Thursday, 22 November 2012 06:45 Written by Jim Denison

In my home growing up, Thanksgiving was the one event of the year where we prayed together.  We didn't go to church and never had spiritual conversations.  But each year when we gathered around the Thanksgiving table, my father led our family in a prayer of gratitude.  It never occurred to me to ask why.

Since becoming a Christian at the age of 15, I've "said grace" over meals, either privately or publicly, three times every day.  Over 39 years, that comes to 42,705 such prayers.  This week, for the first time, I asked myself why.

Wednesday, 21 November 2012 06:45 Written by Jim Denison

While the conflict between Hamas and Israel dominates the news, Muslims and Jews are joining forces this week to feed hungry people.  The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding is partnering with the World Jewish Congress and Islamic Society of North America.  Now in its fifth year, this initiative is working in 25 countries to bring Muslims and Jews together.

"In this time of warfare it was a beautiful experience to see the two come together," said a Muslim student who worked with Jews to feed the homeless in Washington, D.C. last Sunday.  More than 17 such projects are going on around our country this week.  In Northern Virginia, children from a mosque and synagogue worked together to clean up a park.  That night, members of their congregations dined together as the Muslim host and the temple's rabbi offered prayers for peace in the Middle East.

Tuesday, 20 November 2012 06:45 Written by Jim Denison

The American Humanist Association (AHA) has launched a new initiative aimed at kids.  Their website, www.kidswithoutgod.com, is "a site for the millions of young people around the world who have embraced science, rejected superstition, and are dedicated to being Good Without A God!"

The children's section introduces us to "Darwin" the dog.  He "loves to enjoy stories from a long, long time ago."  But he "also knows that these are just stories, though, and that they aren't real."  There's a teens section, with videos that coach young people on becoming atheists and telling others about their decision.  The parents section offers tips for "helping our kids become humanists."

Monday, 19 November 2012 06:45 Written by Jim Denison

Israel and Hamas are locked in another conflict.  While this may seem like another chapter of the same story, four factors make this battle different from any Middle East conflict in the past.

By way of background, "Hamas" (an acronym for "Islamic Resistance Movement") was founded by Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood in 1987.  Their charter calls for the destruction of Israel.  In 2006, the group won elections in Gaza; shortly afterwards, Egypt and Israel closed Gaza's borders to hinder Hamas' military build-up.  In December 2008, Israel launched "Operation Cast Lead" to prevent Hamas from continuing rocket attacks against southern Israel.

Friday, 16 November 2012 06:45 Written by Jim Denison

The last Twilight Saga movie, Breaking Dawn-Part 2, premiered today.  Why are these films so wildly popular?

For those who, like me, have not read the books or seen the movies, here's some background.  The films are based on the four-novel Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer.  Her novels have sold more than 220 million copies.  The movies have grossed over $2 billion in worldwide receipts to date.

They tell the story of Bella, a teenage girl who falls in love with Edward, who turns out to be a vampire.  (He's one of the "good" vampires who drink animal blood rather than human blood.)  She also befriends Jacob, who turns out to be a werewolf.  Bella becomes pregnant with Edward's child and nearly dies before Edward turns her into a vampire, granting her immortality.  In the episode that premieres tonight, Bella adjusts to vampire life and wins acceptance by Edward's race.