Pope (that’s Catholic for “Papa”) Benedict XVI, or any Pope for that matter, always enjoys celebrity status wherever he goes.  The masses are scrambling for mass tickets to the April 17 event.  Many who aren’t even Catholic want a firsthand look at the Vatican Head of State.  Others, who are Catholic, want to fulfill their dream of attending a super-mass with God’s Messenger himself.  Still others believe that being in the presence of the Pope will bring miraculous healing.  Seems like a lot of power and adoration to lay on one guy.  In 30 AD Jesus got top billing.  I’m not sure if God is OK with anyone else upstaging him.  But, I’m not Catholic.  What do I know? 
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Pope
Catholic

I’m sorry, but I have a real problem with religious zealots, who spew hatred in the name of Christ.  Indeed, Christ was rough on the religious leaders of the day, because they abused their power and control over the people.  But to the individual, including the scribe and Pharisee, he was gentle and loving.  He opened the door to Heaven, so that we could get a glimpse of his Father — his loving Father.  I honestly don’t believe that God cares much about our individual doctrines, as much as he desires to see us treat each other with love.  Love is at the core of his being.  Ugliness stems from the exercise of our free will, responding to unhealthy desires.  How we can take such a simple plan of salvation, love, and muck it up, beats me.  The bottom line is that God hates hate.  End of story. 
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Baptist vs. Mormons
Christian Love

Mathemetician John Allen Paulos called the recent Beyond Belief 2.0 scientific conference “an unbeliever’s utopia, a heathen’s heaven, a pagan’s paradise.”  Another attendee name that caught my eye was introspective philosopher Patricia Churchland.  How’s that for a last name?  There must have been some faith in her husband’s ancestors.  With all of the intensive study of brain activity and sub-consciousness, here’s what blows my mind:  that they put so much effort into trying to disprove God.  Why do they do that?  Because, deep inside, they want to believe.  That’s how God made them.  The Psalmist writes, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?”  God will always find us — even when we aren’t looking for him.
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John Allen Paulos
Patricia Churchland
God Vs. Science

We know where all that money comes from.  And we can see where it goes.  But how many people enjoy the bless-for-success experience?  Congress wants to find out, and I would assume that the IRS is watching the outcome.  Evangelist Benny Hinn is the first to cooperate with the Senate investigation.  Others, like Kenneth Copeland, are balking.  Personally, I have a problem with the pitchman approach to evangelism.  I picture the down-and-out follower or the elderly believer, who takes from his or her meager income to “invest” in the Lord’s work, with the promise of an outpouring of wealth, blessing or healing.  Then when they don’t get it, they are told that their faith needs to be stronger.  But ”God’s messenger” already has greater odds at getting blessed — with wealth, at least.
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Benny Hinn
Prosperity Gospel

I’m not really afraid of the Islamic religion (although this terrorist stuff is pretty creepy), but I sit up and take notice when outspoken, militant, “spiritual” leaders throw in with a candidate — even when he’s not asking for the help.  To be sure, we Christians had a pretty shameful history of brutality in the name of Christ.  Various religions throughout the ages have thrust themselves upon others, with the help of their gods.  But tolerance is much needed in today’s strife-torn cultures.  It’s time to beat our swords into plowshares, to show love, not superiority.  I personally don’t want Louis Farrakhan, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton or John McCain as my Messiah.  But it would be nice if they could all just get along.
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Louis Farrakhan
Tolerance

According to evangelist Luis Palau, China has agreed to lift the planned ban on Bibles being brought to the 2008 Summer Olympics.  Other sources, however, stipulate that bringing such is allowed for personal worship only, not for selling or free distribution.  I wonder how many of the underground church believers (who actually need the Bibles) will be joining in the Olympic festivities.  The Apostle Paul said that we are living letters, the word of God, written on human hearts.  What a joy it would be to show the true love of Christ to the masses involved in, or looking upon, the Games.  Let’s hope the Christians don’t mess this up.
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Luis Palau
Bibles In China

For those that are getting tired of the ongoing creation vs. evolution debates, there’s now a third choice. Ex-minister Michael Dowd and his science writer wife, Connie Barlow (Why don’t couples want to share last names anymore?), are traveling the country with the message that you can have your billions of years and creation too. It just took God a lot longer than we previously thought. But I still have to ask, “If people lived for even millions of years, why did it take so long to advance to recorded history, just a scant 6,000 years ago?” Answer me that. Excuse me for the oversimplification, but doesn’t it boil down to a basic question of faith in God? And with such simple faith, wouldn’t we do well to learn how to love him and get along with the other 6.6 billion beings that we share this don’t-know-how-long-it’s-been-here ball that we all live on?
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The Debate
Rev. Michael Dowd

Man’s best friend. Always happy to see you. Completely trusts you. Ever ready to protect you. It’s not hard to see the spiritual comparisons that Rev. Kraker makes between dogs and their owners, set against humans and their Maker. Dogs bring joy to all ages, and ask for so very little. We could learn a lot from them, not to mention reflecting on our own behavior. Reminds me of the story about the agnostic, dyslexic insomniac — he laid awake at night, wondering if there was a dog.
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Dogs in Church

Are there a growing number of “hypocrites” in church? That’s what a lot of the unchurched believe. With more church services adding entertainment to their format, people would still rather be fishing, or golfing, or relaxing (Hey, it is supposed to be a day of rest, right?). What’s really interesting about the recent poll is that most of the unchurched still believe in God, as well as the traditional doctrines. And don’t forget about our mega-channel TV religious programming choices, along with a vast internet fare, including online Bible studies and Christian discussion forums. But there’s nothing quite like personal contact with others of the same faith — or even challenging interaction with those who don’t quite see things your way. God’s all about getting at the truth.
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Poll

I don’t know Shane Idleman, and I haven’t read his book. I have read the Bible — a lot. But I have trouble seeing this as a 100% Christian nation. Israel is one nation, because they’re all on the same page. But America is a melting pot. Her citizens are encouraged to practice their religions freely. We have a plethora of guide books: from the Bible to the Koran; from the Torah to the Book of Mormon. Even within the Christian community there are more than enough Bible translations and study editions. However, Mr. Idleman hits a nerve when he says that who we are in our personal lives will reflect who we are as a nation. God’s word, in its purest form, already beats in the heart of the creature made in his image. We’re so busy trying to prove that we’re right about everything, that we fail to see the immediate task before us, to promote peace and love among our fellow humans. The question I have to ask myself is, “Did God make me, or am I making him in my image?”
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Shane Idleman