If Ben Franklin were writing today, he’d likely say that nothing in this world is certain but death, taxes, and religious scandal. There have been so many church leaders plagued by scandal that Wikipedia has an entire category devoted to cataloguing the ways various men and women of God found themselves brought low by lust, anger, or good old-fashioned greed. The people on this list are notable not just for their mistakes, but ultimately how ordinary they are: they slept with the wrong person, bought the wrong house, etc. These are the church leaders who’ve shot themselves in the feet, and who might be forgiven but will never be forgotten.

1. Ted Haggard: Ted Haggard founded New Life Church in Colorado Springs, a military town with major evangelical ties (Focus on the Family and Young Life are both headquartered there, among others). The church grew to more than 10,000 members, and his prominence led Haggard to become the president of the National Association of Evangelicals. He was, basically, one of the kings of the modern evangelical movement, noted for his strong statements against gays. However, in 2006 a gay prostitute came forward and claimed that he had sold Haggard crystal meth and gotten high with him, and that the two had been engaging in a sexual relationship for three years. Haggard initially denied all allegations, then admitted to buying the drugs but not using them and to getting a massage but nothing more. The resultant scandal forced him to resign from the NAE and New Life and relocate to Arizona, though in June 2010 Haggard announced plans to start up a new church in Colorado Springs. His public downfall led to drops in attendance and contributions at New Life.
2. Jim Bakker: Jim Bakker is one of the more famous religious figures to meet with scandal. Bakker and his wife, the uniquely made-up Tammy Faye, founded “The PTL Club” and the ensuing PTL Satellite Network, which brought him fame and fortune in the 1980s as he became one of the biggest televangelists in the nation. The money turned out to be his undoing: Bakker sold “lifetime memberships” at $1,000 a pop for people who wanted the privilege of an annual three-night stay at a fancy hotel at Heritage USA, the PTL Club’s Christian theme park in South Carolina. However, investigators found that only one hotel was ever built, and it only had 500 rooms. Bakker sold way more memberships than he needed and pocketed more than $3 million for himself. Bakker stepped down from his roles ahead of the disclosure of an affair with Jessica Hahn, who was paid to keep quiet about the sexual encounters. Investigators also found out that Bakker cooked the books. He was eventually indicted for mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy. He served five years in prison after reductions.
3. Pope Benedict XVI: Taking the papacy in 2005, Benedict XVI (formerly Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger) has been hounded by allegations of involvement in and knowledge of sexual misconduct for years. On one hand, he’s been lauded for pursuing those members of the Church found to be abusing minors and denouncing their terrible acts. On the other, some accuse Benedict XVI of aiding in a cover-up of the abuses of Father Peter Hullermann, who abused several boys only to be transferred to another parish and allowed to resume his duties, at which point more boys were abused. There’s speculation about how much Ratzinger knew about Hullermann’s reinstatement, though he has denied complicity in any wrongdoing. Still, it’s a contentious issue for many Catholics.
4. Henry Lyons: Henry Lyons started out as a rising star within the Baptist world: after serving as vice president of the Florida Baptist Convention and then its president, he became president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. in 1994. However, Lyons was soon brought down by revelations of inappropriate spending. To wit, some of the cash he raised in the name of the organization went to buying himself a new house and a car. There were also allegations of adultery. In 1998, he was indicted for a host of bad deeds, including fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, extortion, and conspiracy. He resigned as president of the National Baptist Convention and was sentence to five years in prison. He was paroled in 2003, and unbelievably made two more unsuccessful attempts to regain the presidency of the convention.
5. George Alan Rekers: George Rekers, a Southern Baptist minister, met with infamy in mid-2010 for sexual indiscretions. Rekers had long been a major player in conservative Christian circles: he was on the founding board of James Dobson’s Family Research Council as well as the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality, a group that dedicates itself to “converting” gay men and women into straight ones. Rekers was very outspoken about his beliefs when it came to the wrongness of homosexuality, which made his eventual scandal that much more ironic. In 2010, it was reported that Rekers had hired a gay male prostitute from Rentboy.com as a travel assistant, and the hired man claimed that part of his duties had been to give Rekers nude massages. Rekers said he’d just hired the guy to carry his luggage. The FRC soon distanced themselves from Rekers, though he maintained his innocence in the face of curious evidence.
6. Joe Barron: Joe Barron was a minister at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, one of the biggest megachurches in the country, boasting more than 26,000 members and a regular worship service attendance around 14,000. In 2008, Barron was caught in a sting operation by Dallas police for soliciting sex from a minor. He’d thought he was propositioning a 13-year-old girl with whom he’d been chatting online, but when he showed up to meet her, he was greeted by the boys in blue. Barron was, understandably, asked by church officials to resign, and he promptly did.
7. Coy Privette: Coy Privette was well known in North Carolina as a pastor and politician. He served four terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives, he’s the county commissioner of Cabarrus County, and he was pastor for 14 years at North Kannapolis Baptist Church. He was also president of the state’s Christian Action League when, in 2007, he was caught doing something pretty bad: Privette received six charges of aiding and abetting prostitution. His life started to unravel when his bank called the cops about a suspicious check Privette had written to a woman who turned out to be a prostitute. That was pretty much the end of his time as a religious leader in the state.
8. Earl Paulk: Earl Paulk wasn’t like other Southern white preachers of the mid-20th century: He openly preached against racism and was one of the few white pastors to march alongside Martin Luther King, Jr. Yet he was also hounded by scandal from the start, and left Atlanta’s Hemphill Avenue Church of God in 1960 because he’d had an affair with a female parishioner. He then went on to found the church that would become known as Chapel Hill Harvester Church and later the Cathedral at Chapel Hill, but sex scandal followed close behind. He and other pastors were accused of sexual manipulation, then Paulk was sued by a woman claiming he’d forced himself on her when she was 17. Other women came forward as news of Paulk’s affairs spread. But the kicker was when Paulk’s nephew, Donnie, revealed that DNA testing proved he was Earl’s son, not his nephew. Earl Paulk had slept with his sister-in-law years before. This led to a successful perjury charge, since Earl Paulk had stated under oath in previous cases that he’d never had an affair with anyone other than Mona Brewer, who was suing him at the time. He lived the rest of his life in legal and moral disgrace, dying in March 2009 from cancer.
9. Lonnie Latham: Lonnie Latham was the senior pastor at Oklahoma’s South Tulsa Baptist Church and a member of the Southern Baptist Convention’s executive committee, but he had to step down from both roles in 2006 when scandal caught up with him. He was busted for propositioning a man for oral sex, and the man turned out to be a plainclothes cop. Latham didn’t offer cash for the act, so he wasn’t charged with total prostitution, but still, it was enough. He was tried and acquitted (lack of evidence), but the brouhaha was still big enough to paint him as a man mired in scandal.
10. Fred Phelps: Fred Phelps, founder of Kansas’ Westboro Baptist Church, is an antagonistic guy who exhorts his parishioners to protest events with signs reading (among others) “God hates fags” and “Thank God for dead soldiers.” It’s not hard to see how he doesn’t just create scandal, but invites it. He was also arrested in 1951 and found guilty of battery against a Pasadena police officer, and in the decades since he’s been arrested for more battery, trespassing, disorderly conduct, and contempt of court, to start. Phelps has been able to dodge serving any time, despite being convicted in 1994 of contempt of court and two counts of assault. Phelps has also been sued many times, like the 2006 suit brought against him by the family of deceased Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder after Westboro congregants protested at his funeral. Phelps and his daughters were found guilty of invasion of privacy and infliction of emotional distress. All in a day’s work for one of the most scandalous religious figures in the country today.

Delicious Digg This Reddit Stumble This

Christian music isn’t just trying to tell a story, it’s trying to make a theological argument. Unfortunately, sometimes that means that too much energy is spent making a moral case while not enough energy goes into making sure that the song, and especially the accompanying music video, is up to snuff. I’m sure that the artists, directors, writers, and everyone involved in the creation of these videos had nothing but the best intentions, but that doesn’t keep them from being dreadful, head-scratching, and hilarious in all the ways they were never intended to be.

1. “666,” DeGarmo & Key: DeGarmo & Key made history by being the first Christian group to get a video on MTV. Unfortunately, that video was “666,” which seemed to be about Satan will chase people through computers and suck their souls dry via floppy disks. The network, however, pulled the video for violent content when the original cut showed a woman being engulfed by flames. The clip is about as far form controversial as you can get, though, unless you count crappy mid-’80s visual effects as controversial.
2. “Pray,” MC Hammer: In addition to shamelessly sampling “When Doves Cry,” this MC Hammer video makes religion look like a Pepsi commercial. His sentiment — “We’ve got to pray just to make it today” — is a noble one, but how that translates into dancing next to a fountain while wearing hot green parachute pants is anyone’s guess.
3. “The Renewed Mind Is the Key to the Christ in Me,” The Way: I’m mostly sure that’s the right title; some of these videos, despite their infamy, don’t have much info to go on. Still, this epically awful video features some amazing dancing and lyrics. And by “amazing,” I mean, “This is one of the funniest things you will ever see.”
4. “Shine,” Final Placement: This video is so hilariously awful that it spawned a viral craze earlier this year, with the original video and its growing number of tributes now housed at one site. Final Placement is a group of high schoolers who play, well, like high schoolers, but it’s the low production values of the video that make it truly special. Here’s hoping these kids live this one down.

“Shine” by “Final Placement” (Original Video) from F.P. Shine on Vimeo.

5. “Life,” The Brothers: There are no words:
6. “Dogs of Glory,” Jim Steager: I am willing to admit that this video goes pretty quickly past “unintentionally hilarious” and winds up in “gut-churning terror,” but you have to laugh at it or it’s just too scary to watch.
7. “Such Great Heights,” Confide: Don’t let the dreamy opening fool you: This isn’t The Postal Service’s “Such Great Heights,” but an insanely angry thrash-metal version from a Christian group called Confide. The moment the rock kicks in is jarring; everything after that is pure comedy, as the band members jump about for no reason.

Confide “Such Great Heights” from Daniel Chesnut on Vimeo.

8. “Honestly,” Stryper: Christian glam metal: What could go wrong? As it turns out, plenty. Stryper was the Christian answer to the musical genre that never should have been, and their videos are cut from the same cheesy cloth as their secular late-’80s brethren. The clip for “Honestly” is so over the top that it’s impossible to take it seriously, which the band members clearly do.
9. “Jesus Christ Is Coming,” Jim Blackmon: This one’s so bad it almost takes the title, but instead it winds up a close second. Shot for what looks like $14 including postproduction costs, Jim Blackmon’s “Jesus Christ Is Coming” loses any claim to seriousness somewhere between the confused blonde aimlessly banging a tambourine on her hand and a long-haired guy with red face paint that’s the least intimidating Satan ever filmed. You can’t not laugh.
10. “Jesus Is My Friend,” Sonseed: This one has it all: bad ska-ish boogie, awful lyrics, an ugly melody, and an utter lack of awareness about how bad it all looks together. The members of Sonseed, which looks vaguely spiritual but is honestly a nonsense word, outdid everyone else with this performance of “Jesus Is My Friend.” One look and you’ll be changed forever, and not in a good way.

Delicious Digg This Reddit Stumble This

People say children are the greatest gifts in life. If you’re not a parent, you may wonder what that statement truly means or if that really applies to your life. Sure, procreating is our evolutionary purpose, but let’s be honest, not everyone is cut out to be a parent. If you aren’t ready to take on the responsibilities, the stress, the sacrifices or those unexpected calls from the principal, you may not be mother or father material now or ever. Here are 10 ways to tell you’re not cut out for parenthood:

• If you struggle to make ends meet
  Depending on your income and expenses, the average cost of raising a child today is nearly a quarter of a million dollars and more if he/she goes to college. Bottom line: Children are expensive. If you are living paycheck to paycheck and still can’t get ahead, you may not be cut out for parenthood yet. Being financially stable, and living within your means before having kids, will help prepare you for the future expenses of raising a family.
• If you aren’t in a stable and happy marriage/relationship
  If you are struggling to get along with your significant other or can’t see eye-to-eye on important decisions, you may not be cut out for parenthood. Bringing a baby into an unhappy home isn’t going to solve these problems either. Marriage/relationship counseling can help couples work through their issues, strengthen their relationship and better prepare for a family one day.
• If you aren’t willing to sacrifice your needs and wants
  If you aren’t willing to give up your weekly happy hours, vacations, shopping sprees and other pre-parent outings, to take care of your child, you may not be cut out for parenthood. Being a parent is a full-time job and your child’s needs will always come before your own. Parents will naturally have to change their spending habits and lifestyle choices to accommodate the needs of their kids.
• If you have substance abuse problems
  If you struggle with substance abuse, you are not cut out for parenthood. You cannot safely raise a child when you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, nor will you be setting a good example for how to be a responsible adult. There is simply no way you can fulfill all of the necessary duties of parenthood if you aren’t completely sober.
• If your are married to your job
  Kudos to those who are career-driven and take pride in their work, but being a parent may force you to put your job on the back burner sometimes. If work is No. 1 in your life and you plan on keeping it that way, you may not be cut out for parenthood. Plenty of parents work full-time, but they have to work that much harder to be there for their children. So, if you aren’t up for this sacrifice or challenge, you might want to wait on kids.
• If you or your partner is unsure about having kids
  When considering having a child, couples need to be onboard together. If you are unsure about having a child or your partner is hesitant, you have a lot of discussing to do before taking on this responsibility. Parents need to be on the same page and if one person is against the idea, you may not be cut out for parenthood.
• If you aren’t a patient person
  Patience is key in all phases of life, especially parenting. From infancy to adulthood, kids will test your patience every day. If you are inpatient, easily irritated and not willing to adapt or change your ways, you may not be cut out for parenthood.
• If you are depressed or moody
  If you are clinically depressed or moody before having children, your condition may only worsen as a parent. Postpartum depression is also a concern for parents, who feel sadness, fatigue, anxiety and irritability after the birth of their child. Children of depressed parents may face negative effects, such as behavioral, social and learning problems, as well as becoming depressed themselves. If you find that your depression or mood interferes with your health and happiness, you may not be ready to take on the responsibilities and stress that comes with parenting.
• If you can’t get by with little to no sleep
  Children will keep you up late at night and wake you up early. For most parents, this takes some getting used to, but they adapt over time. If you are not ok with getting less than eight hours of sleep, or cannot function properly on little sleep, you may not be cut out for parenthood.
• If you have little to no experience with children of different ages
  If you have little to no experience with kids of different ages, you may need to reconsider having a child right away. It’s important that you spend some time interacting and watching over kids before having your own. Doing so will open up your eyes to parenting, and help you decide if you actually enjoy children and are cut out for parenthood.

Delicious Digg This Reddit Stumble This

Supposed practitioners of witchcraft struck fear in the hearts of Europeans because of their bizarre countercultural practices. During the Early Modern Period, the presence of a witch entailed sorcery, black magic and general blasphemy, and in order to prevent and deter harm to society, massive witch-hunts were undertaken to weed them out. According to some estimates, the result was the killing of up to 100,000 women and men who were accused of witchcraft. The most infamous method of execution was burning at the stake, which was believed to cleanse the soul, but served simply as entertainment to many who witnessed the gruesome punishment. Although we are centuries removed from the Burning Times, witches continue mystify and keep our imaginations churning. Here are eight famous witches – or supposed practitioners of witchcraft – who were burned at the stake.

1. Joan of Arc
   The teenage French heroine is best remembered for leading the resistance against the British invasion during the Hundred Years War, but died as a witch – at least to the British. She was captured by the Burgundians in 1430 and turned over to the British, who tried her for witchcraft and heresy due to her abnormal and unladylike behavior. She was burned at the stake in 1431.
2. Petronilla de Meath
   Petronilla de Meath is recognized as the first person to be burned at the stake for witchcraft in Ireland. She was a maid for Lady Alice Kyteler, who was accused of witchcraft and charged with the crimes of demonism, sorcery and the murder of her husbands. The torture of de Meath was demanded in order to extract a confession, and she admitted to using a magical ointment that enabled her and her mistress to fly. Her death occurred in 1324.
3. Angela de la Barthe
   Angela de la Barthe confessed to giving birth to a half-wolf and half-snake creature that fed on human babies who she had stolen. Because of her devilish dealings, she was burned at the stake in Toulouse, France in 1275. She’s the first documented witch to be publically executed.
4. Maggie Wall
   A statute near the small village of Dunning, Scotland currently reads “Maggie Wall burnt here 1657 as a Witch.” Nobody knows why she was accused of witchcraft. But given the widespread fear of witches that persisted during her lifetime, it’s not difficult to comprehend that just one small act could have caused this faceless woman to become one of the thousands of women who were executed in Scotland for witchcraft during the 1500s and 1600s.
5. Catherine Monvoisin
   Also known as La Voisin, Catherine Monvoisin was a midwife and French sorceress who was a personage in the Affaire des Poisons, in which several members of the aristocracy were executed for witchcraft and poisoning. She was a well-known practitioner of medicine, provider of abortions and maker of love powders and potions, and she served many famous Parisian women. Monvoisin was burned at the stake in 1680.
6. Janet Brown
   Janet Brown was accused of meeting with the devil, whose presence was made as a man at the back of the Broomhills. A mark on her arm was said to be left by the devil – likely a birthmark, scar or mole – and she was eventually found guilty of witchcraft and executed in 1648.
7. Alesoun Balfour
   Alesoun – or Alison – Balfour was accused of taking part in a plot to murder Orkney Earl Patrick Stewart. His brother, John Stewart, was thought to be behind the plot and his servant, Thomas Paplay, named Alesoun Balfour as an accomplice. After Alesoun, her husband, son and daughter were tortured, she confessed to witchcraft. Her execution occurred in 1594.
8. Marie Balcoin
   During the reign of Henry the IV of France, Marie Balcoin was a sorceress from Pays de Labourd who was said to have eaten the ear of a small child in a Sabbatic meeting. As a result of her action and her other witch-like activities, she was burned at the stake – the year it occurred is unknown.

Delicious Digg This Reddit Stumble This

With the right array of music, a wedding can be transformed into a truly magical occasion. That’s why brides, grooms and wedding planners carefully select the tunes, basing their decisions on a number of factors, including their personal tastes, the settings of their weddings, the meanings of the songs and when they would be played. Although coming to a consensus on a list isn’t always easy, there are a handful of songs that many wedding attendees will agree are most fitting. Here are the top 10 wedding songs of all-time.

1. “At Last” – Etta James
   “At Last” was originally sung by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday – who were members of Glenn Miller’s orchestra- for the musical film Orchestra Wives, and covered by Nat King Cole before Etta James took it to new heights. Its lyrics are perfectly suited for weddings: At last / My love has come along / My lonely days are over / And life is like a song.
2. “The Way You Look Tonight” – Frank Sinatra
   Legendary Broadway performer Fred Astaire was the first to sing “The Way You Look Tonight,” and since, it has been covered by a who’s who of talented singers – most notably Frank Sinatra. It has appeared in numerous hit movies, including “Father of the Bride” and “My Best Friend’s Wedding.” The song captures the groom’s adoration for his bride.
3. What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
   There isn’t a more blessed occasion than your wedding. Louie Armstrong describes the feelings of most brides and grooms on their big day in “What a Wonderful World.” More than just a popular wedding song, it has persisted as one of the top feelgood songs of all-time.
4. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Elvis Presley
   In “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” Presley mentions that he has fallen for a special gal and their togetherness is inevitable. The song was adapted for his 1961 film “Blue Hawaii,” in which his character, Chad Gates, returns home to Hawaii after a couple of years in the army and eventually marries his girlfriend.
5. “I Turn to You” – Christina Aguilera
   Christina Aguilera’s version of “I Turn to You,” which was written by legendary songwriter Diane Warren, resonates with family, friends and lovers, making it a versatile tune for weddings. But perhaps its most appropriate usage is during the father/daughter dance – the intension of the song is to thank a parent.
6. “Unforgettable” – Nat King Cole
   “Unforgettable” was originally going to be titled “Uncomparable” by writer Irving Gordon, but the studio preferred the more memorable title. Through the years, the song has been covered by numerous talented artists, including Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and Sammy Davis Jr.
7. “You’re Still the One” – Shania Twain
   Twain and her husband Robert “Mutt” Lange wrote “You’re Still the One” when they became an item in the mid-’90s, as they were enduring criticism about the validity of their marriage due to the age difference and Lange’s stature in the music industry. Unfortunately, they eventually separated, but the message of the song remains fitting for the big day.
8. “Everything I Do (I Do It For You)” – Bryan Adams
   Ranked 16th on Billboard’s All-Time Top 100 Chart, “Everything I Do” by Bryan Adams is regarded as one of the best soft rock ballads of the generation. The song was written for “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” but experienced success as a part of Adams’ “Waking up the Neighbours” album.
9. “Wonderful Tonight” – Eric Clapton
   Clapton wrote “Wonderful Tonight” about his eventual wife, Pattie Boyd, as she was dressing to attend a Buddy Holly tribute hosted by Paul McCartney in 1976. The day after their wedding, Clapton sang the song to her on stage in Tucson, Arizona.
10. “Faithfully” – Journey
    “Faithfully” was the song of choice for the wedding dance of Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards, but don’t take that as a bad omen. Most brides and grooms are faithfully committed to each other at the times of their weddings. The song was penned by Journey keyboard player Jonathan Cain, who dedicated it to his wife.

Delicious Digg This Reddit Stumble This

So you’ve decided not to attend a Christian college. Perhaps circumstances prevented you – like price, distance or opportunity – or maybe it just wasn’t your thing. It certainly doesn’t mean you’re any less of a Christian. Secular colleges are filled with Christian students and there are plenty of opportunities for them to strengthen their faith. If you manage to control your environment, college will be an enlightening experience that’ll equip you to live the rest of your life as a successful Christian. Here are eight tips for Christian college students who are attending secular colleges.

1. Set aside time for prayer
   College is a busy time. You have to balance your studies, work and social life, so finding time to pray each day can be a challenge. But if prayer remains a high priority, you shouldn’t have trouble sacrificing some of your less important activities. Consider spending less time on Facebook or watching TV, and make use of your downtime – like the time in between classes, for example.
2. Attend church regularly
   Many college students haven’t woken up on a Sunday morning since high school. For them, Sunday morning is a time to catch up on sleep after a weekend of partying. For Christian college students, it’s time best utilized for worship. Don’t break your old habit of attending church every Sunday. Churches of different denominations are often located near campus, making it easy for students swing by.
3. Join Christian organizations
   On-campus Christian organizations enable students to come together in a Christian-friendly environment. For example, Chi Alpha is a national ministry sponsored by The Assemblies of God Church – that’s located on 300 campuses across the country. Young Life also has a presence on many campuses. Most secular colleges support ministries of different denominations; there’s a concerted effort to reach out to Christian students.
4. Choose the right friends
   They don’t have to be Christian, but make sure your friends are positive to be around and respect your beliefs. They shouldn’t shun you for not partaking in activities that make you uncomfortable. Of course, you can expand your social circle by joining on-campus Christian organizations, which are composed of like-minded students.
5. Maintain consistent contact with your family
   The people who have most influenced your commitment to faith are your family, so it’s important that you keep them in mind after you’ve gone off to college. Call, text, email and message them as much as possible, and when you visit home, attend church with them.
6. Don’t become preachy
   Just because you’re living a certain way, it doesn’t mean all of your friends should live the same way. Don’t take the holier-than-thou approach to being a Christian. Your friends are imperfect and so are you. Accept them for who they are, and they’ll accept you for who you are.
7. Enjoy your science classes
   After all, college is supposed to broaden your horizons. Although you may disagree with what is being said in regard to evolution, you should sit back, relax and enjoy the lesson. You don’t have to accept it as fact, so unless your professor or classmates attack creationism, don’t attempt to make it into a religious discussion – it would disrupt the class.
8. Stand up for your faith
   If your faith is blatantly under attack by a fellow student or professor, don’t hesitate to stand up and speak your mind. In a civil manner, do your best to convey your point of view. If someone attempts to antagonize you, take the high road and ignore them. If you think that a professor is unjustly penalizing your grade as a result of you defending your beliefs, drop the class and inform the dean of their department.

Delicious Digg This Reddit Stumble This