Before we get to this morning’s round-up, I just want to thank those readers who have given to IC’s fundraising drive this week. Your support means a lot, since it’s you guys whom we aim to please!
If you haven’t donated yet, please do consider it. Like Brian said, every little bit helps: If everyone who visited this page today gave even $5, there’s no telling the difference we could make…
So consider me your bell-ringing Santa for the morning, and drop some change in the bucket while you’re here.
Orthodox. Faithful. Free.
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On to the morning’s links!
- America is the land of mix-and-match religion, says a recent Pew Report: “Though the U.S. is an overwhelmingly Christian country, significant minorities say they hold beliefs of the sort found at Buddhist temples or New Age bookstores. Twenty-four percent of those surveyed overall and 22 percent of Christians say they believe in reincarnation, the idea that people will be reborn in this world again and again.”
- Sick: Berkeley’s city council sends coat hangers to U.S. representatives who voted for the Stupak-Pitts amendment.
- So this may have technically been a “failed” missile launch, but given the general confusion that resulted, I’d still call it at least a partial success.
- If you’re one of those people who likes to observe Advent by holding off on the Christmas hymns until December 25 (ahem, Zoe), stepping out of the house this time of year can be a frustrating venture. I try to fight fire with fire by loading my iPod with Advent music, but that list tends to be a good deal shorter.
So what are some of your favorite Advent hymns? One tune that’s always in heavy rotation for me isn’t even technically an Advent hymn, but I can think of few songs that are a better prayer of preparation than this one. Sufjan Stevens’ recording blows me away with its simplicity (but then again, I love banjos).
Have other suggestions? Be sure to leave them in the comments.