New post: Friday tidbits
It never gets boring covering the religion beat.
Here’s a round-up of the latest news and information, just a few thought-provoking tidbits I thought to share:
MSN.com: Jesus in Wal-Mart receipt
USA Today’s Faith & Reason blog: “Alert, Dudes: ‘The Big Lebowski’ Gets a Bible” 
Washington Post’s On Faith blog: “Rick Perry’s Pastor Problem?”
Associated Baptist Press: “Gaddy Chastises TV station for belitting Mormonism”
Albert Mohler’s (Southern Baptist seminary leader) blog: “Reparative Theraphy, Homosexuality and the Gospel of Jesus Christ”
NOTE: It’s important to note that I am not personally endorsing any of the ideas and thoughts expressed in these stories and commentary. I am merely passing them on because the topics are interesting.
Have a good Friday and a good weekend.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Group sends governors National Day of Prayer letter
The Alliance Defense Fund has sent letters to governors across the country to encourage them to observe and participate in the 60th annual National Day of Prayer on May 5. 
In a news release this week, defense fund leaders said the letter also encourages governors to resist the demands of activist groups that claim the tradition is unlawful. The release said millions of Americans participate in prayer day activities every year.
The Alliance Defense Fund describes itself as a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith.
Remember last year, National Day of Prayer activities went on as planned in Oklahoma and around the country, despite a federal judge’s ruling which challenged the observance.
On April 15, 2010, U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb, from Wisconsin’s Western District Court, ruled the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional. She wrote that the government cannot enact laws supporting a day of prayer, saying that government may not use its authority to influence an individual’s decision “whether and when to pray.”
At the time, the U.S. Justice Department vowed to appeal the ruling. I’ve heard no word about whether or not the ruling will keep people from participating in the designated prayer day this year.
It will be interesting to see how things unfold as we get closer to the 2011 prayer day.
(Photo above: Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman) In this 2011 photo, a group of men from Gallian Masonry join with other men to form a circle of prayer before the start of the official National Day of Prayer ceremony at the state Capitol.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Talking Heaven and Hell
Heaven and Hell are always hot topics.
So it comes as no surprise that two books on the subjects — one about Heaven and one about Hell — are getting a lot of attention these days. 
The Today Show interviewed a young boy today who claims to have gone to heaven during a near-death experience.
I’ve included the video excerpt of the interview here: Boy Goes to Heaven.
And Colton Burpo, the son of a Nebraska pastor, has written a new book about his experience called “Heaven is For Real.”
As for Hell, there’s a book just released on March 15 called ”Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell and the Fate of Every Person Who Lived.”
Written by Rob Bell, “Love Wins” has been causing quite a stir even before its release, largely due to a pre-release video featuring Bell, who is pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church 
in Michigan. Critics of Bell say the book expouses a universalist message rather than an evangelical Christian message.
Recently, three theologians and scholars, including Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., had a public discussion of the book due to the ideas shared in the book.
Christianpost.com shared a story about the public discussion on its website: “Rob Bell’s Velvet Hell?”
On a website about “Love Wins” the book is described in this way:
“Rob Bell addresses one of the most controversial issues of faith—the afterlife—arguing, would a loving God send people to eternal torment forever…? With searing insight, Bell puts hell on trial, and his message is decidedly hopeful—eternal life doesn’t start when we die; it starts right now. And ultimately, Love Wins.”
I need to get the book and read it for myself. A local pastor has contacted me and said he read the book and, at the very least, it has Christians talking about their beliefs.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Ash Wednesday 2011 style
Planning on attending an Ash Wednesday service tomorrow?
Take a picture of yourself with ashes on your forehead and send it to a website that is compiling such photos through Thursday.
It’s all part of BustedHalo.com’s Third Annual Ash Wednesday Challenge. 
The challenge is one of the more unique spins on Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Lenten season.
It is the seventh Wednesday before Easter Sunday.
Ashes used to observe the day at Christian churches come from the burning of palm leaves used during Palm Sunday services the previous year. The ashes are placed on the forehead of congregants in the sign of the cross.
The words “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return” remind believers of their mortality — that they are on Earth for a short time.
The Lenten season begins with Ash Wednesday tomorrow.
Take up the Ash Wednesday challenge by visiting www.BustedHalo.com. Readers will be able to vote for their favorite Ash Wednesday photo posted to the site. BustedHalo also offers its “2011 Fast Pray Give Lenten Calendar.”
Or perhaps you might be interest in the following tidbits of news and information, all related to the observance:
– Eternal Word Television Network, the cable channel known for its Roman Catholic-themed programming, offers an online daily Lenten calendar with Lenten reflections: Lenten calendar
– Here’s a link to a printable Lenten calendar for children. The calendar comes courtesy of a website called Catholic Icing: Printable Lenten Calendar for Children.
– Beliefnet.com offers several stories, commentary and other features about Lent, plus a Lenten calendar: Lent 2011
– Loyola Press has a variety of online resources for Lenten observers, including screen savers and an interactive calender, among other things: Lenten resources
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Bible translation changes words
The New American Bible, a Catholic Bible translation, is making some changes.
The Bible translation has swapped some biblical words in favor of others. Several words that will be swapped for another include “booty” and “virgin.”
Here’s more on the issue:
NPR: “New Bible Updates Language; ‘Booty’ falls by the wayside”
ABC News: “Booty Recall: Bishops Drop Word From Bible.”
Reuters: “New American Bible Changes Some Words Such as Holocaust.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
TV show to focus on exorcism rite
Entertainment Weekly is reporting that the Discovery Channel is planning a TV show focusing on exorcism.
No start date has been set as yet, according to the magazine.
I predit that folks interested in this touchy topic will be waiting in anticipation of how the cable channel will approach the subject.
One tidbit that EW writer James Hibbard included in his Inside TV column did catch my eye. Hibbard writes that people involved with the new show, to be called “The Exorcist Files,” have had access to the Vatican’s case files on exorcism.
The column made me think back to last fall when I was researching information for my Oct. 15 story about exorcism. The topic came up when a Satanist church rented a public room at the Civic Center Music Hall where they performed what they called a “satanic exorcism.”
I do believe I’m going to watch this new show since my curiousity has now been piqued.
Read EW’s Inside TV column for more information: “Exclusive: Discovery, Catholic Church team for exorcism series.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
12 Days of Christmas: Christmas quiz
Just how did Mary and Joseph make their famous trip to Bethlehem? 
OK, if you are curious, you can take the quiz here. The answers are posted below the quiz.
——
Christmas I.Q. Test
- As Long as Christmas has been celebrated, it has been on December 25. (True or False)
- Joseph was from:
(A) Bethlehem (B) Jerusalem (C) Nazareth
(D) Egypt (E) Minnesota (F) None of the above
3.How did Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem?
(A) Camel (B) Donkey (C) Walked (D) Volkswagen (E) Joseph walked, Mary rode a donkey
(F) Who knows
4. Mary and Joseph were married when Mary became pregnant (True or False)
5. Mary and Joseph were married when Jesus was born (True or False)
6. Mary was a virgin when she delivered Jesus (True or False)
7. What did the innkeeper tell Mary and Joseph?
(A)“There is no room in the inn.” (B) “I have a stable you can use.” (C) “Come back after the Christmas rush and I should have some vacancies.”( D) Both A and B (E) None of the above
8. Jesus was born in a: (A) Stable (B) Manger (C) Cave (D) Barn (E) Unknown
9. A “manger” is a: (A) Stable for domestic animals (B) Wooden hay storage bin (C) Feeding trough (D) Barn
10. Which animals does the Bible say were present at Jesus’ birth? (A). Cows, sheep and goats (B). Cows, donkeys and sheep (C) Miscellaneous barnyard animals (D) Sheep and goats (E) Lions, tiger and bears (F) None of the above
11. Who saw the “star in the East.”(A) Shepherds (B) Mary and Joseph (C) The Magi (D) Both A and C (E) None of the above
12. What “sign” did the angels tell the shepherds to look for? (A) “This way to baby Jesus” (B) A star over Bethlehem (C) A baby that doesn’t cry (D) A house with a Christmas tree (E) A baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger (F) None of the above
13. What did the angels sing? (A) “Joy to the World,” (B) “Alleluia” (C) “Unto us a child is born” (D) “Glory to God in the highest. . . . “ (E) “My Sweet Lord”( F) “ Glory to the Newborn King”
14. There was snow that first Christmas (True or False)
15. The baby Jesus cried (A) When the doctor slapped him on the behind (B) Just like other babies (C) When the little drummer boy played his drum (D) He never cried
16. What is frankincense?(A) A precious metal (B) A precious fabric (C) A precious sap used in perfume (D) An Eastern monster story (E) None of the above
17. What is myrrh? (A) An easily shaped metal (B) A spice used for burial (C) A drink (D) An after-shave lotion (E) None of the above
18. How many “Magi” does the Bible say came to see Jesus ______________
19. The Magi found Jesus in a: (A) Manger (B) Stable (C) House (D) Holiday Inn (E) Good Mood
20. Where do you find the Christmas story in order to check on all these ridiculous questions?
(A) Matthew’s Gospel (B) Mark’s Gospel (C) Luke’s Gospel (D) John’s Gospel (E) All of the above (F) Only A and B (G) Only A and C (H) Only A, B and C
ANSWERS:
NOTE: Father Alsay wanted me to be sure to invite all my readers to St. Augustine’s Christmas Eve services set for 5:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Dec. 24. The church’s regular services are at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Oral Roberts’ grandson speaks out
“On Faith,” the Washington Post’s religion and spirituality blog, features essays/articles with Oklahoma connections today.
Of note is the ”Guest Voices” commentary by Randy Roberts Potts, the grandson of renowned televangelist and Oklahoma native, the late Oral Roberts. Randy Roberts Potts, described at the end of the commentary as Oral Roberts’ gay grandson, talks about the way Christians see homosexuality: “Jesus’ message for homosexuals: It gets better.”
The blog also features ”Guest Voices” commentary by Nihad Awad, the national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Awad’s subject is State Question 755 approved by voters Tuesday. It prohibits Oklahoma courts from considering international law or Sharia law when making decisions: “What banning Sharia law means for Oklahoma Muslims.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Preview Bible app for free
Calling all iPHone, iPad and iPod Touch owners: Zondervan and the NIV GoBible are offering a free preview app featuring the Book of John for customers interested in buying the NIV GoBible iPhone app.
The NIV GoBible is a Bible program that lets the user read and listen to the NIV of the Bible on an iPad, iPhone or iTouch. The program was designed to make the Bible as accessible and enjoyable as possible.
“This technology is fantastic in that it allows the user to customize in so many ways how they want to access the Bible and use it in their daily lives,” Chip Brown, Zondervan senior vice president of Bibles, said in a news release.
The NIV GoBible iPhone app retails for $44.99 and can be purchased through the Apple iTunes store.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Unique Bible now on eBay
The original version of the handwritten Bible Across America is on the auction block today and proceeds of the eBay auction will benefit Biblica, the translation sponsor of the New International Version translation.
Last year, more than 200 Oklahomans had the opportunity to contribute a handwritten verse to the Bible when the Bible Across America tour stopped at Casady School. The tour was hosted by Zondervan to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the NIV Bible. After a nine-month cross country tour cover 22,579 miles, 90 cities and 40 states, more than 31,000 people had a hand in writing Bible Across America, Zondervan said in a news release.
Two original copies were created during the tour and each page was checked and scanned to create a published version which will be released in stores on Dec. 1 and also will be available for purchase online at www.bibleacrossamerica.com.
If you are interested in the auction go online to http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Bible-Across-America-Charity-Sale and make an offer. The auction closes on Nov. 22.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
P.S. The illustration above is just that, an illustration. It is not the Bible Across America being auctioned.
