The RP’s Weekly Web Gems: The Politics of Faith

The Politics of Faith

The College of Cardinals have gathered in Rome and settled on a date to begin the process of electing a new Pope.  The Conclave is set to begin on Tuesday, March 12 and continue until a successor for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is elected.  Though most Cardinals claim that the process is immune to political lobbying, many outsiders consider this to be a disingenuous assertion.  In an article for the Guardian, Sam Jones discusses the vast differences and similarities among the heavy favorites. [Guardian]

The Kentucky State Senate passed House Bill 279 yesterday evening.  The bill dubbed “The Religious Freedom Restoration Act” has caused a major stir over the last week.  Proponents suggest that the act will help ensure freedom from religious persecution in the state.  Opponents fear that the bill is a veiled gutting of local civil rights ordinances in such cities as Louisville, Lexington, Covington and Vicco.  The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 29-6 has been sent to Governor Beshear for his signature or veto.[C-J]

In a surprising about-face former President Bill Clinton, in an op-ed for the Washington Post, has called on the Supreme Court to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act.  Though President Clinton signed DOMA into law, he has now admitted that the law is Unconstitutional, acknowledging that the world was a much different place 17 years ago.  Clinton’s turnabout will likely send shock waves through the gay rights movement as well as the ranks of those advocating for “traditional” marriage ahead of the Supreme Court taking the matter up on March 27.