Bible Reading Quietly and Aloud

This is a repost of "Bible Reading Quietly and Aloud." The link which I had for this post seems to have been incorrect.  I believe that it is correct now.  Enjoy these beautiful Bible readings by Joan Kent, a Christian painter, textile artist, reflexologist, and hypnotherapist in the city of Rayleigh in Essex (UK).  I would like to direct you to her blog, "Where do I go from here? ," in which she features mp3 audio recordings of Bible readings.  Her readings are lyrical and precise.

Christians

At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian.   Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, of their orthodoxy or lack of it, or of their actions.  Some of those listed may surprise you.  Readers are encouraged to suggest persons who should be included on this list.  This is a recurring segment in this blog.

Leonard James Callaghan, Baron Callaghan of Cardiff: (b. 1912, England - d. 2005) Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1976 - 1979. Baptist, converted to Atheist.

Margaret Hilda Roberts Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher: (b. 1925, England - d. 2013) 

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1979 - 1990. Methodist, converted to Anglican.

Sir John Major: (b 1943, England) Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1990 - 1997, Anglican

Anthony Charles Lynton Blair: (b 1953, England) Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1997 - 2007, Anglican, converted to Roman Catholic

James  Gordon Brown: (b. 1951, England) Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 2007 - 2010, Church of Scotland

Another Update on the Karen Shahan Murder Case

The Karen Shahan Murder investigation just continues to become more and more bizarre.  The case has not yet gone to trial so more information will probably follow.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2541359/Pastor-53-arrested-airport-stabbing-wife-death-heading-Europe-marry-boyfriend.html

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2014/01/richard_shahan_allegations_abo.html

Freedom of Religious Association

At his Religion Law Blog , British attorney Neil Addsion discusses the legal case, Fernandez-Martinez c. Espagne .  This is a case before the European s in which a Roman Catholic Religious Education teacher (Jose Antonio Fernandez Martinez) at a State school brought a lawsuit against a Roman Catholic bishop for his refusal to renew the teacher’s contract because the teacher was an advocate of “pro-optional celibacy.”

This is an interesting legal case which concerns the issues of freedom of religion and freedom of association for religious groups.  Similar issues are currently being hotly discussed in the United States over the issue of whether or not religious groups can be forced to provide for their employees insurance coverage for contraception and/or abortion.  A secondary issue in the United States is whether or not church-sponsored schools, health clinics, food ministries, etc. which are not directly “religious” in nature are also “church;” whether or not these institutions are also covered by the same freedoms and guarantees as are literal churches.

Laws from one nation are not directly applicable to another since each country or group of countries is autonomous, but rulings in one country can establish a precedent which can be taken into consideration in deliberations in another.

“ … the teacher was submitted to an increased obligation of loyalty because of the special nature of his position. …  The judgment is undoubtedly important in the sphere of Human Rights jurisprudence and could strengthen the position of Faith Schools in the UK in relation to ensuring that the conduct of teachers conforms to the beliefs of their religion.”  Neil Addison

Without approving or disapproving of the action of the bishop in this case or any other, it is clear that the real underlying issues are far more fundamental than they, at first, seem to be.

Christians

At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian.  They are included under their most commonly known name. Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, of their orthodoxy or lack of it, or of their actions.  Readers are encouraged to suggest persons who should be included on this list.  This is a recurring segment in this blog.

Mortimer Cherry: (b. 1925, Alabama, USA – d. 2012; aka: “Mort”) U.S. Marine Corp veteran, steelworker, deacon.  Baptist.

Saint Apollonia: (d. 249, Alexandria, Egypt) Virgin martyr.  Since all of her teeth were violently broken and pulled out during her martyrdom, she is regarded as the patron saint of dentists by Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and the Copts.  She jumped into the fire which the mob built to burn her.

Jennifer Carole Ledger: (b. 1989, United Kingdom) Drummer and vocalist in the Christian rock music band, Skillet.

Adam of Eynsham: (b.ca. 1155, England – d. after 1233)  Roman Catholic monk, abbot of Eynsham Abbey, historian, hagiographer.

Phoebe: (fl. 1^st century AD/CE Greece) Phoebe is mentioned only in Romans 16:1,2.  She was either the first, or one of the first deaconesses.  She was serving the church in Cenchrae (the modern village of Kechries, Greece), the port town of the city of Corinth (the modern city of Korinthos, Greece).   Paul sent Phoebe to carry his letter (Romans) to the church at Rome. 

Charles Spurgeon on the Bible

"The Word of God is like a lion.  You don't have to defend a lion.  All you have to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself."  Charles Haddon Spurgeon, English Baptist preacher (1834-1892)