebrates Christmas. We've got a couple of stories now about people for whom the whole winter holiday frenzy is largely a spectator sport. We start with this piece from Victoria Rios, who tuned in to what Christmas looks like from the local Muslim perspective. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:09 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Holiday , Religion

Tri-Cultural Christmas
December 22, 2005 4:06 PM


archivesTRI-CULTURAL CHRISTMAS
Next, we visit the oldest Catholic parish in Colorado, Our Lady of Guadelupe in the San Luis Valley. It was established in 1858 and is still a vital part of the largely Hispanic community. Shanna Lewis visited the parish recently for its annual Our Lady Of Guadelupe Festival and brought back this audio portrait. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:06 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to History , Religion

Mega-Church Christmas
December 22, 2005 4:04 PM


archivesMEGA-CHURCH CHRISTMAS
We start our look at Christmas celebrations in the area with what was probably the biggest production on the Front Range. "Wonderland" is the holiday extravaganza that ran last week at New Life Church on Colorado Springs' north side. New Life is a big church and tends to do things in a big way. Jeff Briggs went behind the scenes to find out what "Wonderland" is all about. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:04 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Holiday , Religion

November 30, 2005

IRS Asked to Investigate Dobson
November 30, 2005 4:20 PM


archivesIRS ASKED TO INVESTIGATE DOBSON
Stephen Raher reports on a complaint filed today, that asks the IRS to investigate whether Focus on the Family founder James Dobson improperly campaigned for political candidates in 2004. [LISTEN] []
EXPANDED CONTENT--> The complaint letter can be found on the website of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:20 PM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Politics , Religion

October 19, 2005

Vox Pop: Harriet Miers
October 19, 2005 10:25 AM


archivesVOX POP: HARRIET MIERS
There's been a lot in the news lately about Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers' religious beliefs. Anita Miller talked to church goers in Colorado Springs about what they think. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:25 AM| | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Politics , Religion

October 6, 2005

Newscast
October 6, 2005 6:46 PM


archivesNEWSCAST
Stephen Raher reports on two legal developments at the Air Force Academy: a lawsuit over religious intollerance, and another charge of sexual assault. Also, Colorado Springs is