Religion News: It's OK to believe in aliens
By Public domain
"The Baptism of Christ", 1710, by Aert de Gelder. UFO proponents have drawn comparisons between modern UFO reports and aerial objects depicted in historical art, such as this religious painting.
GateHouse News Service
Thu May 15, 2008, 09:00 AM EDT
The Catholic Church’s head astronomer said this week that it’s OK for Christians to believe in aliens. The Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes of the Vatican Observatory was quoted in an Italian newspaper, "How can we rule out that life may have developed elsewhere? Just as we consider earthly creatures as a brother and sister, why should we not talk about an extraterrestrial brother? It would still be part of creation."
Funes went on to say that believing aliens can’t possibly exist essentially is anti-biblical, as it puts a limit on God’s creative power. And he posited that extraterrestrials could be in a better predicament than humans in that they aren’t born with original sin: “In that way, assuming that there would be other intelligent beings, we could not say that they need redemption. They could have remained in full friendship with the Creator."
Handcrafted items made by Christians around the world
Christian Freedom International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting persecuted Christians around the world, is celebrating the grand opening of a handcraft store in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
The store will operate in conjunction with the organization's microenterprise program, a venture that generates income for impoverished Christians in countries like Burma, Bangladesh and Indonesia.
CFI purchases quality handcraft items such as bags, clothing, jewelry, furniture and toys directly from Christian artisans, then resells the crafts in the United States and invests the proceeds in other CFI programs. In addition to shopping online through CFI's Web site or its catalog, customers will now be able to purchase handcraft items at the organization's storefront.
Some of the agency’s programs include the operation of schools, orphanages and medical clinics, Bible distribution and political advocacy in Washington D.C.
For more information, visit www.christianfreedom.org.
Survey Says
Following his first visit to the United States as spiritual leader of the world's Catholics, Pope Benedict XVI is viewed more favorably than he was a few weeks before his trip. Currently, 61 percent of Americans say they have a favorable impression of the pope, up from 52 percent in late March. -- Pew Research Center for the People & the Press and the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life
Good Book?
“Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth” by Richard J. Foster.
“Celebration of Discipline” explores the central spiritual practices of the Christian faith. Along the way, Foster shows that it is only through these practices that the true path to spiritual growth can be found.
Dividing the disciplines into three movements of the spirit, Foster shows how each of these areas contribute to a balanced spiritual life. The inward disciplines of meditation, prayer, fasting and study offer avenues of personal examination and change. The outward disciplines of simplicity, solitude, submission and service help prepare us to make the world a better place. The corporate disciplines of confession, worship, guidance and celebration bring us nearer to one another and to God.
Foster provides a wealth of examples demonstrating how these disciplines can become part of our daily activities - and how they can help us shed our superficial habits and "bring the abundance of God into our lives."
Get to Know … Saint Rita of Cascia
Saint Rita (1381 – May 22, 1457) was an Italian Augustinian saint.
Rita wanted to enter the monastery of Saint Mary Magdalene at Cascia but was spurned for being a widow; virginity was a requirement for entry into that particular convent.
It is said that, while the sisters slept and despite locked doors, Rita was miraculously let into the convent by her patron saints John the Baptist, Augustine of Hippo and Nicholas of Tolentino. When she was found in the morning and the sisters learned how she had gotten into the convent, they could not turn her away.
She remained at the monastery, living by the Augustinian Rule, until her death in 1457.
A large sanctuary of Saint Rita was built in the early 20th century in Cascia; it and the house in which she was born are among the most active pilgrimage sites of Umbria. Saint Rita, along with Saint Jude, is a patron saint of "Lost Causes.” Her Feast Day is May 22.
The Word
Koinonia: A Greek word (pronounced Koy-no-NEE-ah). It was used in the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) to describe the early Pauline Christian church. It means "communication," "fellowship," or "communion." -- Religioustolerance.org
Religion Around the World
Religious makeup of Brunei
Muslim (official): 67 percent
Buddhist: 13 percent
Christian 10 percent
Other (includes indigenous beliefs): 10 percent
- CIA Factbook
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