Topic: Martin Luther

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10 reasons NOT to love books (compliments of H.L. Mencken)

Books may seem universally beloved, but these historical persons, from Martin Luther to Woodrow Wilson, weren't such big fans.
Vatican Secret Archives: 6 of the most intriguing documents in church history

One hundred documents held in the Vatican’s Secret Archives are now on display in Rome for the first time. Read our list here of six standouts.
Test your Nobel Peace Prize knowledge. Take our quiz.
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 08/11

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10 reasons NOT to love books (compliments of H.L. Mencken)

Books may seem universally beloved, but these historical persons, from Martin Luther to Woodrow Wilson, weren't such big fans.
Not Less than Everything

A group of Catholic writers profile "religious realists" through history.
How Nicolaus Copernicus rewrote the rules of the solar system

Nicolaus Copernicus was born 540 years ago today.
Editor's Blog Is it Iran's leader -- or Iran?

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is known as "God's deputy on earth." He is Iran's ultimate powerbroker. Understanding what makes him tick is crucial to understanding Iran. But it isn't enough. You also have to understand Iran.
The Monitor's View: Makings of a real Thanksgiving? Hospitality to strangers.

Opening one's home at Thanksgiving to those less fortunate evokes the spirit of that first feast of gratitude between Pilgrims and Indians – a shared table of different peoples.
A warning to Europe: Don't let German efficiency crush Italy's spirit

If Europe doesn’t get its act together on the debt crisis, prosperity will suffer and dangerous political fragmentation will set in. But if Europe succeeds in converging toward Germany's standards, what becomes of the convivial cultures of the south – Italy, Spain, and Greece?
German powerhouse leaves working mothers behind

Germany's traditional family policies have forced German women to choose between a career and motherhood. The consequences could slow its economic momentum.
Vatican Secret Archives: 6 of the most intriguing documents in church history

One hundred documents held in the Vatican’s Secret Archives are now on display in Rome for the first time. Read our list here of six standouts.
How the 'Year of the Protester' played out in Europe

The protests in the Middle East and United States may have garnered more attention, but 2011 was just as much a year of awakening in southern Europe, where young people are worried their future.
Gift ideas for everyone: 'Harry Potter,' Adele, 'Law & Order,' and 'Super Mario 3D'

Your gift list can get long with nieces and nephews, grandparents and friends all needing a present this holiday season. Try a few of these items that are sure to please like 'Winnie the Pooh,' 'Ken Burns: Prohibition,' and the video game 'Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception.'
Occupy Wall Street protest 'about people claiming some autonomy'

The purpose and future of the “Occupy Wall Street” movement is as vast as the thousands who have gathered there. After 700 arrests Saturday on the Brooklyn Bridge, Sunday was quiet as protesters planned their next big march Wednesday.
Pope Benedict arrives in Berlin to a dissonant welcome

Pope Benedict XVI is starting his visit to Germany in Berlin, which is divided over his address to the Bundestag as well as his views on such issues as homosexuality and women's role in the church.
Paul Ryan's plan for entitlements: A profile in courage?

Paul Ryan, the Republican congressman from Wisconsin, offered a detailed plan for entitlement reform on Tuesday, putting a political bulls-eye on his back. Would he fit John F. Kennedy's criteria for a 'profile in courage'?
Tired of hearing about Charlie Sheen? A new browser plugin will fix that.

Tinted Sheen, an add-on for Chrome and Firefox, will redact all online references to Charlie Sheen, leaving you to surf the Web in peace. But is it wrong to create online lacunas?
Test your Nobel Peace Prize knowledge. Take our quiz.

Liu Xiaobo, a pro-democracy activist, won the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Friday for his decades of non-violent struggle for human rights in China. Beijing was not impressed. Mr. Liu is currently in a Chinese prison serving out an 11-year sentence as the lead author of Chapter 08, a manifesto calling for free speech and multi-party elections. The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the richest and most prestigious awards in the world. The prize includes a $1.5 million award. But how much do you really know about the Nobel Peace Prize? Take our 15-question quiz.
Agnostics, atheists, Jews, and Mormons score high in religion survey

Agnostics, atheists, Jews and Mormons outperformed Protestants and Roman Catholics in answering questions about major religions, while many respondents could not correctly give the most basic tenets of their own faiths.
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 08/11
Opinion: The dangers of seeing America as a 'Christian nation'

Christian traditionalists see American freedom as derived from Christian faith. That flies in the face of the historical record – and it distorts today's political debates.
Christian faith: Calvinism is back

In America's Christian faith, a surprising comeback of rock-ribbed Calvinism is challenging the Jesus-is-your-buddy gospel of modern evangelism.
Marital affairs: what happens after spouses cheat

Why Americans are getting more conservative about affairs, but seem willing to accept them in their own marriages.
Opinion: The Protestant debate over justification: Here I stand.

Ignorance about how we get right with God has weakened the church. We must reassert that we're saved by faith alone.
Opinion: The Berlin Wall: what really made it fall

Extraordinary civil courage by the people of Leipzig on Oct. 9 first dissolved a crucial mental wall.
Obama in Africa: Big on inspiration, short on specifics

The day after President Obama's historic trip to Ghana, analysts find few concrete details about future policy shifts.
Opinion: 10 terms not to use with Muslims

There's a big difference between what we say and what they hear.
Holocaust denial: Vatican shifts into damage control

The Vatican is trying to clarify efforts to reconcile with a sharply right-wing set of bishops excommunicated in 1988.