In reference to the article “Rights Come from God,” when I hear terms like “divine-inspiration politics,” “God’s Plan” and “the Constitution,” all in one line of thought, I become very afraid. What if the divine inspiration of one person of power is diametrically opposed to that of another person of power? Or even my beliefs? Do we have a divinity contest? Such examples of inspiration are what brought us into a war in Iraq, energizes and directs the Taliban and has generated many other conflicts both past and present. Any potential governmental leader who believes his religion’s dogma to be divinely inspired and/or his decisions also to be divinely inspired and part of God’s plan is obligated to inform the electorate that this will be a guiding principle in his decision-making process, so that believers of other divinely inspired religions and those who expect leaders to simply make educated decisions will be prepared to make a wise choice at the ballot box.

Engaging and radical, one-time college basketball player Ed Young Jr. is on a fast break across America to get pastors and church staff to develop ministry game plans that will send folks out the doors after worship believing that God is their hero.

The first worship services were held Sunday for Tranformational Life Center at 6263 E. Thomas Road, Mesa. Led by the Rev. Shari Franklin, an ordained Unity minster, the church meets 5 p.m. Sundays in space leased from Mesa Palms Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The first worship services were held Sunday for Transformational Life Center at 6263 E. Thomas Road, Mesa. Led by the Rev. Shari Franklin, an ordained Unity minster, the church meets 5 p.m. Sundays in space leased from Mesa Palms Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The Vatican is launching an iPhone application, and it chose a California priest to deliver the app's inspirational message.

Choosing a baby’s name is one of the first important decisions a parent has to make. It’s a good thing there are nine months to decide.

The list of authors who have appeared at Maricopa County’s Southeast Regional Library in Gilbert reads like a who’s who of the literary world:

Maybe it’s the time of year, but it’s a photo that can’t help but remind you somewhat of a manger scene: A kneeling New York City police officer in uniform, holding a pair of boots in front of a reclining shoeless man on a chilly sidewalk near Times Square.

The Church of the Nazarene, the denomination that takes its name from the hometown of Jesus and calls for a commitment to a devout and holy life, is marking its centennial.

We encourage readers to submit letters to the editor on issues of interest to East Valley residents. Submissions should be no longer than 300 words, factually accurate and original thoughts of the writer. Please be brief and include name, address, city and phone number for verification. Letters and call-in comments may be edited for clarity and length.

February 6, 2005

Hollywood bean counters have started calling them "God films."

Jesus Christ's epic Sermon on the Mount, with its calls for peacemaking, helping the poor and working for justice, could well be compared to a modern political campaign speech in front of the multitudes in a modern stadium.

For a society accustomed to the likes of Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, the images of the women from the polygamist compound in Texas are almost shocking in their understatement: Ankle-length dresses, makeup-less faces, hauntingly uniform hair.

Long before Thomas Kinkade trademarked the title “Painter of Light” for himself, there was Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn. Comparing the two would make most art aficionados howl, and rightly so — a revered 17th-century master of realism and a critically reviled, living American master of dreamy bathos?

Long before Thomas Kinkade trademarked the title “Painter of Light” for himself, there was Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn. Comparing the two would make most art aficionados howl, and rightly so — a revered 17th-century master of realism and a critically reviled, living American master of dreamy bathos?

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - As the electric guitar in the U2 anthem ‘‘Pride (In the Name of Love)’’ faded from four speakers, the Rev. Robert Brooks welcomed worshippers to Grace Episcopal Church with an unusual suggestion: He warned them to protect their hearing.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - As the electric guitar in the U2 anthem "Pride (In the Name of Love)" faded from four speakers, the Rev. Robert Brooks welcomed worshippers to Grace Episcopal Church with an unusual suggestion: He warned them to protect their hearing.

It’s one of Christendom’s classic sermon themes this time of year as days shorten and cooler air reminds people of their mortality.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Swedish director Ingmar Bergman, an iconoclastic filmmaker widely regarded as one of the great masters of modern cinema, died Monday, the president of his foundation said. He was 89.

Envy isn’t the green-eyed monster it used to be. Need proof? Look at E!’s program "It’s Good To Be . . ." which invites viewers into the glamorous lives of celebrities and dares them to envy.

Unique events are happening and plenty of stores are opening across the valley, and of course there's football for watching. East Valley Tribune has all the details for making your weekend plans.

Hemmed in by gas prices and wilting under the heat?