Scams trick Christians into emailing lies

If you forward an email that's really a lie, you bear false witness. Christians are particularly susceptible to scams that pluck the heart strings.

• "True" inspirational stories
• Pleas to help sick or dying kids
• Email petitions dealing with some aspect of religion
• Tales of abductions

How can you avoid bearing false witness? One way is to check out such allegedly true stories at Truth Miners, a Christian site. They devote a special page to hoaxes.

Don't be duped. If you don't have first-hand knowledge about the story, check out the alleged "facts" before you spread them around.

The problem with 'The Da Vinci Code'

Mark Gudgel, reviewer for Relevant magazine, says that the problem with the Da Vinci Code movie is that it is a movie. Movies let people not think ... just experience. Many people may blindly assume that the fiction is based on fact.

"Just as it is somewhat terrifying to realize that many people’s primary understanding of the final days of Christ, of the crucifixion and atonement, came to them courtesy of Mel Gibson, so is it equally frightening to think that perhaps The Da Vinci Code, in all of its mass-media splendor, may be some people’s foundation for understanding Church history or Christian belief." -- Mark Gudgel

Pastor questions "Mysteries of the Bible" accuracy

United Methodist Pastor Steve Heyduck reviews the History Channel's "Mysteries of the Bible" show. His noticing of errors or even making a big deal out of nothing points out the need to give biblical perspectives thoughtful study. Too many people willingly accept every tidbit they hear or see without question.