"I think God would be pleased with this. I don't think that God would want us to try to evangelize like Jesus did 2,000 years ago."
Grainger Browning Jr., pastor of the 10,000-member Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, Maryland., on increasing technology in worship services.
(Source: The Washington Post)

***

"I think her example … says, if you have doubts, keep quiet, don't use them to question dogma, challenge authority, open yourself up to new ways of thinking. Just keep kissing the rod."
Nation columnist Katha Politt, on Mother Teresa's dark night of the soul.
(Source: The Nation)

***

"Other noble religious traditions promise serenity, detachment from striving and release from the suffering of the world. Christianity, in contrast, teaches that grace is found in the worst of that suffering, and through a figure who despairs of God's presence in his parting words."
Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson, on Mother Teresa's dark night of the soul.
(Source: The Washington Post)

***

"I just am loving it. It's in newspapers around the world and every article starts with 'Emmy winner Kathy Griffin' and then the letters all just blur after that."
Kathy Griffin, whose Emmy Award acceptance speech, which mocked actors who thank Jesus, drew numerous protests.
(Source: Larry King Live)

***

"[More Amish] are realizing that the Great Commission is about going into the world and preaching the gospel and not just having your little community rules and regulations."
Steve Lapp, recently excommunicated by the Old Order Amish church for practicing a healing ministry. Amish leaders have reportedly banned large-group prayer meetings and Bible readings to limit evangelical influence.
(Source: Religion News Service)



Related Elsewhere:

Earlier Quotation Marks columns are available from the October 2007, September 2007, August 2007, July 2007, June 2007, May 2007, April 2007, March 2007, February 2007, January 2007, December 2006, and earlier issues of Christianity Today.

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