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5 Questions Before You Leave the Catholic Church JENNIFER FULWILERI would encourage anyone who is thinking of abandoning their Catholic faith to consider the following five questions. Author Anna Quindlen has been in the news lately, promoting a new book called Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake. She recently spoke with NPR's Terry Gross about a wide range of topics she covers in the book, including her recent decision to leave the Catholic Church. She summarized this decision by telling Gross: The pedophilia scandals, the church's reaction to them, and their constant obsession with gynecology — taken together at a certain point,...

This column is in response to requests for insights into the difference between Mormonism and traditional Christianity. I have dear friends who are Mormons. They, like most Mormons, are gracious socially, exceptional family people, and in general good citizens. As such they personally are objects of my regard. Their faith, the Church of Latter Day Saints, better known as Mormonism, has been very much in the news as a result of a prominent member of their faith being a primary candidate for president. I would not deliberately misrepresent any person’s faith so I hope Mormons find the following to be...

Time magazine says the #1 religion story of the year is the rise of Mormonism. Two Mormons are running for president; Glenn Beck's commitment to the Mormon church made headlines; . As we continue our series on my top 5 faith and culture stories of 2011, let's ask today: Is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints a cult? Can Christians vote for a Mormon candidate? What does the mainstreaming of Mormonism say about our culture? The answers to these questions will take more space than my typical essay--I hope the following information is helpful. If by "cult" we...

Whether you are on the streets in Utah, on the job, or answering e-mails, there seems to be certain questions that are most often asked of Christians who challenge Mormon beliefs. The following list, though hardly exhaustive and in no particular order, gives the most common questions, and several quick responses that could be given. These are obviously short starter responses, but hopefully one or more of these might help you to better formulate your own answer. 1. Isn't it unchristian to question someone else's claim to Christianity?•Didn't Joseph Smith do this very thing when he claimed that God told...

By J.J. Speelman It should come as no surprise that many Americans question the religious beliefs of President Obama. One only needs to look at his approach to foreign policy and his attitude toward the American way of life to find that it is consistent with the anti-American sentiment that is so prevalent among many Muslims. “Is Obama a Muslim?” Headlines ask. Is the question appropriate? I believe it is. Obama has fueled this question by bowing to foreign Muslim leaders, apologizing to dictators for America’s “arrogance,” dhimmitude in the healthcare bill, and his refusal to answer questions truthfully regarding...

Recently Mr. Obama attended an event in New Mexico where a supporter asked him a question about his faith. Mr. Obama answered; he wants to be clear after all. ... Sorry, but the more he opens his mouth and speaks about his faith, the more I am convinced that he is either a deluded fool, or an outright liar. If he truly does believe he’s a Christian, the beliefs he’s been taught run contrary to what I know of orthodox Christian beliefs – more so, what someone who professes to be a Christian would say when asked/pressed about their faith....

For 27 years I have had the opportunity to visit vast and varied regions of the world because of my employment with an airline. I can travel virtually free anywhere my airline goes, and practically free on most other carriers because of generous reciprocal agreements. This perk has afforded me the opportunity to be an ambassador for my country and my "peculiar" state. No matter where in the world I go, when people ask me where I come from and I tell them Utah, the next words out of their mouths are almost always the same: "So you must be...

When Rupert Dickinson, the chief executive of one of Britain's biggest property firms, left his BlackBerry behind in London while on a business trip to Ireland, he simply ordered one of his staff to get on a plane and deliver the device to him. For Dickinson's then head of sustainability, Tim Nicholson, the errand was much more than an executive indulgence: it embodied the contempt with which his boss treated his deep philosophical beliefs about climate change. In a significant decision today , a judge found Nicholson's views on the environment were so deeply held that they were entitled to...

Some Muslims have refused to use alcohol-based hand gels to combat the spread of swine flu because they claim it is against their religion. Some of those employed by St Albans Council in Hertfordshire have complained about the antibacterial lotion, which is considered a key strategy in containing the virus.

Some Muslims have refused to use alcohol-based hand gels to combat the spread of swine flu because they claim it is against their religion. Some of those employed by St Albans Council in Hertfordshire have complained about the antibacterial lotion, which is considered a key strategy in containing the virus. Officials were concerned because the Koran bans Muslims from consuming alcohol, so council chiefs issued them with non-alcohol hand gels, which studies have shown to be less effective Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1202192/Muslims-refuse-use-alcohol-based-hand-gels-religious-beliefs.html#ixzz0MNMBGcS7

To start of the caucus threads I thought I would do one addressing what Adventists believe since other threads had talked about it and debated it. This thread I believe will stay in caucus rules as it in no way will contrast SDA views with other religions but only state our views. If some one wants to debate a view then they can start an open thread on that one view and see who is interested in the debate.

Physicians oppose Obama's plan to gut 'conscience' rule Pro-life physicians, nurses and other health care providers are urging Americans to contact the White House by the end of tomorrow to urge tolerance for those who do not want to provide medical services that violate their religious beliefs.

For example, Dr Eugenie Scott of the staunchly anticreationist National Center for Science Education (NCSE) revealed their agenda when she said: “ … I would describe myself as a humanist or a nontheist. I have found that the most effective allies for evolution are people of the faith community. One clergyman with a backward collar is worth two biologists at a school board meeting any day! … What we [such clergy and atheists] have in common is that we want to see evolution taught in the public schools … .”4

Kicking someone while they're down has long been considered bad form - except in politics. Republicans have fallen on hard times of late, trailing Democrats in party identification by 9 points, 27% to 36%, the widest margin in many years. President Bush suffers record low approval ratings (but then, so does Congress), and the GOP's election prospects look less than rosy.

Mitt Romney responds to the personal attacks that have been made on him. It's a fantastic answer, IMHO. Check it out. View the video here.

LONDON, June 9 A British teaching assistant is suing an elementary school in London after being disciplined for refusing to listen to a child read a "Harry Potter" book. Sariya Allen told a tribunal she resigned from her post at Durand Primary School after being suspended for "her obstructive conduct over time," the Daily Mail reported Saturday. Allen claims she was "harassed, humiliated and discriminated" against because of her religious beliefs. Her last alleged act of "obstructive conduct" before resigning in 2006 was refusing to listen to a 7-year-old girl read a "Harry Potter" book because she said it was...

President James E. Faust Second Counselor in the First Presidency If we can find forgiveness in our hearts for those who have caused us hurt and injury, we will rise to a higher level of self-esteem and well-being. President James E. FaustMy dear brothers and sisters and friends, I come before you humbly and prayerfully. I wish to speak on the healing power of forgiveness. In the beautiful hills of Pennsylvania, a devout group of Christian people live a simple life without automobiles, electricity, or modern machinery. They work hard and live quiet, peaceful lives separate from the world. Most...

1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. 2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression. 3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. 4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of...

Elder Bruce R. McConkie Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles I feel, and the Spirit seems to accord, that the most important doctrine I can declare, and the most powerful testimony I can bear, is of the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. His atonement is the most transcendent event that ever has or ever will occur from Creation’s dawn through all the ages of a never-ending eternity. It is the supreme act of goodness and grace that only a god could perform. Through it, all of the terms and conditions of the Father’s eternal plan of salvation...

 Doctrinal Concordance of the Bibleby Sebastian R. Fama The ChurchMatthew 16:18 - Jesus established and protects His ChurchMatthew 28:20 - Jesus promises to be with His Church alwaysJohn 16:13 - The Holy Spirit guides the Church into all truth1 Timothy 3:15 - The Church (not the Bible) is the pillar and foundation of truthMatthew 18:17-18 - If someone refuses to listen to the Church cast him outMatthew 28:18-20 - The Churches authority is Jesus' authority1 John 4:6 - Anyone who knows God listens to the ChurchLuke 10:16 - He who rejects the Church rejects ChristMatthew 16:19 - The Church has...