Barna Survey Hits Hard Issues For Catholics
A survey conducted in Camden, New Jersey, suggests churches focus more on evangelizing and teaching doctrine.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden commissioned the study with the Barna Group and took a look at views of Protestants and Catholics.
Peter Feuerherd, a spokesman, says: "What really struck us about the study was the number of people who don't go to church because they are basically distracted by life on Sundays in this country -- and by that we mean things like soccer, football, baseball games, social events, time together with family ...."
While he acknowledges family time is important, he notes "it does seem to encroach upon time and church." In fact, Feuerherd says church attendance can be part of family time.
Based on the survey, 60 percent of Catholics surveyed believe Jesus was not without sin, 38 percent favor attending church only on holidays -- and among all faith groups, 51 percent said churches are too involved in fighting against abortion and same-gender "marriage."
"And what we found out was that, not too surprising, ... Catholics are very reticent about their faith and are far less likely than our Protestant brothers and sisters to do the invitation to their neighbors and friends," he says. "We would like to change that whole cultural dynamic."
Feuerherd also says the church must do a better job of teaching doctrine and moral values. -By Charlie Butts/OneNewsNow/6/3/2012
Despite Deaths, Snake-Handling Churches On The Rise
Despite the recent snake-bite death of WV Pastor Mark Randall “Mack” Wolford, snake handling in some Pentecostal churches is on the rise again, especially with youth.
USA Today reports,
Andrew Hamblin’s Facebook page is filled with snippets of his life.
Making a late-night run to Taco Bell.
Watching SpongeBob on the couch with his kids.
Handling rattlesnakes in church.
Hamblin, 21, pastor of Tabernacle Church of God in LaFollette, Tenn., is part of a new generation of serpent-handling Christians who are revitalizing a century-old faith tradition in Tennessee. . . .
For more than a century, serpent handlers have had a turbulent relationship with outsiders. Churches popped up around charismatic preachers, then faded after controversy or bad publicity. When the practice became illegal, true believers went underground.
Until last year, serpent-handling churches were in decline, said Paul Williamson, professor of psychology at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Ark., who studies serpent handlers. . . .
Bites are rare because timber rattlesnakes and copperheads would rather flee, said Vince Cobb, a herpetologist at Middle Tennessee State University.
While the snakes can’t be tamed, they can become used to being handled. A gentle handler who doesn’t make fast motions near a snake’s head is unlikely to get bitten. -by Joel McDurmon/American Vision News/Jun 4, 2012
Visiting Temple Mount? Don't Move
Police have reportedly issued new draconian instructions for non-Muslims who ascend to the Temple Mount, Judaism's holiest site, which has been under Muslim occupation for centuries. According to a report in the daily newspaper Ma'ariv, non-Muslims are now not even permitted to close their eyes while on the Mount, or do anything that could be interpreted as praying.
While Jews have not been allowed to pray on the Mount since the Muslim riots of the year 2000, and their entry has been restricted to specific hours and days, the new instructions take the restrictions to an even greater extreme.
A delegation of 30 public figures and rabbis headed by Rav Dov Lior and MK Uri Ariel arrived at the Temple Mount last week and encountered the new restrictions. When they reached the entrance area at the Mughrabim Gate, a police officer showed up and presented the instructions.
"The officer said that closing eyes and rocking the body back and forth constitute prayer, and therefore anyone who does any of these things will be immediately removed from the Mount," MK Ariel recounted. Taking a note out of one's pocket was also listed as a no-no.
According to the report, the Jerusalem District Police responded to the story by saying only, "This was a statement by an officer who explained to the visitors to the Temple Mount about the characteristics of prayer that are forbidden during the visit there." -By Gil Ronen/Arutz Sheva/May 22, 2012
A survey conducted in Camden, New Jersey, suggests churches focus more on evangelizing and teaching doctrine.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden commissioned the study with the Barna Group and took a look at views of Protestants and Catholics.
Peter Feuerherd, a spokesman, says: "What really struck us about the study was the number of people who don't go to church because they are basically distracted by life on Sundays in this country -- and by that we mean things like soccer, football, baseball games, social events, time together with family ...."
While he acknowledges family time is important, he notes "it does seem to encroach upon time and church." In fact, Feuerherd says church attendance can be part of family time.
Based on the survey, 60 percent of Catholics surveyed believe Jesus was not without sin, 38 percent favor attending church only on holidays -- and among all faith groups, 51 percent said churches are too involved in fighting against abortion and same-gender "marriage."
"And what we found out was that, not too surprising, ... Catholics are very reticent about their faith and are far less likely than our Protestant brothers and sisters to do the invitation to their neighbors and friends," he says. "We would like to change that whole cultural dynamic."
Feuerherd also says the church must do a better job of teaching doctrine and moral values. -By Charlie Butts/OneNewsNow/6/3/2012
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Despite Deaths, Snake-Handling Churches On The Rise
Despite the recent snake-bite death of WV Pastor Mark Randall “Mack” Wolford, snake handling in some Pentecostal churches is on the rise again, especially with youth.
USA Today reports,
Andrew Hamblin’s Facebook page is filled with snippets of his life.
Making a late-night run to Taco Bell.
Watching SpongeBob on the couch with his kids.
Handling rattlesnakes in church.
Hamblin, 21, pastor of Tabernacle Church of God in LaFollette, Tenn., is part of a new generation of serpent-handling Christians who are revitalizing a century-old faith tradition in Tennessee. . . .
For more than a century, serpent handlers have had a turbulent relationship with outsiders. Churches popped up around charismatic preachers, then faded after controversy or bad publicity. When the practice became illegal, true believers went underground.
Until last year, serpent-handling churches were in decline, said Paul Williamson, professor of psychology at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Ark., who studies serpent handlers. . . .
Bites are rare because timber rattlesnakes and copperheads would rather flee, said Vince Cobb, a herpetologist at Middle Tennessee State University.
While the snakes can’t be tamed, they can become used to being handled. A gentle handler who doesn’t make fast motions near a snake’s head is unlikely to get bitten. -by Joel McDurmon/American Vision News/Jun 4, 2012
<><><>*<><><>
Visiting Temple Mount? Don't Move
Police have reportedly issued new draconian instructions for non-Muslims who ascend to the Temple Mount, Judaism's holiest site, which has been under Muslim occupation for centuries. According to a report in the daily newspaper Ma'ariv, non-Muslims are now not even permitted to close their eyes while on the Mount, or do anything that could be interpreted as praying.
While Jews have not been allowed to pray on the Mount since the Muslim riots of the year 2000, and their entry has been restricted to specific hours and days, the new instructions take the restrictions to an even greater extreme.
A delegation of 30 public figures and rabbis headed by Rav Dov Lior and MK Uri Ariel arrived at the Temple Mount last week and encountered the new restrictions. When they reached the entrance area at the Mughrabim Gate, a police officer showed up and presented the instructions.
"The officer said that closing eyes and rocking the body back and forth constitute prayer, and therefore anyone who does any of these things will be immediately removed from the Mount," MK Ariel recounted. Taking a note out of one's pocket was also listed as a no-no.
According to the report, the Jerusalem District Police responded to the story by saying only, "This was a statement by an officer who explained to the visitors to the Temple Mount about the characteristics of prayer that are forbidden during the visit there." -By Gil Ronen/Arutz Sheva/May 22, 2012
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