For many mainstream ministers, it’s a moment of humor, celebration and a touch of world-weary irony. It’s the rite at the end of the white wedding, long after the symbolic handoff of the blushing bride from the father to the groom, the litany of modernized vows and the lifting of the bride’s veil. That’s when the minister gives the new husband permission, at last, to “kiss the bride.” “What patsies these poor clergy members must feel like,” quips journalist Caitlin... Read more
When it comes to “Facing the Giants,” the one thing the players in Hollywood and the Bible Belt agree on is that this Christian indie flick deserves a PG rating. That PG rating isn’t what has ticked off talk radio, Christian bloggers and some Capitol Hill conservatives. They want to know if the Motion Picture Association of America thinks the “P” in PG stands for ” proselytizing” and the “G” for “Gospel.” The bottom line: Salvation can be as offensive... Read more
When it comes to describing the end of the world, millions of readers are convinced that the “Left Behind” books contain the gospel truth. This isn’t surprising since these 12 novels — backed by sequels, movies, video games and comic books — have sold 70 million copies. For most readers, the page-turners cranked out by writer Jerry Jenkins and preacher Tim LaHaye form a pop-culture catechism that explains some of the Bible’s most mysterious passages, said researcher Robert Woods of... Read more
OXFORD, England — Abdul Rahman of Afghanistan was not the first Muslim convert to Christianity to be sentenced to death and he will not be the last. Human-rights activists around the world cheered when — despite efforts by the post-Taliban parliament — he was allowed to seek asylum in Italy. Other converts have been less fortunate, facing imprisonment, abuse, torture and death at the hands of state officials or vigilantes in Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Turkey, Nigeria, Indonesia... Read more
The conspiracy is almost too big for words and its secrets have been protected through the ages by a hidden society around the world. It has given birth to organizations large and small, from local Lions Clubs to the Communist Party. It has started revolutions and manipulated the world’s wars. Using their great wealth, the conspirators control mass media and steer the churches. No, this isn’t part of “The Da Vinci Code.” This is a different Zion conspiracy. This is... Read more
Thousands of Episcopalians believe the Sacrament of Marriage should be modernized to include same-sex unions. Thousands of others across America disagree. Many regional dioceses have become battlegrounds, with liberal parishes clashing with conservative parishes. At the national level, some bishops have tried, with little success, to convince their church hierarchy to repent after its 2003 consecration of the openly gay Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. This war has rocked the 70-million-member Anglican Communion, where traditionalists hold a majority... Read more
Anyone who follows what Ruth Gledhill has to say at her “Articles of Faith” website knows that she has strong religious opinions. This is especially true when it comes to Anglican battles. Here is her take on the challenge facing Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams after U.S. Episcopalians elected Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori as Anglicanism’s first female archbishop and then refused to retreat on homosexual issues. Will the Anglican Communion shatter, with Third World conservatives pitted against modernists in Europe... Read more
The Rt. Rev. Nicholas Thomas Wright believes in the resurrection. The bishop of Durham, England, doesn’t think the disciples who said they saw Jesus after his death were describing his spirit dwelling in their hearts. The former canon theologian of Westminster Abbey doesn’t believe that Jesus swooned on the cross and woke up three days later. He doesn’t believe robbers stole his body, leaving the grieving apostles to explain away an empty tomb. No, the famous New Testament scholar —... Read more
The Motion Picture Association of America is crystal clear when it describes why its “PG” rating exists — it’s a warning flag. “The theme of a PG-rated film may itself call for parental guidance,” states the online explanation of the rating system. “There may be some profanity in these films. There may be some violence or brief nudity. … The PG rating, suggesting parental guidance, is thus an alert for examination of a film by parents before deciding on its... Read more
Anyone who reads the newspaper Kayhan knows that Baha’i believers are part of a giant conspiracy against Iran that has, at one time or another, included England, Russia, Israel and the CIA. Baha’is also embrace alcohol, pork, gambling and adultery. Human rights activists are studying this new wave of hate for one reason — the Islamic Republic of Iran runs Kayhan. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei picks the managing editor. So there’s more to these headlines than ink and paper. “When... Read more
Terry Mattingly
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