This article about an atheist’s plans to sue for the removal of “In God We Trust” from U. S. currency explains that the motto was added around the time of our great Civil War, perhaps as an expression of people’s faith that God would lead the nation through that devastating conflict. ‘In God We Trust’: Is the motto on US currency unconstitutional? (+video) – CSMonitor.com.
This article about the first reconciliation meeting between a British royal and a leader of Sinn Fein included reference to a church service that Prince Charles would attend, memorializing the death of his godfather, Lord Mountbatten, who was killed in a terrorist bomb blast. Even with liberalization and decline in the Church of England, it still has an important role in reconciliation efforts.
Prince Charles meets Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.
This book explores the use of the bema platform in early Syrian Orthodox churches. The bema was a raised platform from which Scripture was read in the synagogue, which was adopted by early Christian churches.
Review of Biblical Literature.
This new book includes essays on paradise, illustrating how Jewish and Christians gave different descriptions.
Review of Biblical Literature.
How seven youths escaped persecution and perhaps inspired Rip Van Winkle.
Ephesus: The Legend of the Seven Sleepers | Bob Schulman.
A significant event since no Arabic speaking saints have been canonized for a very long time.
AP – Holy Land Christians celebrate sainthood of Arab nuns.
Jeb Bush, a devout convert to Roman Catholicism, spoke at Baptist Liberty University. The article notes that most Republican candidates court conservative Protestants, which make up 34% of the Republican vote. Jeb Bush at Liberty University: Why presidential hopefuls court Evangelicals (+video) – CSMonitor.com.
Raul Castro signaled a personal change in his relations to the Catholic Church after carefully following the teaching of Pope Francis. Castro also noted that Cubans are now free to exercise their faith, noteworthy changes for an atheistic, Catholic nation.
Castro: Ready to go back to church after meeting with Pope Francis.
This study, released today, has significant finding about the decline of Christian affiliation but does not provide explanations for the declines discovered in their surveys. I would suggestion the following reasons:
Personal rather than political reasons
The breakdown of families, which normally have held people in churches
Church-life feeling more hurtful than helpful
Social norms that caused people to say they were religious in the past are fading. People are more comfortable admitting they are unaffiliated.
America’s Changing Religious Landscape | Pew Research Center.
This article helps one understand how the attacks on Christians in Garissa came about due to the presence in Kenya of a large refugee camp for Muslims from war-ravaged Somalia.
World’s largest refugee camp in Kenya at risk of closing.
church history review 