Top 10 tips for atheists this Easter

From ABC-

Atheists should drop their easily dismissed scientific, philosophical or historical arguments against Christianity, and instead quiz believers about Old Testament violence and hell, writes John Dickson.

As an intellectual movement, Christianity has a head start on atheism. So it's only natural that believers would find some of the current arguments against God less than satisfying.

In the interests of a more robust debate this Easter, I want to offer my tips for atheists wanting to make a dent in the Faith. I've got some advice on arguments that should be dropped and some admissions about where Christians are vulnerable.

Tip #1. Dip into Christianity's intellectual tradition

This is the 1,984th Easter since 7 April AD 30, the widely accepted date among historians for the crucifixion of Jesus (the 1,981st if you find the arguments for 3 April AD 33 persuasive). Christians have been pondering this stuff for a long time. They've faced textual, historical, and philosophical scrutiny in almost every era, and they have left a sophisticated literary trail of reasons for the Faith.

More here-

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-18/dickson-tips-for-atheists/5397892

Two Ministers Forge Friendship Across a Church Divide

From The New York Times-

The two ministers were foes before they ever met, partisans in a war they did not start, but partisans nonetheless.

For four years, they did not speak.

But in the spring of 2011, the Rev. Tory Baucum drove 100 miles south to Richmond to introduce himself to the Rev. Shannon Johnston. And now the friendship that resulted, nurtured over Guinness in the bar of Richmond’s storied Jefferson Hotel, at dinner with their wives and during many difficult conversations, is being hailed as one of the most unexpected and intriguing developments in a bitter feud that has split the Episcopal Church in the decade since the denomination elected an openly gay bishop.

More here-

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/19/us/two-ministers-forge-friendship-across-a-church-divide.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0

A little down Time

Having some computer problems so we may off line for a few days.

Church of England faces 'crisis’ as gay priest weds

From The Telegraph-

A priest has become the first in Britain to defy the Church of England’s ban on gay clergy marrying.

Canon Jeremy Pemberton, 58, a divorced hospital chaplain, wed his long-term partner Laurence Cunnington, 51, on Saturday afternoon.

Campaigners expressed delight that the couple had taken advantage of Britain’s newly-introduced gay marriage laws and urged bishops to “bless” their partnership. They predict he will be the first of many gay clergy to marry.

But a leading member of the Church’s conservative evangelical wing called for “discipline” of any clergy seen to be breaking the rules. He warned of a “crisis” if the leadership failed to take action.

More here-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10762940/Church-of-England-faces-crisis-as-gay-priest-weds.html

Global war on Christianity is violent and real

From The Boston Globe-

Dutch Jesuit priest Frans van der Lugt, killed in Syria last week just shy of his 76th birthday, personified the best of the missionary spirit in Catholicism. He spent 50 years in his adopted country, humbly serving poor and disabled persons regardless of their race or religion.

Whenever a Syrian came to his door seeking help, van der Lugt told a friend, “I don’t see Muslims or Christians, only human beings.”

At the time of his death, van der Lugt was the last Westerner in the bitterly contested city of Homs. On Monday morning, a still-unidentified assailant dragged him into the street outside his Jesuit residence, beat him, and then shot him twice in the head.

More here-

http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/world/2014/04/12/new-patron-saint-for-persecuted-christians/6FNpenQaT0QqlhF4Xsn2VI/story.html c

Grace Episcopal curate is let go

From Massachusetts

The Rev. Jason Lucas, curate at Grace Episcopal Church, has been released by the church for an undisclosed reason, according to an email sent to church members late Thursday by the priest in charge, Rev. Christopher Morck.

"We want you to know that we have released the Rev. Jason Lucas from his curacy at Grace Church. This will allow him to immediately look for a call in another parish," Morck wrote. "We truly feel that this will be good for Jason who will be able to find the best placement as he grows into his vocation as a priest."

More here-

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140412/NEWS/404120320/-1/news