Friday, February 26, 2010

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."

Thursday, February 25, 2010

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."

Monday, February 22, 2010

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."

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

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."

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

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."

Friday, February 12, 2010

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.'"

Thursday, February 11, 2010

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."

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

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."

Friday, February 5, 2010

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."

Thursday, February 4, 2010

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."

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

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."

Monday, February 1, 2010

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."