Religion and Values

Religion news with an Oklahoma angle

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Rabbi sees divine design August 30, 2008 | Comment on this article

Weighing in on every aspect of the construction of the new Chabad Community Center for Jewish Life and Learning, Rabbi Ovadia Goldman saw many layers of an unfolding plan. “One of the things I always learned in my Jewish mysticism classes is that there is nothing in the world that was created... Read More

Bishop Ed to discuss Lambeth

August 30, 2008 Oklahoma Episcopalians will get a chance to hear about the once-a-decade Lambeth Conference at six regional briefings beginning Tuesday in Duncan. The Rt. Rev. Edward Konieczny, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma, will share information about the conference, which he attended in England along with... Read More

Facing Facebook head-on

August 30, 2008 I met Chris Forbes a few years ago and he has always been a good source of information when it comes to some of the ways churches are using technology for their outreach efforts. Over the years, I’ve learned that he shares a similar philosophy as Bobby Gruenewald, innovation pastor at... Read More

Faith blossoms on Katrina's anniversary

August 29, 2008 As yet another storm — this time Gustav – threatens New Orleans, the Louisiana city is commemorating the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina today. An interfaith service is set there for tonight and representatives of New Orleans’ major faith communities, plus some from the... Read More

Faithful Five for the weekend -- Aug. 29-31 August 29, 2008 Here’s my “faithful five” — five events going on in the faith community this weekend. If what you read below intrigues you, go check it our for yourself: 1. Saturday in the park. That’s the title of Oklahoma Baptist University’s back-to-school welcome and worship celebration set for Saturday at... Read More

Still no love for 'Love Guru'

August 28, 2008 Some national Hindu leaders are urging Wal-Mart and other retailers not to carry “The Love Guru” DVD. I wrote a column about a week before the movie’s June 20 big-screen premiere, specifically focusing on a boycott of the film led by Rajan Zed, president of the Universal Society of Hinduism. The... Read More

Priest cancels beauty pageant ... nun too soon

August 27, 2008 An Italian priest recently found himself in trouble with his superiors because of his beauty pageant for nuns. The Rev. Antonio Rungi reportedly created the pageant by announcing it on his blog. The unconventional — and short-lived — pageant has lit up the blogosphere over the past day... Read More

Faith's view of political conventions

August 27, 2008 The PBS news magazine show Religion & Ethics Newsweekly features special reports on this week’s Democratic Convention and will also focus on the upcoming Republican convention. As part of the program’s ongoing “2008 Campaign” coverage, managing editor and correspondent Kim Lawton began... Read More

Baptist pastor blogging again

August 27, 2008 The Rev. Wade Burleson’s self-imposed break from blogging is over. Burleson, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Enid, made the official announcement with Monday’s posting on his blog at wadeburleson.com. He took a blogging sabbatical in mid-May, surprising me since it was just a month before the... Read More

Lighting a fire under churches

August 26, 2008 A faith-themed film set to premiere next month is lighting a fire under churches concerned about marriage. The movie “Fireproof” is 30 days away from opening in theaters nationwide. Already ministries across the nation, including several in Oklahoma, are talking about the film which... Read More

Rules for conscience-driven health care providers August 26, 2008 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued proposed rules on protecting health care workers who object to performing certain procedures, including abortion, for religious or moral reasons, the Religion News Service reported. The proposed rules were released Aug. 21 by Health and Human... Read More

Military chaplain wants YOU...

August 25, 2008 Uncle Sam may have wanted you at some time or another, but there is now an Army chaplain who has a request. Capt. Graham B. Glover is asking Americans to come together in prayer on Sept. 7, the Sunday before Sept. 11. Glover is leading the non-denominational “Prayer for Our Troops” to... Read More

Shane & Shane headed to Shawnee

August 25, 2008 Popular worship duo Shane & Shane will perform at Oklahoma Baptist University’s annual “Saturday in the Park” Saturday at Woodland Park in downtown Shawnee. The event is free and also features Oklahoma’s own, contemporary Christian recording artist Jami Smith. “Saturday in the... Read More

Faith in the voter's booth

August 23, 2008 I was struck by the simplicity of Richard Land’s (pictured at right) message when I visited with the Southern Baptist Convention leader during his visit to Oklahoma City this week. I interviewed Land briefly at last year’s convention annual meeting in San Antonio and had been to previous news conferences... Read More

Faithful Five for Aug. 23-24 August 22, 2008 Here’s my “faithful five” — five events going on in the faith community this weekend. If what you read below intrigues you, go check it our for yourself: 1. Fun in the park. Eastpointe Community Church’s SummerFest gets under way at 5 p.m. Saturday, in partnership with the City of Choctaw. SummerFest... Read More

Faith a sore spot at the Olympics?

August 21, 2008 I remember archery lessons in my freshman PE class in high school. I really recall how bad I was at it and how grateful I was that I never had to do it again. The sport is on my mind today after I read a recent story in the New York Times about U.S. Olympic... Read More

Greeting cards draw flak

August 21, 2008 Hallmark Cards has drawn the ire of a national Christian women’s organization, according to a news release from Christian Newswire. Leaders with Concerned Women for America said they are unhappy about a new line of Hallmark greeting cards which the organization claims celebrate “gay... Read More

More on religious freedom and China August 19, 2008 I know that everybody has been entranced by the Olympics in Beijing. Along with the spectacular athletic games, we’ve also seen the topic of religious freedom brought to the forefront, particularly in light of the Chinese government’s tight reins (or outright ban) on anything that does not... Read More

Did you watch Rick Warren's civil forum? August 18, 2008 Did you get to tune in to pastor and author Rick Warren’s civil forum featuring presumptive presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain? Are you interested in hearing more about the forum and Warren’s thoughts about leadership? Go to Beliefnet.com for Warren’s post-forum interview.... Read More

"Seventh Heaven" producer keeping busy August 18, 2008 Remember “Seventh Heaven,” that quirky television show about a pastor and his family? The executive producer of the show, which ended its long run (first on FOX and then on the CW) a few seasons ago, is Brenda Hampton and she has a new TV show that is gaining popularity. It’s called “The Secret... Read More