Free Republic

Carlos Martín's spiritual life takes him across the New Jersey state line to a place not typically associated with religious fervor: Manhattan.Hadley Allen makes a similar journey. So does Zain Abdullah.The three northern New Jersey residents don't know each other and don't share the same faith.But their search for a transcendent, intellectually challenging worship experience led them in the same direction: out of New Jersey.Manhattan, with its diverse, demanding and frenetic cultural life, is where they found what they were looking for: congregations that were welcoming, engaging and bold.  "I checked out a lot of Catholic churches in Essex County,"...

Time favors gay-marriage proponents C.W. Nevius Saturday, September 10, 2005 Social conservatives in California are feeling pretty cheerful now that the governor has said he will veto the same-sex marriage bill. And yes, across the country, 11 states, including California, have passed bans on same-sex marriage. But here's some advice: Enjoy it now. It isn't going to last. -SNIP- Michael Phillips sells real estate in Silicon Valley. He is listed on gay real estate Web sites but sells to straight buyers, too. His point is, when it comes to houses, neighborhoods and schools, there isn't much distinction. "Once you get...

Every Catholic on Earth is a sinner. From this writer up to and including the newly installed Pope Benedict XVI. That we have the church to steer us to our redeemer through the sacrament of penance and reconciliation to forgive our sins, is a precious gift of grace from God. It is this belief, along with many others, that unites us to what we call the one true church. During the last few weeks, we have seen numerous images of Catholics from around the world converging on Rome to worship God and to pray. People of different colors, dress and...

An informal exorcism performed at the Cathedral of St. Paul this month was more profane than sacred and was directed toward gay Catholics, police and church authorities said Tuesday. They said the ritualistic sprinkling of blessed oil and salt around the church and in donation boxes amounted to costly vandalism and possibly even a hate crime. The damage was discovered Nov. 7 after the noon mass, and after words were exchanged between members of the Rainbow Sash Alliance, a gay rights group, and the opposing group, Catholics Against Sacrilege.