The problem is that this new philosophy and solipsistic religion is not Christianity. The old and well-worn jokey reply "Is the pope a Catholic?" has developed a dark shadow to it.
The Vatican has taken great care to cover its theological back by distancing the same-sex-blessing project from marriage. It intends to provide for itself a defence against the accusation that it is undermining marriage.
Read moreWe appreciate Kyai Haji Yahya Cholil Staquf General Chairman, Nahdlatul Ulama Central Board Founder & Chairman, G20 Religion Forum (R20) Jakarta, Indonesia Center for Shared Civilization Values, H.E Joko Widodo President Republic of Indonesia for the initiative to create a conducive environment for Interfaith Discourse and strengthening the relationship based on value and trust. We thank Dr. Timothy Shah and Holland Taylor of the Center for Shared Civilization Values.
Read moreTrivia # 2: There developed in England surrounding the Feast of Santa Claus a silly practice of "Boy Bishop" in which a boy in the village was selected to become bishop-for-a-day. Henry VIII abolished this practice in 1542 as superstitious and dumb. Obviously, the practice of Boy Bishop never died (see below) and was picked up by those who like to dress up, prance around an altar, and practice a religion of self-congratulatory spirituality.
Read moreLet's take three situations where issues of religious freedom have been ignored in news reports.
Read moreAre American evangelical Christians persecuted?
Johnson's explanation of his claim was that, in his view, American Christians, and I strongly suspect he meant conservative Christians, mostly evangelicals, are not being heard or taken seriously by the movers and shakers of American culture. That is, what he seemed to mean, they are not given a fair hearing or treated fairly by the media (for example).
Read moreThere are Christians in Israel -- I have been to Christ Church Jerusalem the vicar David Pileggi is a valued friend. They are working to provide war relief to those affected by the crisis. The Churches Mission to the Jews have also opened up its guesthouses to provide food and lodging for families who cannot return to their homes or want to get out of conflict areas.
Read moreYet despite their self-serving delusions of persecution, both Aziz and Beydoun are high-profile scholars who command the respect of their peers, which is in itself a damning indictment of the state of current Middle East studies.
Read moreThe following day, Thursday, I prepared and delivered a seminar on the momentous Barmen Declaration. This defiant statement of faith takes its name from the German town in which it was formally accepted in May 1934. It states the convictions of those German Protestants who resisted the Nazi regime's agenda for the Churches. It's an utterly inspiring document, drafted principally by Karl Barth and supported strongly by Dieterich Bonhoeffer, then serving as a pastor in London.
Read more"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for an eye, and tooth for tooth. BUT I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Read moreTrajectory of the Church of England
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