THE QUESTION: What does Islam teach about seizing Christian churches to become mosques? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: The bitterly contested Hagia Sophia (“Holy Wisdom”) in Constantinople (the city now named Istanbul) was the grandest church in Christendom across nine centuries. Then Muslim conquerors under Mehmed II confiscated the church in 1453 and converted it into the Aya Sofia Mosque. In 1935, Turkey’s government secularized it to be an interfaith museum, but three weeks ago turned it into a  working mosque... Read more

THE QUESTION: Do we have a Mother in Heaven as well as a Father? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: The answer is yes, according to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (long and universally nicknamed “Mormon” though church authorities now seek to erase that label). Feminists continually criticize this religion for limiting all of its governing posts to men except for women’s and educational auxiliaries, yet church defenders can argue that this doctrine ennobles the female gender. Belief in... Read more

THE QUESTION: Was Jesus white? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: No. But in these racially anxious times for America, there’s more to be said. In a biblical dream-vision, presumably not meant to be taken literally in racial terms  (Revelation 1:15), the feet of the triumphal Jesus Christ are bronze in color. In terms of actual 1st Century history, it makes the most sense to think that Jesus was neither north European white nor African black. As a man of the Mideast,... Read more

THE QUESTIONS: What was “The Bible Code”? Was it valid? Did it prove anything about God, or the Scriptures, or world events? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: Time for a nostalgic look back at “The Bible Code” sensation upon the death last month of journalist Michael Drosnin, who scored big with his 1997 best-seller of that title and  two sequels that inspired imitators, though Hollywood’s film version never got off the ground. Drosnin’s titillating claim was that the Hebrew Bible’s text... Read more

THE QUESTIONS: Why are there so many Bible translations in English on the market? Should there be? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: The Evangelical Textual Criticism blog is an international forum where conservative Protestant experts chew over what’s stirring with ancient manuscripts and translations of the Bible. See https://evangelicaltextualcriticism.blogspot.com It’s esoteric stuff for the most part, but some items carry broad interest. This week’s top posting, worth pondering by everybody, begins with this biblical bang: “It’s time for someone to stand... Read more

THE QUESTION: What enduring values unite Americans of all religious outlooks? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: The Fourth of July 2020 will be a sober as well as socially-distanced observance amid the COVID scourge, resulting economic devastation, and cities’ racial unrest. Nonetheless, it provides an opportunity to reflect not only on the nation’s sins and sufferings but permanent values these United States have upheld through it all. The American Revolution was first and foremost about ending dictatorial rule so that government... Read more

THE QUESTION: With lockdowns in place, should U.S. churches do baptisms, and how? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: American religious congregations are implementing all sorts of accommodations during the COVID-19 crisis. Most are streaming services online to replace in-person worship till reopening is allowed. Under these conditions, many Protestant groups are allowing viewers to take Communion remotely by themselves at home during streamed services, which is not feasible for Catholic Mass. Catholic priest Tim Pelc of St. Ambrose Church in Grosse... Read more

THE QUESTION: Should hard-pressed churches want to be tax-exempt? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: “Religion Q & A” has pondered tax exemption three times already, in items posted on November 9, 2013; January 22, 2017; and then on October 25, 2019, when stripping of tax exemption from houses of worship erupted as a surprise issue in the Democratic campaign for president. The 2019 round involved CNN’s “Equality Town Hall” when anchorman Don Lemon asked candidate “Beto” O’Rourke if “colleges, churches, charities”... Read more

THE QUESTION: “Is the Worst of the Sexual Revolution Over?” THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: The New York Times ran a feature last month about teens wearing shirts that proclaim  “Virginity Rocks.” This fad did not originate with those Christian “True Love Waits” crusaders but a YouTube personality who professed a “tongue in cheek” attitude but said he’s happy if teens advocate abstinence, and some actually do take the slogan seriously. A dog-eared maxim in our business says “dog bites man”... Read more

THE QUESTION FROM VINCE AND OTHERS: How can people believe God is both loving and all-powerful — for instance when a dread disease spreads worldwide? THE GUY’S ANSWER: This quandary has challenged religious thinkers and troubled suffering believers from the Bible’s ancient Book of Job through modern-day reflection on the Holocaust and Covid-19. It’s infinitely above a journalist’s pay grade, so The Guy will only skim what a few people have said and are saying about this topic known as... Read more