RECENT COMMENTS
By driver8 on June 19, 2013 at 4:14 pm [comment link]
From the entry: Andrew Brown--John Sentamu and the Church of England's slow retreat on Same Sex marriage
Well written as always. Unappealingly self congratulatory to my tastes but then it’s written for the converted. A Eusebius for the non-believer.
By Cennydd13 on June 19, 2013 at 3:11 pm [comment link]
From the entry: Robert Duncan Addresses the 5th Provincial Council of the Anglican Church in North America
I agree with all that you’ve said, but I want to know what happened at the meeting. Is there a reason for the secrecy?
By BlueOntario on June 19, 2013 at 2:11 pm [comment link]
From the entry: Andrew Brown--John Sentamu and the Church of England's slow retreat on Same Sex marriage
Stupid church, listening to scripture and not the latest thing. Have to hand it to the Guardian to call the kettle black.
By New Reformation Advocate on June 19, 2013 at 12:20 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (Living Church) 2 Bishop Nominees in new Anglican Diocese of the Upper Midwest
Both men would make outstanding bishops. Essentially, the College of Bishops can’t go wrong. And yes, APB, that’s really refreshing.
Both of my children, and all four of my grandchildren, attend Fr. Ruch’s big parish, Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton (ASA almost 900 during the school year), and so I have a keen interest in what happens to this new diocese.
David Handy+
By Martial Artist on June 19, 2013 at 12:02 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (Wash. Post) University programs that train U.S. teachers get mediocre marks in first-ever ratings
My personal opinion, based on both my own experience as a student starting in the first grade in 1951, strongly suggests that Arthur Levine has touched upon a (if not the) core of the problem:
“We can’t decide whether it’s a craft or a profession. Do you need a lot of education as you would in a profession, or do you need a little bit and then learn on the job, like a craft? I don’t know of any other profession that’s so uncertain about how to educate their professionals.”
Most education is actually some mix of both craft and profession. When I was in school, teachers, at least at the secondary level (i.e., about grades 9 through 12) had a teaching major, and often a minor, covering the subject areas they expected to teach. This would ideally give them a solid understanding of that subject matter. They also had something like a year of “student teaching,” wherein they learned and got repetitive exercise, under the supervision of an experienced teacher, in developing the skills required to impart knowledge to students.
Today, we have, at least in my home state of Washington, as system in which teachers who wish to remain employed as such are required to obtain an advanced degree, (which requirement is also used to justify higher teacher salaries). But they don’t get advanced degrees in the academic discipline which they teach. Rather they earn first a Master’s degree, then perhaps also a Ph. D., in the teaching of that subject. So the career teacher of Physics doesn’t have one or two advanced degrees in Physics. Rather, he has such a degree (or degrees) in “Physics Education.”
Inasmuch as teaching is not predominantly about knowing the subject matter, but equally about having the skills to impart that knowledge to others, I would suggest that it is heavily dependent upon the development of an effective set of interpersonal communication skills. And developing such a skill set is, without question a matter for training, irrespective of what additional education might be warranted.
The good Mr. Levine is apparently unable to see that both approaches are necessary. And I doubt, given the bargain with the devil made some few decades ago to tie salaries to “advanced degrees,” I have strong doubts that the teacher’s unions would be all that willing to return to a system that worked demonstrably better than the system which we now have.
Pax et bonum,
Keith Töpfer
By New Reformation Advocate on June 19, 2013 at 11:54 am [comment link]
From the entry: Robert Duncan Addresses the 5th Provincial Council of the Anglican Church in North America
Perhaps, Cennydd13, but I was struck by other features of this annual State of the Church address.
First, I rejoice that +Lawrence and a delegation from DSC are present as observers. Great.
Second, and relevant to the whole Canterbury connection theme, I chuckled over ++Duncan’s rephrasing of “the Canterbury Trail” as “the Nairobi Trail” when he mentioned the Pentecostal group that’s exploring the possibility of becoming Anglican.
Third, I’m delighted that the new Catechism seems to be close to being publicly released at last, and will be published by the new venture, Anglican House Publishers.Last, but not least, when it comes to the daunting challenge (“Mission impossible”) of starting 1000 Anglican churches in just five years, I think ++Duncan is right that with some 300 new churches started already, regardless of whether that ambitious goal is reached or not, we can certainly rejoice that a passion for church planting seems to have taken hold and now is embedded within the DNA of the ACNA. There is a dramatic contrast here with the utter failure of TEC to achieve much of anything when ti came to church planting during the “Decade of Evangelism” in the 1990’s. Back then, some of us gospel-driven visionaries dreamed of starting 1000 new Episcopal churches in ten years, but that unrealistic dream faded very quickly, for manifold reasons.
The ACNA has come a long way in four short years. Praise God. But we still have a very long way to go, especially in terms of “reaching North America with the transforming love of Jesus Christ.” But the commitment to building a “biblical, missionary, and united Anglicanism” on this continent remains strong and clear. And that cause is as compelling as ever.
David Handy+
By Cennydd13 on June 19, 2013 at 11:17 am [comment link]
From the entry: Andrew Brown--John Sentamu and the Church of England's slow retreat on Same Sex marriage
DITTO!
By Cennydd13 on June 19, 2013 at 11:16 am [comment link]
From the entry: Robert Duncan Addresses the 5th Provincial Council of the Anglican Church in North America
Given the recent statements of both Canterbury and York with regard to women bishops and same sex civil partnerships, I see no reason why we should be in a hurry to be in communion with Canterbury. Yes, it’s good that they may tell us that they will recognize our orders in perhaps a year’s time, but since we are already recognized by the Global South primates, is recognition by Canterbury really necessary? I’m glad ++Duncan met with ++Welby, but I do wish they’d tell us about what transpired during that meeting. Quite frankly, I see the Global South pulling completely away from Canterbury, and I believe we’ll go with them.
By Ross Gill on June 19, 2013 at 10:17 am [comment link]
From the entry: Andrew Brown--John Sentamu and the Church of England's slow retreat on Same Sex marriage
Would you rather bless a sheep and a tree, and not them?
Yes I would. Sheep and trees are not symptoms of a disordered creation. Same-sex relationships are and therefore have no place in God’s new creation where all things are made new.
By dcreinken on June 19, 2013 at 9:04 am [comment link]
From the entry: (SHNS) Terry Mattingly: A case for the common hymnal
There are actually at least 5 (maybe 6?) authorized hymnals or supplements: Hymnal 1982; LEVAS II; Wonder, Love, & Praise; Voices Found; El Himnario; and I think a praise hymnal, though it might not be official, just popular.
We use the first four, with Hymnal ‘82 and and LEVAS in the pews and the rest printed as needed. I use seasonal booklets, so I usually choose 5-6 hymns from the hymnals we don’t own and put them in as seasonal hymns, courtesy of RiteSong.
I’m increasingly surprised at how diverse WLP and Voices Found can be - some of the stuff is very traditional, some very new. Yet, I still have requests for very nice hymns that show up in hymnals from other congregations. We’re particularly bereft of hymns suitable for children (particularly in smaller congregations).
I’ve moved from staunch “BCP-Only - hate the booklets” to full-surrender and draw from all of our liturgical resources. They give me the pastoral and liturgical breadth we need. But, with the fragmentations comes greater time spent keeping up with everything. The joy of discovering something new and nice generally makes it worth it, though.
By Archer_of_the_Forest on June 19, 2013 at 8:07 am [comment link]
From the entry: (CC Blogs) Carol Merritt--How do you close a church? When do you start having the conversations?
I have always said, “There is nothing more contentious in the world than a bunch of white people arguing about money…”
By Cennydd13 on June 19, 2013 at 1:27 am [comment link]
From the entry: (SHNS) Terry Mattingly: A case for the common hymnal
We continue to use the Hymnal 1982 (though I hate the thought of singing gender-neutral hymns) and the African American hymnal Lift Every Voice and Sing…..Volume 2, and we’re not an African American congregation. LEVAS 2 is a very good hymnal, and it is suitable for every occasion.
By Katherine on June 18, 2013 at 9:34 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (NY Times Op-ed) Tom Freidman--Egypt’s Perilous Drift
What the Brotherhood and the Salafis say is that “Islam is the answer.” Egypt is now discovering that Islamism does not have answers for Egypt’s economic woes. To the contrary, it is driving tourism away, one of the country’s few sources of foreign money with which to buy the imported food it requires. Nasser and his successors established a semi-socialist centrally controlled state, the sort of thing that was all the rage among the newly independent third world states. Many of them still suffer the consequences. Business reforms under Mubarak tended to benefit the elite, not the country at large. If the current mess threatens the military’s businesses enough, perhaps they’ll do something about it; or perhaps nobody will do anything and people will starve.
By Vatican Watcher on June 18, 2013 at 8:55 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (NY Times Op-ed) Tom Freidman--Egypt’s Perilous Drift
The commentator at Asia News Online under the pen name Spengler called it in Egypt /years/ before the ouster of Mubarak. Egypt has mouths to feed and little or no resources to pay for the food. No matter who won in the Arab Spring or Tom Freidman’s proposed new revolution, the winners will still face the same dilemma: mouths to feed and no resources to pay for the food.
By TomRightmyer on June 18, 2013 at 8:13 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (SHNS) Terry Mattingly: A case for the common hymnal
The Episcopal Hymnal was published 1982 - 31 years ago. Since then we have seen a supplement and a hymnal for African-American congregations, and more places using projected words though not many. Lots of churches print the whole service hymns and all in a booklet. I don’t hear any plans for a new Episcopal hymnal and in the present declining state of the church don’t think one can be afforded. But an ecumenical hymnal would be a good thing.
By Sarah1 on June 18, 2013 at 5:49 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (Bap. Stan.) Vicki Brown--Denominations—dying or transforming into something new?
RE: “If you are an evangelist you must “go”.
I’m happily engaged in evangelization while in a mainstream denomination and have been for years now. If others are constrained in their evangelization based on whatever church they’re a part of, okay. That’s irrelevant to me.
But my larger point was this anyway. I’m far far far more impressed with the paratroopers than the Christians here in the US. And that includes me and everybody else. I don’t give a fig about which Christians are in what “denominations” or “non-denominations” since it’s the Christians that I think are flamingly inferior, regardless of where they reside.
By Ad Orientem on June 18, 2013 at 3:11 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (BBC) Iran's President-elect Rouhani vows transparency on nuclear issue
Hmmm no idea how that last comment ended up here. It was supposed to be on another thread.
By Ad Orientem on June 18, 2013 at 3:10 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (NY Times Op-ed) Tom Freidman--Egypt’s Perilous Drift
I had an elderly agnostic Muslim friend, now deceased, who thought that the best government for Egypt would be an enlightened monarchy.
+1
By Ad Orientem on June 18, 2013 at 3:09 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (BBC) Iran's President-elect Rouhani vows transparency on nuclear issue
I had an elderly agnostic Muslim friend, now deceased, who thought that the best government for Egypt would be an enlightened monarchy.
+1
By Ad Orientem on June 18, 2013 at 3:07 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (BBC) Iran's President-elect Rouhani vows transparency on nuclear issue
Show me the money!
By Katherine on June 18, 2013 at 1:11 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (NY Times Op-ed) Tom Freidman--Egypt’s Perilous Drift
I know, Karen B., and didn’t misinterpret your comment! Even if Egypt becomes free and prosperous, every Egyptian driver is still going to go wherever he can, no matter where he “should” go.
By Karen B. on June 18, 2013 at 1:03 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (NY Times Op-ed) Tom Freidman--Egypt’s Perilous Drift
Hi Katherine,
yes, I too am seeing similar reports of increased problems in Cairo and throughout Egypt. My comment about traffic was not meant to undermine the seriousness of the current situation, but merely to note that not ALL of Egypt’s problems are new, and that in terms of sin there is truly nothing new under the sun. But yes, in some times and seasons sin is held in check more effectively by outward authorities and the rule of law.
By Richard A. Menees on June 18, 2013 at 12:36 pm [comment link]
From the entry: A Prayer for the Feast Day of Bernard Mizeki
Once again it is great to remember six consecutive pilgrimages with truckloads of our Banket Parish parishioners to the annual Feast Day of Bernard at the site of his mission and martyrdom near Marondera in the Diocese of Mashonaland/Harare. The crisp winter mornings with a thousand campfires on the hillsides with the all-night drumming, hymn singing and lay testimonies, yes and don’t forget the kudoo horn solos. Wow, it was a fine quality of fellowship for so very, very many. I loved the afternoon re-enactment of the catechist’s last days and the enthusiasm of the various secondary school drama teams who had the yearly privilege of staging the reproduction of the historic event.
By Katherine on June 18, 2013 at 12:11 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (NY Times Op-ed) Tom Freidman--Egypt’s Perilous Drift
This photo essay at Business Insider shows the deteriorating conditions in Cairo.
By Katherine on June 18, 2013 at 11:45 am [comment link]
From the entry: (NY Times Op-ed) Tom Freidman--Egypt’s Perilous Drift
Yes, Karen B., traffic chaos in Cairo is perpetual! I’m hearing and reading reports about crime and hungry people which are much more alarming than the traffic. “Every man for himself” was kept in check when there was a policeman on every corner.
By BlueOntario on June 18, 2013 at 10:54 am [comment link]
From the entry: (Wash. Post) University programs that train U.S. teachers get mediocre marks in first-ever ratings
There was a piece on NPR about this report that may be worth a listen: http://www.npr.org/2013/06/18/192765776/study-teacher-prep-programs-get-failing-marks
By Karen B. on June 18, 2013 at 10:44 am [comment link]
From the entry: (NY Times Op-ed) Tom Freidman--Egypt’s Perilous Drift
Am praying for Egypt. Had to laugh at the description of the traffic chaos, however. It’s nothing new!! When I lived in Cairo back in 1985, my apartment building was at the intersection of a major road with a small one way street. Every day I saw cars going the wrong way down the one way street…, so this article made me laugh.
As for the shop owner’s comment “No one has any civic responsibility. They each only care about themselves getting to where they are going,” I see that same attitude in the N. African country where I currently live and work as well. It’s as old as Judges: “Every man did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6)
By Capt. Father Warren on June 18, 2013 at 8:49 am [comment link]
From the entry: (NY Times Op-ed) Tom Freidman--Egypt’s Perilous Drift
Another military coup would be a major headache for the WH which is backing the Muslim Brotherhood 1000% and for the WH’s alter ego, the House of Saud.
By New Reformation Advocate on June 18, 2013 at 8:28 am [comment link]
From the entry: A Prayer for the Feast Day of Bernard Mizeki
I’m so glad that this still little-known feast day is gradually gaining more attention and being more widely kept. For Bernard Mizeki represents a kind of Christian worker that is almost unknown in the US, but is the backbone of African Anglicanism, the dedicated lay catechist. North American Anglicans often fail to realize how severe is the clergy shortage in Africa, but the vast majority of Anglicans in Africa are cared for faithfully most of the time by lay catechists like Mizeki, while the clergy (spread terribly thin) show up occasionally to supplement their pastoral work.
This year, it’s great that the celebration can be even happier since the long schism in the Anglican Church in Zimbabwe is finally over. Gratefully, the notorious crook and corrupt bishop Kunonga has finally been ousted. Thanks be to God for the life and faithful witness of his loyal servant Bernard Mizeki, and for the countless faithful lay Anglicans in Zimbabwe who continue to suffer gladly for the sake of the Savior they love.
David Handy+
By Adam 12 on June 18, 2013 at 8:27 am [comment link]
From the entry: (CT) Alexandra Kuykendall--Is Fatherhood Fading Out? A Christian response to the boom in absent dads
With all the “revolutions” going on, the role of men has become more and more confused and blurred. The Bible has something to say about what men are supposed to be, but political correctness seems to rule. The real victims, as always, are the children.
By Katherine on June 18, 2013 at 7:56 am [comment link]
From the entry: (NY Times Op-ed) Tom Freidman--Egypt’s Perilous Drift
Egyptians are beginning to fear more widespread violence and bloodshed. Please pray for them, and especially for Egyptian Christians.
I had an elderly agnostic Muslim friend, now deceased, who thought that the best government for Egypt would be an enlightened monarchy. In my opinion, the best outcome now (not good, but better than the present) would be another military coup to install a more Western-facing dictator. It’s hard to know if such a person now exists in the military after the purges. Egypt is breaking down.
By Katherine on June 18, 2013 at 7:50 am [comment link]
From the entry: (WSJ) Pieter Cohen and Nicolaus Rasmussen--A Nation of Kids on Speed
I read this in the paper yesterday. What is particularly alarming is the claim that parents have been told that putting their children on amphetamines early will preclude addiction problems later (to speed or to alcohol or other drugs) when in fact the scientific support for that is very limited. What was a good treatment for a limited number of children with severe problems has become a widespread possibly dangerous panacea.
By Br. Michael on June 18, 2013 at 6:23 am [comment link]
From the entry: (NY Times Op-ed) Tom Freidman--Egypt’s Perilous Drift
“Each, though, is operating on the old majoritarian politics — winners take all, losers get nothing….”
And how exactly is this surprising?
By art on June 17, 2013 at 8:16 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (CT) Alexandra Kuykendall--Is Fatherhood Fading Out? A Christian response to the boom in absent dads
May we take Eph 3:14ff ever more seriously ...!
By David Keller on June 17, 2013 at 2:09 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (Bap. Stan.) Vicki Brown--Denominations—dying or transforming into something new?
Sarah and Milton, My wife and I were talking about this last evening. During that conversation I recalled a line from “Band of Brothers”. At the beginning of the Battle of the Buldge CPT Winters is told by an ordinance lieutenant that they are surrounded. Winters says “We’re paratroopers, lieutenant. We’re supposed to be surrounded.” My point is this. The decline of denominations in general and of Christianity in particular is not necessarily something to moan and wail about. It may just be an opportunity, if we are willing to take it. But it won’t happen in a mainstream denomination. If you are an evangelist you must “go”. I am in a thriving one year old church, outside of TEC, but still part of the greater Anglican Communion. No one is there because of the nursery, the high end oyster and wine soirées, the youth program or for business contacts. They are there to hear and spread the Gospel. We already know we will plant another church eventually and if we outgrow our present building, we will pay it forward and give it to a new congregation, as it was given to us by a Baptist congregation. After all. We are Christains. We are supposed to be surrounded.
By Cennydd13 on June 17, 2013 at 12:10 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (Living Church) 2 Bishop Nominees in new Anglican Diocese of the Upper Midwest
Dean Munday would be a fine bishop if he’s chosen.
By Milton on June 17, 2013 at 11:57 am [comment link]
From the entry: (Bap. Stan.) Vicki Brown--Denominations—dying or transforming into something new?
Sarah1, you have articulated clearly the growing realization I have had for some time now and crystallized by a re-elected president who seems a true representative of so much of the electorate. The US as a whole and even many Christians and Christian churches are a recapitulation of the book of Jeremiah. It didn’t end well then and I fear it may not end well now. We can and are commanded to reach out to individuals and groups with the Gospel and the living, risen Jesus Christ and be used to save those who will. But I do not hold much hope of transforming the culture as a whole. Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison!
By APB on June 17, 2013 at 11:38 am [comment link]
From the entry: (Living Church) 2 Bishop Nominees in new Anglican Diocese of the Upper Midwest
How refreshing to be deciding the best choice, rather than the least bad.
By Adam 12 on June 17, 2013 at 9:28 am [comment link]
From the entry: (The Tablet) Pope notes Anglicans' efforts to understand setting up of ordinariate
I fear the establishment of the Ordinariate might be much easier to comprehend should the Church of England push ahead with issues like women bishops and SSBs. Actually, I think it is a provision from God in his mercy.
By Sarah1 on June 17, 2013 at 8:10 am [comment link]
From the entry: (Bap. Stan.) Vicki Brown--Denominations—dying or transforming into something new?
I’m a bit jaundiced with discussion about denominations and “churches” or what’s dying and what’s thriving, because as a whole, I’ve noticed that essentially Christians are the same. And Christians are in big trouble in the US. Unfortunately, wherever we go we carry “we” with us.
I’m reminded of the clergyman who departed TEC with his flock, “planted” a church, and then complained that they didn’t know how to evangelize.
Yeh.
Because they’re the same people.
Sure the mainlines are toast—they’re distinguished by “being toast much faster” than other churches by virtue of their being led by people who don’t believe the Gospel.
But there’s a reason why those churches ended up being led by people who don’t believe the Gospel. And there’s a reason why the AMA and the ABA and the Boy Scouts of America and the Senate and the APA and the colleges and universities and the media and the arts and businesses are led by people who don’t believe the Gospel.
We are living in a dying culture and I don’t see any indication that Christians, by and large and with the exception of a few noted examples otherwise, are capable of having much impact on that dying culture or of even building their own, alternative, cohesive, winsome cultures.
Generally speaking, I’m not impressed with us. I’m not impressed with me. So discussions about “dying denominations” actually seem more like red herrings to distract us from a much larger and much more horrifying reality.
By Brian of Maryland on June 17, 2013 at 7:55 am [comment link]
From the entry: (Bap. Stan.) Vicki Brown--Denominations—dying or transforming into something new?
The cultural earthquake is not simply past tense, but on-going. The foundations are cracking and the edifice of Builder created institutions is turning to rubble. But, there are tender shoots of authentic Christian discipleship pushing up through the refuse. So for me the question becomes future tense. Given the movement toward a discipling culture must grow up through the collapsed machinery of mainline denominationalism, once those efforts come out into the light and start growing, what will that new life owe the rubble? IMHO, there’s a huge Reformation going on right now in Western culture and those who reach GenY and are left standing will represent Christianity in North America. Mainline denominations are thus far failing. In other words, all mainline denominations are toast.
By Milton Finch on June 16, 2013 at 8:50 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (CSM) US promises military aid to Syrian rebels. Now what?
The people we are going to be helping have a video online of one of their fighters eating a dead Syrian soldiers’ heart. CNN has a story on it.
By carl+ on June 16, 2013 at 4:51 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (CSM) US promises military aid to Syrian rebels. Now what?
Unfortunately, the US State Dept has shown that they can’t be trusted to identify, let alone serve, the actual interests of America.
Nor is it evident to any of the close observers of the situation that the State Dept. even understands the nature of the conflict!
What is obvious is that Obama does not care about any of this!
By m+ on June 16, 2013 at 4:17 pm [comment link]
From the entry: NPR Marketplace with Harvard's Michael Sandel--When Nearly Everything is Commodified, what is lost?
“It’s no longer the case that everyone still stands in the same long lines for the restroom, or eats the same pretty inadequate food, and it’s no longer true that when it rains, everyone gets wet,” he says.
where has the author been living? the separation between rich and poor has been there since the dawn of time- or at least since the days of Abraham and Moses. I suppose he’s trying to make a case against the so called 1% but I’m just not buying it.
By David Keller on June 16, 2013 at 1:35 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (Bap. Stan.) Vicki Brown--Denominations—dying or transforming into something new?
Two thoughts: Most young people no longer consider “denomination” particularly important. For better or worse they are consumers of religion in two significant ways. First, they pick and choose what doctrines they want to adhere to. Second, they pick churches for things like who has the best nursery or youth program, best functions and often who offers the best business contacts. Because of the way the mainline churches have developed since the 1960s, we make it easy for them to do that. The other problem is the self focus of this article. “The question is are we thriving. Are we living out the faith”. That statement is a non-sequitur. You can not live out the faith if you are in maintenance mode, having programs for yourself. The Church is supposed to be the only institution that exists for the benefit of those who are not yet members. As Bp. Herzog used to say,“any farmer can tell you. If it ain’t growing, it’s dead.”
By Capt. Father Warren on June 16, 2013 at 7:52 am [comment link]
From the entry: (CSM) US promises military aid to Syrian rebels. Now what?
Why are we arming the rebels?
Mainly because our handlers, the Muslim Brotherhood and the House of Saud wants us to. As chronicled in the WSJ in the last couple of days the Saudi’s have been in the WH pushing us to increase our efforts with the rebels in this Shi’ite vs Sunni war. Hence Sarah Palin’s remark, “let Allah sort it out.”
Since our President is a lavish supporter [with our money] of Allah’s army, the Muslim Brotherhood, Sarah’s comment is more ironic than we might at first think.
By Charles52 on June 15, 2013 at 6:30 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (WSJ) Francis X. Rocca: Pope Francis Is Good for the Jews
The Vatican archives from World War II are being catalogued. The collection is sure to be opened in 2014, or so I’ve read.
By Teatime2 on June 15, 2013 at 5:41 pm [comment link]
From the entry: [C of E Vicar] David Keen--We Must Face into An epidemic of family breakdown on Father's Day Weekend
Before you can tackle the issue of responsible fatherhood, you have to address the issue of responsible manhood WITHOUT a wink and a nod or saying that it is all women`s fault because they give in before marriage. Granted, many women do not the grace the gender. But the topic is men.
And the image of men in the West is not one of honor, stability,, trust, and faithfulness. Sorry, but it isn`t. They seem to view marriage as something they will do if they find the right candidate to add to their image, career path, and portfolio, not about growing in values, faith, and love as a couple to share outward with one`s larger family, community, etc.
This is why the poor don`t see the point of marriage at all—when it` s mostly about money and he is a slacker or trouble, then relyingon the government or charity seems like the better oo the women. And the men don`t care. They shirked the responsibility. Since he has no money, and it seems to be all about money, he doesn`t think he ha.s .anything to offer the family.
-
There was a segment on CNN last week about a 30-year-old man who has 22 kids by a host of different women. The news anchors were giggling away as he said how it wasn`t his fault, he just loves ladies. No job, no child support, the journalists thought he was cute.I was expressing my outrage when my housekeeper said her father has 28 kids that she knows of, there may be more! For all of this woman`s life, she has gotten calls and visits from strangers out of the blue, people who are her brothers and sisters from affairs her father had.
Not to that extent, thankfully, but there are a whole lot of children from diverse backgrounds who have been scarred by the knowledge and fallout of the cheating culture. There are also a lot of women who have been callously lied to, used, and discarded by men. I know two from my college days were psychologically damaged by planned cruelty. The hookup culture has further made people morally numb.
I think the question that needs to be answered is this: Is marriage more than the financial stabilizer always emphasizedand how can men and women regain the values, trust, mutual respect, and depth required for real relationships?
By tgs on June 15, 2013 at 5:38 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (CSM) US promises military aid to Syrian rebels. Now what?
I think Sarah Palin has it right - “Let Allah sort this out”.
By Terry Tee on June 15, 2013 at 5:26 pm [comment link]
From the entry: (CSM) US promises military aid to Syrian rebels. Now what?
Why are we arming the rebels? There is plenty of evidence that some of their component ‘armies’ are persecuting Christians. Most observers blame the rebels for the kidnapping seven weeks ago of two Syrian Orthodox bishops, Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi, who are now believed to be dead, probably murdered soon after their car was stopped and their driver, a deacon, shot. There are also plenty of reports of villages or towns controlled by the rebels then being emptied of their Christian population.
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