I'm not crazy about the smell of burning wires. Especially at 30,000 feet. Recently on a flight segment from St. Louis to Cincinnati the distinctive odor of burning wires assaulted my olfactory senses. Wanting to believe it was my imagination…
OUT LOUD
“I want to say it again, and again, and again: Islam is not a religion. It is a political system … bent on world domination, not a religion.” Pat Robertson The religious broadcaster was speaking on his “700 Club” program….
Opinion: Democrats and the abortion issue
At a policy level, I was generally pleased with the answers of the candidates to the policy questions they were asked. They expressed commitment to domestic-poverty reduction, creation care, the abolition of torture, and efforts to combat AIDS. The fact…
FAITHSHAPERS: The searching phase
As our children enter adolescence, they are beginning a phase of searching that will last through much of their young adulthood. There are a number of developmental, physical and psychological reasons for this phase, but for our purposes the key…
Supreme Court decision means executions move forward
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Supreme Court effectively enabled states to move forward with executions April 16, declaring constitutional a kind of lethal injection used in almost all of the nation’s 30-plus death chambers. In its Baze v. Rees (No. 07-5439)…
Delayed life choices demand new strategies, scholar insists
PRINCETON, N.J. (RNS) — As increasing numbers of young people postpone marriage and children, other life choices — like returning to church — are affected as well, according to a leading scholar of American Protestantism. As a result, Princeton Univer-sity's…
Theologian urges greater sensitivity to suicide
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) — Churches can be a major factor in preventing suicide if they are willing to learn about the problem and reach out with compassion, said a theologian who specializes in pastoral care related to suicide. “People who…
Some Jews ‘uneasy’ with high-profile Christian allies
WASHINGTON (RNS) — In recent years, conservative Christians have emerged as some of the most vocal supporters of the state of Israel — support many Jewish groups have welcomed at a time when they feel Israel is under siege. One…
FAITH DIGEST
Most ministries submit materials to Grassley. Two-thirds of the prominent ministries Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, is investigating are cooperating with requests to provide financial information. Bishop Eddie Long's New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga., said it will provide…
Virginia author interprets Anne Frank in poem
CHESAPEAKE — One might wonder why a Christian woman in Virginia would feel compelled to write a book of poetry about a little European Jewish girl who died more than half a century earlier. “I've even had Jewish people ask…
Taking care of business
Some best practices in the corporate world translate well to the nonprofit sector, including churches, experts insist. And at the same time, churches can benefit by looking at some lessons failed business learned the hard way. Baptists with expertise in…
Pastor describes McCain as devout
PHOENIX (ABP) — John McCain has a deep and personal Christian commitment despite his reluctance to speak publicly about it, according to the man the presumptive GOP presidential nominee claims as his pastor. Dan Yeary, pastor of North Phoenix Baptist…