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November 2005
November 9
Exploring
a Parallel Universe
Why does the word evangelical threaten so many people in our culture? by
Philip Yancey.
Should senators
ask Alito about the role of his faith?
If confirmed, he would become the fifth Catholic among the nine justices
on the Supreme Court (The Christian Science Monitor)
Evangelicals
in a Secular Society
Ted Haggard says Galatians bars us from using the law to create a Christian
nation. Interview by Stan Guthrie.
GOP's
fundamentalism hurts U.S., Carter says
In a new book, the former president expounds on politics past and current
(Tammy L. Carter, The Orlando Sentinel)
Narnia
film set to premiere as a big plug for Christianity
Zondervan, the evangelical imprint for publishing giant HarperCollins, is
calling New Zealand's $219 million Narnia movie, The Lion, the Witch
and the Wardrobe, one of the year's "biggest religion stories."
(NZPA, New Zealand)
Michael
Scanlon: How to "bring out the wackos"
Here's something that should at least temporarily replace "poor, uneducated,
and easy to command" as the most outrageous characterization of conservative
Christians.
Britain
lifts ban on Rev. Sun Myung Moon
Britain lifted a 10-year-old ban that kept the Rev. Sun Myung Moon from
entering the country, saying Friday that the controversial religious leader
was unlikely to threaten public order. (Associated Press)
Charles
Colson's Christian-based prison project on trial in Iowa
Prison Justice Ministries' InnerChange Freedom Initiative is a 'government-funded
conversion program' says Americans United's Barry Lynn. (Bill Berkowitz,
MediaTransparency.org)
Billy
Graham association says no more crusades
Though long-assumed, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association on Thursday
gave its first official word that the ailing evangelist would no longer
hold crusades (WCNC, Charlotte, N.C.)
Friendliest
book in the world
Tony Campolo sets his record straight on Bibles and endorsements. (Gene
Edward Veith, World)
Egypt
arrests blogger
Abdolkarim Nabil Seliman, a 21-year-old law student at Al-Azhar University,
was critical of Muslims who rioted against Christians. (News24.com,
South Africa)
The Raputure Exposed: The Message of Hope in the Book of Revelation.
September 2005
September 20
Hurricane
Weblog: Where Is God in the Chaos?
The theodicy questions change as human depravity rears its ugly head in
New Orleans. By Rob Moll.
God
Behind Barbed Wire
How a Nazi-soldier-turned-theologian found hope. By Philip Yancey.
How
to Win Friends and Influence Culture
A prominent Jewish human-rights activist praises—and pointedly counsels—evangelicals.
By Michael Horowitz.
Roe
v. Roberts
If you're a conservative looking for a return to the good old days, you'll
be disappointed with Roberts (Charles Krauthammer, The Washington Post).
The
New Monasticism
A fresh crop of Christian communities is blossoming in blighted urban settings
all over America. By Rob Moll.
The
Holy and the Ivy
Intellectual skepticism persists in the Ivy League. Thankfully, so does
a vibrant Christian faith. By Collin Hansen.
Calvary
Chapel school sues University of California system
Calvary Chapel churches sure are making a
lot of headlines
this month. The latest is the Long Beach Press Telegram's report
that Calvary Chapel Christian School in Murrieta is suing the University
of California system, alleging free
speech and religious freedom violations.
Leader's
Death Unsettles Nation
Can peace process work without the strong-arm Garang? By J. Carter Johnson,
with Sue Sprenkle.
Abolishing
Abstinence
Can we be good without God? The question seems somehow abstract, a topic
for Atlantic Monthly cover stories and college seminars more than
practical applications. So here's another question: Can we keep our pants
on? by Ted Olsen.
Focus
on the Family's newest focus is on AFA
Focus on the Family has called on its millions of followers to contact the
White House with their concerns about new Air Force religious guidelines
and urge President Bush to "restore the right to religious expression"
(Rocky Mountain News, Denver)
Robertson
apologizes for Chavez remarks
Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson apologized Wednesday for calling for
the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, only hours after
he denied saying Chavez should be killed (Associated Press)
'They're
not afraid to rock'
Christian bands gain secular appeal, aim to play as hard as they preach
(Argus Leader, Sioux Falls, S.D.).
Faithful
and true?
The paradoxical state of Christian colleges (World).
Was seminary
obligated to report graduate's molestation history?
One week after settling a lawsuit brought by the victim of one of its former
students, Dallas Theological Seminary officials will go to court Monday
to face another of that student's victims.
Faithful
must root out evil from scriptures
The claim of exclusivity — my truth is the only truth — is the
principal culprit that triggers most of the violence in holy books and the
jealous nature of their god. We must strike that spurious claim and others
like it from all belief systems. Ridding religion of exclusivity means a
radical reinterpretation of some of the central tenets of religious belief
(Steve Gushee, Palm Beach Post).
A
future without religion
Sam Harris's best selling book The End of Faith, Religion, Terror and the
Future of Reason launches a major assault on organized religion and points
to it as the source of many of the problems of the world today (Amsterdam
Forum, Radio Netherlands).
Living
on the Edge
Trapped on the side of a cliff, I had to reexamine the way I was living
my life. by Kathleen Kolar.
August 2005
August 2
The
Man Who Wouldn't Give Up
No matter how great the obstacles, William Carey expected great things and
attempted great things. By Mark Galli.
IRA
ends 'armed campaign' but says it was 'entirely legitimate'
The long conflict in Northern Ireland has significant religious overtones,
though the conflict itself is almost entirely over nationalism, and for
the past several years the religious aspects have almost entirely been focused
on peacemaking efforts.
On
question of nominee questions, no clear answer
History of hearings is decidedly mixed as senators prepare to probe Roberts's
legal philosophy —especially on Roe (The Washington Post)
Bible
course becomes a test for public schools in Texas
A religious advocacy group based in Greensboro, N.C., has been pressing
a 12-year campaign to get school boards across the country to accept its
Bible curriculum (The New York Times)
Frist's
stem cell stance creates rift
Bush's reaction mild; religious conservatives say they're outraged. (Chicago
Tribune)
Christianity
is China's new social revolution
There may now be more practicing Christians in China than there are members
of the Communist Party (The Telegraph, London)
Mormonism is global, but
is it a 'world religion'?
Twenty years ago, University of Washington sociologist Rodney Stark observed
the phenomenal growth of Mormonism and declare that it would "soon
achieve a worldwide following comparable to that of Islam, Buddhism, Christianity,
Hinduism and the other dominant world faiths." (The Salt Lake Tribune)
A
test of faith
Bruce Nelson contracted dengue fever during a mission trip to India two
years ago. Since then, he lost his job as an assistant pastor at Calvary
Chapel Rialto. (San Bernardino Sun, Ca.)
God vs. Satan
Who's the better investor? (Slate)
The state of the church-state
debate
Has Noah Feldman come up with a feasible compromise? (Alan Wolfe, Slate)
July 2005
July 20
Largest
Church in America?
After $95 million in renovations, Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church opened
this weekend with four packed services in the 16,000-seat former Compaq
Center. Member Patricia Davis said she once saw ZZ Top perform in the stadium.
"I was saved from that," she told The New York Times. Now, "With
the waterfalls," she says, "this really feels like a sanctuary."
The
violence that lies in every ideology
Like most beliefs, Islam is a religion of peace that has to accept that
it can also breed terror. All major faiths are the same. They can all offer
help for different needs and agendas. Think of the muscular Christianity
of imperialist, Victorian Britain (or, indeed, of contemporary America)
or Hinduism's lunatic fringe. In Sri Lanka, even smiley, happy Buddhism
has exacerbated one of the most vicious civil conflicts of our time. (The
Observer, UK)
New
Muslim at 15, terror suspect at 19
When Germaine Lindsay, the 19-year-old man suspected of blowing up a subway
train at Russell Square, took hold of Islam four years ago, he did so zealously,
his friends say. (The New York Times)
Christian
Accused Of Burning Quran
Police have arrested Pakistani Christian Yousaf Masih after complaints he
burned pages from the Quran. Insulting the Quran, Islam, or the Prophet
Muhammad can be punishable with death under Pakistan's blasphemy laws. (The
Ledger, Fla.)
Unraveling
the mystery of what is Scientology
Because of Tom Cruise, a lot more people are asking about Scientology. (New
Haven Register, Conn.) See also CT
Classic: Scientology: Religion or Racket?
Take a
Pass on Yoga
How can I support a practice that is targeting the young and the weak? by
Holly Vicente Robaina.
Harry
Beasts
The animal symbols in Potterdom are powerful pointers to Christian reality.
An excerpt from John Granger's Looking for God in Harry Potter.
Harry
Potter and the Pope
Pope Benedict XVI has taken aim at an unlikely target: Harry Potter. The
pope has condemned the children's books as "subtle seductions"
that have the potential to corrupt young Christians. (The Day, New
London, Conn.)
African
church plans 'Christian Disneyland'
Tiny Floyd, Texas, reluctant home of global mission. (The Dallas Morning
News)
Breaking
The Da Vinci Code
So the divine Jesus and infallible Word emerged out of a fourth-century
power-play? Get real.
July 6
Did
the court get the establishment clause right?
Paul Finkelman and John C. Eastman debate the Ten Commandments decisions.
(Legal Affairs)
Smithsonian
exhibit introduces little-known Biblical land to U.S. public
Kings came from the East and brought gold, frankincense and myrrh to the
infant Jesus, the Bible says. All three are typical products of Yemen, whose
ancient civilization is being introduced to Americans in a big exhibit of
finds made since the mid-1900s. (Associated Press)
Evangelicals, mainline
Protestants clash on Israel
A clash between evangelicals and mainstream Protestants on divestment from
Israel marks what appears to be the groups' first direct confrontation over
the Jewish state. (Baltimore Jewish Times)
Sainthood bid opens
for John Paul
The Catholic Church has launched the official process which may culminate
in a sainthood for the late Pope John Paul II with a service in Rome. (BBC)
Graham
didn't intend to endorse Clinton
Evangelist's praise for senator at crusade just that, son says. (The
Charlotte Observer, N.C.)
Air
Force school chief gives cadets rules
As 1,400 new cadets were welcomed at the Air Force Academy on Thursday,
the chief of staff of the Air Force was reminding commanders that promoting
their religious faiths is against regulations .(Associated Press)
The
Pentecostal Gold Standard
After 50 years in ministry, Jack Hayford continues to confound stereotypes—all
to the good. By Tim Stafford.
Are
Short-Term Missions Good Stewardship?
More than two million teens go on such trips ever year, and giving may exceed
that given to long-term missionaries. But is short-term ministry built to
last? A conversation between Robert Priest and Kurt Ver Beek.
Jesus Lives!
Stephen J. Patterson - Thirty years ago, almost no one was searching for
the historical Jesus. Today, bookstore shelves are bursting with good books
about him. What do they say about Jesus that we didn’t know before?
'Kings
City' theme park opens in Eilat
After four years of construction, the much anticipated "Kings City"
biblical theme park opened in Eilat this week at an investment of NIS 162
million, bringing a unique concept in family entertainment to Israel. (The
Jerusalem Post)
The
suspension of disbelief
Alister McGrath contends atheism was relevant and important for 200 years,
but is now weary, frail and tediously eking out its last days as a significant
philosophy, slain by postmodernism and resurgent spirituality. (The Age,
Melbourne, Australia)
May 2005
May 30
Christianity
Today
Book Awards 2005
From more than 300 nominations, these books represent the year's best.
Victorian Skeptics on the Road to Damascus
Former atheist Antony Flew's admission of the existence of God shocked believers
and skeptics alike, but such a turnaround is far from unique. In the 19th
century, many leading intellectuals who had once lost their faith ended
up reconverting. By Timothy Larsen.
The American Family Association has ended its boycott of Disney after nine years and without achieving any of its objectives. The AFA had wanted "Disney to ban 'Gay Day' revelers from its theme parks and set up an advisory panel of evangelical Christians," Reuters reports. See http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/121/41.0.html.
Church stands
by sign saying Quran "should be flushed"
The pastor of a small Baptist church has refused calls to take down a sign
posted in front of his church reading "The Koran needs to be flushed,"
saying Tuesday he has nothing to apologize for. (Associated Press)
Trial over Italian
Islam 'insult'
Controversial Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci is to face trial for allegedly
insulting the Muslim faith in her latest book, a court in Italy says. (BBC)
Stop the masochistic insanity
The violent response to the report of "Quranic abuse" isn't about
faith, it's about intolerance. It's essential that we understand the deep
irrationality that underlies all faith and that can take these fetishistic
forms. (Slate)
A Higher
Education
A slew of new books on faith and learning may signal a renaissance for the
Christian college. By Michael S. Hamilton.
May 16
Deadly Riots Over Reported Qur'an Desecration See also Newsweek Apologizes for Quran Story Errors By DINO HAZELL, Associated Press Writer. NEW YORK - In an apology to readers this week, Newsweek acknowledged errors in a story alleging U.S. interrogators at Guantanamo Bay desecrated the Quran. The accusations, which the magazine vowed to re-examine, spawned protests in Afghanistan that left 15 dead and scores injured.
Baptist
Pastor Accused of Expelling Kerry Voters Quits
After national media attention over a confrontation with church members
who supported Democrat John Kerry for President, East Waynesville (N.C.)
Baptist Church pastor Chan Chandler resigned yesterday.
U.S.
and Vietnam Reach Agreement on Religious Freedom
Hanoi promises privately to lift restrictions on Christians.
Sharon
meets 'Jews for Jesus' follower
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, interested in shoring up his standing in the
influential US Evangelical Christian community, met eight leading Evangelical
figures Tuesday, including Jay Sekulow, a high profile Messianic Jew (The
Jerusalem Post).
Pope
puts John Paul on fast track to sainthood
In a surprise announcement to priests in Rome, the Pope told them he had
dispensed with Church rules that impose a five-year waiting period after
a candidate's death before the procedure that leads to sainthood can even
start (Associated Press).
Religion
Today: Who is James Dobson?
These are heady times for Dobson, who turned 69 last month and still puts
in 12-hour days at the ministry he founded in 1977 (Associated Press).
Prayer
effective as painkiller?
More than half of those who responded to a USA TODAY/ABC News/Stanford University
Medical Center poll released Monday say they use prayer to control pain.
Of those, 90% say it worked well, and 51% say "very well." (USA
Today).
New
York's Museum of Biblical Art opens
The Museum of Biblical Art, one of the few in America to explore the theme,
opens Thursday with a striking show of works on scriptural motifs by self-taught,
Southern folk artists (Associated Press).
144
Million Pound British Creationist Christian Theme Park to Be Built, called
"HolyLand."
Star
Wars Spirituality: Part 1
In his book, Catching Light: Looking for God in the Movies, author Roy M.
Anker writes about finding meaning and morality in the intergalactic saga.
In
Search of the Real Balian
In the movie Kingdom of Heaven, Sir Ridley Scott turns Balian of
Ibelin into an agnostic, but what do we know of the Balian of history? By
Steven Gertz.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe trailer arrives at last.
April 2005
April 11
Thinking
Straighter
Why the world's most famous atheist now believes in God. By James A. Beverley.
How
the Pope Turned Me into an Evangelical
A Christianity Today associate editor recalls growing up Catholic
in John Paul II's Poland.
Is It
Ever Okay to Pull a Feeding Tube?
An interview with Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity president John
Kilner.
'Antichrist'
No More: Evangelicals Praise Pope
Most are unreserved in their praise on political, social, and even theological
matters, but critique of papacy remains. Compiled by Ted Olsen.
Signs
of the Reformation's Success?
Reformation scholar Timothy George discusses Pope John Paul II's historical
significance and this 'momentous' era of Catholic-evangelical dialogue.
Interview by Collin Hansen.
Therapeutically
Incorrect
Atheist psychiatrist argues that gays can change. Interview by Douglas LeBlanc.
Muslims insist
on polygamy
Thousands of Muslims marched through Kampala city yesterday and declared
a jihad (holy war) against the Domestic Relations Bill (DRB) 2003, which
is yet to be enacted into law (New Vision, Uganda)
Rethinking
the use of Muslim law
The imposition of corporal punishment, stoning, and execution in the name
of religious texts on an entire society is unacceptable. We must all condemn
such repressive practices carried out without due legal process (Tariq Ramadan,
The Boston Globe)
Israel
court expands conversion definition
Israel's Supreme Court agreed Thursday to recognize non-Orthodox conversions
to Judaism partially performed in Israel, delivering a blow to the Orthodox
monopoly over religious affairs in the country (Associated Press)
Jane
Fonda revisits past in new memoir
She's a "feminist Christian" now (Associated Press)
'Head'
Welch to 50 Cent: 'You're a huge force for the Devil right now'
Ex-Korn guitarist releases lyrics to 'A Cheap Name,' which he calls 'personal
letter from God' to 50 (MTV.com)
Jesus
doll ready for market
Press button, hear figure repeat Scripture (Los Angeles Daily News)
Bookmarks
Quick reviews of new books. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.
More
students applying to America's religious colleges
For a growing number of such students, school choice is based on religion
as well as academics (Voice of America)
March 2005
March 29
The Scandal
of the Evangelical Conscience
Why don't Christians live what they preach? By Ronald J. Sider.
Religious
challenge: Grappling with life's limits, what it means to be human
Beyond a core, religious views about the Schiavo case vary widely (The
Philadelphia Inquirer)
Schiavo
case highlights Catholic-evangelical alliance
Christians have found common cause in the "culture of life" agenda
articulated by Pope John Paul II (The New York Times)
Is Ashley Smith's Hostage Story a Testimonial?
More than a story of faith and hope, this hostage practiced the Sermon on
the Mount.
No
juice at the first Communion
As the Christian History magazine reminds us in its current issue, it wasn't
until the 19th century that an alcohol-free swill could be produced from
the "blood of the vine," to use a Biblical term (Uwe Siemon-Netto,
UPI)
Father
Brown fakes the Shroud
Start with a piece of glass and some white oil paint (N. D. Wilson, Books
& Culture)
Faith in America the lastest news.
Armstrongism
Is Wrong, But Not Murderous
A Christian who left the Worldwide Church of God before it turned orthodox
says the Living Church of God isn't responsible for Terry Ratzmann's rampage.
By Mark A. Kellner
Harold Camping now believes that (Sept. 29th) 2011 will be the end of the world.
MTV's
'Spiritual Windows' mix faith with rock 'n' roll
"There was no Web site call-in, like, 'We want more spiritual content,'
but really just keeping an ear to the ground and trying to be tuned in to
the world," says Kevin Mackall, the ponytailed 37-year-old senior vice
president of on-air promos for MTV (Cathleen Falsani, Chicago Sun-Times)
Another Reason Why Millions Is the Year's Best Film (So Far)
The family movie, like its hero, will help provide for the poor. Plus: IMAX
theatres acknowledge creationists; Narnia lectures slated; Left Behind
3 on the way; and more. By Jeffrey Overstreet
International
partnership to digitize world's oldest known Bible
The Codex Sinaiticus dates back to the fourth century (24 Hour Museum)
Protestant
philosopher at Notre Dame carves out intellectual room for God and miracles
In a scientific era, is it still possible to believe in God and such events
as the Easter miracle of Jesus' resurrection from the grave? Can a rational
person see God as both all-powerful and benevolent despite horrendous suffering
in disasters like the Asian tsunami? From the perspective of philosopher
Alvin Plantinga the answers are emphatic: yes and yes (Associated Press)
Physicist
is awarded the Templeton Prize in spiritual matters
Dr. Charles Townes, a physicist who shared the Nobel Prize for helping to
invent the laser, added another prize to a lifelong storehouse of honors
(The New York Times)
March 8
Global Suspense
The trick of faith is to believe in advance what will only make sense in
reverse. By Philip Yancey.
Who's Driving
This Thing?
Everyone wants to name the leaders of the evangelical movement. By Ted Olsen.
Islam's Culture
War
Author says Muslims are troubled by our morals more than our politics. Reviewed
by J. Dudley Woodberry.
House
okays job training bill with faith provision
The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday approved legislation on job
training, despite Democratic objections to a provision that would allow
faith-based programs to use religion as a hiring criterion (Reuters).
High
court seeks line between law, religion
Kentucky case brings hundreds to Washington (The Courier-Journal,
Louisville, Ky.).
Hook, line,
and sink 'em
What's the NAE really trying to say? (Kathryn Joyce & Jeff Sharlet,
The Revealer).
Pastor
visits BTK suspect in jail
On the same day he was fired from his job, the suspect in the BTK serial
killings got assurances he will continue to be a member the church where
he is a leader (Associated Press).
Welcome to Doomsday
Fundamentalists want to destroy the earth (Bill Moyers, New York Review
of Books).
February 2005
February 21
Voting
Against Anarchy
The greatest threat to liberty in Iraq is not international terrorism.
Scholars examine
the humorous side of the Bible
Theology and Christian literature scholars gathering in Turin say the Old
and New Testaments are riddled with humorous references and they are holding
a three-day congress aiming to set the record straight (PA, U.K.)
Michael
Marcavage becomes just another guy with a bullhorn
"We are one of the very few countries that protect unpopular speech,"
Pennsylvania Common Pleas Judge Pamela Dembe declared
today in dismissing
charges
against Repent America founder
Michael Marcavage and
three others accused of "ethnic intimidation," riot, and criminal
conspiracy.
Robertson:
GOP must push judges through
Evangelist Pat Robertson indicated Tuesday that if Senate Majority Leader
Bill Frist expects backing of religious conservatives for a possible 2008
presidential bid, he had better get President Bush's judicial nominees confirmed
by the Senate, or at least voted on. (Associated Press)
Christian broadcasters convene,
revel in Bush victory
With millions of religious Americans pivotal in returning President Bush
to the White House, Christian broadcasters gathered for their annual convention
this week are loudly claiming credit for being the high-tech shepherds to
that politically potent flock. (The New York Sun)
Dean Vows
to Reach Evangelicals as Democratic Leader
But many are waiting to see if the DNC walk matches their talk. By Tony
Carnes in Washington
Don't Bury
Baylor
Sloan's resignation doesn't mean secularism won the day. By Steve Moore
Former
Muslim to head seminary
The Rev. Jerry Falwell has named Ergun Caner, a converted Sunni Muslim,
to head the Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary at Liberty University (The
News & Advance, Lynchburg, Va.)
DA: No charges
at Peak to Peak
A mother said her eighth-grade daughter, who no longer attends Peak to Peak
charter school, tried to kill herself as a way to escape religious bullying
on the part of fundamentalist Christian classmates (Daily Times-Call,
Longmont, Co.)
Va.
school board okays keeping Bible classes
Public elementary schools will continue to allow Bible classes during class
time while the local school board conducts a one-year review to determine
if criticism of the practice by some parents is valid (Associated Press)
Hollywood
touts divine with upcoming films
Constantine, Because of Winn-Dixie attract evangelicals (Pasadena
Star-News, Ca.)
Not a
Tame Lion
An engaging theologian questions the Jesus of modern scholars. Reviewed
by Jeremy Lott.
A powerful
Pentateuch
Robert Alter's wonderful new translation and accompanying commentary to
the Pentateuch, the Five Books of Moses or Jewish Torah, is in a class by
itself (The Washington Times)
Bible
translation stirs gender debate
The release of a new Bible translation this week pushes to the forefront
a hair-splitting debate among evangelical Christians. Depending on whom
you ask, the Today's New International Version Bible is either a way to
connect with a new generation or a paean to the feminist agenda (The
Dallas Morning News)
January 2005
January 23
Among
lobbyists, a few focus on religious and moral issues
Like hundreds of other lobbyists homing in on the 2005 General Assembly,
C. Douglas Smith has been scanning proposed legislation for bills that could
benefit his narrow special interest. But few of his colleagues search as
Smith does: through a lens of faith that hopes to achieve God's will through
public policy. (The Virginian-Pilot)
Colorado
evangelical group's power grows
In the second of two reports on the strong presence of evangelical Christianity
in Colorado Springs, Colo.: How the organization Focus on the Family went
from a small radio program dealing with family issues to an influential
organization with its own political lobbying arm. (All Things Considered,
NPR)
Baylor's
Sloan: 'It's Time for Someone New'
Controversial president to become university chancellor in June. By Deann
Alford
The 20 Most-Read
Articles of 2004
The Passion and The Da Vinci Code top the list of subjects
CT readers were most interested in last year.
Is Rolling
Stone Afraid of the Bible?
The magazine is suddenly squeamish of religion. At least in one case. By
Mark Moring.
Catholics
Join NCC Alternative
Launch of broad church association around the corner. By Douglas LeBlanc.
Millions
throng Mecca for Haj
More than two million Muslim pilgrims began streaming out of Mecca towards
Mena today, the first day of a Haj pilgrimage marked by grief over the Asian
tsunami disaster and security fears. (The Hindu, India)
Muslim
schools undermining society, alleges school chief
Muslim leaders are livid. On the heels of the report that a state-funded
Islamic school in Bradford topped the league table of school with the best
growth of their people, the head of Ofsted, David Bell accused Muslim faith
schools of failing to prepare pupils for life and undermining British society.
He claimed that the growth of schools offering an Islamic education posed
a threat to stability. (Hindustan Times, UK edition)
New
faith in the law
Falwell wants students to preach through their practice (Richmond Times
Dispatch, Va.).
God
power on campus
Naomi Schaefer Riley, an adjunct fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy
Center in Washington, has taken the measure of student attitudes, academic
standards and campus life at more than a dozen religiously affiliated colleges
and universities. God on the Quad: How Religious Colleges and the Missionary
Generation Are Changing America (New York Times).
LaHaye's
Tribulation
Left Behind coauthor challenges Tyndale over the Last Disciple. The
Last Disciple was coauthored by Hank Hanegraaff and Sigmund Brouwer,
and teaches that most prophecies in Revelation have already been fulfilled.
By Jim Jones.
Murder
and suicide reviving claims of child abuse in cult
Growing up in the 1970's in a religious cult known around the world as the
Children of God, Ricky Rodriguez was revered as "the prince."
The group's leaders were his mother and stepfather, and they taught that
their son would guide them all when the End Times came. (New York Times).
Role
of God in tsunami disaster sparks emotions
How much, exactly, do you figure God cares? Indeed, how often does he actually
dip in his finger - you know, take sides and really stir the pot? (Bill
Johnson, Rocky Mountain News, Co.)