Good news: Americans Believe In God. Bad News? ....

This is a fascinating article on a new study and book, even if it is limited. Do our images of God directly effect the way we see and act in the world? New evidence, and it is detailed!:

Surveys say about nine out of 10 Americans believe in God, but the way we picture that God reveals our attitudes on economics, justice, social morality, war, natural disasters, science, politics, love and more, say Paul Froese and Christopher Bader, sociologists at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Their new book, America's Four Gods: What We Say About God — And What That Says About Us, examines our diverse visions of the Almighty and why they matter.

Based primarily on national telephone surveys of 1,648 U.S. adults in 2008 and 1,721 in 2006, the book also draws from more than 200 in-depth interviews that, among other things, asked people to respond to a dozen evocative images, such as a wrathful old man slamming the Earth, a loving father's embrace, an accusatory face or a starry universe.

Go look at the whole article....

Lecture: Br. Paul Joslin on Br. James Miller, Servant of God and SMU alum

Thursday, Oct. 7th, Salvi Lecture Hall at 7:30pm

"Witnessing to Non Violence" Presentation by Br. Paul Joslin FSC

Br. Paul will present his first-hand experience story of living and working with Br. James Miller FSC in Huehuetenango, Guatemala. His story of Br. James is very moving and inspiring!

"Br. James Miller took young people from the hills that had no chance and gave them a combination of hope and life. Are we, too, willing to rise up like Br. James to take the young by the hand and lead them to freedom?" --Archbishop Roach, 1982

(I heard him share on this a few years ago, and it was easily one of the most moving experiences I've had at SMU. I encourage everyone to go!)

Happy Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

A retrospective from a few years back. Recognize anyone? Happy Feast of Francis t o you!

An Apologia for Theology at the University (and everywhere else)

The latest Pew Study results in a USA Today article: Americans lack religious knowledge.

Americans are clear on God but foggy on facts about faiths.

The new U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey, released today by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, finds that although 86% of us believe in God or a higher power, we don't know our own traditions or those of neighbors across the street or across the globe.

Among 3,412 adults surveyed, only 2% correctly answered at least 29 of 32 questions on the Bible, major religious figures, beliefs and practices. The average score was 16 correct (50%).

FAITH & REASON: Athiests ace 'religious knowledge'

Key findings:

•Doctrines don't grab us. Only 55% of Catholic respondents knew the core teaching that the bread and wine in the Mass become the body and blood of Christ, and are not merely symbols. Just 19% of Protestants knew the basic tenet that salvation is through faith alone, not actions as well.

•Basic Bible eludes us. Just 55% of all respondents knew the Golden Rule isn't one of the Ten Commandments; 45% could name all four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John).

•World religions are a struggle. Fewer than half (47%) knew that the Dalai Lama is a Buddhist; 27% knew most people in Indonesia are Muslims.

Now...what are YOU going to do about this?

Spiritual directors list available

A local (and not exhaustive) list of spiritual directors who expressed willingness to work with Spirituality for the Vineyard students is now available! See Dr. WD in the Theology suite or Lynn S. in Campus Ministry for the list. Thanks!


p.s. The painting above depicts the road to Emmaus narrative, often used as a symbol for spiritual direction.

"Retreat in the real world" opportunity

From the online ministries department at Creighton University, a source of many good resources:

Make a retreat designed for people too busy to make a traditional retreat.

Experience a relationship with God coming alive in the midst of everyday life.

Come to know a freedom and peace too often out of reach in the modern world.

A simple Guide each week places themes, reflections, questions and desires into the background of our busy lives. We learn to find greater focus and to let one week build upon another.

It really works. Any busy person can do this retreat in the background of a very full life. Thousands of others have done so.

Begin any time, but if we begin the week of September 19th, the retreat fits with the Liturgical Year.

Make the commitment alone, with a spiritual director, or form a group to make the retreat together.

If you are "on the fence," read what so many others said after they completed the retreat.

Here's How to Get Started.

See more about the weekly "retreat in the real world" here.

"God has created me to do Him some definite service."

From now Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman:

God has created me to do Him some definite service.

He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another.

I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next.

I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.

He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work.

I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments.

Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away.

If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him.

He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about.

He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me.

Still, He knows what He is about.