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Erik Galicia/Fresno Bee/TNS

'You are not an error.' How an Episcopal church reaches LGBTQ+ farmworkers

Religion / Religious News /

FRESNO, Calif. — Workplace bullying, religious trauma, complicated relationships with their own communities.

These are some of the challenges that LGBTQ+ farmworkers face, said Rev. Nelson Serrano Poveda, the Latino/Hispanic missioner at Fresno’s St. James Episcopal Cathedral. Many come from small, socially conservative towns in Latin ...Read more

Have even churches fallen prey to false prophets?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: It seems to me that even the churches have fallen prey to false prophets. It’s amazing how so many people cannot discern a Biblical sermon from a “feel good” message. I tell them that messages that make us feel good about ourselves are a key element in deceiving even good churchgoers. Isn’t ...Read more

The God Squad: Embarrassed by God winks?

Religion / God Squad /

Two reasons above all keep me sharing God winks with you, my dear readers.

First, they are a source of hope for those of you who are in grief over the death of a loved one. You want to know that death is not the end of us, and I believe with you and your winks that death is definitely not the end of us. It ought to comfort you to know that ...Read more

Why does God put up with all the corruption of governments, nations, corporations, and with so many who defile everything God has made and blessed?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Why does God put up with all the corruption of governments, nations, corporations, and with so many who defile everything God has made and blessed? Since He is so powerful, He certainly can stop the disgrace like what happened at the Summer Olympics’ opening ceremony. Such corruptness was clearly ...Read more

Isn’t evangelism the job of people who have been called by God to specifically preach?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I deal with people from many nations, but I’ve not been given the gift of evangelism. Isn’t that the job of people who have been called by God to specifically preach? – C.E.

A: Never forget: Jesus Christ died to save people from even the most remote corner of the world – people you and I ...Read more

Why am I afraid to confront my friend's folly about reincarnation?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: My spirit is troubled. A close friend of mine knows I’m a Christian yet she keeps talking about wanting to sow seeds today that will give her a better opportunity in the next life. While she can’t explain how it happens, she believes emphatically that there is a next life. I don’t know if she ...Read more

Is it really reasonable that we should pray for those who seek to hurt God-abiding citizens?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: America is such a divided nation and as another nasty election approaches, it’s hard to fathom citizens working against our Constitution. I know as Christians we’re to pray for our enemies, but it doesn’t seem reasonable that our nation can be changed. Is it really reasonable that we should ...Read more

Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel/TNS

In melding faith and politics, churches follow do's and don'ts this election season

Religion / Religious News /

Don’t be surprised as Election Day fast approaches to see many signs outside Florida churches telling you to vote a certain way.

Mixing faith and politics, churches have long weighed in on matters affecting communities in the state and across the U.S., and their efforts are underway this year with the issue of abortion on Florida’s ballot. ...Read more

Do all roads lead to the one true God?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I am always amazed at the emphasis on religion in an election year. In recent years it’s been frightening to see how easily people accept any God and any belief system as having authority. Some preach all roads lead to God, but surely it can’t mean the one true God, just as one road does not ...Read more

Will reading the Bible and praying daily ward off bad things and bring happiness instead of sorrow?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Will reading the Bible and praying daily ward off bad things and bring happiness instead of sorrow? – B.P.

A: No one is exempt from the touch of tragedy; neither the Christian nor the non-Christian, neither the rich nor the poor, neither the leader nor the commoner. Crossing all racial, social, ...Read more

AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post/TNS

Denver Archdiocese, Catholic nonprofit contribute $225,000 to anti-abortion group in fight over Colorado's Amendment 79

Religion / Religious News /

DENVER — The Archdiocese of Denver and a nonprofit representing the state’s Catholic bishops have contributed $225,000 to a Colorado anti-abortion group in its fight against Amendment 79, which would enshrine abortion rights in the state’s constitution.

The Pro-Life Colorado Fund, a coalition of more than 50 anti-abortion groups, received...Read more

Youth leader at Texas megachurch charged with child porn

Religion / Religious News /

A youth leader at an Evangelical megachurch in west-central Texas has been arrested and charged with child pornography, authorities said.

Charles Goff, who served as a youth volunteer at the Beltway Park Church in Abilene for approximately three years, reportedly told a member of the church he was struggling with his desire to watch child ...Read more

The God Squad: Halloween winks

Religion / God Squad /

When you scrape away the fun and silly, but charming, veneer of what is now the thoroughly secularized holiday of Halloween; when you get beyond the extorted candy of trick-or-treat; when you finish carving and lighting your last pumpkin; when you take off the ridiculous costume you wore to a Halloween party, and ...Read more

Why do people not fear the absolute truth that God can and does read our minds?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Technology is claiming the ability to read people’s minds and it strikes fear. Yet the same people do not fear the absolute truth that God can and does read our minds, and most don’t seem concerned at all. – F.E.

A: Our thoughts are the most ...Read more

Why do our children refuse to pass on what they were taught?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: My children are against teaching their children the importance of earning an allowance and contend that if parents love their children, they will want to give them what they want and need. This is certainly not how we taught our children; why do they refuse to pass on what they were taught? – P.R....Read more

Marcus Yam/Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times/TNS

Ruling revives lawsuit to allow state funding for special education to go to religious schools

Religion / Religious News /

A 9th Circuit Court of Appeals panel revived a lawsuit this week filed by Orthodox Jewish families that sued California education officials over the state’s policy of refusing to fund special education programs at religious schools.

Two religious schools and three Orthodox Jewish parents whose children have autism filed the lawsuit against ...Read more

Why does God, who owns everything, need our money?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Why does God – who owns everything – need our money? – G.M.

A: God does not “need” our money to get His work done. He is sovereign and could do it without our help. Yet He has arranged it so that His work often is done through the generosity of His own people as a means to glorify Him in ...Read more

Is the Bible contradicting itself when it says we are to fear the Lord but not be afraid?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: It seems that the Bible contradicts itself when it says we are to fear the Lord but not be afraid. What am I missing? – F.R.

A: The Bible certainly does not contradict itself. There can be many different meanings to one word. In the case of the word fear, it can mean, “to be afraid, ...Read more

Is it more important to go about living life well or worrying about what happens when we die?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Is it more important to go about living life well or worrying about what happens when we die? – L.D.

A: The singer Madonna once asked a series of questions when being interviewed about her thoughts on war, senseless killings, and famine. She asked five questions: “Where is it all going? Why am ...Read more

Since we are made in the image of God what’s wrong with religion of self?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Since we are made in the image of God what’s wrong with religion of self or believing fully in the capacity of our individuality? – R.S.

A: Religions do not reject God – people do. Religions are simply made up of people. God’s love is for individuals. Each person has been created by God. He...Read more