Why Does It Always Seem To Rain on the Weekends?
Is this a figment of my imagination? Or is the rainy weekend effect real? And if its real, is God punishing us, or is there a natural explanation like global warming or air pollution? The answers might surprise you.

Who Would Jesus Torture
Why are some born again Christians so quick to ignore the clearest of the teachings of the Prince of Peace? Would Jesus endorse using torture and other inhumane treatment against suspected terrorists? The words of Jesus were clear: "Those who live by the sword will die by the sword." And "Return not evil for evil." But the Rev. Louis P. Sheldon, who heads the Traditional Values Coalition, thinks his own "traditions" trump the teaching of Jesus. Read more.

The full text of the Geneva Convention

Books For Thoughtful Christians (and others)
If you don't like to be challenged even as you are entertained and inspired, avoid these books! On the other hand, if you are interested in learning what's happening at the leading edge Christianity and other world religions, just try any of these books on for size.

And if you don't like my list, consider our new search engine, allowing you to select from all the books in print, and some out of print.

The Catwalk Finds God
It used to be that cutting edge work for aspiring young ministers was to go out into a mission field that included difficult assignment to a third world country, an inner city church, or the front lines of the peace movement. Perhaps hospital chaplaincy or ministry in a nursing home. Apparently a new generation of clergy, at least in the Church of England, has a better idea?

This is no joke: The Rev. Johanna Jepson has just been appointed the first chaplain at London's College of Fashion.

More Humor

Pope Benedict's Blunder
The Roman pontiff's recent statement about Islam, and it's connection with violence, was wrong headed for any number of reasons, not the least of which was his failure to acknowledge Christianity's own blood stained history. No Christian leader is in any position to condemn the sins of other world ideologies without first confessing the evils of his or her own tradition, asking for forgiveness and entering into a long process of reconciliation.

Many Christians understand this. In fact, Pope John Paul II had begun this process of reconciliation with both Muslims and Jews. Not a few devout Catholics are far ahead of the Pope on this. Take a look at the pastoral letter to Benedict written by Sri Lankan priest, Tissa Balasuriya, and published here in June. "Benedict Rouse Yourself" could have been written as a direct rebuttal of the Pope's recent comments about Islam.

Madonna's Crucifixion
In the pop singer's "Confessions on a Dance Floor" tour she poses on a giant cross, wearing a crown of thorns, against a backdrop of projected images showing children from Africa who are victims of AIDS and other calamities such as genocide in Darfur. Religious leaders around the world have risen up to condemn this, calling it "heresy" and "blasphemy." I find her message inspirational. Here's why.

A Good Argument Against Church?

Consider Who Is Making It!
More humor

How to find a church
How to go about finding a church where you will feel at home, as well as being intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally challenged so that your faith will continue to deepen and grow.

God-4-Sale
Now that the Internet has become a marketplace as much as a medium of communication, there's a gold rush in progress, as people try to cash in. Much of the selling is being done in the name and under the banner of Jesus Christ.
Our Money Changer of the Week Award goes to ...

Picking Up Where Luther Let Us Down
On the last Sunday in October, Christians around the world celebrate the events that unfolded in 16th Century Europe, now known as the Reformation. Martin Luther is its central protagonist. His example offers some hard lessons for 21st century rulers and reformers in both church and state.

Congress Approves New War Spending

At $10 billion per month and rising, the costs of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to escalate far beyond the Bush administration's wildest estimations. Putting the cost of the war into perspective ...

And over 2700 US soldiers have paid the ultimate price.

What Would Jesus Say About the Costs of the War?