Kansas City Star: Faith

Pen pals help prisoners transform their lives

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:00 CST

The words "Society's trash is God's treasure" touched Betty Woodring. She heard them at a United Methodist Conference in 2009 from the Rev. Harold Johnson, who was speaking on prison ministry.

How is it possible to love those who hate you?

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:00 CST

The Rev. Duke Tufty, pastor, Unity Temple on the Plaza: The first question that presents itself is, "What Is Love?" The word is peppered about so frequently that it is applied to passing fancies as well as lifelong commitments.

Can one experience the greatness of the Divine without prayer?

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:00 CST

Rushdy El-Ghussein, former president of the Islamic Society of Greater Kansas City: The greatness of the Divine does not manifest itself only in prayer but in all aspects of our lives. We can see the magnificence and beauty of life and the world around us. The scientist might experience the greatness of God in God's creation and the wonders of science that God has created. A physician may experience Gods' greatness in human anatomy or in the function of the heart or the function of eyes and ears. A parent can see it in the growth of his or her child.

Faith Walk | Answers in unanswered prayers

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:00 CST

Whenever I'm going through a difficult time or facing a tough decision, I often call my mom for a little chat. I've probably called her more than a million times seeking some helpful, but sugarcoated, advice that will make me feel better and get me through the rest of my day.

Billy Graham | Look at Jesus with an open heart and mind

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:00 CST

Q.DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: As far as I'm concerned, religion is just a crutch for weak people. We need to be strong and rely on ourselves, and quit believing in something that doesn't even exist (namely, God). I'll bet you won't dare to reprint this. -- W.R.

Billy Graham | God's love never changes, even in hard times

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:00 CST

Q.DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: I can understand how God might send hard times to people who aren't religious so they'll turn to him, but why would he send hard times to people who are already close to him? Religious people seem to suffer just as much as non-religious people, don't they? -- D.L.

Each day can be Valentine's Day

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:00 CST

When we are in a relationship twisted and knotted with no way of straightening it out, we need a method for escaping its terms to affirm our love. "Deliberate Love," a 2004 book by Kansas City counselor Jim Roberts, presents such a way, summarized in the word "attention."

A conference for the open-minded

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:00 CST

he Society of Open-Minded Atheists & Agnostics at the University of Kansas supports those who may feel isolated because they question religion. Its Reasonfest conference last year attracted 700 people. This year, 1,000 are expected Feb. 11 and 12 (Darwin's birthday).

Creating the Vatican: 2-11/12-12

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:15 CST

The sometimes-awkward ways in which religions relate to political states makes for some fascinating history, and this weekend is a good time to think a bit about all of that because it was on Feb. 11, 1929, that Vatican City...

Leader is out after 11 years at Baptist seminary in KC

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

After 11 years in office, Phil Roberts is no longer president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City.

Pastor has a new purpose: weight loss

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:00 CST

Megachurch pastor Rick Warren has become an outsized evangelical superstar: best-selling author of "The Purpose Driven Life" series, pastoral mentor and even political referee.

Faithful author Dickens disliked dogma

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:00 CST

Britain's Prince Charles kicked off a yearlong celebration of Charles Dickens' 200th birthday on Tuesday with a wreath-laying ceremony at London's Westminster Abbey.

Faith Walk | Righteous are justified by faith

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:00 CST

Whether Martin Luther (the reformer) pinned his 95 theses on the door or not, true Christians should agree with him as far as righteousness is concerned instead of trying to be spiritually correct and fighting over who has the truth.

Realizing it's really not about me

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:00 CST

A common theme you hear in cultural Christianity today is, "It's not about you."

The time to give back is now

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:00 CST

I have a friend who's had a pretty tough year. She's experienced the death of her grandfather, followed unexpectedly by the death of her mother, followed again by the death of her grandmother. All this while struggling to maintain her job, family and friends. There are times when I realize I can never fully imagine the grief she has and is continually going through.

The mysterious allure of other faiths' worship

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:15 CDT

When I pulled open the door to the sanctuary of my church, I saw seven men dressed like Big Bird, moaning. I'd forgotten we were hosting Buddhist monks. They instantly reminded me of Big Bird because when I was little, I owned a winter hat with Big Bird's head sticking out of the top. Just like the monks, I was taller with my huge orange and yellow hat on.

Endless ripple effects: 2-10-12

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:15 CST

Ideas have consequences -- both for good and evil. For instance, I recall that when I was in high school I read Of Human Bondage by W

Falwell: Prophet of certitude: 2-9-12

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:15 CST

When I first glanced at Michael Sean Winter's new biography of the late Jerry Falwell, God's Right Hand: How Jerry Falwell Made God a Republican and Baptized the American Right, my temptation was to give it a fast scan and...

A tri-religious conversation: 2-8-12

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:15 CST

I have argued over and over that interfaith, or interreligious, dialogue needs to be a long-term commitment to be effective. One-shot dinners or two-hour seminars may be helpful, but, in the end, true understanding takes time and effort

Moving a congregation ahead: 2-7-12

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:15 CST

See the people in this not-very-good picture that I snapped in a hurry on my iPad2 this past Saturday? I'm honored to call them co-ministers of my congregation. They are elected officers -- elders and deacons -- who gathered this...