Michael Foley, Baylor University Each year the holidays bring with them an increase in both the consumption of alcohol and concern about drinking’s harmful effects. Alcohol abuse is no laughing matter, but is it sinful to drink and make merry, moderately and responsibly, during a holy season or at any other time? As a historical theologian, I researched the role that pious Christians played in developing and producing alcohol. What I discovered was an astonishing history. Religious orders and wine-making Wine was invented 6,000 years before the birth of Christ, but it was monks who largely preserved viniculture in Europe.…
Author: Pride Team
Reading 1 Is 35:1-10 The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; With divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes…
Jason Bruner, Arizona State University The Christian Broadcasting Network, founded over 50 years ago by evangelist Pat Robertson, has now launched the first 24-hour Christian television news channel. Robertson said that the channel would help viewers understand how current events both in the United States and abroad affect them. The Christian Broadcasting Network has considerable influence among evangelicals, and President Trump, at times, has used the outlet to reach this support base. But this is not the first time Christians have shared and shaped the content of world news and information through a distinctly Christian viewpoint. Christian missionary publications For…
Nigerians woke up to the shocking news of the postponement of the presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission. The new date has been set to the 23rd of February – a week after the initially proposed date which was today. Patriotic citizens who travelled miles to different states, halted plans and even cancelled celebrations to ensure they cast their votes were met with the disappointing news. Nigerians have since taken to social media to vent their pent up frustration for the last minute cancellation by INEC despite having four years to prepare. See tweets below. Shame on the…
…Continued from Chapter Nineteen. It was him!!! Who in the world would’ve guessed all along that the ‘London boy’ was Lekan! The guy Tola had been talking about all this time was the same Lekan I dated back in school! I wouldn’t have believed it if someone else had narrated this story to me. Our hands were locked in each other’s for a few seconds, both dumbfounded, we had no words. A million thoughts breezed through my mind about the conversation we were about to have but I was too paralyzed to say anything. “Have you guys met before?” The…
Ini Dele-Adedeji, SOAS, University of London Nigeria is preparing for its general election. But will it be credible? Nigerian voters are well aware that the elections will not be won solely by votes or popular consensus. There are several other variables that influence election results. These include the incumbent’s control of state security apparatuses, grassroots structures, and control of institutions such as market traders associations, and the National Union for Road Transport Workers. The road transport workers’ union, which acts as a canopy for bus drivers, conductors, and motor park touts in Southwestern Nigeria, has a history of providing foot…
Uche Onyebadi, Texas Christian University Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and arguably its largest economy, is heading to the polls. It’s a good time to celebrate democracy – but also to ponder what has become of the country since it wrestled independence from the clutches of colonial Britain in 1960. To do this, I find it helpful to consider what some of Nigeria’s most celebrated cultural icons, among them musician, commentator and activist, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti – about whose political messaging I have written – the novelist Chinua Achebe and writer and activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, might say about their country if…
Olayinka Ajala, University of York Nigerians go to the polls on February 16 in the first of two sets of elections to choose the president, national assembly and state legislators. Olayinka Ajala sets the scene for Africa’s largest democratic undertaking and highlights the main logistical and political challenges that come with it. How many Nigerians are registered to vote, and what are their main demographics? There are 84,004,084 registered to vote in the 2019 election in 36 states and the federal capital territory, Abuja. Of this number, more than 15 million are new voters. Young voters form a clear majority.…
Laugh Quote “Remember, when you are dead, you do not know you are dead. It is only painful for others. The same applies when you are stupid.” – Ricky Gervais Wise Guys Answer To Stupid Question Question: Is that yours??? Wise Guy: Actually I took it out of your wallet. Corny Chat Up Line I thought happiness started with an H. Why does mine start with U? Business Joke I used to be a blackjack host but I got offered a better deal. Cutting Comment “Many wealthy people are little more than janitors of their possessions.” – Frank Lloyd Wright…
Our new column, Traditional and Contemporary, focuses on the Ankara fabric spliced with contemporary designs. African fashion has taken a spike in creative designing over the years and we are ultra-excited to be documenting its progress one stylish picture at a time. Every Fashion Friday, we’ll be surfing through social media streets to find design inspirations for our Pride Woman (which is you, by the way). See week one, week two, week three, week four, week five, week six, week seven, week eight, week nine, week ten, week eleven, week twelve, week thirteen, week fourteen, week fifteen, week sixteen, week seventeen, week eighteen, week nineteen, week twenty, week twenty one, week twenty two and week twenty three. View this post on Instagram …