It had been a very busy time. I’d already been in Israel and Palestine for a month or so. In between volunteer shifts (I was there with the World Council of Churches) I had been taking every opportunity to meet people and see the sights.
Although there is a wonder about that place, there’s also a sadness. For every inspiring historical site, there’s another contemporary situation that breaks your heart.
So it was in a state of some tiredness that I came woke early in my apartment near Ramallah in Palestine, headed through the misery of the Qalandiya checkpoint and up into the north of Israel.
I was to be staying for the weekend at a Kibbutz near Nazareth. This was an unusual enough experience in itself but I was also going to be there throughout Sabbath, staying with an observant family. Continue reading
David E. Taylor, a self-proclaimed “prophet,” asserted on Aug. 25 that he brought a dead woman back to life through a message on Facebook.
Do you remember all of the buzz about 
A WOMAN has pleaded guilty to three charges of bestiality after police found videos of her having sex with a dog on her mobile phone while she was under investigation for drug trafficking.
The bishop of Grantham has become the first Church of England bishop to publicly declare that he is gay and in a relationship. In a move that will be embraced by campaigners for equality but is likely to alarm conservatives who fear the church is moving away from traditional teachings, Nicholas Chamberlain said there had been no secret about his long-term – albeit celibate – relationship with his partner.
Islamic State has singled out Pope Francis as its chief enemy.
“China, Russia already announcing ‘necessary’ steps they want to take. …Pointing to the U.N.’s Geneva Declaration of Principles which clearly lays out the U.N.’s designs on taking over the Internet, Bergman argues that the giveaway could, “spell the end of the current era of free speech on the Internet, as well as free enterprise.” Authoritarian governments around the world bolster Bergman’s case. China issued a statement saying, “It is necessary to ensure that United Nations plays a facilitating role in setting up international public policies pertaining to the Internet.” The Russians weighed in, arguing that, “We consider it necessary to consecutively increase the role of governments in the Internet governance, with strengthening the activity of the International Telecommunications Union [the UNs telecommunications arm] in this field… in the development of ethical aspects of Internet use.” –