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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Why does the Bible say that no one is good, “no not one”? – N.G.

A: The word good in the language of Scripture literally means “to be like God,” because He alone is the One who is perfectly good. It is one thing to have high ethical standards but quite another for the Holy Spirit...Read more

ATLANTA — A bill that would expand religious rights passed the Georgia Senate on Thursday over objections that it could lead to discrimination against gay people.

The Senate voted along party lines, 33-19, to approve the religious rights legislation, which would limit the government’s ability to enforce laws that conflict with religious ...Read more

Americans have grown less religious over the past couple of decades, and attendance at religious services is down across the country. Of course, some parts of the country are a lot less religious than others. New survey data shows Seattle is one of those places.

A clear majority of adults in the Seattle area — around 64% — never attend ...Read more

Q: Dear Rabbi Gellman, I read your weekly column in Newsday “faithfully”. I learn so much from you. I am a practicing Roman Catholic and I have many wonderful Jewish friends. My DNA shows that I am 2 percent Ashkenazi (European) Jewish. I am proud of that, especially since I have traveled to Dachau, Prague, Amsterdam, and Budapest. I ...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I’ve been told that government was ordained by God but it seems that government and kingdoms have both failed. I thought America had it figured out, but our governing bodies are imploding as well. There’s chaos everywhere. What hope is left if we can’t depend on proper oversight of the people?...Read more

Times are hard on the campus of Notre Dame.

Not the famous University of Notre Dame, home to Fighting Irish football and more than 13,000 students — little Notre Dame College, a less prestigious Roman Catholic school in the Midwest.

Over the past decade, the 102-year-old private college with about 1,400 students, located in South Euclid, ...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Why are churches so inclined to bury the old hymns of the church and take up new chants that don’t move the heart to compassion? When I go to church, I want to experience church, not a rock concert with strobe lights and smoke. My teenagers say that I am old fashioned and can’t move with the ...Read more

A Catholic advocacy group called on Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown to halt investigations into child sex abuse in the Archdiocese of Washington and the Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware, in a letter Tuesday.

Bill Donahue, president of the national Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, wrote that it was “exasperating” that ...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Touring parts of Greece recently my husband and I were stunned to learn that many people there still worship the ancient gods. We visited the Parthenon and were disappointed that there was no indication of where the Apostle Paul actually gave his address to the people of Athens. Isn’t this what ...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: The problems in the Middle East – particularly Israel – are treacherous and unsettling, but it does cause me to consider why Jesus came to Earth to bring peace when it seems in vain. Did he come as a martyr or to sit on David’s throne? – B.L.

A: Jesus came to Earth for the purpose of ...Read more

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Anger welled in Charlotte mom Crystal Nichole as she watched a North Carolina pastor’s sermon.

He would find a rape suspect not guilty if the victim wore shorts or a short dress, the Rev. Bobby Leonard of Bible Baptist Tabernacle in Monroe said in the sermon.

“If you dress like that and you get raped and I’m on the ...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: My family visited the Ark Encounter in Kentucky. We were fascinated to learn that there was only one point of entry in Noah’s ark. What is the spiritual significance of this? – O.W.

A: Every house and building has at least one entrance. Every nation has points of entry. The children of Israel ...Read more

Georgia senators revived a bill to increase legal protections for religion, a long-sought Republican goal that is opposed by gay rights advocates who say it could lead to discrimination.

The proposal passed the Senate Judiciary on a partisan vote Thursday, with six Republicans in favor and three Democrats against. Senate Bill 180 could receive...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Is it true that a person can go to church and believe in God and still not go to Heaven? This is concerning to me, yet I know many people from around the world that say they believe in God and go to church (or in some cases a mosque or temple). – C.G.

A: Many people from around the world claim ...Read more

Q: My friend's husband died in a single-engine plane that crashed into the ocean three years ago. His body was found and she "viewed" it three weeks later. She blames the plane manufacturer for his death. She also does not seem to be making any progress in the grief process.

She seemed to have had the "perfect" marriage (I've only ...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: As a traveling nurse, I get discouraged and depressed because of all the suffering I see and the family tensions that arise. The agony some people go through is truly horrible, and while I can help some patients with comfort care, I feel inadequate to comfort them in their greater need for ...Read more

A Republican-backed “religious liberty” bill opponents say would weaken local governments’ ability to enforce Fairness Ordinances and embolden individuals who wish to discriminate based on religious beliefs won approval from a legislative committee on Wednesday.

Rep. Steve Rawlings, R-Burlington, told the House Judiciary Committee that ...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: My daughter is dealing with emotional problems from hanging around the wrong crowd. She is seeing a psychiatrist who is not a Christian but has an excellent professional reputation, but has recommended that my daughter cease going to church for now until the doctor/patient relationship is fully ...Read more

Cardinal Dolan has denounced the recent funeral for trans icon Cecilia Gentili that was held at St. Pat’s.

More than 1,000 people attended the ceremony at the historic Manhattan cathedral on Thursday — a crowd Dolan described as disrespectful.

“Once the funeral started is when the trouble started because of the irreverence and the ...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: The Christian message is primarily about Jesus, which would include His death on the cross. I am a Christian but I do not believe that this should be the main focus of our religion. The focus should be on God’s love and the kindness that Jesus showed to people. This is the only thing that will ...Read more