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Pope religious violence isn't truly religious

There are many stories today about the meeting of world religious leaders in Assisi. No time to sum it all up now, but here are links:

• Faith groups gather in Assisi to seek peace | In a world shaken by terrorism and religious conflict, Pope John Paul II and leaders from all major faiths are uniting to show that faith can be a source of mutual respect and serve as an antidote to violence (The Christian Science Monitor)
• Pope denounces violence in religion's name (The New York Times)
• Pope and religious leaders shun war in God's name (Reuters)
• Pope leads prayer for peace (Associated Press)
• Pope unites religious leaders in pilgrimage for peace (The Daily Telegraph)
• Pope lights beacon of hope (BBC)
• World's religious leaders join Pope in prayer for an end to terrorism (The Times)
• Pope to Pray with Other Religions for World Peace (Reuters)
• Worried Pope prays for peace (BBC)
• Mission from above | Religious leaders join Pope in Assisi to give peace a chance (The Sydney Morning Herald)

Popular culture:

• Christians love Lord of the Rings | Film has won high praise from religious groups for what they see as Christian values in the story (Associated Press)
• Rising star balances work and religion | The Count Of Monte Cristo's Jim Caviezel is a devout Catholic (Daily News Los Angeles)
• Taking a leap of faith on film | In a rare move for Hollywood, the lead character in A Walk to Remember is a Christian. Religious leaders and studio execs are closely watching (Los Angeles Times)
• Soccer Jesus and the teen religious revival | There is a ready market for Jesus Sports Statues and other such kitsch (AdWeek)
• Misread rapture? | Despite its enormous success, "Left Behind" is being criticized on theological grounds by some Christians who say the story of worldwide tribulation following a sudden "Rapture" of born-again believers is based on a faulty interpretation of the Bible. (The Washington Times)

Church and state:

• Federal judge rules VMI prayers unconstitutional | Praying before dinner is a "state-sponsored religious exercise" (The Washington Post)
• District defends ban on Columbine's religious tiles | Move was for mental health, educators say (The Rocky Mountain News)
• The fate of Easter service comes down to chance | A coin toss today will determine who will produce the annual sunrise event at the Hollywood Bowl. Veteran organizers of the event are outraged by county's decision. (Los Angeles Times)
• ACLU opposes town's anti-Satan proclamation | Organization says it will file suit if declarations are not removed from entrances to town (Associated Press)

Missions and ministry:

• A guide for birds who pray | A Pentecostal pastor from Cherry Hill ministers to many of the Eagles, giving players lessons on manhood and the power of humility. (The Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Billy Graham's team hits North Texas | Members laying groundwork for evangelist's visit (The Dallas Morning News)
• Congress aspires to fire up the faithful | The thousands of people expected at Vision New England's three-day congress 2002, which begins today, are aiming to ``Reignite Your Passion for God (Boston Herald)

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January (Web-only) 2002, Vol. 46