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DENVER, Colo. – A youth pastor for ten years, Jim Britts has seen a lot of hurting teens.Whether their parents are going through a divorce, they’re cutting their wrists or contemplating suicide, many teens – even in youth groups – are silently crying out for help.So Britts teamed up with Outreach, Inc., to get their story out through one of the most influential communication tools today – film.Set to release next year, "To Save A Life" is an indie movie depicting the real-life challenges of teens and their choices. Read more of this story.
Oshkosh – A sea of mostly young bodies crowds the stage at the Sunnyview Expo Center.Jon Micah Sumrall, frontman for the band Kutless, takes the microphone and atop a bone-rattling bass exhorts the throng "to know that you’re alive." And they go wild – jumping, dancing, arms pumping in the air.From the look and sounds of this hard-playing, leather-clad, pierced and tattooed band, this could be any rock concert anywhere. But these fans are here as much for the message as the music.Read more of this story.
Even before Barack Obama was elected president, religious figures loomed large in his political career. The greatest threat to his presidential campaign came not from another candidate but from his longtime pastor, Jeremiah Wright, whose controversial sermons prompted questions about Obama’s judgment in associating with him. After Election Day, the first big controversy of the Obama era was the president-elect’s invitation to evangelical preacher Rick Warren, an opponent of abortion rights and gay marriage, to give the opening prayer at his inauguration. And Obama has offered religious leaders an unusually prominent role in his administration by convening an advisory council…
Gallup came out with a new poll today on the relation between marriage and which political party people identify with. Not surprisingly, a higher percentage of married people identified themselves as Republican than Democrats, while on the flip side, a higher percentage of unmarrieds identified themselves as Democrat than Republican.They’ve done this poll before (last year on Valentine’s day). What’s interesting though are the author’s notes about how religion plays into it all.Read more of this story. Marriage stands up for itself – New York Times
It’s a cliche but it’s true, prayer changes things. Students involved in InterVarsity and other Christian groups on the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) campus spent 40 days praying in a 24/7 prayer room and have been awed by how they have seen God at work.Read more of this story.
COMMENTARYGrowing up, I was mortified by my parents’ public displays of religion. I’m still convinced that from the years of 1982 to 1986 my parents were part of a cult; others called it “Marriage Encounter.”Read more of this story. Sisters Face Death with Dignity and Reverence – The New York Times
BOSTON, MA (ANS) — Millions around the world are celebrating two distinct but unique birthdays: the 500th anniversary of Calvin’s birth on the one hand, and the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth on the other (as well as the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin’s "Origin of Species").Read moreof this story.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Parents may now have a more urgent reason to monitor what their children watch on television, a new study suggests.Researchers at Children’s Hospital Boston found that early teen sex may be linked to viewing adult content on television as children. The study tracked children from ages 6 to 18 and found that the sooner children began to view adult content on television programs and movies, the earlier they became sexually active during adolescence.Read more of this story.
Every Monday, a few dozen African-American ministers meet at Trinidad Baptist Church in northeast Washington, D.C., to pray, eat and brainstorm about the big issues facing their churches. These days, one item looms large: same-sex marriage. When asked whether there is any debate about homosexuality in this crowd, the Rev. Patrick Walker, pastor of New Macedonia Baptist Church in southeast D.C., turns to face his colleagues standing around the sanctuary. "Anyone here for same-sex marriage?" he yells. The two dozen ministers are silent for a beat — and then break out in incredulous laughter. Read more of this story. Church…
Pope Benedict XVI criticized the international economic system yesterday and called for a new global structure based on social responsibility, concern for the dignity of the worker and a respect for ethics. Read more of this story. Pope Calls for "God-centered’ Global Economy – Cathy Lynn Grossman, USA TodayPope, Obama May Find Common Ground – Cathy Lynn Grossman, USA Today6 Surprises from Obama’s Sit-Down with the Catholic Press – Dan Gilgoff