May 2008 – Page 12 – Episcopal Cafe

Dialog of faith can ease tensions between U. S. and Iran

May 19, 2008 2 Comments

Politicians in both Iran and the United States have been divisive, disrespectful, and inflammatory in their condemnations of each other, in effect increasing the likelihood of a military confrontation. As one who has travelled twice to Iran and found friendship and shared values with Iranian clerics, I think it’s time for religious leaders in both countries to take the initiative to find ways to seek peaceful solutions to the complex problems that have plagued US-Iranian relations for years.

Dunstan’s prayer

May 19, 2008 No Comments

O Lord; O King, resplendent on the citadel of heaven,

all hail continually;

and of your clemency upon your people still have mercy.

Lord, whom the hosts of cherubim in songs and hymns

with praise continually proclaim,

upon us eternally have mercy.

How pure is your altruism?

May 18, 2008 2 Comments

It may be that the only kind of altruism that truly exists is what economists like to call “impure altruism.” Does this mean that human beings are shallow and selfish — that they only give to a cause when it is attractive to them on some level? Will the future produce some sort of “disaster marketing” movement in which aid agencies learn to appeal to potential contributors?

Martin Marty on when to leave your church

May 18, 2008 1 Comment

This spring a certain Christian layperson has been criticized for not exiting his local church when he disagreed with something his pastor preached. With tongue firming in his cheek, Martin Marty offers some useful tips on when you should leave your church.

Prince Caspian

May 18, 2008 2 Comments

“Prince Caspian,” which is based on Lewis’ “Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia,” published in 1951, features a few inspired touches, and the four principal child and young-adult actors of the earlier picture — just a little older now — reprise their roles here. Yet the human characters come off as afterthoughts, figures that are moved around clumsily in the thicket of the movie’s sprawling narrative.

Values and teen violence

May 18, 2008 No Comments

Aaolescents who valued power (trying to attain social status by controlling and dominating others) reported more violent behavior than their peers. Teenagers who valued universalism (promoting understanding, appreciation, tolerance, and protecting the welfare of all people and nature) and those who valued conformity (limiting actions and urges that might violate social expectations and norms) reported less violent behavior than their peers.

Trinity Sunday reflection

May 18, 2008 1 Comment

What is god but Creator? What is creating but reaching out? What is reaching out but connecting beyond self? What is connecting beyond self but loving others?

Three in one

May 18, 2008 1 Comment

The feast of the Holy Trinity is unique to the Anglican communion. Originating in Spain in the early Middle Ages, spreading through the Gallican church in France, it survived only in England. This festival of the triune God is dedicated not to the commemoration of an event such as Christmas and Easter, nor to a person such as a saint, but to a theological doctrine.

A rare bible returns to historic Canadian church

May 17, 2008 No Comments

Sometimes, things become valuable and historic because they were mistakes: the Inverted Jenny, for instance, is a postage stamp that’s legendary because the airplane in its center pane is upside down. Similarly, the Vinegar Bible is so named because of numerous typographical errors in its print run that include referring to the “Parable of the Vineyard” as the “Parable of the Vinegar.”

Robinson on endorsing a candidate

May 17, 2008 No Comments

Bishop Gene Robinson has taken plenty of flak during the past five years, but according to what he says in a new video post on the Religion and Ethics Newsweekly blog–probably an extra take from last week’s feature on him–he’s gotten the most grief for endorsing a candidate during the primary season earlier this year.

The Archive

Month: May 2008

Dialog of faith can ease tensions between U. S. and Iran

Dunstan’s prayer

How pure is your altruism?

Martin Marty on when to leave your church

Prince Caspian

Values and teen violence

Trinity Sunday reflection

Three in one

A rare bible returns to historic Canadian church

Robinson on endorsing a candidate

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