Urban Christian News: July 2010 Archives

The Doubting Christian

By UCN on July 31, 2010 3:18 PM | No TrackBacks

I am a Christian. I come from a Christian family and live in the Bible Belt. I've been a member of the same Southern Baptist church since I learned the words to "Jesus Loves Me" in preschool.

Continue reading The Doubting Christian .

Hitchens Brothers' Rift Starts With Religion

By UCN on July 31, 2010 1:10 PM | No TrackBacks

Chatting at a coffee shop in his hometown, Peter Hitchens is disinclined to talk about his older brother, Christopher, the famously combative journalist.

Continue reading Hitchens Brothers' Rift Starts With Religion .

Episcopal Church Committee Working on Rite for Same-Sex Couples

By UCN on July 31, 2010 1:06 PM | No TrackBacks

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Armed with a new $400,000 grant and the support of the Episcopal Church, a Berkeley seminary is convening priests from across the country to craft the liturgical rite for same-sex couples to receive religious blessings.

Continue reading Episcopal Church Committee Working on Rite for Same-Sex Couples .

Anne Rice "Quits" Christianity - But Not Christ

By UCN on July 31, 2010 12:58 PM | No TrackBacks

Novelist Anne Rice remains committed to Christ. But she is quitting Christianity.

Continue reading Anne Rice "Quits" Christianity - But Not Christ .

'Only' a Preacher: The Pastor's Place in Community Influence

By UCN on July 31, 2010 12:52 PM | No TrackBacks

When the chair of my county school board suggested I could help with a bond referendum, a local businesswoman responded: "What can he do? He's only a preacher!"

Continue reading 'Only' a Preacher: The Pastor's Place in Community Influence .

5 Things Marriage Isn't

By UCN on July 31, 2010 12:51 PM | No TrackBacks

The fantasy of marriage looks a lot different from reality. Here's a wake-up call.

Continue reading 5 Things Marriage Isn't .

What is Truth? by Randy Robison

By UCN on July 31, 2010 12:48 PM | No TrackBacks

Pilate had a problem. The Jewish leaders kept bringing Jesus Christ before him and demanding his crucifixion. He could not find any justification for it, but he needed to keep the peace between the Jewish people and the Roman government.

Continue reading What is Truth? by Randy Robison .

The Logic of Christian Marriage, by R. Albert Mohler Jr.

By UCN on July 31, 2010 12:44 PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks

Chelsea Clinton, raised Methodist, and Marc Mezvinsky, Jewish, will wed this weekend.

Continue reading The Logic of Christian Marriage, by R. Albert Mohler Jr..

'Daddy's In Heaven': Rig Victims' Families Share Memories, Mementos

By UCN on July 31, 2010 8:16 AM | No TrackBacks

Sherri Revette cuts through thick pines, guiding the four-wheeler down dirt and mud trails to her tranquil spot, a sandbar along the Chickasawhay River about a mile behind her home in the backwoods of Mississippi.

Continue reading 'Daddy's In Heaven': Rig Victims' Families Share Memories, Mementos .

WATCH: Christian Woman Stops Robbery With Faith‎

By UCN on July 31, 2010 8:04 AM | No TrackBacks

Pictured: Nayara Goncalves

Nayara Goncalves already experienced one of the "biggest moments" of her life: becoming a Christian.

Continue reading WATCH: Christian Woman Stops Robbery With Faith‎ .

Phoebe Prince's Father Bitterly Regrets Not Being There

By UCN on July 31, 2010 7:16 AM | No TrackBacks

First interview since his daughter committed suicide

Continue reading Phoebe Prince's Father Bitterly Regrets Not Being There .

Putin Takes Control of Russia's Wildfire Crisis

By UCN on July 31, 2010 7:04 AM | No TrackBacks

Putin takes control of wildfire crisis.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has ordered a total of 5 billion rubles ($165 million) to be disbursed from the federal budget to the central Russian areas worst affected by wildfires, his spokesman said on Friday.

Continue reading Putin Takes Control of Russia's Wildfire Crisis .

WATCH: 7-Year-Old Gospel Singer Sports An Amazing Voice

By UCN on July 31, 2010 6:56 AM | No TrackBacks

We hope Jennifer Aniston doesn't get jealous, but there's a new, younger woman in Gerard Butler's life, and she can sing, too.

Continue reading WATCH: 7-Year-Old Gospel Singer Sports An Amazing Voice .

Ben Roethlisberger's Journey to Notoriety

By UCN on July 31, 2010 6:41 AM | No TrackBacks

Ben Roethlisberger, who has won two Super Bowl titles as quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers, will miss six games this season for violating the league's personal conduct policy

Before the two Super Bowl titles, the $102 million contract and the well-chronicled accusations of sexual assault, Ben Roethlisberger was a college quarterback in 2004, about to realize his dream of playing in the N.F.L.

Continue reading Ben Roethlisberger's Journey to Notoriety .

The Benefits of Volunteerism, if the Service Is Real

By UCN on July 31, 2010 6:38 AM | No TrackBacks

Emma Gibson, 11, left, and Alison Mann, 10, volunteered at a hunger task force program in Mamaroneck, N.Y.

When I was growing up, I don't remember hearing much about community service. My parents were certainly civic-minded, but they were a lot more concerned about the work I did around the house. Like cleaning bathrooms and weeding the lawn.

Continue reading The Benefits of Volunteerism, if the Service Is Real .

Dunga and Maradona Fired, But Different Futures Await

By UCN on July 31, 2010 6:25 AM | No TrackBacks

Diego Maradona spoke at a press conference on Wednesday about his departure as coach of Argentina's national soccer team.

The carousel of coaches in Latin America never slows.

Continue reading Dunga and Maradona Fired, But Different Futures Await .

Shaun White's Next Move May Be Trying Hollywood

By UCN on July 31, 2010 6:21 AM | No TrackBacks

Shaun White practicing for the 2007 X Games. He'll compete in the Vert and Vert Best Trick on Friday.

Shaun White has been preparing for a return to skateboard competition at the X Games by practicing on a large ramp set up on the Paramount Pictures studio lot in Hollywood.

Continue reading Shaun White's Next Move May Be Trying Hollywood .

Maradona Fans Lament End Of His Coaching Reign

By UCN on July 31, 2010 6:16 AM | No TrackBacks

Even after his team's 4-0 loss to Germany, thousands of fans welcomed Argentina Coach Diego Maradona back to Buenos Aires.

The end of Maradona's tenure at the helm of Argentina's national team has dealt a hard blow to his fans, even though his performance as coach was a far cry from his genius as a player.

Continue reading Maradona Fans Lament End Of His Coaching Reign .

More Evangelicals Converting to Catholicism

By UCN on July 29, 2010 9:06 AM | No TrackBacks

Under the radar of most observers a trend is emerging of evangelicals converting to Catholicism.

Continue reading More Evangelicals Converting to Catholicism .

WATCH: Evangelical Christian Minister and Bestselling Author Tim Lahaye, Warns Obama Is Bringing Us Closer to "The Apocalypse"

By UCN on July 29, 2010 9:00 AM | No TrackBacks

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Evangelical Christian minister Tim LaHaye says that the policy initiatives put forth by the Obama administration are bringing the country "closer to the apocalypse."

Continue reading WATCH: Evangelical Christian Minister and Bestselling Author Tim Lahaye, Warns Obama Is Bringing Us Closer to "The Apocalypse" .

Jordan River Called 'Too Polluted' For Baptism Pilgrims

By UCN on July 29, 2010 8:54 AM | No TrackBacks

River's Edge: Christian pilgrims line up to enter the River Jordan.

Concerns about pollution and water quality have prompted an environmental advocacy group to call for the banning of baptisms in the lower Jordan River, where the Bible says Jesus was baptized.

Continue reading Jordan River Called 'Too Polluted' For Baptism Pilgrims .

Preaching about Homosexuality

By UCN on July 29, 2010 8:48 AM | No TrackBacks

What pastors should know about the new Hate Crimes Act.

Continue reading Preaching about Homosexuality .

Dove Awards Going to Atlanta in 2011

By UCN on July 29, 2010 8:30 AM | No TrackBacks

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Recording Artists David Crower (David Crower Band) joins Bart Millard (MercyMe) at The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards at The Grand Ole Opry House on April 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Hallelujah! The Gospel Music Association reported it will move its annual Dove Awards show to Atlanta in 2011.

Continue reading Dove Awards Going to Atlanta in 2011 .

Arizona Gets Ready For a Long Legal Fight Over Immigration

By UCN on July 29, 2010 8:26 AM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks

Opponents of Arizona's immigration enforcement law embrace Wednesday after a judge blocked some provisions of the law.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer says her state will ask the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday to let all of its controversial immigration law take effect, a day after a federal judge in Phoenix blocked key parts of the measure.

Continue reading Arizona Gets Ready For a Long Legal Fight Over Immigration .

'In God We Trust' Challenge Rejected

By UCN on July 29, 2010 8:24 AM | No TrackBacks

The motto "In God We Trust" on U.S. currency does not violate the establishment clause of the First Amendment, a federal appeals court has ruled.

Continue reading 'In God We Trust' Challenge Rejected .

For Russia's Future Priests, An Education In Church-State Ties

By UCN on July 29, 2010 8:18 AM | No TrackBacks

At the seminary, students live, learn, and eat together

If it weren't for the black uniforms and the fact that all of the young students are male, this classroom could be almost any educational institution in Russia.

Continue reading For Russia's Future Priests, An Education In Church-State Ties .

Australia's PM Julia Gillard Says She Respects the Church

By UCN on July 29, 2010 8:13 AM | No TrackBacks

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she respects the church and other religious groups in the wake of comments from a Catholic archbishop suggesting Christians might not vote for her.

Continue reading Australia's PM Julia Gillard Says She Respects the Church .

'Mountains Of Madness': Del Toro Teaming With James Cameron For First Post-Hobbit Project

By UCN on July 29, 2010 8:09 AM | No TrackBacks

Since he left The Hobbit, Guillermo del Toro's next film has been a hot topic of conversation. I'm hearing he will next direct At The Mountains Of Madness, an adaptation of the HP Lovecraft tale that will be shot as a 3D film for Universal Pictures.

Continue reading 'Mountains Of Madness': Del Toro Teaming With James Cameron For First Post-Hobbit Project .

X Games 16 Lands in LA

By UCN on July 29, 2010 7:51 AM | No TrackBacks

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Shaun White returns to X Games.

The 16th installment of ESPN's X Games returns to Los Angeles this weekend beginning today through Sunday.

Continue reading X Games 16 Lands in LA .

BMX Rider Hoffman's Vision of Bigger Ramps Helps Launch Big Air

By UCN on July 29, 2010 7:45 AM | No TrackBacks

Mat Hoffman at the 2000 X Games. He has dominated competitive vertical riding in the past.

It started with some math and stolen lumber. Ten years later, and minus a spleen, Mat Hoffman's pursuit of big air on his freestyle BMX bike led to a ramp the height of a two-story house that sent him flying more than 50 feet above an Oklahoma field in 2001.

Continue reading BMX Rider Hoffman's Vision of Bigger Ramps Helps Launch Big Air .

Nadjib Sirat Aims to Become First Afghan to Climb Mount Everest

By UCN on July 29, 2010 7:41 AM | No TrackBacks

"I hope another Afghan will say, 'O.K., the English and Americans were among the first to climb Mount Everest, but an Afghan is capable of it too,"' he said. "We settle for so little when there is so much more we could do."

Nadjib Sirat is well aware of the risks he will face during his attempt to scale Mount Everest, a mountain that researchers say claims at least one life for every 10 expeditions.

Continue reading Nadjib Sirat Aims to Become First Afghan to Climb Mount Everest .

'Pastor of Nerds', Tony Kim, Recaps Comic-Con

By UCN on July 28, 2010 7:44 AM | No TrackBacks

Tony Kim tries to build bridges between fandom and the kingdom.

Continue reading 'Pastor of Nerds', Tony Kim, Recaps Comic-Con .

Growing Bible App Sales Hint at Shifting iPad Demographics

By UCN on July 28, 2010 7:39 AM | No TrackBacks

Here's an iPad metric that you might not be looking at: Bible app sales.

Continue reading Growing Bible App Sales Hint at Shifting iPad Demographics .

12-Year-Old Boy's Latest Charitable Act Is a Long Walk With Mom

By UCN on July 28, 2010 7:32 AM | No TrackBacks

Zachary L. Bonner, 12, walking in Arizona last week. He left Tampa, Fla., in December and hopes to reach the Santa Monica Pier in California in September.

He cuts a tiny figure in the vastness of the upland desert, the expanse of scrub and brush and saguaro cactuses and red ragged mountains. He is a red-headed boy with a sunburned nose and sunglasses, and he moves with a step not graceful, nor terribly fast, but steady and determined, his mouth set in a hard line.

Continue reading 12-Year-Old Boy's Latest Charitable Act Is a Long Walk With Mom .

WATCH: Russia's YouTube Cop

By UCN on July 28, 2010 7:28 AM | No TrackBacks

Aleksei Dymovsky, a former policeman, on the Black Sea shore in his hometown, Novorossiysk, in southern Russia.

One day last fall, a police officer here put on his uniform and sat on a drab tan couch before a video camera. In a halting monotone, he recorded two video appeals to Vladimir V. Putin, 13 minutes in all.

Continue reading WATCH: Russia's YouTube Cop.

Passenger Plane Crashes Near Pakistani Capital; Leaves No Survivors

By UCN on July 28, 2010 7:25 AM | No TrackBacks

Fire and smoke rose from the wreckage of a passenger plane that crashed on the outskirts of Islamabad on Wednesday.

A Pakistani passenger plane crashed atop the hills near the capital Islamabad amid heavy fog and intense rainfall on Wednesday morning, killing all 152 people on board, according to civil aviation and airline officials.

Continue reading Passenger Plane Crashes Near Pakistani Capital; Leaves No Survivors .

Diego Maradona Ousted as Argentina's Soccer Coach

By UCN on July 28, 2010 7:21 AM | No TrackBacks

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Argentina's head coach Diego Maradona speaks to the media during a press conference at Green Point Arena on July 2, 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Diego Maradona's stormy spell as Argentina coach came to an end Tuesday when the Argentine Football Association (AFA) voted unanimously not to renew his contract.

Continue reading Diego Maradona Ousted as Argentina's Soccer Coach .

Sharapova and Bartoli Advance at Bank of the West

By UCN on July 28, 2010 7:17 AM | No TrackBacks

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Maria Sharapova of Russia returns a shot during her match against Jie Zheng of China during Day 2 of the Bank of the West Classic at Stanford University on July 27, 2010 in Stanford, California.

Maria Sharapova would have preferred to forget about the last time she played China's Zheng Jie. At least she can move forward after settling a score.

Continue reading Sharapova and Bartoli Advance at Bank of the West .

Why Are Christians So Bad at Dying?

By UCN on July 27, 2010 12:03 PM | No TrackBacks

Why followers of Jesus should think differently about the end of life.

Continue reading Why Are Christians So Bad at Dying? .

College Students Seek To Revive Progressive Christian Movement

By UCN on July 27, 2010 11:28 AM | No TrackBacks

Progressive Christian college students hope to reorganize a movement that propelled young adults into pro-civil rights and anti-war activities before it was disbanded decades ago.

Continue reading College Students Seek To Revive Progressive Christian Movement .

How Many People Really Attend a House Church? Barna Study Finds It Depends on the Definition

By UCN on July 27, 2010 11:26 AM | No TrackBacks

Numerous shifts are occurring among church-goers in the U.S. as they choose from many new forms and formats of the local church.

Continue reading How Many People Really Attend a House Church? Barna Study Finds It Depends on the Definition .

WATCH: Michael Youssef Calls America to Return to its Roots

By UCN on July 27, 2010 11:20 AM | No TrackBacks

The original words from the colony charters, the Declaration of Independence, and early political speeches all point directly to our country's foundation upon the Christian faith and biblical Truth. Our Founding Fathers believed that this is a nation with its roots in the Bible.

Continue reading WATCH: Michael Youssef Calls America to Return to its Roots .

First Arab Tapped to Lead Global Lutheran Body

By UCN on July 27, 2010 11:16 AM | No TrackBacks

The Lutheran World Federation has chosen Palestinian Bishop Munib A. Younan as its next president, the first Arab to lead the Geneva-based umbrella group for 70 million Lutherans.

Continue reading First Arab Tapped to Lead Global Lutheran Body .

The Spiritual Side of Rebuilding Haiti

By UCN on July 27, 2010 11:13 AM | No TrackBacks

Haiti Today: Rebuilding Haiti will not be easy, nor will it happen quickly, but some urban planners have suggested that there may be a silver lining in the city's destruction. As with so many places that have been gutted by natural disasters, the earthquake in Haiti may give the nation the opportunity to construct a new capital that is stronger, healthier and more resilient. Tomorrow's Port-au-Prince could have the soul of the past and the structure of the future.

When the rubble is cleared away, the roads repaved and the buildings rebuilt, will the people of Haiti be back on their feet?

Continue reading The Spiritual Side of Rebuilding Haiti .

The Disappearing Christians of Iraq

By UCN on July 27, 2010 11:12 AM | No TrackBacks

Christians pray in Baghdad.

KATE SEELYE (correspondent): In a church in the Iraqi village of Qaraqosh, a priest prepares for a communal baptism. With a splash of water, he welcomes these infants into the Christian faith.

Continue reading The Disappearing Christians of Iraq .

BP Boss Hayward to Join Russian Venture After Stepping Down In October

By UCN on July 27, 2010 11:08 AM | No TrackBacks

Tony Hayward

BP boss Tony Hayward may be put forward for a non-executive the board of directors of the company's Russian venture, TNK-BP, after stepping down from the top job, Sky News said on Monday.

Continue reading BP Boss Hayward to Join Russian Venture After Stepping Down In October .

Robert Dudley, Named as BP's New Chief Executive to Replace Tony Hayward

By UCN on July 27, 2010 11:07 AM | No TrackBacks

Robert Dudley arrives at BP's headquarters in London on Monday.

American Robert Dudley will become BP PLC's first ever non-British chief executive, the company said Tuesday as it reported a record quarterly loss and set aside $32.2 billion to cover costs of the devastating Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Continue reading Robert Dudley, Named as BP's New Chief Executive to Replace Tony Hayward .

From Seedlings to Servings: 11-Year-Old Grows Tons of Veggies for the Homeless

By UCN on July 27, 2010 10:56 AM | No TrackBacks

When third-grader Katie Stagliano inadvertently grew a 40-pound cabbage in her back yard, she decided to donate it to a local soup kitchen -- feeding 275 homeless people in the process. Three years later, the inspired 11-year-old has grown more than 4,000 pounds of veggies for the needy.

Continue reading From Seedlings to Servings: 11-Year-Old Grows Tons of Veggies for the Homeless .

Barna Group: Bad Economy Shows Americans Top Priority Is No Longer Faith, Family

By UCN on July 27, 2010 10:50 AM | No TrackBacks

Over the last few years the strained economy has dominated news and altered many aspects of business, investing, and fundraising. Has the weakened economy affected what Americans prioritize in life?

Continue reading Barna Group: Bad Economy Shows Americans Top Priority Is No Longer Faith, Family .

Hillsong Live, Long Popular In the Church, Gets Ready to Tour the U.S.

By UCN on July 27, 2010 10:45 AM | No TrackBacks

If you told your friends you were going to a Hillsong Live concert, worship leader Ben Fielding would have a good-natured correction for you.

Continue reading Hillsong Live, Long Popular In the Church, Gets Ready to Tour the U.S. .

WATCH: Q&A - Paul McCartney on Playing at the White House

By UCN on July 27, 2010 10:41 AM | No TrackBacks

Perhaps only Paul McCartney could call a performance at the White House a little club gig.

Continue reading WATCH: Q&A - Paul McCartney on Playing at the White House .

Daniel Craig Set To Star In 'Girl With The Dragon Tattoo' Film

By UCN on July 27, 2010 10:34 AM | No TrackBacks

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Actor Daniel Craig walks onstage at the "Cowboys & Aliens" panel discussion during Comic-Con 2010 at San Diego Convention Center on July 24, 2010 in San Diego, California.

Daniel Craig will star in the English-language remake of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," plus the two potential follow-ups based on author Stieg Larsson's best-selling trilogy.

Continue reading Daniel Craig Set To Star In 'Girl With The Dragon Tattoo' Film .

Bringing Faith Into the Tuberculosis Fight

By UCN on July 27, 2010 8:25 AM | No TrackBacks

The body of Simon Bolivar, father of the Latin American revolutions, was exhumed last week in Venezuela. Hugo Chavez, Venezuela's president, is pursuing a hunch that Bolivar died of some nefarious violent act, and not, as the official story holds, of tuberculosis.

Continue reading Bringing Faith Into the Tuberculosis Fight .

The Impact of Long-Term Unemployment

By UCN on July 27, 2010 8:15 AM | No TrackBacks

Lost Income, Lost Friends -- and Loss of Self-Respect

Continue reading The Impact of Long-Term Unemployment .

Church Plans to Burn Quran on 9/11: Is This Evangelism?

By UCN on July 27, 2010 8:05 AM | No TrackBacks

So, are the vast majority of U.S. pastors who would never dream of burning a Quran going to call out the Dove World Outreach Center?

Continue reading Church Plans to Burn Quran on 9/11: Is This Evangelism? .

Log In; Spread the Word: Internet Allows Area Missionaries to Reach Worldwide Audience

By UCN on July 27, 2010 7:52 AM | No TrackBacks

Jenny Honeck, an online missionary with Global Media Outreach, lives in Cypress and teaches in Tomball.

Jenny Honeck's father was a pastor, and her sister is a missionary in Germany. So the Cypress schoolteacher feels mission work is in her blood.

Continue reading Log In; Spread the Word: Internet Allows Area Missionaries to Reach Worldwide Audience .

Taking Communion on Twitter: Church Minister to Tweet Holy Communion to the Faithful

By UCN on July 27, 2010 7:50 AM | No TrackBacks

A church minister is to conduct the first communion service on Twitter, the social networking site.

Continue reading Taking Communion on Twitter: Church Minister to Tweet Holy Communion to the Faithful .

2 Russian Cosmonauts Complete Space Walk

By UCN on July 27, 2010 7:40 AM | No TrackBacks

Cosmonauts Fyodor Yurchikhin and Mikhail Kornienko successfully completed outfitting the Kurs automated rendezvous system on the Rassvet lab and other tasks Tuesday at 6:53 a.m EDT.

Two Russian cosmonauts on Tuesday completed a nearly 7-hour-long spacewalk to replace a video camera and improve cable connections to the orbiting laboratory's newest module.

Continue reading 2 Russian Cosmonauts Complete Space Walk .

Scientists Inch Towards Finding "God Particle"

By UCN on July 27, 2010 5:28 AM | No TrackBacks

Scientists working with particle accelerators in Europe and the United States said on Monday they may be closing in on the elusive Higgs Boson, the "God particle" believed crucial to forming the cosmos after the so-called "Big Bang."

Continue reading Scientists Inch Towards Finding "God Particle".

WATCH: Julian Assange - The Man Behind Wikileaks

By UCN on July 26, 2010 4:25 PM | No TrackBacks

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WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange speaks a news conference at the Frontline Club in central London Monday.

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, once described as the elusive Scarlet Pimpernel of cyberspace, is uncompromising in his scrutiny of big business and big government and tireless in his campaign for freedom of speech and information.

Continue reading WATCH: Julian Assange - The Man Behind Wikileaks .

Finding God After Leaving Religion

By UCN on July 26, 2010 10:45 AM | No TrackBacks

Thirty-four million Americans have given up on organized religion, according to the most recent American Religious Identification Survey. Yet for many of these dropouts -- from churches, synagogues, temples and so on -- spirituality is still a vital part of their lives.

Continue reading Finding God After Leaving Religion .

Lutherans Welcome Seven Homosexual Pastors

By UCN on July 26, 2010 10:38 AM | No TrackBacks

The Rev. Sharon Stalkfleet, center, was one of seven gay pastors at a welcoming ceremony Sunday at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in San Francisco.

With a laying on of hands, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on Sunday welcomed into its fold seven openly gay pastors who had until recently been barred from the church's ministry.

Continue reading Lutherans Welcome Seven Homosexual Pastors .

BP Is Expected to Replace Chief Tony Hayward With An American

By UCN on July 26, 2010 10:36 AM | No TrackBacks

Tony Hayward, left, and Robert Dudley after meeting with President Obama in June.

BP's board is expected on Monday to name an American, Robert Dudley, as its chief executive, replacing Tony Hayward, whose repeated stumbles during the company's three-month oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico alienated federal and state officials as well as residents of the Gulf Coast.

Continue reading BP Is Expected to Replace Chief Tony Hayward With An American .

Wikileaks Publishes Afghan War Secrets

By UCN on July 26, 2010 10:33 AM | No TrackBacks

Secret war: Wikileaks has published some 200,000 pages of secret American military files about the war in Afghanistan.

The White House has attacked online whistleblowing site Wikileaks after it published some 200,000 pages of secret American military files about the war in Afghanistan.

Continue reading Wikileaks Publishes Afghan War Secrets .

Israel Extends Negotiations on Conversion Law

By UCN on July 26, 2010 10:28 AM | No TrackBacks

Rabbi Shlomo Amar, the chief Sephardic rabbi of Israel, blessing young visitors at his office in Jerusalem on Thursday.

A growing crisis between American Jews and the Israeli government over a proposed law on religious conversion was averted -- or at least delayed -- this week, with both sides agreeing to a six-month period of negotiation. But the depth of American anger and the byzantine complexity of Israeli politics suggest that a solution is a long way off.

Continue reading Israel Extends Negotiations on Conversion Law .

What Would Elena Kagan Do About Religious Liberty? by Richard W. Garnett

By UCN on July 26, 2010 10:25 AM | No TrackBacks

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Testimony: "You are a part of this country, no matter what your religion is," Elena Kagan says.

To no one's surprise, Solicitor General Elena Kagan displayed intelligence and charm during the hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee on her nomination to the Supreme Court. In addition, and also as expected, she avoided with impressive discipline sharing specific answers to senators' questions about the Constitution and the judicial role.

Continue reading What Would Elena Kagan Do About Religious Liberty? by Richard W. Garnett .

Christians Examine Morality Of Birth Control

By UCN on July 26, 2010 10:21 AM | No TrackBacks

Once controversial, birth control is now often used by Christians.

Is contraception a sin? The very suggestion made Bryan Hodge and his classmates at Chicago's Moody Bible Institute laugh.

Continue reading Christians Examine Morality Of Birth Control .

Comic-Con Closes After 4 Days of Pop Culture Fun

By UCN on July 26, 2010 10:03 AM | No TrackBacks

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Actor Robert Downey Jr. walks onstage at the Marvel Studios' "Captain America: The First Avenger" panel during Comic-Con 2010 at San Diego Convention Center on July 24, 2010 in San Diego, California.

Light cycles, wizards, vampires and superheroes made for another colorful Comic-Con.

Continue reading Comic-Con Closes After 4 Days of Pop Culture Fun .

Zuckerberg To Facebook Users: Trust Us

By UCN on July 26, 2010 10:03 AM | No TrackBacks

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg says he doesn't know how much he's actually worth.

Last week Facebook hit a landmark number: 500 million registered users. Put into geographical context, Facebook has enough members to be the third most populous country in the world. At the head of this virtual country sits 26-year-old Mark Zuckerberg.

Continue reading Zuckerberg To Facebook Users: Trust Us .

Superheroes Set to Soar In 2011 and Beyond

By UCN on July 26, 2010 9:55 AM | No TrackBacks

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(L-R) Actors Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo pose onstage at the Marvel Studios' "Captain America: The First Avenger" panel during Comic-Con 2010 at San Diego Convention Center on July 24, 2010 in San Diego, California.

Comic book movie fans who are mad at Hollywood in a summer season bereft of many superheroes, fear not. Help is on the way.

Continue reading Superheroes Set to Soar In 2011 and Beyond .

'Inception' Worth Its Salt at the Box Office

By UCN on July 26, 2010 8:52 AM | No TrackBacks

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Producer Emma Thomas (L), director Christopher Nolan (2nd L), actor Leonardo DiCaprio (3rd R) and Actor Ken Watanabe (R) attend the 'Inception' Japan Premiere at Roppongi Hills on July 20, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open in Japan on July 23.

Leonardo DiCaprio's "Inception" has won a battle of superstar action thrillers over Angelina Jolie's "Salt" at the weekend box office.

Continue reading 'Inception' Worth Its Salt at the Box Office .

Jolie as a Spy of Mysterious Allegiance: Get the Reviews on 'Salt'

By UCN on July 26, 2010 7:49 AM | No TrackBacks

Angelina Jolie stars in "Salt."

Continue reading Jolie as a Spy of Mysterious Allegiance: Get the Reviews on 'Salt' .

Sweet and Sisterly: 'Ramona and Beezus' Reviews Are In

By UCN on July 26, 2010 7:27 AM | No TrackBacks

Joey King and Selena Gomez, standing, play sisters in "Ramona and Beezus," based on the children's books by Beverly Cleary.

Continue reading Sweet and Sisterly: 'Ramona and Beezus' Reviews Are In.

WATCH: Esterlyn Releases Sophomore Project, 'Call Out' July 27th ft. Paramore and Kutless

By UCN on July 26, 2010 7:10 AM | No TrackBacks

Title Track "Call Out" Features The Talents Of Paramore And Kutless, Slated As First Single To AC Radio

Continue reading WATCH: Esterlyn Releases Sophomore Project, 'Call Out' July 27th ft. Paramore and Kutless .

Samuel L. Jackson Announces 'Avengers' Cast at Comic-Con

By UCN on July 26, 2010 7:10 AM | No TrackBacks

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(L-R) Actors Robert Downey Jr., Clark Gregg, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo and writer/Director Joss Whedon pose onstage at the Marvel Studios' "Captain America: The First Avenger" panel during Comic-Con 2010 at San Diego Convention Center on July 24, 2010 in San Diego, California.

Comic book fans no longer have to imagine what it might be like to see all their favorite superheroes in one place.

Continue reading Samuel L. Jackson Announces 'Avengers' Cast at Comic-Con .

NIV Bibles Selling Fast on E-Book Charts

By UCN on July 26, 2010 7:03 AM | 1 TrackBack

Apple iPad

New International Version (NIV) Bibles are among the fastest-selling e-book products on Apple's iBookstore and Amazon's Kindle Store, Zondervan officials said.

Continue reading NIV Bibles Selling Fast on E-Book Charts .

Spain's Contador Wins Third Tour de France Title

By UCN on July 26, 2010 6:57 AM | No TrackBacks

Alberto Contador of Spain crossing the finish line of the 20th and final stage of the Tour de France.

On his way to the finish line of a long and bumpy Tour de France, the Spanish rider Alberto Contador let his success sink in.

Continue reading Spain's Contador Wins Third Tour de France Title .

Mardy Fish Beats John Isner in Atlanta

By UCN on July 26, 2010 6:52 AM | No TrackBacks

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Mardy Fish reacts after defeating John Isner in the finals of the Atlanta Tennis Championships at the Atlanta Athletic Club on July 25, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mardy Fish reeled in second seed John Isner 4-6 6-4 7-6 to clinch the Atlanta Tennis Championships on Sunday and win his second successive ATP title.

Continue reading Mardy Fish Beats John Isner in Atlanta .

WATCH: Peter Hitchens' Journey to Faith

By UCN on July 24, 2010 7:11 AM | No TrackBacks

One of Britain's most famous journalists and outspoken atheists Peter Hitchens has become a Christian.

Continue reading WATCH: Peter Hitchens' Journey to Faith .

With Mobile Apps, Church Now Fits in a Pocket

By UCN on July 24, 2010 7:07 AM | No TrackBacks

Much has been written recently about new cell phone applications targeting the religious community.

Continue reading With Mobile Apps, Church Now Fits in a Pocket .

Why It's Cool to Go to Church Again, by Norris J. Chumley

By UCN on July 24, 2010 6:58 AM | No TrackBacks

As a little kid I always thought that church was cool. I liked the choir at my hometown Episcopal church, and going up to get wafers and juice. But the Scripture reading, prayers and sermons always seemed really boring.

Continue reading Why It's Cool to Go to Church Again, by Norris J. Chumley .

Embracing Israel, Justice and Peace, by Rabbi Sid Schwarz

By UCN on July 24, 2010 6:53 AM | No TrackBacks

Jews are people of history.

Continue reading Embracing Israel, Justice and Peace, by Rabbi Sid Schwarz .

From Billboard: Eminem Still Number 1, but Newsboys Arrive High

By UCN on July 24, 2010 6:47 AM | No TrackBacks

Eminem holds at No. 1 for a fourth week on the Billboard 200 with "Recovery," marking the longest streak atop the list since Susan Boyle's "I Dreamed a Dream" wrapped a six-week run at No. 1 on the Jan. 16 chart . . .

Continue reading From Billboard: Eminem Still Number 1, but Newsboys Arrive High .

Guillermo Del Toro Shares His Vision for 'The Hobbit', Hopes Peter Jackson Directs

By UCN on July 24, 2010 6:43 AM | No TrackBacks

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Writer/producer Guillermo del Toro speaks onstage at Miramax Film's "Afraid Of The Dark" at San Diego Convention Center on July 23, 2010 in San Diego, California.

'Me, like any other geek, I really want to see Peter do the movie,' he tells MTV News at Comic-Con.

Continue reading Guillermo Del Toro Shares His Vision for 'The Hobbit', Hopes Peter Jackson Directs .

At Comic-Con, Seth Rogen and Michel Gondry Put Their Stamp On `The Green Hornet'

By UCN on July 24, 2010 6:40 AM | No TrackBacks

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Actor Seth Rogen speaks at Sony Pictures Entertainment: "Green Hornet" Panel at San Diego Convention Center on July 23, 2010 in San Diego, California.

Seth Rogen is a superhero who wields a blowtorch and has a Chrysler equipped with hood-mounted machine guns in "The Green Hornet."

Continue reading At Comic-Con, Seth Rogen and Michel Gondry Put Their Stamp On `The Green Hornet' .

Albert Einstein's Faith: Was the Great Physicist Spiritual?

By UCN on July 24, 2010 6:37 AM | No TrackBacks

Albert Einstein's famous equation, E=mc2, remains difficult for me to grasp fully. But I feel I have come to understand something of the man -- his expansive spirit, his relentless curiosity, and his reverence for the beauty and order of nature and thought. I was daunted as I began, but delving into Einstein was a delight.

Continue reading Albert Einstein's Faith: Was the Great Physicist Spiritual? .

'Move On' from Evolution-Creationism Debate, Says Young Evangelical Writer

By UCN on July 24, 2010 6:36 AM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks

Rachel Held Evans had a choice while growing up in Dayton, Tenn., site of the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial. Believe the Bible or believe evolution.

Continue reading 'Move On' from Evolution-Creationism Debate, Says Young Evangelical Writer .

Russian Aerospace Company Plans to Send Mission to Mercury In 4-5 Years

By UCN on July 24, 2010 6:32 AM | No TrackBacks

Mercury's surface

Russian NPO Lavochkin intends to send an interplanetary research mission to Mercury in 4-5 years, Lavochkin's deputy general designer said at the Farnborough International Airshow 2010.

Continue reading Russian Aerospace Company Plans to Send Mission to Mercury In 4-5 Years .

Meteorologist Predicts Arctic to be Ice-Free In Summer by 2050

By UCN on July 24, 2010 6:30 AM | No TrackBacks

The Arctic Ocean

The Arctic will have no ice during the summer by the mid-21st century, the head of the Russian Meteorological Centre said on Tuesday.

Continue reading Meteorologist Predicts Arctic to be Ice-Free In Summer by 2050 .

After 34 Years in the Army, McChrystal Bids Farewell

By UCN on July 24, 2010 6:26 AM | No TrackBacks

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates giving the Distinguished Service Medal to Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, standing beside his wife, Annie.

Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal retired on Friday with the full pageantry of a 17-gun salute, an Army marching band and an emotional send-off from the secretary of defense, but with his own acknowledgment that he was not leaving the military on his own terms.

Continue reading After 34 Years in the Army, McChrystal Bids Farewell .

Italy's Catholic Church Blasts Homosexual Priests Leading 'Double Life'

By UCN on July 24, 2010 6:23 AM | No TrackBacks

Panorama magazine published photographs apparently showing homosexual priests attending gay nightclubs and engaging in casual sex.

The Catholic Church in Italy, still reeling from the clerical sex abuse scandal, lashed out Friday at gay priests who are leading a double life, urging them to come out of the closet and leave the priesthood.

Continue reading Italy's Catholic Church Blasts Homosexual Priests Leading 'Double Life' .

Devotion to the Bible Adds Up to Less Debt - Maybe

By UCN on July 24, 2010 6:17 AM | No TrackBacks

Do Bible readers have less debt, donate more to their churches. Maybe but the survey research conflcts.

Read the Bible, and you'll have less debt. Well, maybe. It depends on which survey you read.

Continue reading Devotion to the Bible Adds Up to Less Debt - Maybe .

Why We Dream: The Science Behind 'Inception'

By UCN on July 24, 2010 6:07 AM | No TrackBacks

Everyone's talking about the new movie "Inception," which features a group of dream snatchers led by Leonardo DiCaprio who infiltrate the dreams of sleeping victims to steal their subconscious secrets.

Continue reading Why We Dream: The Science Behind 'Inception' .

Tony Blair Honors Films About Different Kinds of Faith

By UCN on July 23, 2010 8:31 AM | No TrackBacks

What links a single mother from Colombia who lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with an ancient Muslim mosque in India? Both are the subjects of award-winning short films about faith, honored Thursday by the Tony Blair Faith Foundation.

Continue reading Tony Blair Honors Films About Different Kinds of Faith .

Do Economic Slumps Produce More Churchgoers?

By UCN on July 23, 2010 8:29 AM | No TrackBacks

A July 4 service at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Houston.

Every day, the economist Daniel Hungerman looks at the graph that hangs above his desk at the University of Notre Dame.

Continue reading Do Economic Slumps Produce More Churchgoers? .

Desmond Tutu to Withdraw from Public Life

By UCN on July 23, 2010 8:26 AM | No TrackBacks

Sipping tea, and serving his beloved wife her first cup every morning in bed. Watching soccer. Spending more time with his family. Reading. Writing. Praying.

Continue reading Desmond Tutu to Withdraw from Public Life .

Storm Threat Forces Ships to Leave Oil Spill Site

By UCN on July 23, 2010 8:23 AM | No TrackBacks

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. spoke to workers on Thursday after touring an oil boom decontamination facility in Theodore, Ala. Mr. Biden also met with business owners in the area.

As the threat of a storm stalled efforts to permanently seal BP's blown-out well in the Gulf of Mexico, the government said Thursday that the well would be left closed off and unattended if ships had to leave the area.

Continue reading Storm Threat Forces Ships to Leave Oil Spill Site .

Death Does Not Deter Jellyfish Sting

By UCN on July 23, 2010 8:20 AM | No TrackBacks

Parks employee Joey Ellis showing the Jellyfish that washed into the swimming area at Wallis Sands State Park in New Hampshire on Thursday.

The culprit sat in an open trash bag baking in the hot sun, raked to shore by a pitchfork-wielding lifeguard who paddled out on a surfboard.

Continue reading Death Does Not Deter Jellyfish Sting .

US-Russia Nuke Treaty Facing Hurdles In US Senate

By UCN on July 23, 2010 8:15 AM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks

President Barack Obama, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, left, and Czech Republic President Vaclav Klaus, share a toast during a luncheon at Prague Castle in Prague Prague, Czech Republic, April 8, 2010.

The once smooth path for Senate ratification of a major nuclear arms control agreement with Russia is looking a little dicier.

Continue reading US-Russia Nuke Treaty Facing Hurdles In US Senate .

WATCH: New 3-D `Tron' Film Wows Comic-Con With Footage

By UCN on July 23, 2010 8:12 AM | No TrackBacks

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(L-R) Actors Michael Sheen, Olivia Wilde, Garrett Hedlund, Jeff Bridges and Bruce Boxleitner pose at the "Tron: Legacy" panel during Comic-Con 2010 at San Diego Convention Center on July 22, 2010 in San Diego, California.

The follow-up film to 1982's "Tron" wowed the high-tech crowd at Comic-Con.

Continue reading WATCH: New 3-D `Tron' Film Wows Comic-Con With Footage .

Guillermo del Toro's New Project: A Remake of 'Haunted Mansion'

By UCN on July 23, 2010 8:06 AM | No TrackBacks

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Executive producer Guillermo del Toro arrives at the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' "Splice" at the Chinese Theater on June 2, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Guillermo del Toro will direct a new movie remake of Disney's "Haunted Mansion."

Continue reading Guillermo del Toro's New Project: A Remake of 'Haunted Mansion' .

Disney Picks Pixar's Brains for Muppets Movie

By UCN on July 23, 2010 8:02 AM | No TrackBacks

The Muppets are getting Pixar-lated.

Continue reading Disney Picks Pixar's Brains for Muppets Movie .

"Freud's Last Session" - Freud and C. S. Lewis Debate Faith in Mark St. Germain's Play

By UCN on July 23, 2010 8:01 AM | No TrackBacks

"Freud's Last Session": Martin Rayner, left, as Freud and Mark H. Dold as C. S. Lewis in a production at the Marjorie S. Deane Theater.

Imagined: Great minds meet. Freud and C.S. Lewis heatedly debate in 'Freud's Last Session'

Continue reading "Freud's Last Session" - Freud and C. S. Lewis Debate Faith in Mark St. Germain's Play .

A Comic Convention Bursts Its Boundaries

By UCN on July 23, 2010 7:51 AM | No TrackBacks

At Comic-Con, Angelina Jolie promoted "Salt," produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura, right.

There was a time when a movie like "Salt," a spy caper starring Angelina Jolie, got its publicity pop on the festival circuit, maybe even playing on the splashier side of Cannes.

Continue reading A Comic Convention Bursts Its Boundaries .

WATCH: Christian Student Sues Augusta State University; School Says Master's Candidate Must Change Beliefs

By UCN on July 23, 2010 7:42 AM | No TrackBacks

An Augusta State University graduate student is facing dismissal from the university's counseling program unless she silences her convictions on homosexuality and gender identity, according to court documents filed Wednesday.

Continue reading WATCH: Christian Student Sues Augusta State University; School Says Master's Candidate Must Change Beliefs .

Family Christian Stores to Feature Left Behind Games Products

By UCN on July 23, 2010 7:40 AM | No TrackBacks

Left Behind Games Inc. (LFBG 0.00, 0.00, 0.00%) , the only publicly-traded publisher of exclusively Christian video games, announced today that Family Christian Stores, the nation's largest Christian retailer, has received and is selling their top 5 games and has already reordered in anticipation of a special promotion from August 27th to October 7th.

Continue reading Family Christian Stores to Feature Left Behind Games Products .

Louis Oosthuizen Tied for Lead at Scandinavian Masters

By UCN on July 23, 2010 7:35 AM | No TrackBacks

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Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa in action during round two for the Nordea Scandinavian Masters at Bro Hof Slott Golf Course on July 23, 2010 in Stockholm, Sweden.

British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen shot a 5-under 67 and was tied with Australia's Richard Green and Dustin Johnson of the United States after the first round of the Scandinavian Masters on Thursday.

Continue reading Louis Oosthuizen Tied for Lead at Scandinavian Masters.

Rick Warren Recovering from Eye Burn

By UCN on July 22, 2010 1:16 PM | No TrackBacks

Pastor Rick Warren was briefly hospitalized due to an eye-injury that he suffered while gardening at home.

Continue reading Rick Warren Recovering from Eye Burn .

Donald Miller: Quit Dumbing Down the Gospel

By UCN on July 22, 2010 8:46 AM | No TrackBacks

Donald Miller says the message of God is more than a 3-step program.

Continue reading Donald Miller: Quit Dumbing Down the Gospel .

Getting In Front Of Jesus: The Politics Of Progressive Christianity

By UCN on July 22, 2010 8:41 AM | No TrackBacks

Parishioners in the church of my childhood often sang the hymn, "I have decided to follow Jesus...No turning back, no turning back." The hymn cautioned disciples about turning away from Jesus. This essay explores the prospect of being disciples by getting in front of Jesus.

Continue reading Getting In Front Of Jesus: The Politics Of Progressive Christianity .

The Word on the Street: What the Homeless Taught Me About Prayer

By UCN on July 22, 2010 8:37 AM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks

"If you're writing a book about prayer, you should hang around the homeless for a while," said my wife, a veteran of inner-city ministry. "Street people pray as a necessity, not a luxury."

Continue reading The Word on the Street: What the Homeless Taught Me About Prayer .

For 'Barefoot Bandit,' Life on the Run Started Early

By UCN on July 22, 2010 8:30 AM | No TrackBacks

Mr. Harris-Moore's mother, Pam Kohler, heading home one day last week.

The "Barefoot Bandit" is not all Colton Harris-Moore has been called in his short splash of life.

Continue reading For 'Barefoot Bandit,' Life on the Run Started Early .

Obama Faces New Doubts on Pursuing Afghan War

By UCN on July 22, 2010 8:27 AM | No TrackBacks

An American soldier watching a movie at a base near Kandahar, which the United States hopes to wrest from the Taliban.

When President Obama announced a new strategy for Afghanistan in December, he argued that by setting a deadline of next summer to begin drawing down troops he would create a sense of urgency for the Afghan government to take the lead in the fight, while acknowledging the limits of America's patience with the longest war in its history.

Continue reading Obama Faces New Doubts on Pursuing Afghan War .

North Korea to Stage Massive Dance Spectacle

By UCN on July 22, 2010 8:25 AM | No TrackBacks

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In this Oct. 11, 2005 file photo, North Koreans perform with scarves showing the colors of the North Korean flag near an image of the flag formed by tens of thousands of children holding up colored cards during the annual massive propaganda spectacle known as a "mass game" held in Pyongyang, North Korea.

North Korea will stage its massive dance-and-tumbling extravaganza known as the Arirang Festival next month, apparently cranking up its domestic propaganda efforts as tensions linger over the deadly sinking of a South Korean warship blamed on Pyongyang.

Continue reading North Korea to Stage Massive Dance Spectacle .

Vainly Naming the Name

By UCN on July 22, 2010 8:17 AM | No TrackBacks

Cussing isn't our only problem--though that's bad enough.

Continue reading Vainly Naming the Name .

Comic-Con 2010 Is Here

By UCN on July 22, 2010 8:14 AM | No TrackBacks

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Comic-Con attendees wait in line next to a motorcycle promoting the movie "Tron" at the preview night for Comic-Con International Wednesday, July 21, 2010 in San Diego.

Movie buffs, comic-book collectors, sci-fi fans and nerds and geeks of all stripes have taken over San Diego for Comic-Con, the city's annual pop culture convention.

Continue reading Comic-Con 2010 Is Here .

Is America Going Out of Business?

By UCN on July 22, 2010 8:09 AM | No TrackBacks

In September 2008, as our President announced that he was abandoning the free market in order to save it and Congress was scrambling to pass the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, Peter Schiff - President of Euro-Pacific Capital - had this to say about the notion of a government bailout of the U.S. banking industry:

Continue reading Is America Going Out of Business? .

Does God Care How Much We Give? by Francis Chan

By UCN on July 22, 2010 8:07 AM | No TrackBacks

The ultimate example of sacrifice and surrender is, of course, Jesus Christ. He had everything and still chose to surrender it out of love for His Father. Your attitude should be the same as His.

Continue reading Does God Care How Much We Give? by Francis Chan .

People With Drinking Problems May Turn to Clergy for Help

By UCN on July 22, 2010 8:03 AM | No TrackBacks

Nearly 15 percent sought advice from trusted religious leaders, study found

Continue reading People With Drinking Problems May Turn to Clergy for Help .

For Weight-Loss Help, the Faithful Turn to God

By UCN on July 22, 2010 8:00 AM | No TrackBacks

Women at a gospel aerobics class in Camp Springs, Maryland, blend praise and exercise.

Hallelujah diets. Body by God. Karate for Christ. Gospel groove workouts.

Continue reading For Weight-Loss Help, the Faithful Turn to God .

TOUR de FRANCE: French Riders Rise Amid Tougher Drug Testing

By UCN on July 22, 2010 7:56 AM | No TrackBacks

Thomas Voeckler said improved antidoping laws in cycling have made the competition more level.

The Frenchmen in the Tour de France welcomed Wednesday's day off from racing, but not simply because they needed to rest their bodies before the final push to Paris, where the 2,263-mile Tour ends Sunday. Those riders also needed time to let their success sink in.

Continue reading TOUR de FRANCE: French Riders Rise Amid Tougher Drug Testing .

Star May Be Heaviest Ever Discovered

By UCN on July 22, 2010 7:52 AM | No TrackBacks

This image by the European Southern Observatory shows a newly discovered cluster of heavy stars. The most massive, known as R136a1, at the center, has been found to have a mass 265 times greater than the Sun's.

A huge ball of brightly burning gas drifting through a neighboring galaxy may be the heaviest star ever discovered -- hundreds of times more massive than the sun, scientists said Wednesday after working out its weight for the first time.

Continue reading Star May Be Heaviest Ever Discovered .

Meet the New American Family, Digitally Deluged

By UCN on July 22, 2010 7:46 AM | No TrackBacks

The Campbell family of California just might be the prototypical American family of the future. Kord Campbell and his wife, Brenda, recently moved to the San Francisco area from Oklahoma, along with their two children, Lily, age 8, and Connor, age 16. They also came with plenty of digital technology -- and they have acquired more.

Continue reading Meet the New American Family, Digitally Deluged .

Simple Computer Program Decodes Lost Biblical Language

By UCN on July 22, 2010 7:46 AM | No TrackBacks

UGARITIC: Related to Hebrew, deciphering the Ugaritic language has been crucial to clarifying Old Testament text.

The new program was able to translate the 3,000-year-old language using the computing power of a laptop.

Continue reading Simple Computer Program Decodes Lost Biblical Language .

Just That Good: Second DeWayne Woods Album Climbing Charts

By UCN on July 22, 2010 7:40 AM | No TrackBacks

All systems are a go for Verity recording artist DeWayne Woods. With the release of his second CD, My Life's Lyric, which debuted at number three, he's proven his success in gospel is no fluke.

Continue reading Just That Good: Second DeWayne Woods Album Climbing Charts .

Sexual Obesity: What Are Your Kids Consuming Online? by Chuck Colson

By UCN on July 22, 2010 7:36 AM | No TrackBacks

Everywhere you turn, someone is warning Americans about the dangers of childhood obesity. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver toured the country preaching the gospel of healthier school lunches. The first lady has made fighting childhood obesity her top priority.

Continue reading Sexual Obesity: What Are Your Kids Consuming Online? by Chuck Colson .

E-Sales Big for Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy

By UCN on July 22, 2010 7:28 AM | No TrackBacks

It's electronic milestone time for Stieg Larsson's Millennium trilogy.

Continue reading E-Sales Big for Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy .

The Summer of Rock

By UCN on July 22, 2010 7:23 AM | No TrackBacks

Summer is the season for singing along, whether it's in the car with the windows rolled down, with an old-school boom box on the beach, or a personal MP3 player on a sweaty jog in the blazing sun.

Continue reading The Summer of Rock .

The Boys Are Back: Newsboys Sell Over 45,000 'Born Again' Units In First Week

By UCN on July 22, 2010 7:17 AM | No TrackBacks

It's official! Born Again, the critically-acclaimed 15th studio project just released from Newsboys, is the biggest project ever to release in the band's history.

Continue reading The Boys Are Back: Newsboys Sell Over 45,000 'Born Again' Units In First Week.

Michael W. Smith Raises The Bar Yet Again With Personal 'Wonder'

By UCN on July 22, 2010 7:04 AM | No TrackBacks

Ever the creative risk taker and industry innovator, Reunion Records flagship artist Michael W. Smith begins a new decade by delivering the most powerful and personal album of his career, all while living out his faith with the unsurpassed energy and passion that defines him as a man.

Continue reading Michael W. Smith Raises The Bar Yet Again With Personal 'Wonder' .

'Speak Now'' - Taylor Swift Announces Her Third Album

By UCN on July 22, 2010 7:00 AM | No TrackBacks

Singer/songwriter Taylor Swift attends the 41st annual Songwriters Hall of Fame at The New York Marriott Marquis on June 17, 2010 in New York City.

Each song is a different confession," she says

Continue reading 'Speak Now'' - Taylor Swift Announces Her Third Album .

Artist, Jaime Jamgochian, Teaches Young Girls That Modest is Hottest

By UCN on July 22, 2010 6:55 AM | No TrackBacks

Musician Jaime Jamgochian designed the popular "Modest is Hottest" T-shirts and started a conference that focuses on teaching young girls how to dress in the latest styles while maintaining modesty.

As Jaime Jamgochian performs concerts and leads worship around the country, she communicates to teenage girls messages about modesty, purity and self-worth.

Continue reading Artist, Jaime Jamgochian, Teaches Young Girls That Modest is Hottest .

Angelina Jolie Does a Man's Job In 'Salt'

By UCN on July 22, 2010 6:50 AM | No TrackBacks

Los Angeles Premiere of "Salt".Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Hollywood, CA.

The character was rewritten for the Oscar winner, who replaced Tom Cruise, but is still tough and physical.

Continue reading Angelina Jolie Does a Man's Job In 'Salt'.

Disney Starlet, Selena Gomez, Talks 'Ramona and Beezus' and Growing Up

By UCN on July 22, 2010 6:46 AM | No TrackBacks

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Selena Gomez and Joey King promote their new movie "Ramona and Beezus" with an autograph signing at Madison Square Garden. Gomez, whose 18th birthday is on July 22nd, received a large birthday poster from three adoring fans.

Thursday, Selena Gomez turns 18, officially entering into adulthood. But instead of partying, she'll be busy working, promoting her new film "Ramona and Beezus," which opens Friday and provides her first real movie role.

Continue reading Disney Starlet, Selena Gomez, Talks 'Ramona and Beezus' and Growing Up .

Australia's Deep-Sea Creatures

By UCN on July 22, 2010 6:42 AM | No TrackBacks

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SLIDESHOW ON TIME MAGAZINE

Scientists from the Queensland Brain Institute photograph creatures from the ocean's depths.

Baylor Students Learn New Ways of Caring for Kenya's Orphans

By UCN on July 22, 2010 6:17 AM | No TrackBacks

Sara Elliot, one of the Baylor School of Social Work students who recently traveled to Kenya to learn about caring for orphans, talks with one of the children she met there. (Baylor Photography)

A Kenyan girl sits with her baby doll in hand, smile on her face, changing the doll's clothes and doing its hair. Minutes later, she places the baby doll into the arms of another child -- with no protests of possession, no sense of selfishness.

Continue reading Baylor Students Learn New Ways of Caring for Kenya's Orphans.

National Learning Standards Make the Grade

By UCN on July 22, 2010 5:13 AM | No TrackBacks

Setting national standards for U.S. students has been tried in the past without success -- but a new state-led effort is gaining momentum, according to an official of an educational think tank that compiled a nationwide study comparing standards.

Continue reading National Learning Standards Make the Grade .

Survey: Facebook Fails at Customer Satisfaction

By UCN on July 21, 2010 9:14 AM | No TrackBacks

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Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive officer of Facebook, holds a press conference at their headquarters in Palo Alto, California, May 26, 2010. Zuckerberg outlined Facebook's new privacy control methods.

What do Facebook, cable companies, airlines and online tax returns have in common? They're all about as likely to displease their customers.

Continue reading Survey: Facebook Fails at Customer Satisfaction.

Obama, Cameron, the U.S., and Great Britain -- Still Special

By UCN on July 21, 2010 9:04 AM | No TrackBacks

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British Prime Minister David Cameron (R) and U.S. President Barack Obama leave following a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House July 20, 2010 in Washington, DC.

President Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron had to handle a hot potato yesterday -- allegations that BP lobbied for release of a Libyan terrorist -- but their meeting was as much about diplomatic atmospherics as issues.

Continue reading Obama, Cameron, the U.S., and Great Britain -- Still Special.

The Simple Church: Growing Number of Christian Worshipers Make Themselves at Home

By UCN on July 20, 2010 9:08 AM | No TrackBacks

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Darren Boyer hosted a non-denominational House Church service at his Brighton home Thursday night, July 15, 2010. Those gathered prayed, discussed scriptures from the New Testament and served themselves Holy Communion. Boyer, left, cooked waffles and served them before the group moved to the living room for Bible study. At the table are Tasha Gustafson, in middle with whipped cream, Brent Tribble, Chris Dennison, and Jolene Larson, in pink.

Megachurch, meet microchurch.

Continue reading The Simple Church: Growing Number of Christian Worshipers Make Themselves at Home .

Has the Religious Right Lost Its Children?

By UCN on July 20, 2010 9:04 AM | No TrackBacks

Evangelical writer Donald Miller, author of 'Blue Like Jazz.'

I was talking one day to the Rev. Jim Wallis, an evangelical leader, when he made a startling claim:

Continue reading Has the Religious Right Lost Its Children? .

Evangelicals Respond to 'One Nation' Billboards in North Carolina

By UCN on July 20, 2010 8:56 AM | No TrackBacks

Pictured: Suzanna Garland, president of the Humanists and Freethinkers of the Cape Fear

Evangelicals Say Removal of 'Under God' in Pledge Ignores Faith's Role in U.S. History

Continue reading Evangelicals Respond to 'One Nation' Billboards in North Carolina .

BP Oil Spill Clouds David Cameron's First U. S. Visit

By UCN on July 20, 2010 8:55 AM | No TrackBacks

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British Prime Minister David Cameron (L) greets Joe Biden, the Vice President of the United States of America, at the UK ambassador's residence on July 20, 2010 in Washington, DC. Mr Cameron is embarking on a two-day visit to America, he will meet with President Obama later today where the leaders are expected to discuss the military situation in Afghanistan and BP's oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

On the way to Washington, British Prime Minister David Cameron said he wants to talk about Afghanistan, Middle East peace prospects and the global economy.

Continue reading BP Oil Spill Clouds David Cameron's First U. S. Visit .

In The Land Of Mao, A Rising Tide Of Christianity

By UCN on July 20, 2010 8:46 AM | No TrackBacks

Pastor Ni leads a service at a state-sanctioned church. He says he believes there is total religious freedom in China. Relations between church and state, he says, "are extremely good."

First of five parts

Continue reading In The Land Of Mao, A Rising Tide Of Christianity .

The Surprising Religious Boom That Is Happening In China

By UCN on July 20, 2010 8:41 AM | No TrackBacks

A group of young Christians preach on the streets in a rural Chinese village. China's constitution protects freedom of religion but prohibits proselytizing in public places.

Alongside China's astonishing economic boom, an almost unnoticed religious boom has quietly been taking place.

Continue reading The Surprising Religious Boom That Is Happening In China .

Wonka Wonderful! Mystery Trader Buys All of Europe's Cocoa

By UCN on July 20, 2010 8:10 AM | No TrackBacks

Cocoa futures for July delivery jumped 1.5pc on the Liffe exchange to more than £2,588 this week.

Even Willy Wonka might struggle to use this much chocolate. Yesterday, somebody bought 241,000 tonnes of cocoa beans.

Continue reading Wonka Wonderful! Mystery Trader Buys All of Europe's Cocoa .

Born-again Rebel Don Miller and Bestselling Author of 'Blue like Jazz' Reveals 'Best Sermon I Ever Heard'

By UCN on July 20, 2010 8:07 AM | No TrackBacks

Donald Miller sat alone in a hotel room and cried.

Continue reading Born-again Rebel Don Miller and Bestselling Author of 'Blue like Jazz' Reveals 'Best Sermon I Ever Heard' .

Amazon.com Sells More E-Books Than Hardcovers

By UCN on July 20, 2010 7:55 AM | No TrackBacks

"The Kindle format has now overtaken the hardcover format," says Jeff Bezos, Amazon's chief executive. A drastic cut in the price of the Kindle portable reader is probably a major factor.

Continue reading Amazon.com Sells More E-Books Than Hardcovers .

The Good Christian Girl: A Fable

By UCN on July 20, 2010 7:46 AM | No TrackBacks

What heeding a decade and a half of dating advice can mean.

Continue reading The Good Christian Girl: A Fable .

How Many Kids Should a Christian Couple Have?

By UCN on July 20, 2010 7:43 AM | No TrackBacks

To answer the question, Christian couples need more than a few select Bible verses.

Continue reading How Many Kids Should a Christian Couple Have? .

The Roots of White Anxiety, by Ross Douthat

By UCN on July 20, 2010 7:41 AM | No TrackBacks

In March of 2000, Pat Buchanan came to speak at Harvard University's Institute of Politics. Harvard being Harvard, the audience hissed and sneered and made wisecracks.

Continue reading The Roots of White Anxiety, by Ross Douthat .

Teenagers and Technology: 'I'd Rather Give Up My Kidney Than My Phone'

By UCN on July 20, 2010 6:56 AM | No TrackBacks

'We're not socially abnormal - look at us!' ... Olivia Stamp (left) and Emily Hooley.

Text, text, text, that's all they think about: but are all those hours on the phone and Facebook turning teenagers into screen-enslaved social inadequates? Jon Henley finds out

Continue reading Teenagers and Technology: 'I'd Rather Give Up My Kidney Than My Phone' .

Obama's Unlikely Allies in the Fight for Immigration

By UCN on July 19, 2010 9:36 AM | No TrackBacks

Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association often discusses immigration on his talk show.

At a time when the prospects for immigration overhaul seem most dim, supporters have unleashed a secret weapon: a group of influential evangelical Christian leaders.

Continue reading Obama's Unlikely Allies in the Fight for Immigration.

WATCH: Churches Making Mainstream Movies to Attract Souls

By UCN on July 19, 2010 9:33 AM | No TrackBacks

From left, Alex Kendrick, Jim McBride, Stephen McBride (standing) & Michael Catt (seated).

Praise the Lord and pass the popcorn.

Continue reading WATCH: Churches Making Mainstream Movies to Attract Souls .

Christopher Nolan's 'Inception' Exceeds Box-Office Dreams

By UCN on July 19, 2010 9:30 AM | No TrackBacks

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(L-R) Actor Leonardo DiCaprio, producer Emma Thomas, and writer/director Christopher Nolan arrive to premiere of Warner Bros. "Inception" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on July 13, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Christopher Nolan's "Inception" is anything but a sleeper as the thriller opened big with $60.4 million and a No. 1 finish at the weekend box office, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Continue reading Christopher Nolan's 'Inception' Exceeds Box-Office Dreams .

U.S. Allows BP to Keep Well Closed for Another Day

By UCN on July 19, 2010 9:26 AM | No TrackBacks

Workers skimmed for oil in Perdido Pass, Orange Beach, Ala., during a heavy rain storm on Sunday.

A pressure test of BP's undersea well that has kept fresh oil from gushing into the Gulf of Mexico will be allowed to continue for another day, despite concerns about potential new problems near the well, the government official overseeing the spill response said Monday.

Continue reading U.S. Allows BP to Keep Well Closed for Another Day .

Dozens Killed in Train Crash in India

By UCN on July 19, 2010 9:24 AM | No TrackBacks

The force of a train crash in eastern India was so intense that the roof of one car flew into the air and landed on an overpass above the tracks.

Mithun Mahato was fast asleep on an overnight train before an enormous jolt awakened him and he panicked because his coach was flipping over. He lay with his leg broken for five hours, crushed under dead bodies of other passengers as he waited for help.

Continue reading Dozens Killed in Train Crash in India .

Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa Dominates in Winning British Open

By UCN on July 19, 2010 9:21 AM | No TrackBacks

Louis Oosthuizen with the claret jug after winning the British Open by seven strokes. He finished at 16-under-par 272.

Throughout a march toward the British Open championship that went from improbable to inexorable with each stride down the Old Course's hardening fairways Sunday, three things about Louis Oosthuizen did not change: his demeanor, his swing tempo and his resilience.

Continue reading Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa Dominates in Winning British Open.

After World Cup, It's Worlds Apart for Top Players

By UCN on July 19, 2010 9:14 AM | No TrackBacks

Lionel Messi in Haiti.

The World Cup is history. One week after it ended, the players rated No.1, 2 and 3 in the world by FIFA have gone their separate ways.

Continue reading After World Cup, It's Worlds Apart for Top Players .

A Harlem Ministry Offers Services Where the Homeless Are

By UCN on July 18, 2010 6:34 AM | No TrackBacks

Pastor Cynthia Jackson, left, and Nadja Fidelia offered the eucharist wine and wafer to worshipers.

A barefoot woman with a head full of tangled locks staggered into a circle of worshipers, trying to hold up her head as the preacher delivered a sermon. She found a worn patch of grass and sat, lowering her head between her knees and nodding as the minister spoke of God's love and loving thy neighbor.

Continue reading A Harlem Ministry Offers Services Where the Homeless Are .

Pastor to Wounded Missionaries In Uganda: 'God Is Bigger Than Any Evil'

By UCN on July 18, 2010 6:33 AM | No TrackBacks

People watch the World Cup final at a restaurant in Kampala late on July 11, moments before blasts tore through the crowds.

The Rev. Kathleen Kind leads the Pennsylvania congregation that saw five missionaries injured in Uganda's bombings.

Continue reading Pastor to Wounded Missionaries In Uganda: 'God Is Bigger Than Any Evil' .

Inception - Get the Reviews on Christopher Nolan's Latest Thriller

By UCN on July 18, 2010 6:17 AM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks

A scene from "Inception."

Continue reading Inception - Get the Reviews on Christopher Nolan's Latest Thriller.

Is Nicolas Cage's New Film Magic? Get the Reviews on 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice'

By UCN on July 18, 2010 5:55 AM | No TrackBacks

Nicolas Cage, left, and Jay Baruchel in "The Sorcerer's Apprentice."

Continue reading Is Nicolas Cage's New Film Magic? Get the Reviews on 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice'.

Q&A: Relevant Talks With Inception Star Leonardo DiCaprio

By UCN on July 18, 2010 5:51 AM | No TrackBacks

In Christopher Nolan's new film, "Inception," Leonardo DiCaprio stars as an "extractor" who can participate in and shape the dreams of others.

The Inception star talks dreams, co-stars and not knowing what his own movie is about.

Continue reading Q&A: Relevant Talks With Inception Star Leonardo DiCaprio .

Christopher Nolan - The Man Behind the Dreamscape

By UCN on July 18, 2010 5:49 AM | No TrackBacks

The director Christopher Nolan.

Nearly everything in Christopher Nolan's world is more than it appears to be. In his hands his 2000 feature "Memento" became not only a taut thriller with a catchy psychological gimmick but also a calling card to a career of cinematic independence.

Continue reading Christopher Nolan - The Man Behind the Dreamscape.

BP Oil Spill: After Much Bad News, Wary Acceptance of Good

By UCN on July 18, 2010 5:46 AM | No TrackBacks

Signs of life Friday at Waveland Beach in Mississippi. The beach had been closed before word that the oil leak had been capped.

Percy Baulden, a New Orleans firefighter, says that about a month ago he found himself coming down with an ailment that he has named "oil well fatigue." The symptoms included a feeling of hopelessness and chronic irritation at the mention of "BP," "Deepwater Horizon" and any combination of the usually innocuous terms "spill," "containment" and "cap."

Continue reading BP Oil Spill: After Much Bad News, Wary Acceptance of Good .

Carte Goodwin of West Virginia to Succeed Senator Byrd

By UCN on July 18, 2010 5:43 AM | No TrackBacks

Carte Goodwin with his wife, Rochelle, and son, Wesley.

West Virginia's governor, Joe Manchin III, announced on Friday that he had chosen Carte P. Goodwin, his former general counsel, to temporarily fill the Senate seat long held by Robert C. Byrd.

Continue reading Carte Goodwin of West Virginia to Succeed Senator Byrd .

North Korean Poster Depicts a Ship Suffering an Eerily Evocative Attack

By UCN on July 18, 2010 5:40 AM | No TrackBacks

An image of the smuggled poster.

A propaganda poster recently smuggled out of North Korea depicts the North Korean military smashing an enemy warship in half, a scene evocative of the sinking of a South Korean warship earlier this year.

Continue reading North Korean Poster Depicts a Ship Suffering an Eerily Evocative Attack .

Spiritual Safari: The Gospel According to Kenyan Cabbies

By UCN on July 18, 2010 5:37 AM | No TrackBacks

If you want to tap into the religious spirit of a country, you can go to its churches and mosques and listen to the words of its preachers and imams. But the lived religion of a nation is just as accessible on the streets.

Continue reading Spiritual Safari: The Gospel According to Kenyan Cabbies .

Christian Bishop Killed in Russia's Dagestan

By UCN on July 18, 2010 5:35 AM | No TrackBacks

Chindirchero, Daghestan

Officials in Russia's violent, largely Muslim republic of Dagestan say a Christian bishop has been shot to death by unknown attackers.

Continue reading Christian Bishop Killed in Russia's Dagestan .

Audrey Assad Hopes to Strike a Chord With Her Lyrics

By UCN on July 18, 2010 5:33 AM | No TrackBacks

Audrey Assad loves words. Loves, loves, loves them.

Continue reading Audrey Assad Hopes to Strike a Chord With Her Lyrics .

Long Beach Gospel Fest Resonates With Twice As Many People as Last Year

By UCN on July 18, 2010 5:29 AM | No TrackBacks

Choir members from the Antioch Church of Long Beach sing their hearts out during the second annual Long Beach Gospel Fest and Downtown Worship Experience. More than 35 choirs performed at the outdoor festival.

Choir members from more than 35 churches performed at the outdoor festival in downtown Long Beach. The enthusiastic performances and singing could be heard a quarter-mile away, one pastor said.

Continue reading Long Beach Gospel Fest Resonates With Twice As Many People as Last Year .

At Camp, Make-Believe Worlds Spring Off Page

By UCN on July 18, 2010 5:23 AM | No TrackBacks

Camp Half-Blood in Prospect Park, which is inspired by a book series based on Greek mythology.

The oracle sat with her back to the hill, a breeze riffling the ruby scarves tied to her folding camp chair.

Continue reading At Camp, Make-Believe Worlds Spring Off Page .

Tempered Reason: How the Oil Disaster Will Teach Us Humility, by David Brog

By UCN on July 18, 2010 3:50 AM | No TrackBacks

The ongoing oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico is an unmitigated disaster for the environment, the economy, and the multi-thousands who depend on the Gulf for their livelihoods.

Continue reading Tempered Reason: How the Oil Disaster Will Teach Us Humility, by David Brog .

YANKEES 5, RAYS 4: Yankees and Their Fans Pay Their Respects With Both Cheers and Silence

By UCN on July 18, 2010 3:43 AM | No TrackBacks

Members of the Yankees stood at the edge of the dugout during the tribute.

As Yankee Stadium fell silent early Friday evening, Frank Sinatra's voice wafted over the loudspeakers. Sinatra was singing "My Way," a tune that George Steinbrenner no doubt knew well and with which he surely identified.

Continue reading YANKEES 5, RAYS 4: Yankees and Their Fans Pay Their Respects With Both Cheers and Silence .