Magyar Egyház, 2007 (86. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2007-07-01 / 1-2. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 11. óidul leaves as you walk down the street; she’s the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks; she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not well. Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear drop. She's the place you came from, your first home; and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love and your first heartbreak and nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space...not even death! EASTER PRAYER Heavenly Father and God of mercy, I believe that Jesus is alive and has become the Lord of life. From the waters of Baptism you have raised me with him and renewed your gift of life within me. Increase in my mind and heart the risen life I share with Christ and help me to grow in your wisdom and grace. Lord Jesus, you appeared to your apostles after the resurrection and filled their hearts with joy when you said to them "Peace be with you". May the peace of your presence abide with me and make each day you give me the most beautiful day of my life. Lord Jesus, you triumphed over death and destroyed the power of death in me, may I live only for you. Risen Lord, you brought confusion on the guards at your tomb but joy to your disciples, grant me the fullness of joy as I serve you in spirit and truth. You promised to be with your isciples, Lord, to the end of the world, stay with me today and remain with me always. King of glory, center of my life, grant that when you come again, I may be one with you in glory. Lord, remember me as in my own way I minister to your people, may my life be holy and an example to your people. Lord Jesus, purify my heart with your truth and guide me in the way of holiness, so that I may always do what is pleasing in your sight. Amen. Attorney General Launches Religious Freedom Initiative at SBC Meeting U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales met with Southern Baptist leaders Feb. 20 to unveil a new Department of Justice initiative aimed at educating Americans about their religious liberties and to ask for the Southern Baptist Convention’s help in identifying and reporting abuses of those liberties, Baptist Press reports. Gonzales noted that he is charged by the president with “protecting and preserving not only the safety and security of all Americans, but also their rights, liberties and freedoms,” including “one of our most cherished freedoms, one we’ve sacrificed greatly to defend... our religious liberty.” Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, applauded Gonzales’ action. “The attorney general’s desire to address a major meeting of SBC leaders to announce this initiative shows both the importance of the issue and the commitment of the justice department at the highest levels to defend every individual American’s religious freedom rights, particularly their free exercise rights, which are too often infringed. This initiative is needed and should make a real difference.” Among the cases included in the report is one defending the right of senior adults to pray, sing religious songs and hold Bible studies at a community senior center. At Library of Congress, Cardinal Warns against Secularism's Dangers Freedom of religion, and all freedom, can be placed at risk by an "aggressive secularism" that asserts its dominance in society, Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago warned in a Feb. 13 talk at the Library of Congress, according to Catholic News Sen’ice. In his talk — titled "What Kind of Democracy Leads to Secularization?" — Cardinal George weighed in against both legal and cultural expressions of secularism that marginalize the importance of religion in society. It is, the cardinal said, "an issue of great importance for our life together in a democratic republic." Religion "can remain a necessary and legitimate actor in our affairs," he added. "The secular must provide legitimate ground for religion" in society, Cardinal George said. "When the secular is legitimized without freedom of religion, persecution of religion becomes inevitable." Research Looks at Loyalty to Denominations among Churchgoers A recent survey conducted by Ellison Research examined loyalty to denominations and specific churches — along with length and frequency of attendance — and found that one-third of all Protestant churchgoers in the United States are not positive they will continue attending the same church in the near future, Agape Press reports. According to the survey, which polled 1,184 adults who attend a Protestant church at least once in a typical month, the average length of time adults have been attending the same church is 13.7 years. Also, the researchers found no strong differences in denominational loyalty between people in mainline and evangelical churches, but did discover distinct differences among different major denominational groups. Church, Denominational Loyalty Reflects Longevity Research conducted for Facts & Trends magazine shows two-thirds of all American Protestant churchgoers feel they will continue attending the same church in the near future, Baptist Press reports. The findings are from a study of 1,184 adults who attend a Protestant church in the United States at least once a month. The study examined loyalty to denominations and specific churches, as well as length and frequency of attendance. The average length of time adults have been attending the same church is 13.7 years. However, averages can be skewed by a relatively small number of people who cite very high numbers, with some churchgoers having attended the same congregation for decades. Probably a more accurate reflection of churchgoers in general is the median figure of 6.6 years, which means half of all churchgoers have been attending the same church for less time than this, and half for a greater length of time. Lutheran and Presbyterian denominations are particularly likely to have people attending the same church for years and years. 'Jesus Tomb' Filmmakers 'Should be Ashamed,' Archaeologist Claims. The makers of a new documentary detailing the supposed discovery of Jesus' tomb should be ashamed of the inconsistencies and unscientific evidence they are reporting in the film, said the archeologist who oversaw the initial dig, CNSNews.com reports. Nevertheless, said Amos Kloner, the film should be shown to the public in the interest of freedom of expression. "The Lost Tomb of Jesus" has come under harsh criticism from archeologists, scholars and religious figures for claiming to show the final resting place of Jesus, his 'son,' and Mary Magdalene. The assertions in the documentary fly in the face of Christianity and the Bible. The tomb was first discovered in 1980 when construction workers were digging in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Talpiot to clear the way for new apartments there. Kloner over
