Wednesday Religious Assessment 1/17/07

Wednesday Religious Assessment

It's been a very interesting week or so for religious affairs in my opinion.

The Muslim Gandhi? - I don't know the veracity of this since this is the first time I've ever heard of this man. But the article did make me consider one interesting proposition. If an Islamic Gandhi or Martin Luther King came along, then would he receive the kind of popular media attention, either in Muslim circles or in the West, that could make the building of a non-violent Islamic movement possible, or would either Islamic media or Western media, or both, really wholly limit such a person's potential effectiveness?

Internet Porn Domains - I know the guy who actually came up with this idea. I've thought it a good idea from the first time I heard him mention it.

Executions - I'm hardly surprised North Korea executes Christians. I am rather surprised that word of such executions would leak out, especially the execution involving the North Korea Army General. If true this shows significant cracks developing within North Korea along several different vectors.

Religious Persecution

Muslim-Catholic Marriage

Collins, the HGP, God, and Evolution - I've read the book, a couple of months back. Although I don't agree with his position on everything about Science and God (I never agree with anybody on everything) I can say I found the book an excellent read, especially the parts about his personal background and both his religious and scientific experiences.

The Evangelical Black? - Since my wife is black I sometimes wonder if she feels this way, mainly because she is the only black at our church. Sometimes though I think she faces the reverse problem, sometimes I think she thinks people praise her just because she is the only black, or only black female.

The Collaborators

Hidden Spirituality in Holland








The Weak Christian - Can a weak Christian be effective at promoting Christian values to the Islamic world? According to Ali, no.

The House Church

Missional Apologetics - A rather fascinating new blog.










WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

VATICAN CITY, JAN 16, 2007 (VIS) - The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, traditionally celebrated every year from January 18 to 25, is due to begin on Thursday. The theme for the 2007 initiative is: "He even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."

The texts for reflection and prayer this year have been prepared by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and by the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches.

"This year's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity," says a communiqué released by the pontifical council, "brings together two themes, two invitations extended to Christian Churches and people: to pray and strive together for Christian unity, and to join together in responding to human suffering. These two responsibilities are deeply intertwined. Both relate to healing the Body of Christ (the Church), hence the principal text chosen for this year's week of prayer is a story of healing."

Each day of the Week will have a different theme:

January 18: In the beginning was the Word. "And God said..." (Gen 1).

January 19: The Saving Word of Christ. "He makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak" (Mk 7: 31-37).

January 20: The Holy Spirit gives us the Word. "The Spirit ...will testify on my behalf" (Jn 15: 26).

January 21: The silence of the forgotten and the cries of the suffering. "If one member suffers all suffer together" (1 Cor 12: 26).

January 22: God's judgement on our silence. "Just as you did not do it to one of the least of these..." (Mt 25: 45).

January 23: Empowered to speak out. "But the woman ... came in fear and trembling ... and told Him the whole truth" (Mk 5: 33).

January 24: Forsakenness. "Why are You so far from helping me?" (Ps 22: 1)

January 25: Resurrection - glorification. "Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Phil 2: 11).

In the basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls at 5.30 p.m. on Thursday, January 25, Feast of the Conversion of the Apostle Paul, Benedict XVI will preside at the celebration of Vespers to mark the close of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
.../PRAYER WEEK CHRISTIAN UNITY/... VIS 070116 (380)




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