Bear Grylls believes in God. And if you meet him in person, you’ll quickly learn that he’s unashamed to tell you so. He may be known for his wild ways and impressive survival skills, but his faith is a side of Grylls many haven’t seen. Grylls doesn’t claim to be a perfect Christian. In fact, he admits that many of Read more
Have you ever sat down and documented your personal faith history? I’m not talking about Church teaching; but what that teaching has meant to you alongside your own life experience. Looking back, you will see a pattern of spiritual growth that is universal and yet uniquely you. My own journey has been like this: When Read more
A new centre for dialogue between faith and reason, between Church and society is to be set up in Dublin, Ireland. The University of Notre Dame from the US will oversee the initiative at University Church, Dublin. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin announced the establishment of the “Notre-Dame Newman Centre for Faith and Reason”. Earlier Read more
An Israeli man has petitioned the Haifa Magistrate’s Court for a restraining order against God, claiming the Almighty has been particularly unkind to him. The petitioner noted that he had tried to obtain the restraining order from police for the past three years but that police had merely sent a patrol car to his home Read more
Forget the fancy words and deep analogies; prayer is about relationship. ‘Your strength is not in numbers, nor does your might depend upon the powerful, but you are the God of the lowly, the helper of the oppressed, the supporter of the weak, the protector of those in despair, the savior of those without hope. Read more
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark says New Zealand can provide a model of religious tolerance for the rest of the world. Miss Clark, who is head of the United Nations Development Programme, said this at the opening of the new Religious Diversity Centre in Wellington last week. She is to be patron of the centre. Read more
This is my confession. I was tricked into accepting God back into my life. Yes, you read that right, I was tricked. Duped. Hoodwinked. Bamboozled – or perhaps more accurately, I was enticed by fireworks. After all, simple things amuse simple minds and as soon as my friend told me they were doing backyard fireworks Read more
Many of us have a negative view of fundamentalism, but doesn’t that word simply describe the beginnings of our growth in faith? Whether we talk about Islamic fundamentalism, Bible fundamentalism or Canon Law fundamentalism, we are referring to a belief system that is the religious ground in which people are planted. These systems are designed Read more
The beginning of the renewal of the Church begins in Confession, Pope Francis has told Germany’s bishops. Pope Francis spoke to the German bishops in audience on November 20 and offered a blunt assessment of their nation’s church. The Pontiff said he hoped the Jubilee Year of Mercy might revive the sacraments of Confession and Read more
Dad’s face was gaunt, with skin hugging his high cheekbones and gray stubble enveloping his chin and upper lip. His bony shoulders poked out from a baggy blue-plaid hospital gown, and his hands shook when he tried to raise them. Just a month ago, we had been celebrating my birthday at a hibachi restaurant, where Read more