Undercover Homosexual Methodist 'Pastors' Exposed

More than a hundred male and female American leaders in the United Methodist Church joined together this week to formally admit they've been falsely serving in local churches by concealing their claims to deviant sexuality.  Their announcement comes as the UMC quadrennial global General Conference begins in Portland, Oregon where these renegades will attempt to force their personal predilections upon the world-wide traditionally Christian denomination that believes homosexual behavior is incompatible with church teaching.

". . . this public relations campaign is designed to overwhelm our denomination’s infrastructure until traditionalists abandon their theological moorings."
-- Rev. Tom Lambrecht, Vice President and General Manager of Good News (representing UMC Christians who hold to Scriptural Authority)

For background, read how renegade UMC leaders recommend taking over the denomination by force.

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

New York Methodist Bishop Allows Same-sex Marriages

UMC Bishop Talbert Breaks UMC Covenant via 'Gay Marriage'

Renegade Methodist Clergy for Same-sex 'Marriage'

Methodists Ignore Own Rules re: Lesbian Pastor

African Methodists' Votes Halt Homosexualists' Rebellion

Also read Methodist Seminaries Train Pluralistic Clergy

And read Methodists Wonder Why Members Leave in Droves



-- From "Defying church ban, dozens of Methodist clergy come out as gay and lesbian" by Daniel Burke, CNN Religion Editor 5/9/16

Dozens of United Methodist clergy members came out as lesbian, gay or bisexual on Monday, defying their church's ban on "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" serving in ministry and essentially daring their supervisors to discipline them.

In a public letter posted online, 111 pastors, deacons, elders and candidates for ministry said church rules require "that we not bring our full selves to ministry, that we hide from view our sexual orientations and gender identities."

A spokesman for Reconciling Ministries Network, [a renegade UMC] LGBT advocacy group that organized the letter, said that about 80% of the 111 signatories are coming out to their supervisors for the first time. In addition to gay and lesbian clergy, the letter was also signed by intersex and transgender pastors, who are not technically excluded from ministry.

Monday's missive follows a similar letter issued by 15 Methodist ministers in New York, who also openly acknowledged that they are gay or lesbian.

A council of African bishops issued a statement last September urging Methodists to "submit to the teachings of Scripture that God designed marriage to be between man and woman."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "As United Methodists meet, 111 clergy come out as gay, defy church ban" by Greg Garrison, The Birmingham News 5/11/16

The United Methodist Church, the nation's second-largest Protestant denomination with 7.4 million members [in the U.S.], has debated homosexuality at its General Conference every four years for four decades.

While the U.S. membership in the denomination has declined, membership in Africa has expanded, and those members have an increasingly important voice in the General Conference debates. While the U.S. leadership has become more accepting of homosexuality, the newer African members have held the conservative line.

While the number of United Methodists in Africa grows by about 250,000 members a year, the number of U.S. United Methodists shrinks every year, by more than 50,000.

Africans will constitute about 30 percent of the 864 delegates to this year's General Conference.

Without the church's growing global membership, the United Methodists would very likely have taken a turn towards acceptance of gay marriage, like several other mainline Protestant denominations . . .

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "United Methodist lawmaking body to weigh LGBT issues" by Holly Meyer, The Tennessean 5/10/16

The United Methodist Church does not permit its clergy to officiate same-sex marriages, but that divisive issue and others regarding full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members are up for debate as the denomination convenes its top policy-making body this week in Portland, Ore.

Delegates from across the globe will consider more than 100 pieces of legislation regarding human sexuality at the General Conference, which meets every four years to decide the future direction of the second-largest Protestant denomination in the United States. It counts about 12.8 million members worldwide.

The 864 delegates gathering at the Oregon Convention Center have the power to revise church law, pass resolutions on social and public policy and adopt churchwide budgets and plans. While LGBT concerns are in the spotlight, the General Conference is considering a plethora of issues. The gathering started Tuesday afternoon with a worship celebration and concludes May 20.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Good News responds to clergy coming out letter" by Jay Voorhees, Executive Editor, United Methodist Reporter 5/9/16

The Rev. Tom Lambrecht, Vice President and General Manager of Good News, an organization that has advocated for the retention of the current United Methodist teaching on homosexuality, released a statement this afternoon in response to the letter from 111 UM clergy identifying themselves as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and Intersex (LGBTQI).

“Unfortunately, the statement comes across more like a manifesto for an orchestrated campaign to influence General Conference than a ‘Love Letter to the Church,’” Lambrecht wrote.

Lambrecht addressed the concerns raised by the letter writers about their need to hide parts of themselves as they carry out  the work of ministry:

The letter talks about LGBTQI persons being forced to hide parts of themselves in order to engage in ministry. No one is forcing LGBTQI persons to hide their identities. That is a choice that they are making. The church has always been straightforward about what is acceptable behavior for clergy. Having same-sex attractions or being LGBTQI is not a bar to ordained ministry. Engaging in sexual relationships outside monogamous heterosexual marriage is a bar to ordained ministry. The line is clear. It is LGBTQI persons who have chosen to cross that line and yet pretend to fulfill their ordination vows. Such an action constitutes a fundamental lack of integrity that undermines the doctrine, discipline, and unity of the church.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "United Methodists may never agree on LGBT issues. Can they stay together anyway?" by Michelle Boorstein, Washington Post 5/9/16

Disputes over human sexuality appear to many to be most pressing [for the UMC General Conference]. This is in part because United Methodists have not changed their stance on homosexuality, whereas much of mainline Protestantism has in some way. The United Methodist Book of Discipline – the group’s book of law and doctrine – calls homosexuality “incompatible with Christian teaching.” The church has also seen huge controversy in recent years as pastors have begun openly bucking the ban on officiating at same-sex weddings, and high-profile disciplinary trials have embarrassed many Methodists.

According to the United Methodist News Service, the conference will weigh more than 100 pieces of legislation on human sexuality. Delegates from dozens of countries will consider the possibility of full inclusion of LGBT people, the “agree to disagree” option, whether gay people can be ordained, the question of officiating at same-sex weddings, whether such weddings can be held in Methodist churches and whether the current Book of Discipline wording should remain.

The United Methodist News Service lists “church structure and powers” as the first of top, broad issues to be voted upon this month. The most broad is a measure asking whether Methodists “can create a global Book of Discipline that says: ‘Here’s what we agree upon worldwide,’ and then one for each area of the world to help us deal with our own cultures,” said the Rev. Tom Berlin, a delegate from the Floris United Methodist Church in Herndon, Va. “The issue is: What questions belong to the whole, and what questions belong to the parts?”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Charlotte gay wedding defies United Methodist Church rules" by Tim Funk, The Charlotte Observer 4/24/16

. . . [Rev. Val Rosenquist, 59,] the pastor of Charlotte’s First United Methodist Church and a retired bishop [Melvin Talbert] who once did jail time with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. decided to go ahead over the weekend and preside at the wedding of John Romano and Jim Wilborne.

The two Charlotte men became the first same-sex couple in North Carolina to get married – at least publicly – in a United Methodist church.

They said the Saturday wedding was attended by more than 250 people – including about 30 supportive United Methodist clergy. Also in attendance: Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts, who is a friend of the couple’s.

Last August, [Rosenquist] said, the leadership board at First United Methodist voted that any member of the church could get married in the sanctuary, even if that defied the [UMC] Book of Discipline.

The 81-year-old Talbert, a retired United Methodist bishop based in Nashville and a one-time leader of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, spent three days and three nights in a jail cell with King in 1960. He called his disobedience of Methodist rules against same-sex marriage an act of “biblical obedience.”

On Sunday, Talbert delivered the sermon at First United Methodist Church, telling about 150 people in the pews that, like African-Americans, women and other past victims of discrimination, LGBT persons are being ridiculed and ostracized “simply because of the way God created them.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Methodists call themselves the ‘church of the big tent.’ Why one minister is camping outside." by Julie Zauzmer, Washington Post 4/5/16

[His daughter Sarah] was the inspiration for [UMC Rev. Michael Tupper's] activism – and the first lesbian bride he married.

[Sarah] and her wife met at the preeminent evangelical university Wheaton College — despite the fact that Tupper, suspecting that his teenage daughter was lesbian, told her that if she were lesbian she should not go to Wheaton.

Tupper reached a sort of out-of-court settlement in the United Methodist Church’s judicial system. He knew when he agreed to officiate [the same-sex wedding] that he might be defrocked for it . . . But Tupper was cleared to continue ministry at his church near Kalamazoo, Mich.

Then he performed his second gay wedding, that of a fellow United Methodist minister who was banned from his pulpit when he came out as gay. Tupper expected, after he helped officiate Benjamin Hutchison’s wedding, that he would face a church trial.

But the trial never came.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Female Methodist pastor admits she's gay during church service, stunning worshippers" by Czarina Ong, Christian Today 1/19/16

Nobody was prepared for Pastor Cynthia Meyer's coming out declaration during the Edgerton United Methodist Church's first sermon this 2016, but the 53-year-old Kansas pastor decided then that it was the best time for her to serve "with full authenticity and as my genuine self—as a woman who loves and shares my life with another woman."

Meyer risks being sacked because of her pronouncement, but she insists that her conscience is clear because she keeps "faith with the church by challenging it to keep faith with the Gospel."

Conservative Methodists, on the other hand, are not condoning Meyer's vocal support of same-sex relationships and marriages.

They wrote: "We simply cannot abandon the Bible's teachings on the practice of homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Your proposal would put us, who believe that same-sex relations are sinful, in the position of having to deny our consciences. This new policy is simply asking us to do something we cannot do."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "New York United Methodist Body Says It Will Ignore Church's Rules on Gay Clergy" by Michael Gryboski, Christian Post Reporter 3/3/16

The New York Annual Conference's Board of Ordained Ministry released a statement Tuesday noting that they will no longer consider the sexual orientation or gender identity of an ordination candidate.

The Rev. William B. Pfohl, chair of the NYAC BOOM and chief signatory of the statement, told The Christian Post that the . . . final vote on the released statement took place on Feb. 20, with a supermajority of the New York board approving the standards via secret ballot.

NYAC is not the only conference in the UMC that has recently announced its decision to ignore the denomination's ordination rules regarding homosexual practice.

Last month the Board of Ordained Ministry of the Baltimore-Washington Conference announced that they recommended a married lesbian to a provisional deacon position.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Liberal 'Churches' Continue to Wither as well as Liberal 'Churches' Conforming to Decadent Culture

In addition, read President Obama's National Cathedral is the Seat of Apostasy

For myriad attacks on the Bible and Christian faith, read CBS Gives Voice to Atheists, Heretics, & Apostates

Catholic Univ. Hits Staffer for Pro-Catholic Views

An alumni office employee of Loyola Marymount University (LMU), a Jesuit institution located near Los Angeles, California, espoused the Roman Catholic views concerning "sexual orientation" with Cosette Carleo, a student who claims to be "gender neutral."  Carleo accused the employee of committing the hate crime of "denying transgenderism" so the University promptly suspended the employee.

“The University stands behind its statement of non-discrimination, which prohibits unwelcome, harassing conduct on the basis of several classifications, including gender identity and sexual orientation.”
-- John Kiralla, Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT)

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Bishop 'Too Catholic' to Speak at Catholic College

Notre Dame Honors Pro-abortion VP Biden — Students Protest

Wisconsin Catholic College Welcomes Abortion Feminist Speaker

New Jersey Catholic Religion Teacher Suspended for being Too Biblical

Catholic School Must Hire Homosexuals, Massachusetts Court Rules

Also read Must Censor Speech, Say Most College Students

-- From "15-Year Catholic Employee of Loyola Marymount University Suspended Accused of Hate Crime" by Kevin Whitson, Western Journalism 4/30/16

There apparently are two versions to the story of what occurred April 14 on the campus of Loyola Marymount University.

If the LMU Gender Sexuality Alliance’s story is to be believed, an LMU employee of the alumni office allegedly tore down and threw away LGBTQ+ Awareness Week posters, and accosted three LMU students, one of who self-identifies as gender neutral.

According to LMU’s GSA press release, the employee “aggressively confronted” the students who were attempting to rehang the posters and “replied hatefully” to them adding the employee was “denying the existence of transgender people” and that “heterosexuality is the only truth.”

Substantiating the employee’s claim that she’s the target of a smear campaign, an alumnus, Anthony Gonzales, overheard the entire incident and wrote a lengthy article in defense of the long-time LMU employee.

The other side of the story is vastly different from the one being told by Carleo, the GSA, and The Loyolan (campus newspaper) which published an article about the incident. . . .

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Believing in two genders is a ‘hate crime’ under police investigation at Catholic college" by Matt Lamb, University of Nebraska-Omaha, posted at The College Fix 4/27/16

Both the [Los Angeles Police Department] and the university’s Bias Incident Response Team are investigating the stated belief that only two genders exist, male and female, as a hate crime.

. . . Gonzales said the employee was “in the process of seeking legal counsel” to defend herself and hold LMU accountable for how she was “unfairly treated and summarily dismissed” before she could give her side. He did not immediately respond to a Facebook message from The Fix Tuesday night.

Though the Bias Incident Response Team told The Loyolan there were two investigations – the sign removal and the employee’s conversation with the students – Carleo admitted they have no evidence that the employee removed the signs.

Carleo told The Fix that while voices were raised in the conversation, there was no actual yelling, and witnesses who considered intervening saw that “there was no danger.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Alleged LGBTQ+ hate crime, during Rainbow Week" by Kellie Chudzinski, Asst. News Editor, The Los Angeles Loyolan 4/19/16

Three student workers from the LGBT Student Services office were engaged in a verbal altercation with an LMU employee from the Alumni Relations office between 9 a.m and 12 p.m. on Palm Walk near the Von der Ahe building on Thursday, April 14, according to a Gender-Sexuality Alliance press release.

Senior biology major Catalina Ibarra and senior business majors Kaii Blanton and Cosette Carleo noticed that signs put up for Rainbow Week, or LGBTQ+ Awareness Week, by LGBT Student Services (LGBTSS) had been removed and placed behind a garbage can, according to Carleo.

As Blaton, Carleo and Ibarra attempted to replace the signs, an employee from the Alumni Relations office, whose name has not yet been made available to the public, allegedly approached the students about LGBTQ+ issues and voiced opinions on differing sexualities, expressing that anti-LGBTQ+ signs should be put up in place of the students’ signs. The employee also referred to one of the students as a man, even though that student had informed the employee that they identify as gender neutral, according to Carleo.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "University employee is accused of hate crime for defending Catholic teaching" posted at California Catholic Daily 4/17/16

[Excerpts from an April 16 email forwarded to California Catholic Daily from the husband of the subject employee:]

At the time [of the incident] my wife was talking to alum [Gonzales], who thankfully heard the entire exchange. After determining they had permission to post the signs, the group engaged in a what my wife thought was a very good dialogue of ideas and opinions. The girls were posting signs promoting the various sexual activities and orientations of the LGBTQ. My wife is Catholic and a strong supporter of the Church, marriage and family, and Catholic morality. Of particular focus was the girls promotion of what they label “PanSexual” i.e. someone who participates (or prefers) every kind of sexual encounter. One of the girls identified herself as lesbian and accused my wife of not loving women. My wife pointed out she was called to love everyone, including the girls. She said she found the whole sexual labeling thing was causing confusion especially in the youth whose sexuality is still malleable. The girls agreed with my wife that they too disagreed with the ideas behind Pan-sexuality, claiming they wanted monogamy, but wanted to give it a label so people could identify themselves. My wife pointed out that this was promotion of these lifestyles not just labeling and this was offensive to her heart. It was lovingly expression of disagreement, and a legitimate exchange of ideas and reasons, with my wife defending the Truths of the Church, and listening with love to these girls ideas.

. . . Everyone thanked the other upon leaving, the girls thanking my wife for her opinions and “appreciated the dialogue’. My wife agreed.

. . . My wife was informed this morning that she is suspended from her job of 15 years pending an investigation of this “incident”. No one got her side of the story. In addition there was an alumni witness who verified her accounts of the conversation. No one has spoken to him either.

. . . No-one from the University talked to my wife before the Loyolan article was written, or before she was suspended and sent home. My wife, when she read the article, immediately went to her supervisor to protest the accuracy of the article. Her supervisor refused to talk to her and simply sent her home to let HR investigate.

Clearly my wife has been defamed by the Loyolan, and by lack of supervision, the University itself. The University is responsible for this hateful twist of the truth and allowing these lies to be published without getting the other side. If the girls involved really concocted this lie they too are guilty of libel and slander. We are a Catholic Family and hold true to the faith expressed by Christ. But now, being a loving Catholic called to care for others is a Hate crime at LMU, ironically at so called Catholic University.

To read the entire E-mail and article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read this past news article:

From "Jesuit Loyola Marymount University Launches LGBT Office" by Kathleen Gilbert, LifeSiteNews.com 9/28/10

Unlike the school's student-run Gay Straight Alliance club, the [new LGBT office] will supply professional staff to minister to LGBT students, following in the footsteps of Georgetown University and Gonzaga University.  Dr. Lane Bove, senior vice president for Student Affairs, described the office's role as promoting "equality, visibility and inclusion of LGBT students within the LMU community" as well as "advocacy and support for the LGBT student community" and engaging "regular dialogues about the intersection of sexual orientation and gender identity with issues of faith, religion and culture.”

At the Web site of LMU's Intercultural Affairs/Sexual and Gender Identity Office, the school states a commitment to "developing socially responsible men and women" who will "learn to value the unique qualities of diverse cultures." Notably, the graphic for the office's site includes a photograph of a young woman holding a sign protesting Proposition 8, the constitutional amendment in California establishing the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles did not return a request for comment.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Go To Jail for Bible Speech, Says Univ. of Texas Police

However, Judge Rules Illinois College Must Accept 'Anti-Gay' Speech

Notre Dame Honors Pro-abortion VP—Students Protest

Notre Dame students say they will skip the May 15th commencement ceremonies if the university awards the Laetare Medal to Vice President Joe Biden or former Speaker of the House John Boehner because neither self-proclaimed Catholic politicians' actions warrant the honor.

“I don't think it makes sense to honor politicians for being politicians, but divorce that from the actual things they've done in office.”
-- Tom Bradley, student

“The purpose is to give it to someone who's been a faithful Catholic and has served the church in public life. And I don't believe that either of these two have done that exceptionally well.”
-- Hailey Vrdolyak, student

For background, read Vice President Biden Says 'Gay Rights' Trump Religious Beliefs and also Advocates Sexual Deviancy

Also read Vice President Biden Takes Communion in Rome, Pope Opposed and Bishops Chasten the VP

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Notre Dame Rejects Students for Natural Marriage

Notre Dame Blesses Homosexual Student Organization

Notre Dame Pays Students for Homosexual Activism

Also read Catholics Blast Notre Dame for Honoring Barack Obama (the abortion president)



-- From "Notre Dame students hold pro-life prayer service in response to Laetare Medal controversy" by Michelle Beck, WNDU-TV16 (South Bend, IN) 4/18/16

Students argued that although both men are Catholic, they don't have a strong record of supporting pro-life legislation.

In an afternoon of prayer and songs near the grotto, the students say they think the university should honor more deserving candidates.

Notre Dame leaders say the award is not an endorsement of either man's political beliefs, but is a celebration of their ability to compromise and work together in DC.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Pro-Life Students Hold Prayer Vigil to Protest Notre Dame Honoring Joe Biden, John Boehner" by Michael Gryboski, Christian Post Reporter 4/18/16

[Last Sunday, about 100] Pro-life students at Notre Dame University held a prayer vigil to showcase their opposition to the Catholic school honoring Vice President Joe Biden and former House Speaker John Boehner due to the two politicians' views on abortion and the death penalty.

According to the Notre Dame Students for Life's official club statement, "by awarding the Laetare Medal to these leaders, the university has in fact compromised its Catholic identity."

"Vice President Biden has supported pro-choice politics, the death penalty and therapeutic cloning of embryos. While former Speaker of the House John Boehner is pro-life on the issue of abortion, he, too, has supported the death penalty," stated the club.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Notre Dame students holding ‘prayerful protest’ this weekend over Biden award" by Claire Chretien, LifeSiteNews 4/15/16

The student groups Notre Dame Right to Life, the Identity Project of Notre Dame, the Irish Rover student newspaper, Militia of the Immaculata, Jus Vitae, the St. Thomas More Society, and the Catholic Graduate Community are sponsoring the event, during which prayers will be offered “for a greater respect for human life, and especially for Notre Dame's commitment to its Catholic identity and to protecting the sanctity of life at all stages.”

[Bishop Kevin] Rhoades said bestowing the Laetare Award on Biden could “provoke scandal” by giving the impression “that one can be ‘a good Catholic’ while also supporting or advocating for positions that contradict our fundamental moral and social principles and teachings.”

“I also question the propriety of honoring a public official who was a major spokesman for the redefinition of marriage,” Rhoades said. “The Church has continually urged public officials, especially Catholics, of the grave and clear obligation to oppose any law that supports or facilitates abortion or that undermines the authentic meaning of marriage. I disagree with awarding someone for ‘outstanding service to the Church and society’ who has not been faithful to this obligation.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Jenkins defends Laetare Medal decision" by Katie Galioto, The Observer (ND student newspaper) 4/15/16

[University President Fr. John Jenkins said,] “. . . I thought it was an opportunity to recognize people who had risen to the very highest level of political leadership. For their dedication to public service, their willingness to work with others for the common good, we recognize them with the Laetare.”

“I do want, with this award, to fight against the tendency that those who disagree with us are necessarily evil or worthy only of our disdain,” he said. “We can disagree — and even disagree on significant moral issues — and still find laudable qualities in those with whom we disagree.”

“I’m certainly not saying that I support all the Vice President’s positions,” he said. “But I do find, in the record, that he took account of his Catholic faith, even while trying to make decisions on legislation — that’s often complex in a nation on issues on which the nation is deeply divided.”

Ultimately, Jenkins said he thinks a public servant can exemplify what it means to be a Catholic leader, regardless of his or her political affiliation.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Catholic Bishops Warn Voting for Democrats is 'Grave Sin'

From "The Little Sisters vs. Notre Dame" by William McGurn, Wall Street Journal 4/4/16

[The Little Sisters of the Poor were] at Notre Dame to accept an award from the Center for Ethics and Culture for their work upholding the worth and dignity of every human life.

The Little Sisters are front and center in the challenge to the Affordable Care Act mandate that requires them to change their health-care plan to offer employees contraceptives, sterilization procedures and abortion-inducing drugs—all contrary to Catholic teaching. The Little Sisters argue the administration is forcing them to choose between their faith and the loving care they provide men and women too old or too poor to care for themselves.

. . . Not only does Vice President Biden have a long and loud public record in opposition to Catholic teaching on abortion and marriage, he is the second-highest official in an administration that Notre Dame has accused in court of forcing it to “violate its own conscience.”

. . . All in all, it’s a sad message Notre Dame sends: Principles are a fine thing—just don’t let them get in the way of a comfortable place in society.

To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Pope Francis Blasts Liberal 'christians' as Pagans

Hindus Praise Obama's Yoga at Easter Celebration

This year, the White House Easter Egg celebration includes an opportunity for "yoga professionals" to influence the 35,000 attendees.  It's all in keeping with President Obama's past sacrilegious, nominally Christian gestures:

President Obama's Homosexual Easter at the White House

President Obama's Homosexual Christmas Proclamation

President Obama Reads Easter Message Speech

President Obama's Apostate Easter Sermon at D.C. Episcopal Church

President Obama's National Cathedral is the Seat of Apostasy

-- From "Yoga Sessions To Be Part Of Easter Celebrations" posted at NDTV 3/26/16

Professional Yoga instructors will have sessions with thousands of Americans who are expected to throng the sprawling White House lawns in Washington on Monday for Easter Egg celebrations, the final Easter for Obama Administration.

A "Yoga Garden" is one of the 10 different zones that has been created for the event for which some 35,000 tickets have been issued for the people to come and enjoy the festivities.

On Friday the White House announced the full programme, activities, and talent line-up for the 2016 White House Easter Egg Roll, a tradition in its 138th year and the largest annual public event at the White House.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Hindus welcome Yoga Garden in White House Easter Egg Roll event" posted at MENAFN Press 3/27/16

Commending the White House gesture to include yoga in Easter Egg Roll events the largest annual public event at the White House Hindu statesman Rajan Zed in a statement in Nevada today said that although introduced and nourished by Hinduism yoga was a world heritage and liberation powerhouse to be utilized by all.

Rajan Zed who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism pointed out that yoga referred as "a living fossil was a mental and physical discipline for everybody to share and benefit from whose traces went back to around 2000 BCE to Indus Valley civilization. According to Patanjali who codified it in Yoga Sutra yoga was a methodical effort to attain perfection through the control of the different elements of human nature physical and psychical Zed noted.

According to US National Institutes of Health yoga may help one to feel more relaxed be more flexible improve posture brthe deeply and get rid of stress. According to a recently released "2016 Yoga in America Study" about 37 million Americans (which included many celebrities) now practice yoga; and yoga is strongly correlated with having a positive self image. Yoga is the repository of something basic in the human soul and psyche Rajan Zed adds.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

President Obama Invokes God: Gay Agenda Trumps Religious Liberty

Obama Plans to Ban Evangelism to 'Homosexual Kids'

President Obama Ignores Hate Crimes Against Christians

Is President Obama a Christian? No, Say Two-Thirds of Americans

Also read American Decline: President Obama's Gay Agenda vs. Christians

Wheaton College Prof. in Muslim Garb for Christmas

A political science associate professor at a well-known evangelical college in suburban Chicago is wearing a hijab to class and everywhere else during Advent to show “religious solidarity with Muslims” and to launch a Christian movement with Islam by wearing the mandatory head scarf for oppressed Muslim women.

“I stand in religious solidarity with Muslims because they, like me, a Christian, are people of the book. And as Pope Francis stated last week, we worship the same God.”
-- Professor Larycia Alaine Hawkins, Wheaton College faculty member since 2007

For background, read Leftist Teaching at Wheaton College

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Teaching Christians Muslim Dress in Illinois School

CAIR Teaching Girls to Wear Muslim Hijab in California School

U.S. Schools Force Islamic Terror Singing, Posters

Massachusetts Students Forced To Learn Muslim Conversion

Pennsylvania School Staff to Mosque for Islamic Training

-- From "Christian college professor wears hijab in solidarity with Muslim women" by Joshua Chavers, WPTV-TV5 (West Palm Beach, FL) 12/13/15

“I don't love my Muslim neighbor because s/he is American. I love my Muslim neighbor because s/he deserves love by virtue of her/his human dignity,” Hawkins said in [her Facebook page last week showing herself wearing a hijab].

The professor says as part of the Advent season, she will wear the hijab “to work at Wheaton College, to play in Chi-town, in the airport and on the airplane to my home state… and at church.”

Hawkins notes that she checked first with the Council on American Islamic Relations [CAIR] to make sure it was not offensive in any way for non-Muslim women to wear the hijab and she invites other women to join her effort as a way to express support and unity.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Wheaton College Prof. to Wear Hijab During Advent to Show Solidarity With Muslims" by Samuel Smith, Christian Post Reporter 12/11/15

[Hawkins wrote:] "I stand in human solidarity with my Muslim neighbor because we are formed of the same primordial clay, descendants of the same cradle of humankind — a cave in Sterkfontein, South Africa that I had the privilege to descend into to plumb the depths of our common humanity in 2014."

"I invite all women into the narrative that is embodied, hijab-wearing solidarity with our Muslim sisters — for whatever reason. A large scale movement of Women in Solidarity with Hijabs is my Christmas #wish this year," Hawkins continued. "Perhaps you are a Muslim who does not wear the veil normally. Perhaps you are an atheist or agnostic who finds religion silly or inexplicable. Perhaps you are a Catholic or Protestant Christian like me. Perhaps you already cover your head as part of your religious worship, but not a hijab."

"I asked whether a non-Muslim wearing the hijab was haram (forbidden), patronizing, or otherwise offensive to Muslims. I was assured by my friends at CAIR-Chicago that they welcomed the gesture," she explained. "So please do not fear joining this embodied narrative of actual as opposed to theoretical unity; human solidarity as opposed to mere nationalistic, sentimentality."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Evangelical Christian professor dons hijab because 'we worship the same God'" by Harry Farley, Junior Staff Writer, Christian Today 12/14/15

. . . in a more recent post she explained she had received criticism "almost exclusively from other Christians."

She said her position was "one held for centuries by countless Christians (church fathers, saints, and regular Christian folk like)" and insisted that "asserting our religious solidarity with Muslims and Jews will go a long way toward quelling religious violence and enervating religionist fear of the religious other."

Hawkins' gesture has been welcomed by the council on American-Islamic relations [CAIR] . . .

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Hijab-Wearing Wheaton College Prof. Responds to Critics Who Question Her Devotion (Interview)" by Samuel Smith, Christian Post Reporter 12/14/15

Since her controversial Facebook post last Thursday, Hawkins said that at least ten other people, including students, friends and even a mother of one of her former students, have told her that they will be taking part in wearing hijabs this Christmas season. She is not certain if all of them plan on wearing the hijab throughout the entire Advent or just for a day or two.

"I think that is the kind of unity through religious diversity that I am trying to accomplish through this is to have unity with women who are easily targeted because they wear their religion on their head," Hawkins stressed. "I really find it imperative to think about what it means to coexist as religionists. There are Christian missionaries who uphold these models of the faith who are doing the same thing as a way of reaching out to Muslims even as they try to spread the gospel. I am not sure if we see this is a way of sharing the gospel or as an act of religious solidarity. I think people do it all the time, just not in the U.S."

"I think woman wearing a cross or a man wearing a cross isn't necessarily deemed Christian but a woman wearing a hijab is always assumed to be Muslim, even though Jesus' mom wore a hijab. Mary, the mother of God, wore a hijab," Hawkins highlighted. " The context in the time is fortuitous to remind ourself that in some context, this is a cultural element of dress. Some of my friends who are missionaries in the Middle East wear the hijab while they live there everyday."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

UPDATE 2/10/16: From "Wheaton College 'Same God' Prof. Says Jesus Is Her Rock on Difficult Journey From Advent to Lent" by Samuel Smith, Christian Post Reporter

. . . Wheaton Provost Stanton Jones recommended last month that the school begin the termination proceedings for Hawkins, who was placed on administrative leave in mid-December after she asserted that Christians and Muslims worship the same God.

On Saturday, it was announced in a press release that the school and Hawkins "found a mutual place of resolution and reconciliation." The statement added that the two sides "reached a confidential agreement under which they will part ways."

Although Hawkins issued a four-page theological statement on the matter days after she was suspended, the institution still felt that more theological discussion was needed before she could return to teach. Hawkins, however, made it clear to the administration that she would no longer have theological dialogue over the matter.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

UPDATE 2/10/16: From "Deal between Wheaton College, professor creates scholarship in her name" by Jessica Cilella, Daily Herald (Chicago suburbs)

[Wheaton College President Philip] Ryken said reconciliation is not always easy or perfect, but the college and Hawkins are "moving forward in genuine friendship, wishing each other well and wanting to bless each other in our work."

The debate over Hawkins' comments continues to resonate throughout the Wheaton College community. Even as Ryken and Hawkins stood together in Chicago, roughly two dozen students, alumni and religious leaders were gathering outside the school's Edman Chapel to announce the launch of a nationwide fast that calls upon the Wheaton community and other evangelical Christian institutions to "confess and repent of the sins of racism, sexism and Islamophobia, and recognize that all humans have dignity and are created equal in the eyes of God."

As president, Ryken said he is committed to restoring "what is lost and repair what is broken" on campus. To do that, he has asked the college's board of trustees to review ways the college can improve how it addresses faculty and personnel issues in the future, particularly when questions arise that relate to the college's statement of faith. He added that the school stands for religious freedom and against the repression of anyone, including Muslims.

Wheaton College theology professor George Kalantzis said Hawkins provided great spiritual and moral leadership, as well as a safe and inviting learning environment, on a campus that greatly needed it.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Christian Wheaton College 'Gay Alumni' Homecoming

Wichita State Chapel Muslim Conversion = Uprising

The Wichita State University administration is backtracking as a result of public reaction to recent renovations of the Harvey D. Grace Memorial Chapel that removed the Christian cross, altar and pews in favor of a more mosque-like atmosphere complete with Muslim prayer rugs.  The university is also being pressured by naïve students and other liberals for more "inclusive" construction projects including additions of Islamic-compliant restrooms, showers, etc.

"This is Islamophobia [that's] coming from off-campus, not from the students here."
-- Joseph Shepard, Wichita State Univ. student body president

For background, read about overt indoctrination of Islam in public schools across America.

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Former Christian University Announces Muslim Prayers

Texas Sharia Tribunal Judge Gives Muslim Prayer at Rodeo

Muslim Prayer Ends Invocation Policy in North Carolina

Lawmakers Counter Islamic Teaching in Tennessee Schools

Angry Muslims Storm New Jersey School Board Demanding Holidays

Allah Worshiped in Virginia Methodist Church

Also read about atheist and humanist "chaplains" hired at more American universities and colleges.





-- From "Wichita State criticized for changing chapel for Muslims" by The Associated Press 10/7/15

The [donor] family that made the chapel possible in 1964 specified that it remain open to all creeds and races. But dozens of Wichita residents learned about the renovation after Wichita State alumna Ann Cusick posted the changes to her Facebook page Friday and said taking out the pews marginalized Christians.

After that, university donors, alumni and others began posting comments and contacting university administrators.

Wichita State President John Bardo said Tuesday in a statement on the university's Facebook page that the school will consider changing the chapel's furnishings once again.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "News of Wichita State chapel renovation to help Muslims sparks backlash" by Roy Wenzl, The Wichita Eagle 10/6/15

[WSU’s vice president for student affairs, Eric] Sexton vowed on Tuesday to spend “whatever time it takes” to talk to students, donors, alums and the Wichita community.

[Alumna Ann] Cusick posted about the chapel renovation as soon as she learned of it, on Friday, six months after it was settled. She included a photo from inside the chapel, showing the absence of pews. “The Muslims are ecstatic” about the renovation, she wrote in the post. “Sumpin’ NOT right here.”

By Monday, donors, alums and others were contacting WSU administrators, including Sexton, who serves a dual role as both student affairs vice president and executive athletic director.

. . . There was a more recent story in the campus paper reporting that hundreds of Muslim students had signed a petition asking WSU to install bidet shower heads in WSU restroom and showers. A hand-held bidet is used among Muslims as part of cleansing habits.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Minority Muslim students take over Christian chapel in Kansas university" by Hazel Torres, Christian Today 10/9/15

Right in the American Heartland, in the state of Kansas, a minority group of Muslim students have succeeded in taking over what used to be the Christian chapel of their university to the dismay of the school's majority Christian population.

But the Muslims now in control of the facility are dismissing the Christian outrage, calling it "Islamophobia," or prejudice against Muslims.

The Muslim students have also apparently taken over the university's student body and publication, the Wichita Eagle. Student body president Joseph Shepard told the Wichita Eagle that the Christian outrage is "coming from off-campus, not from the students here."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Some would prefer that Muslims not use Wichita State chapel" by Mary Sanchez, Kansas City Star 10/9/15

It should also be underscored that Christian students who used the chapel also favored taking out the pews to make the space more inviting to Bible study groups and interfaith events. The request came through the student government association.

Why not accommodate Muslims at Wichita State? They number about 1,000 out of the nearly 15,000 in the student body. As The Wichita Eagle also explained, most of the foreign Muslim students pay three times the tuition rate of in-state students.

Obviously, alumni of any university or college have an important role to play. They have a vested interest in the stability of their alma mater. But alumni who are good stewards understand that they shouldn’t meddle by imposing their prejudices.

To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.

From "Heartland fury as university renovates chapel to accommodate Muslims" by Todd Starnes, FoxNews.com 10/8/15

. . . what happened at Wichita State wasn’t so much a renovation as it was a Christian cleansing. Anything remotely related to the décor of a Christian church was given the heave-ho.

The chapel’s stained glass windows are still intact – for now. But I would not be terribly surprised if they’re boarded up – for the sake of inclusivity.

This is what the Islamic transformation of a nation founded on Judeo-Christian values looks like, folks. The Christian faith is marginalized while the Islamic faith is given accommodation.

To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.

Also read President Obama Praises Islam for Making America What It Is

And read Muslim Beheads Christians in New Jersey per Koran

Pope Affirms Marriage, Vatican Fires Gay Priest

Yesterday, the Vatican fired Monsignor Krzysztof Charamsa of the International Theological Commission at the Vatican for publicly "coming out as gay" on the eve of a 3-week synod of bishops from across the globe.  Today, Pope Francis again, for the umpteenth time, reaffirmed the Roman Catholic opposition to any redefinition of marriage.

"The decision [by Charamsa] to make such a pointed statement on the eve of the opening of the synod appears very serious and irresponsible, since it aims to subject the synod assembly to undue media pressure."
-- Rev. Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Pope Warns of Gay Agenda Threat to Institution of Marriage

Pope Refutes Homosexualists: Kids Need Mom & Dad

Vatican Says Gay Agenda is 'a Defeat for Humanity'

Pope Said the Gay Agenda is the Work of the Devil

Also read a case study in how the media distort their "pet pope:"  Pope Francis vs. Obama's Abortion & Gay Agenda

-- From "Pope opens synod; calls for welcoming Church but no gay marriage" by Philip Pullella, Reuters 10/4/15

Francis presided at a solemn Mass in St. Peter's Basilica to open the meeting, known as a synod, on the theme of the family in the modern world.

"This is God’s dream for his beloved creation: to see it fulfilled in the loving union between a man and a woman, rejoicing in their shared journey, fruitful in their mutual gift of self," he said.

He also spoke of the "true meaning of the couple and of human sexuality in God's plan," a clear reference to heterosexual marriage.

One key topic at the synod will be how to reach out to Catholics who have divorced and remarried in civil ceremonies.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Vatican fires gay priest on eve of synod" by the Associated Press 10/3/15

The Vatican took action after Krzysztof Charamsa, a mid-level official in its doctrine office, came out in newspaper interviews in Italy and Poland saying he was happy and proud to be a gay priest, and that he was in love with a man whom he identified as his boyfriend.

Charamsa, 43, initially planned a press conference in front of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith's office, but moved it to central Rome after the Vatican action. He was joined by his companion, identified only as Eduard.

Charamsa told reporters that the timing of his disclosure was not related to the bishops meeting on the family, but said he hoped it might add "a Christian voice" to the synod that is expected to address how the Church can better minister to the homosexual faithful.

"I have to say who I am. I am a gay priest. I am a happy and proud gay priest," he told Gazeta Wyborcza.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Pope Asserts Marriage Is Forever at Start of Family Meeting" by Nicole Winfield, Associated Press 10/4/15

A first meeting of bishops ended last October with no consensus on how to better welcome gays and divorced and civilly remarried Catholics in the church. Conservatives insisted that Catholic doctrine is clear and unchanging. Progressives acknowledged the doctrine but sought wiggle room in pastoral practice.

Cardinal George Pell, the Vatican's finance manager who is firmly in the conservative camp, predicted little more than a reaffirmation of the status quo would emerge in Round 2, albeit with perhaps better explanation as to why the status quo exists.

"It's quite impossible for there to be any change in the church's teaching on Communion for the divorced and remarried," Pell said on the sidelines of a conference last week about helping gays overcome their homosexual tendencies.

The conference was one of many initiatives launched by conservatives in the run-up to the synod aimed at reasserting traditional Catholic teaching on homosexuality, which holds that gays are to be respected but that homosexual acts are "intrinsically disordered."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Pope defends marriage, hetero couples after gay priest bombshell" by Jean-Louis De La Vaissiere, AFP (posted at Yahoo News) 10/3/15

During a mass to mark the three-week meeting of Roman Catholic bishops, the pope delivered a homily on "solitude, love between man and woman, and the family".

He referred to Genesis, the first book of the Bible, as a bedrock for understanding human relationships.

"God," the pope said, "joins the hearts of two people who love one another... (and) joins them together in unity and indissolubility."

Homosexuality is just one of a wide range of topics to be discussed at the synod, and some prelates have called for it not be included in the programme, according to Church sources.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Pope Francis Says Wayward Politicians Can't Take Communion

Gay Agenda Destroys Everything it Contacts

Let's review the effects of the Gay Agenda:  sharp rise in STDs (not only HIV/AIDS) mostly associated with anal sex; exploding rates of transgender delusion (even among children) resulting in more suicides; lower marriage rates and kids raised without their mother or father; the demise of (gay-affirming) mainline church denominations; weakening of the once-strongest force for good in the world (U.S. military); public education transformed to indoctrination and social experimentation; demise of the Girl Scouts (after lesbian leaders took over) . . .

and now, the end of the Boy Scouts of America.

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Federal Gov't Says HIV/AIDS is Mostly a Gay Disease (and other anal sex diseases)

Transgenderism is a 'Delusion' According to Victims and Professionals

The Demise of Family Causes Violence, Poverty, and More

Liberal Mainline 'Churches' Continue to Wither as they Conform to the Decadent Culture

Sexual Assaults in Pres. Obama's Military Mostly Homosexual

Homosexuals Weaken Military, Proved in 1990s: U.S. General

Transgender/Gay Agenda Mandated in Virginia School (and across America)

Bishops Investigate Girl Scouts' Sexualization

Homosexuality Caused Fall of Roman Empire

Vatican Says Gay Agenda is 'a Defeat for Humanity'

Pope Francis Says Gay Agenda is Work of the Devil

-- From "Boy Scouts OK gay leaders; Mormon church may quit" by Erik Eckholm, The New York Times 7/28/15

The Boy Scouts of America on Monday ended its nationwide ban on openly gay adult leaders. But despite a compromise allowing conservative church-sponsored units to pick their own volunteer leaders, the Mormon church, the country’s largest sponsor of Scout units, said it might leave the organization.

To avoid the wholesale defection of conservative religious groups, the Boy Scouts said church-based local units would remain free to exclude gay adults from voluntary leadership roles like scoutmasters and Cub Scout den and pack leaders.

Mormons use the Boy Scouts as their main nonreligious activity for boys, and the Cub Scout and Boy Scout units they sponsor accounted for 17 percent of all youths in Scouting in 2013, the last year for which data have been published.

Under the Boy Scout policy adopted Monday, discrimination based on sexual orientation will also be barred in all Boy Scout offices and for all paid jobs — a step that could head off looming lawsuits in New York, Colorado and other states that prohibit such discrimination in employment.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Are lawsuits ahead for church-based Boy Scout troops?" by Adelle M. Banks, Religion News Service (Washington Post) 7/27/15

. . . Scout officials say religious groups — which make up some 70 percent of chartered organizations — would still have the option to exclude gays even [with the new policy as] adopted.

“What they’re not taking into account is the new frontier that we’re on, where judges are being social change agents,” said John Stemberger, chairman of Trail Life USA, which bills itself as a Christian alternative to the Boy Scouts.

Trail Life issued its own eight-page legal memo, written by a former BSA lawyer who is now Trail Life’s general counsel.

“The church-chartered troop will likely be sued the moment it tries to revoke the membership of the homosexual member who wears his uniform to the Gay Pride Parade, revokes or denies membership to an adult who publicly gets married to someone of the same sex, or denies membership to the girl who believes she is actually a male,” the Trail Life memo reads.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Why Boy Scouts stance on gay leaders leaves it in limbo" by Amanda Paulson, Staff Writer, Christian Science Monitor 7/27/15

“You’ve got a highly divided organization,” says Richard Ellis, a political science professor at Willamette University in Salem, Ore., and the author of “Judging the Boy Scouts of America.” “Now it’s not clear that even this solution, which is an attempt to get the [gay rights] issue out of the way, can do it, because nobody is happy with it.”

. . . Some 70 percent of Boy Scout troops are now run by faith-based groups. By the time the BSA considered changing its ban on gay Scout leaders in 2013, it polled its membership and got incredible pushback, Ellis says. Nearly all the councils in the Northeast wanted the anti-gay policy changed, while 80 percent of the Southern councils wanted it to stay the same. The organization worried about an exodus of members. In the end, it decided to go with lifting the ban on gay youths, but not gay adults.

A BSA decision to lift the ban on gay adults but still leave hiring decisions to the discretion of local religious-based organizations affiliated with troops might have seemed progressive if the Scouts had taken that stance 25 years ago, when many first urged it. But coming in 2015, it now seems to critics like too little, too late – a decision that will still allow for discrimination on religious grounds.

“Our position has been and remains clear – we continue to urge the Boy Scouts of America to embrace full LGBT inclusion, without exception,” says Liz Halloran, a spokeswoman for the Human Rights Campaign, which fights for gay rights, via an e-mail.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "LDS Church relationship with Boy Scouts in doubt, may create new international program" by Ben Lockhart, Deseret News 7/27/15

"The church has always welcomed all boys to its Scouting units regardless of sexual orientation," church spokesman Eric Hawkins said in a prepared statement. "However, the admission of openly gay leaders is inconsistent with the doctrines of the church and what have traditionally been the values of the Boy Scouts of America.”

Hawkins also confirmed the church is considering the possibility of creating an international program similar to Scouting and also made for young men ages 12 to 18.

"As a global organization with members in 170 countries, the church has long been evaluating the limitations that fully one-half of its youth face where Scouting is not available," he said. "Those worldwide needs combined with this vote by the BSA National Executive Board will be carefully reviewed by the leaders of the church in the weeks ahead."

The Catholic Church, another large charter organization with the Boy Scouts, did not offer a formal response to the vote Monday.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Boy Scouts Go Gay, Church Sponsors Say 'Goodbye'

Boy Scouts Reinforce Rules Denying Homosexual Leaders (just a couple of years ago)

Most Americans Say Gay Men Untrustworthy with Boys

Also read the homosexualist who says: We Recruit Kids for Sexual Deviancy

'Gay Marriage' Still/More Unpopular, Polls Show

New mainstream (liberal) polls show that Americans are less supportive of same-sex "marriage" after the June Supreme Court decision and that the majority of Americans were never supportive in the first place.  Polls also continue to show that Americans value religious liberty over "gay rights" demands to force Christians to celebrate deviant sexual behavior.

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:


Poll Shows Americans NOT For 'Gay Marriage' or Anal Sex

'Gay Marriage' Not Favored in Polls, Only in Court

Homosexualists' Lies: Can't Change Public Opinion



-- From "Poll: Voters split on gay marriage" by Keith Laing, The Hill 7/18/15

The [AP-GfK] poll found 42 percent of voters support gay marriage, while 40 percent oppose it.

Similarly, 47 percent of the poll's respondents said local officials should be required to issue same-sex marriage licenses, even if they have religious objections to the practice, while 49 percent said officials who are personally opposed to gay marriage should be exempt from the new requirements.

Asked directly about their opinion of the Supreme Court's ruling, 39 percent of the poll's respondents said they approved of the Justices' decision, and 41 percent said they disapproved.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "AP Poll: Sharp divisions after high court backs gay marriage" by David Crary and Emily Swanson, Associated Press 7/21/15

The Supreme Court's ruling last month legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide has left Americans sharply divided, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll that suggests support for gay unions may be down slightly from earlier this year.

Overall, if there's a conflict, a majority of those questioned think religious liberties should win out over gay rights, according to the poll. While 39 percent said it's more important for the government to protect gay rights, 56 percent said protection of religious liberties should take precedence.

. . . The percentage saying they favor legal same-sex marriage in their state was down slightly from the 48 percent who said so in an April poll. In January, 44 percent were in favor.

Asked specifically about the Supreme Court ruling, 39 percent said they approve and 41 percent said they disapprove.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "AP Poll: Americans split over court’s gay marriage ruling" by Emily Swanson, Associated Press (Washington Post) 7/20/15

. . . 59 percent think wedding-related businesses should be allowed to refuse service to same-sex couples, compared with 52 percent in the earlier poll. By comparison, 46 percent said businesses in general should be allowed to refuse service because of their religious principles, while 51 percent said that should not be allowed.

. . . 65 percent of Democrats but only 22 percent Republicans favored allowing same-sex couples to legally marry in their state.

Most Democrats said it was more important for the government to protect gay rights, 64 percent to 32 percent. Most Republicans said it was more important to protect religious liberties than gay rights, 82-17.

And 7 in 10 Republicans, but just 3 in 10 Democrats, said local officials with religious objections should be exempt from issuing marriage licenses.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Gay marriage: mainline denominations affirm SCOTUS" by David Roach, chief national correspondent for Baptist Press 7/20/15

With a new Associated Press poll suggesting decreased support for same-sex marriage among Americans generally, a watchdog group that monitors mainline [Christian church] bodies said gay-affirming denominations are more progressive regarding marriage than the culture.

Less than a week after the court's June 26 ruling, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church amended the church's canons to allow marriage between people of the same gender. Deputies, as the Episcopal Church calls delegates to its convention, also authorized liturgies that can be used at same-sex weddings, according to Episcopal News Service.

Leaders of the PCUSA said in a June 26 statement released by the denomination's office in Louisville, Ky., "The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is celebrating the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that same-gender couples have a constitutional right to marry nationwide, striking down bans in 14 states. Church leaders believe today's ruling is a step in the right direction as society's views have continued to change in recent years."

The United Church of Christ, which affirmed gay marriage in 2005, issued a June 26 news release "celebrating the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm marriage equality for all people."

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) both released statements expressing division within their fellowships regarding the Supreme Court ruling.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "U.S. Support for Gay Marriage Stable After High Court Ruling" by Justin McCarthy, Gallup 7/17/15

These data are from a July 8-12 Gallup poll, conducted about two weeks after the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges legalized gay marriage nationwide. . . .

. . . The two-percentage-point difference between the May and July estimates is not statistically meaningful.

[This Gallup poll indicates a 2-point drop in support for same-sex marriage, along with a 3-point increase in those opposing same-sex marriage immediately following the Supreme Court decision.]

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

UPDATE 9/29/15 - President Obama Speech: Gay Agenda Trumps Christianity

Penn. Catholic School's Secret Lesbian Fired

Waldron Mercy Academy in Merion Station (near Philadelphia), Pennsylvania admitted to hiding the fact that long-time religious education director, Margie Winters, has been "married" to her lesbian partner since 2007.  Last week, Principal Nell Stetser announced that after a few parents had uncovered the school's secret, the School Board had no choice but to support the firing of the lesbian last month, but did NOT discipline administrators or faculty members who had deceived parents and their children for years.

"I actually had a conversation with the principal a few weeks after I was hired to say, how should I handle this." said Winters, adding that she was advised that she could be open about her life with the faculty but to avoid discussing it with students' parents. "So that's what I've done," she said. "I've never been open. And that's been hard."

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

California Parents Say: Drop Morals for Catholic School Teachers

Gays, Teachers Unions March Against Cincinnati Catholic School Morals

Nun Blasted by North Carolina Parents for Teaching Catholicism

Students Demand Catholic School Hire Gay Teacher

Wisconsin Catholic College Welcomes Abortion Feminist Speaker

New Jersey Catholic Religion Teacher Suspended for being Too Biblical

Bishop 'Too Catholic' to Speak at Catholic College

Also read how Catholic schools are being attacked across America by their own parishioners for firing homosexuals.





-- From "Lesbian teacher fired from Catholic school" posted at WTRF-TV7 (Wheeling, WV) 7/12/15

The school's principal released a letter this week alluding to Winters' marriage to a woman as a conflict.

More than 100 parents and community members met on Wednesday to show their support for Winters, who received a standing ovation from the crowd and even led the group in an opening prayer, WPVI reported.

Organizers say this is only the beginning as they will continue to work to get Winters her job back.

According to State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery), sponsor of the Pennsylvania Senate's Marriage Equality Bill, Waldron receives state funding that might override the religion exemption of the township ordinance.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Firing of teacher in same-sex marriage roils Catholic school" by Chris Brennan, Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Writer 7/8/15

Winters said she and her wife "kept a really low profile" about their relationship at the school.

Still, parents of at least two students discovered that Winters was in a same-sex marriage. Winters said one complained to the school and the other contacted the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Winters refused a request to resign and was fired in a June 22 letter from the school.

Winters said she thought the school's connection to the archdiocese played a role in that decision. The school, she said, worried that its "Catholic identity would be in jeopardy."

"The primary consideration that guided my decision-making process was to sustain the Catholic identity of Waldron Mercy Academy," Stetser said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Parents Outraged After Teacher Is Fired Because She’s Married to a Woman" by Beth Greenfield, Senior Writer, Yahoo News 7/9/15

. . . principal Nell Stetser informed parents that Winters, who was the director of religious education and outreach, would no longer be with the school by sending out an email — which both praised Winters for her “amazing contributions” and noted that her personal life is in conflict with the school’s beliefs. “In the Mercy spirit, many of us accept life choices that contradict current Church teachings,” she wrote in the email, a copy of which was forwarded to Yahoo Parenting, “but to continue as a Catholic school, Waldron Mercy must comply with those teachings.”

Stetser added, “I realize some disagree with my decision. I believe, however, I have acted in the best interest of the Waldron Mercy community and preserved our heritage as a Catholic school. We are not alone in this plight. My hope is the pain we experience today adds to the urgency of engaging in an open and honest discussion about this and other divisive issues at the intersection of our society and our Church.”

But Nancy Houston, the mom of an incoming sixth grader, tells Yahoo Parenting that parents felt “shock on so many levels” upon receiving the news about Stetser’s firing. On Wednesday evening, Houston hosted a gathering and brainstorming session for nearly 200 upset parents and school alumni (and a couple of fellow Waldron teachers) at her Philadelphia restaurant, Jack’s Firehouse. “So many of us spent the whole weekend being upset, we had to come together,” she says. “This is not something we expected from Waldron.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Waldron Mercy Academy parents to meet over firing of teacher over same-sex marriage" posted at Main Line Media News (Ardmore, PA) 7/8/15

Parents of Waldron Mercy Academy students are planning to meet today after, according to a letter sent to parents, a director at the school was fired for being in a same-sex marriage.

[Excerpts from] Full letter:

Dear Parents,

While it was known by many close to her that she is gay, a recent complaint from a family that has since left Waldron escalated this situation to the school administration, the Board, the Sisters of Mercy and the Archdiocese.

For the past eight years, Margie has done a phenomenal job guiding our children in the spirit of Mercy. We feel blessed to have her in our children’s lives. She embodies the Mercy spirit.

As members of the Waldron community, we are standing with Margie and hope you will join us. We need your help. The media around this story could have major implications for our community. We hope that in the spirit of Mercy, we can stand together to support Margie.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Kenney calls archdiocese leaders 'cowardly' after teacher firing" by Chris Brennan, Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Writer 7/10/15

Jim Kenney, the Democratic nominee for Philadelphia mayor, is blaming the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for the controversial firing of a Catholic school faculty member who is in a same-sex marriage.

"The personnel decision was one made by Waldron, not the archdiocese, and the archdiocese did not influence the decision," spokesman Ken Gavin said when asked for reaction to Kenney's comments.

Kenney, a Catholic who has clashed with the church on LGBT rights issues, said he doesn't buy it.

"If you're a church official and you feel that strongly that this woman and her partner are such a threat to society, stand up and say so," Kenney said.

"The children she teaches love her. The parents love her also," Kenney said of Winters. "I just hope the pope comes in September and really puts some people in line."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Archbishop: School That Fired Gay Teacher Showed 'Character'" by Maryclaire Dale, Associated Press 7/13/15

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, in a statement, thanked Waldron Mercy Academy leaders "for taking the steps to ensure that the Catholic faith is presented ... in accord with the teaching of the church. They've shown character and common sense at a moment when both seem to be uncommon."

"Schools describing themselves as Catholic take on the responsibility of teaching and witnessing the Catholic faith in a manner true to Catholic belief," [Archbishop Chaput] wrote. "There's nothing complicated or controversial in this. It's a simple matter of honesty."

. . . he said parents choose Catholic schools for their children so they can see their religious beliefs "fully taught and practiced."

"That simply can't be done if teachers need to worry about wounding the feelings of their students or about alienating students from their parents," said Chaput, who described people with different viewpoints on marriage as "often people of sincerity and good will."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Pope Francis Blasts Liberal 'christians' as Pagans

UPDATE 10/8/15: Lesbians Sue Calif. Christian School for Biblical Beliefs

And read Gay Agenda will be Complete when Christians are Muzzled, Say Homosexualists and read Senator Ted Cruz Says the Gay Agenda Ends Christian Liberty