Clipmarks | boniface's 'church' clips

The Christian Presidency

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:29:24 GMT

clipped by: boniface

Any illusion one might have had that the race for America's chief executive is a secular affair was thoroughly shattered yesterday at the Saddleback Civil Forum on The Presidency. Evangelical superstar Rick "Purpose Driven Life" Warren got the two candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain, to sit down individually in his church, submit to his questions, and expound on concerns most important to evangelical Christians.

"Some of the questions Pastor Warren posed crossed the line and promoted the fiction that the American people are electing a pastor-in-chief, rather than a commander-in-chief. Questions like 'What does it mean to trust in Christ?' create a religious test for public office and should have no place in the political discourse for a secular office. America is the most religiously diverse country in the world, and Christianity is only one of those faith traditions. Millions of voters who tuned in tonight will feel disenfranchised by some of the questions posed in this forum."

The Trouble of Teaching Biblical Content

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:04:21 GMT

clipped by: boniface

Clip Source: www.wildhunt.org

Ah Texas, outside of South Carolina, it is hard to think of a state with more percolating church-state issues. Their judges sanction religiously-motivated torture of teenage girls, they pass laws that their own research tells them will privilege Christian expression, and they aren't too keen on the religious freedom of non-Christian faiths. So is it any wonder that they passed a controversial law mandating a Bible-study elective in their public schools, or that schools taking advantage of this new freedom are abusing it?

You can read Mark Chancey's full report, here. The Texas Freedom Network, far from being an atheist organization, actually supported the legislation that allowed for Bible-based electives. Their problem is that the Texas State Board of Education passed implementation guidelines that they claim throws school districts and teachers "under the bus" due to vague language that will put schools on a collision course for multiple lawsuits.

Catholic Church says true spirituality resides in the penis.

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:33:18 GMT

clipped by: boniface

Clip Source: edition.cnn.com

Vatican 'regrets' female bishops decision

(CNN) -- The Vatican said Tuesday it regrets the decision by the Church of England's governing body to allow the ordination of women as bishops.

The move by the Anglican Church's General Synod "is a rift to the apostolic tradition" of ordaining only men as bishops, the Vatican said in a statement, and is another obstacle to reconciliation between Anglicans and Roman Catholics.

"This decision will have consequences on the dialogue which had brought good fruits," the Vatican statement said.

The General Synod passed a resolution Monday night that allows women to become bishops, acting over the objections of traditionalists who argued that Jesus only wanted men in leadership positions.

Some traditionalists have threatened to abandon the Anglican Church for the Roman Catholic Church if women become bishops. Several hundred Anglican priests made that move when women were first ordained 16 years ago.

Tags: catholic, church, says, true, spirituality, resides, penis

In Defense of the CS Lewis's Pagan Prince Caspian

Wed, 07 May 2008 16:23:55 GMT

clipped by: boniface
clipper's remarks: CS Lewis professed to be a Christian, but if you really want to see how Pagan he actually was, read the chapter "The Inklings and the Gods" in the book by Ronald Hutton "Witches, Druids and King Arthur."

Clip Source: www.christianpost.com

When they appeared in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, it was easy to look the other way in the face of the undeniable Christian imagery of Aslan dying and rising and conquering the White Witch. Bacchus and Silenus, ancient pagan gods, dance with nymphs and dryads. With Jesus so clearly figured, it was easy to ignore such things, but what to do when Bacchus and Silenus appear not once, but twice, in Prince Caspian, where such Christological imagery is not so obvious?

Is it possible that the writings of the “apostle to the atheists” actually smuggles in pantheism and Paganism? There are some who believe exactly that.

This is a stumbling block for many people, including Christians themselves. Christianity may be true but does it satisfy?

What is so appealing about heaven if it just means sitting in a pew for eternity? Many people in church are bored out of their minds right now. Who wants that experience forever? “No thanks,” many say.

Satanists? Nope, Bible based crime!

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 02:52:22 GMT

clipped by: boniface

Clip Source: www.woai.com

Former Member Recounts Horrors of Cult Living

A woman who lives in San Antonio says she she escaped her family's cult at the age of 14 after she was abused mentally, physically and sexually.

"We didn't really play much because everything was a sin," explained Jamie. ""You know the basketball court was a sin."

"We were like property," Jamie said. "I felt like I was like a car or a house that you owned."

At it's high point, her church had around 500 members. Jamie said she was curious about the outside world, but that curiosity led to cruel punishment.

"My mom beat me more. She said 'I will beat you and beat the devils out'," said Jamie.

Jamie faced one beating too many, and after a tip to Oklahoma police, she was finally taken away from her family. She said the church fell, just weeks later.

A Very Old Corruption: the Church

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:52:46 GMT

clipped by: boniface

Clip Source: abcnews.go.com

Victims: Pope Benedict Protects Accused Pedophile Bishops

Victims Say Pontiff Has Protected Bishop O'Connell, Cardinal Mahoney and 17 Others

Even as he told reporters on his flight to America that he was "deeply ashamed" over the church sex abuse scandal, Pope Benedict was accused by victims of protecting some 19 bishops accused of sexually abusing children.

"As a Catholic, I have to sadly conclude that he is not serious about ridding the church of corrupt bishops," said Anne Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.org, a group tracking public records involving the bishops.

According to the group, of the 19 bishops "credibly accused of abusing children," none has lost his title, been publicly censured by the Vatican or referred for criminal prosecutions.

"The sexual corruption in the Catholic church starts at the very top," said Doyle.

Pagans lash out at Church over exorcism blame

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:49:06 GMT

clipped by: boniface

Clip Source: www.cathnews.com

The Catholic Church has been blasted by Pagans who reject that the increase in exorcisms is due to people "dabbling" in paganism.

"There has been a recruitment of pagan practices, and it's sheer poison," the priest says.

The Catholic Church has vowed to "fight the devil head-on" by training hundreds of priests as exorcists. Bishop Brian Finnigan, acting head of the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane, said it was important for the Church to carry out exorcisms.

However, the priest's claim has provoked an angry reponse from the Pagan Awareness Network (PAN), an association representing wiccans, pagans, and other followers of nature-based faiths.

"A pagan ritual is no more dangerous than going to a church, a temple, or a mosque," PAN president David Garland said.

"The Catholic Church is once again trying to create a moral panic about devil-worship and the occult. This kind of fear-mongering belongs in the Middle Ages, not in the 21st century.

Scottish pagan gathering spells worry for some Christians

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:14:57 GMT

clipped by: boniface

Clip Source: www.ekklesia.co.uk

Some Christian groups in Scotland are anxious about druids, wiccans and other traditional religionists from across the UK gathering in a small north-east community this summer, reports the Scotsman newspaper.

The Rev Graham Swanson of Elgin Baptist Church, told the newspaper: "I have grave concerns and reservations about this event taking place. As a Christian I believe the Bible warns us about dabbling in such things as witchcraft."

But Moray resident Joanne Campbell, who is behind the event, said: "People like to sensationalise our gathering and speculate that we are up to all sorts of strange things. But the reality is that we really just want to get together and socialise with friends and like-minded people.

Along with humanists, pagans in Britain are denied official membership of many inter-faith bodies. The dispute is over the meaning and antecedence of 'belief', and the question as to the representativeness of bodies such as the PF.

Merry Excesses

Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:26:24 GMT

clipped by: boniface

Clip Source: www.telegram.com

Christmas — pagans, Christians and mammon

Christmas is arriving with its usual sleighful of hype, indulgence and greed. And, as usual, people are deploring the consumerist excesses of the holiday and wishing for a return of the good old days and the old-time religion. They know not what they are yearning for.

Early on, bishops banned the use of evergreens and deplored the drinking, hoodlumism, fighting and looting that went on in many places in the darkness of deep December all over Europe. But the decrees made little difference.

Nobody knows when Jesus was born, but in the 4th century the church decreed it to be Dec. 25, an unlikely time for shepherds to be watching their flocks in the field.

And so, over the centuries, Dec. 25 gradually took on some of the trappings of the Christian religion, although much of the old pagan festivities continued.

First Freedom First - Americans United For Separation of Church and State

Sun, 23 Dec 2007 13:56:46 GMT

clipped by: BartendingBear
clipper's remarks: Worship, or not. No religious discrimination. End of life care. Democracy not theocracy. Sound science. Reproductive rights. Respect for all families. Academic integrity.

Clip Source: firstfreedomfirst.org

[Video]

Christians always start the fight

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 13:41:06 GMT

clipped by: boniface

Clip Source: www.madison.com

Wineke: Say it again, symbols should stay in church

A week ago, I wrote a column about the creche scene controversy in Green Bay. That city allowed a plastic manger scene of Mary, Joseph and Jesus to be placed over the door to City Hall, but said other religions were welcome to put up their own holiday symbols if they wished.

After a long and testy City Council meeting, the city has decided only the manger scene will remain on City Hall, at least until the city can establish guidelines for what goes up and what stays down.

It always amazes me that, every year, there is some bizarre fight over how to observe the birth of Christ and that the bizarre fight is almost always started by Christians.

I've never once heard a Jew, a Muslim, a Buddhist or an atheist object when I wish that person "Merry Christmas." Not once.

But let a national chain of department stores decide to wish its patrons "Happy Holidays" and the chain is likely to face a boycott.

Is Christmas truly Christian?

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:17:49 GMT

clipped by: boniface

Clip Source: www.chroniclelive.co.uk

Is Christmas truly Christian?

TO ALL those people complaining about other festivals hijacking the traditional English Christmas, I would like to enlighten you on the following point: the Christian faith is not the original faith of the British Isles, and the Christian church hijacked the Pagan festival of Yule and turned it into the celebration you know as Christmas.

Winter Solstice for pagans is a time of feasting and the exchanging of gifts and is the original holiday that the Christian religions modified into their own Christmas.

Most theologians who have spent time studying the alleged birth of Jesus admit he was born in either March or April, not the celebrated Christmas date we all know from the standard calendar. It was moved to this date to help induce Pagans to give up their old ways yet allow them their holidays during the spread of Christianity through Europe and the British Isles.

Embracing Pagan Heritage

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:14:58 GMT

clipped by: boniface

Clip Source: www.charlestoncitypaper.com

Embracing Pagan heritage

Heritage Schmeritage! Like religion, it's whatever you make of it

While happy Pagans observed the cycle of the year and the cycle of life within the armory walls, outside those walls members of Friendship Baptist Church prayed and sang for the souls of the celebrants, according to The Post & Courier.

"What have we come to in our so-called Holy City, where the South's oldest newspaper gives attention to such people ...?" she asked. "I am willing to bet many others found this offensive and unnecessary. It certainly is not newsworthy."

I wish I had been able to meet the angry letter writer and the members of the Friendship Baptist Church who protested outside the National Guard Armory that day.

But, in fact, all people of European heritage are descended from one Pagan tradition or another. Those of African heritage had their own Pagan traditions.

Tags: embracing, pagan, heritage

Senate inquiry targets televangelists

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 23:43:37 GMT

clipped by: boniface

Clip Source: www.businessweek.com

Senate inquiry targets televangelists

The top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee said Tuesday he has launched an investigation into alleged financial wrongdoing involving six well-known televangelists.

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa sent letters to six Christian media ministries this week requesting information about their expenses, executive compensation and amenities given to executives.

The organizations and their leaders are:

-- Randy and Paula White of Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries of Tampa, Fla.;

-- Benny Hinn of World Healing Center Church Inc. and Benny Hinn Ministries of Grapevine, Texas;

-- David and Joyce Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries of Fenton, Mo.;

-- Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries of Newark, Texas;

-- Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Eddie Long Ministries of Lithonia, Ga.;

Creflo and Taffi Dollar of World Changers Church International and Creflo Dollar Ministries of College Park

Tags: senate, inquiry, targets, televangelists

No Fear.

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:56:09 GMT

clipped by: boniface

Clip Source: www.news-gazette.com

Don't be scared of Wiccans, Christians are told

ROSSVILLE – Christians and Wiccans gathered in the former Rossville-Alvin High School gymnasium Wednesday night to hear a Lincoln Christian College professor talk about the Wicca religion.

"Our battle is not with people," said Robert Kurka, professor of theology and church in culture at Lincoln Christian College in Lincoln. "We are talking about competing belief systems, not competing people."

Debbe Tompkins, also of Rossville and a Wiccan, said overall the presentation was pretty good, although she disagreed with some of Kurka's interpretations.

Tags: don't, be, scared, of, wiccans, christians, are, told