# Roundup: Churches in Japan, RE in Victorian primary schools, piety and obesity, and religion in the public sphere

> The impact of natural disasters on churches in Japan, an equal opportunity complaint, how theological traditions contribute to the dialogue between evolution and Christian faith, and why religion is the basis for radical challenges and radical questions.

25 March 2011 · News

Canonical: https://insights1.uca.org.au/articles/roundup-churches-in-japan-re-in-victorian-primary-schools-piety-and-obesity-and-religion-in-the-public-sphere/

## [Churches in Japan recover as ecumenical spirit shines](https://www.oikoumene.org/en/news/news-management/eng/a/article/1634/churches-in-japan-recover.html)

As recovery efforts in Japan proceed, the full impact of the earthquake and tsunami two weeks ago continues to be felt by some of the World Council of Churches member churches there.

## [Religious study contested](https://www.theage.com.au/national/education/religious-study-contested-20110323-1c6se.html)

Religious education in state primary schools discriminates against children whose parents opt out, according to a complaint to be laid today at the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

## [Piety linked with obesity](https://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/andrewbrown/2011/mar/24/religion-sidelights-obesity-churchgoing)

Why are church-going Americans more likely to be fat than atheists? And other questions from around the web.

## [Theological traditions and the dialogue with evolution](https://biologos.org/blog/theological-traditions-and-the-dialogue-with-evolution/)

How do our various theological traditions contribute to or hinder the dialogue between evolution and our Christian faith?

## [Religion in the public sphere](https://blogs.ssrc.org/tif/2011/03/16/religions-many-powers/)

To say that religion has power in the public sphere is not to say that it can be easily absorbed or that it should be. It is a basis for radical challenges and radical questions; it brings enthusiasm, passion, indignation, outrage, and love.