The Oregon Faith Report - Faith News from Oregon

Oregon Faith Report Reader Survey

1. Do you think a Governor or U.S. Senator who has been caught in adultery should be forced to resign in most circumstances?

Here are the results;

Yes 50%

No 35.7%

Undecided 14.3%

Additional reader comments included,

- Yes, and the President

- He should be voted out at the next election

What is your comment?

by Matthew E. Berger
Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS) Hate crime incidents targeting people based on their religion were at their highest frequency last year since 2001, according to a new report. The report, compiled by the Anti-Defamation League from FBI data, found 1,519 religious hate crimes in 2008, accounting for about 20 percent of all bias crimes. It was an increase from 2007, when 1,400 crimes of religious bias were reported.

Faith and Family Film Review: Old Dogs
By Catholic Office of Film and Broadcasting

Old Dogs— Passable comedy in which a sports marketing executive (Robin Williams) learns, seven years after the fact, that his quickly annulled second marriage produced fraternal twins (Conner Rayburn and Ella Bleu Travolta) whose mother (Kelly Preston), on the eve of being imprisoned briefly for an environmental protest, entrusts the kids to his care, distracting him from work on a major business deal, much to the annoyance of his longtime partner and best friend (John Travolta). Its morally murky back story aside, director Walt Becker’s dizzy dad escapade is mostly harmless, though a talented cast can do little with David Diamond and David Weissman’s thin, derivative script. A drunken wedding, a few instances of vaguely sexual and mildly scatological humor, some rough slapstick. A-II — adults and adolescents. (PG) 2009.  Full Review

Faith and Family Film Review:The Princess and the Frog
By Catholic Office of Film and Broadcasting

The Princess and the Frog— Enchanting animated musical, set in 1920s New Orleans, in which a voodoo sorcerer (voice of Keith David) casts a spell that complicates the lives of a visiting prince (voice of Bruno Campos), the headstrong heiress he hopes to marry (voice of Jennifer Cody) and her industrious working-class best friend (voice of Anika Noni Rose). As directed and co-written by John Musker and Ron Clements, the lavish hand-drawn romance, which also features delightful voice work by Michael-Leon Wooley as a jazz-loving alligator and Jim Cummings as a Cajun firefly, emphasizes the value of love over material wealth and provides quality entertainment for all ages, though images of fire-breathing masks and evil sprites may scare some tots.  A-I — general patronage. (G)   Full Review

Archdiocese of Portland in full compliance with Charter for Protection of Children
By Portland Archdiocese,

The Archdiocese of Portland was found to be in compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People for 2009.  A letter of compliance was sent to Archbishop John G. Vlazny by William A. Gavin, of The Gavin Group, Inc.  The Gavin Group is an independent auditing agency hired to determine if the Archdiocese is in compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children.  The Charter was adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in June 2002, and revised in June 2005.  The Charter provides policies and procedures for the protection of children.

Oregon Faith Report asked readers, “Who do you think could use some extra thankfulness from fellow Oregonians this Thanksgiving?” Survey results showed almost half felt the greatest recipients should be soldiers. No one placed a vote for volunteers, but in many cases volunteers are among all those listed. When asked if there was anyone we missed. One responder added “stay at home moms”.  Another said, “I would also include Chaplains, military, hospital, police, etc.  The chaplains working with the vets have tough duty.”  Here are the top four survey results:

Soldiers………………………… 41%
Teachers……………………….. 22.7%
Clergy, Pastors……………… 18.2%
Emergency Responders….13.6%

Now that you see the results, make sure to send a phone call or email to one of these deserving workers who are in need of your extra thanks.

By Wayne Loder, The Compassionate Friends

With the holidays upon us, families that have suffered the tragic loss of a child are often trying to figure out how they can simply survive the season. Unfortunately, those very people who most care about them, relatives and close friends, often say the wrong things, hurting the very people they’re trying to comfort.  According to Patricia Loder, a twice bereaved parent and executive director of The Compassionate Friends, a national self-help organization for families that have suffered the death of a child, following are a few pointers on what not to say to bereaved parents:

1) “The holidays are a time for rejoicing and giving thanks for what we have. Don’t spoil it for everyone else. Let’s pretend this never happened.”

2) “Your child is in a better place. You should be happy about that.”

By Kay Strom,
Oregon author of 36 books

America’s healthcare system—just how much of a revamp is needed? A great deal, say some.  Not much, others insist. May I contribute my own personal experience to the debate? The following is an exchange I recently had with my insurance company.

Letter to Claims Manager:

I just returned from a month in India where I was unfortunate enough to contract malaria.  Please find enclosed all the required insurance forms, filled out in triplicate, as well as copies of medical reports from India and from the doctor I saw when I returned home.

Letter from Claims Manager:

CLAIM DENIED.  Pre-Existing Condition

BEIJING, Nov. 18 /Christian Newswire/ — At 10:13 AM (Beijing time), nearly 200 nervous-looking Public Security officials seized two Chinese human rights lawyers outside the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, who were trying to establish a meeting with President Obama before the end of his visit to China. Five human rights lawyers in total contacted the U.S. Embassy on Wednesday morning, but were unable to set up a meeting, due to the President’s busy, preset schedule.

The lawyers were determined to answer the general invitation reported by U.S. media, indicating President Obama would be interested and willing to meet with fellow human rights lawyers while in Beijing. Shortly after receiving a call from the U.S. Embassy announcing they would not be able to meet, the 200-strong state police guard seized the two lawyers and interrogated them in the neighboring hotel for over an hour. The lawyers were strictly warned, “You are not allowed to meet with President Obama. We will hold you until he leaves Beijing.” The police then escorted the two lawyers to their homes, where they were to be held under constant surveillance by police guards until Obama left this afternoon.

Family-Faith Review: The Twilight Saga – New Moon
By Catholic Office of Film and Broadcasting,

The Twilight Saga: New Moon—Lovelorn gothic romance sequel in which a well-mannered vampire (Robert Pattinson), anxious to protect the mortal high school student (Kristen Stewart) who has captured his heart from the less controlled members (especially Jackson Rathbone) of the undead clan with which he lives, breaks off their relationship and disappears, but the American Indian friend (Taylor Lautner) to whom she turns for solace not only wants to be more than mere pals, he has a supernatural secret of his own. With temptations of the flesh kept at bay for fear of temptations of the blood in director Chris Weitz’s adaptation of the second book in Stephenie Meyer’s best-selling series of young-adult novels, the chaste but intermittently violent proceedings play out against a picturesque background ranging from the misty Northwest to the sunny hills of Tuscany. Considerable action violence, a vague sexual reference, at least one mildly crass term.  A-II — adults and adolescents.  (PG-13)  Full Review of Twilight: New Moon.

Faith and Family Film Review: The Blind Side,
By Catholic Office of Film and Broadcasting.

The Blind Side —Inspirational family drama, based on real events, in which a wealthy white couple (Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw) in Memphis, Tenn., offer shelter to a homeless black student (Quinton Aaron) from their children’s (Lily Collins and Jae Head) school and, as he becomes an increasingly integral part of their clan, help him to hone his football skills while also hiring a determined tutor (Kathy Bates) to raise his academic standing. Driven by Bullock’s field-sweeping performance as the feisty, religiously motivated adoptive mother, writer-director John Lee Hancock’s unapologetically Christian tale of human solidarity across racial and class divides, adapted from Michael Lewis’ 2006 best-seller “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game,” is funny, shrewd and ultimately uplifting. Brief nongraphic marital lovemaking, at least one profanity, a few sexual and drug references, a half-dozen crass terms.  A-III — adults. (PG-13) 2009. Full Review of the Blind Side. Please visit.

Washington, D.C. – A new report based on a recent national survey by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press finds that more than eight years after former President George W. Bush unveiled his faith-based initiative, the policy continues to draw broad public support. At the same time, many Americans express concerns about blurring the lines between church and state, as was the case when Bush first announced the initiative.

The survey, conducted Aug. 11-27 among 4,013 adults, finds that 69% of Americans say they favor allowing churches and other houses of worship, along with other organizations, to apply for government funding to provide social services such as job training or drug treatment counseling, while just 25% oppose this approach.

By Traci Scott,
Oregon Faith Reporter,

A provocative new book, “Onward Christian Athletes:  Turning Ballparks Into Pulpits and Players Into Preachers” examines how conservative, evangelical Christianity has become increasingly prominent in the professional sports world.  The book was written by Tom Krattenmaker, a Portland-based writer specializing in religion in public life and politics and a contributor to USA Today and The Oregonian.

Through detailed research and extensive interviews, Krattenmaker makes a convincing argument that athletes are often encouraged and sometimes pressured to make public statements of faith, thus becoming spokesmen on behalf of conservative Christianity.

Climate rally draws hundreds in Portland
By Ecumenical Minisitries of Oregon,

Today over 1,000 Portlanders gathered in Pioneer Courthouse Square joined people in 181 countries to mark the International Day of Climate Action at the Oregon 350 Climate Action Rally to call for quick action on climate change. The event was organized by the Oregon Interfaith Power and Light project in partnership with Climate Solutions, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility and over 20 organizations, businesses and congregations. Groups including the Oregon Climate Crisis Walk, the River of Action (a 350 formation of canoes and kayaks on the Willamette), the 350 Bike Ride, PSU students and a coalition of local businesses converged upon the square for music, comedy, speeches and the formation of an aerial 350 for a photo to be displayed at Time Square.

A rousing performance by the Ta Ko Hachi traditional Japanese drummers started off the rally followed by an invocation by Rabbi Cahana of Temple Beth Israel focused on the story of Noah. In this story, Noah warns for many years of a great flood before people pay attention. With global warming it has been much the same, and time is getting short to turn the tide Cahana noted.

Mission Network News Reports,

“Religious freedom advocates are pleased following President Barak Obama’s visit with Chinese President Hu Jintao, who spoke out about the need for religious freedom in China. President Obama also emphasized the importance of freedom of information in a question-and-answer session with college students in Shanghai.”

New Wineskins Blog, Oregon

The plot of the film version of Where the Wild Things Are is as simple as it is brilliant.  Feeling neglected and ignored by his older sister and mother, Max lashes out and, when his mom yells at him for his tantrum, he runs away in fear of his mom and his own anger, hiding in a thicket down the street.  He then finds an imaginary sail boat on the bank of a stream running through the thicket.  He boards the boat and sets sail, following the stream out to sea and eventually running aground on the land of the wild things.

ALBANY GA — Nov. 15, 2009 — Sherwood Church, home of the hit independent movies FLYWHEEL (DVD only), FACING THE GIANTS, and FIREPROOF (2008′s top indie film), at its Sunday evening service tonight, announced the theme and title for Sherwood Pictures’ fourth movie. Senior Pastor Michael Catt, Executive Pastor Jim McBride, and ministers Stephen and Alex Kendrick–collectively the leadership team of Sherwood Pictures–made the announcement. “The movie is about fatherhood and the title is one word: COURAGEOUS,” Alex Kendrick said, briefly outlining the plot. “Four fathers who are all in law enforcement–who protect and serve together–go through a terrible tragedy,” he said. “They begin looking at their role as fathers . . . and they begin challenging one another to fulfill God’s intention for fathers.”

Oregon Faith Report Reader Survey,
Join the discussion, 8 new faith questions can be answered here.

1. In the Fort Hood base shooting what is your leading concern?  (A) A rush to judgment or unfair blaming religion for a single person’s act. (B) The Army is not addressing combat stress, extended missions and other issues that make soldiers snap. (C) The Army is not properly addressing elements of religious extremism in its own ranks

International Christian Medical Conference under the Theme “Spirituality and Medicines” Brought 400 Doctors from 30 Nations

The 6th International Christian Medical Conference was held at President Hotel on October 30 and 31, 2009 under the auspices of Ukraine Organizing Committee of WCDN (World Christian Doctors Network), whose founder and board chairman is Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee, an evangelical pastor and the author of many Christian titles including “The Power of God”(978-1554522576). This 6th Conference was attended by 400 doctors and medical professionals from 30 nations including USA and Italy, and was featured by many medical doctors from Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and many other Russian-speaking nations.

Family-Faith Film Review: 2012
By Catholic Office of Film and Broadcasting

2012—In the disaster movie to end all fiasco flicks, a doomsday cataclysm results in billions losing their lives as the earth’s crust breaks apart, dismantling civilization and rearranging the continents. Director Roland Emmerich gives his special-effects wizards license to test the limits of the technically plausible and morally palatable, while asking moviegoers to take heart as the scenario affords a White House geologist (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and a divorced science-fiction writer (John Cusack) the chance to exhibit altruism, even as their exploits are interspersed with disturbing apocalyptic imagery, including the destruction of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Considerable crude and crass language, much profanity, a rough gesture and a few instances of sexual innuendo.  A-III — adults. (PG-13) 2009.  Full review of 2012