A New Inquisition: Neither Welcome Nor Needed
A Protestant's response to the Vatican plan for a "visitation" of all Roman Catholic seminaries in the US. The working document, "Instrumentum Laboris," including questions to be asked of all administrators, teachers and students at the seminaries is disturbing, not simply because of its negative impact upon qualified candidates for the priesthood who happen to be gay, but for its repressive and defensive view of theological education in general. If the Devil were to invent a plan for the continuing decline and ultimate death of the Church of Jesus Christ, he could not do better than this. Discuss it here.

Are Americans Stingy?
While hurricane Katrina has focused attention on the persistence of poverty within the US, the question raised in the context of the tsunami disaster persists. Is the US, as some believe, "the most generous nation on earth?" Or as others allege, is the US among the most "stingy?" The answer is hard to come by.

Or more to the point: Are you?

Homosexuality Debate
Apparently the Vatican is about to issue new guidelines, barring even celibate, gay men from the priesthood. Few issues have divided Christian denominations like this one, and the latest moves from Rome will not bring the controversy to an end. We bring to the table two world class biblical scholars to discuss the difficult, underlying issues.
Homosexuality: What does the Bible actually teach?

God and the Hurricanes
Does God control the path of hurricanes as they threaten the coast of the US each fall? As one tracks a major storm like Katrina or Rita, and sees the davastation on the ground, the question arises with greater intensity. So how about it?

Then, having seen the damage, and understood the need, the only question remaining is ... how can I help?

Check out these respected relief agencies where you can contribute now!

For our forum discussion of the disaster and how you can help.

The Top Dozen Religions of the World
What are the largest religions of the world? What are their membership statistics, relative size, locations, rankings? Find out now simply by looking at our tables, charts and maps.

How Not to Help Hurricane Victims: Donors Beware
In the days immediately following Katrina's landfall in Louisiana and Mississippi, FEMA came up with a short list of not-for-profit agencies involved in relief efforts. Pat Robertson's Operation Blessing International was among three such agencies recommended, even though this agency is a text book example of how not to help victims of poverty or natural disaster. Here's why.

Based on our coverage of controversy surrounding Operation Blessing, ABC's World News Tonight ran an investigative report on Sept 9. For the full transcript of that report.

Forced Evacuations?
Contemplating the possibility that New Orleans officials will begin to force some citizens to abandon their homes at gun point fills me with mixed emotion. I'd like to hear your thoughts on whether you think the government has any business breaking into people's homes and forcing them to leave even if such action is "for their own good."
Poll and Discussion: Forced Evacuations?

Commemorating 9/11 in the aftermath of Katrina
Still stunned by the devastation of this terrible storm, we're fast approaching another anniversary of the terrorist attacks. How the nation's greatest natural disaster may change our perspectives on 9/11 and a whole lot else. Discuss it here

The Katrina Prophecy: The Storm After The Storm
Prophets don't predict the future, they warn of dire consequences, given various injustices. David Brooks, with whom I often disagree, has written the most prophetic article on Katrina I've seen anywhere. You are invited to check it out and then share your own thoughts.