Unity?

ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI called divisions among Christians a "scandal to the world" and recalled the faith's deep roots in Europe at a joint ceremony Thursday with the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians at his ancient enclave. Benedict has made outreach to the world's more than 250 million Orthodox a centerpiece of his young papacy and has set the difficult goal of full unity between the two ancient branches of Christianity, which split nearly 1,000 years ago over disputes including the extent of papal authority.

It's also a key part of the pope's drive to reinforce the Christian bonds in Europe and around the world. He said all Christians should "renew Europe's awareness of its Christian roots, traditions and values, giving them new vitality."

• JJ Commentary: Hard to believe that the Pope is calling for unity when Catholicism has long positioned itself in exclusive terms, as in the long-running, often deadly conflict with Protestantism in England and Ireland. But he’s right. Jesus called for unity in his last recorded prayer in John 17 where He warned that disunity would cause the world not to believe in Him

Expand Immigration?

President Bush said Tuesday that he wants more countries in a program that allows foreigners to stay in the USA without visas, despite criticism that the move could open the door to terrorists. "We want people to come to our country," Bush said in Tallinn, Estonia, one of several European countries that have asked to be included in the visa-waiver program, in which 27 foreign countries now participate. "It's in our nation's interest that people be able to come and visit."

Bush said his administration aims to add more countries to the program, created to facilitate tourism and business travel 15 years before the 9/11 attacks increased fears of terrorism. He pledged to ensure that "those that want to continue to kill Americans aren't able to exploit the system."

• JJ Commentary: Not able to exploit the system? Naïve at best. Seems like a dangerous idea given our problems with immigration, but a definite New World (Dis)Order strategy to eliminate our national borders

Sodom & Gemorrah

Out-of-wedlock births in the United States have climbed to an all-time high, accounting for nearly four in 10 babies born last year, government health officials said Tuesday. While out-of-wedlock births have long been associated with teen mothers, the teen birth rate actually dropped last year to the lowest level on record. Instead, births among unwed mothers rose most dramatically among women in their 20s.

Experts said the overall rise reflects the burgeoning number of people who are putting off marriage or living together without getting married. They said it also reflects the fact that having a child out of wedlock is more acceptable nowadays and not necessarily the source of shame it once was.

• JJ Commentary: This is the result of the attacks against the sanctity of marriage and another marker on our road to Sodom and Gemorrah.

The Gutless Church

As homosexuals and lesbians in Africa celebrate the legalization of same-sex "marriage" in South Africa, the head of one of the continent's leading church associations has chosen not to speak out on the matter. Rev. Mvume Ndadala, general secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), said in comments made through a personal assistant that the AACC represented a "diversity" of Christians, and it would be inappropriate to give a common perspective on the issue.

The remarks are seen here as indicating that mainline churches in Africa may be softening their stance on same-sex unions, despite the strong objections by many Christian and traditionalist Africans. The AACC is an ecumenical fellowship representing more than 120 million Christians in 39 African countries. South Africa last week became the first country in Africa to legalize same-sex "marriages" when parliament approved the move following sometimes rancorous political debate across the country.

• JJ Commentary: It is the lack of speaking out that has allowed the enemy to impose his agenda on our governments. This alone is reason enough for Christians to get involved in political issues and not remain with their heads stuck in the sand.

The Voice of God??

Two particular books, Conversations with God and Conversations with God for Teens, written by Neale D. Walsch , sound harmless enough by their titles alone. These books have been on the New York Times best sellers list for a number of weeks, and these publications make truth of the statement, "Don't judge a book by its cover/title." The author purports to answer various questions from kids using the "voice of God". However, the "answers" that he gives are not Bible-based and go against the very infallible word of God.

For instance, when a girl asks the question "Why am I a lesbian?" His answer is that she was born that way because of genetics (just as you were born right-handed, with blue eyes, etc.). Then he tells her to go out and "celebrate" her differences. Another girl poses the question "I am living with my boyfriend. My parents say that I should marry him because I am living in sin. Should I marry him?" His reply is, "Who are you sinning against? Not me, because you have done nothing wrong." Another question asks about God's forgiveness of sin. His reply "I do not forgive anyone because there is nothing to forgive. There is no such thing as right or wrong and that is what I have been trying to tell everyone, do not judge people.

• JJ Commentary: Any doubts about whether the New Age secular humanist religion has taken over the media and the hearts and minds of many, if not most, people are laid to rest with these “best sellers.” To purport to be the voice of God is blasphemy of the worst sort. To believe that this is the voice of God, is to fall victim to worst of deceptions leading only to the pit of eternal torment. Father have mercy upon them and give them one more chance to hear the voice of the One True God.

A Religion of Peace?

GENEVA (AP) — The United Nations said Wednesday that 3,709 Iraqi civilians were killed in October, the highest monthly toll since the March 2003 U.S. invasion and another sign of the severity of Iraq's sectarian bloodbath. The report painted a grim picture across the board, from attacks on journalists, judges and lawyers and the worsening situation of women to displacement, violence against religious minorities and the targeting of schools.

• JJ Commentary: Say what you will about Christianity, but we don't see Methodists killing Baptists. A Religion of peace? I think not.
  

Rest in Peace

JERUSALEM — In a landmark ruling, Israel's Supreme Court ordered the government Tuesday to recognize same-sex marriages performed abroad. The lone dissenter on the seven-judge panel was an observant Jew, highlighting the controversy touched off among ultra-Orthodox Jews and other conservative groups. Moshe Negbi, a legal expert, said the court's decision is mostly symbolic because gay couples in Israel already had many of the rights of heterosexual partnerships. The significant changes are that they will now get the same tax breaks as a married couple and be able to adopt children, Negbi said.

• JJ Commentary: Any lingering notion about whether the Israeli government is secular or religious should be laid to rest with this report.