Religion

"The highest glory of the American Revolution was this - that it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity." - John Quincy Adams
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"The Bible is the cornerstone of liberty. A student's perusal of the sacred volume will make him a better citizen, a better father, a better husband." - Thomas Jefferson

ZANESVILLE, OHIO -- Barack Obama pledged Tuesday to expand a controversial White House program that funnels federal money to religious charities, embracing a core piece of President Bush's legacy as he tries to win over Republican-leaning evangelical voters.

MOUNT VERNON — A lawsuit was filed Friday in the southern district court on behalf of a student at the Mount Vernon Middle School. The federal suit alleges civil rights violations by the Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education, superintendent Stephen Short, middle school principal William White and science teacher John Freshwater.

God may work in mysterious ways, but a simple computer program may explain how religion evolved

By distilling religious belief into a genetic predisposition to pass along unverifiable information, the program predicts that religion will flourish. However, religion only takes hold if non-believers help believers out – perhaps because they are impressed by their devotion.

DALLAS (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain has a "Religious Right" problem.

CNN) -- In the face of mounting controversy over headline-grabbing statements from the Rev. John Hagee, CNN has learned that presumptive Republican nominee John McCain decided Thursday to reject his endorsement.

Nowhere is the opinion divide on gay marriage sharper than in the nation's religious communities. And last week's same-sex marriage ruling will do little to bring agreement on the definition of marriage, a social and religious touchstone that has torn apart families, congregations and entire dioceses.

Seems that one person's smut is another person's morning latte.

A Christian group based in San Diego found grounds for outrage over the new retro-style logo for Starbucks Coffee.

Faith and Fairness:
Finding Strength and Tools for Advocacy in Your Faith Tradition
Please join us for a spirit-filled dialogue about gay, lesbian,
bisexual, and transgender people and reclaiming faith.

Sunday, June 1
2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

University of Toledo
College of Law
1780 Secor Road
Toledo, OH 43606

Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. Miguel De La Torre

Writing in the Vatican newspaper, the astronomer, Father Gabriel Funes, said intelligent beings created by God could exist in outer space.

Father Funes, director of the Vatican Observatory near Rome, is a respected scientist who collaborates with universities around the world.

The search for forms of extraterrestrial life, he says, does not contradict belief in God.

Just as Senator Barack Obama has spent this week trying to stem the damage to his campaign from statements by his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., the small, theologically liberal Protestant denomination both men belong to, the United Church of Christ, has been grappling with the impact of the controversy upon its members.

FORT RILEY, Kan. — When Specialist Jeremy Hall held a meeting last July for atheists and freethinkers at Camp Speicher in Iraq, he was excited, he said, to see an officer attending.

A vicar is to apply for a drinks licence so he can sell wine and beer at his small village church.

The Reverend Geraint ap Iorwerth could be made licensee of St Peter ad Vincula Church in Pennal, near Machynlleth, close to the Powys-Gwynedd border.

He joked that there were plans to serve more than just spirits, though, with lager and wine on the menu too.

"Last week's public hearings in the sensational case were longer on suspicions than hard evidence. Since then, the authorities have clamped down even on basic information that should not be sensitive — such as the ages and genders of those removed.

SAN ANGELO, Texas (AP) — Lab workers were set to begin taking DNA samples Monday from the more than 400 children in state custody since a raid on a polygamist compound more than two weeks ago.

Horrid Reviews - People In Movie Refused Entry
(Sorry to repost this - but I doubted anybody'd see it in older post).
Submitted by starling02 on Sat, 2008-04-19 20:59.

ANN ARBOR - Tickets have been sold out for weeks. Hollywood star Richard Gere and Grammy-winning singer Bobby "Don't Worry Be Happy" McFerrin are in town. A group of Chinese students is planning a protest. Scores of people from northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, both Buddhist and otherwise, are making the pilgrimage to Crisler Arena.

The buzz is all about the Dalai Lama.

GRANTHAM, Pa. - Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said Sunday that the potential for life begins at conception as she and presidential rival Sen. Barack Obama answered questions about faith and religion in both their personal lives and the public discourse.

Pope Benedict XVI's trip this week to the United States will include high-profile visits to the White House, United Nations and Ground Zero. But no matter what political issues or media angles may be buzzing before take-off, the Vatican tends to stress the pastoral aspect of any papal journey.

"Sen. Barack Obama's historic
speech earlier this month in Philadelphia on race relations has
elevated the discussion about the issue to the point where it has
worked itself into the pews and pulpits of Bay Area churches.

Again, not trying to raise tempers or step on sensitive toes - I am not attacking any religion. These are just a few more things that make me wonder. Add your thoughts, or don't - no hot headed comments wanted.

Did Jesus Lie About Prayer & Other Things?

Part 2 - Things That Make Me Wonder (Bible) - This is a copy & not my words, but it does include many things I've questioned about the Bible in my life (which contributed to my lack of faith). Before you sigh, and say "Oh, geez, not again......." , understand 'freedom to choose' to ignore this thread. Or, feel free to add your imput & insight to it.

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Thou shall not pollute the Earth. Thou shall beware genetic manipulation. Modern times bring with them modern sins. So the Vatican has told the faithful that they should be aware of "new" sins such as causing environmental blight.

A Repeat - (for fun, so chill out charltan)
A few great quotes from George Carlin on religion & God (and a few from other sources below) -

Why I have problems with Religion (other than the fact that the Bible was re-written, re-translated, so many times - a grocery list couldn't have survived that much re-writes intact).

Advocate child abuse and murder amongst many other cruelties.