There’s a huge fuss going on in England at present over the impact of the Equality Act on adoptions. The law insists that there be no discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in the provision of ‘goods and services’. In most countries, that doesn’t include the provision of adoption services: but in the UK,… Continue reading When liberal laws try to trump religious conscience
Tag: Faith and life
Are you on the list?
Shamelessly stolen from Indigenous Geek (who’s now added to my Reciprocal Blogroll too): Hmm. I qualify in a few of those categories – and I’m a retired pastor! Methinks those who compiled the categories might want to take a look in the mirror. Have they never over-indulged in alcohol, even once, as a teenager experimenting… Continue reading Are you on the list?
The mystery of Stonehenge deepens
Archaeologists excavating sites around Stonehenge in England are uncovering some fascinating new material. Stonehenge may have been a burial ground for an ancient royal family, British archaeologists said yesterday. The original purpose of the stone monument in Wiltshire is one of archaeology’s most enduring enigmas. Previous theories have suggested that it was an astronomical observatory… Continue reading The mystery of Stonehenge deepens
Wrongful conviction – and a belated pardon for a wrongful execution
Two stories of wrongful conviction hit the news today. In Chicago, a man convicted of rape fourteen years ago has been cleared by DNA evidence. DNA tests have exonerated a South Side man who has served nearly 14 years in prison in the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl who was attacked in the fall… Continue reading Wrongful conviction – and a belated pardon for a wrongful execution
Thanks for the memories, John Denver
I found the video below on YouTube this evening, and it’s brought back a flood of memories. I was born and raised in South Africa, and many of the experiences of my younger days are captured in John Denver’s songs ‘Rocky Mountain High’ and ‘Calypso’. The mountains of South Africa are different to the USA’s… Continue reading Thanks for the memories, John Denver
Force becomes Farce, redux
Some readers may remember this blog post from January 22nd: According to a report in the British Daily Mail, it seems that in North Wales brothers Barney and Daniel Jones have established ‘the Holyhead chapter of the self-styled Jedi Church, which claims up to 400,000 members worldwide’. Barney, age 26, is now known as ‘Master… Continue reading Force becomes Farce, redux
Spiritual Advice from a Jewish Buddhist
I received the following helpful suggestions by e-mail from Dora (who is Jewish, and does yoga). After I’d wiped the tea off my monitor, I thought you might enjoy them too. Wherever you go, there you are. Your luggage is another story. To practice Zen and the art of Jewish motorcycle maintenance, do the following:… Continue reading Spiritual Advice from a Jewish Buddhist
What’s in a name?
A man in California faced a three-year legal battle because he wanted to take his wife’s family name after they married, rather than have her take his. Michael Buday wanted to take his wife’s surname after marriage but found that the DMV wouldn’t issue him a new license in that name. Women get to change… Continue reading What’s in a name?
Remembering a good man
I’m saddened to read of the death of Sergeant Merlin German, USMC, aged 22. He was severely wounded February 21, 2005, en route to Camp Ramadi, when his Humvee hit a roadside bomb. He was not expected to survive, but he was transported to Germany and then to Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas, which… Continue reading Remembering a good man
Prove dat mumbo-jumbo, man!
I love it! LONDON (Reuters) – Fortune-tellers, mediums and spiritual healers marched on the home of the British prime minister at Downing Street on Friday to protest against new laws they fear will lead to them being “persecuted and prosecuted”. Organizers say that replacing the Fraudulent Mediums Act of 1951 with new consumer protection rules… Continue reading Prove dat mumbo-jumbo, man!