Saturday, June 21, 2003
Bible camp adds some wizardry
With the midnight release of the fifth Harry Potter book, the bespectacled young British wizard seems to be everywhere — from toys to magazine covers. And now young Harry is the star attraction at a summer Bible camp in Princeton. The Harry Potter-based Bible lessons will be taught at a half-day summer camp offered by the All Saints' and Trinity Episcopal churches this coming Monday through Friday. The camp will be held at the Trinity Episcopal Church. The choice of linking Harry Potter with a Bible camp may seem odd, given some Christian denominations' opposition to the books. "Only a small percentage of Christians consider the books demonic," Mr. Budwig said. But the characters in the Harry Potter books share characteristics of Jesus Christ, God and Satan, Mr. Budwig said. And the books follow in the footsteps of C.S. Lewis' Narnia Chronicles series of books, in which the lion character, Oslo, is often thought to be a Jesus Christ-like character, Mr. Budwig said. The campers will not sit at desks memorizing Bible lessons. Nor will they learn how to fly on broomsticks or create spells. Instead, the campers will learn about universal lessons and values such as sacrifice and compassion through Harry Potter adventures.
With the midnight release of the fifth Harry Potter book, the bespectacled young British wizard seems to be everywhere — from toys to magazine covers. And now young Harry is the star attraction at a summer Bible camp in Princeton. The Harry Potter-based Bible lessons will be taught at a half-day summer camp offered by the All Saints' and Trinity Episcopal churches this coming Monday through Friday. The camp will be held at the Trinity Episcopal Church. The choice of linking Harry Potter with a Bible camp may seem odd, given some Christian denominations' opposition to the books. "Only a small percentage of Christians consider the books demonic," Mr. Budwig said. But the characters in the Harry Potter books share characteristics of Jesus Christ, God and Satan, Mr. Budwig said. And the books follow in the footsteps of C.S. Lewis' Narnia Chronicles series of books, in which the lion character, Oslo, is often thought to be a Jesus Christ-like character, Mr. Budwig said. The campers will not sit at desks memorizing Bible lessons. Nor will they learn how to fly on broomsticks or create spells. Instead, the campers will learn about universal lessons and values such as sacrifice and compassion through Harry Potter adventures.
Danish pastor suspended for refusing to believe in God
A Danish pastor suspended from the state Lutheran Protestant Church for saying he didn't believe in God had his suspension extended on Friday after refusing to repent, Bishop Lise-Lotte Rebel said. She announced her decision after a two-hour meeting with 55-year-old pastor Thorkild Grosboell, who refused to take back statements he made in a newspaper interview in May. He was quoted as saying that he did not believe in God, resurrection or eternal life, but said Friday that his comments were misconstrued. "I feel that I was misquoted. My statements were presented in a way that was oversimplified and categorical," he told reporters, clarifying that he believes "in something divine, but not in a God who created Man and the ant." Rebel, bishop of Helsingoer, told AFP however that Grosboell's comments were "unacceptable, creating doubt and confusion about the church's values." Earlier this week, hundreds of people from Grosboell's parish in the village of Taarbaek came to his defence and held a rally protesting his suspension. "If there is no place for our pastor in this church, then there is no place for many of us either," the head of the parish council, Lars Heilesen, told the gathering. "The Church must be able to tolerate points of view that are not necessarily its own. There must be some room allowed to express one's doubts openly without being sanctioned," he told AFP.
A Danish pastor suspended from the state Lutheran Protestant Church for saying he didn't believe in God had his suspension extended on Friday after refusing to repent, Bishop Lise-Lotte Rebel said. She announced her decision after a two-hour meeting with 55-year-old pastor Thorkild Grosboell, who refused to take back statements he made in a newspaper interview in May. He was quoted as saying that he did not believe in God, resurrection or eternal life, but said Friday that his comments were misconstrued. "I feel that I was misquoted. My statements were presented in a way that was oversimplified and categorical," he told reporters, clarifying that he believes "in something divine, but not in a God who created Man and the ant." Rebel, bishop of Helsingoer, told AFP however that Grosboell's comments were "unacceptable, creating doubt and confusion about the church's values." Earlier this week, hundreds of people from Grosboell's parish in the village of Taarbaek came to his defence and held a rally protesting his suspension. "If there is no place for our pastor in this church, then there is no place for many of us either," the head of the parish council, Lars Heilesen, told the gathering. "The Church must be able to tolerate points of view that are not necessarily its own. There must be some room allowed to express one's doubts openly without being sanctioned," he told AFP.
Walking with Cavemen—fact or fiction?
Building on the popularity of Walking with Dinosaurs (1999) and Walking with Beasts (2001), BBC and Discovery Channel have co-produced yet another evolutionary propaganda piece—Walking with Cavemen. The two-hour program purports to ‘bring you the most accurate portrayal of our ancient ancestors, spanning 3.5 million years.’ With the magic of ‘gee whiz’ technology, the producers have recreated an amazing world of human evolution—a world that never existed. The same complaints about the first two series—on dinosaurs and mammoths—hold true here. The Caveman program is based on false assumptions, flimsy ‘facts,’ often outdated thinking, and pure speculation.
Building on the popularity of Walking with Dinosaurs (1999) and Walking with Beasts (2001), BBC and Discovery Channel have co-produced yet another evolutionary propaganda piece—Walking with Cavemen. The two-hour program purports to ‘bring you the most accurate portrayal of our ancient ancestors, spanning 3.5 million years.’ With the magic of ‘gee whiz’ technology, the producers have recreated an amazing world of human evolution—a world that never existed. The same complaints about the first two series—on dinosaurs and mammoths—hold true here. The Caveman program is based on false assumptions, flimsy ‘facts,’ often outdated thinking, and pure speculation.
What would Jesus drive?
When the Rev. Jim Ball and his wife began their cross-country trip, they weren't sure how other drivers would react to the "What Would Jesus Drive?" signs on the doors of their Toyota Prius. "We thought we might get a few interesting gestures along the way," Ball says. That's a polite way of saying they knew fingers would be pointed at them, but which ones? Ball, executive director of the Evangelical Environmental Network, and his wife, Kara, are spending part of the summer on the road to promote the "What Would Jesus Drive?" campaign. The couple started their journey on May 29 in Austin, Texas, and plan to end it in Washington, D.C., on July 7. Along the way, they're making frequent stops to meet with religious and political leaders, preach and do interviews on Christian radio. Their swing through the Bible Belt is another step in a campaign that started in November, when Ball and his national coalition of evangelical Christians came to Detroit to kick off "What Would Jesus Drive?" and to join a delegation of interfaith religious leaders pushing for cleaner cars. The publicity from that visit led to a high-octane national debate on whether there are moral aspects to fuel efficiency.
When the Rev. Jim Ball and his wife began their cross-country trip, they weren't sure how other drivers would react to the "What Would Jesus Drive?" signs on the doors of their Toyota Prius. "We thought we might get a few interesting gestures along the way," Ball says. That's a polite way of saying they knew fingers would be pointed at them, but which ones? Ball, executive director of the Evangelical Environmental Network, and his wife, Kara, are spending part of the summer on the road to promote the "What Would Jesus Drive?" campaign. The couple started their journey on May 29 in Austin, Texas, and plan to end it in Washington, D.C., on July 7. Along the way, they're making frequent stops to meet with religious and political leaders, preach and do interviews on Christian radio. Their swing through the Bible Belt is another step in a campaign that started in November, when Ball and his national coalition of evangelical Christians came to Detroit to kick off "What Would Jesus Drive?" and to join a delegation of interfaith religious leaders pushing for cleaner cars. The publicity from that visit led to a high-octane national debate on whether there are moral aspects to fuel efficiency.
Shopping for a church home
Are you an Innie or an Outie? Do you live inside organized religion or outside? Lord knows, millions of Americans are outside the bounds of congregational life these days. Or, as Carmen Renee Berry would say, a zillion gazillion of us are. That's the way the breezy Berry writes. She is the author of an unusual new book aimed at Christian Outies who are thinking of coming back inside, or who are restless in their current church homes. It's called "The Unauthorized Guide to Choosing a Church" (Brazos, $19), and its hip packaging and prose may give the impression that Berry is one more Outie with an Attitude.
Are you an Innie or an Outie? Do you live inside organized religion or outside? Lord knows, millions of Americans are outside the bounds of congregational life these days. Or, as Carmen Renee Berry would say, a zillion gazillion of us are. That's the way the breezy Berry writes. She is the author of an unusual new book aimed at Christian Outies who are thinking of coming back inside, or who are restless in their current church homes. It's called "The Unauthorized Guide to Choosing a Church" (Brazos, $19), and its hip packaging and prose may give the impression that Berry is one more Outie with an Attitude.
Miracle in Milton
Moisture seeps between panes of glass and forms an image in a hospital window. Thousands of people gather in the parking lot below that window to stand in what they believe to be the holy presence of the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus. The phenomenon at Milton Hospital is one in a long line of sightings of Mary and other religious figures dating back hundreds of years. Revered by the faithful and dismissed by skeptics, these visions have been seen on dusty roads in primitive villages as well as on buildings along modern expressways. Whether they are considered manifestations of wishful thinking, group hypnosis, coincidence, trickery, or divine intervention depends entirely on the eye and heart of the beholder - and most people standing outside Milton Hospital on a rare sunny evening this week looked up with adoring eyes.
Moisture seeps between panes of glass and forms an image in a hospital window. Thousands of people gather in the parking lot below that window to stand in what they believe to be the holy presence of the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus. The phenomenon at Milton Hospital is one in a long line of sightings of Mary and other religious figures dating back hundreds of years. Revered by the faithful and dismissed by skeptics, these visions have been seen on dusty roads in primitive villages as well as on buildings along modern expressways. Whether they are considered manifestations of wishful thinking, group hypnosis, coincidence, trickery, or divine intervention depends entirely on the eye and heart of the beholder - and most people standing outside Milton Hospital on a rare sunny evening this week looked up with adoring eyes.
Friday, June 20, 2003
Bishop defends gay appointment
A senior Church of England cleric on Friday defended the appointment of a gay man as a bishop, suggesting that scripture had to be read in the light of human experience. Richard Harries, the bishop of Oxford, has faced sharp criticism for appointing Jeffrey John as a suffragan, or assistant, bishop in the diocese. John has said he would remain with his male partner of 27 years, although he says the relationship is now celibate. Nine Church of England bishops wrote an open letter this week expressing concern over the appointment, while the Anglican archbishop of the West Indies and the Anglican primate of Nigeria have called for John to step down because of his support for same-sex relationships.
A senior Church of England cleric on Friday defended the appointment of a gay man as a bishop, suggesting that scripture had to be read in the light of human experience. Richard Harries, the bishop of Oxford, has faced sharp criticism for appointing Jeffrey John as a suffragan, or assistant, bishop in the diocese. John has said he would remain with his male partner of 27 years, although he says the relationship is now celibate. Nine Church of England bishops wrote an open letter this week expressing concern over the appointment, while the Anglican archbishop of the West Indies and the Anglican primate of Nigeria have called for John to step down because of his support for same-sex relationships.
Evolution vs. Creation
It's been 150 years since Charles Darwin published his first book on evolution. It's been nearly 80 years since the famous "monkey trial" in Tennessee where biology teacher John Scopes was prosecuted for teaching evolution in public schools. It's been nearly 40 years since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the teaching of evolution can't be banned in classrooms. However, the conflict between religion and evolution continues. That clash flared up in Bangor recently...
It's been 150 years since Charles Darwin published his first book on evolution. It's been nearly 80 years since the famous "monkey trial" in Tennessee where biology teacher John Scopes was prosecuted for teaching evolution in public schools. It's been nearly 40 years since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the teaching of evolution can't be banned in classrooms. However, the conflict between religion and evolution continues. That clash flared up in Bangor recently...
Presbyterians find Truth in Jesus
Nearly three-quarters of Presbyterians believe Jesus Christ is "the only absolute Truth for humankind," but decidedly fewer think "only followers of Jesus Christ can be saved." Those were among the findings of recent survey of about 3,500 people - 1,102 members, 1,145 elders and 1,435 ordained ministers -randomly chosen for the 2003-2005 Presbyterian Panel.
Nearly three-quarters of Presbyterians believe Jesus Christ is "the only absolute Truth for humankind," but decidedly fewer think "only followers of Jesus Christ can be saved." Those were among the findings of recent survey of about 3,500 people - 1,102 members, 1,145 elders and 1,435 ordained ministers -randomly chosen for the 2003-2005 Presbyterian Panel.
Gibson's new film about Jesus will 'inspire, not offend'
Actor and director Mel Gibson insists his forthcoming film about Jesus Christ will "inspire, not offend" Catholics and Jews. The movie, directed by Gibson, stars James Caviezel as Christ during the last 12 hours of his life and Monica Belluci as Mary Magdalene. The reported $25 million production will feature dialogue only in Latin and Aramaic with no English subtitles. " 'The Passion' is a movie meant to inspire, not offend," Gibson said in a statement in the trade newspaper Variety. "My intention in bringing it to the screen is to create a lasting work of art and engender serious thought among audiences of diverse faith backgrounds." His statement was designed to rebut criticism that "The Passion" is anti-Catholic and anti-Semitic, Variety reported.
Actor and director Mel Gibson insists his forthcoming film about Jesus Christ will "inspire, not offend" Catholics and Jews. The movie, directed by Gibson, stars James Caviezel as Christ during the last 12 hours of his life and Monica Belluci as Mary Magdalene. The reported $25 million production will feature dialogue only in Latin and Aramaic with no English subtitles. " 'The Passion' is a movie meant to inspire, not offend," Gibson said in a statement in the trade newspaper Variety. "My intention in bringing it to the screen is to create a lasting work of art and engender serious thought among audiences of diverse faith backgrounds." His statement was designed to rebut criticism that "The Passion" is anti-Catholic and anti-Semitic, Variety reported.
'Jesus Box' a Forgery
An ancient stone ossuary thought to contain the bones of Jesus's brother James is a fake, a panel of experts says. A two-month investigation by an Israeli committee of archaeologists, geologists and biblical scholars concluded unanimously that although the burial box dated to the 1st century BC, the Aramaic inscription "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus", was engraved much later.
An ancient stone ossuary thought to contain the bones of Jesus's brother James is a fake, a panel of experts says. A two-month investigation by an Israeli committee of archaeologists, geologists and biblical scholars concluded unanimously that although the burial box dated to the 1st century BC, the Aramaic inscription "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus", was engraved much later.
