GodWeb

2009-11-11T15:52:00.003-05:00

Do Dogs Go To Heaven?

The debate rages, but in my mind there is no debate at all. God loves all creatures, so why would dogs not go to heaven?
For more information about God and the animals.

2009-10-11T07:00:00.001-04:00

Thanksgiving: To Whom, For What?
A day of prayer, self-congratulations, or what? When the act of counting one's blessings becomes the habit of counting upon one's blessings. And what the holiday really means.

Thanksgiving Prayers
Thanksgiving Quotations: Some Famous, Some Funny
Thanksgiving Recipes

2009-10-10T08:52:00.000-04:00

The Date of Thanksgiving 2009

2009-09-26T05:57:00.000-04:00

Halloween: Holiday in Need of Renovation
Given its pagan roots, some think it evil. We disagree and examine its deeper meaning, religious roots, and contemporary significance, including practical ideas on how to celebrate it today. Renovating Halloween

Halloween: A Pagan Perspective
One reader reacted strongly to my Halloween piece. Since her retort was so well written and so thoughtful, I've included her entire rebuttal here.

2009-09-16T16:22:00.003-04:00

Financing Health Care Reform
Judging from photos of last weekend's anti-reform march on Washington, if the folks who oppose health care legislation would start exercising and eating right, we could finance universal coverage using what we save on THEIR medical bills!

Suggested reading: What would Jesus eat?

2009-09-10T15:38:00.004-04:00

Health Care Reform: The Faith Perspective
The shrill voices of "faith based" talk show hosts notwithstanding, the overwhelming majority of religious leaders in the US recognize that reform of health care systems is a moral imperative. For churches, synagogues, and mosques, concern for people's health is not a fad. Historically, religious organizations of all kinds have stepped forward to found hospitals, medical schools, neighborhood health clinics, senior care centers, and a host of other agencies aimed at improving the health of their communities. They have done this out of a recognition that caring for the sick and the infirm is not just a responsibility of individuals, but of the society as a whole. And in this, government, has a positive, even an essential role to play. For more, on this topic including statements from religious leaders and faith based groups working on this issue, continue here.

2009-08-29T11:18:00.002-04:00

Catholics Come Through
In the context of quarrelsome comments from conservative Catholics and Protestants alike who took issue with some of Senator Kennedy's views, those involved in today's funeral mass, including Catholic clergy, family members, and friends, hosted a gracious and wonderful celebration! The affirmation of Ted Kennedy's life and work, and the acknowledgement of how his personal faith animated his life long commitment to social justice was inspirational. This was an example of the Catholic Church at its best.

2009-08-18T09:00:00.000-04:00

God and the Hurricanes
Now in the heart of the tropical storm season, with yet another strom heading for the US, it is timely to reflect upon the ways in which religious people deal with natural disasters, which are often referred to as an "act of God."

Check out these respected relief agencies that can deliver help when tragedy strikes

2009-08-15T21:57:00.000-04:00

The Maltese Cross
This cross has a long history. It has been associated with the Order of Knights of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, also known as the "Knights Hospitaller." This order began with the establishment of a hospital in Jerusalem, and has long been associated with caregiving, but also took on military duties, eventually becoming a powerful, military force with vast properties and great wealth.

2009-08-06T00:15:00.000-04:00

Twitter Updates

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2009-08-05T16:48:00.002-04:00

Catholic Leaders Urge Congress to Pass Health Care Reform
Catholic social justice leaders are urging Congress to put aside ideological and partisan agendas to pass comprehensive health care reform that makes quality health care affordable for all Americans. In a statement that will be sent to members of Congress and published as an advertisement later this month, Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good and other national Catholic organizations call it “a moral crisis and a political failure” that nearly 50 million Americans lack health insurance. We couldn't agree more! For more on this news.

2009-07-22T09:18:00.000-04:00

What is Hinduism?
Can a religion that affirms thousands, perhaps millions, of different gods and goddesses be considered compatible with Christianity? The answer is not as obvious as it might first appear.
Recommended Websites on Hinduism
Books About Hinduism
Ganesha: One of the Most Popular Hindu Deities
Hindu Festival Calendar for 2009, 2010 and beyond.

2009-07-14T23:22:00.002-04:00

GodArt
A very interesting and challenging project, culminating in a virtual world exhibit this fall. We will track this with great interest as artists and designers seek to answer the question: "Is is even possible to visualize God in a 3D art project?" You can visit the website to learn more, but to really get in on the action you will need to have a Second Life account and avatar.

godart

2009-07-14T10:39:00.001-04:00

What is Buddhism?
Can a religion without a formal notion of God be considered compatible with Christianity? Aside from the obvious differences, what are the points of fruitful dialogue between Buddhists and Christians?

Buddhist Holiday Calendar

Recommended links about Buddhism

Top Books About Buddhism

2009-07-04T15:57:00.000-04:00

Can Christians Alone Be Saved?
"I am the way, the truth and the light, no one comes to the Father but by me," said Jesus. Does this mean that only Christians can be saved?

2009-07-03T11:08:00.000-04:00

The Face and the Figure of Jesus
With the possible exception of the cross, the figure of Jesus is the central symbol of Christianity. This, despite the fact that no one knows what Jesus looked like. Contemplating this symbol can not only deepen your appreciation of Christianity, it can be a central part in the enrichment of your personal faith.

Pierre Teillard de Chardin's "Picture of Jesus."

2009-07-02T12:40:00.000-04:00

The Ten Most Popular Prayers of All Time
Well, actually, we've got twelve. But since two of today's most popular prayers may not be on the list tomorrow, let's call it ten. My selections include all time favorite and familiar prayers like the Lord's Prayer, the Serenity Prayer, and the Prayer of St. Francis, along with the contemporary, and very popular prayer of Jabez and the Jelly Bean Prayer.

More prayers: some less popular but more powerful

2009-07-01T09:17:00.000-04:00

Bible Dictionary -- World Wide Web Version
This classic reference work contains nearly 4000 entries providing definitions for the most frequently used words, proper names and place names in the Bible.

2009-06-05T11:38:00.000-04:00

Christian and Biblical Baby Names
Find a name for your child, whether boy or girl; a name with meaning; not just something popular.

2009-05-11T18:01:00.006-04:00

Don't Forget Father's Day
The date and meaning of Father's Day. With thoughts, prayers and readings for and about Dad.

2009-05-11T17:48:00.001-04:00

All About Pentecost

The date and meaning of Pentecost, Christianity's most neglected holiday.

The date of Pentecost for 2009 through 2020

The Complete Calendar of the Christian Year

The Roman Catholic Liturgical Calendar

Books about Pentecost

Books about Pentecostalism

2009-05-11T17:28:00.000-04:00

Father's Day: The Fatherhood of God
What Jesus learned from this own father, and why that matters.

Also: Father's Day Prayers
Prayer, poetry, and famous quotations for the day, some inspirational, some humorous, some thought provoking.

2009-04-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

Will the real Mother's Day Please Stand Up?
Many people see Mother's Day as a secular holiday, designed by the greeting card industry, promoted by restaurants, beloved by florists. Some clergy agree, objecting to the commercialism of the holiday. Does Mother's Day have religious meaning? If so what is it? Just consider the witness of its founder, Anna Jarvis.

Mother's Day Prayers, poetry, and thoughts for the day.

When is Mother's Day 2009?
The date and meaning of the day.

Books on or about Mother's Day

And now that we're thinking about it ....
When is Father's Day 2009?

2009-03-27T11:12:00.004-04:00

A Life is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

Where is the "right to life" movement when we need it? Recent research shows that the average American is spending more than eight hours every day in front of an LCD screen, and more than five hours sitting passively in front of a television set. When one spends nearly one third of one's available time in any activity (and I am not sure that TV viewing can be described as an "activity") then it is not too harsh to suggest that one is involved in an addiction. The latest research shows that television viewing is America's drug of choice. It's may also be the greatest destroyer of the hearts, and especially the minds of the people. Literally, an angel of death. It is a form of slavery, scandalous and shocking in the "land of the free and the home of the brave." Read more.

2009-03-11T11:07:00.000-04:00

An Illuminated Easter
The Easter story as told by stained glass artists in some of the most beautiful churches of Europe and North America