Archeology:

The lost city where the Olympics began may have been destroyed by tsunamis
Alasdair Wilkins — The Olympic Games first began in the ancient Greek city-state of Olympia. For all its fame, the city suffered a mysterious fate, destroyed by an unknown natural disaster. Now it looks like tsunamis were the culprit…despite being 30 kilometers inland.

The origins of the ancient Olympics are shrouded in mystery, but the generally accepted date for the first Olympiad is 776 BCE, and the games endured for an incredible 1,170 years before the Emperor Theodosius I suppressed them in 394 CE because they were too reminiscent of paganism. The city remained inhabited for another 150 or so years, but by around 551 CE Olympia lay in ruins, and it wouldn’t be until 1829 that it would be rediscovered and excavations could begin. Read full story from io9.com

Bronze Age house from Israel uncovered
Archaeological work during the first season at Tel Shikmona, on the southern edge of Israel’s city of Haifa, has uncovered the remains of a house dating back 3000 years. The site was originally excavated about 40 years ago, but neglect, off road vehicles and the build up of rubbish meant that the site became obscured from view and lay all but forgotten.

Tel Shikmona is located in the Shikmona Nature Reserve and National Park, managed by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. It was originally excavated by Yosef Algavish on behalf of the Municipality of Haifa, when remains of settlement dating from the late Bronze Age (16th century BCE) to the Muslim period of the 7th century CE were uncovered. Read full story from pasthorizonspr.com

Arts & Entertainment:

Is new Harry Potter movie one more two-hour recruiting film for the occult?
The final Harry Potter movie opens Friday, but Steve Wohlberg, author of Exposing Harry Potter and Witchcraft, is worried that it’s one more two-hour recruiting film for the occult.

“The Pottermania will experience one last spasm as the Grand Finale of Harry Potter movies, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 2),” he writes. “When the book was released in July 2007, 11 million copies sold in 24 hours, making it the fastest selling book in history. Read full story from beliefnet.com

Okay. Breathe. ‘Evil Dead’ Remake Is Happening.
I must not assume the worst. I must not assume the worst. I must not assume the worst…

I’ll spare you the rest of my lines (they’re etched on my hand Harry Potter 5 style) and get to the point.

Yesterday Dread Central reported that a new Evil Dead film looked to be going into production. I know, most of us have long since learned to take such stories with at least a few hefty pinches of salt, given how often rumours of a fourth installment and/or remake have arisen this past decade or so. But in this instance, confirmation came quite swiftly from one of the highest possible sources, and – as is so often the case these days – it came via an exchange on Twitter: Read the full story from brutalashell.com

Health:

4 Common Health Care Myths: Test Yourself
When it comes to medical care, you really can have too much of a good thing. Take, for example, the routine use of antibiotics to treat sudden infections of the middle ear (acute otitis media). This condition is the most common reason antibiotics are prescribed for children in the U.S. And yet most ear infections in children will safely clear up on their own within a few days without antibiotic treatment. Treatment for pain relief may be all that is necessary. Antibiotics may be given if symptoms worsen. Read full story from scientificamerican.com

Native American:

Assembly of First Nations Kicks Off National Assembly
First Nations from across Canada are gathering in Moncton, New Brunswick, this week, hosted by the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet Nations, as representatives from 633 First Nations gather to discuss resource development and other aboriginal priorities, including education.

Starting on July 12, hundreds of First Nations chiefs, youth, elders, dignitaries and citizens will gather at the group’s National Assembly to strategize and create an action plan to address indigenous priorities under the theme “The Spirit of Peace and Friendship,” according to an AFN statement. Read full story from indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com

Healthy Communities Focus of Cherokee Nation Conference
TULSA, Okla. — More than 150 representatives from communities across northeastern Oklahoma recently participated in a two-day conference on building healthy communities held recently in Tulsa.

The Creating Healthy Communities Action Institute, sponsored by Cherokee Nation, featured discussions and presentations on creating healthy eating and active living environments, healthy school changes, how complete streets lead to healthy environments and economies, food policies, commercial tobacco control and more.

“Our goal is to help create healthy communities by making the healthy choice the easy choice,” said Lisa Pivec, director of Cherokee Nation Healthy Nation.  “In the spirit of gadugi, we work to form partnerships with schools, state and local governments and other organizations to accomplish this goal.” Read full story from cherokee.org

Religion:

Church Won’t Accept Cash From Catholics Who Voted for Equality
A Catholic bishop is refusing to accept a donation from a New York assemblyman in retribution for his backing of marriage equality.

As he’d been doing for 20 years, Assemblyman Joe Lentol, a Brooklyn Democrat, sent his annual $50 donation to a scholarship fund at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish School. But the New York Daily News  reports that it got returned with word that Brooklyn bishop Nicholas DiMarzio won’t allow any donations from politicians who voted for same-sex marriage. Read full story from advocate.com

Media:

Comments on new atheist movie ‘The Ledge’
There are few faithy topics that get our readers talking like atheism does.

Our Friday story about “The Ledge,” a new atheist-themed movie that’s trying to do for nonbelievers what “Brokeback Mountain,” did for gays and lesbians, drew nearly 4,000 comments.

A few commenters noted that the movie fits a recent trend of atheist evangelism: Read full story from cnn.com

Local kids learn from famous wizard
The welcoming witch met wide eyes and giggles.

With her best British accent, Demi Fair greeted boys and girls June 30 at Paul Smith Library of Southern York County.

She checked her scroll to make sure they were registered. Then the magical child left the muggle world behind.

Fair, program director at the library, and Dawn Stockbridge, children’s program director, designed a four-week summer camp to simulate Harry Potter’s first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from J.K. Rowling’s popular series. Read full story from ydr.com

Blogspot:

• National Geographic – Photos: 4 Natural Wonders Added to World Heritage List
• Scientific American – Taking Charge of Your Life and Your Death

Feel free to leave comments regarding the articles posted.

If you’re interested in guest blogging or would like to submit an article or event, contact me at pagansworld.org@gmail.com.

Thanks for stopping by! Well wishes to you all, have a great day!

Lisa