News-Record.com

A lot has happened in the nearly two weeks I've been gone and there's LOTS to catch up on. Feel free to add any you think I should know about...it's hard reading the newspaper at the beach...:

Did Pope Benedict XVI really express concern the Harry Potter books "erode Christianity in the soul" of young people as a German writer says? I emailed the pope using the English email address, but it came back undeliverable. I'll try again.

Leaders of the United Church of Christ voted overwhelmingly in Atlanta last week to endorse same-sex civil marriage and encourage their local congregations to extend religious marriage to gay couples. The measure is non-binding but, as the Associated Baptist Press pointed out, the resolution is the first action fully supporting same-sex marriage by any major Christian denomination in the United States.
Several others, including the Southern Baptist Convention, have publicly opposed the practice.
Not soon after the UCC vote, one of its churches was set on fire, with graffiti calling members sinners.

A Maryland woman says she's only cashing in on reality -- many spouses cheat. Cathy Gallagher's Secret Lover Collection of greeting cards offers a Christmas card that reads, "As we each celebrate with our families, I will be thinking of you."
Stores might not give her retail space.
Is this too crass for commerce?

Who can believe this is really the Rev. Billy Graham's last crusade? A lot of us remember the slick black hair and soothing voice from black and white television.

A group of clergy associated with FaithAction International House has sent the following letter to the Honorable Judge Douglas Albright asking that religious texts from all world religions be used in courts for oath taking purposes.

"We feel that this is a matter of respect and honor for all the residents of our state."

Today's "Five on Faith" on the Saturday Religion page asks: Churches will wrap up vacation Bible school classes over the next month. What are your favorite memories -- good, bad or odd -- about this weeklong summer tradition? If you have another similar faith tradition, I'd pose the same question.

Here are two responses about VBS that did not appear in the column:

"I think that the motivation of Vacation Bible School is good: to reach children with the gospel. However, I don't really think it is as effective as people may think, as children usually receive a watered down gospel and mostly are 'entertained.'

Here's putting new muscle in the labor movement: the AFL-CIO has hired more than three dozen aspiring ministers, imams, priests and rabbis to spread the gospel of union organizing across the nation this summer.

A discussion on a letter sent to the chief district judge asking that religious texts from all world religions be used in local courts for oath taking purposes has led to a larger discussion on Islam and terrorism on this blog. Here's the latest:

"Hey Chip. Are you really saying/believing Islam is the common denominator behind all the violence? I admit that it bothers a lot of people that, for example, a new husband/father would take on one of the missions voluntarily, but I have to believe there's something else. Was this man/his family possibly threatened? Nancy

"Yes, if you mean by all violence, the suicide bombings and acts of terror that are in the news today. The terrorists are commiting crimes against humanity in the name of Islam, while the supposed true Muslims remain quiet." Chip

But should we really expect Muslims to speak up about extremists? Is it really their 'duty?'

I could only say 'Wow' when I read the following email from the Rev. Odell Cleveland and Robert J. Wineburg about all the impact Nathan Cook made while in Greensboro. Cook recently left the city. Here's how he's probably helped make the lives of you and your neighbors a little easier:

A Tribute to a Leader
By the Rev. Odell Cleveland and Robert J. Wineburg

A few of years ago, when I, Rev. Odell Cleveland of Welfare Reform Liaison Project, received the 'Those Who Care Award,' Nathan Cook was in the audience sharing in the evenings joy. Nathan would never tell you about the role he played in making the partnership between Welfare Reform Liaison Project and the United Way the largest Gifts in Kind International project in the country. Nor would he tell you that the $10 million worth of new corporate goods distributed to local nonprofit agencies and churches in just 2 years was, in good part, his doing.

He says he's serious.
As a friend says, I bet this plays well around the world. Do you think
they lay awake at night wondering if they can find new things to say that will help recruit more terrorists?

The divorce rate is dropping, but so is the number of people tying the knot. People are living together more often. Is that a better solution? What about the kids in these relationships?

What's your take on why the number of American adults who claim no religion grew from 14 million to 29 million during the 1990s?

President Bush has made his decision. What do you make of the candidate? Is it disappointing that he didn't replace Sandra Day O'Connor with a woman? What about the issues now dividing us? At least one Christian group says it has been 'stockpiling' its weapons for this day.

Is she right about this preacher being protected over his 'wrongdoing?'

Is the author right?

RALEIGH -- The state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit today alleging North Carolina courts' wrongfully refuse to allow the use of the Quran and other religious texts for oaths.
The News & Record's court reporter Eric Collins broke the story regarding the fight to allow Muslims to use the Quran instead of the Bible in court.

During the day, Lance Cpl. Troy Gray, who attended Evangel Fellowship in Greensboro as a youngster, keeps track of Marines - their pay, entitlements, personnel records. In the evenings, the former dancer with Pizzazz Dance Co. in Greensboro, choreographs and directs a gospel dance ministry that he helped create. Click on the picture here to see the video.
The story is a part of a series of articles written by News & Record reporter Allison Perkins, who spent time in Iraq with local soldiers. Here's how you can submit short stories and photos about your loved ones serving in Iraq: e-mail Lex Alexander, citizen-journalism coordinator, at lalexander@news-record.com.

"We're serving as a night light in a dark and scary room."

Besides all the horseback riding and outdoor survival techniques, this camp teaches it's OK not to believe in a supreme being.

"In the religious studies class I teach at Oregon State University, I ask students to write down their impressions of Christianity and their adjectives include: anti-intellectual, judgmental and bigoted," said Marcus Borg, a Bible scholar who has written several books on reinventing Christianity. "So, I think Rob Bell's attempt to change this impression is exciting."

Do curses really work? Or is this akin to believing Satan wears a red suit, carries a pitch fork and has pointy ears?

Just heard about this and thought I'd pass it along...

Friday's Make-A-Difference Day at the Governmental Plaza in downtown Greensboro -- entertainment provided and parking is free.

Money that's raised is to be divided among 10 non-profits, including The Sparrow's Nest, a planned teen center that would offer everything from computer skill classes to ballroom dancing.

The menu: grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, all the fixin's, whole fruits, Bickel's potato chips, soft drinks and bottled waters.

The Governmental Plaza faces Greene Street. Park in the Greene Street parking deck and get a free parking decal while you lunch.

Stage Performance Schedule (sponsored by local Entercom radio stations:

11am -11:30am... WINGS OF GRACE (hosted by WPET)
11:30am - Noon... TAMMY NASH (hosted by 102 JAMZ)
Noon - 12:30pm... MUDJUNKIE (hosted by 98.7-SIMON)
12:30pm - 1pm... T.C. CARTER (hosted by 97.1-QMG)
1pm - 1:30pm...CHRIS FERRIS (hosted by OLDIES 93)
1:30pm - 2:00pm...CHRISTOPHER GRAY & FAVOURED (hosted by WEAL)

Pushing sunrise back to 8:00 AM or later would make it impossible for those in certain parts of the United States to pray Shacharis (morning prayers) before work, according to one Jewish group.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops also opposes the plan.

Is this the beginning of the end of the stem cell debate?