Wikipedia:Main Page history/2013 January 4

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From today's featured article
Prosperity theology is a Christian religious doctrine that financial blessing is the will of God, and that faith, positive speech, and donations to Christian ministries will increase one's material wealth. Based on non-traditional interpretations of the Bible, often with emphasis on the Book of Malachi, the doctrine views the Bible as a contract between God and humans: if humans have faith in God, he will deliver his promises of security and prosperity. The doctrine emphasizes the importance of personal empowerment, proposing that it is God's will for his people to be happy. It came to prominence in the United States during the Healing Revivals of the 1950s and later figured prominently in the Word of Faith movement and 1980s televangelism. In the 1990s and 2000s, it was adopted by influential leaders in the Charismatic Movement and promoted by Christian missionaries throughout the world. Churches in which the prosperity gospel is taught are often non-denominational and usually directed by a sole pastor or leader, although some have developed multi-church networks. Prosperity theology has been criticized by leaders in the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements, as well as other Christian denominations, who maintain that it is irresponsible and theologically unsound. (Full article...) Recently featured: State of Vietnam referendum, 1955 – Mauritius Blue Pigeon – Action of 1 January 1800 Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that in order to save the Rollstone Boulder (pictured) from being demolished, it was blown up? ... that William Green, who served as chief engineer throughout the Great Siege of Gibraltar, was later depicted in two paintings of the siege by John Singleton Copley and George Carter? ... that Pengkhianatan G30S/PKI (Treachery of G30S/PKI) may have become the most-viewed Indonesian film of all time because of its use for pro-Suharto propaganda? ... that Jonathan Petropoulos has stated that Kajetan Mühlmann is "arguably the single most prodigious art plunderer in the history of human civilization"? ... that Vaikuntha Chaturmurti, a four-headed aspect of the Hindu god Vishnu, is mostly found in Kashmir? ... that the Rebellion Beer Company, a microbrewery in Marlow Bottom, South East England, uses the chalky water of the local Chiltern Hills, which has high levels of minerals and salts? ... that Lee-Sak "PartinG" Won took first place at the *2012 StarCraft II* World Championship Series held in Shanghai? ... that there are quite a few smews? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article**

In the news
In chess, Magnus Carlsen (pictured) achieves the highest FIDE rating of all time. At least 60 people are killed and 200 injured in a stampede after celebrations at Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Argentina, Australia, Luxembourg, Rwanda, and South Korea join the United Nations Security Council. China officially opens the world's longest high-speed rail route, linking Beijing and Guangzhou. Egyptian voters approve a new constitution. A military aircraft crashes while descending toward Shymkent, Kazakhstan, killing all 27 people on board. The victim of a gang-rape in Delhi, which sparked widespread demonstrations across India, dies in Singapore. Recent deaths: Rita Levi-Montalcini – Tony Greig – William Rees-Mogg Syrian civil war – Wikinews – More current events...
On this day...
January 4: Independence Day in Burma (1948) 1885 – Sino-French War: French troops under General François Oscar de Négrier defeated a numerically superior Qing Chinese force at Nui Bop in northern Vietnam. 1903 – Topsy, a domesticated elephant with the Forepaugh Circus at Luna Park, Coney Island, was executed by electrocution after she was deemed a threat to people, an event captured on film by inventor Thomas Edison. 1973 – Last of the Summer Wine, the longest running sitcom in the world, premiered as an episode of the BBC's Comedy Playhouse. 1976 – The Troubles: Volunteers from the Ulster Volunteer Force shot dead five Irish Catholic civilians in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. 2006 – Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon (pictured) suffered a severe hemorrhagic stroke, leaving Ehud Olmert as Acting Prime Minister. More anniversaries: January 3 – January 4 – January 5 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now January 4, 2013 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The white-lipped tree frog (Litoria infrafrenata) is the world's largest tree frog. This species is native to the rainforests of Northern Queensland, New Guinea, the Bismarck Islands and the Admiralty Islands. It can reach a length of over 13 cm (5 in), with females growing larger than males. The lower lip has a distinctive white stripe, giving this species its common name.

Photo: JJ Harrison

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