http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/religion/ en-us Wed, 30 Dec 2009 06:19:57 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2417460/posts Tonight was an interesting night at Bible study. Our discussion was about how God wants us to Pray and treat those in Authority over us. We basically talked about how it is counterproductive for the Church to be at odds with civil Government. God has given the church spiritual authority, and the Government civil authority (Romans 13:1-8). Romans 13:1-8 Submission to the Authorities 1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling... MyFreePress http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2417460/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 06:19:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417069/posts Poll: Pew and Pulpit Disagree on Immigration Zogby Survey Finds Religious Leaders and Members at Odds WASHINGTON (December 29, 2009) - In contrast to many national religious leaders who are lobbying for increases in immigration, a new Zogby poll of likely voters who belong to the same religious communities finds strong support for reducing overall immigration. Moreover, members strongly disagree with their leaders’ contention that more immigrant workers need to be allowed into the country. Also, most parishioners and congregants prefer more enforcement to cause illegal workers to go home, rather than legalization of illegal immigrants, which most religious leaders... Center for Immigration Studies http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417069/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:26:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2416962/posts What has been the big holdup in the Obamas finding a church? It isn't like there aren't any in Washington. Pick one! The Right Stuff http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2416962/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:28:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416408/posts It went almost unnoticed, but on December 5th, Benedict XVI articulated one of the most stinging rebukes that has ever been made by a pope of a particular theological school. Addressing a group of Brazilian bishops, Benedict followed some mild comments about Catholic education with some very sharp and deeply critical remarks about liberation theology and its effects upon the Catholic Church.Apart from stressing how certain liberation theologians drew heavily upon Marxist concepts, the pope also described these ideas as “deceitful.” This is very strong language for a pope. But Benedict then underscored the damage that liberation theology did to... CE http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416408/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:33:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2416365/posts Time Magazine reported that President Obama and his family didn't attend a church service this Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. He is, to my knowledge, the first president to skip a Christmas Eve service for a long, long time. But, while it is interesting to note that Obama is quite unchurched in a position where profession of the Christian faith has been nearly of a piece with the office, his skipping church -- again -- shouldn't surprise anyone. Obama is not really much of a Christian after all. Time notes that Obama has only attended church three times in the... Publius Forum http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2416365/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:32:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415422/posts A Michigan man who was aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253 says he witnessed Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab trying to board the plane in Amsterdam without a passport, and believes at least one other person from the flight was arrested on Friday at Detroit Metro Airport. Kurt Haskell of Newport, Mich., who posted an earlier comment about his experience, talked exclusively with MLive.com and confirmed he was on the flight by sending a picture of his boarding pass. He and his wife, Lori, were returning from a safari in Uganda when they boarded the NWA flight on Friday. Kurt HaskellLori and... mlive.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415422/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:55:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415319/posts Father reported him to US Authorities six months ago The young man, who yesterday night attempted to ignite an explosive device aboard a Delta Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, Michigan in the United States has been identified as Abdul Farouk Umar Abdulmutallab, the 23-year-old son of Alhaji Umaru Mutallab, former First Bank chairman. Mutallab, a former minister and prominent banker recently retired from the bank's board. The older Mutallab, as at the time of filing this report, had just left his Katsina hometown for Abuja to speak with security agencies, family sources say. According to the family members, Mutallab... This Day http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415319/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 15:45:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415206/posts Mariah Jordat, 8, was reading her Bible during quiet time at Madison Park Elementary School in Oldbridge, N.J., when her teacher told her to put the book away. Mariah put her Bible under her desk, but that wasn't away enough. The teacher banished the book to the student's backpack. The persecution hurt her feelings and confused her, said Michelle Jordat, the little girl's mother. "Why would my teacher say that I can't read the Bible when I'm not bothering anybody else?" It's ridiculous for a school to forbid a child, let alone one at such an impressionable age, to read... The Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415206/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 05:43:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415127/posts Which of the 50 states has the most religious population? Since there are many ways to define "religious," there is no single answer to this question. But to give a sense of how the states stack up, the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life used polling data to rank them on four measures: the importance of religion in people's lives, frequency of attendance at worship services, frequency of prayer and absolute certainty of belief in God. Mississippi stands out on all four, and several other Southern states also rank very high on the measures. Pew Forum http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415127/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 00:17:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2415017/posts During this season let's not forget the true meaning of Christmas. Below is the story of baby Jesus. Much like today Jesus was born during a time of great political turmoil, yet the birth of Jesus brought much hope. Remember, God has a plan and has control over all, we will make it through these times and only God can show us the path. Hope you enjoy the story, and hope you and your family are having a Merry Christmas. The Birth of Jesus Christmas Story - Paraphrased from the Bible: This Christmas story gives a biblical account of the... MyFreePress http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2415017/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:59:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414698/posts Woman Knocks Down Pope At Christmas Mass Alex Watts, Sky News Online A woman has been arrested after jumping over barriers and knocking down the Pope at Christmas Eve Mass. Pope Benedict Pope Benedict XVI was attacked as he walked down the main aisle to begin the service at St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Vatican spokesman Ciro Benedettini said the 82-year-old quickly got to his feet and was unhurt. Benedict calmly resumed his walk to the Basilica's main altar and then began the Mass. Sky News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414698/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 22:10:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414583/posts From a long-sealed cave tomb, archaeologists have excavated the only known Jesus-era burial shroud in Jerusalem, a new study says. The discovery adds to evidence that the controversial Shroud of Turin did not wrap the body of Christ, researchers say. [ snip ] The weave of the Tomb of the Shroud fabric, the new study says, casts further doubt on the Shroud of Turin as Jesus' burial cloth. The newfound shroud was something of a patchwork of simply woven linen and wool textiles, the study found. The Shroud of Turin, by contrast, is made of a single textile woven in... National Geographic http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414583/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:28:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414503/posts The Senate vote on final passage of health reform almost scuttled their plans, but it looks like the First Family will still make it to Hawaii for Christmas. They've had a whirlwind holiday season so far, starting with the lighting of the National Christmas Tree, through hosting more than 50,000 people for 27 parties and open houses, and ending with a visit by the First Lady, Malia and Sasha, and the family's dog Bo, to deliver cookies to the Children's National Medical Center. The Obamas have also started their own holiday traditions in their new home, adding a Christmas wishing... Time http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414503/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:56:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414060/posts [Chuckles @ LGF] Johnson’s comment seems to me radically unfair. Pawlenty is a model of sensible modern conservatism. His answers to Newsweek’s barbed questions indicate an instinct for practical compromise, even as he eschews any personal support for creationism. That said, the interview – and Johnson’s reaction – bespeak a religious problem for Pawlenty that will require much tact on his part and that of his campaign team. Pawlenty now attends an evangelical church, but he was born and raised a Roman Catholic. He changed denominations at marriage, accepting his wife’s evangelical faith. Without pretending any insight into the souls... Frum Forum http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414060/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:36:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413760/posts Wednesday, December 23, 2009 Why Does Interpol Need Immunity from American Law?   [Andy McCarthy] You just can't make up how brazen this crowd is. One week ago, President Obama quietly signed an executive order that makes an international police force immune from the restraints of American law.Interpol is the shorthand for the International Criminal Police Organization. It was established in 1923 and operates in about 188 countries. By executive order 12425, issued in 1983, President Reagan recognized Interpol as an international organization and gave it some of the privileges and immunities customarily extended to foreign diplomats. Interpol, however, is also... National Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413760/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:45:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413838/posts SAN FRANCISCO — It was the week before Christmas when Irv Sutley, a former warehouse worker, first saw the offending ornament in a government building in Sonoma County, just north of here. “I was turning around in the lobby, and I noticed the tree,” Mr. Sutley said. “And then, I noticed the angel.” Mr. Sutley, an atheist, said he then went to the office of the county Board of Supervisors. “And there was a star,” he said. Technically, neither stars nor angels belong to any particular religion. But to the mind of Mr. Sutley, 65, a veteran who has fought... El Paso Inc http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413838/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:10:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413797/posts There's no place for angels atop Christmas trees, according to one California man who successfully lobbied for the removal of religious symbols at county buildings after spotting a yuletide decoration last week. Stars and other religious emblems were ordered removed from Christmas trees in all government buildings in Sonoma County on Monday following a complaint by Irv Sutley, a disabled 65-year-old Marine veteran who said the symbols were "extremely offensive" and part of the "cult" of Christianity. Sutley said he filed the complaint with acting County Administrator Chris Thomas on Dec. 18 after noticing an angel atop a six-foot tree... Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413797/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:26:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2413480/posts LONDON, A London scientist has authored a paper arguing angels as classically depicted, mostly-human forms with wings, would be unable to fly. Professor Roger Wotton of University College London wrote in his paper, which was published by the school's Opticon magazine, that human-appearing angels with feathered bird-like wings would not be able to use the wings for flight, The Daily Telegraph reported Tuesday. "Even a cursory examination of the evidence in representational arts shows that angels and cherubs cannot take off and cannot use powered flight," Wotton wrote. "And even if they used gliding flight, they would need to be... upi http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2413480/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:30:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413161/posts LEBANON — “Silent Night” was not on the program at Pioneer School’s concert Tuesday, but it was sung anyway — by the audience after the kids were done. Shortly after the children started rehearsals this fall, Principal Mark Finch had scratched the number after a parent complained that the carol’s emphasis was “too single-religion.” Superintendent Rob Hess, in attendance Tuesday, said he didn’t see who started the carol but thought approximately 100 of the more than 700 people in the audience joined in. Sam Long, a Pioneer volunteer and the grandmother of a Pioneer student, said the only reaction following... Democrat Herald http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413161/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:44:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2412833/posts Gay unions and homosexuality is a perversion of natural law and of the institutions that bond men, woman, family, and society together in a positive functioning unit that nations are built upon. These delicate God given bonds enable a nation of people to unite and stand up for the good of the nation against those who wish to impose their will, choices, and life-styles on the nation in order to corrupt it, control it, or destroy it. People who wish to undermine, control, or destroy the social bonds that hold a nation together in peace, love, truth, and harmony (as... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2412833/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:56:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2412338/posts Bogus: ‘Case Western’ Blogger Falsifies Protest Bethany Stotts, December 21, 2009 Blogger “Norman Novus,” who claims to be a Case Western Reserve University Ph.D. candidate, wrote on December 18 that “a group of Cleveland’s less cerebrally engaged have take to protesting outside my research suite at Case.” But at least one of his photos is ripped off Getty Images. “For the past week, a group of Cleveland’s less cerebrally engaged have taken to protesting outside my research suite at Case. (I can hear them once in a while from where I’m sitting and writing this.) It’s been a mix of... AIA-FL Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2412338/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:52:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2412275/posts Their fingers bleed. If they don’t see through their day’s quota — 5,000 bulbs, they are beaten. The next day they report to duty under guards’ eyes. They thread the fine wire through plastic frames for Christmas lights to be strung for selling around the world. But their Christmas celebration is confined to being imprisoned. Their crime? Preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. This past year, 600 pastors alone were put behind Chinese bars. Their families? Left to fend for themselves. CanadaFreePress http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2412275/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:07:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2411937/posts Something I wrote, based on personal experience. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2411937/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:01:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411399/posts The first blow has been struck against the encroaching tyranny of the European Union and it is a significant one. In fact, one member state has defiantly drawn a line in the sand and signalled that it will not tolerate erosion of its sovereignty. Although it attracted little attention when it was published last month, now that commentators have had an opportunity to analyse Sentenza N. 311 by the Italian Constitutional Court, its monumental significance in rolling back the Lisbon Treaty is now being appreciated. (Hat tip, as they say, to Dr Piero Tozzi.) The Constitutional Court ruled baldly that,... Telegraph..co.uk http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411399/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:02:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410196/posts FYI, The NASA press release below refers to 'holiday' or 'seasons' greetings six times. No mention of Christmas, of course. [comment deleted]! In a bizarre historical turnabout, religious activity on the space station has now become almost entirely dominated by the Russians. They fly icons blessed by priests (http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=6673) Photos: http://hochu.vkosmos.ru/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/ikona.jpeg and http://www.svet-valaama.ru/photoalbom/2006_05_icon_from_space/2006_05_icon_from_space_01.jpg Also http://www.interfax-religion.ru/img/2308.jpg I haven't seen anything remotely similar from the American side. What have I missed? For the next manned launch this Sunday, also expect Russian Orthodox priests from the newly-built church in Baykonur (news story: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10729300) to bless the rocket and the crew. File photo: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mp59h1-TVgE/SsKiot99hvI/AAAAAAAAAnA/1QV6t9vIfrs/s400/Best+Soyuz+Bless.jpg... e-mail http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410196/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 06:32:29 GMT