What are the basic premises or fundamental concepts of Scientology? Why so much scandal about it?
A question from a reader: Can anybody please summarize the main concepts or principles of Scientology? Why is this new “religion” (if it is a religion and if it is new) so much criticized? Is there anything wrong about it?
What, if any, fatwas have been authored about the practice of dianetics and scientology?
A question from a reader: Fatwa are rulings about the practice of Islam, such as whether certain actitivities are to be prohibited, encouraged, necessary, permitted, or conditionally allowed.
Dianetics is a the course of sacred spiritual counselling and rehabilitation practices administered in the Scientology faith.
Speaking of Faith: Why Religion Matters–and How to Talk About It
- ISBN13: 9780143113188
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
An intimate, thought-provoking, and original appraisal of the meaning of religion in our time- from the creator and host of public radio’s Speaking of Faith
Krista Tippett, widely becoming known as the Bill Moyers of radio, is one of the country’s most intelligent and insightful commentators on religion, ethics, and the human spirit. With this book, she draws on her own life story and her intimate conversations with both ordinary and famous figures, … More >>
Speaking of Faith: Why Religion Matters–and How to Talk About It
Nothing Second-hand About Giving?directbuy of Buffalos Donates Furniture and Fixtures to Buffalo?s Delaware Avenue Baptist Church
A fine example of that is DirectBuy of Buffalo donating imperfect furniture, fixtures and other items to the Delaware Avenue Baptist Church
“It doesn’t happen very often, but once in a while we’ll accept a delivery for one of our members where there’s an imperfection—a nick or scratch, wrong color, etc. Some manufacturers, rather than a straight exchange, will ship out a new item for the member and let us dispose of the damaged item. Some of these items are still in pretty good shape overall and certainly usable so we donate those items to the Delaware Avenue Church’s benevolent fund,” said Brian Cohen, owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo.
That type of generosity is fairly standard for DirectBuy. Showroom owners nationwide donate to any number of organizations, and have shown a particular affinity for making contributions to children/family-oriented organizations like Boys & Girls Club, YMCA and children’s hospitals. Some of DirectBuy of Buffalo’s donations to the Delaware Avenue Baptist Church’s benevolent fund have included headboards, china cabinets, sofas and even shower stalls.
“DirectBuy’s generosity to our church goes above and beyond the call of the standard donation,” said Mike Robinson, pastor of Delaware Avenue Baptist Church. “The recipients of these items have largely been single parents and other members of our congregation and community going through difficult times. Even a piece that’s slightly damaged or has a slight imperfection can be tremendously useful and a real boost to somebody who otherwise couldn’t afford it.”
Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. With three convenient locations in the area, DirectBuy offers consumers a comfortable, country-club setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.
For more information on DirectBuy, you can visit www.directbuycares.com.
About DirectBuy
Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct enables members’ hard-earned money to go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. DirectBuy of Buffalo has been serving the region since 2005 and prides itself in providing excellent member service. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. Conveniently located at 4950 Genesee Street in Cheektowaga, New York, DirectBuy of Buffalo offers a comfortable, country-club setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. Direct Buy of Buffalo is part of more than 150 franchise locations throughout North America.
Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by contacting DirectBuy at 716-684-1400 or bcohen@directbuyofbuffalo.com. To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.DirectBuy-Buffalo.com.
In the manual of baptism rules, why do they insist it has to be water? What’s so special about water?
A question from a reader: .
And why do they say you can’t baptize two people at once?
Why are you not allowed to baptize two people at once, and let them wrestle while you baptize them?
And why is it forbidden to baptize people in mud? If it’s clean mud, and no animals are involved, what would be the harm of baptizing people in mud? Well diluted mud and well mixed. Especially mud of very fine texture and quality.
Why all these rules and prohibitions in the baptism manual?
Also, why the prohibition against a person getting baptized every week if they want to?
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Methodists tell us about the Ethics of saying ‘I’m Sorry’–the apology both public and private… by Peter Menkin
by Peter Menkin
In a report on ethics of apology, United Methodist News Service (UMNS) Linda Green examines sincerity and authenticity, two ingredients lacking in our American sense of public apology. Public apology consists of thin, self-serving, and manipulative purposes according to three noted Methodist ethicists.
“I fear that apologies have become techniques for diminishing the consequences of behaviors that are destructive and damaging,” said Bishop Kenneth Carder, professor of the practice of Christian ministry at United Methodist-related Duke Divinity School.
Methodist writer Linda Green notes:
Recent apologies in the news came from Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez, who apologized for using steroids; Olympic gold-medalist swimmer Michael Phelps, who apologized for smoking marijuana; The New York Post, which apologized for but defended a cartoon with racist images; and former U.S. Senator Tom Daschle, who apologized for not paying taxes that he owed.
“When apologies are deeply rooted in confession, contrition, a recognition of the damage that one has done and one’s implication in the hurt of others– in the context of genuine repentance and confession with a goal of restoration of integrity, restoration of relationships and restitution for damage done, then apologies have depth,” Carder declared.
Clearly, Methodists do not find apology of the kind prevalent today by public official’s confessional in any manner, offering remorse or contrition, and essentially a means of manipulating opinion or engaging in media spin. People in the United States and especially public figures have either forgotten, given up, or willingly ignored what is known as repentance in their apology. They make no statement of making restitution or of change in their ways, Methodist ethicists proclaim.
“The apologies we hear today are mea culpa,” said the Rev. Katie Cannon. “Repentance means being willing to make restitution or reparation and a sacrifice has to be offered and some good faith act needs to follow so that it is not cheap or an action that has no substance behind it.” Cannon is professor of Christian social ethics at Union Theological Seminary-Presbyterian School of Christian Education, Richmond, Va.
Writer green says in her UMNS article:
The rash of recent apologies has resulted in cynicism and skepticism, leaving the public to wonder if they are apologizing for their conduct or because they were caught.
This practice of false apology does little to provide the true “I’m sorry.” Our World Wide Web is trying to help solve this problem…but…there is a proliferation of failure to apologize with honor and honesty that holds true. Re the web, Cannon agreed. “Some basic human social skills are gone,” she said, noting that today’s high-tech culture has lost the ability to learn from human interaction. “We need these sites for education of the high-tech generation or for those who live their whole lives on the computer.” The web is not helping us enough how to learn to apologize, according to Cannon.
“…[W]e have not made it a habit to say I’m sorry and we have not cultivated within ourselves the capacity, the grace or readiness to say I’m sorry.” The Rev. J. Philip Wogaman is a Christian ethicist and pastor of St. Luke United Methodist Church, Omaha, Neb.
Linda Green reports:
Web sites that teach the science of apology show that society has lost some measure of civility, according to the Rev. Rosetta Ross, dean of academic affairs at Howard University in Washington. Today’s culture has invested a lot in saying biting and hurtful things to people and such sites indicate a loss of appreciation for being kind, compassionate and sensitive, she said.
Theodore Dalrymple calls the False Apology Syndrome ones that relate to historical sins and the crimes of ancestors.
“A false apology is usually accompanied by bogus or insincere guilt, which is often confused with appropriate shame,” said Dalrymple, a physician and author of “Our Culture, What’s Left of It: The Mandarins and the Masses.”
“False Apology Syndrome is a therefore rich but poisonous mixture of self-importance, libertinism, condescension, bad faith, loose thinking, and indifference to the effects it has on those who are apologized to.”
Philosophy of Religion: Thinking About Faith
Product Description
With over 40,000 copies in print since its original publication in 1982, Steve Evans’s Philosophy of Religion has served many generations of students. In this new edition Zach Manis joins Evans in a thorough revamping of arguments and information, while maintaining the qualities of clarity and brevity that made the first edition so appreciated…. More >>
How do I go about getting baptized in the Baptist or Pentecostal church?
A question from a reader: I am in my early 20’s and have never been baptized. I have attended mostly Baptist and Pentecostal churches most of my life and have decided I really want to get baptized. Does anybody know what’s involved and how long the process takes. Thank you.
If you lost your engagement ring the first year of marriage, and your about to renew your vows for your 7 year?
A question from a reader: anniversary, would you get another engagement ring? What would be the point if you’ve already been married for so long? Your not engaged anymore! Would it have the same meaning? My cousin’s friend just got a new engagement ring, and I know it’s because she’s jealous of my cousin. What are your opinions on this?