with contributions from Wang Shanshan, Hu Yongqi, Lu Junting, Wu Yiyao, Solange De Santis
YU JIANRONG,
a researcher with the CASS [Chinese Academy of Social Science], said many church properties were closed down during the "cultural revolution.
with contributions from Misty Harris, Kim Schneider
THE POWER OF PRAYER
has long been controversial, but a new study in a leading psychological journal finds some of the first scientific evidence that it truly works—at least on the person doing the praying.
"It Is Astonishing," wrote Karl Barth, "how many references there are in the Old and New Testaments to delight, joy, bliss, exultation, merry-making, and rejoicing, and how emphatically these are demanded from the book of Psalms to the Epistle to the Philippians.
ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009,
the Charter for Compassion was unveiled—a statement calling for greater compassion, and greater application of the Golden Rule, throughout the world.
At the same
time that Ukrainian candidates are battling each other for votes in the upcoming presidential election, Christian doctors gathering in Kiev, the country's capital, for a "Spirituality and Medicine" conference have already cast their vote—for "miracles.
with contributions from Alisa Roadcup, Adelle Banks, Patrick J. McDonnell
THE COUNCIL FOR
a Parliament of the World's Religions, a leading advocate of interreligious peace, is pleased to announce a Conflict Resolution Program to be offered at the fifth Parliament of Religions, to be held December 3–9, 2009, in Melbourne, Australia [see Items of Interest, August 31, 2009].
with contributions from Stephanie King, Cathy Lynn Grossman, Duke Helfand
AUTHOR AND GRAPHIC ARTIST
Ilene Winn-Lederer has completed her five-year book project, Between Heaven & Earth: An Illuminated Torah Commentary, just released from Pomegranate Communications.
