A brief look at three interesting stories in religion news, including Progressive Christian advertising, a Christian argument for "assisted dying," and the atheist movements' source of morality.

"In Political Ads, Christian Left Mounts Sermonic Campaigns"

The Wall Street Journal isn't known as one of the most progressive publications out there. Of course that doesn't mean their particular slant on the news isn't interesting, or that they have nothing worthwhile to report. Take, for example, their recent article on an ad campaign by evangelicals supporting legislation curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

The campaign, which is comprised of radio ads running on Christian and country music stations across 10 states in the U.S. Ads speak about God's creation crying out for relief, and refer to the Gospel of John, speak against energy interests, and say "Please join the faithful in speaking out against the powerful." Needless to say, not everyone is crazy about these ads.

Read about the reaction to this campaign in the full article.

Is there a Christian argument for "assisted dying"?

"There is no reason from Christianity why the law should prevent assisted dying, at least so far as those wanting to die are self-aware and sane. The presence of such law would allow a dignified end to those wanting to have one, without requiring others to die against their wishes."

The above statement is sure to provoke discussion, at the very least. "Assisted dying" or "assisted suicide" or euthanasia - whatever you call it, it is far from being an uncontroversial topic. John Cartwright, writing for the Guardian Online, makes a case for "assisted dying" from a Christian perspective. Cartwright's argument centres around being allowed to make one's own moral choices, and prevention of the needless extension of suffering.

Cartwright seems to set up a false dichotomy between extreme medical intervention for the extension of life and euthanasia. Perhaps there is another option. What about ceasing intervention, doing palliative care, but not actually ending a person's life for them? Whatever your opinion on the issue (and the merit of Cartwright's argument), one statement from the editorial cuts right to the quick of ethical wrangling: "There are no reductivist solutions to human ethics"

Read the full piece here.

"Do Atheists Borrow Religion's Morality?"

Where does a person's morality come from? For a Christian, or a practising member of any other religion, the answer will seem obvious - at least for themselves. A religious person strives to derive their morality from their belief system (and whatever source it may come from) - a simplistic answer, perhaps, but a basic one. For those of us who would consider ourselves less religious, the question may be more difficult. Perhaps in this case it is a matter of cultural moral inheritance - we get our morality from the 'atmosphere' of morality around us - an atmosphere that owes much to a society's religious heritage.

What then is the case for someone who considers themselves an atheist? Does a rejection of religion entail a rejection of religion's morality as well? Frank Schaeffer, writing for Religiondispatches.org, considers this question. From atheists like Richard Dawkins, who calls
himself a "cultural Christian," to others who wish to create a morality with no reference to religion at all, Schaeffer delves deeply into the question, and in the process writes a very interesting article.

Take a look here.

Jesse Hair is a 29-year-old Presbyterian, recently graduated from an Anglican seminary, and now writing for The United Church of Canada. Naturally, he's a little confused, but the Internet is a source of comfort.