Bishop Strips Hospital of Catholic Status After Abortion

"http://abcnews.go.com/Health/abortion-debate-hospital-stripped-catholic-status/story?id=12455295."

Survey: For many, Jesus Isn't the Reason for the Season

"Come-all-ye-partiers trumps O Come, All Ye Faithful for more than one in three people asked about their Christmas activities in a survey by LifeWay Research, a Nashville-based Christian research organization."

Prayer Helps Victims of Domestic Violence Vent Anger, Up Self-Worth

"In a study of victims of violent relationships with intimate partners, U.S. researchers found prayer helped them vent their anger."

Prayer Relieves Mind in Many Ways, Study Finds

"Getting on your knees and looking to the heavens may really bring comfort during tough times, new research finds."

More Protestant Churches Feel Economic Pain

"More than a third of churches surveyed said donations dropped in 2010, and overall donations were down 3%, according to LifeWay Research, a Nashville-based religion research organization."

Among the Evangelicals

Interesting Chronicle of Higher Education Article

Dutch Catholic Church Faces 2,000 Abuse Allegations

"The Roman Catholic Church is still struggling to cope with the fallout of sex abuse scandals from Germany to the U.S., but it now faces a flood of damaging new allegations from the Netherlands."

Why Religion Breeds Happiness: Friends

"As important as your religious beliefs may be to you, they don't necessarily make you happier, a new study in the American Sociological Review finds. What does make you more satisfied with your life, the study finds, is having friends at your congregation and a strong religious identity."

A New Leader Confronts Catholics’ Disaffection

"Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York, elected president of the nation’s Roman Catholic bishops last week, said Monday that the bishops faced the urgent task of stopping the huge exodus of Roman Catholics from the church of their birth."

Research Shows Grateful People Are Healthier

"A growing body of research suggests that maintaining an attitude of gratitude can improve psychological, emotional and physical well-being."

Vatican: Everyone Can Use Condoms to Prevent HIV

"Using a condom is a lesser evil than transmitting HIV to a sexual partner — even if that means a woman averts a possible pregnancy, the Vatican said Tuesday, signaling a seismic shift in papal teaching as it explained Pope Benedict XVI's comments."

New Bible Drops Gender-Neutral Language of '05 Version

"Since its debut in 1978, the New International Version — known as the NIV — has been the Bible of choice for evangelicals, selling more copies than any other version. But a 2005 gender-inclusive edition bombed after being condemned as too liberal. Translators hope their latest edition, which debuted online this month, will avoid a similar fate."

Bible App Hits 10 Million Downloads

"Tuesday the church announced more than ten million smartphone users worldwide have downloaded its free Bible application. LifeChurch hopes by having a copy handy, people will be more likely to read scripture. The app, which is based on the church-funded website, YouVersion.com, launched in July of 2008."

Poll: 4 in 10 Say Marriage Becoming Obsolete

"Nearly four in 10 Americans think marriage is becoming obsolete, according to a new survey that reveals changing attitudes on gay marriage, unwed couples and the definition of what a family is. The study, conducted by social scientists at the Pew Research Center in coordination with Time magazine, also shows that Americans' attitudes toward family issues differ by race, age and social class."

How Spiritual Traits Enhance Students' Lives—and Maybe Their Grades

"During college, students attend religious services less often, but they become more spiritual—and that growth is linked to a number of positive academic and personal outcomes. That's one of the key findings of Cultivating the Spirit: How College Can Enhance Students' Inner Lives, a new book based on a longitudinal study of students."

The Shadow Scholar

"Ed Dante is a pseudonym for a writer who lives on the East Coast. Through a literary agent, he approached The Chronicle wanting to tell the story of how he makes a living writing papers for a custom-essay company and to describe the extent of student cheating he has observed."

The Catholicity Test

"Review of Roman Catholic colleges' adherence to church guidelines reopens debate about balancing allegiance to doctrine and free inquiry in academe."

Catholic Bishops Face Shortage of Exorcists

"Citing a shortage of priests who can perform the rite, the nation's Roman Catholic bishops are holding a conference on how to conduct exorcisms."

10 Questions for Stephen Hawking

"The renowned physicist has a new book, The Grand Design. Stephen Hawking will now take your questions."

Germany Ordains First Female Rabbi Since Holocaust

"Germany ordained its first female rabbi since the Holocaust on Thursday, marking a major step in the reintegration of Jews into modern German life."

Cuba Catholics to Open First New Seminary in Decades

"The Roman Catholic Church will open on Wednesday its first new seminary in Cuba in more than half a century in a further sign of its improving relations with the island's communist-led government."

Israeli Jews at Odds With Liberal Judaism in U.S.

"Many American Jews — whose faith is seen by the ultra-Orthodox as blurred by intermarriage and fading adherence to tradition — are feeling rejected and unwelcome in Israel."

For Once Mighty Megachurch, A Fast Fall

"With debt topping $43 million, the Crystal Cathedral filed for bankruptcy protection Monday. Church officials say the recession has forced it to order layoffs and cut the number of TV stations airing Hour of Power. But with characteristic optimism, they insist the church will emerge from this crisis."

Rev. Moon marries 7,200 couples in mass broadcast

"Some 7,200 South Korean and foreign couples exchanged or reaffirmed marriage vows in the Unification Church's second mass wedding this year."

Dead Sea Scrolls Going Digital on Internet

"Scholars and anyone with an Internet connection will be able to take a new look into the Biblical past through an online archive of high-resolution images of the 2,000-year-old Dead Sea Scrolls."

Non Devotional Bible Study in Public Schools

"The average American can’t answer basic questions about world religion, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey, which prompted renewed calls for religious study in public schools. In many states, however, that education already exists."

Pope Takes Vatican's Biggest Step to Revive Christianity

"Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday outlined his most tangible initiative yet to try to revive Christianity, creating a Vatican office for re-evangelizing Europe and other traditionally Christian regions where the faith is falling by the wayside."

Cubans Flock To Evangelism To Fill Spiritual Vacuum

"Evangelism is among the fastest-growing religions in communist -- and formerly atheist -- Cuba."

Faith Can Provide Motivation for Exercise

"U.S. researchers say faith-based interventions helped encourage exercise in older African-American women."

Americans' Views of God Shape Attitudes on Key Issues

"Surveys say about nine out of 10 Americans believe in God, but the way we picture that God reveals our attitudes on economics, justice, social morality, war, natural disasters, science, politics, love and more, say Paul Froese and Christopher Bader, sociologists at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Their new book, America's Four Gods: What We Say About God — And What That Says About Us, examines our diverse visions of the Almighty and why they matter."

Tea Party Closely Linked to Religious Right, Poll Finds

"Nearly half of those who identify with the Tea Party movement are part of the religious right, according to a Public Religion Research Institute poll released today. Eight out of ten Americans who identified with the Tea Party were Christians and 47 percent said they were part of the Christian conservative movement, the poll found."

Study: Priorities May Drive Happiness

"But according to one of the first studies to look at long-term happiness, major life events, like a sudden cash windfall, are not what make us happy, rather, it's the priorities we set in life."

Most Tea Partiers Call America a Christian Nation, Study Finds

"Members of the Tea Party movement tend to be Christian conservatives, not libertarians, and are more likely than even white evangelical Christians to say the United States is a Christian nation, a detailed new study has found."

Losing Your Religion May Be Unhealthy

"Forty percent of members of strict religious groups say they are healthy, but that drops to 20 percent if they leave the religion, U.S. researchers suggest."

Don't Know Much About Religion? You're Not Alone, Study Finds

". . .although the United States is one of the most religious developed countries in the world, most Americans scored 50 percent or less on a quiz measuring knowledge of the Bible, world religions and what the Constitution says about religion in public life."

Bishop Long's 'Anointed' Path to Power at New Birth

"Bishop Eddie Long, facing accusations of sexual coercion, is considered 'anointed' by his congregants. Scholars say his rise has followed a familiar pattern, with worshipers fiercely devoted to a powerful leader."

British Library Posts Greek Manuscripts to Web

"The British Library said Monday that it was making more than a quarter of its 1,000 volume-strong collection of handwritten Greek texts available online free of charge, something curators there hope will be a boon to historians, biblical scholars and students of classical Greece alike."

Family, Friends and Politics, Not Theology, Shape Faith

Political scientists Robert Putnam of Harvard and David Campbell of Notre Dame, in "their new book, American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us. . .argue that America is simultaneously religiously devout, diverse and tolerant, based on comprehensive surveys they conducted."

The Push to Ordain Women Priests Gains Ground

"But there is a movement against the no-women rule, one that began eight years ago when a cluster of renegade male clerics (including a European bishop whose identity the female priests won't reveal in order not to risk his excommunication) ordained the first women. Now, in Jacko's hometown of Chicago, three women have entered into the priesthood."

Muslims Facing Discrimination at Work

"Though Muslims are less than 2 percent of the United States population, they accounted for about one-quarter of the religious discrimination claims filed by workers."

A Religious Revolution in China

A series of articles on religion in China

Renovated Vatican Library Reopens

"The Vatican Apostolic Library reopened its hallowed halls Monday following a three-year renovation, according to library officials. Climate-controlled rooms for precious manuscripts, electronic microchips in books, and state-of-the-art security measures to prevent theft and loss are just a few of the changes made to the library, officials said."

Study Seeks to Explain the Parting of the Red Sea

"The study, published today in the online journal PLoS ONE, finds that strong, persistent winds could offer a physical explanation for the event, which was made eternally famous by Charlton Heston in the epic film The Ten Commandments."

Pope Addresses Sex Abuse Scandal as He Starts Visit to Britain

"Pope Benedict XVI said Thursday the Roman Catholic Church has not been vigilant enough or fast enough in responding to the problem of sexual abuse by priests."

Amish Population Growing, Heading West

"Amish communities are now in 28 states, and the continent's population will double by 2024 if the annual growth rate of around 5% continues, the survey says. The highest rates of growth over the past year were recorded in New York (19%), Minnesota (9%), Missouri (8%), Wisconsin (7%) and Illinois (7%). The survey attributes the population boom to Amish families tending to be large, with five children or more on average."

Catholic Colleges 20 Years After 'Ex Corde'

"Twenty years ago, Pope John Paul II issued Ex corde Ecclesiae (From the Heart of the Church), an Apostolic Constitution that defined Roman Catholic colleges and created guidelines to assist them in fulfilling their missions."

Muslims Face Growing Bias in the Workplace

"Claims of bias against Muslims in the workplace rose to 1,490 last year from 1,304 in 2008 and just 697 in 2004, according to EEOC figures. Last year's total was even higher than in the year after the 9/11 attacks, when bias claims hit 1,463."

SBC Compensation Study 2010

"What are Attendance, Experience, Education, and Location Worth?"
SBC Compensation Study 2010: Analysis of full-time senior pastor compensation and vacation (Lifeway Study)

Report: Hundreds of Catholic Clergy Sex Abuse Victims in Belgium

"Hundreds of sex abuse victims have come forward in Belgium with harrowing accounts of molestation by Catholic clergy that reportedly led to at least 13 suicides and affected children as young as two, an independent Belgian commission said Friday."

Religious Laws Long Recognized By U.S. Courts

". . .U.S. courts already accommodate Shariah law, following a long history of incorporating religious laws into the U.S. legal system.

A Chaplain and an Atheist Go to War

"They say there are no atheists in foxholes. There's one on the front lines here, though, and the chaplain isn't thrilled about it. Navy Chaplain Terry Moran is steeped in the Bible and believes all of it. His assistant, Religious Programs Specialist 2nd Class Philip Chute, is steeped in the Bible and having none of it."

Why God Did Not Create the Universe

Excerpt of a book by Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow.

Religious Leaders Condemn "Anti-Muslim" Frenzy

"U.S. religious leaders joined on Tuesday to condemn an 'anti-Muslim frenzy' in the United States, and the head of U.S. forces in Afghanistan warned that a Florida church's plan for a Koran-burning could endanger American troops abroad."

Hawking: God Did Not Create the Universe

"God did not create the universe and the 'Big Bang' was an inevitable consequence of the laws of physics, the eminent British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking argues in a new book."

Methodists See Clues for Growth in Thriving Churches

"The United Methodist Church. . .commissioned an ambitious survey of nearly all its 33,000 U.S. churches to find out what its growing memberships are doing to keep congregations thriving. Of those churches, the four key factors of vitality stood out as 'crystal clear findings that are actionable,' according to the survey."

U. of Wisconsin Cannot Exclude Religious Group From Student Fees, Court Says

"Federal judges rule that a Roman Catholic group cannot be excluded from receiving student fees for activities such as worship, proselytizing, and religious instruction."

New Lutheran Group Likely to Rise From Gay Discord

"Leaders of 18 former ELCA churches are expected to be among more than 1,000 Lutherans voting Friday to create a brand new Lutheran denomination that they claim will follow the Scriptures more faithfully: the North American Lutheran Church."

Children Abused, Killed as Witches in Nigeria

"Pastors in southeast Nigeria claim illness and poverty are caused by witches who bring terrible misfortune to those around them. And those denounced as witches must be cleansed through deliverance or cast out."

Doctors' Beliefs Affect End-of-Life Care

"A new study finds that doctors who are not religious are more likely to take steps to help end a very sick patient's life, and to discuss these kinds of decisions, than doctors who are very religious."

Mark Noll Interview - The Future of Evangelicals in Academia

An interview with noted historian Mark Noll on the future of evangelicals in academia.

Americans Uncertain about Obama's Faith

"Nearly one in five Americans incorrectly say President Obama is a Muslim, up from 11% last year, according to a Pew Research Center poll released today. In the survey, about one-third of Americans correctly say Obama is a Christian, down from 48% who said so last year."

Pastor Humor

A pastor places his order at the pet store: "I need at least 50 mice, 2,000 ants and as many of those little silverfish you can get."

The clerk replies, "We can probably do that, but it might take some time. Mind if I ask why you are placing such an unusual order?"

The pastor replies, "I've accepted a call to another church and the pastor's council told me to leave the parsonage the way I found it."

Religious Service Attendance in European Countries

"In which European countries are people least likely to attend religious services?"

Teen Church Group Participation Flat for Over a Decade

"Only about one in four teens now participate in church youth groups, considered the hallmark of involvement; numbers have been flat since 1999."

Thinking About God De-Stresses Believers

"Thinking about God reduce distress, but only in believers, while atheists are more distressed after thinking of God-related ideas, Canadian researchers say."

Protecting Churches from Porn

"Leaders must be aware of how church-owned equipment is used, not only to help protect the moral and spiritual well-being of pastors and staff, but also to minimize the potential for a sexual misconduct claim. Here are five precautions that can help protect church leaders using church-owned equipment."

More Young Adults Heeding Pastoral Call

"For the past 10 years, the estimated median age of candidates for master of divinity degrees has fallen steadily, from 34.14 in 1999 to 32.19 in 2009, according to an analysis by the Center for the Study of Theological Education (CSTE) at Auburn Seminary. That marks a reversal: From 1989 to 1999, the estimated median age had climbed steadily from 31.4 to 34.14."

Young Americans More Loyal to Religion Than Boomers

"Younger Americans, between the ages of 36 to 50, are more likely to be loyal to religion than Baby Boomers, according to new research."

Growing a Child's Faith

Interview with child development expert Scottie May.

Bone Study: Charlemagne was Tall and Thin

"In the journal, Economics & Human Biology, a team led by Frank Ruhli of Switzerland's University of Zurich, looked at the preserved shin bone of the one-time ruler of Europe. "Charlemagne – or Carolus Magnus meaning 'Charles the Big' as well as 'Charles the Great' – is one of the most important historical personalities," begin the study of the Frankish king who died in 814 A.D."

More Americans Say They Attend Church, Mosque, Synagogue

"Slightly more than 43 percent of Americans told Gallup they attend church, synagogue or mosque weekly or almost every week, up from just under 43 percent in 2009, and about 42 percent in 2008."

Five Major Trends for Churches in America

"The trends that follow were not created in a vacuum. Most the information is based on studies we have done at LifeWay Research."

Resources for Bible Maps and Bible Lands Photos

Holy Land Photos
A website with high-quality photos of the Holy Land

BiblePlaces.com
"BiblePlaces.com features photographs and descriptions of sites in Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey and Greece with an emphasis on biblical archaeology, geography and history."

Holy Land Maps (1500-1920)
Collection of over 1,000 Maps of the Holy Land (1500-1920) from the Eran Laor Collection

Bible Maps
Online Bible Atlas that Uses Google Maps

Ancient Legal Code Uncovered

"Israeli archaeologists say they have found two 3,700-year-old clay tablets that appear to contain legal pronouncements similar to the Code of Hammurabi and the biblical 'tooth for a tooth' rule."

Saudi: OK to Uncover Face in Anti-Burqa Countries

"A popular Saudi cleric said Saturday it is permissible for Muslim women to reveal their faces in countries where the Islamic veil is banned to avoid harassment, while deploring the effort to outlaw the garment in France."

Church Blasts Gay Priests Leading 'Double Life'

"The Italian church says gay priests must not lead a 'double life,' expressing pain and anger over a magazine article and video purporting to show priests frequenting gay locales in Rome."

House Churches Article

"A study by the Barna Group, a firm specializing in data on religion and society, estimates that 6 million to 12 million Americans attend house churches. A survey last year by the Pew Forum found that 9% of American Protestants only attended home services."

Has the Religious Right Lost Its Children?

Jim Wallis has said that the "Religious Right has lost its children. Wallis said the children of ultra-conservative Christians are deserting their parents’ theology in droves. Wallis is the president of Sojourners, a network of progressive Christians."

Lost Bible-Era Languages to Be Resurrected by Computers?

"A new computer program has quickly deciphered a written language last used in Biblical times—possibly opening the door to 'resurrecting' ancient texts that are no longer understood, scientists announced last week."

Report: Accusations of Child Witchcraft on the Rise in Africa

"Child witchcraft allegations are increasing in parts of Africa, as thousands of children have been attacked, beaten or killed, according to a new report."

Churches Making Mainstream Films to Attract Souls

"Moviemaking churches are venturing into the cineplex to attract souls who might never set foot in a megachurch."

Decaying Old Churches Face 'Trouble in Paradise'

"Caring for old church facilities is an increasingly acute problem, particularly for mainline Protestant denominations. As membership declines and budgets shrink, the beautiful edifices of American Christianity can feel like weights dragging down churches that are forced to spend money on maintenance and repairs instead of ministry, charity and other Gospel-derived imperatives."

Indonesian Muslims 'Praying in Wrong Direction'

"Indonesian Muslims have been praying in the wrong direction, the country's highest Islamic authority has said."

Article on Born-Again Rebel Evangelist Don Miller

"Miller had inspired many with his words. His Christian memoir, "Blue like Jazz," sold a million copies. He was a sought-after speaker. He had been dubbed the voice of a new generation of evangelicals. . ."

Vatican Cracks Down on Female Ordination

"Ordaining women to the Catholic priesthood is 'an extremely grave' offense, the Vatican announced Thursday with a revision of a 2001 document."

2.5 Million Muslims Threatening to Leave Facebook

"The group, apparently fueled by Facebook-clone Madina.com, are outraged at the removal of several very popular Islamic pages from Facebook.com, purges the group reportedly claim took place after the outcry over Draw Mohammed Day."

United Nations: Vatican Child Rights Report 13 Years Overdue

"The Vatican has failed to send the United Nations a report on child rights that is now almost 13 years overdue, the head of a U.N. panel has told The Associated Press."

Church of England Paves the Way for Women Bishops

"The Church of England national assembly decided Monday that women should be allowed to become bishops, making only minor concessions to theological conservatives who have threatened to break away over the issue."

'Virtual Preaching' Transforms Sunday Sermons

". . .a new generation of pastors who can be in two places at one time. They are using technology -- high-def videos, and even holograms -- to beam their Sunday morning sermons to remote 'satellite' churches that belong to their congregation."

Rev. Schuller's Daughter Takes on Lead Pastor Role

Sheila Schuller Coleman was affirmed as lead pastor at the Crystal Cathedral megachurch, replacing her father Robert H. Schuller.

Churches Adopt Adoption

"From megachurches like Saddleback Church in Orange County, California, and Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee, to small congregations like First Baptist Church in Cambridge, Minnesota, U.S. churches are launching orphan care ministries, most of them lay-led."

Presbyterian Leaders Approves Gay Clergy Policy

"Presbyterian leaders voted Thursday to allow non-celibate gays in committed relationships to serve as clergy, approving the first of two policy changes that could make their church one of the most gay-friendly major Christian denominations in the U.S. But the vote isn't a final stamp of approval for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) or its more than 2 million members."

Pope Revises, Toughens Sex-Abuse Rules

"Pope Benedict XVI has tightened the Vatican laws to streamline its handling of sexual-abuse cases world-wide and potentially hold more clerics accused of abuse accountable, people familiar with the matter said. The move marks the most concrete measures Pope Benedict has taken to address the crisis that rocked his papacy this year."

Money Can Buy One Type of Happiness

"Pulling in the big bucks makes people more likely to say they are happy with their lives overall -- whether they are young or old, male or female, or living in cities or remote villages, the survey of more than 136,000 people in 132 countries found."

"But the survey also showed that a key element of what many people consider happiness -- positive feelings -- is much more strongly affected by factors other than cold, hard cash. . ."

Think You're Operating on Free Will? Think Again

"In an intriguing review in the July 2 edition of the journal Science, published online Thursday, Ruud Custers and Henk Aarts of Utrecht University in the Netherlands lay out the mounting evidence of the power of what they term the 'unconscious will.'"

Dioceses Oust Abusers They Had Pledged to Monitor

"At the peak of the Roman Catholic clergy sex abuse crisis, the discipline plan American bishops adopted prompted dioceses to remove nearly all accused clergy from the priesthood."

Author Interview on Dietrich Bonhoeffer

In Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy (Thomas Nelson), author Eric Metaxas uncovers the person behind such Christian classics as The Cost of Discipleship and Life Together. CT editor at large Collin Hansen spoke with Metaxas about Bonhoeffer's life and legacy."

Muslims in USA Face Fears, Bias to Build, Expand Mosques

"Like many American mosques, the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro faces a dilemma. As the number of Muslims in the United States grows, mosques know they must expand as well. But those plans to expand often run into hostile resistance. Opponents, like some in Murfreesboro, try to use zoning laws to block mosque building or expansion. That has left some local Muslims wondering if they are second-class citizens when it comes to religion."

Amid Abuse Scandal, Focus of Church Drifted Away

"But church documents and interviews with canon lawyers and bishops cast that 2001 decision and the future pope’s track record in a new and less flattering light. The Vatican took action only after bishops from English-speaking nations became so concerned about resistance from top church officials that the Vatican convened a secret meeting to hear their complaints — an extraordinary example of prelates from across the globe collectively pressing their superiors for reform, and one that had not previously been revealed."

Summer Camp Caters to Kids of Atheists, Agnostics

"Camp Quest is a sleep-away camp for the children of atheists, agnostics, humanists and other nonbelievers, though kids from religious families are welcome, too."

Court Lets Vatican-Sex Abuse Lawsuit Move Forward

"The Supreme Court won't stop a lawsuit that accuses the Vatican of conspiring with U.S. church officials to transfer a priest from city to city despite repeated accusations that the clergyman sexually abused young people."

How to Sell Christianity? Ask an Atheist

"What do Christians learn when they start listening to atheists? Henderson, author of the forthcoming book The Outsider Interviews, has found that the 'I'm right/you're wrong' model is a conversation-killer par excellence. So is speaking of non-converts as 'lost.'"

Burqa Bans Grow Fashionable in Europe

"A growing movement in Europe to ban burqas and niqabs, the face coverings worn by some Muslim women, is igniting a debate over individual religious freedom vs. broader cultural values."

Religious Anti-Bias Rules Upheld

"The Supreme Court ruled today, 5-to-4, that public colleges and universities may require religious organizations seeking recognition or funds as campus groups to comply with anti-bias rules."

Most U.S. Evangelical Leaders Don't Drink, Survey Finds

"Sixty percent of evangelical Christian leaders say they don't drink alcohol socially, citing reasons as diverse as the words of St. Paul, the desire to be a good leader and a history of alcoholism in the family, according to a survey by the National Association of Evangelicals released Thursday."

Many Americans Expect Jesus' Return by 2050

"Among respondents to the survey by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press and Smithsonian Magazine, 41 percent said they expect Jesus' Second Coming in the next 40 years, while 46 percent said it probably or definitely won't happen."

Muslims Look for Piety First in Partners: Poll

"Muslims consider piety and religious compatibility the most important criteria when looking for a partner, according to a new survey from an online Muslim matrimonial service."

4th Century Icons of Peter and Paul Discovered

"Catacomb archeological superintendent Fabrizio Bisconti points to frescoes discovered with the earliest known icons of the Apostles Peter and Paul in a catacomb located under a modern office building in a residential neighborhood of Rome."

More Preachers Bivocational

"About three-quarters of Southern Baptists churches draw fewer than 100 people on Sunday morning. That means they often can't afford to pay a preacher a full-time salary. So about half of Southern Baptist churches nationwide, and two-thirds in Tennessee, rely on bivocational ministers."

Are Social Media Changing Religion?

"The boundary between private and public information is becoming murkier every day, a blurring that is perhaps inevitable in the world of online surfing and social networking. But how about religious communities? The boundaries are shifting there as well, because of a growing emphasis in congregations on honest and open sharing in small groups."

Evangelical Leaders Say Spill Raises Moral Issues

"Leaders of a group that encourages evangelical Christians to care for the environment say the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico raises moral challenges for the country."

Ultra-Orthodox Jews Protest School Ruling

"Tens of thousands of black-clad ultra-Orthodox Jews staged mass demonstrations on Thursday to protest a Supreme Court ruling forcing the integration of a religious girls' school."

Islamic World Confidence in Obama is Slipping: Poll

"A year after President Barack Obama sought a new beginning with the Islamic world in a speech from Cairo, confidence in the U.S. leader has dropped sharply in many Muslim countries, according to surveys released on Thursday."

Southern Baptists' Budget Vote Shapes New Evangelism Approach

"At a gathering of 11,000 Southern Baptists on Tuesday at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., Baptists overwhelmingly approved a plan that will channel funds away from established Baptist programs and use them to fund new churches and more missionaries. It's called the Great Commission Resurgence. The national meeting concludes today."

Scientists Get Religion

"New head of AAAS program strives to improve dialogue between researchers and people of faith."

Faith and Freedom

"Christian Higher Education Canada has announced that it is organizing meetings to bring together faculty members and administrators from a range of institutions to discuss and, maybe, define academic freedom."

Stephen Hawking on Religion: 'Science Will Win'

"Renowned physicist shares thoughts on God, fatherly advice in an interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer."

Christians View Syria as Haven in Unstable Region

"Syria's dwindling Christians coexist with their Muslim compatriots in a country many of them see as a safe haven, in a region where religious minorities often struggle for survival."

Theology School Melds Studies of Different Faiths

"The venerable Claremont School of Theology has taught Methodist ministers and theologians for more than a century, but in the fall they'll try an unorthodox approach: cross-training the nation's future Muslim, Christian and Jewish religious leaders in classrooms scattered around Southern California as they work toward their respective degrees."

Cambridge University to Digitise Faith and Science Library Collections

"Fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls are among the jewels in the Cambridge University library that may soon be made available digitally."

10 Questions for the Dalai Lama

10 questions for the Dalai Lama.

Thousands of Priests Rally in Defense of Pope

"Thousands of priests from around the world have massed in Rome in one of the largest such gatherings ever in a major show of support for Pope Benedict XVI amid the clerical abuse scandal."

Christian Colleges Flourish in Distance Learning Environment

"The question facing universities looking to compete in the booming market for online higher education is not so much how to do it, but how to distinguish themselves from the rest. In this, Christian universities appear to have a built-in advantage. And many are seizing the opportunity to expand their footprint."

Pope Begs Forgiveness, Promises Action on Abuse

"Pope Benedict XVI begged forgiveness Friday from clerical abuse victims for the sins of priests and promised to 'do everything possible' to ensure prelates don't rape or molest children ever again."

Evangelical Rally Draws at Least 1 Million People in Sao Paulo

"At least 1 million evangelical Christians rallied in Sao Paulo on Thursday for the annual 'March for Jesus,' an event that unites the faithful from hundreds of Protestant churches in the world's largest Roman Catholic country."

Anglican Leader Urges Penalty for Ordaining Gays

The spiritual leader of the world's Anglicans wants to sideline provinces that violate moratoria on ordaining partnered gays and on other contentious activity in the splintering fellowship. The proposal is expected to cost Episcopalians their formal role in shaping Anglican doctrine and in conducting dialogue with other faiths.

Philosopher Alvin Plantinga retires from Notre Dame

"It is not surprising, then, that well over 200 philosophers assembled at Notre Dame May 20-22 for a conference celebrating the career of Alvin Plantinga and marking his retirement. The list of registrants was a virtual "who's who" in Christian philosophy today; just about everyone of importance turned up to pay tribute to Plantinga."

Prospective Catholic Priests Face Sexuality Hurdles

"Still, since the abuse crisis erupted in 2002, curtailing the entry of gay men into the priesthood has become one the church’s highest priorities. And that task has fallen to seminary directors and a cadre of psychologists who say that culling candidates has become an arduous process of testing, interviewing and making decisions — based on social science, church dogma and gut instinct."

The Trial of Pope Benedict XVI

"The crisis facing the church is deeply complicated by the fact that in 1980, as Archbishop of Munich, the future Benedict XVI appears to have mismanaged the assignment of an accused pedophile priest under his charge. . ."

Unplugged Christians Living Off the Grid

"Like other conservative Christians in this growing movement, Brother Gregory believes that Christianity has strayed too far from its roots, and has given its role in people's lives over to the government -- as with welfare programs or health care."

The Catholic Church and American Nuns

"For more than a thousand years, becoming a nun was the best—and often the only—way for a young woman to get an education and to earn a modicum of independence. In the modern West, though, women have other options. In the United States, the number of religious sisters has shrunk by two thirds since 1965, to 59,600."

Monks Making Money: A Business Beyond Prayer

"Nestled amid lush rolling green hills, the sacred grounds of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit are awash in pastoral tranquility. Here 40 Trappist monks who left the world they once knew -- on Wall Street, in academia and elsewhere -- dedicate their lives to prayer, reflection and the worship of God. . ."

Divers Explore Cleopatra's Sunken Palace

"Archaeologists retrieve artifacts from royal quarters submerged for centuries in Alexandria's harbor."

Atheists, it's Time to Play Well With Others

"What is not so encouraging in America's conversation about origins is the opposition of 'New Atheists' to any thawing of the chilly relations between science and religion."

Catholic Church Reburies ‘Heretic’ Nicolaus Copernicus With Honour

"Nicolaus Copernicus, the 'heretical' 16th-century astronomer who was buried in an unmarked grave nearly 500 years ago, was rehabilitated by the Roman Catholic Church this weekend as his remains were reburied in the Polish cathedral where he had once been a canon."

Southern Baptists Buck Trend, Post Most Baptisms in 4 Years

". . .the Southern Baptist Convention—the nation's largest Protestant denomination — post its highest number of baptisms in four years. Baptisms jumped by 7,539. Specifically, the baptisms jumped from 342,198 to 349,737 last year, reversing years of decline. Baptist leaders say the numbers show the convention's renewed focus on reaching nonbelievers is working."

Evangelical Group: We'll Partner to Reduce Number of Abortions

"The National Association of Evangelicals is making an anti-abortion move that some evangelicals may not welcome: They've announced a willingness to partner with groups that offer contraceptive services and other programs aimed at reducing the number of abortions."

Islamic Nations Say Will Tackle Maternal Deaths: U.S.

"Islamic countries, home to about half the estimated 400,000 women worldwide who die in childbirth each year, have promised to cut maternal mortality, U.S. Secretary of Health Kathleen Sebelius said on Monday."

Evangelical Christian Leaders Call for Immigration Reform

"Evangelical leaders calling for comprehensive immigration reform say their pastors see firsthand the difficulties faced by immigrants who fear arrest and deportation."

The New War Between Science and Religion

"There is a new war between science and religion, rising from the ashes of the old one. . ."

Study: Babies Know the Difference Between Good, Evil

"The view of many psychologists and scientists for years has been that parenting and environmental factors are what determine a person’s morals. The experiments conducted by the psychology department at Yale University showed that babies may already have a sense of right and wrong before it is introduced to them by their family."

Pope Sees Sex Scandal as Greatest Threat to Catholic church

"The clerical abuse scandal represents the greatest threat to the Roman Catholic Church and the crisis was 'born from sins within the church' not outside, Pope Benedict XVI said Tuesday on a trip to Portugal."

Millennials Increasingly Find Their Religion Online

"Young people are defining their own spiritual paths, says Rebecca Phillips, vice president of social networking for Beliefnet.com. 'Young people are not necessarily doing the same thing religion-wise that their parents did, and they're developing their own unique brands of spirituality,' she says. It seems to affirm a Lifeway Christian Resources study showing that 72 percent of Millennials, the generation between 18 and 30 years old, say they are more spiritual than religious. Fewer of them attend worship services, pray or read sacred scriptures."

92% Say There is a God and 83% Say God Answers Prayers

". . .92% say there is a God and 83% say this God answers prayers, according to a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll of 1,000 adults May 1-2. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points."

In Abuse Crisis, a Church Is Pitted Against Society and Itself

". . .Instead, the church is undergoing nothing less than an epochal shift: It pits those who hold fast to a more traditional idea of protecting bishops and priests above all against those who call for more openness and accountability."

Church Recruits Young Priests Via Facebook

"On Facebook, Humblot discovered a forum dedicated to people who, like him, are considering the priesthood. The page was part of a campaign, launched by the Catholic Church this month, to attract young people to the priesthood following decades of dwindling ordainments — and amid waves of sexual abuse allegations that have darkened the reputation of the Catholic priest."

The Future of Evangelicals: A Conversation with Pastor Rick Warren

"The Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life invited Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., to discuss how this political association has affected the evangelical movement, what evangelicals' most important concerns are today, and how the movement is evolving."

Religious Persecution is Widespread, Report Warns

There are "many stark assessments about the level of religious persecution around the world today in a huge new report from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. The report names more than two dozen countries as offenders. Some engage in what's classically thought of as religious persecution."

Meditation: Even A Little Helps

"But new research shows that even 20 minutes a day, four days a week, can produce an impressive increase in critical cognitive skills."

Putin: Return Religious Items to Church

"Legislation is being drafted to return icons and other religious art seized after the Russian Revolution to churches and convents."

Where Did Anne Frank Live? Take a Virtual Tour

"Now, 50 years after the opening of the Anne Frank House museum, which has more than 1 million visitors every year, the museum is launching an online virtual tour of what life was like at the back of 263 Prinsengracht in Amsterdam."

Catholic Faith up 33% in Africa, 16% in Asia

"Data released on Tuesday show the number of Catholics in Africa rose by 33% in the period from 2000 to 2008, and by 15.6% in Asia."

Survey: 72% of Millennials 'More Spiritual Than Religious'

"Most young adults today don't pray, don't worship and don't read the Bible, a major survey by a Christian research firm shows."

Vatican to Finance Adult Stem Cell Research

"The Vatican is pushing for research of adult stem cells as an alternative to the use of embryonic stem cells, which the Catholic Church opposes because it maintains that the destruction of the embryo amounts to the killing of human life."

Location of Denominations/Religions by Searches

"From FloatingSheep.com, this is the Christianity Map that maps the volume of searches related to the different branches of Christianity across the globe. The great cartographers from Floating Sheep published three maps showing the world, the U.S. and Europe."

Religious Freedom Groups Slam Indonesia's Blasphemy Law

"A decision by Indonesia's constitutional court to uphold a controversial blasphemy law has dealt a severe blow to religious freedom in the world's largest Muslim-majority country, a rights group said Tuesday."

Top 10 Religious Relics

"As millions travel to see the Shroud of Turin — the cloth that may have been used to wrap Christ's body after his crucifixion — TIME takes a look at the lore and whereabouts of other religious relics."

A Third Way Between Traditional and Emerging

"Jim Belcher's recent book Deep Church has garnered a lot of attention in ministry circles. For 2009 it was even named Best Book for the Leader's Outer Life by our sister magazine Leadership journal. BuildingChurchLeaders.com editor Drew Dyck spoke with Belcher about his book and what it means for churches."

A Closer Look at "Lean" Church Staffs

"A new survey of U.S. churches suggests that 1 in 7 spends less than 35 percent of its annual budget on staffing costs. . ."

Pentecostals Find Fertile Ground in Latin America

"The Pentecostal word has spread explosively here in the past 40 years. Estimates suggest that over four in 10 now follow the faith in Guatemala. And the same thing is happening across Central America - traditionally a bastion of Catholicism."

Study: U.S. Still a Church-Going Nation

". . .attendance at churches in the United States has declined only slightly in recent decades. Since the 1970s the number of days Americans of all denominations have gone to services has declined from about 28 to 23 or 24 days a year. But what has changed is the makeup of the congregations — particularly women, Southerners and Catholics."

Anthony Flew, Once a Prominent Atheist, Dies at 87

"In the last decade of his life, scientific discoveries about the complexity of DNA led him to believe there was an intelligent creator. Flew's belief was in deism, in a remote creator who takes no interest in human affairs, unlike the Christian concept."

Rescuer Says God Led Him to Fla. Girl in Swamp

"A Florida man says God led him to an 11-year-old girl lost for days in a swamp."

U.S. Catholic Church Moving Faster on Abuse Cases

"Denver's handling of the Thompson case is the latest example of American Catholic leaders shifting from secrecy to greater openness, an attitude church leaders elsewhere in the world have been slower to adopt."

Five Myths about Emerging Adult Faith

"The National Study of Youth and Religion provides us with a treasure trove of valuable information based on interviews with thousands of emerging American adults."

Going Undercover Among Evangelicals

"Atheist Gina Welch. . .went undercover for two years, joining a megachurch and revealing her nonbeliever status to no one. She eventually became a true part of the community, even going on a mission trip with people she now considers friends."

The Amish and Management

"A new study in the Global Business and Economics Review says the failure rate of Amish businesses is less than 10% in the first five years, compared with 50% of small businesses in the U.S. over the same time period."

Vatican to Post Guide for Sex Abuse Accusations

"The Vatican has launched a new transparency strategy to deal with the sex abuse crisis, planning to post a guide for lay people on the Web to explain how it deals with abuse accusations against priests, The Associated Press has learned."

'Near-Death Experience' May Be Explained by Carbon Dioxide: Study

"People who have 'near-death experiences,' such as flashing lights, feelings of peace and joy and divine encounters before they pull back from the brink may simply have raised levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood, a study suggests."

A Woman’s Place Is In The Church

"The cause of the Catholic clergy's sex-abuse scandal is no mystery: insular groups of men often do bad things. So why not break up the all-male club?"

Papal Scandals

"There simply must be a vicar of Christ on earth, and so popes have been succeeding each other for nearly 2,000 years—but not without the occasional misstep."

Mormons Counseled to Cling to Church Teachings

"Mormons should cling to their faith and church teachings in order to weather the problems and temptations they face daily in a tumultuous world, the church's president said at the close of a two-day conference Sunday, addressing one of the fastest growing denominations in the country."

Special Report: Churches Struck Down by Foreclosures

"Getting a complete picture of the financial health of churches across the country is difficult. But a review of filings in the Thomson Reuters Westlaw legal database shows foreclosure proceedings against U.S. churches have nearly tripled since December 2007, when the recession began, compared with the previous seven years, which included the dot.com bust and economic downturn. Court records also reveal more than 100 churches have declared bankruptcy in the last year, often in a last-ditch attempt to halt a sheriff's sale. That number could rise fast."

Thrifty Faithful Hurts U.S. Churches: Survey

"Donations to churches have fallen for the second consecutive year and as the economy recovers slowly religious leaders are hoping a thrifty faithful is not the new normal - at least when it comes to giving."

Scandal Tests Catholics’ Trust in Leadership

"As the sexual abuse scandal sweeps through the Roman Catholic Church in Europe and the United States, there are few places where dismay and confusion among worshipers strikes as deep a chord as here in Armagh, seat of the embattled cardinal whose fate has become closely entangled with the widening controversy facing Pope Benedict XVI."

'Christian Warriors' Allegedly Plotted Attack on Cops

"Nine suspects tied to a Christian militia that was preparing for the Antichrist were charged with conspiring to kill police officers, then kill scores more by attacking a funeral using homemade bombs, federal prosecutors said Monday."

Pope Accused of Failing to Act on Sex Abuse Case

"Pope Benedict XVI has been accused of failing to act on complaints from two archbishops in the US about a priest who allegedly abused 200 deaf boys."

Evolutionary Scientist Wins Templeton Prize

"Fransisco J. Ayalaa, a former Catholic priest who as an evolutionary geneticist has long argued that science and faith are compatible yet separate, won the Templeton Prize, one of the world's most prestigious religion prizes."

Education, Faith and a Likelihood to Wed

"The higher the level of education, the more likely people were to wed, and the less likely they were to live together. More than 60 percent of people with a college degree or higher were married. Religion also played a role. Among white men, 55 percent of those who said religion was 'very important' were married, compared with 35 percent of those for whom it was 'not important.'"

Report: Catholic Clergy Abuse Claims Drop in US

"While the Roman Catholic church in Europe reels from a widening sex abuse crisis, the scandal that has plagued the U.S. church for nearly a decade is tapering off, a report released Tuesday says."

Portion Sizes Increase in 'Last Supper' Paintings

"Two researchers analyzed the food and plate sizes in 52 of the most famous paintings of The Last Supper and found that the portion sizes in the paintings have increased dramatically over the past millennium, from years 1000 to 2000."

Post-Reformation Digital Library

"The Post-Reformation Digital Library is a collection of resources relating to the development of theology during the Post-Reformation/early modern era (ca. 16th-18th c.), hosted by the H. Henry Meeter Center for Calvin Studies of Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary."

Research indicates Effect of Sunday School Attendance Lingers

"Consistent Sunday school attendance when we're young has direct bearing on church attendance as grown-ups. Researcher George Barna says more than 8 in 10 adults in the U.S. claim they had weekly religious education before age 12. Of those, 69 percent now attend religious programs weekly."

Catholic Church, and Religion in General, Losing Latinos in USA

"Latino population growth over the past two decades has boosted numbers in the Catholic Church, but a new, in-depth analysis shows Latinos' allegiance to Catholicism is waning as some move toward other Christian denominations or claim no religion at all."

Conversation About Catholics and Evangelicals

An interview with Chris Castaldo "A conversation about Catholics and evangelicals—agreeing to disagree, agreeably"

Most Priests accused of Sex Abuse Were Never Tried, Admits Vatican

"Catholic Church officials never prosecuted more than half the roughly 3,000 priests accused of sexual impropriety in the past decade, a top Vatican official has revealed."

Barna Research on Americans and Easter

". . .most Americans consider Easter to be a religious holiday, but fewer identify the resurrection of Jesus as the underlying meaning. The study also explored the degree to which Americans are likely to invite an unchurched friend or family member to attend worship service on Easter weekend."

The Medical Hazards of Spiritual Care

"Two studies recently have found a striking association between faith and the medical decisions of terminal cancer patients at the end of life. In both cases, religious faith often led patients to choose more aggressive medical care at the end of life."

Child Abuse Claims Sweep Catholic Church in Europe

"It often starts as a voice in the wilderness, but can swell into an entire nation's demand for truth. From Ireland to Germany, Europe's many victims of child abuse in the Roman Catholic church are finally breaking social taboos and confronting the clergy to face its demons."

Court OKs ‘under God’ in Pledge of Allegiance

"A federal appeals court in San Francisco upheld the use of the words 'under God' in the Pledge of Allegiance and 'In God We Trust' on U.S. currency, rejecting arguments on Thursday that the phrases violate the separation of church and state."

Research: Teenage Views and Behavior Regarding the Supernatural

"The report, called Ministry to Mosaics: Teens and the Supernatural;, is based upon three nationwide studies conducted among more than 4,000 teens by The Barna Group."

Lost Jewish tribe 'found in Zimbabwe'

"The Lemba people of Zimbabwe and South Africa may look like their compatriots, but they follow a very different set of customs and traditions. . ."

God Helps with Personal Decisions, Most Americans Say

"Most Americans believe God is involved in their everyday lives and concerned with their personal well-being, though the well-educated and higher earners are less likely than their counterparts to believe in such divine intervention, a new study suggests."

Muslims Turning to Home Schooling in Increasing Numbers

"Although three-quarters of the nation's estimated 2 million home-schoolers identify themselves as Christian, the number of Muslims is expanding 'relatively quickly,' compared with other groups, said Brian Ray, president of the National Home Education Research Institute."

Interview With Wheaton's Next President

"Wheaton College chose from one of its own when it appointed Philip Ryken, pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, as its next president." Here is an interview with him.

Muslim Leader Issues Anti-Terror Fatwa

"The leader of a global Muslim movement has issued a fatwa, or religious edict, that he calls an absolute condemnation of terrorism. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, a former Pakistani lawmaker, says the 600-page fatwa bans suicide bombing 'without any excuses, any pretexts, or exceptions.'"

Accidental Discovery Pieces Together Ancient Biblical Manuscript

"Two parts of an ancient biblical manuscript separated across centuries and continents were reunited for the first time in a joint display Friday, thanks to an accidental discovery that is helping illuminate a dark period in the history of the Hebrew Bible."

Studies: Belief in God Helps Relieve Depression

"University of Toronto psychologists reported last year that 'believing in God can help block anxiety and minimize stress,' their research showcasing "distinct brain differences" between believers and nonbelievers. A new study released Wednesday by Rush University Medical Center in Chicago took the idea a step further. In patients diagnosed with clinical depression, 'belief in a concerned God can improve response to medical treatment,' said the new research, which has been published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology."

U.S. Muslims Debate English or Arabic Worship

"The language of obligatory Friday prayers, called juma, is not part of the debate; those prayers must be in Arabic, the language of the Quran. The disagreement focuses on whether that requirement should extend to the sermon, or khutba, on Fridays, the Muslim day of congregational prayer, and other assemblies in the mosque."

Young Adults 'Less Religious,' Not Necessarily 'More Secular'

"Young adults today are less church-connected than prior generations were when they were in their 20s. But a new study finds they're just about as spiritual as their parents and grandparents were at those ages."

Atheist Ads Hit California

"Got God? You're not alone if you don't, and a new California ad campaign wants you to know that's OK."

Christian Churches in Canada Fading Out: USA Next?

"A new assessment of the state of the church in Canada looks at the Anglican Diocese of British Columbia and then across the country and concludes that, '... at the present rate of decline -- a loss of 13,000 members per year -- only one Anglican would be left in Canada by 2061.'"

Finding God In The Brain

"Researchers report in a new study today that they have found regions of the brain that seem to impact a person's level of spirituality."

Some Presbyterians See Salvation in Non-Christian Faiths

Many PCUSA Presbyterians are open to salvation outside of faith in Jesus Christ. "The Presbyterian Panel's 'Religious and Demographic Profile of Presbyterians' found that 36% of members disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement: 'Only followers of Jesus Christ can be saved.' Another 39%, or about two-fifths, agreed or strongly agreed with the statement."

Mixed Views of Hamas and Hezbollah in Largely Muslim Nations

"Across predominantly Muslim nations, there is little enthusiasm for the extremist Islamic organizations Hamas and Hezbollah, although there are pockets of support for both groups, especially in the Middle East."

Good News, Bad News in Raising Leaders

"Recently, LifeWay Research surveyed pastors about the church's leadership development and mission."

Pope's Letter to Irish Condemns Clergy Sex Abuse

"Pope Benedict XVI condemned the abuse of children by priests Monday, saying the church will never stop deploring such behavior."

Sociologists and Religion

“As a new study has found, there has been a significant increase over the last 25 or so years not only in the quantity of work done by sociologists on religion, but also in how religion is treated in those studies.”

Baptist initiative floods Texas with Bible CDs

"The largest state Baptist group in the United States wants Jesus Christ's message of hope heard in every home in Texas — all 9 million of them — within the next two months."

Sermon Humor

A man who hadn't attended church in years suddenly began attending faithfully on Sunday mornings instead of going fishing as was his normal habit.

The pastor was highly gratified and at the end of service one morning told him, "How wonderful it makes me feel to see you at services with your good wife!"

"Well, Preacher," said the fisherman, "Quite honestly, it's a matter of choice. I'd much rather hear your sermon than hers."

New Study Confirms Crisis in Catholic Higher Education

"Attending a Catholic college has minimal impact on a Catholic student’s practice and embrace of the Catholic faith, according to a new study released Sunday at a gathering of Catholic college presidents in Washington, D.C."

Are the Bible's Stories True? Archaeology's Evidence

"For nearly 3 billion Jews, Christians and Muslims, this is the Holy Land, the place where the Bible and Koran say Jesus and Abraham and King David and King Solomon all walked the earth. Each spadeful of dirt an archaeologist turns up could yield evidence about how, and even whether, these and other biblical figures actually lived."

Bear Humor

An atheist was walking through the woods.

"What majestic trees"!

"What powerful rivers"!

"What beautiful animals"!

He said to himself.

As he was walking alongside the river, he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. He turned to look. He saw a 7-foot grizzly charge towards him. He ran as fast as he could up the path. He looked over his shoulder & saw that the bear was closing in on him.

He looked over his shoulder again, & the bear was even closer. He tripped & fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up but saw that the bear was right On top of him, reaching for him with his left paw & raising his right paw to strike him. At that instant the Atheist cried out, "Oh my God!"

Time Stopped.
The bear froze.
The forest was still.

As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky. "You deny my existence for all these years, teach others I don't exist and even credit creation to cosmic accident." "Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer"?

The atheist looked directly into the light, "It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask You to treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps You could make the BEAR a Christian"?

"Very Well," said the Voice.

The light went out. The sounds of the forest resumed. And the bear dropped his right paw, brought both paws together, bowed his head & spoke:

"Lord bless this food, which I am about to receive from thy bounty through Christ our Lord, Amen."

Students, Faith, Catholic Colleges

"The research finds that Catholic students at Catholic colleges are less likely than Catholic students at other colleges to move away from the church and more likely to turn toward it. Further, the study finds that the Catholic students at Catholic colleges -- while moving away from the church on some issues -- more toward the church on others, including both political and philosophical views and specific actions, such as the reading of sacred texts."

The Leadership Triangle

"Learn how to solve the three kinds of problems your church faces."

Priest Shortage Leaves Faithful Alone on Sickbeds

"Finding a priest to be at the bedside of the dying is becoming harder and harder across the country. The shortage of priests has been a problem for years, but its implications become most clear at dire times for the ill."

Economy’s Impact on Churches: How Have They Adapted

Part two or a three-part look by Barna at the economy and churches.

Religious Groups Fill Haiti Government Gaps

"Religious missions, with their deep community connections, are proving to be particularly critical conduits of help, both spiritual and material."

43% of Americans Report Bias Against Muslims

"A whopping 43% of Americans report at least “a little” bias against Muslims, and a majority, 53%, have an unfavorable view of the religion, according to a Gallup poll released today."

Martin Luther King Article

"No Christian played a more prominent role in the 20th century's most significant social justice movement."

Remembrance Humor

Three friends from the local congregation were asked, "When you're in your casket, and friends and congregation members are mourning over you, what would you like them to say?"

Artie said: "I would like them to say I was a wonderful husband, a fine spiritual leader, and a great family man."

Eugene commented: "I would like them to say I was a wonderful teacher and servant of God who made a huge difference in people's lives."

Don said: "I'd like them to say, 'Look, he's moving!'"

2010 Statistical Abstract: Religion

Population: Religion - Three areas of coverage:

Self-Described Religious Identification of Adult Population
Religious Bodies--Selected Data
Christian Church Adherents and Jewish Population, States

Football Humor

By the time Ted arrived at the football game, the first quarter was almost over. "Why are you so late?" his friend asked.

"I had to toss a coin to decide between going to church and coming to the game."

"How long could that have taken you?"

"Well, I had to toss it 14 times."

Church Contributions, Budgets Recede in Poor Economy

A national survey of 1,002 Protestant pastors in November by Nashville-based LifeWay Research found:

•28% reported raising less money than in 2008.

•57% said the poor economy was hurting their church.

•70% reported increased requests from people outside their congregation for assistance.

•43% budgeted more money to help more needy people.

•3% were considering closing down their churches.

Pastors' Work Hours Tallied in New Survey

"Protestant pastors in America are working long hours, sometimes at the expense of relationships with church members, prospects, family and even the Lord, according to a LifeWay Research study released Jan. 5."

Pat Robertson's Controversial Comments

"Televangelist Pat Robertson is no stranger to controversial comments. Here are some of his most outlandish remarks."

Louisiana Prison Gives Inmates Chance to Earn Ministry Degree

"Since starting the program at Angola, the Baptist seminary has begun similar ones in the Mississippi and Georgia prisons. Angola and seminary officials believe they are the only full-time, college-accredited programs for ministers in the nation's prisons."

After 25 Years, L. Ron Hubbard Scientology Materials Restored

"More than 1,000 unreleased recordings of lectures by L. Ron Hubbard and reams of corresponding writings have been unveiled in the culmination of a 25-year project to locate, restore and transcribe lost pieces of the Scientology founder's work."

Minister Humor

An elderly woman walked into the local country church. The friendly usher greeted her at the door and helped her up the flight of steps. "Where would you like to sit?" he asked politely.

"The front row please," she answered.

"You really don't want to do that," the usher said. "The pastor is really boring."

"Do you happen to know who I am?" the woman inquired.

"No," he said.

"I'm the pastor's mother," she replied indignantly.

"Do you know who I am?" he asked.

"No," she said.

"Good," he answered.

Amish Prove Clean Living Pays Off

"U.S. researchers say an examination of cancer rates among the Amish underscores the virtues of exercise, not smoking, healthy food and fewer sex partners."

Can Megachurches Bridge the Racial Divide?

"According to Michael Emerson, a specialist on race and faith at Rice University, the proportion of American churches with 20% or more minority participation has languished at about 7.5% for the past nine years. But among Evangelical churches with attendance of 1,000 people or more, the slice has more than quadrupled, from 6% in 1998 to 25% in 2007."

Racetrack Humor

Charlie was a regular visitor at the racetrack. One afternoon he noticed an unusual sight. Right before the first race, a Catholic priest visited one of the horses in the stable area and gave it a blessing. Charlie watched the horse race very carefully, and sure enough the blessed horse came in first!

Charlie followed the priest before the next race, and again he went to the stables and performed a similar procedure. Charlie played hunch and put a couple of dollars on the blessed horse. Sure enough the blessed horse came in by two lengths and Charlie won close to fifty bucks!

The priest continued the same procedure through the next few races and Charlie won each time. He was now ahead $1,000, so between races Charlie left the track and went to the bank and withdraw his life's savings $20,000.

The biggest race of the day was the last one. Charlie followed the priest and watched carefully which horse he blessed. He then went to the betting window and put his whole $21,000 bundle of cash on that horse to win.

Then Charlie went out to watch the horses race. Down the stretch they came, and as they crossed the finish line, the horse Charlie's fortune was bet on was dead last!

Charlie was crushed. He located the priest and told him that he had been watching him bless the horses all day, and they all became winners except the last horse on which he had bet his life savings. Charlie then asked, "What happened to the last horse which you blessed? Why didn't it win like the others?"

"That's the trouble with you Protestants," sighed the priest. "You can never tell the difference between a blessing and the last rites."

Church Humor

The church gossip, and self-appointed arbiter of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose into other people's business. Several church members were unappreciative of her activities, but feared her enough to maintain their silence.

She made a mistake, however, when she accused George, a new member, of being drunk after she saw his pickup truck parked in front of the town's only bar one afternoon.

She commented to George on a Sunday morning, in the company of many, that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing.

George, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just walked away. He didn't explain, defend, or deny; he said nothing.

Later that evening, George quietly parked his pickup in front of her house and left it there all night.

Polishing the Puritan Image

"A recent introduction to Puritan history rehabilitates their reputation and legacy."

Top Ten Religious News Stories of 2009, of the Decade

"The events, people, and debates of the past year that have shaped, or will significantly shape, evangelical life, thought, or mission. Also: Top 10 news stories of the decade." From Christianity Today