CHR Comment: The stone was part of the threshold for Hagby Church, illustrating how stones were reused from earlier cultures and purposes.
Source: Viking Rune Stone Unearthed in Sweden – Archaeology Magazine
William Tyndale, Martyr
One of the pioneers who brought us the Bible in English was William Tyndale, who is remembered today, October 6.
Arabic Speaking Church in Portland, OR
Meet the retiree-turned-pastor who’s creating a home for Portland’s Arabic Christians.
CHR Comment: The article describes the spread of Arabic speaking Christian churches along the west coast. The Pacific Northwest is the least Christian area of the United States.
Source: Planting an Immigrant Church in America’s Whitest City
Christianity, Chess, and the Queen of Katwe
Phiona Mutesi, the prodigy featured in a new Disney film, was one of hundreds of children who learned to play at the Christian academy.
CHR Comment: Robert Katende’s Sports Outreach project in Uganda is bearing remarkable fruit, a Christian mission that uses sports and chess to improve the lives of the poor in Uganda. The article also mentions the warlord run Lord’s Resistance Army that has used violence in the name of Christianity. These examples illustrate the opportunities and difficulties of living out one’s faith in Uganda at this time.
Source: Uganda’s ‘Queen of Katwe’ got her start at this slum chess school – The Washington Post
Poland Abortion Bill Withdrawn
Poland’s deputy prime minister says proposals for a near-total ban on abortion which sparked protests across the country will not go through.
CHR Comment: The article describes the bill as sponsored by the Catholic Church but also mentions the role of an “anti-abortion citizens’ initiative” that gathered 450,000 signatures. Likely the bill is being withdrawn before a vote as the legislators realize the votes are not present for passage. Given the large number of Poles who have expressed concern about abortion, we are likely to see a redraft of the bill, which would garner more support.
Source: Poland abortion: Deputy PM backs away from ban – BBC News
Pope, Anglican Leader Celebrate 50 Years of Dialogue
Pope Francis is pushing through with an unusually high-powered month of outreach to other Christians, celebrating 50 years of Catholic dialogue with the Anglican Church in between important visits to Orthodox and Lutheran leaders.
CHR Comment: As some denominations have relaxed their standards for doctrine and practice, making them more ecumenical in tone, they have also distanced themselves from other churches since they have adopted doctrines and practices that collide with long held Christian teaching. With one hand they reach out to others while withdrawing the other. As a consequence, the ecumenical movement has had limited success in its goal of broader unity.
Source: Pope, Anglican leader celebrate 50 years of dialogue – The Washington Post
Bring Your Bible to School Day Celebrates Religious Freedom
“As a Christian student, you can be a powerful voice of hope at your school,” says a pro-Christian website.
Source: Bring Your Bible to School Day Celebrates Religious Freedom
Vice Presidential Candidates Have Faith-Filled Lives
Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican Mike Pence – both raised Catholic, one now born-again Christian – see religious faith as central to their public service.
CHR Comment: The article describes the faith and faith-driven activities of the vice presidential candidates contrasting one as focused on “thou shalt not” and the other as focused on “thou must.” One wonders whether a reporter with greater empathy might have been found for this article. I have noticed numerous Facebook comments from persons expressing interest in having these candidates as the presidential candidates instead of the current candidates.
Source: In vice presidential debate, two portraits of faith-filled lives – CSMonitor.com
Chinese Pastor Yang Hua
A jailed church leader in China has been tortured by authorities to extort a confession and is now suffering from serious diseases, his lawyers claim.
CHR Comment: Pastor Yang Hua, leader of a house church, remains in detention since December. He reports suffering torture, having been arrested under the charge of releasing state secrets.
Divide over Abortion in Poland
Some businesses in Poland close for the day as thousands of women go on strike to protest against proposals for a total ban on abortion.
CHR Comment: Roman Catholic views are currently very influential in Poland. As the conservative Polish political movement raises the issue of banning abortion, some women in Poland are protesting. The article lists European countries that presently have tighter restrictions on abortion than does Poland.
Source: Black Monday: Polish women strike against abortion ban – BBC News
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