Beliefs & Issues

last updated: September 27, 2008 04:19:41 AM

'Fireproof' at theaters

"Fireproof," the Christian-themed movie about a firefighter husband (Kirk Cameron) in a troubled marriage, opened Friday nationwide and is being shown at Brenden Theatres in Modesto, Regal Cinemas in Turlock and Mainplace in Merced. For times, visit www.fireproofthemovie.com/theaters or contact the theaters.

Hindu temple opens

Fully 115 years after a then-obscure Indian scholar introduced modern Hindu thought to America in a famous speech in Chicago, his disciples have opened what he called the "universal temple." More than 300 people gathered Sunday in Homer Glen, a Chicago suburb, to inaugurate the 32,000-square- foot temple, a longtime dream of Swami Vivekananda. The swami brought the Hindu message to Chicago's World Parliament of Religions in 1893.

Islam expert joins Naval Academy

An expert on Islam is joining the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., this fall. Akbar Ahmed, who is also a cultural anthropologist and the former high commissioner of Pakistan to Britain, will fill a new chair for Middle East studies. He will teach courses, advise midshipmen and faculty, and assist in research projects. Ahmed has promoted interfaith relations through his books and dialogues with Judea Pearl, father of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl.

Once-popular pastor closes Tulsa church

A Tulsa, Okla., pastor who once served as an adviser to then- President-elect Bush has shut down his church. Bishop Carlton Pearson preached his final sermon at New Dimensions Church on Sept. 7. The church, formerly known as Higher Dimensions Family Church, once had about 6,000 members. Pearson was a guest host on the Trinity Broadcasting Network and was in a group of black religious leaders that advised Bush after his election. Then Pearson began preaching that all people will go to heaven. Evangelical leaders spurned him, church membership plummeted and the church's property was lost in foreclosure.

New books

"The Duty of Delight: The Diaries of Dorothy Day," edited by Robert Ellsberg (Marquette University Press, $42). Day (1897-1980) was co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement and has been called "the most significant, interesting and influential person in the history of American Catholicism." Her diaries, sealed for 25 years after her death, reveal an intimate portrait of the woman who put faith into action.

Have you heard?

"Religion and politics must be open to each other. The presence of Christian values is fundamental for the survival of our nations and our societies."

-- Pope Benedict XVI

Lend a hand

Volunteer opportunities include helping with the Maddux Youth Center's Halloween Spooktacular. Page G-2

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