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Vatican regrets female bishops decision
how do you feel about this?
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Church risks ANOTHER split: this time over Women
'Traditionalist' clergymen within the Church of England, who are in opposition to the ordination of women Bishops, yesterday had their concerns rejected by the Synod (council).
After several hours of "passionate, and at times bitter debate", Bishops voted in favour of allowing women to be ordained. The traditionalists had proposed a compromise, by which women could be made Bishops, but so that it would be possible for them to 'opt out' of being administered by them. This too however, was rejected by the Synod, and "raises the real possibility of schism within the Church", with hundreds of traditionalist clergy threatening to "walk out of the Anglican Communion" if the Church goes though with their decision "without providing legal safeguards to protect their beliefs".
Can anyone in the know maybe provide some passages in the Bible which endorse or condone the ordination of women? I think it might clarify the two stances if we can see what they are actually arguing about.
'Traditionalist' clergymen within the Church of England, who are in opposition to the ordination of women Bishops, yesterday had their... more -
It happened Here : Peoples Temple
This was once the physical location of the Peoples Temple in San Francisco, also the home to Reverend Jim Jones. This particular temple branch built up a lot of steam in the community for political involvement. In late 1977 Peoples Temples members began to migrate to Jonestown, Guyana.
The physical space itself has gone through changes but the haunting memory of the temple has left an imprint. In November 1978, 918 people committed the largest mass suicide in modern history. This was once the physical location of the Peoples Temple in San Francisco, also the home to Reverend Jim Jones. This particular templ... more -
Was Jesus' Resurrection a Sequel?
A 3-ft.-high tablet romantically dubbed "Gabriel's Revelation" could challenge the uniqueness of the idea of the Christian Resurrection. The tablet appears to date authentically to the years just before the birth of Jesus and yet — at least according to one Israeli scholar — it announces the raising of a messiah after three days in the grave. If true, this could mean that Jesus' followers had access to a well-established paradigm when they decreed that Christ himself rose on the third day — and it might even hint that they they could have applied it in their grief after their master was crucified. However, such a contentious reading of the 87-line tablet depends on creative interpretation of a smudged passage, making it the latest entry in the woulda/coulda/shoulda category of possible New Testament artifacts; they are useful to prove less-spectacular points and to stir discussion on the big ones, but probably not to settle them nor shake anyone's faith.
The ink-on-stone document, which is owned by a Swiss-Israeli antiques collector and reportedly came to light about a decade ago, has been dated by manuscript and chemical experts to a period just before Jesus' birth. Some scholars think it may originally have been part of the Dead Sea Scrolls, a trove of religious texts found in caves on the West Bank that were possibly associated with John the Baptist. The tablet is written in the form of an end-of-the-world prediction in the voice of the angel Gabriel; one line, for instance, predicts that "in three days you will know evil will be defeated by justice."
Such "apocalypses," often featuring a triumphant military figure called a messiah (literally, anointed one), were not uncommon in the religious and politically tumultuous Jewish world of 1st century B.C. Palestine. But what may make the Gabriel tablet unique is its 80th line, which begins with the words "In three days" and includes some form of the verb "to live." Israel Knohl, an expert in Talmudic and biblical language at Jerusalem's Hebrew University who was not involved in the first research on the artifact, claims that it refers to a historic 1st-century Jewish rebel named Simon who was killed by the Romans in 4 B.C., and should read "In three days, you shall live. I Gabriel command you." If so, Jesus-era Judaism had begun to explore the idea of a three-day resurrection before Jesus was born.
This, in turn, undermines one of the strongest literary arguments employed by Christians over centuries to support the historicity of the Resurrection (in which they believe on faith): the specificity and novelty of the idea that the Messiah would die on a Friday and rise on a Sunday. Who could make such stuff up? But, as Knohl told TIME, maybe the Christians had a model to work from. The idea of a "dying and rising messiah appears in some Jewish texts, but until now, everyone thought that was the impact of Christianity on Judaism," he says. "But for the first time, we have proof that it was the other way around. The concept was there before Jesus." If so, he goes on, "this should shake our basic view of Christianity. ... What happens in the New Testament [could have been] adopted by Jesus and his followers based on an earlier messiah story." A 3-ft.-high tablet romantically dubbed "Gabriel's Revelation" could challenge the uniqueness of the idea of the Christian Resurrectio... more -
Church of England Synod set for dispute on female bishops
The Church of England faces an accusation of being woefully out of touch with the modern world today as delegates at the organisation's Synod, currently meeting in York, argue over the question of whether women should be allowed to become Bishops.
Many Anglicans are claiming that the masculinity of Jesus's 12 apostles suggests that female bishops would not be acceptable. They also fear that a man ordained by a woman wouldn't be properly ordained in the eyes of God.
The Church of England faces an accusation of being woefully out of touch with the modern world today as delegates at the organisation'... more -
Obama on Faith based groups
As a non believer I dont see a problem with religious groups being put in a position to genuinely help people.
People are so pissed about this though.
First hes a muslim now he wants to force Jesus on the country.
People just find it hard to listen to Obama before they make judgments about him. As a non believer I dont see a problem with religious groups being put in a position to genuinely help people. ... more -
Anglican Church splits in two over gay issue! Is the Presbyterian Church next?
A new church representing almost half of the world's 80 million Anglicans has been officially formed, posing a serious challenge to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The organisation created by traditionalists - called the Gafcon movement after the Global Anglican Future Conference which led to its creation - will retain ties with Dr Rowan Williams and will technically remain within the global Anglican Communion.
But it is also likely to lead to orthodox Anglicans severing all links with the main churches in America and Canada, whose liberal leaders are blamed for sparking the current crisis by breaking with the Bible's teaching and by consecrating openly gay clergy and blessing gay "marriages".
The movement's leaders will include at least two Church of England bishops as well as the heads of leading African, South American and Australian churches, and it is said to represent 35 million worshippers worldwide and so spell an end to the "colonial" domination of Canterbury
A new church representing almost half of the world's 80 million Anglicans has been officially formed, posing a serious challenge to th... more -
Anglican conservatives form group, break links with liberal wings
Conservative Anglicans meeting in Jerusalem will create a global network to combat modern trends in the Church like the ordination of gay clergy.
The group has also decided to break its relationship with the liberal wings of the US and Canadian Churches.
It will operate independently of the Archbishop of Canterbury, but will stay inside the Anglican Communion.
The traditionalists say they are fighting a "false Gospel" and the rift in the Church cannot be patched up.
After five years of trying unsuccessfully to get the American church expelled for its ordination of an openly gay bishop and blessing of same-sex relationships in church, the traditionalists say the international alliance will emphasise a more orthodox reading of the Bible. Conservative Anglicans meeting in Jerusalem will create a global network to combat modern trends in the Church like the ordination of ... more -
Anglicans Face Wider Split Over Policy Toward Gays
By DINA KRAFT and LAURIE GOODSTEIN
Published: June 30, 2008
JERUSALEM — Anglican conservatives, frustrated by the continuing stalemate over homosexuality in the Anglican Communion, declared on Sunday that they would defy the church’s historic lines of authority and create a new power bloc within the church led by a council of predominantly African archbishops.
The announcement came at the close of an unprecedented meeting of Anglican conservatives in Jerusalem, who contend that they represent a majority of the 77 million members of the Anglican Communion.
They depicted their efforts as the culmination of an anti-colonial struggle against the church’s seat of power in Great Britain, whose missionaries first brought Anglican Christianity to the developing world. The conservatives say many of the descendants of those Anglican missionaries in Britain and North America are now following what they call a “false gospel” that allows a malleable, liberal interpretation of Scripture.
They insisted that they were not breaking away from the Anglican Communion or creating a schism. But if carried out, their plans would create severe upheaval in the Communion, the world’s third largest grouping of churches after the Roman Catholic Church and Orthodox churches. After more than 1,000 delegates to the meeting at a Jerusalem hotel affirmed their platform statement, African women, Australians, South Americans and Indians danced and swayed to a Swahili hymn and shouted full-throated hallelujahs.
Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria, who leads the largest province in the Communion, said at a news conference afterward, “It’s quite clear we have been in turmoil.”
“With this decision we have a fresh beginning,” he added.
He was accompanied by the archbishops of Uganda, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sydney, Australia, and a former American priest, the Rt. Rev. David C. Anderson Sr., whom Archbishop Akinola made a bishop of the Church of Nigeria.
A statement the delegates released in Jerusalem said that it was time to create a new province in the United States and Canada that would absorb the churches that have been outraged by the American church’s consecration of an openly gay bishop in 1993 and the Canadian church’s blessing of same-sex unions.
Bishop Anderson said the new province would unite believers in North America who had abandoned the Episcopal Church in the last few decades, over issues like women priests and bishops, the interpretation of Scripture and homosexuality.
“It brings them the hope now finally of regathering the portion of the church that scattered when heterodoxy just became untenable and many were driven out, not all at once, but over the years in different stages,” he said.
The conservatives also challenged the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The current archbishop, Rowan Williams, has been a disappointment to conservatives, because he did not discipline or engineer an eviction of the liberal North Americans. The Archbishop of Canterbury historically has not had the power to decree policy in the Communion, but in the past he determined which churches belonged to the Communion.
The conservatives’ statement said that while they acknowledged Canterbury’s historic position, they did not accept the idea “that Anglican identity is determined necessarily through recognition by the Archbishop of Canterbury.”
They said that what would determine membership in their conservative alliance within the Communion is a manifesto they released on Sunday, called the “Jerusalem Declaration,” which contains 14 principles of theological orthodoxy.
... By DINA KRAFT and LAURIE GOODSTEIN Published: June 30, 2008 ... more -
Court: Exorcism is protected by Law
The Texas Supreme Court on Friday threw out a jury award over injuries a 17-year-old girl suffered in an exorcism conducted by members of her old church, ruling that the case unconstitutionally entangled the court in religious matters.
Laura Schubert testified in 2002 that she was cut and bruised and later experienced hallucinations after the church members' actions in 1996, when she was 17. Schubert said she was pinned to the floor for hours and received carpet burns during the exorcism, the Austin American-Statesman reported. She also said the incident led her to mutilate herself and attempt suicide. She eventually sought psychiatric help.
But the church's attorneys had told jurors that her psychological problems were caused by traumatic events she witnessed with her missionary parents in Africa. The church contended she "freaked out" about following her father's life as a missionary and was acting out to gain attention.
Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson, in a dissenting opinion, stated "The First Amendment guards religious liberty; it does not sanction intentional abuse in religion's name."
The Texas Supreme Court on Friday threw out a jury award over injuries a 17-year-old girl suffered in an exorcism conducted by members... more -
Mormons enters gay marriage fight in California
The LDS Church will work with a coalition of churches and other conservative groups that put the Californai Marriage protection act on November 4 ballot to assure its passage
There are more than 750.000 mormons in California according to a church almanac.
In a letter sent to Mormon Bishops and signed by church president Thomas S. Monson and his two top counselors calls on Mormons to donate "means and time" to the ballot measure
"We ask that you do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment........."
"Our best efforts are required to preserve the sacred institution of marriage."
Now, we need all Muslims, Boudhists, Indus, all people of faith to join the coalition.
The LDS Church will work with a coalition of churches and other conservative groups that put the Californai Marriage protection act on... more -
Man named God arrested for selling cocaine near Church
Christ on bike! Police say a man named God was arrested near a Tampa church for selling cocaine. God Lucky Howard in April was arrested on Saturday with 22 grams and scale.
Christ on bike! Police say a man named God was arrested near a Tampa church for selling cocaine. God Lucky Howard in April was arres... more -
Graveyard sheep spark church row
Sheep being used by a church in East Sussex to tend the grass in its graveyard have led some relatives to accuse the authorities of disrespect.
St Mary's Church, in Tarring Neville, near Newhaven, has brought in the two ewes and two lambs to keep the grass short during the summer months.
But families of the deceased claim the sheep are not under control, are eating floral tributes and walking on graves.
The church said it had consulted on the use of the sheep, and many welcomed it.
It explained that as well as proving to be popular with visitors, it was a return to more ancient ways and cheaper than using a gardener to cut the grass.
They've ripped up plants several times... and we can't tend our graves
Ray Baker
The sheep, which are on loan for free from a local farmer, have been brought in to graze the grass at the back of the graveyard, while the area at the front is still cut by a lawnmower.
But Ray Baker said the sheep were unwelcome, and were "literally trampling over the graves, especially my grandparents' graves". Sheep being used by a church in East Sussex to tend the grass in its graveyard have led some relatives to accuse the authorities of di... more -
Indie Thriller The Collective and Experimental Rock Band Sandbox in music video Th...
Indie mystery thriller The Collective, premiered in the Brooklyn International Film Festival. Experimental rock, electronica, drum band from New South Wales, Sandbox -- in music video, 'The Hub.' Indie mystery thriller The Collective, premiered in the Brooklyn International Film Festival. Experimental rock, electronica, drum ban... more
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Canadian Prime Minister apologizes to the First Nations
Stephen Harper told residential school survivors Wednesday that Canada was wrong to set up the system and "sincerely apologizes" for separating families and for the abuses children endured. Stephen Harper told residential school survivors Wednesday that Canada was wrong to set up the system and "sincerely apologizes" for ... more
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Sex in a confessional
An Italian couple totally got busted making love in the confessional in a cathedral. The two were detained by police when they disturbed things during morning Mass, but they met with the local bishop to ask for forgiveness and he did, and celebrated a “Mass of reparation” to make up for the sacrilege. And so we ask, where is the craziest place you’ve ever hooked up? An Italian couple totally got busted making love in the confessional in a cathedral. The two were detained by police when they disturb... more
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Mosque steps in to help raided church
A theif who strolled into St Alban's church (ilford) and stole charity money raised for Christian Aid has been replaced this week by Muslim worshippers from the nearby Ilford Mosque.
Ghazanfer Ali- Chairman of the Mosque says:
"We have a very good relationship with the church and we were all sad to hear the news. It's an absolute tragedy...We are friends and neighbours and we look after each another...There are people out and about who commit these awful crimes," he added.
Mr Ali meets with Father David Milnes on Redbridge Three Faiths Forum. A grateful Mr Milnes thanked members of the mosque.
He said: "It is a lovely gesture, I am really pleased".
Liberal Democrat Cllr Ralph Scott said:
"I'm delighted to be given this news of a practical example where one faith is being assisted by another, at a time of crisis.
"The mosque has always been an outward looking group, and shows Redbridge has reached maturity in building good community relations."
The theif is white, in his early 20's, has short hair & has a tatoo on his right arm.
A theif who strolled into St Alban's church (ilford) and stole charity money raised for Christian Aid has been replaced this week by M... more -
Spain: Church calls zombie parade blasphemous
A procession of devils, ghosts and zombies through the historic Spanish city of Toledo has been branded blasphemous by the Catholic Church.
Actors from the Morboria theatre company performed a representation inspired by the medieval Dance of Death in Toledo's streets on Saturday, provoking an angry reaction from the cathedral pulpit the following day.
He told worshippers the procession, which also included a Virgin Mary and a Saint Peter, made a mockery of the Catholic celebration of Corpus Christi. A procession of devils, ghosts and zombies through the historic Spanish city of Toledo has been branded blasphemous by the Catholic Ch... more -
Florida Gathering Lasts Two Months
Thousands of people from across the globe have been flocking to Lakeland, Florida to witness so-called "supernatural healings." After people started proclaiming marvelous miracles had happened to their bodies early last April, the worship meetings led by Todd Bentley have been continuing for two months now. The event has changed locations several times to host the massive crowds, and several popular news sources have reported on the phenomena (including MSNBC). As seen on the film of this event, many testifying of having received a miracle bring medical documentation to try and back their claims. Thousands of people from across the globe have been flocking to Lakeland, Florida to witness so-called "supernatural healings." After ... more
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