New Christian discussion guide for Disney’s “Earth” film
A Christian discussion guide for Disney’s new documentary “Earth” is available on a new Web site called Creation Care.
The guide can also be found on Disney’s Web site or here: Earth guide. If you are interested in the Creation Care Web site’s articles and columns, logo onto the new site at www.sustainlane.com/creation-care.
The site promotes both religious faith and environmentalism. Features include blogs, news, events and reviews.
“Earth,” produced by DisneyNature, Walt Disney’s green division, debuted in theaters last month in conjuction with Earth Day.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Notre Dame-Obama controversy continues
Mary Ann Glendon, a former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican and respected bioethicist has told the University of Notre Dame that she will not accept the prestigious Laetare Medal because of President Obama’s scheduled commencement address, the Religion News Service reported today.
Glendon (pictured at right) said she had been “profoundly moved” when she was first told of the honor last December, but said Notre Dame’s decision to invite Obama and give him an honorary degree caused her to change her mind.
The university has come under withering criticism from conservatives, including nearly 50 U.S. bishops such as the bishop of the Tulsa Diocese and the archbishop of the Oklahoma City archdiocese, who say the school is ignoring the bishops’ guidelines that Catholic universities should not honor politicians who support abortion rights.
Glendon, who teaches at Harvard Law School, said she had tried to revise her planned remarks after Obama’s invitation became public, but decided she didn’t want to engage in a war of words on the commencement platform, according to the RNS.
“It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame’s decision … to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church’s position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice,” Glendon wrote to Notre Dame President John I. Jenkins.
The RNS said Glendon’s letter was posted online by the conservative journal First Things, where she is a member of the editorial and advisory board.
Jenkins, in a statement, said the school was “disappointed” by Glendon’s decision but said “it is our intention to award the Laetare Medal to another deserving recipient, and we will make that announcement as soon as possible.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Dave does the Bible
Finance guru Dave Ramsey’s recent presentation at LifeChurch.tv was filled with references to Scripture.
Hey, it appeared that most folks appreciated the guy preaching a mix of money 101 and Bible study.
He was at a church, right?
When in church, do as the church folks do …
Actually, this was on par with what Ramsey teaches. He has always been up front about the fact that many of his finance tips are based on biblical principles.
The nationally syndicated radio show host is known for his financial management books and his popular classes Financial Peace University, which are taught in many places, including lots of churches.
I talked to a couple of people after the town hall here in Oklahoma City and they said they loved Ramsey’s talk that night, especially his use of Scripture. They mentioned appreciating the fact that he praised Christian business leaders like Oklahoma’s own David Green, owner of Hobby Lobby.
Here’s a sampling of what Ramsey’s said:
“As a Christian and a person of faith I knew what was going on. I had encountered a spirit of fear. Fear is not a fruit of the Spirit.”
“Hope is a gift of the Holy Spirit.”
“The Bible says rejoice in your suffering because suffering produces perserverance …”
“I believe in prayer, but for some Christians prayer is a code word for not facing reality. You can pray while you’re working. … not pray and sit around watching Oprah …”
“The Bible says the diligent prosper.”
“Hope doesn’t come from Washington. Hope comes from me and you. Hope comes from God. Hope comes from the nail-scarred hands of Jesus Christ.”
By the way, Craig Groeschel called Ramsey “a man who has been prepared for a time such as this” — a reference to the Book of Esther.
From the applause Ramsey received throughout Thursday’s gathering, I think lots of people agreed with Groeschel.
(Photo above by Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman: Dave Ramsey participates in a dress rehearsal for his Town Hall for Hope Thursday at LifeChurch.tv in Oklahoma City.)
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Carrie Prejean carries on
Here’s an update on the Carrie Prejean saga that just continues to gain momentum.
In a previous blog posting I told how Prejean (pictured at right), Miss California USA had been ridiculed by a pageant judge for her answer during the Miss USA Pageant on Sunday. Pageant judge Perez Hilton asked Prejean if she thought other states should follow Vermont’s example and legalize same-sex marriage. In her answer Prejean stated that she believed that marriage should be between a man and a woman. Hilton, apparently outraged, taped a video rant in which he called the contestant a “dumb b—-.”
The Internet is still abuzz about the incident and subsequent Hilton and Prejean interviews though it all happened several days ago.
In one e-mail, I learned that Prejean is to appear at the 40th Annual Gospel Music Association Dove Awards Show tonight on the Gospel Music Channel.
The issue regarding Prejean, who didn’t win the Miss USA title, has been the subject of much debate, judging from other e-letters and news releases. See for your self:
Brent Childers, executive director for Faith In America, wrote an open letter to Prejean in which he cited his conversation with Mildred Loving, a white woman who se marriage to a black man was deemed against the law in 1966 by the Virginia Supreme Court. The ruling was overruled by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1967. Childers said he wanted to believe Prejean meant no offense by her comments, but “just imagaine if the question had been about Mildred Loving’s marriage to her husand Richard?’
“I asked Mildred what she thought about those people who had used their Bible to justify prejudice against her. She said it obviously hurt her but that the pain didn’t penetrate deeply because she knew in her heart that God doesn’t want us to use religious teaching to look down upon others as inferior, unworthy or undeserving.”
Meanwhile, Randy Thomasson, president of SaveCalifornia.com and SaveAmerica.com, said “The bad guy here is homosexual activist Perez Hilton, who never should have been allowed to be a judge.Carrie Prejean was unfairly discriminated agaist and viciously punished just because she knows and believes that marriage is reserved for a man and a woman.”
SaveCalifornia.com describes itself as a pro-family organization “dedicated to defending and representing the values of parents, grandparents, and concerned citizens who believe in family, faith, and freedom.”
The mission of Faith In America, according to its Web site, is the emancipation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from bigotry disguised as religious truth.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Catholics launch new initiative fitting for Earth Day
It’s Earth Day and the nation’s Catholic community has launched a new initiative that asks participants to take a special St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor.
The partners and sponsors of the new Catholic Climate Covenant include the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Charities USA, the Catholic Health Association of the United States, Catholic Relief services, the National Catholic Education Association, the Conference of Major Superiors of Men and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. Other participating groups include the Franciscan Action Network, National Council of Catholic Women, National Catholic Rural Life Conference, National Federation of Priests Councils and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.
In taking the St. Francis Pledge, Catholics promise to:
– Pray and reflect on the duty to care for God’s creation and the poor and vulnerable;
– Learn about and educate others on both the reality of climate change and its moral dimensions;
– Assess their participation –as individuals and organizations — in contributing to climate change (i.e. consumption and conservation)
– Act to change their choices and behaviors contributing to climate change and;
– Advocate Catholic principles and priorities in climate change discussions and decisions, especially as they impact the poor and vulnerable.
Before Easter, the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change sent resource packets including the pledge to all of the 17,000 Catholic parishes and 6,300 Catholic elementary schools in America.
“This is not just one more environmental message or one more plea to serve those in need but an urgent call and a different message: how does our Catholic community and our nation care for those most affected by impacts and remedies of climate change and reduce harmful behaviors impacting God’s gift of creation?” Bishop William Skylstad of Spokane, honorary chairman of the covenant, said in a news release.
A Web site has been set up to offer concrete help in carrying out the pledge. Log on to www.catholicclimatecovenant.org for more information.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Gospel American Idol
I’ve been a fan of the reality show “American Idol” for a while now, though I don’t get to see it as often as I used to.
I thought Gospel music fans might be interested to know that a new documentary special called “From Idol to Inspiration” is scheduled to air on the Gospel Music Channel at 6 p.m. (Central) Thursday, right before the 40th Annual Gospel Music Association Dove Awards.
The documentary is a production of David Lewis Productions and will explore how “American Idol” exposed the world to Gospel/Christian performers and contestants who flourished on the show. Some of those contestants with Gospel/Christian music backgrounds have included Jordin Sparks, Mandisa (pictured above), Phil Stacey (pictured below), George Huff, Chris Sligh, Jennifer Hudson, Melinda Doolittle and others.
Some of those performers share their stories along with several journalists who cover the program. 
“God has full control over everything and things happen for a reason so I lived that very much so during ‘American Idol’ … just knowing ‘OK, if I’m here another week, there’s got to be a reason because I am scared out of my mind!,’” Doolittle said.
” I hope Jesus was dancing when I was singing on ‘American Idol’”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Much ado about crowns and the (Miss USA) crownless
I have to admit that I’ve been intrigued by the furor over Miss California USA’s comments during Sunday’s Miss USA pageant.
Pageant judge Perez Hilton asked Miss California, Carrie Prejean (pictured below), whether she thought other states should follow Vermont’s example in legalizing same-sex marriage. As part of her answer, Prejean said she believes marriage should be between a man and a woman.
Hilton was apparently outraged. After the show, he ranted that Prejean’s answer was divisive and he called her a b—-. According to several reports, he apologized for calling her that name, but then said he meant to describe her in another crude way.
Prejean was featured on NBC’s Today show this morning, where she told host Matt Lauer that she stood by her remarks because they are part of her faith beliefs.
What’s interesting is not only has Hilton lambasted her, but the director of the Miss California Pageant program, Shannon Moakler, has apologized for Prejean’s comments to the Miss USA Pageant program, and reportedly sent out a tweet through Twitter that the contestant’s remarks were exactly why they have judges to help find the person who will represent all people.
The interesting thing to me is that Prejean gave her opinion, not a politically correct one, but her opinion, just the same. Some folks would applaud that.
The other interesting aspect in all this is that the pageant judge felt inclined to call the contestant (who was named runner-up to the winner, Miss North Carolina) a crude name … and then later described her in a more crude manner .
His sense of outrage seemed a bit dramatic given the circumstances as I watched his video tirade shown on the Today show.
What is your opinion about this mini-calamity? Is it much ado about nothing ?
What do you think about the remarks that both Prejean and Hilton have made?
Let me know and let’s get the discussion started.
Oh, and there’s an interesting side note to this. Hilton told Today’s Matt Lauer that Prejean should have known that she might get such a politically stoked question because she is from the state that just voted for Proposition 8. Proposition 8 was a measure banning same-sex marriage and approved by California voters in November 2008 . Hilton said Prejean should have answered in a less divisive manner.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
She’s playing our song: “Stand Together”
Oklahoma native and contemporary Christian recording artist Jami Smith (pictured below) is offering her new song “Stand Together” to churches, hoping congregations will help spread her message of love conquering hat through faith.
Smith is to sing “Stand Together” at today’s 14th Annual Remembrance Ceremony at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Musuem, 620 N Harvey. The ceremony is set for 8:55 a.m.
Smith, known widely as a worship leader, wrote the song after being inspired by the symbols of faith that help so many to heal after tragedies such as the Oklahoma City bombing.
“This is an act that affected an entire community, and together in faith, we have shown that there is far more good in this world than evil,” Kari Watkins, Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum executive director, said in a news release.
“Stand Together really does encapsulate the hope and the resilience this community has shown a nation in the face of terrorism. It celebrates love and unity and the power of standing together — united.”
“Stand Together” is available for download at www.jamismith.com for 99 cents per download. Churches can also request lyrics to the song. Sheet music is also being created for worship leaders to play for their congregations. Half of the proceeds for each download of the song on www.jamismith.com will benefit the memorial.
“It was really important for me to capture the faith and prayer and loving thoughts of the thousands of lives that are changed by their visit to the Memorial,” Smith said in a news release.
“You can see it in the things that are left at the fence and in the notes and comments from visitors that our community, in its faith, has shown the world God’s grace through the lessons of the memorial.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Manley is surely smiling today
Everyone I’ve ever talked to who knew Scott Manley (pictured at right) has always had good things to say about him.
Not just good things, great things. They fairly gushed about Manley, who was a longtime Oklahoma ministry leader and founder of Cornerstone Assistance Network.
He was very passionate about ministry and thus he nurtured ShareFest OKC accordingly.
Manley passed away in January but ShareFest, area churches’ one-day community service blitz, continues on today.
He’s surely smiling as he sees thousands of church volunteers fan out into the metro area to perform service projects in the surrounding community (See www.ShareFestOKC.org).
I don’t think it’s a stretch of imagination for me to say that. I only have to think about Manley’s comments during previous interviews to know that he was proud of churches participating in the annual community service effort. He said it was a way for churches to show the love of Jesus in many, many ways.
Here’s what he said:
Manley speaking of ShareFest in 2008: “You have to show the ‘good news’ before you preach the ‘good news. If people can see Jesus, if they can see the love demonstrated, then they can better understand when you start talking about it.”
In 2007: ”The Gospel has two components — word and deed. The mandate is on the church to touch the people who are on Christ’s heart, which I think would be the widows, the orphans and poor and afflicted.”
In 2005: It’s a way, I think, of highlighting what the churches in the area are doing, so it’s like everyone getting their lights together to shine in the darkness.”
I doubt anyone could have said it any better than that.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
In support of the pope
Pope Benedict XVI, who celebrates his 83rd birthday today, has received support from thousands of people, in the aftermath of his recent trip to Africa.
The pope was criticized for making a statement about the ineffectiveness of condom promotion in stemming the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa, but four international pro-life organizations have gathered 45,000 signatures in his support.
Kath.net based in Austria; Human Life International in Virginia; Human Life International in Europa (based in Poland); and Vida Humana Internacional in Miami, have joined forces to gather support for Pope Benedict.
In a recent news release, the organizations said they have gathered 45,000 signatures thus far in support of the pope.
“What the Holy Father said was absolutely true,” Joseph Meaney, Human Life International’s director of International Coordination, said in the news release. “It is an embarrassment to all who have so irresponsibly and often hatefully opposed him that what he said is verified by any honest examination of the evidence about what has worked historically to lower AIDS transmission rates in Africa.”
The campaigns of support will continue through May 1, at which point the letters and signatures will be presented to the Holy See.
For more information, go online to In Support of the Pope.
(AP Photo above: Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful on Easter Monday at his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo in the hills south of Rome.)
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
