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<p>Thousands of U.S. military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan are wearing "unofficial issue" dog tags bearing a scriptural passage on one side — "I will be strong and courageous. I will not be terrified, or discouraged, for the Lord my God is with me wherever I go" — and the words "One Nation under God" on the other.</p>

<p>A "Shield of Strength" hung on the chain around Capt. Russell B. Rippetoe's neck when the Army Ranger and two other soldiers were killed in a car bomb explosion at an Iraqi checkpoint.</p> <p>The 1-by-2-inch shield, which Capt. Rippetoe wore along with his military dog tags and a Christian cross, displayed a U.S. flag on one side and a quote from Joshua 1:9 on the other: "I will be strong and courageous. I will not be terrified, or discouraged, for the Lord my God is with me wherever I go."</p>

I'll Take The Word Of God Over The Word Of G.W. Bush By Chuck Baldwin Food For Thought From The Chuck Wagon November 25, 2003 While in London, England last week, President Bush stood beside Prime Minister Tony Blair and said that Christians and Muslims worship the same God. This is the latest example of how willing Bush seems to be to compromise fundamental principle in order to appear politically-correct. In so doing, he has both impugned the God of the Bible and revealed deep ignorance of Christian doctrine. Historic Christian belief has always held that the Creator-God was manifested...

Archaeologist discovers parts of New Testament verse on funeral monument The Associated Press - JERUSALEMA barely legible clue _ the name Simon carved in squiggly Greek letters _ beckoned from high up on the weather-beaten facade of an ancient burial monument.Their curiosity piqued, two Jerusalem scholars applied a squeeze _ a simple 19th century technique of spreading paper mush over a surface _ and uncovered six previously invisible lines of inscription, most of it a verse from the New Testament (Luke 2:25).The inscription _ believed to be the first New Testament passage found on an ancient shrine in the Holy...

A Holy gay has quarreled two peaceful churches - 11/19/2003 16:17 "The Church may not approve perversions of the human nature, which was created by God himself", says the document from the external relations department of the Moscow Patriarchate. Russian Orthodox Church voiced this rough reaction in response consecration of an open homosexual Gene Robinson as Episcopal Bishop.  This topic has been long discussed in the religious circles, and found both opponents and proponents. The head of the Anglican (Episcopal) Church of the USA, Presiding Bishop Episcope Frank Griswold said the discussion of homosexuality will not lead to a split...

There is a force above the 'Almighty, Ever-to-be-worshipped' Law, righteousness. When the law is in conflict with righteousness, I side against the "almighty, ever to be worshipped, kneeled to" Law. If I did not side with righteousness, I would be worshipping law, would I not? Law would become my god, just as government was supposed to be the god of all loyal marxists. There is no difference, whatsoever, between placing law above righteousness and being a totalitarian tyrant demanding blind, marxist loyalty. Law is made for our civilization to funtion. It is a mere tool. And in this case, that...

FRANK GORMAN spoke at Cardinal Hall Sunday night on how the Bible deals with issues of homosexuality. People read the Bible as the absolute truth, but they pick and choose words, phrases and sentences for support, a speaker said Sunday night at the Student Center. Frank Gorman was the first speaker for Spectrum's People Respecting Our Unique Differences Week. Gorman, professor of religious studies at Bethany College, discussed what the Bible says about homosexuality. He discussed possible interpretations and misinterpretations. The church can support or discriminate against gays, lesbians and bisexuals, Gorman said.

Reverend says people misinterpret Bible's view on gays Jennifer Ross | Staff Reporter October 27, 2003 People read the Bible as the absolute truth, but they pick and choose words, phrases and sentences for support, a speaker said Sunday night at the Student Center. Frank Gorman was the first speaker for Spectrum's People Respecting Our Unique Differences Week. Gorman, professor of religious studies at Bethany College, discussed what the Bible says about homosexuality. He discussed possible interpretations and misinterpretations. The church can support or discriminate against gays, lesbians and bisexuals, Gorman said. "I feel very strongly about the church's...

What does the Bible actually say about being gay? Confused how two groups of church-goers can have such conflicting views about whether it's OK to be gay? Both sides of the debate about homosexuality in the church, which threatens to split the worldwide Anglican church, hold their views sincerely and after much study. So how can their views be so contradictory? The Bible makes very few mentions of homosexuality - lesbianism isn't mentioned at all in the Old Testament - and as the examples below show, interpretations of the verses that do exist differ hugely. Following each of the...

Religious conservatives in Congress are defending a Pentagon general who referred to the war on terror as a Christian fight against Satan. In remarks many consider demeaning to Islam, Army Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin has told church audiences his mission is "a battle with Satan." The struggle, Boykin said, is "because we're a Christian nation, because our foundation and our roots are Judeo-Christian ... and the enemy is a guy named Satan." Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan., drafted a letter Monday asking Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld not to discipline Boykin, saying that elected officials and military leaders have talked...

General Boykin and the Armor of GodBy Lowell PonteFrontPageMagazine.com | October 17, 2003                                           PONTEFICATIONSTHERE ARE, THE SAYING GOES, NO ATHEISTS IN FOXHOLES.  Most of us sacrifice nearly a third of our lives at an air-conditioned job for a paycheck. We thus become martyrs not to God, but to acquire a Mercedes or fancy home or fame or passing pleasures. We find it easy to be cynical and fashionably abstract.The professional soldier is different.  He or she is prepared daily to face two of the most powerful realities a human being can – to kill or be killed.  The warriors...

I am looking for some statistical information on the popularity of various bible translations. My company will be introducing a product in a few months that features a customizable scripture imprint. We plan on offering The King James Version and would like to include up to 5 other translations in hopes of satisfying the largest possible demographic.     A couple of questions for the Free Republican Theologian Society.     1) Catholics what is the preferred version in the US today. Douay Rheims, NAB, ?     2) Protestants - Outside of the KJV what are the most popular translations. We were...

THE "DESPOTIC BRANCH" OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: Two weeks ago, The Federalist noted the remarkable parallel between bishops in the Episcopal Church who "interpret" Scripture to comport with their political and social agendas in violation of their ordinal vows, and judges who "interpret" the Constitution to comport with their political and social agendas, in violation of their oath to uphold our nation's legal foundation. Neither interpretation honors the original word and intent of those founding texts. Instead, they offer nothing more than a reflection of themselves as if they authored those venerable words. Regarding the word of law, our Constitution...

The Neverending StoryAn ongoing debate on Scripture, Tradition, History and Interpretation. Statesmen may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue. - John Adams Previous Thread

<p>Gospel of Inclusion? Its Episcopal disciples leave little room for Scripture.</p> <p>MINNEAPOLIS--This week, the Episcopal Church's triennial Convention was the site of a media frenzy. On Tuesday, church leaders meeting here took the unprecedented step of approving as bishop a practicing homosexual, the Rev. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. At press time, they seemed poised to give local communities permission to bless same-sex unions.</p>

NEW THOUGHT is not, as many believe, a name or expression employed to define any fixed system of thought, philosophy, or religion, but is a term used to convey the idea of growing or developing thought. "New Thought" is the result or creation of perpetually advancing mind. Change and growth are the silent mandates of divinity. Back of all, unseen yet all powerful, is the one universal law or cosmic urge, forever pushing and projecting man forward into higher physical, mental, and spiritual development. "Through spiritual evolution are we led to God." No two individuals are alike or think alike....

In the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against Gene Robinson that have postponed a vote on his candidacy for Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire, Today Show host Katie Couric just completed an interview with two bishops with opposing views on the issue. Bishop Thomas Shaw of Massachusetts is a strong supporter of Robinson's elevation. Bishop Edward Salmon of S. Carolina is opposed. The most telling exchange came in response to Couric's question as to why or why not Robinson should be elected Bishop. Bishop Salmon stated: "The answer is simple. Robinson's election would violate the tradition of the Church, the...

July 17, 2003 Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time Psalm: Thursday 31 Reading I Responsorial Psalm Gospel Reading IEx 3:13-20 Moses, hearing the voice of the LORD from the burning bush, said to him, "When I go to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' if they ask me, ‘What is his name?' what am I to tell them?" God replied, "I am who am." Then he added, "This is what you shall tell the children of Israel: I AM sent me to you." God spoke...

Eusebius of Caesarea (b. ~260 CE probably in Caesarea, d. ~340 CE) Although Eusebius leaves much to be desired as an exegete or an apologist for Christianity, he had one quality that was lacking in all his predecessors and contemporaries -- the instinct for historical research. His Ecclesiastical History gives us access to a host of sources and traditions otherwise long since lost. The 'Father of Church History' had at his disposal the library at Caesarea which Origen had built up after he had been forced to leave Alexandria and take up residence in Palestine. Pamphilus, an enthusiastic adherent...

July 16, 2003 Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time Psalm: Wednesday 31 Reading I Responsorial Psalm Gospel Reading IEx 3:1-6, 9-12 Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. Leading the flock across the desert, he came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There an angel of the LORD appeared to him in fire flaming out of a bush. As he looked on, he was surprised to see that the bush, though on fire, was not consumed. So Moses decided, "I must go over to look at this remarkable sight, and see...