CrossingCurrents is the newsletter of Crosswinds Foundation. In it we address topics that are related to or impacting the culture. Just click the link in the Index below for the issue you are interested in. Topic(s) covered in each issue are in bold. Some examples are: Faith and Politics, Culture and Religion, Gnosticism, Atheism, etc.

If you do not find information about your interest, email us at [email protected] and request information about the subject you are interested in and our researchers will be glad to send you a free information packet related to your topic or try to direct you to a source that can help you.

Vol 1:1 Atheism/Humanism. Includes article “Coming Soon to a Bus Near You“ about humanist groups mounting a bus advertising campaign, in Washington D.C., to promote atheism’s belief there isn’t a God. Also, regular features: Culture Tracks and Letters.

Vol 1:2 Faith/Politics. Feature Article “Bush, Faith and Culture“ looks at controversy created when President Bush shared some of his religious views in an ABC Nightline interview. Also, regular features: Culture Tracks and Letters.

Vol 2:1 America and Race. Includes articles: “Becoming A Post-Racial America, Part 1“ and “Oprah and Spirituality“. Also, regular features: Culture Tracks and Letters.

Vol 2:2 Atheism/Humanism. Includes feature article, “Bus Wars: Atheists and Christians Jump on the Bus“, the continuing spread of humanist groups advertising on buses and Christian groups responding. Also, regular features: Culture Tracks, In the News, and Letters.

Vol 2:3 Church and Culture. Includes articles on “Tables of Grace in Afghanistan“, a special project to provide for soldiers in Sharana, and “The Shrinking Church“, examining current statistical trends of church growth in the U.S. This issue also includes regular features: Culture Tracks (Americans polled on who their heroes are), In the News, and Letters.

Vol 2:4 New Age/Eastern Religion Includes feature article, “Beatles Take Transcendental Meditation to School“. This issue also includes regular features: Culture Tracks (Belief Trends Among Professing Christians), and In the News.

Vol 2:5 Evolution. Feature article, “Monkey Business: A Chip off the Old Lemur“. Group claims that to have found the latest “missing link”. Issue also includes regular features: Culture Tracks (Current Statistics Regarding American Views of Evolution) and News Items reflecting noteworthy cultural articles in the media.

Vol 2:6 Church and Culture. Feature article, “Upholding Biblical Marriage“. Also featured are statistics regarding current state and views of marriage in America and updates from Afghanistan and Romania. News Items include stories on continuing efforts by atheist groups to promote their beliefs through media sources, effect of economic conditions on church attendance, gay political activism, and an attempt for racial unity in the Church.

Vol 2:7 Atheism/Humanism. Feature article, “Imagine No Religion?“ considers the legal rights of those wishing to promote atheism through advertising and those who offer the advertising space. Also Eric Johnston of the Southeast Law Institute addresses the issue of advertising rights, especially as related to issues of religion in his article Morality and Advertising. Issue includes statistics from Newsweek poll asking if we are a post-Christian nation? Media stories include articles on atheist billboard campaign in Fort Lauderdale and one former pastor’s thoughts on imagining no religion. Also, war of science and religion and Buddhist influence on church-goers.

Vol 2:8 Islam. Feature article, “Understanding Islam“. Includes recent statistics relative to Islam in the United States and how Americans view Islam eight years after 9-11.

Vol 2:9 Eastern Religion. How is Buddhism and other eastern religions encroaching into the US culture? This issue examines one example of the promotion of Buddhism in the feature article, “No Compassion Found in Hell“. Also, Crosswinds announces new ministry – CrossTies Asia.

Vol 3:1 Church and Culture. Can the Church draw a distinction between, methodologies, mission, and its message? That’s the topic of our article, “The Church of Funday“.

Vol 3:2 Culture Trends. Our “Top Ten list of Cultural Deceptions“. See if you agree with our list or would change it.

Vol 3:3 Culture, Faith and Military Service. Feature article, “A Soldier’s Story: Serving in the Middle East“. Also, the military’s policy of “don’t ask, don’t tell” is again in the news. The article “Military Chaplains Weigh In on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell“ gives a glimpse into the thoughts of some of the chaplains who are, or have actively served regarding this policy.

Vol 3:4 Church and Culture. Buddhism. The feature article, “Walking Out On Christianity: A New Trend?“ considers the statement by popular author Anne Rice that she was quitting Christianity and what it might reveal concerning a growing trend in America. Also, “Lessons on Buddhism: Are Thais Really Buddhists?“

Vol 3:5 Culture Trends. The feature article of this issue, “Who’s Out on Halloween“, considers the current state of Halloween and who actually celebrates it.

Vol 3:6 Culture and Faith. The feature article “Three Pigs and a Barbque Sandwich“ considers the need to build our lives wisely in the midst of cultural shifts. Also, “No Te Preocupes” an article on the importance of speaking and understanding the cultural languages.

Vol 4:1 Culture, Faith and Military Service. The feature article “You Can Take the Soldier Out of the War, But…“ takes a compelling look at the difficulty soldiers can have readjusting to life after the battlefield. Written by Don Malin, who served two tours of duty in the Middle East as a military Chaplain.

Vol 4:2 Culture and Faith. The feature article “The Controversy Over Hell“ takes a look at Rob Bell’s bestseller, Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived, as covered by Time magazine under the cover headline: “What If There Is No Hell?”.

Vol 4:3 Culture and Faith. During April 2011, Alabama and several other southern states experienced the worst tornado damage in recent history. In this special issue, Crosswinds president, Bob Waldrep, shares some of his thoughts of going into one of the worst hit areas in the article “Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, and Tornados: Life Lessons from the Back of a Pickup Truck“.

Vol 4:4 False Prophecy. Endtimes. For several weeks in May 2011, the media seemed obsessed with covering a prophecy made by Harold Camping regarding the end of the world. In this issue of CrossingCurrents we consider Camping’s prophecy and why it is getting so much attention in the feature article, Where Were You When the World Didn’t End on May 22, 2011.

Vol 4:5 Culture, Faith and Military Service. After ten years of war in the Middle East, many of those who have served in the military still face the challenges that come with having served in combat. In this issue, Cross-Swords Director, Don Malin who has served two tours of duty in the Middle East, offers some practical tips on how we can minister to those who have served. Read Don’s thoughts in “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon: Ministering to Returning Combat Veterans“.

Vol 4:6 This special issue reflects on the 10th Anniversary of 9-11.  Put on Your Running Shoes: Remembering 9-11

Vol 4:7 Faith and Politics. Considers how important a role a person’s faith might play in their politics. Faith and Politics Intersect in Culture.

Vol 5:1 Faith and Politics. It seems more and more often faith and politics find themselves at odds. The feature article considers this topic in The 102 Take a Stand for Freedom!

Vol 5:2 Gnosticism. In this issue we look at some of the popular magazines’ take on Easter week; particularly regarding heaven and the resurrection. In the attempt to sell magazines, they often reach some amazing conclusions regarding Christian faith beliefs. Rethinking the Resurrection 

Vol 5:3 UFOs and Extraterrestrials. Space aliens are back in the news thanks to a new National Geographic Channel (NGC) series, “Chasing UFOs”. This issue looks at polling data released by NGC to promote the program and the interest Americans have in UFOs. Beam Me Up Scotty!

 Vol 5:4 Mormonism. The 2012 presidential election included a Mormon nominee for the first time in our nation’s history. This issue of CrossingCurrents looked at how Christians should view the nomination and the implications it might have on future elections in The Elephant in the Room. 

Vol 5:5 False Prophecy. Endtimes. Another end of the world prediction is making the rounds based on an ancient calendar. Do they have it right this time? We consider this in “Mayans Meet Chicken Little”.

Vol 6:1 Culture and Entertainment, The History Channel aired a new miniseries based on the Bible. Was there need for any concern by Christians prior to its release? This issue takes a look at the background for the series production. What was said in advance and what, perhaps could also have been disclosed. “The Bible – Ready for Prime Time”.

Vol 6:2 Culture, Faith and Military Service. In this issue, CapStand Director, Linwwod Bragan goes inside Washington DC to look at current attempts to curtail military chaplains from sharing their faith with those they serve alongside. Also, what do Americans think about leadership. “Religious Faith, the New Don’t Ask Don’t Tell?”

Vol 6:3 Culture and Politics. After more than a decade of war, where do Americans stand on possible new interventions? In this issue, we consider reactions to new “lines” being drawn in the sand when it comes to war. “Why Do Americans Reject the – Obama – Red line?”

Vol 6:4  Reinventing Jesus. Entertainment. In this issue, “Jesus: Failed Zealot or Successful Savior?” takes a look at the recent bestseller, Zealot, the Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth, in which the author portrays Jesus as a failed messiah.

Vol 7:1 Gnosticism and the Lost Gospels. In the article, “Lost Gospel or Lost in Gnosticism”, we present the first part of our in-depth review of The Lost Gospel, Decoding the Sacred Text That Reveals Jesus Marriage to Mary Magdalene. Also included is part one “The Da Vinci Code: The Facts Behind the Fiction” which reviews a previous best seller, The DaVinci Code and how it relates to “The Lost Gospel”.

Vol 7:2 Gnosticism and the Lost Gospels. The second parts of “Lost Gospel or Lost in Gnosticism” and “The Da Vinci Code: The Facts Behind the Fiction”. See Vol 7:1 for part one of these articles.

Vol 8:1 Culture, Faith and Military Service. In this issue Front Porch Media Director, Eugene Cuevas reviews the film American Sniper and how it relates to the obligations due our combat veterans. “American Sniper: The Movie, the Legend and the Duty”.

Vol 8:2 Culture, Faith and Entertainment. Is the television miniseries A.D. just meant to attract ratings? Does it accurately portray the biblical story? In this issue we consider these and other questions that may be asked about this series in “A.D. Another serving of “Prime-Time Bible”.

Vol 8:3 Relgious Terrorism. Terror strikes. A few days before the release of this issue Paris was attacked by terrorists. This issue considers the current war on terror as well as some previous acts of terrorism committed in the name of God. This issue also includes an important article by Eugene Cuevas, Shock and Awe: A Response to Combat Trauma.

Vol 8:4 Religion and Politics. In the current campaign for the presidency, we find there is again an elephant in the room as some try to “Christianize” a group that may very well be outside the Christian camp. In this issue we discuss some of the central beliefs of Seventh-day Adventism and how they compare to those of historical Christianity in the article, “Here We Go Again: The Elephant in the Room, Part 2”.

Vol 9:1 Religion and Politics. Who would have thought our political candidates for President would try to “out-Christianize” one another? What’s the story and who is the “real” Christian? We take a look at this interesting turn of events in “Will the Real Christian Please Stand”. Also, in this issues’ “Culture Tracks” find out who Evangelicals prefer on most of the issues.

Vol 10:1 Religions, Scientology. What is going on with Scientology these days? It appears their critics are growing in number. Or, are they just becoming more vocal. In this issue we take a look at this subject in “Scientology’s Vocal Critics”.

Vol 10:2 New Age, Metaphysics. The Secret exposed. What is the Secret? In this issue we take a look at the “law of attraction” which continues to draw many people in today. Can one attract “things” through their thoughts or is this just another distraction? Find out in “The Secret: Law of Attraction or Law of Distraction”.

Vol 10:3 Faith and Culture. New Religions. Cults. Ever tried to share what you believe with someone in another religion and ended up in an argument? In this issue we share some tips on engaging people of other faiths in “Sharing With Those Who Worship Sneezy”.

Vol 10:4 Faith and Culture. Some Christians continue to debate over or struggle with participating in Halloween. We take a look at what’s going on with Halloween in Candy, Costumes and the Good News – Hope for Halloween”.

Vol 10:5 Faith and Culture. Where does the culture stand on the celebration of Christmas – what does it mean today? “Americans’ Changing Views of Christmas” takes a quick look at what the statistical data indicates. For a more extensive look at this topic read “Is There a War on Christmas” in Vol 11:3.

Vol 11:1 Culture, Faith and Entertainment. In his new book, God, A Human History, Reza Aslan does to God what he did to Jesus in his book, Zealot, the Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth (see, CrossingCurrents Vol 6:4 “Jesus: Failed Zealot or Successful Savior?”) – that is he offers an alternative to the biblical record. We review this new tale in “Reza Aslan – Creator or Creative Storyteller”.

Vol 11:2 Culture, Faith and Military Service. Our service to military veterans continues to grow and in this issue we again honor their service as we reflect on their service in “Remembering 9-11” and “Cast a Net, Catch a Vet”.

Vol 11:3 Faith and Culture. Everyone is not happy with or merry about Christmas. In “Is there a War on Christmas” we examine some of the issues being raised about the celebrations and tradition attached to Christmas.

Vol. 12:1 Yoga and Hinduism. Why does a Hindu in Nevada demand Alabama public schools offer yoga; and, why do Alabama schools, by State regulation, forbid yoga being taught in the classroom? This issue considers the answers in “Why the Demand for Not-Yoga?”

Vol. 12:2 Is Christianity in Decline. What do current statistics indicate about the growth of the Christian Church? Is it declining and, if so, does that have an impact on the culture?