Web's Latest Craze is The Prayer of Reata

Have you interviewed God today? While The Prayer of Jabez continues to dominate the book bestseller lists, a different kind of “prayer” has become one of the Web’s most popular sites. Jupiter Media Metrix says that Reata Strickland’s Interview with God site was visited by more than 2.4 million people in June—and that number’s likely to climb even higher this month. Strickland hasn’t advertised the site, and it has received almost no media attention, but traffic continues to increase through word-of-mouth (Weblog has received dozens of reader encouragements to visit the site).

What kind of church is she the pastor of!? Elsewhere online, the mighty have fallen—and fallen hard. Years ago, the American Bible Society’s Houses of Worship was supposed to be an online supersite: every church in the U.S. and Canada was offered a free Web site (this was years before Beliefnet and other sites started offering the same thing). Many churches signed up, but the site itself never really caught on. The American Bible Society moved on to create the very similar ForMinistry.com, leaving the site relatively abandoned. Some churches, however, still had sites on HousesofWorship.com, and bookmarks and links continued to point to the site. The American Bible Society let the URL fall back into the public domain, and a pornography site picked it up. (Weblog will hate to be around when those pornographers get their interview with God … )

Nice try, Vatican says, but stem-cell research is still “absolutely unacceptable” “If taken very literally, the president could rule in our favor and side with the pope,” Elisabeth Bresee, executive director of the Parkinson’s Action Network, told The Washington Post earlier this week. She was, of course, talking about Bush’s meeting with Pope John Paul II, where the pontiff again pushed for a “culture of life” that opposes “evils such as euthanasia, infanticide and, most recently, proposals for the creation for research purposes of human embryos, destined to destruction in the process.” (Bush also had words about the “gospel of life,” saying it “welcomes the stranger and protects the weak and the innocent,” but offered no specifics.) Bresse and other advocates of embryonic stem-cell research went into full spin mode, suggesting it was only the creation of embyros for research purposes that Pope John Paul II opposed—not the use of “spare” embryos originally created for in vitro fertilization. This spin got loud enough that the Vatican quickly issued a clarification, quoting from the pope’s 1995 encyclical Evangelium Vitae:

This moral condemnation also regards procedures that exploit living human embryos and fetuses—sometimes specifically ‘produced’ for this purpose by in vitro fertilization—either to be used as ‘biological material’ or as providers of organs or tissue for transplants in the treatment of certain diseases. The killing of innocent human creatures, even if carried out to help others, constitutes an absolutely unacceptable act.

Slate’s William Saletan (who has written some brilliant articles for the online publication about stem-cell research, abortion, and other life ethics issues) notes that the prolife side also went too far in spinning the pope’s statements, saying he had equated stem-cell research with infanticide. But such spinning is inevitable, Saletan writes.

This is the way popes talk. They give you the concept, and you figure out how to apply it. … Such abstraction gives the pope’s adversaries a big advantage in the spin game. … The poor pope. He was trying to draw distinctions and connections, trying to convey that some things are worse than others but that the lesser evils must be shunned because they lead to the greater. If only he could fit that into a sound bite.

Meanwhile, other papers have been busy explaining where various churches stand on the issue (against embryonic stem-cell research: the Roman Catholic Church, Southern Baptist Convention, and United Methodist Church; for the research: Presbyterian Church U.S.A., United Church of Christ). The Dallas Morning News suggests the debate is getting too emotional. In the face of daily discoveries, syndicated columnist Ann Coulter denies there’s much hope in embryonic stem cells: “This whole debate is a hoax designed to trick Americans into yielding ground on human experimentation.” And most media are ignoring adult stem cells or stem cells from umbilical cords as an option.

Persecution:

Sharia meant to stop Christianity, says Christian Association of Nigeria | Islamic law implementers also seek overthrow of Nigerian government, group asserts. (The Post Express, Lagos, Nigeria)
Pressure on Sudan | That pushing Sudan’s war has been pushed to the forefront of the Bush administration’s agenda is to be welcomed. But some of the ideas being urged on the administration are misguided. (Editorial, The New York Times)
France’s anti-cult law undermines religious-liberty rights | It appears that the French define “cult” as a religious group the government doesn’t like. (Charles Haynes, Freedom Forum)
2 Indonesia churches hit by bomb blasts | Police blame unidentified forces wanting to disrupt impeachment proceedings (Associated Press)

Kidnapped missionaries:

U.S. missionary couple’s children appeal to Philippine kidnappers | Taped pleas of children, 14, 12, and 10, aired on Radio Mindanao Network (AFP)
Abu Sayyaf Group again threatens to harm hostages | Response to military crackdown (ABS-CBN)
Also: Abu Sayyaf threaten hostages over government crackdown (AFP)

Church and state:

Indianapolis Baptist Temple leader must pay $136,610 | U.S. District Judge hits church’s patriarch with judgment for delinquent taxes (The Indianapolis Star)
L.A. police academy to drop prayer | A divided commission cites a Supreme Court ruling in voting to substitute a moment of reflection at graduations. (Los Angeles Times)
Sims vetoes rural limits, lifts growth moratorium | Seattle area goes back to square one on regulating construction of churches and schools on rural land (The Seattle Times)
Also: A good veto halts rural land compromise (Editorial, The Seattle Times)

Religion and politics:

Pastor refrains from more royal criticism | Bishop tells minister to stop criticizing prince’s choice of bride (Aftenposten, Oslo)
Bush’s speechwriter relies on faith | Evangelical Christian Michael Gerson infuses his work for President Bush with a gentle spirituality. (Associated Press)
Ashcroft defends his ardent faith | At Crystal Cathedral, attorney general says he imposes his faith on no one (Associated Press)

Education:

Louisiana Bible study class proposal draws its foes, supporters | But class has already been implemented around the state and country (The Baton Rouge Advocate)
High court to mediate in school lifestyles dispute | Instead of issuing a ruling, the Federal Constitutional Court offered on Friday to help find a compromise in a dispute over a state’s required school course on religion and ethics (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung)

Sexual ethics:

Foes of gay rights law a varied group | Md. conservatives, Christians and Muslims join effort to defeat measure in referendum (The Washington Post)
Gay Pentecostals find a place to worship | Adapting the traditions of one of Christianity’s most conservative sects, a Tampa church offers services where charismatic beliefs and homosexuality can co-exist. (St. Petersburg Times)
Judge: Internet smut law may go to trial | Case over filters in schools and libraries scheduled to be heard on Valentine’s Day 2002 (Reuters)
German gays flock to tie the knot after law change | Move comes more than a decade after Denmark became the first country to give gay couples legal status (The Observer, London)

Abortion:

In Italy, battle over abortion law continues 20 years later | Both sides find comfort in text (The Boston Globe)
Pastors protesting abortion arrested | Two arrests mark end of week-long Summer of Mercy protest (Associated Press)
Survey: Christians, non-Christians divided on abortion, homosexuality | “Diversity of opinion on doctrinal and moral matters would shock the average pastor,” says Barna (Religion News Service)
Also: Born again adults remain firm in opposition to abortion and gay marriage (Barna Research)

Crime:

Testimony of priest and lawyer frees man jailed for ’87 murder | A Bronx man convicted of murder 13 years ago, was freed by a federal judge who cited testimony by a Roman Catholic priest and a lawyer that another man had confessed to the crime. (The New York Times)
Also: Priest testimony tests Catholic law | Priest’s decision to come forward in murder case has posed the question of what constitutes a confession in the Roman Catholic Church. (Associated Press)
Minister accused of sex assault | Improper contact with teen alleged of founder of God’s Posse (The Boston Globe)
Also: Youth minister resigns in face of allegations of impropriety (Associated Press)
Former church bookkeeper guilty of theft | Woman promises to repay $240,000 (The Record, Bergen, New Jersey)

Religious liberty in the courts:

State erred in firing worker opposing gay foster parents | Federal appeals court says government cannot discriminate against religious beliefs (The Washington Times)
EMT suit says using Scripture led to firing | Ambulance worker was consoling, not proselytizing, says suit (Houston Chronicle)
Muslim prison guard claims state won’t let him pray at work | “If you can allow people to have smoke breaks, why can’t I have a break to pray?” asks Dawoud Kareem Muhammad (Associated Press)

Ind. judge dismisses suit against gay-Jesus play

The show goes on | Indiana judge rejects campaign to stop college’s ‘Corpus Christi’ (The Washington Post)
‘Corpus’ goes on, barring appeals (The Indianapolis Star)
Ruling means ‘Corpus Christi’ will go on (The Indianapolis Star)

Worship wars:

Madison Church of Christ elders seek expert’s input | One of Nashville’s largest churches feels the heat of worship wars (The Tennessean)
Hymns for Her? | Feminist songs in new Methodist hymnal supplement causes controversy (The Washington Times)
A schism over form and substance | More than architecture at issue in Milwaukee cathedral renovation (The Washington Post)

Church life:

For God’s sake, can’t you behave? | Miss Manners laments bad behavior in churches (Judith Martin, The Washington Post)
The miracle that saved Grace Church | How ads on an edgy rock radio station brought people back to God (Associated Press)
That new-time religion? | These churches are traveling the same road, but in slightly different vehicles (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)

Roman Catholicism:

Condoms for Catholics? | As southern Africa fights a bitter battle against AIDS, its bishops consider breaking a key church taboo (Newsweek)
Randy Rev. marries his secretary | Roman Catholic priest’s behavior “despicable and outrageous,” says parishioner (New York Post)
Holocaust panel suspends work | Jewish and Catholic historians complain that Vatican has not released records (Associated Press)
Also: Work halted on Vatican’s wartime role | Scholars criticize church’s denial of access to archives (The Boston Globe)
Vatican decides to rebaptize Mormons who are converting | Decision highlights serious differences in theology (The New York Times)
Modern disciples | In new evangelization programs, Catholics follow Jesus’ example in preaching the gospel (Newsday)

Anglicanism:

Episcopal legal panel to review Dixon charges | Griswold, head of Episcopalians, seeks rush (The Washington Times)
Also: Battle over priest intensifies | Bishop who sued him now faces ecclesiastical charges from his supporters (The Dallas Morning News)
Men ensure it’s amen—for now—to hopes for women bishops | Both sides claim a lame victory after vote is postponed (The Sydney Morning Herald)
Also: Australia’s Anglicans delay female bishops vote | After two days of intense debate, best solution was no solution (AAP)

Missions and ministry:

Church member donates part of liver for transplant to missionary | Living liver donation between adults has been controversial because it subjects a perfectly healthy donor to a 1-in-150 chance of death. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Free gas is public service for church | 15-month-old church concocted event as a nonthreatening way to share their Christian faith with residents of isolated Bailey, Colorado (The Denver Post)
Area church hikers rescued from mountain in Alaska | Church group was on a mission trip (The Beacon Journal, Akron, Ohio)
‘Lost boys’ find new life in U.S. (The Daily Herald, Arlington Heights, Illinois)
Earlier: Finding Homes for the ‘Lost Boys’ (Christianity Today, July 20, 2001)

Popular culture:

Disney buys Fox Family for $3 billion | 700 Club will continue to air on channel (Associated Press)
Also: Disney says it will buy Fox Family channel in $5.3 billion deal (The Washington Post)
Odyssey relaunches under Hallmark | Saga of former Faith and Values Network continues (Associated Press)
Publishers find profit in love of God | Christian romance novels making bestseller lists (The Observer, London)
God’s smiley knight | Sir David Frost bathes in the beaming radiance of the born-again Christians dubbed the Alpha people (The Observer, London)
Christians go mainstream | Newsweek misses the point. (Mark Joseph, National Review Online)

Archaeology:

In search of Jesus’ tomb | An archeologist believes Christ’s burial site may remain intact in Church of the Holy Sepulcher. (Thomas Maugh, Los Angeles Times)
Congress bill would protect Temple Mount | Bill would eliminate aid to the Palestinian Authority if archeological antiquities continue to be removed (The Jerusalem Post)

Personalities:

Campus Crusade’s reins pass | Stephen B. Douglass takes over for Bill Bright, becoming the ministry’s second president (The Denver Post)
Earlier: Campus Crusade for Christ founder ailing, will cede reins after 50 years | If Billy Graham has been the evangelical movement’s star, Bill Bright has been its director, the less visible but all-important master behind the scenes. (The Plain Dealer, Cleveland)
Civil rights group puts King’s son on notice | “Inappropriate, obstinate behavior” cited by Southern Christian Leadership Conference (Reuters)
Also: A civil rights group suspends, then reinstates, its president (The New York Times)
Also: SCLC threatens to fire MLK III (Associated Press)
Also: Criticism of King rocks rights group (Detroit Free Press)

Money and business:

Seminaries preach against capitalism | Nation’s theology students are being taught to distrust corporations and market economics, says study by Acton Institute (The Washington Times)
Divine dividends | Ministry teaches members to invest (The Miami Herald)

Other stories of interest:

On monks’ and nuns’ islands, ‘you have only God’ | For half a millennium monks, priests, and nuns have lived isolated on about 20 islands on Ethiopia’s Lake Tana,. The islands are so remote that the monasteries are still used as havens for the remains of Ethiopian emperors, ancient icons, crosses, paintings and other treasures of Ethiopia’s Orthodox Christian church. (The New York Times)
What is the National Cathedral? | And who gets to have a funeral service there? (Slate.com)
Promise Keepers’ appeal fades | 7,000 sign up for rally that once drew 72,000 (The Detroit News)

Related Elsewhere

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