http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/religion-forum/ en-us Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:46:17 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051413/posts Focus on His Freedom Today's Scripture “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (II Corinthians 3:17). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria All throughout the scriptures, God’s mission was to bring freedom, life, and blessing to those who followed Him. When Jesus walked the earth, He went around doing good and bringing healing; setting people free. If you feel overwhelmed by the pressures of the world today, remember, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom! When you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, He makes His home on the inside of... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051413/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:46:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051377/posts More than 50 dissident Catholic groups from around the world have written an open letter asking Pope Benedict XVI to lift the church's ban on birth control. Taking a half-page ad in the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, the groups said Friday that the Church's ban on artificial birth control has had "catastrophic effects," particularly in the fight against AIDS. The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said the accusation was "clearly unfounded" and insisted the Church is active in combating AIDS. The groups published their appeal on the 40th anniversary of the 1968 encyclical "Humanae Vitae" ("On Human Life")... townhall.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051377/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:49:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051376/posts Pope Benedict receives PM Nouri Al-Maliki Vatican City, Jul 25, 2008 / 10:31 am (CNA).- Today at Castelgandolfo, the Holy Father met with Prime Minister of Iraq Nouri Kamel Al-Maliki.  During the course of their meeting, Pope Benedict stressed the need to end violence in the country, and received an invitation to visit Iraq. According to a press release from the Vatican, their discussion, “provided an opportunity to examine a number of fundamental aspects of the situation in Iraq,” and its surrounding region.The heads of stated focused on the struggles of the “many Iraqi refugees, both inside and outside... CNA http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051376/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:48:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051370/posts Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi Vatican City, Jul 25, 2008 / 12:09 pm (CNA).- It is “paid propaganda to promote the use of contraceptives” said Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi today as he harshly criticized an "open letter to the Pope," which was run as a paid advertisement in the Italian newspaper "Corriere della Sera". The ad was signed by several "Catholic" organizations that are using the 40th anniversary of Humanae Vitae to criticize the Church’s teaching. “First and foremost,” said Fr. Lombardi, “the authors are a part of a number of groups that are well known for their... CNA http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051370/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:42:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051341/posts Elder Neal A. MaxwellOf the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Granted, brothers and sisters, the world is "in commotion," but the kingdom is in forward motion as never before! (see D&C 88:91; 45:26). Its distinctiveness is being more sharply defined by adverse trends in the world, where traditional values are not fastened down by the rivets of the Restoration. They are sliding swiftly (see D&C 105:31). The results are contradictory mixtures, such as boredom and violence. Some simply exist, "having no hope, and without God in the world" (Eph. 2:12; see also Alma 41:11). The trek of modern discipleship... The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051341/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:57:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051267/posts For this I sadly tip my biretta to Ten Reasons  o{]:¬(I want you to read this in light of certain entries on this blog about the whole ghastly wymynpriest thing (except for what "that blonde" had to say, of course. Father Joan In June of this year, Bishop Matthew Clark of Rochester appointed the notorious dissenter Sister Joan Sobala as pastoral administrator, i.e., de facto priestess, over the tradition-friendly St. Anne Church. The Women’s Ordination Conference calls her a person "key to the survival and success of the movement for women’s ordination." A now former parishioner shares her account of... WDTPRS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051267/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:49:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051259/posts America has been greatly blessed by God and has stood as the greatest country in the history of the world for over 200 years. America has many foreign and domestic enemies that are seeking her destruction. This thread is a daily call and reminder for people of faith who believe in God and in the power of prayer to make a commitment to intercede for America at this critical time in her history 2 Chronicles 7:14If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051259/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:42:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051244/posts ...by Mary Eberstadt,  a research fellow at the Hoover Institution, is a great article in the August/September issue of First Things and is available online. I'll get you started: That Humanae Vitae and related Catholic teachings about sexual morality are laughingstocks in all the best places is not exactly news. Even in the benighted precincts of believers, where information from the outside world is known to travel exceedingly slowly, everybody grasps that this is one doctrine the world loves to hate. During Benedict XVI’s April visit to the United States, hardly a story in the secular press failed to mention... Insight Scoop http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051244/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:19:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051236/posts One year after the release of the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, The Liturgical Institute at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois, announced that it has added a required 3-credit course on the history and spirituality of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite to its roster of classes. The Liturgical Institute was founded by Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago (left) in the year 2000. Though the primary emphasis of the Institute involves the reformed liturgical books, this course comes in response to the call of Pope Benedict for freer study and use of the... CMR http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051236/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:12:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051231/posts Just a Humble Public Servant As the Great Man triumphantly tours Europe... I'm reminded to lookin in on the Obamamessiah blog. They have been doing yeoman work compiling all the deranged messianic tributes to this god for the godless. I continue to be astonished at the towering humility of the Lightworker and his disciples. Here's just some of the press the Son of the Living God is getting (and is in no hurry to discourage): Barack Obama isn't really one of us. Not in the normal way, anyway. No, it's not merely his youthful vigor, or handsomeness, or even inspiring... Catholic and Enjoying It http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051231/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:58:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051223/posts Jimmy Akin Sez: P.Z. Myers Must Be Fired I agree. The man was free to say whatever demented stuff he liked on his blog. Solicitation for readers to steal and desecrate the Eucharist has crossed the line. Jimmy writes: Although he carried out his action. in his words, to support the idea that "Nothing must be held sacred" (also trashing a few pages of The God Delusion, a book with which he is in sympathy), he did not merely tell people that nothing must be held sacred. Nor did he argue for it. Claiming that nothing must be held... Catholic and Enjoying It http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051223/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:45:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051187/posts Mosques are multiplying across the country and their inspiration may come as a bit of a surprise – Christian megachurches. Similar to many megachurches, new mosques are popping up as extension campuses to a main mosque with the stated goal of making it more convenient for Muslims in an area to worship. These extended mosque sites are sometimes referred to as “mosque chains” and tend to be adopted by more progressive Muslim congregations. "Because of how streamlined we are, you can get off the highway from anywhere and find a mosque that is well-maintained, well-structured and that will always be... Christian Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051187/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:24:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051146/posts BEND — While you are reading this, I hope to back in the United States. I hope to have returned safely from Australia and I hope to have had a very positive and uplifting experience with the Holy Father in Sydney. I hope all of these things because, as of the time of this writing, I have not yet boarded the plane for the southern hemisphere. As the time for that embarkation nears I find that I am more and more hopeful and possibly even a little excited. While I do not travel well it has been my experience that... Catholic Sentinel (Oregon) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051146/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:06:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051138/posts Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - How different is the Lord's way of looking at the earth and its inhabitants, compared with our way which rarely sees beyond appearances! Conversion of heart means learning from Jesus to see things His way which is totally different from the way of the world. To follow Him means to look where He looks, to focus on what comes from His love rather than what comes from our own self-love, which is 'short sighted' by nature. Learning day by day from the Gospel means looking further than our own selfish limits, looking in the same... Agenzia Fides http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051138/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:53:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051117/posts It is finished. I wonder how many of our Catholic friends have heard of the Fourth Lateran Council of 1215? This is the event where many of their important dogmas were codified, including the ideas of Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus, that the Eucharist was the sacrament that only properly ordained priests of the Catholic church could give, and that the Jews were a pariah people, who could hold no public office, had to pay a special Jew tax for their right to exist, and were required to wear special clothing to distinguish them from Christians. The yellow badge marking the... Pharyngula http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051117/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:09:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051113/posts The Church: The Self-effacing Saint For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. --Philippians 2:20,21 In this day when shimmering personalities carry on the Lord's work after the methods of the entertainment world it is refreshing to associate for a moment even in the pages of a book with a sincere and humble man who keeps his own personality out of sight and places the emphasis upon the inworking of God. It is our belief that the evangelical movement will continue to... Literature Ministries International http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051113/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:03:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051108/posts     Holy Anointing by Henry Morris III, D.Min. "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things." (1 John 2:20)The word "unction" in our text is translated "anointing" the other two times it is used (1 John 2:27). That term, and a companion word, are used only seven times in the New Testament, but all refer to the same essential concept often spoken of in the Old Testament.Both things (tabernacle, temple, vessels, offerings) and people (priests, Levites, kings, ambassadors) were "anointed"--often ceremoniously--to identify them as consecrated or honored for a special service or... Intstitute for Creation Research http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051108/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:55:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051105/posts Pope Benedict XVI's refusal to address the European parliament for fear it is becoming "militantly secularist" initially struck me, a humanist MEP, a triumph of equality and rationality for the EU. But on deeper reflection, I think it's a cop-out of the grandest scale, setting a dangerous precedent for other cultural and religious leaders to "opt out" of EU proceedings if they are dissatisfied with their values and methods. By refusing to take part in the parliament's Year of Intercultural Dialogue, the pontiff is effectively holding the EU to ransom. Declining to speak to MEPs, giving the excuse of other... The Guardian http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051105/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:47:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051102/posts La Stampa July 22nd 2008 The Pope and Bush united by the same errors HANS KÃœNG Last April, Benedict XVI  celebrated his 81 years with George W. Bush at the White House. Odd: the Pope, ambassador of peace and truth who touches glasses with a war president who, even in the eyes of many Americans, dragged a great democracy into a war by means of lies and propaganda, with no apparent exit strategy. According to a recent survey, 80% of Americans are convinced that the US is “on the wrong track”. Hence the slogan for the current electoral campaign... What Does This Prayer Really Say http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051102/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:44:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051059/posts Am I Blessed Like This? " Blessed are . . . " —Matthew 5:3-11 When we first read the statements of Jesus, they seem wonderfully simple and unstartling, and they sink unnoticed into our subconscious minds. For instance, the Beatitudes initially seem to be merely soothing and beautiful precepts for overly spiritual and seemingly useless people, but of very little practical use in the rigid, fast-paced workdays of the world in which we live. We soon find, however, that the Beatitudes contain the "dynamite" of the Holy Spirit. And they "explode" when the circumstances of our lives cause them... My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers;1992) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051059/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:32:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051052/posts Spurgeon's Morning & Evening - July 25 -------------------------------- Morning Devotional "He left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out." - Genesis 39:12 In contending with certain sins there remains no mode of victory but by flight. The ancient naturalists wrote much of basilisks, whose eyes fascinated their victims and rendered them easy victims; so the mere gaze of wickedness puts us in solemn danger. He who would be safe from acts of evil must haste away from occasions of it. A covenant must be made with our eyes not even to look upon the cause of... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051052/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:40:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051050/posts THREE PROPHETIC PARALLELISMS CONCERNING ISRAEL. By Rev. JAMES C.SMITH, of Dufftown (At the Glasgow Conference, June, 1894.) To understand the the Old Testament you must understand Israel; to understand the New Testament you must study the Church. The great subject of the Bible is sin, and the great doctrine of the Bible is the putting away of sin by the grace of God. All other subjects fall under this great line of study. If the Bible casts its teaching in any special form or mould more than another, it is in the form of parallelism, and this is one of... Things To Come -- A Journal of Biblical Literature http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051050/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:37:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051018/posts God has recently given us the opportunity to discuss some theological issues with other Christians who believe differently than we do on a number of points, most notably the doctrines of grace. In such a circumstance, given the overwhelming supply of scriptural evidence that comes to bear on the topic, it seemed to me that the best approach would be a simple categorized scripture list: the fact that the entire paper would be scriptures, with the exception of a few brief explanatory notes, would underscore the truth that this is God's own word and teaching; and the fact that it... Monergism.Com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051018/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:19:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051014/posts extra ecclesiam nulla salus Latin, “outside the church, no salvation” This phrase has a long theological history, being coined by Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, in third century, but its meaning today is debated among scholars. While it expressed the belief that the church is necessary for salvation, this does not speak to the issues raised by the multiple divisions within the church that followed through the middle ages and into the Reformation and what is mean, in light of such, by the word “church.” All traditions of Christianity, Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox, can claim this phrase as substantially correct, but... TWOTD http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051014/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:04:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050993/posts The son of beloved evangelist and pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California was killed this morning in an automobile accident. Christopher Laurie was 33 years old and worked in his father’s ministry. Read more of the story below and see photos and a video. RightPundits.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050993/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:51:30 GMT