Scholar Patrick Kavanaugh has heard oodles of baroque fugues and he swears that most of their composers were more interested in higher mathematics than in music. The melodic lines spin out one on top of another, creating dizzying layers of notes, intervals and overtones. This is the musical equivalent of watching chess masters maneuver on a multi-level, three-dimensional board. “There’s an art to it, in terms of the logic and structure and the intricate patterns,” said Kavanaugh, author of “The... Read more

Anyone who turns on a television or goes to the movies in India cannot help but see signs of America’s cultural clout. It’s also easy to spot the deep influence of India and Eastern cultures in American entertainment, from Oprah to Disney, from “The Matrix” to “American Beauty.” The screen stars keep finding the god or the truth that lies within, while striving to lose themselves in love and light sometime before their next reincarnation. There are many paths to... Read more

When Sir Alec Guinness began pouring himself into a new character, the first thing he focused on was the legs. The goal was to discover how the character carried himself day, after day. Once Guinness had the walk right, he could ask why the man walked that way. This would then affect his stature, speech and mannerisms. If he could get the feet and legs right, the rest would follow. This truth also could be applied to Guinness, 86, who... Read more

Bill Robinson walked through prison doors many times in the 1960s, during the bad times when he bounced in and out of white-collar crime. It was different the first time he did it as a free man. “I didn’t want to smell that smell, again, or hear that door slam,” he said. “I only did it because I thought that’s what God wanted me to do. … Then I lead my first prisoner to Jesus and I’ve never been the... Read more

The Rev. Billy Graham doesn’t have to worry about his legacy. For millions, he remains the dignified evangelist who stood tall in the pulpit, offering his open Bible to the world as a bridge between an awesome God and lost sinners. Graham has preached in person to more people than anyone in history and has, for half a century, been one of America’s most admired leaders. This weekend, his third conference for itinerant evangelists will draw 10,000 men and women... Read more

“Monogamy” isn’t such a scary word, once people get the hang of redefining it to fit the realities of modern life, according to gay provocateur Dan Savage. “The sexual model that straight people have created really doesn’t work,” said the nationally syndicated columnist, in a New York Times Magazine piece on post-modern sex. “All it does is force people to lie. … In this society, we view monogamy like we view virginity, one incident and it’s over, the relationship is... Read more

You know the Episcopalians are in town when insiders do double takes at announcements for “Bishops Outings” or the “Orientation of Bishops and Deputies.” Are those scenic “outings” or revelatory exits — voluntary or involuntary — from sexual closets? And who would dare ask “orientation” questions these days? Words are tricky things. Thus, conservatives made a fervent attempt, during the 73rd General Convention of the Episcopal Church, to seize the high ground with a campaign entitled “God’s Love Changed Me.”... Read more

The nightmare begins when the Rev. Joe McKeever turns and faces the bride and groom. He smiles. They smile. The family, friends and faithful smile. Then McKeever begins reciting the lovely words he has said hundreds of times in nearly four decades of ministry. Only this time, he hears a voice inside his head saying something radically different. “Dear friends, we have gathered here today to witness a disaster in the making,” says the voice. “Martha here has decided she... Read more

It was Harry Potter’s 13th birthday and, since he was surrounded by his occult-o-phobic relatives, the high point was a trio of owls arriving with cards from his best friends at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The big news was that Ron Weasley’s family had won a pile of gold and was investing its grand prize in a pilgrimage to Egypt. Classmate Hermione Granger was happy for him, but added: “I bet he’s learning loads. I’m really jealous... Read more

The Romanesque sanctuary of South Main Baptist Church near downtown Houston may seem like a strange home for the Gen-X faithful in the Ecclesia Christian Community. The church holds 1000, which means there are acres of empty oak pews when the 250-plus in the Rev. Chris Seay’s new congregation gather on Sunday nights. But the sanctuary with the giant rose window has one essential element welcomed by the singles, artists and seekers in trendy urban neighborhoods — beauty. “It’s as... Read more