Reviews, Critiques, Surveys

What is the history of Baptists? Can they trace their roots back to the 1st century? Many ”fundamentalist” Baptists believe they can. Are they correct? There is a booklet that is very popular among this fundamentalist crowd. It is entitled “The Trail of Blood”. The booklet claims that Catholics persecuted the true Christians — the Baptists — leaving [...]

{ 1 comment }

Christians Happiest People – Major European Study

by Steve Ray on December 12, 2011

Surveys Find Christians Happiest People in Europe Posted By cninewsletter On December 8, 2011 (6:15 pm) A study of the effect of religion on happiness has revealed that Christians are the happiest people in Europe. The study was an empirical analysis of the effect of religion on happiness, using data from three waves (2002/2003, 2004 [...]

{ 0 comments }

Movie on the Mass Hitting Theatres Friday

by Steve Ray on December 8, 2011

Movie on the Mass Opens Friday By Tim Drake A 3-D animated movie about the Mass opens in select theaters this weekend. It hardly seems possible. Yet, it’s true. That alone makes the movie, “The Greatest Miracle” a “miracle.” Trust me when I say it’s unlike any other movie you’re likely to ever see on [...]

{ 1 comment }

I spent two years of my life writing my book St. John’s Gospel: A Bible Study Guide and Commentary. It was one of the “richest” periods of my life and I put on scuba gear and dove into that profound Gospel written by the very old man (almost 100 years old) who had laid his [...]

{ 0 comments }

New Catholic Vote Ap Free from iTunes and Android

by Steve Ray on September 29, 2011

I JUST DOWNLOADED THIS ON MY IPHONE! SOUTH BEND, Indiana, SEPT. 28, 2011 (Zenit.org).- The company that put confession preparation on the iPhone now has a tool for Catholic voters: CatholicVote Mobile, aimed to mobilize and unify those who want to get the Church’s view to Congress. Little i Apps, LLC, makers of Confession: A [...]

{ 1 comment }

For Girls and Guys that Love Them

by Steve Ray on September 26, 2011

Teresa Tomeo has a new book — Extreme Makeover. It is for girls. I have a bunch of girls! I am a lucky man! I have a beautiful wife, three gorgeous daughters and four princess granddaughters, not to mention my 90 year old mother who is still full of life, modesty and humor. Guys are [...]

{ 0 comments }

Why the Riots in London?

by Steve Ray on August 15, 2011

Since Janet and I were in England during the riots, the whole situation was a bit more poignant for us than if we had been far removed. British headlines and editorials immediately attempted explanations and suggested band-aids to fix the problem. I said to Janet and our friends again and again that the flurry of [...]

{ 0 comments }

Gaga over Gaga

by Steve Ray on July 8, 2011

A Cultural Dissection by my friend Liz Lev: Who’s Judas? Who’s Lady Gaga? Whatever qualms about form and meaning that contemporary art might raise, at least Calatrava and Arnaldo Pomodoro can lay some claim to the hard-earned title of artist. This week I was confronted with another use of the title, the pop star. While [...]

{ 1 comment }

The King’s Speech

by Steve Ray on May 9, 2011

If you haven’t watched this new movie yet, I highly recommend it. Janet and I watched it on the plane and were quick transfixed by the excellent acting and emotional story. It was one of those delightful discoveries where my wife and I look at each other with expressions of happy surprise. Only later did [...]

{ 0 comments }

An Evening with Paul Badde

by Steve Ray on May 4, 2011

“The Face of God” is a great new book that reads like a detective novel yet it is true. Paul Badde’s tracks down the face cloth of Christ which had been found in the tomb after Jesus’ resurrection. It is a great read and I encourage everyone to get a copy from Ignatius Press, either [...]

{ 0 comments }

Very cool. Detroit News called me in Rome and asked for an interview. Click here to read the article.

{ 1 comment }

Two Great Jewish Movies

by Steve Ray on April 18, 2011

Since we are in Jerusalem over Passover, I thought I would share two of our favorite Jewish movies. Recently watched “Everything is Illuminated” again. It is funny and profound about a young man (Elijah Wood – Frodo in “Lord of the Rings”) who discovers his Jewish past after Nazi fascists occupied Ukraine. It is one [...]

{ 3 comments }

Doc Martin

by Steve Ray on March 22, 2011

Janet and I thoroughly enjoyed watching all four seasons of the British series Doc Martin. It is a a quirky, fun and entertaining series. More soon with links.

{ 1 comment }

Janet and I got rid of television years ago. We called the cable company and canceled our service. We began reading more and renting movies for the family to watch together. It have been a huge life-changer and has had a noticeably positive effect on our family. We put up a list of the Ray [...]

{ 5 comments }

The Rapture is Coming! Don’t Get Left Behind!

by Steve Ray on January 3, 2011

Pack your bags — opps, that’s a waste of time ‘cuz you can’t take anything with you. Hum, well, OK, then get right with God quick — wait, you should do that anyway. No, I didn’t mean that literally — don’t WAIT! Do it! Just get ready — the Rapture is coming May 11, 2011 [...]

{ 3 comments }

In the recent edition of Zenit.org, my good friend in Rome, Liz Lev, wrote an astute review of Pope Benedict’s interview in the new book Light of the World. She hits the nail on the head — as usual! ROME, DEC. 2, 2010 (Zenit.org).- I’d like to thank the New York Times and other secular [...]

{ 0 comments }