From the beginning, there have been some religious leaders who greeted the funding of faith-based social services by government with ambivalence.

Sigmund Freud was the apostle of disbelief. He was the one who made psychoanalysis a part of our culture, and in so doing he kicked out a flying buttress that had been essential for holding up our cathedral of faith.

Of the 22 industrialized nations of the world, we're dead last in per capita giving to poor people.

In baptism, new Christians become part of a body of fellow believers who are called to spiritually encourage one another and hold one another responsible for consistent Christian living.

I propose that the government should get out of the business of marrying people and, instead, only give legal status to civil unions.

Our call is to be God's agents, to rescue not only the human race but the whole of creation.

In religious circles, depression is often deemed to be a spiritual condition that can be cured with prayer.