eChurch Blog

Francis Sedgemore has highlighted some intriguing research from the world of psychiatry, which may for the first time allow us to objectively measure something as subjective as mood. This from Francis:

……people suffering from clinical depression have difficulty in detecting differences in black and white contrast.

In their work, Ludger Tebartz van Elst and his colleagues measured the ophthalmic analogue of the electrocardiogram, and detected in these ‘pattern electroretinograms’ a dramatically lower contrast gain in depressed subjects, whether or not they were taking antidepressant drugs. The researchers also found a correlation between contrast gain and severity of depression.

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If this reseach is validated, then this could potentially afford us an exciting opportunity to objectively measure levels of depression, and tailor therapy accordingly!

Hey there’s a great discussion going on over at Marc Cortez’s blog which is well worth checking out, as it’s one of those Million Dollar Questions:

Scientia et Sapientia – Why do non-Calvinists hate Calvinism so much?

Tim Kimberley over at the Parchment and Pen blog, is featuring a series based on the top ten Biblical discoveries in archaeology.

As promised, I intend to link to them from here, and so here is the fourth offering, at number seven on the list:

Top Ten Biblical Discoveries in Archaeology – #7 Hezekiah’s Tunnel

Isn’t this a sad indictment.

Catholic Herald:

British police have said they are monitoring the internet for threats against the Pope and attempts to disrupt the papal visit in September.

Chief Constable Meredydd Hughes, who is co-ordinating the national police effort for the papal visit, said police were monitoring extremist websites and other media that appear to be targeting the Pope.

He was reacting to reports that an Islamist website has urged Birmingham Muslims to disrupt the papal Mass at Cofton Park.

Chief Constable Hughes said: “We are aware of this website and are monitoring it closely, as indeed we are monitoring all such websites and media.

“Although we are unable to discuss the content of individual websites, we will of course ensure that such measures are taken as to protect the Pope and all those who are coming to see him.”

Questions about the Pope’s safety arose last week after a post on the Leicester-based website suggested that Muslims in Birmingham use the opportunity of the papal Mass to protest against the Pope.

The website, called the Islamic Standard, urged Muslims to “tell the Pope just what they think of him after his insults against the Prophet Muhammad”.

It also said the Birmingham event was not only a chance to “challenge these evil words of this evil Pope” but that it was also a chance to “call people away from the shirk [idolatry] of worshipping the dead like the Catholics do, calling out to them for help and intercession”.

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On a more positive note at least that wretched and pointless e-petition is finally closed:

CNA

A May response from the U.K. government to an electronic petition asking it to “disassociate” itself from the views of Pope Benedict XVI has resurfaced in the news. The petition’s author argued it was prematurely closed to help the Pope save face, but evidence shows his petition was halted like all the others.

Under the Gordon Brown government, the official website of the British prime minister, www.number10.gov.uk, allowed “e-petitions” to be submitted to give citizens a voice on an official platform. Petitions with over 500 signatures were promised responses.

Among the petitions lodged before the Brown administration lost the elections this past May was one one imploring the prime minister “to disassociate the British government from the Pope’s intolerant views ahead of the Papal visit to Britain in September 2010.”

The petition had garnered more than 12,000 signatures before it was blocked on April 6, like all other petitions from the previous government, with the entry of David Cameron’s newly-elected government.

A May 11th statement from Cameron’s cabinet in response to the petition confirmed the Pope’s trip as a state visit, by invitation of the Queen, for Sept. 16-19.

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I was advised yesterday that the key to remaining content in all circumstances is to always count my blessings.

Philippians 4:11-13:

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

This should give rise to:

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Do you have any good news or blessings you could share with us?

I found this quite heartening as in Christ all are welcome and equal.

The Press and Journal

More than 150 travelling people have arrived in Aberdeen for the start of a five-day religious convention.

Almost 60 caravans had pulled up at Calder Park by last night as the Christian gathering got under way.

The event kicked off at 8.30am yesterday with dozens of travellers attending a prayer meeting in a marquee that had been pitched in the field.

[.....]

A gospel meeting is also being held in the marquee every evening at 6.30pm. Last night, the tent, which can hold 150 people, was almost full of the travellers, as well as some members of the public.

[Note: Are Travellers not members of the public?]

[.....]

A spokesman for Aberdeen City Council confirmed about 50 caravans had arrived by midday yesterday.

He added: “The event is going ahead peacefully and the area has been kept clean and tidy.”

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NPR:

Alongside China’s astonishing economic boom, an almost unnoticed religious boom has quietly been taking place.

In the country’s first major survey on religious beliefs, conducted in 2006, 31.4 percent of about 4,500 people questioned described themselves as religious. That amounts to more than 300 million religious believers, an astonishing number in an officially atheist country, and three times higher than the last official estimate, which had largely remained unchanged for years.

The collapse of the communist ideology created a void that has left many Chinese staring into a spiritual vacuum, looking for a value system to counterbalance the rampant materialism that seems to govern life in China.

“Chinese people don’t know what to believe in anymore,” says Liu Zhongyu, a professor at East China Normal University in Shanghai, who conducted the survey. “And since the political atmosphere has relaxed, they turn to religion for comfort.”

One young evangelical Christian missionary travels from rural village to village in the Protestant heartland in eastern China to proselytize. She attributed her own conversion to the overwhelming pressures of China’s education system.

“In high school, I felt very depressed,” said the bright-eyed young woman, who gave her name as Nicole. “I felt people had no direction, and I felt life was dry and boring. I felt the pressure of school was very high. God helped me and liberated me.”

Although proselytizing is still illegal in China today, she and a group of friends are openly preaching in villages, without official interference. China has come a long way from the dark days of the Cultural Revolution, which ended in 1976, when all religious practice was banned, and monks and clergy were sent to prison or to perform hard labor.

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Zenit

This weekend the Vatican was targeted in a cyber attack by an unknown person who used the Google Internet search engine to misdirect Web browsers searching for information.

On Saturday, any user who typed the word “Vatican” into the search field on Google’s Web page was directed to the site “www.pedofilo.com” as the first suggestion, rather than the proper Vatican Web page.

Users who entered this site proposed by the search engine viewed a blank page.

When this misdirection was discovered, Google was informed, said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office.

The Internet organization immediately apologized and assured the Holy See that it would do what it could to resolve the problem as soon as possible.

On Sunday morning the problem seemed to be corrected, as users were once again directed to the proper Vatican Web page upon initiating a search for it.

Although the person who caused this problem has not been found, the indications suggested that the operation may have been carried out by someone who had significant knowledge of how Google functions.

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Further Link:

Catholic News Agency – Vatican website may have been ‘Google bombing’ victim

Israel National News

Israelis on Monday evening marked the beginning of Tisha B’Av, the national day of mourning over the loss of Israel’s ancient temples

The First Temple was destroyed 2,500 years ago by the Babylonians, and the Second Temple was demolished 2,000 years ago by the Romans.

To mark the day, the Knesset TV Channel conducted a survey asking Israelis if they desire the building of a Third Temple. A 49 percent plurality said they do. Only 23 percent said they do not want a Third Temple.

However, 48 percent said they don’t think the State of Israel should take active steps to reclaim control of the Temple Mount and build a Third Temple there. Israelis across the board fear the hostile and violent international and Muslim reaction that such a move would certainly evoke.

The Muslim authorities that today control the Temple Mount play off those fears, and Jews are rarely allowed to visit the site. Jews and Christians alike are forbidden to utter prayers or carry Bibles atop the Temple Mount.

Here’s some links from the last few days which I found interesting for one reason or another:

The Church Mouse – A HUGE congrats to Mr & Mrs Mouse

The Ugley Vicar – Evangelicalism – not division but dilution?

Dr Calvin L Smith – Time to tone down the language

Cranmer’s Curate – Redemption is Christ’s Business not Caesar’s

Biblicus Semitae – Mouseless – An Invisible Computer Mouse

Epiphenom – How are British kids doing these days?

Dr Jim West – Dilettantism, Thy Name is Hollywood

Clayboy – Film Inception: a post-modernist’s wet dream

Telegraph – Half of Britons have broken the law at least three times in the past year often without realising it, according to a new study.

BBC – One of the country’s top stores is to start its Christmas trading 145 days before the holiday.

Science and Theology – Miracles and Science

Christian Hate – Farewell Daleep Mukarji, Israel-baiter

Seismic Shock – Anti-Zionist Methodist Turns To The Anglicans For More Boycotts

Jack of all Trades – So, you want a set of horns, do you?

Gavin Drake – Never let the facts get in the way of a good (church) news story

Dr Jim West – Is Holy Land Archaeology Being Hyped by Politics?

Parchment and Pen – Why I Reject Other Gods: An Answer to Stephen F Roberts

Storied Theology – Are We Good for Anything?

BioLogos – What Do Most Christians Really Believe About Evolution?

CathNews – The Catholic Church has launched a catechism video game to touch base with technology-savvy youth.