A Form of Godliness and Departing from the Faith
Police: Priest solicited murder of boy accusing him of sex abuse
11/23/2010 20:40
From CNN:
A Catholic priest, facing criminal charges and a lawsuit alleging that he sexually abused a teenage boy, is now charged with attempting to hire someone to kill the youth, authorities said Tuesday.
The Rev. John M. Fiala was in the Dallas County, Texas, jail on Tuesday, charged with one...
New NIV Bible Still Draws Criticisms Over Gender-Related Passages
11/22/2010 20:29
From The Christian Post:
An update to the popular NIV Bible that sought to resolve problems over gender-inclusive language found in the controversial TNIV Bible is still drawing criticism from evangelicals.
Publishers of the New International Version, Biblica and Zondervan, debuted an online...
Facebook-banning NJ pastor acknowledges threesome
11/21/2010 19:43
From Washington Post:
NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- A pastor who said Facebook was a "portal to infidelity" and told married church leaders to delete their accounts or resign once testified that he had a three-way sexual relationship with his wife and a male church assistant.
The Rev. Cedric...
Bishop Swilley Refuses to 'Argue the Scriptures' on Homosexuality
11/17/2010 21:25
From Christian Post:
A month after coming out to his congregation as gay, a Georgia pastor said he's never been happier or more at peace with God and with himself.
"I have favor with God and man, and the positives in my life so far outweigh the negatives, that I can't think of myself as...
Spanish priest arrested over '21,000 child porn images'
11/12/2010 20:40
From BBC:
A Catholic priest in Spain has been arrested over the alleged possession of thousands of images of child sex abuse.
Police said they found 21,000 images on computers inside the 52-year-old's church in Vilafames, in the east of the country.
The priest, who has not been named, has...
Gay Episcopal bishop to retire early
11/07/2010 14:30
From UPI:
U.S. Episcopalian cleric V. Gene Robinson, the church's first openly gay bishop, said Saturday he will retire in just over two years when he will be 65.
Robinson wouldn't be required to step down until he turns 72 but cited stress as a factor in his decision to leave his...
Student Pastor Among 9 Facing Prostitution Charges
11/02/2010 21:54
From NWA.com:
It's the largest prostitution bust in Benton County history. Back in May, Bentonville police made several arrests, at the time, targeting those promoting the actual prostitution ring.
But this time, they're targeting clients and police took 9 more into custody on Wednesday. An...
Cleric sexual abuse victims gather at Vatican
11/01/2010 07:06
From CNN:
Alleged victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy held a candlelight vigil of solidary at the Vatican on Sunday but were not allowed to deliver letters to a bronze door outside the pope's residence.
Several dozen marchers from the United States, Asia and Europe gathered to share...
Priest Jailed For 24-Year Reign Of Abuse
10/23/2010 21:35
From Sky News:
A former Roman Catholic priest who started abusing boys more than half a century ago has been jailed for 21 years.
James Robinson: One victim described him as his 'hero'
James Robinson, 73, known as 'Father Jim', had a "dreadful weakness" for boys as young as 10, Birmingham...
Megachurch Crystal Cathedral Ministries seeks bankruptcy protection
10/19/2010 18:41
From CNN:
The Southern California megachurch Crystal Cathedral Ministries will enter bankruptcy, as it faces lawsuit-filing creditors and a rapid decline in donations because of the recession, church officials announced Monday.
An unspecified small number of creditors have sued the church and...
False Christs and Religions
Princeton University Opens Hindu Prayer Space With Temple for goddess Saraswati
11/03/2015 19:36
PRINCETON, N.J. — Historic Princeton University has opened a prayer area for Hindu students, according to reports, complete with a temple for the Hindu goddess Saraswati.
The Universal Society of Hinduism had been asking officials for a space for adherents to Hinduism, and the editorial board of...
‘Church of Lucifer’ to Open in Texas
10/13/2015 20:30
SPRING, Texas — The first “Church of Lucifer” is set to open later this month in a small town outside of Houston, Texas.
“Never in history has anything like this has happened before: an open to the public home for the Left Hand Path, a church dedicated to the mental freedom of all mankind, a home...
Four-Year-Old Beheaded in India in Human Sacrifice to Hindu goddess
10/08/2015 07:57
ANDHRA PRADESH, India — A four-year-old boy was beheaded this week after he was apprehended by a man who sought to sacrifice him to a Hindu goddess.
The incident occurred on Wednesday as the child was leaving nursery. He was apprehended by Tirumala Rao, 35, and reportedly strangled before being...
Black Mass Planned for Oklahoma City
07/03/2014 22:31
For the second time this year, a public “Black Mass” is being planned—this time in Oklahoma City.
According to the Oklahoma City Civic Center website, the event is planned for Sept. 21. Tickets go on sale Wednesday.
The website announces: "The Black Mass has been a feared ritual, and now it's...
Better than Scientology? The new Zuckerberg-based religion
05/27/2014 07:22
If you live in the Bay Area and suddenly, momentarily, lose your self-belief, there is always a religion to pick you up.
You have a choice of either the established organizations, with their ornate meeting places, or you have the more modern faiths, which might have as their foundation anything...
Wicca growing in Popularity
06/23/2013 08:46
Friday, June 21 will be the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. And for one religious group it's a time to celebrate the Oak King falling to the Holly King.
We take a look at the often misunderstood Wiccan religion. Recently they’ve made inroads into popular acceptance, but practitioners...
Pet owners turning to psychics
06/15/2013 21:52
It's the age-old and seemingly answerless question: What in the world is my dog thinking? And one that has spawned a growing market not only of scientific research but of everything from decks of pet tarot cards to television and radio shows and books by pet psychics and animal trainers.
Whether...
Hare Krishna sect is alive and well
06/03/2013 07:06
Nestled in the verdant, bucolic foothills of northeast Stokes County is a tiny religious community.
It's called Hare Krishna, and a closer look at its beliefs finds more similarities than differences between it and the world's other major religions.
Like Christians, the Krishnas believe in leading...
Scientology cult increasingly active on social network
05/30/2013 06:45
Not only with stalls in the cities, but also in social networking sites touting the controversial Scientology organization to members. The constitutional protection in Baden-Wuerttemberg warns is often difficult to identify who is behind the websites.
"Social...
Former IT Specialist Claims To Be Jesus Reborn
05/29/2013 21:05
A man claiming to be Jesus is gaining followers and causing concern among cult experts in Australia.
Former IT specialist Alan John Miller, or AJ as he prefers to be known, runs a religious movement known as the Divine Truth from his home near the small town of Kingaroy in the state of...