Believers

PC Christmas at the San Diego IRS, Salvation Army, the Resolved in Pacific Beach, Temple Beth Shalom, Chula Vista, Vajrarupini Buddhists on Bankers Hill, Bound4Life, Ramona

Author

By Various Authors

Publish Date

May 3, 2016

Federal agent John Parish: "I'm one person at work and another person out of work."

Politically Correct Christmas

Federal agent John Parish entered the room with local Internal Revenue Service territory managers. The casual meeting was off-site during the holiday season. "Merry Christmas," Parish greeted his coworkers. Parish's supervisor corrected him, "It's Happy Holidays, not Merry Christmas."

"Many [Christians] are tired of being politically correct," said Parish. "People are saying 'I'm not going to be PC anymore. This is my holiday. It's Merry Christmas, not Happy Holidays or Season's Greetings.' "

By Drew Goodmanson, Jan. 6, 2005 | Read full article

Major Warren Dabis: "There was a lot of bad press about the $400,000 salary of a Red Cross executive. I heard that the general of the Salvation Army makes about what I make -- something in the 20,000-dollar range."

San Diego Citadel Corps

On Easter, the San Diego Citadel Corps held a 6:30 a.m. sunrise service on a patio that overlooks the ocean. A crowd of 40 people gathered for the early service; many wore Salvation Army uniforms. An 18-piece Salvation Army band led "Up From the Grave He Arose"; "He Lives! He Lives! Christ Jesus Lives Today"; "Thine Is the Glory, Risen, Conquering Son."

The Resolved, Pacific Beach

"Beer is one of our core values. We enjoy it and like to drink it. Drinking is part of our culture and a great way to spend time with others," said Pastor Justin Bragg of The Resolved church. "The American church has perpetuated this separatist movement that we shouldn't mix with nonbelievers. We want to go where people are. We don't expect people to come to us. In [Pacific Beach], people are at the bars, parties, and drinking beer, so this is where we go." The Resolved church plans to have a Theology on Tap night for people to meet over a few pitchers of beer to talk about God.

By Drew Goodmanson, June 23, 2005 | Read full article

Temple Beth Sholom, Chula Vista

After service, Lipschultz said his family is scheduled to leave for a three-week trip to Israel. "Our body may be in America, but our spiritual heart will always be in Israel. It is important for every Jew to go to Israel." "Pastor Leo Giovinetti of Mission Valley Christian Fellowship and I were on Fox News a couple times because of his pro-Israel activities. Giovinetti even invited me to The Passion of Christ, which was a great honor, even if I disagree with the movie's interpretation." Lipschultz said he knows Pastor Giovinetti is pro-Israel because Giovinetti believes Israel is a central factor for the End Times and the final battle of Armageddon.

By Drew Goodmanson, July 7, 2005 | Read full article

Jeff Goin: "I've heard that Buddhism is the fastest growing religion in the United States and England."

Vajrarupini Buddhist Center

After the class, people gathered into a room around Bit-O-Honey candies, fruit, cookies, cheese, crackers, and Trader Joe's fruit juices. "Essentially, Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism are the same teaching," said Sonja Hanson, a student at the center. "For any spiritual path to be valid, it must be about peace, understanding, and compassion. Often, people read the Bible to justify biases." Hanson cited intolerance toward homosexuals as an example of a bias people justify with the Bible. Hanson added that homosexuality was not always encouraged in eastern Buddhism.

By Drew Goodmanson, July 14, 2005 | Read full article

Members commit to praying a 22-word prayer at least five times a day.

Bound4Life, Ramona

"One-third of my generation is dead because of abortion. Forty-five million babies have been murdered," said Edgar Savage Brown III, 25-year-old founder of the local Bound4Life chapter. Bound4Life's website claims they are "a nonviolent revolutionary movement of righteousness that will sweep through America and establish a culture of LIFE." "This grassroots movement is composed of teens and 20-year-olds," said Brown. "At the events, kids in flip-flops and jeans show up to participate.” Members commit to praying a 22-word prayer at least five times a day: "Jesus, I plead your blood over my sins and the sins of my nation. God, end abortion and send revival to America."

By Drew Goodmanson, July 21, 2005 | Read full article