tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35090110726830451572024-03-19T01:47:28.424-07:00Theology and SocietyI am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. -Jesus
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-John 14:6George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.comBlogger9434125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-62328339805551679592024-03-18T10:15:00.000-07:002024-03-18T10:15:20.900-07:00Pope: Family, Community Are Keys to Ending Secularism; Developing Faith in Christ Requires Relationship with Family<p> Faced with decades of rising secularism, the Church must invest in families and in strengthening other forms of community to transmit faith, Pope Francis said on March 15, 2024, the Catholic News website reports. </p><p><br /></p><p>"The big issue before us is to understand how to overcome the rupture that has been established in the transmission of faith," the pope told members of the Dicastery for Evangelization's section for new evangelization on March15.</p><p><br /></p><p>Developing faith in Christ "requires a meaningful experience lived in the family and in the Christian community as a life--changing encounter with Jesus Christ in order to be transmitted," he wrote in his message to members of the dicastery during their plenary assembly. "Without this real and existential encounter, one will always be subject to the temptation to make faith a theory and not a testimony of life."</p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-10553226756526834382024-03-17T14:02:00.000-07:002024-03-17T14:02:24.067-07:00Ind. School Orders Students Not to Pray Together; Coach Orders Track Team Not to Pray before Meet<p>The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) has confirmed that it has filed a federal lawsuit over an Indiana school district's order that students not gather together for prayer, the WND website reports </p><p><br /></p><p>One coach threatened track team members . " "Don't let me see you do that again," after they gathered before a track meet for prayer, the ACLJ said, describing it as a "blatant violation of students' First Amendment rights."</p><p><br /></p><p>The students were instructed that they must not be seen praying together as a group and that they would engage in a moment of 'reflection' alone in small groups of two or three ." the ACLJ said. . </p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-30015305191641138132024-03-16T09:30:00.000-07:002024-03-16T10:27:04.245-07:00Vatican Says Women Deacons on Docket for Synod; Ways of Welcoming LGBTQ Community Also Considered<p> Organizers of Pope Francis's ongoing Synod of Bishops on Synodality announced March 14 that 10 different working groups had been formed in the Roman Curia to address specific topics that came out of last year's session, the Crux website reports t oday (March 16, 2024). </p><p><br /></p><p>These topics are restricted to issues mentioned inside the synod hall and include hot--button questions such as women's access to the diaconate and ways of welcoming the LGBTQ community.</p><p><br /></p><p>Monsignor Piero Coda, secretary general of the International Theological Commission, said issues of homosexuality, and the women's diaconate are on the agenda, and various materials will be included in these topics. </p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-7995204762414184762024-03-15T10:31:00.000-07:002024-03-15T10:33:21.171-07:00NATO Chief Warns Allies not to Suerrender to Russaia; Says Ukraine Can Defeat Russia on Battlefield<p> NATO Secretary -Geneeral Jens Stoltenberg has warned members of the bloc against committing a "historic mistake" by allowing Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, to secure victory in the Ukraine conflict, the RT website reports today (March 15, 2024). </p><p><br /></p><p>Speaking at a conference in Brussels on March 14, Stoltenberg insisted that Ukraine has proven that it is capable of defeating Russia on the battlefield and has survived thus far, thanks to the "unprecedented" support of NATO countries. </p><p><br /></p><p>Now, however, Kiev is "running out of ammunition," the NATO chief warned, and called on bloc members to mobilize their reserves and "show the political will" to provide Ukraine with everything it needs to continue the fight. </p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-12249037541274337412024-03-14T10:37:00.000-07:002024-03-14T10:40:12.431-07:00US House Passes Legislation to Sell TikTok; Fear TikTok's Chineses Owners May Betray US Info<p> The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation on March 13, 2024 that would force Chinese company Byte Dance to sell TikTok in order for the social media app to be allowed to operate in the U.S., the Daily Caller website reports.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act advanced from the House Energy and Commerce Committee by a unanimous vote on March 7.</p><p><br /></p><p>The legislation's proponents argue that the app, immensely popular with teens and young people for its customized song and dance features on short clip videos, poses national security risks. TikTok' parent company, ByteDance, is based in Beijing and may expose American user darta to Chinese government surveillance. </p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-43933251980783421912024-03-13T09:20:00.000-07:002024-03-13T09:22:52.478-07:00Aid Ship Heads to Gaza to Ease Famine There; Barge with 200 Tons of Food Leaves Cyprus<p> The first humanitarian aid ship using a new maritime corridor departed Cyprus yesterday and headed to Gaza, where more than 1 million people face an increasing threat of starvation and reports of malnutrition --related deaths are rising, according to health officials and organizations, the USA Today website reports today (March 13, 2024). </p><p><br /></p><p>The food shortage and exorbitant prices for what's available are especially dire in the north amid Israel's restrictors on aid .</p><p><br /></p><p>The vessel, towing a barge with 200 tons of food, collected by the nonprofit World Central Kitchen, carries the first shipment of aid sent by sea to the territory since the war started. </p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-8749117691582048582024-03-12T10:09:00.000-07:002024-03-12T10:20:19.800-07:00Study: Aged Should Pay for Care Based on Wealth; Rejects Idea of a Tax Levy to Cover Aged Costs<p>A taskforce reviewing funding arrangements for aged care has rejected the idea of a tax levy to cover the sector's costs and instead suggested Australians accessing care should pay more based on their personal wealth , the ABC News website reports today (March 12, 2024).</p><p><br /></p><p>The Albanese Government established a taskforce last year to find out how the country could properly fund aged care, following a range of recommendations made by a damning royal commission into the sector. </p><p><br /></p><p>A total of $23.6 billion was spent on aged care in 2020--21, which increased to $24.8 billion in 2021--22, and $27.1 billion last financial year in 2022--23 with aged care expenditure expected to reach $42 billion by 2026--27. </p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-41726599070593140042024-03-11T09:45:00.000-07:002024-03-11T09:53:16.126-07:00Biden Claims Netanyahu " Hurting" Israel with War; Wants to Speak to Knesset to End War<p> President Joe Biden claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the ongoing war in Gaza is damaging Israel in an interview with MSNBC on March 9, adding that he would like to speak to members of the Knesset (the Israeli Congress) to push for a change in the conflict's management and plans for the post--war Strip, the WIN (World Israel News) website reports. </p><p><br /></p><p>Biden said that Netanyahu is "hurting Israel more than helping Israel,"due to the number of civilian lives lost during the current war.</p><p><br /></p><p>Notably, Biden uncritically accepted the claim from the Hamas--controlled Gazan Health Ministry that some 30,000 civilians had been killed -- a number which cannot be confirmed by neutral sources, and likely includes a significant number of Hamas terrorists. </p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-58702107053695002682024-03-10T15:25:00.000-07:002024-03-10T15:25:21.240-07:00Nigeria Killed over 52K Chrisrtians in Past Decade; Violence Carried Out by Boko Haram Islam Insurgency<p> Nigeria has established over many years a solid reputation for allowing its Islamic militants over the last decade or more to have killed "at least 52,520 Nigerian Christians," the WND website reports today (March 10, 2024). </p><p><br /></p><p>The violence is carried out by the Boko Haram Islamist insurgency, which targets Christians and faces little pushback from the government there.</p><p><br /></p><p>That report also noted that over the same time period, 18,000 churches were set on fire, and 2,200 Christian scdhools were burned. </p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-21907686285555708942024-03-09T11:19:00.000-08:002024-03-09T11:25:05.027-08:00Universities Teach Students to Blow Up Pipelines; Use Book Backing Terrorism, Ending Capitalism<p>At least 16 American universities are promoting the book "How to Blow Up A Pipeline," which outlines for readers how to commit eco--terrorism -- often making it required reading , the Daily Wire website reports today (March 9, 2024). </p><p><br /></p><p>The book was published in 2021 by Swedish professor Andreas Malm and calls for terrorism and overthrowing capitalism, acknowledging that people will be killed as a result. </p><p><br /></p><p>"Demolish them, burn them , blow them up. Let the capitalists who keep investing in the fire know that their properties will be trashed, " the book says. </p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-16418532791303441882024-03-08T10:48:00.000-08:002024-03-08T11:00:24.252-08:00Sweden Officially Joins the NATO Peace Treaty; NATO Now Has 32 Members, Sweden in Yesterday<p> Sweden became NATO's newest member yesterday (March 7, 2024), upon depositing its instrument of accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization with the Government of the U.S. in Washington, D.C.,the NATOHQ/news website reports today (March 8, 2024).</p><p><br /></p><p>With Sweden's accession, NATO now has 32 countries among its membeers. </p><p><br /></p><p>NATO Secretary Gweneral Jens Stoltenberg said: "This is a historic day. Sweden will now take its rightful place at NATO's table, with an equal say in shaping NATO policies and decisions..."</p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-37937537202051101162024-03-07T09:22:00.000-08:002024-03-07T09:23:58.572-08:00NY Gov. Calls up National Guard for NYC Subways; Due to Surge in Recent Crime in them<p> New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is sending in the state National Guard to New York City to help police curb a surge in crime in the city's subways, the Yahoo News website reports today (March 7, 2024). </p><p><br /></p><p>Announcing a five--point plan yesterday, the Democratic governor said she was deploying 750 members of the National Guard to the subways to assist the New York Police Dept. with bag searches at entrances to busy train stations. </p><p><br /></p><p>"For people who are thinking about bringing a gun or knife on the subway, at least this creates a deterrent effect..." she said. </p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-60254781180349135322024-03-06T09:19:00.000-08:002024-03-06T09:22:02.255-08:00Biden: Gaza Ceasefire Deal Is in Hamas' Hands; Deal Wanted for Ramada which Begins Next Week<p>U.S. President Joe Biden said yesterday that it was in the hands of Hamas whether to accept a deal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages, as delegations held a third day of talks with no sign of a breakthrough, the Reuters website reports today (March 6, 2024). </p><p><br /></p><p>Negotiations from the Palestinian militant group, Qatar and Egypt -- but not Israel -- are in Cairo trying to secure a ceasefire with Israel in time for the Muslim fasting month of Ramada, which begins next week.</p><p><br /></p><p>The deal presented to Hamas would free some hostages captured by Palestinian militants in the October attack that precipitated the war. </p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-90985602970465273382024-03-05T09:44:00.000-08:002024-03-05T09:44:17.217-08:00What Is "Postmodernism" and Why Is It Importanr? Can Mean "Younger People Are Very Different Today"<p>The word "postmodern" is heard a lot, but how many know what it really means? the Christian Today website reports today (March5, 2024).</p><p><br /></p><p>The way it is used varies and can be confusing. It can refer to new ideas about gender, the fight between the powerful and the oppressed, obscure philosophical discussions, or modern art. It's often used in a way that just means "younger people are very different nowadays, and I don't understand them."</p><p><br /></p><p>Taking time to understand the concept can help older generations to communicate with younger generations, address some of the problems we have in society at present,and explain why traditional ways of sharing the Christian faith are less effective than they used to be. </p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-43968740151610210962024-03-04T09:58:00.000-08:002024-03-04T10:04:56.821-08:00Famous Kittery Outlet Stores to Be Torn Down; Town Planning Board OKd Razing the Outlets<p> The town of Kittery,, Maine's Planning Board gave final approval in February to a phased renovation of the Outlets at Kittery at 283 Route 1, which is located next to the famous Kittery Trading Post, the Boston Globe website reported on March 3, 2024.</p><p><br /></p><p>The town has been exploring for years how to convert dying retail space into mixed units. Kittery used to be the most productive retail mile in America, but it has been struggling ever since Amazon came along. </p><p><br /></p><p>The new project includes housing and a hotel aimed at nearby Portsmouth Naval Shipyard workers. </p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-39721768525268391762024-03-03T14:55:00.000-08:002024-03-03T14:58:51.564-08:00Powerful Calif. Blizzard Hits Sierra Nevada Area; Heavy Snow Closes Roads to Lake Tahoe<p> The most powerful California blizzard of the season pounded the Sierra Necvada with gusts up to 190 mph , while heavy snow on March 2 forced the closure of key roads to the Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Mountain areas, the Yahoo News website reports. </p><p><br /></p><p>The main road to Mammoth Mountain ski resort , Highway 395, was shut down in both directions -- to the south, toward Southwern California, and to the north, toward Reno. </p><p><br /></p><p>The 75-mile stretch was closed from northwest of Bishop in Inyo County to Bridgeport <i>in Mono County, "due to multiple spinouts and collisions, as well as whiteout conditions," the Calif. Dept. of Transportation said.</i></p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-47049340691695137712024-03-02T09:44:00.000-08:002024-03-02T09:56:19.208-08:00Biden: US to Drop Humanitarian Aid to Gaza; Eases Hunger, Suffering of Israel--Hamas War<p>President Joe Biden said yesterday (March 1, 2024) that the U.S.would airdrop humanitarian assistance into the Gaza Strip to help alleviate hunger and suffering triggered by the Israel--Hamas war, the USA Today website reports. </p><p><br /></p><p>Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Biden said "innocent people" have died in Gaza.He said the airdrops would start "in the coming days." </p><p><br /></p><p>The humanitarian aid will be delivered by a U.S. military aircraft, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly. </p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-26651593480197211952024-03-01T09:41:00.000-08:002024-03-01T09:41:11.559-08:00Record No. of Americans See Illegal Immigration as Threat; About 57% See It as a Critical Threat<p>A record share of Americans view illegal immigration as a major threat in the U.S., the Christian Post website reports today (Maerch 1, 2024).</p><p><br /></p><p>Gallup released the poll Feb. 27, based on responses collected from 1,016 U.S. adults from Feb. 1--20. Respondents were asked about their views on the issue of immigration .</p><p><br /></p><p>The share of Americans who characterized illegal immigration as a critical threat facing the U.S. reached a record high of 57% this year. </p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-72573984362966920172024-02-29T09:45:00.000-08:002024-02-29T09:46:50.710-08:00Biden Reveals Israel--Hamas Peace Deal on TV; Said Peace Would Occur in the War by March 4<p> An official reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was "surprised" that U.S. President Joe Biden declared that a hostage deal and temporary ceasefire would be in place "by Monday" (March 4), the United Israel wqebsite reports today (Feb. 29, 2024).</p><p><br /></p><p>In adddirtion, Hamas leaders said that Biden's optimism that there would be an agreement was "premature." </p><p><br /></p><p>Speaking on "Late Night with Seth Myers," Bisden said he expected the ceasefire and hostage release deal would start "I hope by the beginning of the weekend, I mean the end of the weekend."</p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-6966190960697103742024-02-28T09:15:00.000-08:002024-02-28T09:15:09.336-08:00Popcorn Can Be Healthy Source of Fiber, a Good Snack; But Buttery, Movie--Style Can Be High in Sodium, Harmful<p> Popcorn is a type of corn kernel that puffs up or "pops" when heated, the Health website reports t oday (Feb. 28, 2024). </p><p><br /></p><p>As a whole grain, popcorn is low in calories and a good source of fiber. However. not all popcorn is created equal. </p><p><br /></p><p>When kept in its purest form, popcorn can b a nourishing snack. But many forms of popcorn -- such as the buttery movie --style popcorn -- can be high in sodium, saturated fat, and potentially harmful preservatives. </p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-34728222745096475932024-02-27T13:55:00.000-08:002024-02-27T14:04:21.770-08:00Ten. Law Lets Officials Refuse to Perform Same-Sex Marriages; If Rel. Beliefs Make It Unable to <p> A new Tennessee law will allow public Officials to refuse to perform same--sex marriages if their religious beliefs make them unable to do o in good coscience, the Christian Post website reports today (Feb. 27, 2024).</p><p><br /></p><p>Tennessee's Republican Gov.Bill Lee signed into law House Bill 878 on Feb. 21.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Republican--controlled Tennessee Senate approved the bill in a 27--5 vote earlier this month after the House of Rep. passed the legislation in a 74--22 vote last year.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-19679133083176057142024-02-26T08:38:00.000-08:002024-02-26T08:38:32.545-08:00Pope Pleads for a Lasting Peace in Ukraine; It Has Been 2 Yrs. Since Russia Invaded Ukraine<p> Pope Francis yesterday lamented the deaths, injuries, destruction and anguish of t he past two years since Russia's full--scale invasion of Ukraine -- a period, he said, "that is becoming terribly long and whose end is not yet in sight," the Catholic News website reports today (Feb. 26, 2024).</p><p><br /></p><p>In remarks following the Sunday Angelus, the pope warned that the warr in Ukraine "is not only devastating the region of Europe, but unleashing a global wave of fear and hatred."</p><p><br /></p><p>While renewing jis "vivid sympathy" and prayers for "the tormented Ukrainian people," the pope pleaded "for the recovery of that little bit of humanity that will allow the conditions of a diplomatic solution to be created in the search for a just and lasting peace."</p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-87772283891821158582024-02-25T15:52:00.000-08:002024-02-25T15:55:18.222-08:00Holocaust Survivor Still Playsl Drum at Age of 99; Saul Dreier Plays with Holocaust Survivors Band <p> Saul Dreier, fresh out of rehab after hip surgery. was ready for an interview, and the 99-year-old showed it by diving right into the story, one he's told many times , the USA Today website reports on Feb.24, 2024. It wasn't the story of his idyllic childhood in Krakow, Poland. Or how that was shattered when World War II broke out, or how he and his family were forced like hundreds of thousands of other Jews into ghettos as Nazis occupied the country. </p><p><br /></p><p>Instead, Dreier, who's played all over the world with his Holocaust Survivors Band, launched energetically into the story of how he started his first band a decasde ago , at the tender age of 89.</p><p><br /></p><p>He told USA Today from his home in Coconut Creek, Florida that he thought of ways to educate people about the Holocaust, to fight antisemitism, to advocate for peace and tolerance, he decided his longtime love for music would be the way to win hearts. </p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-63111231092696786632024-02-24T11:37:00.000-08:002024-02-24T11:39:46.699-08:00Church Plans to Set Up a Church Near Every US Mil. Base; Gives Spiritual Support for Those Serving US<p> A church that started in North Carolina is going global with a mission to reach the U.S. military on a worldwide scale: Its goal is to plant a church near every U.S. military base on the planet, the CBN website reports today (Feb.24, 2024). </p><p><br /></p><p>From post--traumatic stress to longer and more frequent deployments away from family, it is clear our military men and women need support. Just like God miraculously supplied food to Israelites in the wilderness, Manna Church is stepping up to provide spiritual and mental nourishment for those who serve our country while stationed around the world. </p><p><br /></p><p>"I think it speaks to the power of a promise from God," Pastor Christopher Fletcher of Manna Fayetteville, North Carolina told CBN News. "I believe that God gave my dad a vision."</p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509011072683045157.post-31627351083931530822024-02-23T09:16:00.000-08:002024-02-24T14:39:37.252-08:00Teen Stabbed in Back in Times Square Last Night; About a Dozen People Were Chased to Eighth Ave.<p> A teen was staabbed last night in Times Square when a large fight broke out near a migrant shelter , the Daily News website reports today (Feb. 23, 2024). </p><p><br /></p><p>One of the people involved in the melee pulled out a knife and chased about a dozen others to Eighth Avenue, witnesses said.</p><p><br /></p><p>The attsacker with the knife stabbed a 17-year-old boy in the lower back before being arrested , police said. </p>George Patsourakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469472363055626897noreply@blogger.com0