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Have you heard the one about a judge who ordered a divorced couple to keep their child away from their shared religion?

The FBI has announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the identification/arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for three cross burnings that occurred on May 25,2005, in Durham. The $5/000 is being offered in addition to a $10,000 reward offered by Governor Easley and a $1,000 reward offered by the Durham People's Alliance, The FBI is investigating this matter jointly with the Durham Police Department and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

Anyone with information should call the FBI (704) 377-9200; North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation,(919) 662-4500; or Durham Police Department Crimestoppers, (919) 683-1200.

Can this really work -- are we going to be OK with tax money going to organizations that can discriminate based on faith?

Here's the scenario: The White House is enlisting black conservative pastors in an effort to get a faith-based bill passed, which would allow charities to discriminate based on a job applicant's religious beliefs. Current law forbid religious charities from receiving federal funding if they engage in discrimination.

For example, a Catholic organization receiving federal funding whould be able to hire only Catholics and Muslim organizations whould be able to receive funding while requiring employees to hold to an Islamic code of beliefs, reports Beliefnet.com.

Check out the discussion on the Bible as literature:

"The ACLU and liberal media have blanketed the public with so much propaganda and disinformation on this topic that most teachers are afraid they will lose their jobs if they even mention the Bible in historical context to their classes. This is, of course, just what the ACLU wants educators to believe—even though it is a lie."

I guess this is what's meant by 'good can sometimes come out of bad.'

My colleague Mike Fuchs does an awesome job with his bargain blog -- helping us find great deals we might otherwise overlook.

But check this out: I was in line at Wal Mart, taking back a wooden rack, when I noticed the guy beside me trying to bring back this oversized box of frozen lasagna. I thought maybe he had discovered a problem with the food item -- but no. He had purchased too many for a get-together at his house and was returning it a day later. Now, I had to ask...so what happens to it now? The cashier said it had to be thrown away. The policy, apparently, is to accept food items back within three days of purchase.

Now, I'm all for a bargain, but wasn't that pathetic? He could have put it in the freezer or given it to the homeless shelter (with a receipt and an unopened box, I'm thinking a shelter might have accepted it). I mean, come on, is this what the return line is really for?

OK, I just had to get that off my chest (Same thing for the able-bodied guy in the minivan who unloaded his purchases and his child from his cart at Kmart and wouldn't walk three car spaces to the cart return, instead leaving the cart it in the middle of a parking space, where it could easily roll toward the car parked in the next stall; no, he didn't have to leave the child alone, his wife was driving).

This month, Rev. Cean James was set to succeed the Rev. William H. Gray III as pastor of Bright Hope Baptist Church, a legendary church in Philadelphia which boasts more than 2,500 members. However, James had to step aside when it was discovered that he had lied about obtaining three degrees, reports blackamericaweb.com. And, in a few weeks, New Jersey developer Zygmunt Wilf will officially become majority owner of the Minnesota Vikings, a position Arizona businessman Reggie Fowler had all but locked up earlier this year until questions arose about his official bio.

Each lied on his resume, but were considered exceptional in their prospective fields. How much weight should a "little white lie" hold?

Here's what "Logie" wrote

"I listened closely to Bishop Spong, In fact, I sat directly in front of him and checked his tonsils I was so close. However, I found in his presentation his truth and the necessity of his interpretation of the gospel. If people are having trouble with Spong,it's probably because of his interpretation and the song of his journey through the valley of the shadow of death. Besides,interpretation is everything isnt it! Or is it? I couldn't argue with his journey because my own is so radically different from all of main stream christianity's current views.

"I'm an African American raised on the story's of Ham and Haggar, Sin and guilt, hell and heaven, Jesus and King, Harriet Tubman and Grandma. Much of it traditionally informed through a western cultural lense and the experience of slavery in Colonial America. However, several years ago I underwent a serious process of dehunkification and my spiritual views as well as the origin of my religious myths and stories shifted.

"I still believe in God and Jesus, I just changed my orientation toward the interpretations I had been given. I believe that God has changed my name and my song, just as he did with Moses in chapter 6 of Exodus and as he apparently has done with Spong. It is also in Exodus that I find much of my true relationship to both God and Western cultural tradition.

Abandoned by his family, faith and community, Gideon Barlow arrived here an orphan from another world.

There was a scientology kiosk on the set of Tom Cruise's upcoming release, The War of the Worlds. He is telling interviewers that new girlfriend Katie Holmes digs it, too. Critics call it a cult. Scientology is back on the front burner, but is it taking hold around here? I couldn't find a single church listed in the telephone book.

So, was that the right verdict?

A special mass will be given at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church Wednesday morning, featuring Bishop Alex Dias of one of the most devastated regions of last year’s tsunami, which killed more than 176,000 people in 10 countries, most in Indonesia. Dias is from Port Blair, India.
The church and its school held a fundraiser that collected thousands of dollars for the region with the community’s help.
The mass is 8:45 a.m., with a reception at 9:30 a.m., at the church and its education building, which is located at 2205 W. Market St. (corner of Chapman and Market). The public is invited.

"The public may have only his word on the findings"

Apparently there's not going to be an independent investigation, Chief Wray says. Can any leader just say 'trust me' anymore?

Here's the history...

"There's been some very questionable discipline of African American officers," said William Hill, lawyer for the 410-member association.

Should there be an independent investigation of what's going on here?

She cost the city and the police a lot of money, she outright lied to the family searchng for her. And this is what she gets?

Gov. Jeb Bush asked a prosecutor Friday to investigate why Terri Schiavo collapsed 15 years ago, calling into question how long it took her husband to call 911 after he found her.
Is this Jeb Bush's payback to all those who prayed outside Schiavo's Hospice or is it a kind of justice for Terri?

Almost a third of Southern Baptist churches reported no baptisms in 2003, the latest date for which there are figures. Baptisms signify conversion to the faith. Members of the Southern Baptist Convention, whose upcoming meeting is Tuesday and Wednesday in Nashville, say Southern Baptists apparently aren't sharing their faith with others or inviting them to their churches. Southern Baptists make up one of the largest Christian denominations in the country.

Here's a great way to keep up with the goings at the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville this week. Biblical Recorder Editor Tony Cartledge is blogging on the convention. He has posted an entry on those blogging the SBC.

"If everybody with HIV who works in the food service industry didn't show up for work tomorrow, America would starve," she said.

Hey Nancy, let me tell you what happened Saturday.

About 7 p.m., I decided to get a pedicure. Late - as usual - I know.

I went to T.J. Nails, next to Harris Teeter on Randleman Road. A woman from my church had recommended that place to me.

Anyway, I was seated next to a woman who goes to Mt. Zion. I think her name was Candy or Candice or something like that.

Real friendly woman – and a woman who looked so much younger than she said she was. She had on braces.

They were working with her when I got there and she left shortly after they had started with me. Now, get this. When she left, she paid for my pedicure!!!!

Can you believe that?

My co-worker Eric Collins broke a story that's gaining national attention, as Muslims ask whether the Quran, their holy book, can be used in place of the Bible as those who testify promise to tell the truth. Should the use of the Quran be used for oaths in court? If not, why not? I think the Bible was initially chosen because it was considered a holy book for one group.

If the Southern Baptist boycott of Disney World has kept you away, pack your bags: It's over.

What do you make of a Supreme Court ruling that makes it constitutionally permissible to display the Ten Commandments on the grounds of the Texas capitol but a violation of separation of church and state to place them in Kentucky courthouses?

OK. I wrote this Sunday piece playing off the ‘pastor’s wife’ stereotype and how many pastor wives work and how their role has shifted.

I got several responses asking why I didn't include men: "I read with interest your article in the June 26th edition of the New and Record concerning the new vision for the wives of pastors. I am an ordained Presbyterian minster with a pastor's husband. It seemed to me that given the large number of clergy women that I am aware of in the Triad, that the new vision of pastoral spouses should also include husbands."

I wasn't trying to exclusive, I was just playing off the stereotype, while the "When the pastor's spouse is a he" is a whole other story. Did I blow it? I'd love to hear from male spouses about what it's like to be the pastor's spouse.

Young adult books aimed at the teen and pre-teen market are selling well compared to books aimed at the adult market. Our kids are reading.

The other news: Youth sizzlers include "Rainbow Party," a book that
has generated a lot of buzz. It's about a high school sophomore who plans an oral sex party.

The president of Simon & Schuster's children's division told The Wall Street Journal that the book teaches children about the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.

There's lots more.

I'm on vacation starting July 1.
Just thought I'd leave you a few interesting things to blog on. Do me a favor in the interim -- What's going on in your faith community? Send your suggestions to nmclaughlin@news-record.com.

Here goes:

The preacher loves rock'n'roll. Check out this website and if you haven't found a church or you are looking for something different, this might be it.
Check out the 'pastor's robe.'

I love the Top 10 Reasons to Check out FaithWalk....

10. You won't have to hold up a heavy hymnal so your hands will be free for clapping or holding your coffee from our really cool coffee bar. Have a cup or two or three before, during, and after the service!

What's awesome/different about your temple, mosque or house of worship?

I'm on vacation starting July 1.
Just thought I'd leave you a few interesting things to blog on. Do me a favor in the interim -- What's going on in your faith community? Send your suggestions to nmclaughlin@news-record.com.

Is it child abuse to send a child to a camp that says it deals with homosexual conversion? Tennessee child protection authorities are investigating.

Love in Action in Memphis has been the site of daily protests since a blog entry allegedly by a 16-year-old boy claimed he was sent to the camp after he told his parents he was gay. Adults can choose to attend the camp. Parents can apparently ship there children there.

I'm on vacation starting July 1.
Just thought I'd leave you a few interesting things to blog on. Do me a favor in the interim -- What's going on in your faith community? Send your suggestions to nmclaughlin@news-record.com.

In the days after a fire nearly destroyed my home last July, I found a plain white envelope on my desk at work with five crisp $20 bills inside. There was no note. Someone had seen a co-worker, Robyn, drop it off. I tracked her down.

She said her parents, who I had never met, had given her the envelope but wanted to remain anonymous. She was firm (although I did get her to pass along a 'thank you' note).

I never got the chance to meet Doris Nelle Hodgin Newton, my co-worker's mother, who died Sunday. I didn't even know her last name until I found it in the obituary.

What's in the news today that you want to talk about?