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More issues enter realm of 'moral acceptability'
Americans are showing more tolerance for a range of behaviors, with sex between unmarried adults, medical research on stem cells from human embryos, and doctor-assisted suicide all showing record h...
Sisters and neighbors
Representations of Christian life that are sympathetic, plausible, and interesting are rare enough in popular media to deserve notice. That’s one reason to be a fan of the British series Call the Midwife, now in its third season on public television.
Congregational redevelopment and leaving room
One of the best pieces of advice I ever got came shortly after one of the first worship services I led as a pastor. One of the parish members came up to me after worship one week and said, "You didn't leave enough room."
"What do you mean?" I asked. I had no idea what she was talking about.
The Sensational Guitar Sound of Marco Di Maggio, Vol. 1, by Marco Di Maggio
Throughout this disc, Marco Di Maggio shows the versatility of a guitarist with an uncanny mastery of 1950s and ’60s surf, rockabilly, and country styles....
Never off the clock
The lead character of Wallander is a cop relentlessly pursuing justice. He knows he should leave work at the office, but he can't.
House passes bill to make cemetery desecration a religious freedom crime
c. 2014 Religion News Service...
Interfaith group speaks out in wake of Santa Barbara shooting spree
c. 2014 Religion News Service...
Islamic extremist groups are on the rise in Africa
In the days after the September 11 terrorist attacks, al-Qaeda became a household name. But today, other extremist Islamist groups, many in Africa, are vying for headlines....
Trusting a new song: How to introduce music for worship
Hymnbooks offer songs from many cultures and genres. But trying new music can be a risky venture for leaders and congregations alike.
Prophets in the digital public square
This month, the Federal Communications Commission voted to open debate on new rules regarding net neutrality, the idea that Internet service providers (Verizon, Comcast, etc.) should treat all data equally, regardless of its source or destination. Net neutrality advocates argue that the Internet is best when it operates on a simple first-come, first-served basis.
The FCC's proposal, however, includes provisions for ISPs to allow "paid prioritization," otherwise known as an Internet "fast lane," when such service meets a threshold of "commercial reasonableness." This means that ISPs can negotiate massive payments from large-scale purveyors of online bandwidth.
Misogyny, #yesallwomen, and the role of the church
The shooting that rocked California last week raised questions about treating the mentally ill and why there are so many semi-automatic weapons on our streets. But what caught the nation's eye this time around was that the shooter made clear his motives: Twenty-two-year-old Elliot Rodger hated women. He wrote a manifesto announcing his intention to reap vengeance on women for denying him the sexual attention he believed was his entitlement.
Blind about faith
Over the last few months, I’ve been following a blog by former Seventh-day Adventist pastor Ryan Bell....
Blaze, by David Wilcox
David Wilcox has planted something complex and beautiful with Blaze. It displays his gifts as a first-rate storyteller who marries arresting narratives with alluring melodies.
Atheists lose latest legal fight over 'In God We Trust'
c. 2014 Religion News Service
(RNS) Atheists lost their case against the “In God We Trust” motto on the nation’s currency Wednesday (May 28)....
Abuse victims divided on pope's offer to meet
Pope Francis’s recent announcement that he would meet with victims of sexual abuse by priests is dividing victim advocates, with some dismissing the move as “meaningless” and others endorsing it as...
Buddhists next door
Here in rural Georgia, it's hard to miss a monk in saffron robes walking through Wal-Mart. But we don't know what to think about him, so we don't.
War and tales of war
Living in San Diego and having family in Norfolk, Virginia, I probably hear more sermons that involve military life than most Americans. I thought little of it this past Sunday when a video of a naval officer's account of war and call for church members to help those in combat and their families ran across the church televisions. But then we prayed for service women and men. And the pastor had all "retired and active" service people stand. It seemed a bit excessive. Then I realized it was Memorial Day weekend.
It reminded me of the sermons of Gilded Age evangelist Dwight Lyman Moody.
Texts in context: Yassas!
Yassas! That's Greek for hello, goodbye, cheers, "to you!" And a makeshift "thank you" for those (like me) who can't quite manage efkharisto (eff-car-ee-STOH), the official Grecian "thank you."
On a recent trip to Greece, every time I tried to say a proper efkharisto I was rewarded with puzzled looks and general incomprehension.