DATING SERVICE WARS

Online dating service Chemistry.com is targeting eHarmony.com in a new ad campaign. The marketing strategy will criticize its competitor for refusing to match people of the same gender. It will also go after the evangelical Christian beliefs of founder Neil Warren. He has had several books published by James Dobson’s Focus on the Family. Earlier this year, Chemistry ran a set of ads called Rejected by eHarmony. Chemistry’s 7 million registered users are dwarfed by eHarmony’s 17 million. eHarmony dismisses Chemistry as only a casual dating site and not in the business of fostering lasting relationships. Warren has said he personally believes premarital sex can increase the likelihood of one’s marrying the wrong person.

GIVING GOING ONLINE

Catholics around Cincinnati have a new option – online giving. While it won’t replace collection baskets, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati hopes the option will increase giving to its 230 parishes. Catholic Ministries Appeal set up the funding program and takes a few cents from each dollar donated to pay for keeping the site secure.

HUCKABEE & HAGEE

Mike Huckabee’s recent visit to San Antonio’s Cornerstone church has drawn complaints from the Catholic League. They say John Hagee, pastor of the church, disparages Catholics. The one-time Baptist preacher stopped to give a special Christmas sermon. Huckabee called Hagee, who is known for his teaching on end-time prophecy, "one of the great Christian leaders of our nation."

HOLIDAY CHEER

More than 350 customers at a Seattle area Starbucks bought coffee for the people in line behind them this past week. It all started with a woman who visited the store in Marysville early in the morning. When a Starbucks employee explained the situation to the next person, that customer decided to pass the good will along. Some customers went even further, giving as much as $20 to the coffee shop. The extra money is being used for Starbucks' holiday toy drive.