Monthly Archives: July 2012

(BBC) Akram Khan upset over NBC Olympic ceremony snub

Choreographer Akram Khan has said he is upset his Olympic opening ceremony tribute to victims of the 7 July London bombings was not aired in the US.

Khan said he felt “disheartened and disappointed” NBC cut the segment which featured him and 50 dancers perform to Abide With Me, sung by Emeli Sande.

Instead, NBC aired an interview with American Idol host Ryan Seacrest and US Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.

Read it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, * Economics, Politics, * International News & Commentary, America/U.S.A., England / UK, Globalization, History, Media, Movies & Television, Sports, Terrorism

Alex Sanders and Peter Moore Debate the Inevitability of Same Sex Marriage (II)

Peter Moore says no–read it all also.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, --Civil Unions & Partnerships, Marriage & Family, Religion & Culture, Sexuality

Alex Sanders and Peter Moore Debate the Inevitability of Same Sex Marriage (I)

Alex Sanders says yes–read it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, --Civil Unions & Partnerships, Ethics / Moral Theology, Marriage & Family, Sexuality, Theology

(The Tablet Blog) Elena Curti–Redefining marriage: will liberal critics please stand up?

Between those who support gay marriage and those who back the Church’s campaign against it, there is another group that is not making its views known.

I refer to the many liberal Catholics who feel uneasy about gay marriage but stay silent. Perhaps they are afraid of being perceived as homophobic or maybe they feel so uncomfortable about how their Church has treated gay Christians that they have allowed this to sway their judgement.

As someone who supports civil partnerships and – in particular cases – gay adoption I think it is important to stand up and say that marriage should be reserved for heterosexual couples for the sake of the wellbeing and security of children. By sanctioning same-sex marriage, society would be sending out a powerful message that it makes absolutely no difference whether a child is brought up by a gay or straight couple….

Read it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, * International News & Commentary, * Religion News & Commentary, --Civil Unions & Partnerships, England / UK, Law & Legal Issues, Marriage & Family, Other Churches, Religion & Culture, Roman Catholic, Sexuality

(ABC Nightline Video) Can you Master Any Skill in 10,000 Hours?

Watch it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, Psychology, Sports

(BBC) Oxford University rewrites gender dress code

Oxford University students will no longer have to wear gender-specific academic clothing after concerns it was unfair to the transgender community.

It will mean men can attend formal occasions in skirts and stockings and women in suits and bow ties.

The new rules come after a motion by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer society (LGBTQ Soc) was passed by the students’ union earlier this year.

Read it all.

I will take comments on this submitted by email only to at KSHarmon[at]mindspring[dot]com.

Posted in Uncategorized

Evensong from Truro Cathedral

Listen here if you wish [h/t Stand Firm]

Posted in * Culture-Watch, Music

Eric Metaxas interviews Tim Keller on various topics (II)–The Actual Vimeo Interview

Watch it all.

Posted in * Religion News & Commentary, Eschatology, Evangelicals, Other Churches, Theology

Eric Metaxas interviews Tim Keller on various topics (I)–Leadchurch describes the interview

A nice interview from Eric Metaxas of Tim Keller.

–They get into a Tim Keller bio (Minutes 1-18)
–He gets into science and Genesis and talks about Apostle’s Creed faith
–He gets into some of his own thoughts on science and the Bible. Gets into the science vs. Bible conflict language. Admits there is a lot he (and we) simply don’t know.
–Minute 28 Metaxas gets into the topic of hell. Gets into CS Lewis, The Screwtape Letters and The Great Divorce. Discussed Rob Bell’s book “Love Wins”

Read it all.

Posted in * Religion News & Commentary, Eschatology, Evangelicals, Other Churches, Theology

(Local Paper Faith and Values Section) Melinda Lucka–The Episcopal Church remains vibrant

Read it all.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * South Carolina, --Gen. Con. 2012, Episcopal Church (TEC), General Convention, Theology

(Local Paper Faith and Values Section) Mark Lawrence–Church needs to be clear in its teaching

Read it all.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * South Carolina, --Gen. Con. 2012, Episcopal Church (TEC), General Convention, TEC Bishops, Theology

(Local Paper Faith and Values Section) Two Episcopal Views on Gen. Con. 2012 introductory article

Read it all.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * South Carolina, --Gen. Con. 2012, Episcopal Church (TEC), General Convention, TEC Bishops, Theology

Hunter Kemper, 36, Makes His Fourth Return to Games After Debilitating Injury

But [Hunter] Kemper’s commitment to Olympic glory was not without pitfalls.

During an October 2011 race in Myrtle Beach S.C., Kemper, 36, shattered his elbow when a competitor who had been lapped in the swimming portion of the race ran into the transitional area where Kemper was pedaling through on his bike, neck and neck with another competitor.

Val Kemper, who was at the race, said he had just come down a hill, and was likely going 35 miles an hour.

“He was hit by a runner who shouldn’t have been on the course,” Tom Kemper said. “Because of the spectators, no one could see him.”

Read it all. Wow–what a story. If you can take the time to watch the Youtube video of the accident–KSH.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, Sports

A Prayer to Begin the Day

O Thou, from whom to be turned is to fall, to whom to be turned is to rise, and in whom to stand is to abide for ever: Grant us in all our duties thy help, in all our perplexities thy guidance, in all our dangers thy protection, and in all our sorrows thy peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

–Saint Augustine (354”“430)

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Spirituality/Prayer

From the Morning Scripture Readings

A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’s and the fulness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein; for he has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers. Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the LORD, and vindication from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. [Selah] Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! [Selah]

–Psalm 24

Posted in Theology, Theology: Scripture

(Eureka Street) Why atheists are wrong about science and religion

Chris Mulherin, featured here on Eureka Street TV, similarly has a foot in both camps; an Anglican clergyman with a substantial academic background studying and lecturing in science and the philosophy of science.

He is now doing his doctorate on the relationship between scientific and theological ways of knowing. He argues they are different but complementary ways of understanding, and summarises the difference by saying that while science deals with mechanics, religion deals with meaning….

Read it all.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Christian Life / Church Life, * Culture-Watch, * Religion News & Commentary, Anglican Church of Australia, Anglican Provinces, Atheism, Ministry of the Ordained, Other Faiths, Parish Ministry, Philosophy, Religion & Culture, Science & Technology

(ENI) Religion playing strong role in background of Olympic Games

In a BBC radio broadcast today, Anglican canon Duncan Green called on people everywhere in the world to live together in peace and harmony, in the spirit of the Olympic Games.

“I was very moved last week when the Christian chaplains on the team helped their Muslim colleagues prepare a large hall for the Friday prayers of Ramadan. A young Muslim man hugged me for providing such a facility. This week, I’ve witnessed young men and women from all over the world living side by side, greeting one another, making new friends, laughing, and sharing their love of sport. I pray that the world will watch and learn to live in harmony.”

The Multi-Faith Centre at the Olympic Village will be run by 50 chaplains working on shift around the clock and catering to the spiritual health needs of athletes from countries where Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and other religions prevail.

Read it all.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Culture-Watch, * International News & Commentary, Anglican Provinces, Church of England (CoE), England / UK, Globalization, Religion & Culture, Sports

Americans put off having babies amid poor economy

Twenty-somethings who postponed having babies because of the poor economy are still hesitant to jump in to parenthood ”” an unexpected consequence that has dropped the USA’s birthrate to its lowest point in 25 years.

The fertility rate is not expected to rebound for at least two years and could affect birthrates for years to come, according to Demographic Intelligence, a Charlottesville, Va., company that produces quarterly birth forecasts for consumer products and pharmaceutical giants such as Pfizer and Procter & Gamble.

Marketers track fertility trends closely because they affect sales of thousands of products from diapers, cribs and minivans to baby bottles, toys and children’s pain relievers.

Read it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, * Economics, Politics, Children, Economy, Housing/Real Estate Market, Labor/Labor Unions/Labor Market, Marriage & Family, Personal Finance, Psychology, The Credit Freeze Crisis of Fall 2008/The Recession of 2007--

U.S. Protestants lose ground to other faiths

A new survey from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life reports that the U.S., once a stronghold of Protestantism, is on the verge of becoming a minority Protestant country. The number of Americans who report being members of Protestant denominations now stands at barely 51%.

Moreover, the Protestant population is characterized by significant internal diversity and fragmentation, with hundreds of different denominations loosely grouped around three fairly distinct church traditions: evangelical (26.3% of the overall adult population), mainline (18.1%) and historically Black (6.9%). Mainline churches include such established denominations as Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists, northern Baptists and Presbyterians; historically black churches include such bodies as the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the National Baptist Convention.

Read it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, * International News & Commentary, America/U.S.A., Religion & Culture

Archbishop Wabukhala Defends the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission's Credibility

The Anglican Church has challenged Kenyans to be patient with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission amid reports of the commission’s integrity waning. Archbishop Eliud Wabukhala, the churh’s head, asked leaders and politicians not to be suspicious of the operations of the IEBC since this will cast its credibility and ability to a fair electioneering process into disrepute.

Wabukhala said leaders should embrace the body and advice it accordingly instead of casting blame on a particular group. “IEBC has done well in the past and any slight hitch should not be exaggerated as the end of the world. We should work alongside IEBC as a community and not try to load blames on the group. That will demoralise them and make them confused”, said Wabukhala.

The remarks by the clergy comes amid questions raised by various leaders on the biometric voter registration tender awarded to [second highest contract bidder and I.T. Company, headquartered in Nairobi ] Symphony by the election’s body.

Read it all.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Culture-Watch, * Economics, Politics, * International News & Commentary, Africa, Anglican Church of Kenya, Anglican Provinces, Kenya, Politics in General, Religion & Culture

The Bishop of Washington D.C. on The Episcopal Church–Rediscovering the reasons for our existence

We’re also investing tremendous resources in our congregations as the foundation of Christian life. Contrary to the conservative critique, it isn’t what we’ve changed that is weakening our congregations, but rather what we’ve been unwilling to change. For all our liberal theology and progressive politics, we’ve remained rather stodgy in worship, wedded to unwieldy structures, and resistant to growth. When I ask young people what keeps them from attending church, the answer, predictably, is that it’s boring. And they’re right! But we’re committed to changing that, both in the Diocese of Washington and across the country, so that all our congregations will be vital centers of Christian worship, learning, community, and service.

And why do all this? Why does it matter for the Episcopal Church to claim its place in the spiritual landscape of our nation?

I believe that the Episcopal Church has something vitally important to offer to our time, that we have particular gifts and unique perspectives on the gospel of Jesus Christ that this culture hungers for and desperately needs. That, in the boldest of affirmations, we have something God needs for God’s mission of renewing the face of the earth. And so on our watch, we are called to change; to turn the trends of decline, atrophy and lethargy around; to assume our place as God’s collaborators in mission; and to help transform this culture by allowing ourselves to be transformed.

Read it all.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Christian Life / Church Life, --Gen. Con. 2012, Episcopal Church (TEC), General Convention, Parish Ministry, TEC Bishops, TEC Data

Mere Anglicanism Conference January 24-26, 2013–Behold the Man: The Person and Work of Jesus Christ

Among the speakers–

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Paul Barnett
Bishop of North Sydney (Retired), Australia

Dr. Allen Ross
Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

The Rev. Dr. David Wenham
Trinity College, Bristol, England

The Rt. Rev. Michael Nazir-Ali
Bishop of Rochester (Retired), England

Mr. Eric Metaxes
Noted author of a recent major book on Dietrich Bonhoeffer and lecturer

You can find more information here as well as there. Consider planning ahead now and coming.

Posted in * South Carolina, Christology, Theology

Nigeria: Anglican Primate to the Government – Tackle Corruption, Not Constitution Review

[Archbishop Nicholas] Okoh…described Nigerians as being innately corrupt, ]and] noted that enforcement of existing laws that are expected to act as checks and balances against corruption has remained a great challenge to the country, saying: “it is not so much a problem of constitution but people are dedicated to evil.”

He emphasised that politicians are not the only set of Nigerians that indulge in corrupt practices across the country, but also local people and vandals who engage in destruction and theft of bridge railings and stadia facilities across the country.

Speaking to journalists at the first session of the second Synod of the Communion in Abuja, with the theme: “Behold obedience is better than sacrifice,” Okoh stressed that all that is required for true repentance of people, adding, “People need to repent. We need to be righteous,”.

Read it all.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, Anglican Provinces, Church of Nigeria

(Fraser Coast Chronicle) Grafton priest leads the way

Clarence Valley celebrates the first Grafton woman to be accepted into the role of Archdeacon this morning as Reverend Gail Hagon of the Anglican Diocese of Grafton takes on the most senior position in the life of the church.

“While I accept my new role with honour, in some ways I’m not about hierarchical structure,” [the] Rev[.] Hagon said.

“I am passionate about what I do and what I believe in.”

Read it all.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Christian Life / Church Life, Anglican Church of Australia, Anglican Provinces, Ministry of the Ordained, Parish Ministry

Judith Wallerstein and Divorce: How One Woman Changed the Way We Think About Marital Breakups

Given her initial idea that divorce may not be so bad, it’s ironic that Judy became best known as one of the nation’s leading critics of divorce. The heart of her findings:

* The effects of divorce on children are not transient. They are long-lasting and profound, persisting well into adulthood.

* The quality of the post-divorce family is critical. Parents are told “don’t fight” but the issue is much bigger. Beyond custody and visiting plans, children need to be fully supported as they grow up. Few are.

* Age matters. Little ones, ages 2 to 6, are terrified of abandonment. Elementary-school-age children, 7 to 11, grow resentful when deprived of opportunities they would have had if their parents had stayed together.

Read it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, * International News & Commentary, America/U.S.A., Children, History, Marriage & Family, Psychology

Dean Miller's recent Sermon at Falls Church (Anglican)–Beware Idolatry

Read it all.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Parish Ministry, Preaching / Homiletics

(BP) Olympic diver's empty life undergoes 'radical change'

[David] Boudia’s emptiness after the 2008 Olympics continued through his freshman year and into his sophomore year at Purdue. He jumped into the college party scene. He made a lot of friends and a lot of self-described “silly choices.”

One day, the depression got so severe he couldn’t even get out of bed.

“I woke up from a nap and felt like I’d hit a wall,” Boudia said. “I didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t know what my purpose was. I didn’t know why I was feeling the way I was feeling.”

A diving teammate at Purdue directed Boudia to his coach, of all people. Boudia called Adam Soldati and went over to his house, where he sat and listened to Soldati and his wife Kimiko talk about the Lord.

Read it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, Religion & Culture, Soteriology, Sports, Theology

Economist–America's debate on what role government should play is too shallow

America needs a serious debate both about the size and scope of government, and how to pay for it. The winner of the November election will immediately be faced with the problem of the “fiscal cliff”””a preset $400 billion tax increase, with the expiry of various tax cuts, and a $100-billion-a-year cut in spending””which could push the economy back into recession. Looming over that is the gaping deficit. And over that, America’s schizophrenia: it taxes itself like a small-government country, but spends like a big-government one.

Read it all.

Posted in * Economics, Politics, Ethics / Moral Theology, Office of the President, Politics in General, President Barack Obama, Theology

A Prayer to Begin the Day

We give thee thanks, O heavenly Father, who hast delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of thy Son; grant, we pray thee, that as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his presence abiding in us he may raise us to joys eternal; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

–Mozarabic Sacramentary

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Spirituality/Prayer

From the Morning Bible Readings

“And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God promised concerning you; all have come to pass for you, not one of them has failed. But just as all the good things which the LORD your God promised concerning you have been fulfilled for you, so the LORD will bring upon you all the evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God has given you, if you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them. Then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land which he has given to you.”

–Joshua 23:14-19

Posted in Theology, Theology: Scripture