What Would Jesus Drive?
If you're like me (and I know you're glad you're not) you may have heard about the Evangelical Environmental Network's most recent campaign: What Would Jesus Drive? As this article in the Detroit News puts it, this group "is bringing in a higher power to persuade major automakers to build cleaner, more fuel efficient vehicles."

And if that weren't enough (and don't you think it should be?), how about the news that General Motors "is sponsoring an evangelical Christian concert tour as part of a marketing campaign called 'Chevrolet Presents: Come Together and Worship.'"

One group of Christians trying to sell SUVs while another is trying to eliminate them. Bottom line: I think Jesus could have used a Hummer 2 for all his traveling throughout the Middle East!

Uh, Maybe I Don't Want Fries With That After All
According to the World Tribune, "Saudi Arabia has declared an alert and bolstered security around Western installations after a gunman set fire to a U.S.-owned McDonald's restaurant near Riyadh that stayed open during the daytime Ramadan fasting period."

I've Done Your Christmas Shopping For You! (You Can Thank Me Later!)
Beliefnet has assembled a list of items that they call the "best of religious kitsch." They go on to say: "When does an item designed to assist us on our spiritual path end up instead making us laugh--or gag? Kitsch, defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as something "tawdry or vulgar," is difficult to nail down. One person's religious kitsch is another person's sacred possession. So it is with malice towards none and apologies to all that we present products whose dubious taste tickled our funny bone." Check it out!

I've Done Your Christmas Shopping For You! You Can Thank Me Later!
Beliefnet has assembled a list of items that they call the "best of religious kitsch." They go on to say: "When does an item designed to assist us on our spiritual path end up instead making us laugh--or gag? Kitsch, defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as something "tawdry or vulgar," is difficult to nail down. One person's religious kitsch is another person's sacred possession. So it is with malice towards none and apologies to all that we present products whose dubious taste tickled our funny bone." Check it out!

Poor Babies
You know, I wish the President would listen to Secretary of State Colin Powell a lot more than he seems to. I can't help but think he is a voice of reason and I hope he'll stick around for he long haul. In speaking to a gathering of business folks at the State Department last Thursday, Secretary Powell had a few choice words for two of my favorite people: Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson. Go Colin! Go Colin! Go Colin!

Theologian? Isn't That Someone Who Worships That Kid On The Cosby Show?
Every year The Door selects someone to be their Theologian of the Year. This year it was none other than Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But, if you've ever wondered what kind of Theologian you might be, try taking this short quiz to find out "What Christian Theologian Are You?"

Hidden Mickeys Of The Community Church Of Malta, Carinthia!
When I go to Disneyland or Disney World (no letters from Southern Baptists please!) I am always on the lookout for those "hidden Mickeys." You know, the silhouettes of Mickey Mouse that have been hidden throughout the parks. Well, a medieval fresco in a church in Austria features what appears to be a rodent with an uncanny resemblance to Mickey Mouse. Although Walt Disney first came up with the design for Mickey in 1928, this rendition is about 700 years older! Check out this story from Ananova. (Cue theme from the Twilight Zone.)

Hey, Hey! We're The Monks!
The headline in this story from Scotland on Sunday says it all. But the opening paragraph is even better: "LET US PAY. A group of business-minded Benedictine monks are scaling the heavenly heights of chart success with a CD of religious music and a bestselling prayer book."

Another Sign of the Apocalypse: Muslim Rap!
With all the talk of how Muslims have a tough time with American culture, it's hard to believe they'd ever listen to it (let alone perform it) but the "musical genre of Muslim rap, whose lyrics are meant to be positive influences on their young audiences, is gaining ground and attention among American Muslims." At least according to this article in the Winston Salem Journal.

The Truth Is Out There
It always bugs me that Christians in the United States feel we're being persecuted when schools won't allow prayers before the weekly high school football game. We have no clue what REAL persecution is like. This Sunday, however, "one of the world's most neglected stories will be given attention by millions of people attending 300,000 churches in 130 countries" according to an article in WorldNetDaily. The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church has "mobilized Christians to pray for an estimated 200 million Christians who suffer for their faith and another 400 million who live in countries where their religious practice is restricted."

Save The Unborn Pig Babies!
This is almost too weird to be believed. Although I certainly feel that humane treatment of animals is important, it is almost impossible to believe that animal rights groups waged a successful campaign in Florida to eliminate the "cruel and inhumane confinement of pigs during pregnancy." This article at World Net Daily details the story behind an amendment to the Florida constitution that voters approved this past Tuesday.

Check Out #7 On The Top Ten List First
According to this article in the Washington Times, "passing the collection plate is becoming passe. More churches and synagogues are allowing their members to charge their weekly offerings on credit cards and through automatic withdrawal from checking and savings accounts." Of course, it just may be another sign of the Antichrist. By the way, isn't the Washington Times owned by the Reverend Sun Myung Moon or am I making that up?

Ossuary Owner Oded
Oded Golan, an engineer living in Tel Aviv, has been identified as the owner of the bone box thought to contain the bones of Jesus' brother James. Ha'aretz, an Israeli newspaper, has identified Oded and "the man" and also reports he may be in big trouble for illegally acquiring the ancient artifact.

Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean AND REVERENT!
You've probably heard about the Eagle Scout, Darrell Lambert, who has been tossed out of the Boy Scouts because he was not complying with the twelfth point of the Scout Law. As an atheist he had a moral dilemma with this requirement. Steve Duin, a columnist for The Oregonian (a Christian - and a member of a local Young Life committee) has an interesting perspective on this situation.

Rift Develops Between Jesus And His Brother!
Well, this ain't good. Apparently that cool ossuary that may have contained the bones of Jesus' brother, James, has a crack in it! According to Reuters it happened while being shipped to Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum.

Message To Saudi Arabia Fashion Police: Lighten Up!
Although it bugs me that too many Americans (especially Christians) hold unfavorable views of Muslims (see the post below), stories about excesses by fundamentalist Islamic clerics just add fuel to the fire. One of the uglier events occurred last March, when 15 schoolgirls died in a fire at their school in Mecca after Saudi religious police (the mutawa) allegedly prevented male rescuers from entering because the girls were not veiled. There is an interesting story on the BBC today about the Saudi interior minister telling the religious police to show more leniency and to respect people's privacy. It's an interesting read because it gives you an idea of the strong fundamentalist influence that exists in Saudi Arabia. They may be America's ally but they are one of the most oppressive regimes in the Middle East.