Did you see the Saddleback Church showdown? Here's a recent AP story:
RENO, Nev. (AP) -- So much for hugging. A day after Barack Obama and John McCain exchanged an embrace during a faith forum at a California megachurch, Obama called the U.S. economy a disaster thanks to "John McCain's president, George W. Bush," and chided his Republican rival's campaign team for trying to make him look unpatriotic and weak. At a town hall meeting with several hundred union members, Obama said he had had a great conversation with McCain at the forum at Saddleback Church sponsored by the popular evangelical pastor Rick Warren. The two candidates shook hands, briefly hugged and stood onstage with Warren, the first time they appeared together in public since the end of the primary season. But Sunday, the Democratic presidential hopeful got back to business -- methodically tearing into McCain's health care, tax and energy policies and criticizing his advisers. "McCain says 'Here's my plan, I'm going to drill here, drill now which is something he only came up with two months ago when he started looking at polling," Obama said of McCain's energy policy. The Illinois senator also criticized McCain's advisers as "the same old folks that brought you George W. Bush. The same team." He noted many had been lobbyists in Washington before McCain asked them to sever all lobbying ties.
Did you catch the faith forum? Some are saying McCain came out on top. Share your thougths with us.
Thanks for blogging,
Corrina
BALTIMORE (AP) -- A 21-year-old woman accused of staving her toddler to death while a member of a religious cult was ordered held without bail Tuesday, and her attorney suggested that she was not responsible for her son's slaying.
Ria Ramkissoon wore a purple jumpsuit and a blank expression during her appearance Tuesday at the city's booking center, answering only, "Yes," when asked whether she had read the charges against her.
Her attorney, Steven D. Silverman, argued for bail to be set, but District Court Judge Theodore B. Oshrine decided that holding Ramkissoon without bail was appropriate because of the seriousness of the allegations. "This is not a black-and-white case," Silverman told the judge. "I'm convinced from talking to her that she's been grossly overcharged." Silverman said after the hearing that his client, a petite native of Trinidad who moved to Maryland with her mother at the age of 8 and has no criminal record, was manipulated by cult members. "She did not in any way initiate or cause the death of her son, and we are going to, I think, have a very easy time proving that," Silverman said. "The members of this cult, who were more than twice her age, were calling the shots. ... She bought the program, hook, line and sinker."
Four other alleged members of the group known as 1 Mind Ministries also face first-degree murder charges in the death of Javon Thompson, who was about 15 months old when he died. Bail reviews for two of them -- Queen Antoinette, 40, the alleged cult leader; and Trevia Williams, 21 -- were postponed Tuesday. While Ramkissoon had her bail review, another alleged cult member, Marcus A. Cobbs, was in a family courtroom for a paternity case filed by Tiffany N. Smith, who was identified in court documents as a former member of 1 Mind Ministries.
A judge ruled that Cobbs was the father of one of Smith's children but not the father of another. Smith declined to comment after the hearing. A bail review has not yet been set for Cobbs, who also faces murder charges in Javon's death.
A fifth alleged cult member, Steven Bynum, has been charged in a warrant and remains at large. Police allege in court documents that Ramkissoon conspired with the four other cult members to deprive Javon of food and water in December 2006, and that the boy died after two days without nourishment. Antoinette wanted to punish the toddler for refusing to say "Amen" after meals, and cult members also viewed him as a "demon," according to the documents. The documents allege that Antoinette later put Javon's body in a suitcase that was hidden in a shed behind a Philadelphia home for more than a year.
Police recovered the suitcase in April. DNA tests are pending to confirm that the body inside was Javon's. A public defender appointed to represent Antoinette, Williams and Cobbs in a previous case did not return messages seeking comment.
The three were scheduled to be re-arraigned Wednesday morning in that case, which stemmed from a scuffle with police officers who tried to remove a child from the headquarters of 1 Mind Ministries.
Blog us with your thoughts. Do you buy this woman's claim that she's not responsible... that 1 Mind Ministries is to blame?
Corrina
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) -- A key evangelical leader is accusing Barack Obama of distorting the Bible and pushing a "fruitcake interpretation" of the Constitution.
James Dobson is taking aim at examples Obama cited in 2006 in asking which Biblical passages should guide public policy. Dobson says the likely Democratic presidential nominee has wrongly equated Old Testament texts and dietary codes that no longer apply to Jesus' teachings in the New Testament.
Dobson refers to a speech Obama gave to a liberal Christian group in 2006 where he said passages in the book of Leviticus suggest slavery is OK and eating shellfish is an abomination. Dobson says Obama said Jesus' Sermon on the Mount was "so radical" it's doubtful "our own Defense Department would surviveits application."
Dobson's comments are to air today on his Focus on the Family radio program.
An Obama spokesman says a full reading of the speech questioned by Dobson shows Obama is committed to reaching out to people of faith and standing up for families.
What do you think?
Thanks for blogging,
Corrina
WASHINGTON (AP) -- John Hagee, an influential televangelist who endorsed John McCain, is apologizing to Catholics for referring to the Roman Catholic Church as "the great whore" and calling it "the apostate church." Hagee's support for McCain has drawn criticism from some Catholic leaders. McCain has said he does not agree with some of Hagee's past comments. In a letter to William Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Civil and Religious Rights, Hagee wrote: "Out of a desire to advance a greater unity among Catholics and Evangelicals in promoting the common good, I want to express my deep regret for any comments that Catholics have found hurtful." Donohue, one of Hagee's critics, said, "To me, it's basically over." He planned to meet with Hagee.
We want to know what you think tonight.
Thanks for blogging,
Corrina
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- The Vatican's No. 2 official says Pope Benedict XVI recognizes the damage and pain caused by the clergy sex abuse crisis and will seek healing during his U.S. trip next week. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone said in an interview Tuesday with The Associated Press that Benedict will deliver a message of "trust and hope." The pope turns 81 during the trip. Bertone says Benedict is fit but could not meet all the invitations from U.S. cities and had to limit himself to Washington and New York. Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden recently accused the pope of helping in a "new Crusade," but Bertone says the Vatican has faith in American security services to keep the pope safe. The cardinal is the Vatican secretary of state.
Think healing is possible? In your opinion, did the Vatican handle the crisis well?
Thanks for blogging,
Corrina
It seems more anti-religious folks than religious folks responded to my last blog on The Golden Compass. For those of you who don't believe in God... I'm wondering what you think happens after we die. For those of you who are strong in faith... share your thoughts too.
Looking forward to your comments...
Corrina
Interesting debate going on in the Sullivan home as we think about the traditions we'd like to pass on to our children one day. My husband has been intrigued by the idea of not telling our kids about Santa to keep the focus on the story behind Christmas. While I think his intentions are good-- I really enjoyed all of our family fun growing up. I loved putting cookies and milk out for Santa and waking up to the presents I thought he left behind for us. I also loved going to church and celebrating.
So, I want to know how you people of faith feel. Do you tell your children about Santa or do you ignore him?
Thanks for blogging...
Corrina
