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Pope Francis has approved a measure that will allow Roman Catholic priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples, under the condition that the blessing is not considered akin to marriage and while still labeling such relationships sinful. In a Declaration titled “Fiducia Supplicans” that was issued Monday, the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith provided “a broadening and enrichment of the classical understanding of blessings, which is closely linked to a liturgical perspective.” “It is precisely in this context that one can understand the possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples without officially validating their...

When Israel was attacked two weeks ago, Saul Teplitsky leaped into action, trying to help Israel from his home in the Bronx. Like many others, he donated money to emergency efforts at resupplying Israel. But like so many others, he felt that whatever he did was simply not enough. On Sunday, eight days after the horrific attack, Saul put out a Whatsapp message to his community calling on people to donate necessary items and received an overwhelming response. A young man in the community, the son of a friend, was traveling to Israel to serve in the IDF and Saul,...

Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) said Monday on MSNBC’s “Deadline” said that she believes it iwas a “blessing for the country” that Fox News and Tucker Carlson have ended their business relationship. Anchor Nicolle Wallace said, “Congresswoman, someone who was very skeptical of the body of work that the committee did was the 8:00 PM anchor at Fox News, Tucker Carlson he will not anchor that hour on Fox News ever again. Fox news has fired him your reaction.”

Praying daily since 2015: AMERICA Prayer Vigil … And this is the confidence we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His Will, He hears us.—1 John 5:14 Join with fellow FREEPERS to pray for AMERICA: For those in Authority in Government, Family, Military, Business, Healthcare, Education, Churches, and the Media. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone: for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ~ 1 Timothy 2:1-2 Religion Forum Threads labeled [Prayer]...

Eight years ago my eldest grand-daughter gave birth to twins. Today we learned that her sister is expecting twins, also! And if that's not enough, their cousin is expecting twins also. Additionally, another granddaughter and dranddaughter in law are expecting singletons. That's 6 new additions to the family are expected with a month of each other! Surely, God has blessed me with a very full quiver!! I'm so excited!

On Sunday, about 1,000 bikers rolled into Hollister for their motorcycles to be blessed on Palm Sunday. It’s a tradition hosted by the Top Hatters club and has been going strong for 29 years. “You want to get your bike blessed. You want be safe on the road, have the Lord protect you on your travels,” said Robert Poelker, Top Hatter club chairman. Bikers say it’s a day that’s not just a blessing for them but also for the community, bringing in some much-needed business. Bike event promoter, Bob Richards said, “It’s a blessing for businesses as well in this...

Join with fellow FREEPERS to pray for AMERICA: For those in Authority in Government, Family, Military, Business, Healthcare, Education, Churches, and the Media.I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone: for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ~ 1 Timothy 2:1-2Religion Forum threads labeled [Prayer] are closed to debate of any kind. Hanukkah 2021: November 29 – December 6. The Story of Hanukkah The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 (NIV)

Join with fellow FREEPERS across the world to pray for AMERICA: For those in Authority in Government, Family, Military, Business, Agri-Business, Healthcare, Education, Churches, Technology, and the Media. "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone: for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." (1 Timothy 2:1-2) Religion Forum threads labeled [Prayer] are closed to debate of any kind. "Finally, brothers, rejoice. Set things in order. Be encouraged. Agree with one another. Be at peace. And the God of love...

President Trump Participates in an Easter Blessing with Bishop Harry Jackson

Games reach an incredibly diverse set of people across national, linguistic, and social barriers, and that goes for religion, too. Last week, we noted that Ninja was taking meals off-screen out of respect for Ramadan, and it should be little surprise to see religious groups taking up residence inside virtual spaces. One Christian pastor now holds church in VRChat, and that even includes baptisms – no matter how ridiculous a person’s avatar. Pastor D.J. Soto is the subject of a new video from YouTuber Syrmor (via Polygon), and the whole process is equal parts earnest and absurd. Soto describes his...

**SNIP** Trump suggested the FBI investigation might even reveal who leaked an allegation of sexual assault against Kavanaugh by Ford and he hinted that it could be Feinstein. "I think frankly the FBI has a chance reveal a lot of different things," Trump said. "I'd like to find out who leaked the papers, was it Sen. Feinstein? Because certainly her body language was not exactly very good when they asked her that question, so I would like to find out, as part of it, who leaked the papers, which Democrats leaked the papers."

The small group of Protestant and Jewish clergy prayed for the abortionists: “May they always know that all that they do is for Thy glory.” There are times when something is said or done that is so distorted, so hideous, so sacrilegious that mere words cannot adequately convey its repulsiveness.

The 31-year-old mother of four made an announcement to family and friends on Facebook: She and her husband of four and a half years were expecting a fifth child. “We’re blessed,” wrote she. Most Christ followers believe an automatic blessing awaits mothers- and fathers-to-be, no matter the circumstances under which their newborns are brought into the world. But the Bible does not say that the actions of expectant parents can displease God, yet the arrival of their newborn guarantees the Almighty’s blessing. In fact, it teaches us the opposite – that God does not reward parents-to-be whose actions run contrary...

Asparagus is so venerated in Worcester that it has been blessed in a special ceremony in the city's cathedral. But the thanksgiving service celebrating the local crop has been criticised by other Anglicans who have called it "absurd". The bizarre Sunday evensong service was defended by the cathedral's Precentor, who said the vegetable was "a sign of the abundant provision and generosity of God".

Please stop acknowledging my bodily functions. "Bless you" is a phrase so reflexively spoken upon hearing a sneeze that many of us forgot or don't even know where it came from. It has obvious religious connotations but they're archaic and no longer make any sense in our modern-day world. You don't protect your friend from the devil when she coughs so please, let her sneeze in peace. Here are five reasons why "bless you" has to go. [Snip] 2. Religious political correctness. You never know who you're trying to bless and not everyone's going to be receptive of your random...

Instrumental video of Christmas, the real reason for the season, is Jesus Christ who died for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day and the all mighty, the Father of creation gave all power to His son Jesus, our Lord and Savior. The mandolin is played be me, o7jimmy.

A Prayer for the Internet from the 1946 Roman Ritual? Sure, and It’s Wonderful! Msgr. Charles Pope • November 28, 2016 • The old Roman Ritual (published in 1946) is a magnificent collection of blessings and prayers. It has some of the most amazing little blessings of things it would never occur to you to find in such a collection. Along with the blessings of expected objects (e.g., statues, religious medals) are blessings, often elaborately laid out, for things such as seismographs, typewriters, printing presses, fishing boats, fire engines, stables, medicine, wells, bridges, archives, lime kilns, automobiles, mountain-climbing equipment,...

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the...

How hath the LORD covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger! The LORD hath swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob, and hath not pitied: he hath thrown down in his wrath the strong holds of the daughter of Judah; he hath brought them down to the ground: he hath polluted the kingdom and the princes thereof. He hath cut off in his fierce anger all the horn of Israel: he hath drawn...

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.(Hebrews 11:20)The next part of the story of Jacob concerns the time when Isaac passed on the Patriarchal blessing. Isaac fully intended to pass it on to his favorite son, Esau, the outdoorsman,hunter, and profane bigamist who broke his parents heart by marrying two pagans! And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite: Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah.(Genesis 26:34-35)Isaac was old, infirm and blind, when...