Martin Palmer, director of the England-based Alliance of Religions and Conservation, claims to have discovered the oldest surviving evidence to date of a Christian church in China near the ancient capital of Xian. Palmer said ancient Chinese texts and military maps made by spies before the Japanese invasion of China in 1937 led him to the site of the Da Qin pagoda, a traditional Chinese structure. When he questioned a Buddhist nun from the area about the building, she confirmed that it was known as a famous Christian site throughout China. Inside Da Qin, Palmer said he found evidence of Christian activity, including a clay figure he believes is meant to represent the Virgin Mary. Excavation of the site, which dates back to 638 a.d., began in March.
Researchers expect to find more Christian artifacts.
In addition to adorning the glossy pages of the latest fashion magazines, internationally famous supermodels will now grace the pages of a new Bible. The edition will feature the text of the traditional King James Version illustrated with nontraditional pictures of Kate Moss, Claudia Schiffer and other models in photographic recreations of biblical stories. The photos will be loose, modern interpretations of biblical characters in updated settings. In response, they have sent the Aurora, a 120-foot fishing ship that has been converted into a floating abortion clinic, to Ireland to offer abortion services. The ship and its staff are funded by a Dutch pro-abortion group called Women on Waves.