Free Republic

Four students (out of the 35 currently in Israel) live at the Jerusalem Makuya Center, along with its new director Asher Seito Kimura, his wife Tzofiya and their children. Each Makuya member has a Hebrew name, taken, or given to him or her upon arrival in Israel. They chat easily about their faith, which is based heavily on the Old Testament and doesn't contain even a hint of proselytism. But none of the Makuya will discuss politics. They will talk with feeling, however, about their position on Israel. Every Makuya, they say proudly, identifies with -- and wholeheartedly supports --...

(ABP) -- The sexuality conference in April will raise many issues. But for the theologically minded, the most important issue will probably be the question of religious authority. Who or what carries binding authority in the Christian life? If the question is, for example, sexual morality, who or what has the authority to establish norms to which Christians must adhere? In a cultural (and ecclesial) context of innumerable conflicting practices and beliefs, who or what has the authority to settle the matter? Or is that even a coherent question? At least, is it a coherent question from within the framework...

Israelites Came To Ancient Japan Many of the traditional ceremonies in Japan seem to indicate that the Lost Tribes of Israel came to ancient Japan.Arimasa Kubo Ark of the covenant of Israel (left) and "Omikoshi" ark of Japan (right) Dear friends in the world, I am a Japanese Christian writer living in Japan. As I study the Bible, I began to realize that many traditional customs and ceremonies in Japan are very similar to the ones of ancient Israel. I considered that perhaps these rituals came from the religion and customs of the Jews and the Ten Lost Tribes of...

U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., told the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations Saturday night that PLO leader Yasser Arafat must stop violence as a means to achieve his goals. Clinton, previously known as an outspoken supporter of the PLO agenda, said that she held Arafat responsible for the ongoing attacks and violence aimed at innocent Israelis. "He has failed as a leader to rein in the forces of violence and terrorism," the former First Lady said, adding that his use of force to advance the PLO agenda would not be successful. Senator Clinton also visited Israeli terror victims ...