Welcome to the Front Pew, our blog on faith, religion and matters of the spirit. We're having some technical difficulties that I hope will be resolved Monday by someone who knows the difference between blasphemy and a blog. Please come back then!
The purpose of this blog is to foster community discussions on issues involving faith, whether they be national or local, serious or light-hearted. Let's talk about the issues that tear us apart, but also those that bind us together. Join in and share what's on your mind.
Here's my question to get us started. Tsunami in Indonesia. "Monster" snow in the Northeast. Rain and mudslides in California. Is the book of Revelation being fulfilled?
(On the other hand, it was mild today compared with what was predicted.)
I believe in the power of prayer...so, too, must Lyle Shackelford, a soldier in Iraq whose unit is preparing to take part in this month's elections in Iraq. Already, insurgents have called on violent means to disrupt voting. I got this e-mail from Frank Moore at First Lutheran Church. He, and I, usually won't forward such e-mail. Who knows if Lyle Shackelford is even real? But I bet there are soldiers with similar sentiment. Besides, what the email asks for won't cost any of us a dime:
As a transportation battalion, my unit will be delivering the voting machines and the ballots to villages and cities throughout Iraq during the upcoming elections. (January 30/31) Our convoys are prime targets for the insurgents because they do not want the equipment to arrive at the polling stations nor do they want the local Iraqi citizens to have the chance to vote; timely delivery must occur so that the elections occur. Encourage your friends and family members and those within our churches to pray specifically for the electoral process.
Historically, the previous totalitarian regime would not allow individual citizens to vote.
When I first moved to Greensboro, I often found solace and inspiration in the sanctuary of St. James Baptist Church. The pastor, who spoke to my heart, also spoke to my consciousness.
The Rev. Prince Edward Graves, who died Jan. 15, at the age of 83, shattered stereotypes of what a preacher should be and say.
"If the gospel is going to be relevant," he often said, quoting theologian Karl Barth, "then I've got to have a Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. I hope the church will never get so heavenly-minded that it does not earthy good."
Graves grew up in poverty. "You usually fight the things that pester you when you're young. Being plagued by it (poverty), I fight it now."
For decades his church doubled as a community social service agency.
At the funeral, the Rev. Howard Chubbs spoke lovingly of Graves being the most recent in a long line of civil rights heavyweights who have passed away.
Is there a next Prince Graves?
Some of my best friends -- Big Bird included -- are embroiled in controversy over a children's video which essentially says 'let's let me be me and you be you.'
The swastika, for recent generations, symbolizes hate and anti-Semitism because of Nazi atrocities.
But long before Hitler made it a symbol of death and murder, it was used for centuries as a symbol of good luck by the Hindus, Buddhists and other traditions. In other words, it was hijacked.
Those groups want to reclaim the 5,000-year-old symbol, which along with other Nazi symbols, are banned in Germany.
Am I the only one wondering if this is a bad idea?
Zondervan, the nation's largest Bible publisher, is busy defending itself on several fronts. Earlier this week Rolling Stone magazine, the so-called bible of rock'n'roll, reversed itself, agreeing to allow Zondervan to buy an advertisement.
The controversy over its "Today's New International Version" is just erupting. Some say the new translation, due in stores mid-February, does more than change words, it tampers with theology as words have different connotations.
In Today's International Version, Hebrews 12:7, reads:
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?
The King James Version reads:
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Critics say people know that the Bible is an ancient document. Paul Caminiti, president of Bible publishing for Zondervan tells USA Today: "When Jesus was on the Earth, he came to people's level. He didn't say, 'Come to my level.' "
James Dobson disparages SpongeBob.
Baptists boycott Disney World.
The United Church of Christ buys ads supporting gays and lesbians.
The Presbyterian Church (USA) divests from Israel in support of the Palestinians -- while boycotting Taco Bell.
The real divide in this country is looking less and less like it's between the church and unchurched and more and more like it's among different kinds of believers. There are those in the Presbyterian church, for example, who are disturbed by the increasing radicalism since the 1960s, and those who want the church to be a voice.
What is the role of a house of worship in American life -- is it more than study of the Bible, the Qu'aran or the Torah? When should people of faith get angry?
Interesting discussion on the National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools at Ed Cone's.