The religion sparks controversy for various reasons and anytime one of its more well known members like Cruise or actor John Travolta are in the news, it is invariably brought up. 

As far as I know, Holmes has not said anything publicly about Scientology in recent weeks and it hasn’t been ascertained that the religion has anything to do with her divorce filing. However, many stories about the pending divorce bring up the fact that  Cruise is a well known Scientologist and some people are wondering if Scientology may have played a part in Holmes’ decision to end her marriage.

Here’s what others are saying about the religion being back in the news again and what it could bring to the Holmes-Cruise divorce proceedings.

USA Today: Scientology faces fresh scrutiny

CBS News Celebrity Circuit: Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ divorce: the Scientology factor 

Los Angeles Times: Scientology complicates Tom Cruise-Katie Holmes divorce case  

New York Daily News: Katie Holmes enters ‘new phase’ as Tom Cruise insists Scientology was not at root of split 

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

To do that, Young (pictured) and his spouse are staging a 24-hour “bed-in” on the roof of his Grapevine, Texas, church, Fellowship Church, right now.

People can tune-in for Young’s commentary and to see the bed-in, which started at 6 a.m. today at “Bed-in.”    

Young said the event is a tie-in to  a new book written by him and his wife “Sexperiment: 7 Days to Lasting Intimacy With Your Spouse.”  Actually, the bed-in is being streamed live on a website about the new book. “Sexperiment” was released on Tuesday.

I often watch Young’s TV show and enjoy his preaching on a variety of topics. He’s not afraid to tackle some heavy-hitting topics so I”m not surprised at his latest adventure.

I once saw him preach a sermon series about sex with a bed on the stage area of the church. He’s upped the ante with the bed on the roof, for sure. 

For a story about the bed-in, read on:  “Pastor-wife to spend 24 hours in bed on church roof to teach sex lessons”

Incidentally, according to the Christian Post’s story on the bed-in, Craig Groeschel, pastor of Edmond-based LifeChurch.tv, and his wife Amy, are among pastors who have endorsed the Youngs’ new book.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor   

It’s about Kim Kardashian’s “mini-marriage” — at least that’s how some are describing Kardashian’s apparently short-lived marriage to NBA star Kris Humphries.

Anyway, I thought people of faith might want to read this particular posting. I think it has something relevant to say.

Washington Post’s On Faith blog: “What Kim Kardashian’s Divorce Can Teach Us About Marriage”   

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor 

A reader noticed that the link to the entire sermon text that I posted did not work.

I’ve posted a new link there that should work.

Also, I’m posting the link here: Bishop of London’s royal wedding homily 

I have to admit, my first impressions were whimsical: I loved all the hats the women wore and I thought both Prince William and his brother Prince Harry looked handsome in their uniforms.

Of course, I thought Kate looked lovely and her wedding dress was beautiful.

Then I was curious about the wedding ceremony itself and I was touched by it.

I was struck by the regal voice of Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. I’ve seen quite a few pictures of the man but never heard him speak.

Most inspiring was the homily delivered by the Bishop of London Richard Chartres.

What’s interesting is the great quote that he used to begin his sermon: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”

Chartres said it is a quote by St. Catherine of Siena whose feast day is today.  

That caught my attention because I happened to do a story recently about Sister Nancy Murray who portrays St. Catherine of Siena in a one-woman play. Murray, who is the sister of comedian Bill Murray, presented the play as a fund-raiser earlier this month for Sacred Heart Catholic School in El Reno.

Anyway, hearing the quote by St. Catherine was a pleasant surprise this morning and very apropos for the wedding homily.

In fact, the entire sermon was inspired.

If you are interested in what the Bishop of London had to say, I’ve included a link to the text below.

Royal wedding: Bishop of London’s homily  

(AP PHOTO/Clara Molden, Pool) : Britain’s Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge surrounded by Archbishop Rowan Williams, right, Prince Harry, second from right, and Michael Middleton, left, in Westminster Abbey, London during their wedding ceremony today.

 Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

Here’s something to think about: Clinton, daughter of  U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and former President Bill Clinton, is a Christian, while her fiance Marc Mezvinsky is Jewish.

The Washington Post’s religion blog On Faith recently included postings on the issue of interfaith marriage. The blog’s diverse group of panelists answered the question “Should religions intermarry?”

Read their comments here: “Should religions intermarry?”    

(AP Photo: Chelsea Clinton talks with University of Oklahoma students after a speech given

by her father, former President Bill Clinton, in 2008 on OU’s Norman campus.)

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor  

Well, Gayle Haggard is about to give an answer to that query.

The Associated Press is reporting that Gayle Haggard is writing a book about how she dealt with the scandal surrounding her husband’s actions. Haggard’s public tumble from grace  came after a male prostitute alleged that he had a sex-for-money arrangement with the outspoken evangelist. 

Gayle Haggard’s memoir is to be titled “Why I Stayed” according to Tyndale House Publishers.  

“This is my story of choosing to love my husband through some of the most difficult challenges any marriage could face,” Gayle Haggard said in a statement picked up by The Associated Press.

Haggard has since said that he has worked with counselors and no longer has sexual desire for men, the Associated Press reports.

The book is to be released in January. 

(AP PHOTO AT RIGHT:  Gayle Haggard is shown with her husband, Ted Haggard, right, in this 2006 photo taken in Colorado Springs, Colo.)

 Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

Beliefnet.com and Wall Street Journal columnist Steven Waldman offered his views on the issue on huffingtonpost.com. Waldman just conducted a video interview with Warren last week in which he shared his views on some hot button issues including gay marriage. 

Go to Beliefnet.com to view Waldman’s interview of Warren: Beliefnet.com Warren interviews.

To read Waldman’s commentary about Obama’s choice of Warren to deliver the inauguration invocation, click here: Defense of Obama’s choice. 

Read Rabbi Brad Hirschfield’s commentary on the issue here:  Rick Warren’s Selection is Great for Faith …  Hirschfield has a column “Windows and Doors” on Beliefnet.com.

(AP PHOTO:  In this Aug. 16 file photo, then Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill, joins Pastor Rick Warren at Warren’s Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., for a discussion on moral issues.)

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

“The Love Dare” hit No. 1 on the New York Times Paperback Advice Bestsellers. It was written by Stephen and Alex Kendrick as part of “Fireproof.” When they wrote the script for the film they knew they would have to expand the six days of the book seen in the film into a book covering all 40 days.

The book is a 40-day challenge to put unconditional love into action.

“The Love Dare” is in paperback, but a leather-bound edition is set to be released in January 2009. 

 To link to an Oct. 4 story and podcast with “The Love Dare” co-author Stephen Kendrick, click here: “Love Dare Q&A.”

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

If you saw the film on Friday, the day it premiered, perhaps you want to learn more about the movie’s faith-themed premise.

Go to www.fireproofthemovie.com to find out more about “The Love Dare,” the book that is central to the movie. It is available at many Christian bookstores or online.

Also on the site, you can purchase songs from the movie from such contemporary Christian recording artists as Third Day (They’re coming to Oklahoma on Oct. 5 by the way), Casting Crowns, Greg Holiday and John  Waller.

Read about the distinct differences between men and women by visiting the site’s “His and Hers” link.

Theatergoers were introduced to the Web site www.fireproofmymarriage.com at the end of ”Fireproof.”

There are a host of resources for churches and couples available on that site.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor