… traditional Christian religion greatly decreases belief in everything from the efficacy of palm readers to the usefulness of astrology. [The study] also shows that the irreligious and the members of more liberal Protestant denominations, far from being resistant to superstition, tend to be much more likely to believe in the paranormal and in pseudoscience than evangelical Christians.
All posts by Phil
On the Way to the Emmys
Comedy writer Earl Pomerantz chat us up with his experiences at the Emmys. The highlight? “I shook hands with Raymond Burr.” Perhaps that should be the title of his memoir.
No Lil’ Bratz in Scholastic School Flyers
The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood is claiming a victory in a children’s publisher’s decision to pull Lil’ Bratz-related books from its book club and fair fliers. Scholastic, Inc. is not going to recommend picture books based on the Lil’ Bratz dolls in their sales fliers, and many parents are glad for it.
Is Mormonism Christian?
From the current First Things:
Mormon beliefs diverge widely from historic Christian orthodoxy. The Book of Mormon, which is Mormonism’s principal source for its claim to new revelation and a new prophet, lacks credibility. And the Jesus proclaimed by Joseph Smith and his followers is different in significant ways from the Jesus of the New Testament: Smith’s Jesus is a God distinct from God the Father; he was once merely a man and not God; he is of the same species as human beings; and his being and acts are limited by coeternal matter and laws.
The intent of this essay is not to say that individual Mormons will be barred from sitting with Abraham and the saints at the marriage supper of the Lamb. We are saved by a merciful Trinity, not by our theology. But the distinguished scholar of Mormonism Jan Shipps was only partly right when she wrote that Mormonism is a departure from the existing Christian tradition as much as early Christianity was a departure from Judaism. For if Christianity is a shoot grafted onto the olive tree of Judaism, Mormonism as it stands cannot be successfully grafted onto either.
Thoughts on the State Fair
“‘Most people would like to be delivered from temptation,’ observed Robert Orben, ‘but would like it to keep in touch.'”
Ireland’s Eoin Colfer to Continue the Hitchhiker’s Guide
The publisher approached Eoin Colfer with the idea of carrying on with Douglas Adams’ series in a new book to be called, And Another Thing. To his credit, Colfer was initially shocked at the invitation.
How’d Ye Fare, Lubber?
Ahoy! Did ye’av a bonnie day of it today, young reader? Mayhap, ye’d like to cap it off with a mug o’ rum, or grog if the barkeep has nothing better? As ye may know, rum comes from Caribbean sugar cane. Me matie Scurvy Carl says,
Converting cane into sugar is an industrial process that produces byproducts: cane juice and molasses. Caribbean islanders soon began converting these byproducts into cheap liquor, known first as Kill-Devil, then later as Rumbullion, and then simply as rum. This was powerful stuff. An early critic referred to it as “hot, hellish, and terrible.”
And right he is too. Let’s see if we can’t call for something out of the bung hole, eh. Aye.
Meeting Long John
From chapter 8 of Treasure Island:
When I had done breakfasting the squire gave me a note addressed to John Silver, at the sign of the Spy-glass, and told me I should easily find the place by following the line of the docks and keeping a bright lookout for a little tavern with a large brass telescope for sign. I set off, overjoyed at this opportunity to see some more of the ships and seamen, and picked my way among a great crowd of people and carts and bales, for the dock was now at its busiest, until I found the tavern in question.
It was a bright enough little place of entertainment. The sign was newly painted; the windows had neat red curtains; the floor was cleanly sanded. There was a street on each side and an open door on both, which made the large, low room pretty clear to see in, in spite of clouds of tobacco smoke.
The customers were mostly seafaring men, and they talked so loudly that I hung at the door, almost afraid to enter.
As I was waiting, a man came out of a side room, and at a glance I was sure he must be Long John. His left leg was cut off close by the hip, and under the left shoulder he carried a crutch, which he managed with wonderful dexterity, hopping about upon it like a bird. He was very tall and strong, with a face as big as a ham–plain and pale, but intelligent and smiling. Indeed, he seemed in the most cheerful spirits, whistling as he moved about among the tables, with a merry word or a slap on the shoulder for the more favoured of his guests.
Now, to tell you the truth, from the very first mention of Long John in Squire Trelawney’s letter I had taken a fear in my mind that he might prove to be the very one-legged sailor whom I had watched for so long at the old Benbow. Continue reading Meeting Long John
Hindus Are Raging Against Christians
Voice of the Marytrs reports:
On August 23, widespread violence erupted against Christians following the assassination of World Hindu Council leader Swami Lakshmananda Saraswati, the alleged mastermind behind the December 2007 attacks on believers in Kandhamal, Orissa State. Saraswati was killed with four of his followers. 30 men believed to be Maoist extremists, stormed a religious center in Kandhamal and opened fire.
Despite the evidence that Maoists killed the leader, Hindu are taking their revenge on Christians. Several people have been killed, including at least one Hindu woman suspected of being a Christian. Churches have been torched or vandalized. Police have been sent unarmed to watch the rioting as if ready to intervene, and government officials, I believe, have spoken against the rioting, but done nothing to stop it. The violence has spread to other Indian states. I am told many Christians are hiding in the jungle to avoid the militant Hindus.
Rescue us, Lord. Put our enemies to shame. Deliver us like you have many times in the past. (Psalm 71)
Top Ten Jesus Movies
Christianity Today published a list a couple years ago of its top ten movies about Jesus. In this list, I learned that Cecil B. DeMille’s The King of Kings was so moving, no one made another movie about the Lord until after the director died. Not on this list are the films made by The Visual Bible, which I thought were very good.
Have you seen any of these? Which is your favorite or perhaps least disliked? What do you think generally about movies depicting Christ? Are they bound to get it all wrong from the start, or do you think it’s possible to make a good one?