Despite their own findings, the anti-abstinence-only liberals who authored the study maintain that kids who take abstinence pledges should be sexualized.
-- From "Study Critical of Virginity Pledges Reveals that More Religious Teens Embrace Abstinence" by Penny Starr, CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer 12/31/08
A study in the January issue of Pediatrics that is critical of virginity pledges nonetheless reveals that teens who are more religious have their first sexual encounter at the average age of 21, or four years later than teens who are not as religious.
The author of the study, Janice Rosenbaum, a post doctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told CNSNews.com that her analysis shows that among her sample of 934 teens with strong religious backgrounds, both the pledgers and non-pledgers became sexually active at about 21 on average. That is four years later than teens who are not as religious. She said religious beliefs play a role in teens abstaining from sex.
“One year before pledging, pledgers are more religious, less sexually experienced, and hold more negative attitudes about sex and birth control than adolescents who do not go on to take a virginity pledge,” Rosenbaum writes in Pediatrics. “Religious adolescents delay sexual initiation, so virginity pledgers’ prepledge religiosity could induce abstinence without the pledge.”
“It is true that this profile of teenagers, these 934 teenagers that I look at are more conservative in their sexual behavior,” Rosenbaum said.
Religious teens “are more restrained in the sexual choices and that’s because of their social context,” said Rosenbaum. “They are less sexually experienced to begin with. Their friends are engaging in less risk behavior. Their parents also go to church and they are also choosing to go to church and to stay affiliated with evangelical Christianity.”
Nonetheless, Rosenbaum believes her study shows that “abstinence promotion programs” are not a wise policy for the government to advance. “Clinicians should provide birth control information to all adolescents, especially abstinence-only sex education participants.”
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Law to Force Church to Allow Same-sex Ceremony
"Whenever a right is granted to same-sex unions, then a right is taken from religious liberty and freedom of speech. Same-sex unions pose a serious threat to freedom of conscience and free exercise of religion."
-- From "Lesbians in fight with Christian church" © 2008 WorldNetDaily 12/30/08
A church organization has been caught up in a discrimination case brought by two lesbians who were denied permission to rent the Christian group's facilities for a "ceremony" after the meaning of "equal" was changed by the state, according to a warning from Liberty Counsel.
The situation involves the United Methodist Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, which has been accused by the government in New Jersey of discriminating against a self-described lesbian duo, Luisa Paster and Harriet Bernstein, who were denied permission to rent a church pavilion.
"The clash between same-sex unions and religious freedom has arrived, and that clash will increase," said Mathew Staver, chief of Liberty Counsel. "We've seen a pastor arrested in Sweden for preaching that homosexuality is contrary to biblical principles. When the alarm was sounded, some thought it was all hype. But when a church has to sacrifice its religious convictions in order to invite the public to use its facilities, the threat to liberty is not hype.
The church group had rejected the request because same-sex civil unions conflict with the doctrines of the United Methodist Church.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Lesbians in fight with Christian church" © 2008 WorldNetDaily 12/30/08
A church organization has been caught up in a discrimination case brought by two lesbians who were denied permission to rent the Christian group's facilities for a "ceremony" after the meaning of "equal" was changed by the state, according to a warning from Liberty Counsel.
The situation involves the United Methodist Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, which has been accused by the government in New Jersey of discriminating against a self-described lesbian duo, Luisa Paster and Harriet Bernstein, who were denied permission to rent a church pavilion.
"The clash between same-sex unions and religious freedom has arrived, and that clash will increase," said Mathew Staver, chief of Liberty Counsel. "We've seen a pastor arrested in Sweden for preaching that homosexuality is contrary to biblical principles. When the alarm was sounded, some thought it was all hype. But when a church has to sacrifice its religious convictions in order to invite the public to use its facilities, the threat to liberty is not hype.
The church group had rejected the request because same-sex civil unions conflict with the doctrines of the United Methodist Church.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Losing Religious Liberty -- Exchanged for 'Gay Rights'
Just as in Massachusetts . . . "Californians have been shocked by the aggressiveness of radical homosexual activists who have ousted several individuals from their jobs and livelihoods based solely on their support for traditional marriage."
-- From "Voted for Prop 8? You're fired" by Drew Zahn, © 2008 WorldNetDaily 12/29/08
Protests following the passage of California's Proposition 8, which defined marriage as between one man and one woman, made news headlines, but the Pacific Justice Institute reports a growing number of cases where those opposed to the ballot measure have taken out their anger more quietly: by harassing – and even firing – employees who voted for it.
PJI, a non-profit legal defense organization specializing in religious freedom, claims to be representing a San Francisco woman who was fired for voting for Proposition 8, but whose name remains confidential to protect her privacy and legal case.
PJI also claims to be advising several others seeking settlements after they too were fired for supporting Proposition 8.
Kevin Snider, chief counsel for PJI, told WND of a worker at a financial company who was asked before the November election how he would vote on the issue of homosexual marriage. The employee gave an evasive answer. Following the election, the employee was asked repeatedly how he voted.
When it was learned the employee had voted in favor of Proposition 8, he was written up for discrimination, Snider reports, and fired within a couple of days.
While some employees have been fired outright, others have been harassed by fellow workers or risk losing their jobs because of protesters hounding their companies.
Advocates for homosexual marriage have even set up a website, AntiGayBlacklist.com, which lists hundreds of California residents, churches and businesses that donated money to the Proposition 8 campaign, urging sympathizers not to patronize those on the list.
"I think there's certain types of jobs where there's more hostility than other places," Snider told WND. "I've had several college professors report harassment by their colleagues."
In one instance, Snider said, a professor took copies of nasty emails from his colleagues over his support of Prop. 8 to the lawyers in the college's human resources department. The professor alleged the emails clearly constituted hate speech, but his appeal was ignored.
One report included a University of California student whose car was vandalized and who was beaten over her support of Prop. 8.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Voted for Prop 8? You're fired" by Drew Zahn, © 2008 WorldNetDaily 12/29/08
Protests following the passage of California's Proposition 8, which defined marriage as between one man and one woman, made news headlines, but the Pacific Justice Institute reports a growing number of cases where those opposed to the ballot measure have taken out their anger more quietly: by harassing – and even firing – employees who voted for it.
PJI, a non-profit legal defense organization specializing in religious freedom, claims to be representing a San Francisco woman who was fired for voting for Proposition 8, but whose name remains confidential to protect her privacy and legal case.
PJI also claims to be advising several others seeking settlements after they too were fired for supporting Proposition 8.
Kevin Snider, chief counsel for PJI, told WND of a worker at a financial company who was asked before the November election how he would vote on the issue of homosexual marriage. The employee gave an evasive answer. Following the election, the employee was asked repeatedly how he voted.
When it was learned the employee had voted in favor of Proposition 8, he was written up for discrimination, Snider reports, and fired within a couple of days.
While some employees have been fired outright, others have been harassed by fellow workers or risk losing their jobs because of protesters hounding their companies.
Advocates for homosexual marriage have even set up a website, AntiGayBlacklist.com, which lists hundreds of California residents, churches and businesses that donated money to the Proposition 8 campaign, urging sympathizers not to patronize those on the list.
"I think there's certain types of jobs where there's more hostility than other places," Snider told WND. "I've had several college professors report harassment by their colleagues."
In one instance, Snider said, a professor took copies of nasty emails from his colleagues over his support of Prop. 8 to the lawyers in the college's human resources department. The professor alleged the emails clearly constituted hate speech, but his appeal was ignored.
One report included a University of California student whose car was vandalized and who was beaten over her support of Prop. 8.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Conservative Canadians Want Hate Speech Law Repealed
Will Canadians vote for candidates who will try to repack Pandora's box, such that Christians can regain their freedom of speech?
-- From "Canadians fight for free speech" by Chad Groening, OneNewsNow 12/26/2008
At its recent convention in Winnipeg, the Conservative Party approved Resolution P-203, which would repeal Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act, the "hate speech" provision. Brian Rushfeldt, the executive director of the Canada Family Action Coalition, says repeal of Section 13 is long overdue.
"Section 13 is the one that allows, basically, Human Rights Commission people to persecute somebody for freedom of speech on an issue that the commission feels is either promoting hate or causing discrimination against a particular individual," he explains.
There is little chance, Rushfeldt says, that Section 13 can be repealed with the current makeup of Parliament.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Canadians fight for free speech" by Chad Groening, OneNewsNow 12/26/2008
At its recent convention in Winnipeg, the Conservative Party approved Resolution P-203, which would repeal Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act, the "hate speech" provision. Brian Rushfeldt, the executive director of the Canada Family Action Coalition, says repeal of Section 13 is long overdue.
"Section 13 is the one that allows, basically, Human Rights Commission people to persecute somebody for freedom of speech on an issue that the commission feels is either promoting hate or causing discrimination against a particular individual," he explains.
There is little chance, Rushfeldt says, that Section 13 can be repealed with the current makeup of Parliament.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Federal Judge Foists New York Homosexual Adoption onto Louisiana
NEW ORLEANS — A same-sex couple in California has won a federal court ruling that their adopted son's Louisiana birth certificate must bear the names of both adoptive fathers.
-- From "Judge: 2 adoptive dads can be named on birth certificate" by Janet McConnaughey, Associated Press 12/27/08
In his ruling Monday, [U.S. District Judge Jay] Zainey said Louisiana's Office of Vital Records must give full faith and credit to the New York State court in which Adar and Smith adopted the boy, he ruled Monday. The office had refused to issue a birth certificate listing both as the boy's legal parents.
[The couple's attorney, Kenneth D.] Upton, of Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund Inc. of Dallas, said it is the fourth case of its kind that he knows of. Cases in Oklahoma, Virginia and Mississippi also were decided in the parents' favor — the Mississippi case decided at trial about a month ago, he said.
Refusing to name both fathers on the birth certificate "singles out unmarried same-sex couples and their adoptive children for unequal treatment for the improper purpose of making them unequal to everyone else," said the lawsuit filed by Upton and Regina O. Matthews of New Orleans.
Louisiana law does not let two unmarried people adopt a child together, regardless of sex, wrote Carol L. Haynes, representing the state health department and registrar Darlene W. Smith.
Earlier this month, New York state officials decided to let married same-sex couples list both their names on their children's birth certificates.
Upton said most states have not had problems listing both same-sex parents on an adopted child's amended birth certificate. The difficulties crop up in states that don't allow adoption by same-sex couples, he said, and some registrars question whether a man's name should be in the space labeled "Mother," or a woman's name listed as "Father."
"A lot of states have recently started changing their form so it says 'Parent 1' and 'Parent 2,' which kind of resolves the problem," Upton said.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Judge: 2 adoptive dads can be named on birth certificate" by Janet McConnaughey, Associated Press 12/27/08
In his ruling Monday, [U.S. District Judge Jay] Zainey said Louisiana's Office of Vital Records must give full faith and credit to the New York State court in which Adar and Smith adopted the boy, he ruled Monday. The office had refused to issue a birth certificate listing both as the boy's legal parents.
[The couple's attorney, Kenneth D.] Upton, of Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund Inc. of Dallas, said it is the fourth case of its kind that he knows of. Cases in Oklahoma, Virginia and Mississippi also were decided in the parents' favor — the Mississippi case decided at trial about a month ago, he said.
Refusing to name both fathers on the birth certificate "singles out unmarried same-sex couples and their adoptive children for unequal treatment for the improper purpose of making them unequal to everyone else," said the lawsuit filed by Upton and Regina O. Matthews of New Orleans.
Louisiana law does not let two unmarried people adopt a child together, regardless of sex, wrote Carol L. Haynes, representing the state health department and registrar Darlene W. Smith.
Earlier this month, New York state officials decided to let married same-sex couples list both their names on their children's birth certificates.
Upton said most states have not had problems listing both same-sex parents on an adopted child's amended birth certificate. The difficulties crop up in states that don't allow adoption by same-sex couples, he said, and some registrars question whether a man's name should be in the space labeled "Mother," or a woman's name listed as "Father."
"A lot of states have recently started changing their form so it says 'Parent 1' and 'Parent 2,' which kind of resolves the problem," Upton said.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Homosexual Advocates Capture Barely-post-pubescent Students in Wisconsin
The Milwaukee Public School System will expand the services provided by its gay-friendly high school and apparently become the nation's first school system to create a gay-friendly middle school.
-- From "Milwaukee to Form Gay-Friendly Middle School" by Jessica Calefati, U.S. News Staff 12/17/08
Milwaukee's response to gay-friendly schools has been much different from other cities'. In Chicago, community leaders' concerns about creating a gay-friendly high school stalled plans to bring such a proposal before the city's school board. In New York City, protesters greeted students of the gay-friendly Harvey Milk High School in Manhattan's East Village on its first day of classes five years ago. But in Milwaukee, the Alliance School's birth as a high school and expansion to serve middle school students passed with no real opposition. Calls from social service organizations and parents urging [lead teacher Tina] Owen to create the middle school more quickly are the only responses she has received from the community, Owen said.
Before helping to create the Alliance School four years ago, Owen worked in another Milwaukee high school and advised its Gay Straight Alliance club.
Marty Lexmond, the director of school innovation for Milwaukee Public Schools, said the need for a gay-friendly middle school is even greater today because adolescents are publicly identifying their sexuality as early as middle school.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Milwaukee to Form Gay-Friendly Middle School" by Jessica Calefati, U.S. News Staff 12/17/08
Milwaukee's response to gay-friendly schools has been much different from other cities'. In Chicago, community leaders' concerns about creating a gay-friendly high school stalled plans to bring such a proposal before the city's school board. In New York City, protesters greeted students of the gay-friendly Harvey Milk High School in Manhattan's East Village on its first day of classes five years ago. But in Milwaukee, the Alliance School's birth as a high school and expansion to serve middle school students passed with no real opposition. Calls from social service organizations and parents urging [lead teacher Tina] Owen to create the middle school more quickly are the only responses she has received from the community, Owen said.
Before helping to create the Alliance School four years ago, Owen worked in another Milwaukee high school and advised its Gay Straight Alliance club.
Marty Lexmond, the director of school innovation for Milwaukee Public Schools, said the need for a gay-friendly middle school is even greater today because adolescents are publicly identifying their sexuality as early as middle school.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Pope Benedict Criticizes Homosexual Behavior
VATICAN CITY: Pope Benedict said Monday that saving humanity from homosexual or transsexual behaviour was just as important as saving the rainforest from destruction.
-- From "Pope Benedict criticizes homosexual behavior" Reuters 12/22/08
The Church "should also protect man from the destruction of himself. A sort of ecology of man is needed," the pontiff said in a holiday address to the Curia, the Vatican's central administration.
"The tropical forests do deserve our protection. But man, as a creature, does not deserve any less."
The Catholic Church teaches that while homosexuality is not sinful, homosexual acts are. It opposes gay marriage and, in October, a leading Vatican official called homosexuality "a deviation, an irregularity, a wound."
The pope said humanity needed to "listen to the language of creation" to understand the intended roles of man and woman. He compared behavior beyond traditional heterosexual relations as "a destruction of God's work."
He also defended the Church's right to "speak of human nature as man and woman, and ask that this order of creation be respected."
_________________________
The Guardian has logged the expected response from the Christophobic crowd.
-- From "Pope Benedict criticizes homosexual behavior" Reuters 12/22/08
The Church "should also protect man from the destruction of himself. A sort of ecology of man is needed," the pontiff said in a holiday address to the Curia, the Vatican's central administration.
"The tropical forests do deserve our protection. But man, as a creature, does not deserve any less."
The Catholic Church teaches that while homosexuality is not sinful, homosexual acts are. It opposes gay marriage and, in October, a leading Vatican official called homosexuality "a deviation, an irregularity, a wound."
The pope said humanity needed to "listen to the language of creation" to understand the intended roles of man and woman. He compared behavior beyond traditional heterosexual relations as "a destruction of God's work."
He also defended the Church's right to "speak of human nature as man and woman, and ask that this order of creation be respected."
_________________________
The Guardian has logged the expected response from the Christophobic crowd.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
While Media Preaches Gay-Agenda Bible, Pastors Silent
"Should believers work to prevent government from foisting the homosexualist agenda on the population? Yes, very definitely so. The withholding of governmental incentives for homosexual practice is as much a civil issue as society's prohibition of incest and polygamy (even of an adult, consensual sort)." -- Prof. Dr. Robert A. J. Gagnon
Are Americans hearing the Truth via Christian witness (from the church to the culture), or have Christians abandoned the lost to be led astray by the loudest voice?
Concerning the Newsweek cover story "Our Mutual Joy: Opponents of gay marriage often cite Scripture. But what the Bible teaches about love argues for the other side."
-- From "Newsweek's Heresy" by Laurie Higgins, DSA Director -Illinois Family Institute 12/9/08
I suppose Illinois Family Institute and numerous other pro-family organizations could respond to this heresy, but why should we when there are scores of church leaders and biblical scholars far better suited to the task than we are? Why are they not correcting the errors in exegesis and logic that permeate this article and will likely prove persuasive to not only the unchurched but the Body of Christ also? Why do we so rarely read editorials in our local press and national media from orthodox biblical scholars? Is it because they submit op-ed pieces that are summarily rejected, or do they simply not bother to submit them? Who better to correct the misinformation or disinformation being propagated at every cultural turn and in every cultural context than those whose vocation is studying Scripture?
An urgent plea to church leaders and theologians should go forth. Church leaders and theologians should be asked by pro-family organizations and Christians to respond to this article in their local press outlets and in major news publications. Orthodox scholars should flood media outlets with responses to this outrageous piece of sophistry. . . . These orthodox theologians and church leaders should then post the letters they send to the press on their church websites and/or personal blogs.
. . . we need an army of church leaders and theologians to leave their pulpits and ivory towers for just a moment and take their wisdom and knowledge to the culture.
From "Turning the Bible on its Head -- Newsweek Goes for Gay Marriage" by Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr. 12/8/08
The national news media are collectively embarrassed by the passage of Proposition 8 in California. Gay rights activists are publicly calling on the mainstream media to offer support for gay marriage, arguing that the media let them down in November. It appears that Newsweek intends to do its part to press for same-sex marriage. Many observers believe that the main obstacle to this agenda is a resolute opposition grounded in Christian conviction. Newsweek clearly intends to reduce that opposition.
From "More than 'Mutual Joy': Lisa Miller of Newsweek against Scripture and Jesus" by Prof. Dr. Robert A. J. Gagnon 12/10/08
Religious proponents of gay marriage routinely ignore or twist the major arguments in Scripture and philosophy against homosexual practice. The cover story by Religion Editor Lisa Miller in the Dec. 15, 2008 issue of Newsweek, wholeheartedly endorsed by Managing Editor Jon Meacham, is a perfect case in point.
Miller’s strategy is to argue three things: first, that the image of marriage in Scripture is so alien to anything that would be acceptable to us today that we should run as fast as we can from any appeal to Scripture against “gay marriage”; second, that Scripture has little if anything to say against caring homosexual relationships; and, third, that Scripture contains “universal truths” (concerning “what the Bible teaches about love” and family) that are serviceable for promoting “gay marriage.” In a statement that can only be regarded as delusional in the extreme, Miller arrogantly declares as if she were some sort of expert on the subject: “Scripture gives us no good reason why gays and lesbians should not be (civilly and religiously) married—and a number of excellent reasons why they should.”
To arrive at her ideological objective Miller makes a number of bad moves. She exaggerates discontinuity and downplays continuity between marriage values in Scripture and our own values. . . She engages in a distorted form of analogical reasoning that elevates distant analogies like slavery and haircuts over close analogies, with far more points of correspondence, like adult-committed incest. She shows little or no understanding of the historical and literary contexts of the texts that she treats. She ignores just about every major argument against the positions that she espouses. And she extrapolates, from certain “universal truths” in Scripture, illogical conclusions that would have appalled the scriptural authors, like assuming that generic love is a sufficient prerequisite for sexual relationships.
Lisa Miller’s article is so poorly researched and so badly (and arrogantly) argued that the editors of Newsweek should be ashamed of themselves for publishing it. But they are not ashamed.
The question must be asked: What is it with the “elite” newspapers and newsmagazines over the past decade? Are they so obsessed with promoting the homosexualist agenda that they have now given up even a pretense to objectivity, balanced research, and good sense? Do they care nothing for destroying their reputation, built up over many years, as credible sources for news and commentary? These news sources are more and more resembling a homosexualist Pravda—a different agenda but the same style of propaganda “news” reporting that would make the old Kremlin leadership proud.
Are Americans hearing the Truth via Christian witness (from the church to the culture), or have Christians abandoned the lost to be led astray by the loudest voice?
Concerning the Newsweek cover story "Our Mutual Joy: Opponents of gay marriage often cite Scripture. But what the Bible teaches about love argues for the other side."
-- From "Newsweek's Heresy" by Laurie Higgins, DSA Director -Illinois Family Institute 12/9/08
I suppose Illinois Family Institute and numerous other pro-family organizations could respond to this heresy, but why should we when there are scores of church leaders and biblical scholars far better suited to the task than we are? Why are they not correcting the errors in exegesis and logic that permeate this article and will likely prove persuasive to not only the unchurched but the Body of Christ also? Why do we so rarely read editorials in our local press and national media from orthodox biblical scholars? Is it because they submit op-ed pieces that are summarily rejected, or do they simply not bother to submit them? Who better to correct the misinformation or disinformation being propagated at every cultural turn and in every cultural context than those whose vocation is studying Scripture?
An urgent plea to church leaders and theologians should go forth. Church leaders and theologians should be asked by pro-family organizations and Christians to respond to this article in their local press outlets and in major news publications. Orthodox scholars should flood media outlets with responses to this outrageous piece of sophistry. . . . These orthodox theologians and church leaders should then post the letters they send to the press on their church websites and/or personal blogs.
. . . we need an army of church leaders and theologians to leave their pulpits and ivory towers for just a moment and take their wisdom and knowledge to the culture.
From "Turning the Bible on its Head -- Newsweek Goes for Gay Marriage" by Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr. 12/8/08
The national news media are collectively embarrassed by the passage of Proposition 8 in California. Gay rights activists are publicly calling on the mainstream media to offer support for gay marriage, arguing that the media let them down in November. It appears that Newsweek intends to do its part to press for same-sex marriage. Many observers believe that the main obstacle to this agenda is a resolute opposition grounded in Christian conviction. Newsweek clearly intends to reduce that opposition.
From "More than 'Mutual Joy': Lisa Miller of Newsweek against Scripture and Jesus" by Prof. Dr. Robert A. J. Gagnon 12/10/08
Religious proponents of gay marriage routinely ignore or twist the major arguments in Scripture and philosophy against homosexual practice. The cover story by Religion Editor Lisa Miller in the Dec. 15, 2008 issue of Newsweek, wholeheartedly endorsed by Managing Editor Jon Meacham, is a perfect case in point.
Miller’s strategy is to argue three things: first, that the image of marriage in Scripture is so alien to anything that would be acceptable to us today that we should run as fast as we can from any appeal to Scripture against “gay marriage”; second, that Scripture has little if anything to say against caring homosexual relationships; and, third, that Scripture contains “universal truths” (concerning “what the Bible teaches about love” and family) that are serviceable for promoting “gay marriage.” In a statement that can only be regarded as delusional in the extreme, Miller arrogantly declares as if she were some sort of expert on the subject: “Scripture gives us no good reason why gays and lesbians should not be (civilly and religiously) married—and a number of excellent reasons why they should.”
To arrive at her ideological objective Miller makes a number of bad moves. She exaggerates discontinuity and downplays continuity between marriage values in Scripture and our own values. . . She engages in a distorted form of analogical reasoning that elevates distant analogies like slavery and haircuts over close analogies, with far more points of correspondence, like adult-committed incest. She shows little or no understanding of the historical and literary contexts of the texts that she treats. She ignores just about every major argument against the positions that she espouses. And she extrapolates, from certain “universal truths” in Scripture, illogical conclusions that would have appalled the scriptural authors, like assuming that generic love is a sufficient prerequisite for sexual relationships.
Lisa Miller’s article is so poorly researched and so badly (and arrogantly) argued that the editors of Newsweek should be ashamed of themselves for publishing it. But they are not ashamed.
The question must be asked: What is it with the “elite” newspapers and newsmagazines over the past decade? Are they so obsessed with promoting the homosexualist agenda that they have now given up even a pretense to objectivity, balanced research, and good sense? Do they care nothing for destroying their reputation, built up over many years, as credible sources for news and commentary? These news sources are more and more resembling a homosexualist Pravda—a different agenda but the same style of propaganda “news” reporting that would make the old Kremlin leadership proud.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
The Demise of Family Gets Complicated
In Tennessee, a divorced woman with custody of her child is restricted, by the court, from having any lover stay the night -- in this case, a lesbian
-- From "Divorced Tenn. mother appeals night ban on partner" Associate Press 12/24/08
A same-sex couple is asking the Tennessee Court of Appeals to lift a judge's restriction in a child custody agreement that prevents the divorced mother's partner of nine years from staying overnight.
The Tennessean reports The American Civil Liberties Union filed a brief Tuesday with the Court of Appeals in Jackson on behalf of Angel Chandler, a divorced mother with two kids.
"This decision has been disruptive to our family," Chandler said. "We lived together in a stable, functioning family, and this was rather shocking to all of us. This is about the person we choose to be with. The judge decided to interfere, and it's had a very negative affect in our lives."
ACLU spokesman Paul Cates said the clause primarily affects lesbians and gays with children because same-sex civil unions are not recognized in Tennessee. Heterosexual couples can circumvent the [restriction] by getting married, Cates said.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Divorced Tenn. mother appeals night ban on partner" Associate Press 12/24/08
A same-sex couple is asking the Tennessee Court of Appeals to lift a judge's restriction in a child custody agreement that prevents the divorced mother's partner of nine years from staying overnight.
The Tennessean reports The American Civil Liberties Union filed a brief Tuesday with the Court of Appeals in Jackson on behalf of Angel Chandler, a divorced mother with two kids.
"This decision has been disruptive to our family," Chandler said. "We lived together in a stable, functioning family, and this was rather shocking to all of us. This is about the person we choose to be with. The judge decided to interfere, and it's had a very negative affect in our lives."
ACLU spokesman Paul Cates said the clause primarily affects lesbians and gays with children because same-sex civil unions are not recognized in Tennessee. Heterosexual couples can circumvent the [restriction] by getting married, Cates said.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Counter-nativity Display Now Includes Comedy
-- From "Festivus pole goes up in the Illinois Capitol, and the gripes begin" by David Mercer, Associated Press 12/25/08
SPRINGFIELD -- In the world of the TV sitcom “Seinfeld,” Festivus is a goofy, high-tension Christmas substitute dreamt up by George Costanza’s angry dad. Revelers gathered around an aluminum pole and couldn’t leave until someone pinned the head of the household to the floor.
Festivus is still good for a laugh among “Seinfeld” loyalists, even 11 years after the episode was first broadcast.
Funny, but nobody’s laughing much about the Festivus pole that popped up under the dome of the Illinois Capitol this week.
Not the people who set up the nearby nativity scene.
“I think it’s a mockery,” said Dan Zanoza, chairman of the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee.
Not the atheists who set up their own Capitol display.
“If the state’s going to create a forum for religion at this time of year, which we do not approve of, this is what’s going to happen,” said Annie Laurie Gaylor of the Freedom from Religion Foundation.
Even the 18-year-old who created the pole isn’t laughing much. . . . The high school senior and member of the American Civil Liberties Union is home in Springfield for a break from his Lake Forest boarding school.
His parents reluctantly contributed the aluminum handle from their swimming pool skimmer, and Tennenhouse and his 13-year-old bother, Matt, applied for a permit to put up a Festivus pole in the Capitol.
The state, much to Tennenhouse’s surprise, didn’t turn him down.
Nathan Maddox, senior legal adviser with the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, says the state couldn’t legally deny Tennenhouse’s right to free expression.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas Celebrated by Iraqi Government
On Christmas day, a picture of Jesus floated on a balloon over Baghdad while Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Karim Khalaf declared "All Iraqis are Christian today!"
-- From "Iraqi government sponsors Christmas celebration" © 2008 WorldNetDaily 12/24/08
Ken Joseph Jr. of the Assyrian Christians told WND walking through the streets of Washington, D.C., provides a visitor with no link between the decorations and festivities of the holiday time and the birth of Jesus.
Yet in Baghdad, "the government sponsored a special Christmas celebration for the Christians. The main focus was the huge picture of Jesus," he said.
At Hot Air, Ed Morrisssey wrote, "Can anyone imagine this celebration taking place with government support in any other Arab nation — even those normally described as 'moderate'? Not only does this celebration include the standard secular imagery of Santa Claus, they actually put a picture of Jesus Christ on a hot-air balloon. That's a big deal in a Muslim nation, where they object strenuously (and often violently) to iconography. Suggesting that Iraqis are 'all Christians' on any day would get a Muslim fired or worse anyplace else in the region."
He continued, "This is what victory looks like. Iraq has settled into what Condoleezza Rice called a 'multi-confessional' society, one that has begun to promote a religious tolerance that is unlike anything seen in that region in decades, if not centuries or ever."
-- From "Christmas comes to Iraq!" by Connie MacLeod, Orlando Christianity Examiner 12/23/08
In a small park in Baghdad, children dressed as Kurds, Turkmen, Yazidis, Christians, Muslims all held hands singing "We are building Iraq!" A hot air balloon draped with a large poster of Jesus and an Iraqi flag floated high over the celebration while Santa balloons and refreshments were served to the tune of military marches. No Christmas carols yet, but maybe by next year, the band will have learned a few.
In America, we are so blessed to be able to worship and celebrate Jesus every day, yet in Baghdad, it’s a very new experience. Pray for them that God would raise up leaders, who will lead the people into relationship with our amazing Savior, Jesus!
-- From "Iraqi government sponsors Christmas celebration" © 2008 WorldNetDaily 12/24/08
Ken Joseph Jr. of the Assyrian Christians told WND walking through the streets of Washington, D.C., provides a visitor with no link between the decorations and festivities of the holiday time and the birth of Jesus.
Yet in Baghdad, "the government sponsored a special Christmas celebration for the Christians. The main focus was the huge picture of Jesus," he said.
At Hot Air, Ed Morrisssey wrote, "Can anyone imagine this celebration taking place with government support in any other Arab nation — even those normally described as 'moderate'? Not only does this celebration include the standard secular imagery of Santa Claus, they actually put a picture of Jesus Christ on a hot-air balloon. That's a big deal in a Muslim nation, where they object strenuously (and often violently) to iconography. Suggesting that Iraqis are 'all Christians' on any day would get a Muslim fired or worse anyplace else in the region."
He continued, "This is what victory looks like. Iraq has settled into what Condoleezza Rice called a 'multi-confessional' society, one that has begun to promote a religious tolerance that is unlike anything seen in that region in decades, if not centuries or ever."
-- From "Christmas comes to Iraq!" by Connie MacLeod, Orlando Christianity Examiner 12/23/08
In a small park in Baghdad, children dressed as Kurds, Turkmen, Yazidis, Christians, Muslims all held hands singing "We are building Iraq!" A hot air balloon draped with a large poster of Jesus and an Iraqi flag floated high over the celebration while Santa balloons and refreshments were served to the tune of military marches. No Christmas carols yet, but maybe by next year, the band will have learned a few.
In America, we are so blessed to be able to worship and celebrate Jesus every day, yet in Baghdad, it’s a very new experience. Pray for them that God would raise up leaders, who will lead the people into relationship with our amazing Savior, Jesus!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Restricting Christianity is NOT Neutrality
". . . a complaint from one parent resulted in the district's policy that banned the playing of all Christmas music, including simple instrumentals without words."
-- From "Religious tunes banned by school" © 2008 WorldNetDaily 12/24/08
According to the Thomas More Law Center, the public interest firm based in Ann Arbor, Mich., its lawyers have filed a brief in the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia in a case challenging a New Jersey district's ban on the melodies.
The Center's brief says the ban "conveys the impermissible, government-sponsored message of disapproval of and hostility toward religion in violation of the Establishment Clause, and it deprives the students of the school district the right to receive information and ideas, an inherent corollary of their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and academic freedom."
"This anti-religious policy is yet another example of the militant hostility that many public schools have towards Christians and Christmas," said Richard Thompson, president and chief counsel of the Law Center.
"If we do not stop these policies now, it is likely that they will continue to spread across our nation like an anti-Christian virus. This is an important case; it will likely decide the fate of one of our most cherished traditions," he said.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Religious tunes banned by school" © 2008 WorldNetDaily 12/24/08
According to the Thomas More Law Center, the public interest firm based in Ann Arbor, Mich., its lawyers have filed a brief in the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia in a case challenging a New Jersey district's ban on the melodies.
The Center's brief says the ban "conveys the impermissible, government-sponsored message of disapproval of and hostility toward religion in violation of the Establishment Clause, and it deprives the students of the school district the right to receive information and ideas, an inherent corollary of their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and academic freedom."
"This anti-religious policy is yet another example of the militant hostility that many public schools have towards Christians and Christmas," said Richard Thompson, president and chief counsel of the Law Center.
"If we do not stop these policies now, it is likely that they will continue to spread across our nation like an anti-Christian virus. This is an important case; it will likely decide the fate of one of our most cherished traditions," he said.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Univ. of Chicago Provides Coed Dorm Rooms
There are reportedly coed [dorm rooms] at more than 30 campuses around the country, including Wesleyan University and Oberlin College.
-- From "U of C Lets Coeds Sleep Together" NBC TV5 Chicago 12/20/08
This may shock you. Young men and women will be sleeping together at the University of Chicago. Not like that. The school known for big IQ's has a big idea to create coed dorm rooms.
Male and female students will share rooms in a pilot program that begins next month. University officials say the idea came from students. Shocker.
"In today's day and age it's not really fair to discriminate based on gender anymore," Asha Woodall, 19, a sophomore at the U. of C. to the Chicago Tribune. "Sexuality is more of a spectrum."
Teenage girls . . . Can anyone say naive?
-- From "U of C Lets Coeds Sleep Together" NBC TV5 Chicago 12/20/08
This may shock you. Young men and women will be sleeping together at the University of Chicago. Not like that. The school known for big IQ's has a big idea to create coed dorm rooms.
Male and female students will share rooms in a pilot program that begins next month. University officials say the idea came from students. Shocker.
"In today's day and age it's not really fair to discriminate based on gender anymore," Asha Woodall, 19, a sophomore at the U. of C. to the Chicago Tribune. "Sexuality is more of a spectrum."
Teenage girls . . . Can anyone say naive?
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Rick Warren Counters the Media, 'Addresses the Nation'
Rick Warren, the evangelical preacher chosen by Barack Obama to deliver the inaugural invocation, has posted a three-part video to his church's website responding to the furor that has erupted over his selection.
-- From "Rick Warren loves gays, and more" posted by Michael Paulson on The Boston Globe 12/23/08
In the video, Warren criticizes the media, and, in particular, bloggers, for fueling the controversy. And he says the criticism of him in the wake of his selection has been characterized by "a lot of hate speech" and by "Christophobia -- people who are afraid of any Christian.''
"Our nation is being destroyed by the demonization of differences," he says. "The fact that an evangelical pastor believes in keeping the historic definition of marriage -- that’s not news. The fact that the gay community would disagree with me -- that’s not news either. The real story is that a couple of different American leaders have chosen to model civility for the rest of the nation."
"Free speech has to be free speech for everybody," he says. "Some people feel today if you disagree with them that’s hate speech...I’m neither afraid of gays, nor do I hate gays. In fact, I love them, but I do disagree with some of their beliefs, and I have that constitutional right."
Over at Christianity Today, Sarah Pulliam has an interview with Franklin Graham (Billy Graham's son) who praises Warren, and says, "The news is mostly all about nothing. It's a few people on the far left who feel that Obama should not have any evangelicals or Christians involved in the inauguration. Millions of Christians voted for Obama, and they have every reason to be at the table. This is his inauguration, and Obama has every right to do that. Those that are making noise have forgotten that it's not their inauguration. It's Obama's inauguration."
CNN's The Situation Room has an interview with Pat Robertson today. Robertson also praises Warren, and says, "All he's been asked to do is give an invocation. He isn't asked to endorse Obama. He's going to stand up there on the steps of the Capitol and he's going to say, God, please bless this country. And he will do that very well."
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Rather than allow the media to filter Rick Warren, CLICK HERE and watch his video.
-- From "Rick Warren loves gays, and more" posted by Michael Paulson on The Boston Globe 12/23/08
In the video, Warren criticizes the media, and, in particular, bloggers, for fueling the controversy. And he says the criticism of him in the wake of his selection has been characterized by "a lot of hate speech" and by "Christophobia -- people who are afraid of any Christian.''
"Our nation is being destroyed by the demonization of differences," he says. "The fact that an evangelical pastor believes in keeping the historic definition of marriage -- that’s not news. The fact that the gay community would disagree with me -- that’s not news either. The real story is that a couple of different American leaders have chosen to model civility for the rest of the nation."
"Free speech has to be free speech for everybody," he says. "Some people feel today if you disagree with them that’s hate speech...I’m neither afraid of gays, nor do I hate gays. In fact, I love them, but I do disagree with some of their beliefs, and I have that constitutional right."
Over at Christianity Today, Sarah Pulliam has an interview with Franklin Graham (Billy Graham's son) who praises Warren, and says, "The news is mostly all about nothing. It's a few people on the far left who feel that Obama should not have any evangelicals or Christians involved in the inauguration. Millions of Christians voted for Obama, and they have every reason to be at the table. This is his inauguration, and Obama has every right to do that. Those that are making noise have forgotten that it's not their inauguration. It's Obama's inauguration."
CNN's The Situation Room has an interview with Pat Robertson today. Robertson also praises Warren, and says, "All he's been asked to do is give an invocation. He isn't asked to endorse Obama. He's going to stand up there on the steps of the Capitol and he's going to say, God, please bless this country. And he will do that very well."
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Rather than allow the media to filter Rick Warren, CLICK HERE and watch his video.
ECUSA Loses Church Property to Exiting Christians
Nearly a dozen conservative church congregations in Virginia have won a lawsuit in which they sought to split from the U.S. Episcopal Church in a dispute over theology and homosexuality.
UPDATE 10/6/09: U.S. Supreme Court allows California ECUSA to take property from local members
-- From "Conservatives win court case in Va. church dispute" by Matthew Barakat, Associated Press Writer 12/19/08
The final rulings came Friday from a Fairfax County judge who said the departing congregations are allowed under Virginia law to keep their church buildings and other property as they leave the Episcopal Church and realign under the authority of conservative Anglican bishops from Africa.
Several previous rulings had also gone in favor of the departing congregations. The diocese said it will appeal.
The case was decided under a Civil War-era law unique to Virginia, which stated that when a division occurs within a particular denomination, a congregation can vote to decide with which branch it wishes to affiliate.
Whether the decision in the Virginia case is indicative of what will happen nationally is doubtful. Even leaders in the departing congregations acknowledge that the judge's rulings turned on interpretation of a statute unique to Virginia.
Jim Oakes, vice chairman of the Anglican District of Virginia, an organization formed by the departing congregations said he thinks the ruling will be "encouraging to other orthodox congregations across the country."
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE 10/6/09: U.S. Supreme Court allows California ECUSA to take property from local members
-- From "Conservatives win court case in Va. church dispute" by Matthew Barakat, Associated Press Writer 12/19/08
The final rulings came Friday from a Fairfax County judge who said the departing congregations are allowed under Virginia law to keep their church buildings and other property as they leave the Episcopal Church and realign under the authority of conservative Anglican bishops from Africa.
Several previous rulings had also gone in favor of the departing congregations. The diocese said it will appeal.
The case was decided under a Civil War-era law unique to Virginia, which stated that when a division occurs within a particular denomination, a congregation can vote to decide with which branch it wishes to affiliate.
Whether the decision in the Virginia case is indicative of what will happen nationally is doubtful. Even leaders in the departing congregations acknowledge that the judge's rulings turned on interpretation of a statute unique to Virginia.
Jim Oakes, vice chairman of the Anglican District of Virginia, an organization formed by the departing congregations said he thinks the ruling will be "encouraging to other orthodox congregations across the country."
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Pastor Rick Warren Interview with Beliefnet
In mid-December, Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., spoke with Beliefnet Editor-in-Chief Steven Waldman concerning many topics, including abortion and same-sex marriage (prior to the latest liberal uproar) -- excerpts, follow:
Beliefnet question: Now that Barack Obama has been elected, are you going to work with them to achieve an abortion reduction agenda or do you think that’s really just a charade?
Pastor Rick Warren: . . . to me it is kind of a charade in that people say we believe abortions should be safe and rare. Why do you believe it should be rare? If you don’t believe life begins at conception, it shouldn’t be rare. That’s an illogical statement. Don’t tell me it should be rare. That’s like saying on the Holocaust well maybe we could save 20% of the Jewish people in Poland and Germany and get them out and we should be satisfied with that. I’m not satisfied with that. I want the Holocaust ended.
And if you truly believe that life begins at conception --which I do because of my commitment to the scripture -- then that means 40 million Americans are not here who should be here. That’s a Holocaust.
Beliefnet question: One controversial moment for you in the last election was your support for proposition 8 in California. … Just to clarify, do you support civil unions or domestic partnerships?
Pastor Rick Warren: No American should ever be discriminated against because of their beliefs. Period. But a civil union is not a civil right. Nowhere in the constitution can you find the “right” to claim that any loving relationship identical to marriage. It’s just not there.
The issue to me [is,] I’m opposed to redefinition of a 5,000 year definition of marriage. I’m opposed to having a brother and sister being together and calling that marriage. I’m opposed to an older guy marrying a child and calling that marriage. I’m opposed to one guy having multiple wives and calling that marriage.
Beliefnet question: Do you think those are equivalent to gays getting married?
Pastor Rick Warren: Oh, I do. For 5,000 years, marriage has been defined by every single culture and every single religion – this is not a Christian issue. Buddhist, Muslims, Jews – historically, marriage is a man and a woman. And the reason I supported Proposition 8, is really a free speech issue. Because first the court overrode the will of the people, but second there were all kinds of threats that if that did not pass then any pastor could be considered doing hate speech if he shared his views that he didn’t think homosexuality was the most natural way for relationships, and that would be hate speech. We should have freedom of speech, ok? And you should be able to have freedom of speech to make your position and I should be able to have freedom of speech to make my position, and can’t we do this in a civil way.
Most people know I have many gay friends. I’ve eaten dinner in gay homes. No church has probably done more for people with AIDS than Saddleback Church. Kay and I have given millions of dollars out of Purpose Driven Life helping people who got AIDS through gay relationships. So they can’t accuse me of homophobia. I just don’t believe in the redefinition of marriage.
Written clarification/addition from Pastor Rick Warren 12/15:
BOTTOM LINE:
1. God, who always acts out of love and does what is best for us, thought up sex. Sex was God’s idea, not ours. Like fire, and many other things God gave us, sex can be used for good, or abused in ways that harm. The Designer of sex has clearly and repeatedly said that he created sex exclusively for husbands and wives in marriage. Whenever God’s parameters are violated, it causes broken hearts, broken families, emotional hurt and shame, painful memories, and many other destructive consequences. There would be [no] STDs in our world if we all played by the rules.
2. God gives me the free choice to follow his commands or willfully disobey them so I must allow others to have that same free choice. Loving, trusting, and obeying God cannot be forced. In America, people already have the civil right to live as they wish.
3. If anyone, whether unfaithful spouses, or unmarried couples, or homosexuals or anyone else think they are smarter than God and chooses to disobey God’s sexual instructions, it is not the US government’s role to take away their choice. But neither is it the government’s role to classify just any “loving” relationship as a marriage. A committed boyfriend-girlfriend relationship is not a marriage. Two lovers living together is a not a marriage. Incest is not marriage. A domestic partnership or even a civil union is still not marriage.
4. Much of this debate is not really about civil rights, but a desire for approval. The fact that 70% of blacks supported Prop 8 shows they don’t believe it is a civil rights issue. Gays in California already have their rights. What they desire is approval and validation from those who disagree with them, and they are willing to force it by law if necessary. Any disapproval is quickly labeled “hate speech.” Imagine if we held that standard in every other disagreement Americans have? There would be no free speech. That’s why, on the traditional marriage side, many saw Prop 8 as a free speech issue: Don’t force me to validate a lifestyle I disagree with. It is not the same as marriage. And many saw the Teacher’s Union contribution of $3 million against Prop 8, as a effort to insure that children would be taught to approve what most parents disapprove of.
To read the entire interview transcript, CLICK HERE.
For the links to video of the interview, CLICK HERE.
Beliefnet question: Now that Barack Obama has been elected, are you going to work with them to achieve an abortion reduction agenda or do you think that’s really just a charade?
Pastor Rick Warren: . . . to me it is kind of a charade in that people say we believe abortions should be safe and rare. Why do you believe it should be rare? If you don’t believe life begins at conception, it shouldn’t be rare. That’s an illogical statement. Don’t tell me it should be rare. That’s like saying on the Holocaust well maybe we could save 20% of the Jewish people in Poland and Germany and get them out and we should be satisfied with that. I’m not satisfied with that. I want the Holocaust ended.
And if you truly believe that life begins at conception --which I do because of my commitment to the scripture -- then that means 40 million Americans are not here who should be here. That’s a Holocaust.
Beliefnet question: One controversial moment for you in the last election was your support for proposition 8 in California. … Just to clarify, do you support civil unions or domestic partnerships?
Pastor Rick Warren: No American should ever be discriminated against because of their beliefs. Period. But a civil union is not a civil right. Nowhere in the constitution can you find the “right” to claim that any loving relationship identical to marriage. It’s just not there.
The issue to me [is,] I’m opposed to redefinition of a 5,000 year definition of marriage. I’m opposed to having a brother and sister being together and calling that marriage. I’m opposed to an older guy marrying a child and calling that marriage. I’m opposed to one guy having multiple wives and calling that marriage.
Beliefnet question: Do you think those are equivalent to gays getting married?
Pastor Rick Warren: Oh, I do. For 5,000 years, marriage has been defined by every single culture and every single religion – this is not a Christian issue. Buddhist, Muslims, Jews – historically, marriage is a man and a woman. And the reason I supported Proposition 8, is really a free speech issue. Because first the court overrode the will of the people, but second there were all kinds of threats that if that did not pass then any pastor could be considered doing hate speech if he shared his views that he didn’t think homosexuality was the most natural way for relationships, and that would be hate speech. We should have freedom of speech, ok? And you should be able to have freedom of speech to make your position and I should be able to have freedom of speech to make my position, and can’t we do this in a civil way.
Most people know I have many gay friends. I’ve eaten dinner in gay homes. No church has probably done more for people with AIDS than Saddleback Church. Kay and I have given millions of dollars out of Purpose Driven Life helping people who got AIDS through gay relationships. So they can’t accuse me of homophobia. I just don’t believe in the redefinition of marriage.
Written clarification/addition from Pastor Rick Warren 12/15:
BOTTOM LINE:
1. God, who always acts out of love and does what is best for us, thought up sex. Sex was God’s idea, not ours. Like fire, and many other things God gave us, sex can be used for good, or abused in ways that harm. The Designer of sex has clearly and repeatedly said that he created sex exclusively for husbands and wives in marriage. Whenever God’s parameters are violated, it causes broken hearts, broken families, emotional hurt and shame, painful memories, and many other destructive consequences. There would be [no] STDs in our world if we all played by the rules.
2. God gives me the free choice to follow his commands or willfully disobey them so I must allow others to have that same free choice. Loving, trusting, and obeying God cannot be forced. In America, people already have the civil right to live as they wish.
3. If anyone, whether unfaithful spouses, or unmarried couples, or homosexuals or anyone else think they are smarter than God and chooses to disobey God’s sexual instructions, it is not the US government’s role to take away their choice. But neither is it the government’s role to classify just any “loving” relationship as a marriage. A committed boyfriend-girlfriend relationship is not a marriage. Two lovers living together is a not a marriage. Incest is not marriage. A domestic partnership or even a civil union is still not marriage.
4. Much of this debate is not really about civil rights, but a desire for approval. The fact that 70% of blacks supported Prop 8 shows they don’t believe it is a civil rights issue. Gays in California already have their rights. What they desire is approval and validation from those who disagree with them, and they are willing to force it by law if necessary. Any disapproval is quickly labeled “hate speech.” Imagine if we held that standard in every other disagreement Americans have? There would be no free speech. That’s why, on the traditional marriage side, many saw Prop 8 as a free speech issue: Don’t force me to validate a lifestyle I disagree with. It is not the same as marriage. And many saw the Teacher’s Union contribution of $3 million against Prop 8, as a effort to insure that children would be taught to approve what most parents disapprove of.
To read the entire interview transcript, CLICK HERE.
For the links to video of the interview, CLICK HERE.
Christmas Carolers Attacked by Pro-abortion Protesters
-- From "Peaceful Singing and Disruptive Counter-Protest Mark League's 6th Annual 'Empty Manger' Caroling Day" posted at Pro-Life Action League 12/22/08
The Pro-Life Action League's sixth annual "Empty Manger" Christmas Caroling day was by far the most eventful year yet. For the second year, the League sponsored two tours, one in Chicago and one in DuPage county, visiting abortion clinics singing Christmas carols to bring light and hope to those dark places.
As the carolers began to arrive at American Women's Medical Center, so did the opposition. The League had found out the day before that a group was trying to organize a "counter-protest." But since efforts to organize protests of League events in the past had usually been unsuccessful and poorly attended, no one was concerned.
As soon as the protesters saw they outnumbered the carolers—and that a reporter from a local radio station and a video camera from a TV station had arrived—they began chanting their usual slogans: "Who decides? Women decide."
Several or the pro-abortion protesters placed themselves right next to carolers, shouting in their faces. But the carolers continued to sing, ignoring their opposition. "These people are trained to anger pro-lifers and get them to respond," Ann Scheidler said. "It is so important that we do not take the bait, that we do not respond to their anger with our anger. We cannot give them that kind of power." In spite of their best efforts, the protesters could not start a fight.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
To view the slideshow of the Chicago caroling tour, CLICK HERE.
The Pro-Life Action League's sixth annual "Empty Manger" Christmas Caroling day was by far the most eventful year yet. For the second year, the League sponsored two tours, one in Chicago and one in DuPage county, visiting abortion clinics singing Christmas carols to bring light and hope to those dark places.
As the carolers began to arrive at American Women's Medical Center, so did the opposition. The League had found out the day before that a group was trying to organize a "counter-protest." But since efforts to organize protests of League events in the past had usually been unsuccessful and poorly attended, no one was concerned.
As soon as the protesters saw they outnumbered the carolers—and that a reporter from a local radio station and a video camera from a TV station had arrived—they began chanting their usual slogans: "Who decides? Women decide."
Several or the pro-abortion protesters placed themselves right next to carolers, shouting in their faces. But the carolers continued to sing, ignoring their opposition. "These people are trained to anger pro-lifers and get them to respond," Ann Scheidler said. "It is so important that we do not take the bait, that we do not respond to their anger with our anger. We cannot give them that kind of power." In spite of their best efforts, the protesters could not start a fight.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
To view the slideshow of the Chicago caroling tour, CLICK HERE.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
6th-grader's Christmas Poem Rejected
A public school teacher in Mississippi marked down an eleven-year-old's Christmas poem assignment . . . because he used the word "Jesus."
-- From "No, Christ isn't allowed in Christmas" © 2008 WorldNetDaily 12/20/08
Liberty Counsel, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, reports that sixth-grader Andrew White of Hattiesburg, Miss., chose to write the poem on the assignment
"What Christmas means to me."
After White turned in his rough draft, however, his teacher circled the word "Jesus" and deducted a point from his grade. The teacher then explained that he needed to rewrite the poem without the offending word.
When White's parents questioned the teacher, Liberty Counsel reports, they received a response email explaining, "[Andrew] and another child did a poem about Christ. I know we can't discuss these type [sic] of things in school so I asked the two of them to do another poem of their choice."
Mathew D. Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel and dean of Liberty University School of Law, expressed dismay that despite many legal clarifications on the issue, there are still educationl officials that mistakenly believe students can't speak of their faith at school.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "No, Christ isn't allowed in Christmas" © 2008 WorldNetDaily 12/20/08
Liberty Counsel, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, reports that sixth-grader Andrew White of Hattiesburg, Miss., chose to write the poem on the assignment
"What Christmas means to me."
After White turned in his rough draft, however, his teacher circled the word "Jesus" and deducted a point from his grade. The teacher then explained that he needed to rewrite the poem without the offending word.
When White's parents questioned the teacher, Liberty Counsel reports, they received a response email explaining, "[Andrew] and another child did a poem about Christ. I know we can't discuss these type [sic] of things in school so I asked the two of them to do another poem of their choice."
Mathew D. Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel and dean of Liberty University School of Law, expressed dismay that despite many legal clarifications on the issue, there are still educationl officials that mistakenly believe students can't speak of their faith at school.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Next, Government Commandeers 'Sunday School'
The public school course "is forcing children to learn the content of other religions. Therefore it is the state deciding what religious content will be learned, at what age, and that is totally overriding the parents' authority and role."
-- From "Religious Ed. rebellion - Quebec parents pull students out of new class" by Graeme Hamilton, National Post 12/19/08
A new religion course taught in schools across Quebec was intended to improve inter-cultural understanding, but so far it is generating deep division as hundreds of parents pull their children out of class.
A high school in Granby, Que., has in the past week handed one-day suspensions to seven students boycotting the Ethics and Religious Culture course on the grounds that it violates their freedom of conscience. In nearby Drummondville, a couple will be going to court next spring with a constitutional challenge to the mandatory course.
The new course is the final step in a secularization of Quebec schooling that began with a 1997 constitutional amendment replacing the province's denominational school boards with linguistic ones.
A 2005 law changed Quebec's Education Act and its Charter of Rights to eliminate parents' right to choose a course in Catholic, Protestant or moral instruction, and the changes came into effect last June.
Stephanie Tremblay, a spokeswoman for Quebec's Education Department, said school boards across the province have received and rejected more than 1,400 requests from public-school parents seeking to have their children exempted from taking the course.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Religious Ed. rebellion - Quebec parents pull students out of new class" by Graeme Hamilton, National Post 12/19/08
A new religion course taught in schools across Quebec was intended to improve inter-cultural understanding, but so far it is generating deep division as hundreds of parents pull their children out of class.
A high school in Granby, Que., has in the past week handed one-day suspensions to seven students boycotting the Ethics and Religious Culture course on the grounds that it violates their freedom of conscience. In nearby Drummondville, a couple will be going to court next spring with a constitutional challenge to the mandatory course.
The new course is the final step in a secularization of Quebec schooling that began with a 1997 constitutional amendment replacing the province's denominational school boards with linguistic ones.
A 2005 law changed Quebec's Education Act and its Charter of Rights to eliminate parents' right to choose a course in Catholic, Protestant or moral instruction, and the changes came into effect last June.
Stephanie Tremblay, a spokeswoman for Quebec's Education Department, said school boards across the province have received and rejected more than 1,400 requests from public-school parents seeking to have their children exempted from taking the course.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Rick Warren, Once Loved by Hollywood, Now Cursed
The liberal elite loved the Orange County mega-pastor when he joined them at Al Gore's global warming premiere, and led the way on HIV/AIDS in Africa, but now he's "thrown under the bus" for his support of Prop 8.
-- From "Obama's choice of Rick Warren to lead prayer dismays Hollywood liberals" by Tina Daunt, LA Times 12/20/08
Obama's selection of Orange County mega-pastor and bestselling author Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his swearing in has hit liberal Hollywood in one of its sorest spots: the passage of Proposition 8, California's ban on gay marriage, which Warren strongly supported. In fact, he has compared same-sex nuptials to approving polygamy and pedophilia.
Reaction in the entertainment industry -- where interestingly, Warren has his own powerful ties -- has been swift, angry and bitter.
The passage of Proposition 8 galvanized activist Hollywood in a way that the campaign had not.
Democratic political consultant Chad Griffin, who this week was named by the Advocate, America's leading gay publication, as one of its People of the Year, thinks that it's up to Warren to let Obama off the hook and withdraw.
Griffin said he planned to ask for a meeting with the pastor to make the case that Obama should pick someone else to do the invocation.
[Kathryn Kolbert, same-sex marriage advocate, and] the head of People for the American Way -- a group founded by Norman Lear -- said she was "profoundly disappointed" that Warren was asked to play a key role in the inauguration. ". . . the sad truth is that this decision further elevates someone who has in recent weeks actively promoted legalized discrimination and denigrated the lives and relationships of millions of Americans."
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
To read about Rick Warren's August 2008 interview with Obama and McCain, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Obama's choice of Rick Warren to lead prayer dismays Hollywood liberals" by Tina Daunt, LA Times 12/20/08
Obama's selection of Orange County mega-pastor and bestselling author Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his swearing in has hit liberal Hollywood in one of its sorest spots: the passage of Proposition 8, California's ban on gay marriage, which Warren strongly supported. In fact, he has compared same-sex nuptials to approving polygamy and pedophilia.
Reaction in the entertainment industry -- where interestingly, Warren has his own powerful ties -- has been swift, angry and bitter.
The passage of Proposition 8 galvanized activist Hollywood in a way that the campaign had not.
Democratic political consultant Chad Griffin, who this week was named by the Advocate, America's leading gay publication, as one of its People of the Year, thinks that it's up to Warren to let Obama off the hook and withdraw.
Griffin said he planned to ask for a meeting with the pastor to make the case that Obama should pick someone else to do the invocation.
[Kathryn Kolbert, same-sex marriage advocate, and] the head of People for the American Way -- a group founded by Norman Lear -- said she was "profoundly disappointed" that Warren was asked to play a key role in the inauguration. ". . . the sad truth is that this decision further elevates someone who has in recent weeks actively promoted legalized discrimination and denigrated the lives and relationships of millions of Americans."
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
To read about Rick Warren's August 2008 interview with Obama and McCain, CLICK HERE.
Calif. A.G. Urges Supremes to Overrule Voters
In a sharp rebuke to supporters of a contested state ballot measure that banned same-sex marriage, the California attorney general said Friday that the measure was constitutionally indefensible and should be overturned.
-- From "Top Lawyer Urges Voiding California Proposition 8" by Jesse McKinley, New York Times 12/20/08
The attorney general, Jerry Brown, had previously hinted of his opposition to the measure, Proposition 8, but made his legal opinion concrete on Friday in a brief to the California Supreme Court, which is reviewing the measure. “Proposition 8 must be invalidated because the amendment process cannot be used to extinguish fundamental constitutional rights without compelling justification,” Mr. Brown said in a statement.
Opponents have argued that the proposition fundamentally altered the state Constitution by taking away the right to marry from same-sex couples, who had been free to do so since May, when the California Supreme Court legalized such marriages. Proposition 8 overturned that decision by defining marriage in California as between only men and women.
Supporters of Proposition 8 asked the court in a separate legal brief filed Friday to invalidate the approximately 18,000 same-sex weddings performed before the ban was passed.
“The language, policy, history and intent of Proposition 8 do not permit recognition of some same-sex marriages but not others,” read the brief, which was also written by the prominent conservative lawyer Kenneth W. Starr. “None are valid or recognized in California.”
The court could hear oral arguments as soon as March, and a decision is expected next year.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Top Lawyer Urges Voiding California Proposition 8" by Jesse McKinley, New York Times 12/20/08
The attorney general, Jerry Brown, had previously hinted of his opposition to the measure, Proposition 8, but made his legal opinion concrete on Friday in a brief to the California Supreme Court, which is reviewing the measure. “Proposition 8 must be invalidated because the amendment process cannot be used to extinguish fundamental constitutional rights without compelling justification,” Mr. Brown said in a statement.
Opponents have argued that the proposition fundamentally altered the state Constitution by taking away the right to marry from same-sex couples, who had been free to do so since May, when the California Supreme Court legalized such marriages. Proposition 8 overturned that decision by defining marriage in California as between only men and women.
Supporters of Proposition 8 asked the court in a separate legal brief filed Friday to invalidate the approximately 18,000 same-sex weddings performed before the ban was passed.
“The language, policy, history and intent of Proposition 8 do not permit recognition of some same-sex marriages but not others,” read the brief, which was also written by the prominent conservative lawyer Kenneth W. Starr. “None are valid or recognized in California.”
The court could hear oral arguments as soon as March, and a decision is expected next year.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
IL Supremes Allow Challenge to Gov. Blago Order
In the 5-to-2 decision, Pharmacists Luke Vander Bleek and Glen Kosirog gain ground against Gov. Rod Blagojevich's 2005 executive order (later to become an administrative regulation) requiring all Illinois pharmacists to dispense contraceptives, including the morning-after pill.
-- From "Illinois Supreme Court rules on pharmacists' 'right of conscience' case" Chicago Tribune 12/18/08
Vander Bleek and Kosirog alleged the governor’s action violated deeply held religious convictions: Both men are convinced that the drug can act as an abortion-causing agent.
A Sangamon County circuit court dismissed the pharmacy owners’ in 2005, arguing they had not demonstrated clear evidence of harm from Blagojevich’s order, and a divided appellate court upheld that decision last year.
The Supreme Court decided the plaintiffs had presented sufficient evidence of potential harm to warrant having their case heard in court. For instance, Vander Bleek said he closed a pharmacy in Prophetstown because he wasn’t able to recruit a pharmacist. Also, the court noted, the administrative rule was amended in the settlement of a separate lawsuit last year, providing grounds for a reconsideration of the case.
“It’s not a grand slam but it’s a home run,” said Francis Manion, co-counsel for the pharmacists and an attorney with the American Center for Law and Justice in Washington, D.C. “Until today, this case was going nowhere. Now it’s back in full force.”
“The court avoided the merits of the [pharmacists’] claim; all they did was say, procedurally, the case has to go back to the trial court for further consideration,” said Lorie Chaiten, director of the reproductive rights project at the ACLU of Illinois.
Before the governor intervened in 2005, Planned Parenthood was receiving several calls a month from women complaining that pharmacists had refused to fill prescriptions for contraceptives.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Illinois Supreme Court rules on pharmacists' 'right of conscience' case" Chicago Tribune 12/18/08
Vander Bleek and Kosirog alleged the governor’s action violated deeply held religious convictions: Both men are convinced that the drug can act as an abortion-causing agent.
A Sangamon County circuit court dismissed the pharmacy owners’ in 2005, arguing they had not demonstrated clear evidence of harm from Blagojevich’s order, and a divided appellate court upheld that decision last year.
The Supreme Court decided the plaintiffs had presented sufficient evidence of potential harm to warrant having their case heard in court. For instance, Vander Bleek said he closed a pharmacy in Prophetstown because he wasn’t able to recruit a pharmacist. Also, the court noted, the administrative rule was amended in the settlement of a separate lawsuit last year, providing grounds for a reconsideration of the case.
“It’s not a grand slam but it’s a home run,” said Francis Manion, co-counsel for the pharmacists and an attorney with the American Center for Law and Justice in Washington, D.C. “Until today, this case was going nowhere. Now it’s back in full force.”
“The court avoided the merits of the [pharmacists’] claim; all they did was say, procedurally, the case has to go back to the trial court for further consideration,” said Lorie Chaiten, director of the reproductive rights project at the ACLU of Illinois.
Before the governor intervened in 2005, Planned Parenthood was receiving several calls a month from women complaining that pharmacists had refused to fill prescriptions for contraceptives.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Bush Protects 'Right of Conscience' - Obama to Overturn
The Bush administration, in its final days, issued a federal rule Thursday reinforcing protections for doctors and other health care workers who refuse to participate in abortions and other procedures because of religious or moral objections.
UPDATE 1/15/09: Seven States Sue to Eliminate Bush 'Right of Conscience'
-- From "New rule for health providers stirs objections" by Kevin Freking, Associated Press Writer 12/18/08
Critics say the protections are so broad they limit a patient's right to get care and accurate information. For example, they fear the rule could make it possible for a pharmacy clerk to refuse to sell birth control pills without ramifications from an employer.
Under long-standing federal law, institutions may not discriminate against individuals who refuse to perform abortions or provide a referral for one. The administration's rule is intended to ensure that federal funds don't flow to providers who violate those laws, Health and Human Services officials said.
Several medical associations, more than 100 members of Congress, governors and 13 attorneys general were among the many thousands who wrote the department to protest the rule after it was proposed.
Several lawmakers have promised to take up legislation that would overturn the rule once Congress reconvenes in January. Another option is for the Obama administration to issue new regulations that would trump it. The rule will take effect on Jan. 18, two days before Obama takes office.
While campaigning in August, Obama criticized the proposal: "This proposed regulation complicates, rather than clarifies the law. It raises troubling issues about access to basic health care for women, particularly access to contraceptives," he said.
The Planned Parenthood Federation of America said about 200,000 people submitted comments opposing the rule, including about 90,000 comments from its supporters.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE 1/15/09: Seven States Sue to Eliminate Bush 'Right of Conscience'
-- From "New rule for health providers stirs objections" by Kevin Freking, Associated Press Writer 12/18/08
Critics say the protections are so broad they limit a patient's right to get care and accurate information. For example, they fear the rule could make it possible for a pharmacy clerk to refuse to sell birth control pills without ramifications from an employer.
Under long-standing federal law, institutions may not discriminate against individuals who refuse to perform abortions or provide a referral for one. The administration's rule is intended to ensure that federal funds don't flow to providers who violate those laws, Health and Human Services officials said.
Several medical associations, more than 100 members of Congress, governors and 13 attorneys general were among the many thousands who wrote the department to protest the rule after it was proposed.
Several lawmakers have promised to take up legislation that would overturn the rule once Congress reconvenes in January. Another option is for the Obama administration to issue new regulations that would trump it. The rule will take effect on Jan. 18, two days before Obama takes office.
While campaigning in August, Obama criticized the proposal: "This proposed regulation complicates, rather than clarifies the law. It raises troubling issues about access to basic health care for women, particularly access to contraceptives," he said.
The Planned Parenthood Federation of America said about 200,000 people submitted comments opposing the rule, including about 90,000 comments from its supporters.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Homosexual Boots Salvation Army Off Post Office
Salvation Army bell ringers' 25-year tradition at the Brea, CA post office ended by activist complaint
-- From "Man sought to have Salvation Army collectors moved from post office" by Lou Ponsi, The Orange County Register 12/16/08
Postal Service regulations prohibit any organization from soliciting on its properties.
On Nov. 24, when Sean Thomas saw the iconic bell ringers at the Birch Street post office – staffed by employees of the Evangelical Christian Credit Union – he decided to speak up. The Salvation Army is a Christian organization.
. . . the 65-year-old Brea resident . . . is chairman of human resources for the Unitarian Universalist Church in Fullerton.
Thomas, who is gay, said he was partly motivated because he views the Salvation Army as anti-gay. A Salvation Army official today disputed that characterization.
Brea Mayor Don Schweitzer [said,] "First off, I don't believe that it is a church-and-state issue. . . It's an issue of a charity raising funds for the needy of the community. It saddens me that there is a member of our community that would take action and reduce those funds that we've been counting on for 30 years."
Salvation Army spokesman Barry Frost said bell ringers are still posted in front of post offices in Placentia, La Habra and Huntington Beach.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
More Covert Videos Inside Planned Parenthood
UCLA pro-life group is in the process of releasing several covert videos shot in Planned Parenthood clinics across America wherein clinic workers participate in covering up instances of statutory rape.
See previous post for the full story.
See previous post for the full story.
Atheist Soldier Sues Army for Evangelizing Muslims
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation . . . with Spc. Dustin Chalker is suing Secretary Robert Gates over alleged violations of religious rights.
-- From "Attorneys for atheist soldier to amend lawsuit" Associated Press 12/16/08
Chalker, an atheist, claims he has been forced to attend mandatory military formations where Christian prayers are given.
The videos show soldiers and Christian missionaries talking about their faith and the desire to spread Christianity to Muslims. The video also shows the missionaries, who were embedded with units, handing out Dari language Bibles.
The video was from a Trinity Broadcasting Network program, “Travel the Road,” which features missionaries Will Decker and Tim Scott going to remote locations to spread Christianity. The video aired in April 2006 on TBN and was filmed in Afghanistan with members of the Oklahoma National Guard.
[The atheist's attorney] said such activities put the U.S. military in danger of attacks and gives credence to the belief in the Muslim community that the United States is on a crusade to spread Christianity.
The lawsuit cited examples of the military’s religious discrimination by fundamentalist Christians, including programs for soldiers, presentations by “anti-Muslim activists” and a “spiritual handbook” for soldiers endorsed by Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. Central Command.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Attorneys for atheist soldier to amend lawsuit" Associated Press 12/16/08
Chalker, an atheist, claims he has been forced to attend mandatory military formations where Christian prayers are given.
The videos show soldiers and Christian missionaries talking about their faith and the desire to spread Christianity to Muslims. The video also shows the missionaries, who were embedded with units, handing out Dari language Bibles.
The video was from a Trinity Broadcasting Network program, “Travel the Road,” which features missionaries Will Decker and Tim Scott going to remote locations to spread Christianity. The video aired in April 2006 on TBN and was filmed in Afghanistan with members of the Oklahoma National Guard.
[The atheist's attorney] said such activities put the U.S. military in danger of attacks and gives credence to the belief in the Muslim community that the United States is on a crusade to spread Christianity.
The lawsuit cited examples of the military’s religious discrimination by fundamentalist Christians, including programs for soldiers, presentations by “anti-Muslim activists” and a “spiritual handbook” for soldiers endorsed by Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. Central Command.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Obama Celebration of Homosexuals with their Instruments
. . . the Blazing River Freedom Band of the larger Lesbian and Gay Band Association . . . is made up of concert and marching bands from cities across the country.
-- From "Gay and lesbian band members from Ohio to play in Obama parade" by Stephen Koff, Washington Bureau Chief, the Cleveland Plain Dealer 12/15/08
This will be the first inaugural parade with an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender group. The Lesbian and Gay Band Association played for President Clinton's two inaugurations, but only as sideline, pre-parade entertainment.
"I am honored to invite these talented groups and individuals to participate in the Inaugural Parade," Obama said in a statement earlier this month. "These organizations embody the best of our nation's history, diversity and commitment to service."
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Gay and lesbian band members from Ohio to play in Obama parade" by Stephen Koff, Washington Bureau Chief, the Cleveland Plain Dealer 12/15/08
This will be the first inaugural parade with an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender group. The Lesbian and Gay Band Association played for President Clinton's two inaugurations, but only as sideline, pre-parade entertainment.
"I am honored to invite these talented groups and individuals to participate in the Inaugural Parade," Obama said in a statement earlier this month. "These organizations embody the best of our nation's history, diversity and commitment to service."
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Hate Crime: Sarah Palin's Church Torched
Attempted murder of several churchgoers, including children, at the Wasilla Bible Church not declared a "hate crime" by authorities, despite the well-known fact that Palin-hating liberals reside in Alaska.
UPDATE 1/28/09: Murder intent
-- From "Palin's church targeted by arsonist" by Mark Kelly, Asst. Editor, Baptist Press, 12/16/08
The arsonist who tried to set fire to Wasilla Bible Church -- the home congregation of former Republican vice presidential candidate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin -- placed accelerants at building exits and almost certainly knew people were in the building at the time.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives found accelerants in several locations outside the church building, including doorways, ATF spokesman Nick Starcevic told the Anchorage Daily News. Five people, including two children, were inside Dec. 12 when the fire was set just before 9:40 p.m., and a half-dozen cars were in the parking lot at the time, according to the congregation's senior pastor, Larry Kroon.
The building's occupants all escaped unharmed and the most serious damage was limited to a back corner of the church where offices and a classroom were located. The blaze caused an estimated $1 million in damage to the two-year-old building, which is valued at upwards of $4 million, according to news reports.
The ATF spokesman said it was unclear what type of accelerant had been used in the crime, but samples had been sent to the state crime lab in Anchorage for testing. Wasilla police said authorities had no suspects or motive at this point. Kroon told reporters he did not recall the church receiving any threats.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE 1/28/09: Murder intent
-- From "Palin's church targeted by arsonist" by Mark Kelly, Asst. Editor, Baptist Press, 12/16/08
The arsonist who tried to set fire to Wasilla Bible Church -- the home congregation of former Republican vice presidential candidate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin -- placed accelerants at building exits and almost certainly knew people were in the building at the time.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives found accelerants in several locations outside the church building, including doorways, ATF spokesman Nick Starcevic told the Anchorage Daily News. Five people, including two children, were inside Dec. 12 when the fire was set just before 9:40 p.m., and a half-dozen cars were in the parking lot at the time, according to the congregation's senior pastor, Larry Kroon.
The building's occupants all escaped unharmed and the most serious damage was limited to a back corner of the church where offices and a classroom were located. The blaze caused an estimated $1 million in damage to the two-year-old building, which is valued at upwards of $4 million, according to news reports.
The ATF spokesman said it was unclear what type of accelerant had been used in the crime, but samples had been sent to the state crime lab in Anchorage for testing. Wasilla police said authorities had no suspects or motive at this point. Kroon told reporters he did not recall the church receiving any threats.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Public Universities Overwhelmingly Violate First Amendment
Study reveals "that American colleges and universities systematically violate students' and faculty members' right to freedom of expression."
-- From "Public Universities Overwhelmingly Violate First Amendment" FIRE Press Release 12/15/08
Spotlight on Speech Codes 2009: The State of Free Speech on Our Nation's Campuses reports on policies at 364 American colleges and universities. [The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education] found that approximately 74 percent of schools surveyed maintain policies that clearly restrict speech that, outside the borders of campus, is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
"Unfortunately, this year's report demonstrates that—despite decades of precedent declaring speech codes unlawful and two decisions this year alone—the majority of colleges and universities brazenly maintain policies that violate students' and faculty members' fundamental rights," FIRE President Greg Lukianoff said. "Everyone who values the free exchange of ideas should be deeply disturbed by these findings."
FIRE's report is the most comprehensive effort to date both to quantify the proportion of colleges and universities that restrict free speech and to assess the severity of those restrictions.
For access to the entire study, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Public Universities Overwhelmingly Violate First Amendment" FIRE Press Release 12/15/08
Spotlight on Speech Codes 2009: The State of Free Speech on Our Nation's Campuses reports on policies at 364 American colleges and universities. [The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education] found that approximately 74 percent of schools surveyed maintain policies that clearly restrict speech that, outside the borders of campus, is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
"Unfortunately, this year's report demonstrates that—despite decades of precedent declaring speech codes unlawful and two decisions this year alone—the majority of colleges and universities brazenly maintain policies that violate students' and faculty members' fundamental rights," FIRE President Greg Lukianoff said. "Everyone who values the free exchange of ideas should be deeply disturbed by these findings."
FIRE's report is the most comprehensive effort to date both to quantify the proportion of colleges and universities that restrict free speech and to assess the severity of those restrictions.
For access to the entire study, CLICK HERE.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Homosexual Activists Protest at Pro-Gay Movie
Yes, it's convoluted: Texas activists are protesting a movie theater corporation gaining revenue by showing a pro-gay movie, because the corporation CEO (but NOT the corporation) donated money to support traditional marriage in California (Proposition 8).
-- From "Gay rights protestors to boycott Cinemark’s showing of ‘Milk’" by Heather M. Smith, Staff writer, Plano Courier Star 12/12/08
Friday night protestors gathered to boycott showings of the recently released movie “Milk” at the Cinemark Legacy in Plano. The protestors are expected to return on Saturday.
“Milk,” starring Sean Penn, is about Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist from the 1970s.
Israel Luna, a gay independent filmmaker from Dallas, serves as segment producer for DVtv, Dallas Voice’s online video news outlet. This is the first time Luna has organized a protest. He said the recent controversy surrounding Cinemark and the movie inspired him to get involved.
Luna said he first learned of the protests around the country on FaceBook and through the campaign “No Milk for Cinemark.”
“This issue is important because we want to give a message to people in higher positions that if they have an archaic way of thinking, there will be consequences,” Luna said.
The issue that sparked Luna’s involvement in the protest is that Cinemark CEO Alan Stock contributed $9,999 to Yes on 8, the campaign to outlaw same-sex marriage in California. Now Cinemark, the nation’s third-largest theater chain, will profit from showings of “Milk.”
In an e-mailed statement the Plano-based company released, Cinemark officials said it “did not make any financial contribution to either side on the Proposition 8 vote in California.”
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Gay rights protestors to boycott Cinemark’s showing of ‘Milk’" by Heather M. Smith, Staff writer, Plano Courier Star 12/12/08
Friday night protestors gathered to boycott showings of the recently released movie “Milk” at the Cinemark Legacy in Plano. The protestors are expected to return on Saturday.
“Milk,” starring Sean Penn, is about Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist from the 1970s.
Israel Luna, a gay independent filmmaker from Dallas, serves as segment producer for DVtv, Dallas Voice’s online video news outlet. This is the first time Luna has organized a protest. He said the recent controversy surrounding Cinemark and the movie inspired him to get involved.
Luna said he first learned of the protests around the country on FaceBook and through the campaign “No Milk for Cinemark.”
“This issue is important because we want to give a message to people in higher positions that if they have an archaic way of thinking, there will be consequences,” Luna said.
The issue that sparked Luna’s involvement in the protest is that Cinemark CEO Alan Stock contributed $9,999 to Yes on 8, the campaign to outlaw same-sex marriage in California. Now Cinemark, the nation’s third-largest theater chain, will profit from showings of “Milk.”
In an e-mailed statement the Plano-based company released, Cinemark officials said it “did not make any financial contribution to either side on the Proposition 8 vote in California.”
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Iowa Drops Employee Ban on Christian Charities
Lawsuit persuades Iowa officials to allow state workers to choose Christian causes for payroll deductions
-- From "State ban on Christian charities dropped" © 2008 WorldNetDaily 12/12/08
It's at least the fourth state in which the dispute has arisen, according to officials.
The newest situation has been resolved with an agreement from the Iowa Department of Administration to let state workers contribute to faith-based charities under the state's Iowa One Gift program, the [Alliance Defense Fund] said.
"Religious charities providing critical social services should not be discriminated against simply because they practice their religious beliefs and hire persons who share them," said M. Casey Mattox, litigation counsel for the Center for Law & Religious Freedom of the Christian Law Society, which also worked on the case.
Officials said the state agreed to correct rules that previously excluded faith-based organizations from getting voluntary donations through a payroll deduction system.
The same issue also has arisen in Florida, Michigan and Wisconsin, officials said.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "State ban on Christian charities dropped" © 2008 WorldNetDaily 12/12/08
It's at least the fourth state in which the dispute has arisen, according to officials.
The newest situation has been resolved with an agreement from the Iowa Department of Administration to let state workers contribute to faith-based charities under the state's Iowa One Gift program, the [Alliance Defense Fund] said.
"Religious charities providing critical social services should not be discriminated against simply because they practice their religious beliefs and hire persons who share them," said M. Casey Mattox, litigation counsel for the Center for Law & Religious Freedom of the Christian Law Society, which also worked on the case.
Officials said the state agreed to correct rules that previously excluded faith-based organizations from getting voluntary donations through a payroll deduction system.
The same issue also has arisen in Florida, Michigan and Wisconsin, officials said.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Sin Erased from British Lexicon
Dictionary publisher eliminates words no longer in use because "Britain is a modern, multicultural, multifaith society"
-- From "Words associated with Christianity and British history taken out of children's dictionary" by Julie Henry, Education Correspondent, London Telegraph 12/8/08
Oxford University Press has removed words like . . . Abbey, aisle, altar, bishop, chapel, christen, disciple, minister, monastery, monk, nun, nunnery, parish, pew, psalm, pulpit, saint, sin, devil, vicar
"We have a certain Christian narrative which has given meaning to us over the last 2,000 years. To say it is all relative and replaceable is questionable," said Professor Alan Smithers, the director of the centre for education and employment at Buckingham University. "The word selections are a very interesting reflection of the way childhood is going, moving away from our spiritual background and the natural world and towards the world that information technology creates for us."
Lisa Saunders, a worried mother who has painstakingly compared entries from the junior dictionaries, aimed at children aged seven or over, dating from 1978, 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2007, said she was "horrified" by the vast number of words that have been removed, most since 2003.
"The Christian faith still has a strong following," she said. "To eradicate so many words associated with the Christianity will have a big effect on the numerous primary schools who use it."
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Words associated with Christianity and British history taken out of children's dictionary" by Julie Henry, Education Correspondent, London Telegraph 12/8/08
Oxford University Press has removed words like . . . Abbey, aisle, altar, bishop, chapel, christen, disciple, minister, monastery, monk, nun, nunnery, parish, pew, psalm, pulpit, saint, sin, devil, vicar
"We have a certain Christian narrative which has given meaning to us over the last 2,000 years. To say it is all relative and replaceable is questionable," said Professor Alan Smithers, the director of the centre for education and employment at Buckingham University. "The word selections are a very interesting reflection of the way childhood is going, moving away from our spiritual background and the natural world and towards the world that information technology creates for us."
Lisa Saunders, a worried mother who has painstakingly compared entries from the junior dictionaries, aimed at children aged seven or over, dating from 1978, 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2007, said she was "horrified" by the vast number of words that have been removed, most since 2003.
"The Christian faith still has a strong following," she said. "To eradicate so many words associated with the Christianity will have a big effect on the numerous primary schools who use it."
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Darwinism Comes out of the Closet in Florida Schools
New law mandates teaching evolution, defeating "critical analysis" of biological diversity
-- From "State, Treasure Coast educators crafting guidelines to teach evolution" by James Kirley, TCPalm.com 11/30/08
The state Board of Education changed 12-year-old science standards Feb. 19 to require teaching the scientific theory of evolution in Florida for the first time. The standards passed against opposition, much of it faith-based, that contends evolution is just one way to explain the diversity of life on earth.
Florida legislators opposed to teaching evolution introduced bills last spring to mandate a "critical analysis" of evolution and to protect teachers who offer other explanations of biological diversity. Both failed to gain the support needed to become law.
EXAMPLES OLD AND NEW
•The 1996 state benchmarks required students to understand that changes in the earth's climate, geology and life forms can be traced and compared. Students learned that, "earth's systems and organisms are the result of long, continuous change over time" and that mutation and natural selection are mechanisms of change. "Items (taught) will NOT refer to evolution," the benchmarks stated.
•New benchmarks adopted statewide in February state, "The theory of evolution is the fundamental concept underlying all of biology" and that "natural selection is a primary mechanism leading to evolutionary change."
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "State, Treasure Coast educators crafting guidelines to teach evolution" by James Kirley, TCPalm.com 11/30/08
The state Board of Education changed 12-year-old science standards Feb. 19 to require teaching the scientific theory of evolution in Florida for the first time. The standards passed against opposition, much of it faith-based, that contends evolution is just one way to explain the diversity of life on earth.
Florida legislators opposed to teaching evolution introduced bills last spring to mandate a "critical analysis" of evolution and to protect teachers who offer other explanations of biological diversity. Both failed to gain the support needed to become law.
EXAMPLES OLD AND NEW
•The 1996 state benchmarks required students to understand that changes in the earth's climate, geology and life forms can be traced and compared. Students learned that, "earth's systems and organisms are the result of long, continuous change over time" and that mutation and natural selection are mechanisms of change. "Items (taught) will NOT refer to evolution," the benchmarks stated.
•New benchmarks adopted statewide in February state, "The theory of evolution is the fundamental concept underlying all of biology" and that "natural selection is a primary mechanism leading to evolutionary change."
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
'Evangelical Leader' Shifting Toward Same-sex 'Marriage'
An influential evangelical leader is coming under fire for saying in a National Public Radio interview he believes in homosexual civil unions and that Christians who oppose same-sex marriage and abortion may still find reasons to support Obama.
UPDATE (12/11/08): Cizik resigns NAE position after backlash from comments below.
-- From "Evangelical leader supports 'gay' civil unions" © 2008 WorldNetDaily 12/5/08
Richard Cizik is chief lobbyist and vice president for governmental affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals, representing 45,000 U.S. churches from 59 denominations. He told NPR Dec. 2 he is "shifting" on "gay" marriage, he has an aversion to Sarah Palin and that he voted for Obama in the Virginia primary, LifeNews reported.
Cizik told NPR a candidate's character and party values are more significant to him than specific issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.
"It would be possible for evangelicals to disagree with Barack Obama on same sex marriage and abortion and yet vote for him."
Cizik, named one of Time's most influential people, called Palin's stance on the environment "ignorance." He also said she lacked humility, unlike Obama. Prior to the election, he told the Independent, "Not everyone in the evangelical movement is fawning over Sarah Palin."
According to the report, Cizik suggested Christians should redirect their focus away from the debate about "gay" marriage.
"Maybe we need to reevaluate this and look at it a little differently," he told NPR. "I'm always looking for ways to reframe issues. Give the biblical point of view a different slant."
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE (12/11/08): Cizik resigns NAE position after backlash from comments below.
-- From "Evangelical leader supports 'gay' civil unions" © 2008 WorldNetDaily 12/5/08
Richard Cizik is chief lobbyist and vice president for governmental affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals, representing 45,000 U.S. churches from 59 denominations. He told NPR Dec. 2 he is "shifting" on "gay" marriage, he has an aversion to Sarah Palin and that he voted for Obama in the Virginia primary, LifeNews reported.
Cizik told NPR a candidate's character and party values are more significant to him than specific issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.
"It would be possible for evangelicals to disagree with Barack Obama on same sex marriage and abortion and yet vote for him."
Cizik, named one of Time's most influential people, called Palin's stance on the environment "ignorance." He also said she lacked humility, unlike Obama. Prior to the election, he told the Independent, "Not everyone in the evangelical movement is fawning over Sarah Palin."
According to the report, Cizik suggested Christians should redirect their focus away from the debate about "gay" marriage.
"Maybe we need to reevaluate this and look at it a little differently," he told NPR. "I'm always looking for ways to reframe issues. Give the biblical point of view a different slant."
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Kansas Supreme Court Decides Against Planned Parenthood
County D.A. allowed to retain abortion medical records for prosecution of Planned Parenthood charged with performing illegal late-term abortions and falsifying records
-- From "Despite harsh words, Kline gets to keep abortion records" by Joe Lambe And Laura Bauer, The Kansas City Star 12/5/08
In a 40-page ruling Friday, the Kansas Supreme Court slammed Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline for his handling of an ongoing abortion case.
But in the end, after justices called Kline’s actions inexcusable and accused him of not having respect for the law, he got what he wanted.
Kline gets to keep medical records of women treated at Planned Parenthood in Overland Park — the basis of his pending 107-count criminal case against the clinic. He only has to provide copies of all investigative materials to the Kansas attorney general. They’re due next Friday.
That means the records will remain at the district attorney’s office and Kline’s successor, Steve Howe, will have them if he continues the case once he takes the helm in January.
Planned Parenthood wanted Kline to relinquish all records and the high court to hold him in contempt and fine him. Attorney General Steve Six said he wanted “any and all” evidence Kline developed during his investigation.
Peter Brownlie, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri, said he was disappointed that the court didn’t order Kline to hand over all the records — only copies — and didn’t hold him in contempt.
The case goes back to 2003 when Kline, then the Kansas attorney general, launched an investigation into the Overland Park clinic and Wichita abortion doctor George Tiller.
He requested, and eventually obtained, medical records — with patient identifiers removed — which he used to file charges against Tiller just before he left office. Those charges later were dismissed.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Despite harsh words, Kline gets to keep abortion records" by Joe Lambe And Laura Bauer, The Kansas City Star 12/5/08
In a 40-page ruling Friday, the Kansas Supreme Court slammed Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline for his handling of an ongoing abortion case.
But in the end, after justices called Kline’s actions inexcusable and accused him of not having respect for the law, he got what he wanted.
Kline gets to keep medical records of women treated at Planned Parenthood in Overland Park — the basis of his pending 107-count criminal case against the clinic. He only has to provide copies of all investigative materials to the Kansas attorney general. They’re due next Friday.
That means the records will remain at the district attorney’s office and Kline’s successor, Steve Howe, will have them if he continues the case once he takes the helm in January.
Planned Parenthood wanted Kline to relinquish all records and the high court to hold him in contempt and fine him. Attorney General Steve Six said he wanted “any and all” evidence Kline developed during his investigation.
Peter Brownlie, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri, said he was disappointed that the court didn’t order Kline to hand over all the records — only copies — and didn’t hold him in contempt.
The case goes back to 2003 when Kline, then the Kansas attorney general, launched an investigation into the Overland Park clinic and Wichita abortion doctor George Tiller.
He requested, and eventually obtained, medical records — with patient identifiers removed — which he used to file charges against Tiller just before he left office. Those charges later were dismissed.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Friday, December 05, 2008
American Anglicans Form New Denomination
Attention American Christians: Consider this as instructive for all of us (how to respond to attacks)
Wednesday evening in Wheaton, IL, former Episcopal Church USA clergy announce the creation of the Anglican Church in North America, believed to include about 100,000 Christians
Nearly 1,000 Christians, including Anglican and former ECUSA clergy from around the globe, packed a loaned worship center (of the Wheaton Evangelical Free Church). To say that the atmosphere was worshipful would be an understatement!
The historic occasion included the official signing of the Jerusalem Declaration, but the hours-long gathering was a glorious worship experience that included prayers, Scripture reading, recitation of the Nicene Creed, teaching, traditional organ hymn singing, contemporary praise singing, and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
The congregants were visibly worshipful, and enthusiastic in their thanksgiving to God for His blessings, and bringing them out of the persecution of the apostate ECUSA, and providing for their new Bible-believing and confessing church.
So, how is this Anglican event instructive to other American Christians? These Anglican Christians have demonstrated how all Christians must react when Jesus Christ is attacked. These Anglicans in America did not cower within their local churches as their ECUSA leadership abandoned Scriptural Authority in favor of the popular culture. Rather, these Christians spoke out and took action against their heretical persecutors.
The question to American Christians is, Does it take the equivalent of a 9/11 attack to garner the attention of people who proclaim the mantel of Christ? Will the evil incrementalism be an effective weapon against slumbering churches?
As Jesus Christ is being assaulted both from within churches, by apostate and heretical leadership, and from outside the church, by pagan/secular forces, will American churches stand in the name of God Almighty despite the "risk" of persecution?
American Christians are in the position of the perverbial frog in the pot of water on the stove. Satan is very slowly turning up the heat, such that the cowering and reclusive Christians are about to be unwittingly cooked.
To quote the new Archbishop, Robert Duncan of the Anglican Church in North America: "It's time to be ready!" Mark 13:24-37
-- From "It's About Theology, Not Territory" by Albert Mohler 12/5/08
. . . conservative Anglican leaders met in Wheaton, Illinois to plan for a future province of the Anglican Communion -- in this case a province determined by theological conviction, not geographical designation.
As The New York Times reported . . . The move threatens the fragile unity of the Anglican Communion, the world’s third-largest Christian body, made up of 38 provinces around the world that trace their roots to the Church of England and its spiritual leader, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The strange part of that account is the statement that this move "threatens the fragile unity of the Anglican Communion." That fragile unity was shattered by the actions of more liberal churches in North America to bless same-sex unions, ordain homosexual ministers, and elect an openly-homosexual bishop. The lack of unity is what has prompted the establishment of this new denomination.
Indeed, this division among the Anglicans and related national churches can be traced directly back to the Anglican Communion's failure to establish and maintain doctrinal boundaries and a clear affirmation of biblical authority. Liberals and conservatives have been increasingly at odds over a host of issues related to biblical authority.
The announcement of the Anglican Church in North America is good news. The big question is just how many churches and dioceses will join this new province and depart the Episcopal Church. Officials with the Episcopal Church sought to downplay the development, suggesting that the new group was rejecting the denomination's commitment to diversity. In the eyes of those forming the Anglican Church in North America, the Episcopal Church has rejected the Bible.
Nevertheless, the fact that the establishment of the Anglican Church of North America was motivated by explicitly theological concerns and commitments is a sign of hope. The battle for biblical authority arises again and again, and it is good that these leaders recognize the centrality of this commitment.
To read Albert Mohler's entire blog entry, CLICK HERE.
Wednesday evening in Wheaton, IL, former Episcopal Church USA clergy announce the creation of the Anglican Church in North America, believed to include about 100,000 Christians
Nearly 1,000 Christians, including Anglican and former ECUSA clergy from around the globe, packed a loaned worship center (of the Wheaton Evangelical Free Church). To say that the atmosphere was worshipful would be an understatement!
The historic occasion included the official signing of the Jerusalem Declaration, but the hours-long gathering was a glorious worship experience that included prayers, Scripture reading, recitation of the Nicene Creed, teaching, traditional organ hymn singing, contemporary praise singing, and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
The congregants were visibly worshipful, and enthusiastic in their thanksgiving to God for His blessings, and bringing them out of the persecution of the apostate ECUSA, and providing for their new Bible-believing and confessing church.
So, how is this Anglican event instructive to other American Christians? These Anglican Christians have demonstrated how all Christians must react when Jesus Christ is attacked. These Anglicans in America did not cower within their local churches as their ECUSA leadership abandoned Scriptural Authority in favor of the popular culture. Rather, these Christians spoke out and took action against their heretical persecutors.
The question to American Christians is, Does it take the equivalent of a 9/11 attack to garner the attention of people who proclaim the mantel of Christ? Will the evil incrementalism be an effective weapon against slumbering churches?
As Jesus Christ is being assaulted both from within churches, by apostate and heretical leadership, and from outside the church, by pagan/secular forces, will American churches stand in the name of God Almighty despite the "risk" of persecution?
American Christians are in the position of the perverbial frog in the pot of water on the stove. Satan is very slowly turning up the heat, such that the cowering and reclusive Christians are about to be unwittingly cooked.
To quote the new Archbishop, Robert Duncan of the Anglican Church in North America: "It's time to be ready!" Mark 13:24-37
-- From "It's About Theology, Not Territory" by Albert Mohler 12/5/08
. . . conservative Anglican leaders met in Wheaton, Illinois to plan for a future province of the Anglican Communion -- in this case a province determined by theological conviction, not geographical designation.
As The New York Times reported . . . The move threatens the fragile unity of the Anglican Communion, the world’s third-largest Christian body, made up of 38 provinces around the world that trace their roots to the Church of England and its spiritual leader, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The strange part of that account is the statement that this move "threatens the fragile unity of the Anglican Communion." That fragile unity was shattered by the actions of more liberal churches in North America to bless same-sex unions, ordain homosexual ministers, and elect an openly-homosexual bishop. The lack of unity is what has prompted the establishment of this new denomination.
Indeed, this division among the Anglicans and related national churches can be traced directly back to the Anglican Communion's failure to establish and maintain doctrinal boundaries and a clear affirmation of biblical authority. Liberals and conservatives have been increasingly at odds over a host of issues related to biblical authority.
The announcement of the Anglican Church in North America is good news. The big question is just how many churches and dioceses will join this new province and depart the Episcopal Church. Officials with the Episcopal Church sought to downplay the development, suggesting that the new group was rejecting the denomination's commitment to diversity. In the eyes of those forming the Anglican Church in North America, the Episcopal Church has rejected the Bible.
Nevertheless, the fact that the establishment of the Anglican Church of North America was motivated by explicitly theological concerns and commitments is a sign of hope. The battle for biblical authority arises again and again, and it is good that these leaders recognize the centrality of this commitment.
To read Albert Mohler's entire blog entry, CLICK HERE.
WA: Anti-Nativity Scene at Capitol Countered
Atheists: "Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds"
-- From "Atheists' sign at Capitol spurs protest, counter-signs" by Janet I. Tu, Seattle Times religion reporter 12/4/08
A protest, several counter-signs and a news conference are the latest in a flurry of activity spurred by a sign put up Monday by an atheist group [Freedom From Religion Foundation] in the Capitol building in Olympia. It was partly a response to a Nativity scene put up nearby by a private citizen.
Steve Wilson, 28, of Federal Way . . . who attends the nondenominational Christian Faith Center, said atheists have a right to air their views but that the sign they put up is disparaging to people of all faiths.
His plan is to hold "a pro-faith rally rather than an anti-atheist" demonstration, he said. "We just want to go show our support for people of faith. We don't want any hate. We want to display a message of God's love for all people."
On Friday, Pastor Ken Hutcherson of Redmond's Antioch Bible Church, plans to hold a news conference at the Capitol to unveil his own sign, which says, in part: "There is one God.... Atheism is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."
[Responding,] the governor and attorney general's office [issued] a statement saying that "the U.S. Supreme Court has been consistent and clear that, under the Constitution's First Amendment, once government admits one religious display or viewpoint onto public property, it may not discriminate against the content of other displays, including the viewpoints of nonbelievers."
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
CLICK HERE to read a related story.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Planned Parenthood Criminal in Serial Rape Coverups
UCLA pro-life group is in the process of releasing several covert videos shot in Planned Parenthood clinics across America wherein clinic workers participate in covering up instances of statutory rape.
-- From "Second Video Shows Planned Parenthood Not Reporting Girl's Statutory Rape" by Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com Editor 12/3/08
Indiana Planned Parenthood Covers Up Sexual Abuse of 13-year Old - Funny videos are here
UCLA student journalist Lila Rose posed as a 13-year-old girl. In an appointment with a Planned Parenthood nurse at its center in Bloomington [Indiana], Rose says she has been impregnated by a 31-year-old man, a clear case of child molestation under Indiana state law.
On tape, the nurse acknowledges her responsibility to report the abuse, but assures Rose she will not.
The nurse then instructs Rose how to obtain a secret abortion by crossing state lines in order to avoid Indiana's parental consent law and she coaches Rose on how to cover for the 31-year-old man by saying he is only 14.
Rose said she and other students in the UCLA pro-life group Live Action recorded the video over the summer in a multi-state investigation of the abortion industry.
She told LifeNews.com that the video is "demonstrating the routine lawlessness of abortion providers at Planned Parenthood."
-- From "Planned Parenthood suspends employee after video on abortion counseling" by Marcela Creps, Herald Times of Bloomington, Indiana 12/3/08
A local Planned Parenthood employee has been suspended after the release of a video surreptitiously shot at a clinic which shows a woman who identifies herself as a 13-year-old being given advice that is a violation of the organization’s policies.
A statement by Betty Cockrum, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana: “We are deeply concerned about the content of the video,” the prepared statement read. “While we cannot be certain whether this video has been altered, the apparent actions of the employee would be in violation of our strict policies and procedures. Therefore, a thorough internal investigation of this matter has begun, and the employee has been put on an immediate, unpaid suspension. Further disciplinary action will be taken if warranted by the investigation.”
A sexual act between an adult and a person who has not reached his or her 14th birthday must be reported to the Department of Child Protective Services or a law enforcement agency, Cockrum said.
Asked what the consequences are for a medical provider not following this procedure, Cockrum said, “It puts that employee at risk with their employment,” and not reporting the incident is a misdemeanor criminal offense.
-- From "Video Expose' Shows Planned Parenthood Abortion Center Hiding Statutory Rape" by Steven Ertelt LifeNews.com Editor 11/30/08
The national pro-life student group decided to stage an undercover investigation after LifeNews.com reports about a 14-year-old Ohio girl who was victimized.
In the Ohio case, the girl's parents filed a lawsuit against Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio for violating the state's parental notification law by not telling them of her abortion, which may have been coerced.
Another girl sued the same Planned Parenthood abortion business saying she had been raped by her father and that the facility failed to notify authorities.
Students for Life of America wanted to know if this same failure to protect girls from abuse was happening in other states.
In June, a college student talked with staff at the Charlotte [North Carolina] Planned Parenthood center posing as a 15 year-old girl who had unprotected sex with her 30-year-old mother's live-in boyfriend. The student tells Planned Parenthood officials the boyfriend suggested she go there to obtain the morning after pill.
Planned Parenthood staffers acknowledged the girl was a victim of statutory rape and admitted they were required to report the incident.
To view the video of the Charlotte, NC clinic incident, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Second Video Shows Planned Parenthood Not Reporting Girl's Statutory Rape" by Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com Editor 12/3/08
Indiana Planned Parenthood Covers Up Sexual Abuse of 13-year Old - Funny videos are here
UCLA student journalist Lila Rose posed as a 13-year-old girl. In an appointment with a Planned Parenthood nurse at its center in Bloomington [Indiana], Rose says she has been impregnated by a 31-year-old man, a clear case of child molestation under Indiana state law.
On tape, the nurse acknowledges her responsibility to report the abuse, but assures Rose she will not.
The nurse then instructs Rose how to obtain a secret abortion by crossing state lines in order to avoid Indiana's parental consent law and she coaches Rose on how to cover for the 31-year-old man by saying he is only 14.
Rose said she and other students in the UCLA pro-life group Live Action recorded the video over the summer in a multi-state investigation of the abortion industry.
She told LifeNews.com that the video is "demonstrating the routine lawlessness of abortion providers at Planned Parenthood."
-- From "Planned Parenthood suspends employee after video on abortion counseling" by Marcela Creps, Herald Times of Bloomington, Indiana 12/3/08
A local Planned Parenthood employee has been suspended after the release of a video surreptitiously shot at a clinic which shows a woman who identifies herself as a 13-year-old being given advice that is a violation of the organization’s policies.
A statement by Betty Cockrum, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana: “We are deeply concerned about the content of the video,” the prepared statement read. “While we cannot be certain whether this video has been altered, the apparent actions of the employee would be in violation of our strict policies and procedures. Therefore, a thorough internal investigation of this matter has begun, and the employee has been put on an immediate, unpaid suspension. Further disciplinary action will be taken if warranted by the investigation.”
A sexual act between an adult and a person who has not reached his or her 14th birthday must be reported to the Department of Child Protective Services or a law enforcement agency, Cockrum said.
Asked what the consequences are for a medical provider not following this procedure, Cockrum said, “It puts that employee at risk with their employment,” and not reporting the incident is a misdemeanor criminal offense.
-- From "Video Expose' Shows Planned Parenthood Abortion Center Hiding Statutory Rape" by Steven Ertelt LifeNews.com Editor 11/30/08
The national pro-life student group decided to stage an undercover investigation after LifeNews.com reports about a 14-year-old Ohio girl who was victimized.
In the Ohio case, the girl's parents filed a lawsuit against Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio for violating the state's parental notification law by not telling them of her abortion, which may have been coerced.
Another girl sued the same Planned Parenthood abortion business saying she had been raped by her father and that the facility failed to notify authorities.
Students for Life of America wanted to know if this same failure to protect girls from abuse was happening in other states.
In June, a college student talked with staff at the Charlotte [North Carolina] Planned Parenthood center posing as a 15 year-old girl who had unprotected sex with her 30-year-old mother's live-in boyfriend. The student tells Planned Parenthood officials the boyfriend suggested she go there to obtain the morning after pill.
Planned Parenthood staffers acknowledged the girl was a victim of statutory rape and admitted they were required to report the incident.
To view the video of the Charlotte, NC clinic incident, CLICK HERE.
Calif. Government Favors Booze over Jesus
A federal judge scolded San Diego County for closing a Christian church's worship center and ordered officials to process permits needed by the congregation to remedy violations.
-- From "Judge scolds San Diego County for closing church" by Alyssa Farah © 2008 WorldNetDaily 11/28/08
The ruling found that Guatay Christian Fellowship, on Old Highway 80 in San Diego County, probably will win its lawsuit against the county, which had shut down the building and banned the congregation from meeting there over a zoning issue.
County officials said the building could be used for a bar, but not worship, and ordered the church, which had rented the building for nearly 25 years, to close under the threat of criminal penalties and fines of up to $2,500 per day.
The county also threatened to contact the electrical company and instruct it to cut power to the structure.
However, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey T. Miller, in his ruling, said, "The county's actions in this case were draconian," according to the officials with Pacific Justice Institute, which worked on the case.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Judge scolds San Diego County for closing church" by Alyssa Farah © 2008 WorldNetDaily 11/28/08
The ruling found that Guatay Christian Fellowship, on Old Highway 80 in San Diego County, probably will win its lawsuit against the county, which had shut down the building and banned the congregation from meeting there over a zoning issue.
County officials said the building could be used for a bar, but not worship, and ordered the church, which had rented the building for nearly 25 years, to close under the threat of criminal penalties and fines of up to $2,500 per day.
The county also threatened to contact the electrical company and instruct it to cut power to the structure.
However, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey T. Miller, in his ruling, said, "The county's actions in this case were draconian," according to the officials with Pacific Justice Institute, which worked on the case.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Cardinal to Politicians: Vote for Abortion? You're Excommunicated!
Catholic members of Congress who vote for the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) could face “automatic excommunication” if the act is determined to be “formal cooperation” in the evil of abortion.
-- From "Catholics Who Vote for Freedom of Choice Act Could Face Automatic Excommunication" by Matt Hadro, CNSNews.com 11/19/08
When asked last week whether a Catholic politician voting for the FOCA – which would impose nationwide abortion on demand and government funding of abortion – would incur automatic excommunication from the Catholic Church, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago said the question would need to be discussed once the actual language of the bill was known.
George is president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
“The categories in moral theology about cooperating in evil, which make you complicit in the evil even though you don’t do it yourself, are material cooperation, which is usually remote and therefore doesn’t involve you in the moral action except in a very auxiliary and minor way, and formal cooperation, which would involve you even though you are not doing it, in the way that makes you culpable,” said George.
President-elect Barack Obama promised in his campaign to sign FOCA. As introduced in the current Congress, FOCA denies all federal, state and local governments the power to interfere with a woman’s “choice” to abort a baby, and prohibits “discriminating against the exercise of those rights in the regulation or provision of benefits, facilities, services, or information.”
Fr. Frank Pavone of the Priests for Life told CNSNews.com: “Any legislator who would vote for such an extreme piece of pro-abortion legislation [FOCA], and any executive who would sign it or judge who would uphold it, or even a citizen who would lobby in any way in favor of it, would be committing a serious sin, objectively speaking. It is cooperation with evil in a totally unjustified way.”
Dr. Mark Miravalle, a theology professor at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, said of a Catholic politician voting for FOCA, “I think you would have to conclude that it would be a formal act, a formal cooperation [in the act of abortion].”
The purpose of FOCA, he continued, “is to ensure the right of a woman to have an abortion.”
When asked about a pro-abortion Catholic politician seeking to receive Holy Communion, Dr. Mark Miravalle said, “Canonically, based on scandal, and based on proper protection of the Eucharist, no pro-abortion, pro-choice Catholic politician should be admitted to receive Holy Communion.”
To read the entire article, which includes interview comments with Cardinal George, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Catholics Who Vote for Freedom of Choice Act Could Face Automatic Excommunication" by Matt Hadro, CNSNews.com 11/19/08
When asked last week whether a Catholic politician voting for the FOCA – which would impose nationwide abortion on demand and government funding of abortion – would incur automatic excommunication from the Catholic Church, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago said the question would need to be discussed once the actual language of the bill was known.
George is president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
“The categories in moral theology about cooperating in evil, which make you complicit in the evil even though you don’t do it yourself, are material cooperation, which is usually remote and therefore doesn’t involve you in the moral action except in a very auxiliary and minor way, and formal cooperation, which would involve you even though you are not doing it, in the way that makes you culpable,” said George.
President-elect Barack Obama promised in his campaign to sign FOCA. As introduced in the current Congress, FOCA denies all federal, state and local governments the power to interfere with a woman’s “choice” to abort a baby, and prohibits “discriminating against the exercise of those rights in the regulation or provision of benefits, facilities, services, or information.”
Fr. Frank Pavone of the Priests for Life told CNSNews.com: “Any legislator who would vote for such an extreme piece of pro-abortion legislation [FOCA], and any executive who would sign it or judge who would uphold it, or even a citizen who would lobby in any way in favor of it, would be committing a serious sin, objectively speaking. It is cooperation with evil in a totally unjustified way.”
Dr. Mark Miravalle, a theology professor at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, said of a Catholic politician voting for FOCA, “I think you would have to conclude that it would be a formal act, a formal cooperation [in the act of abortion].”
The purpose of FOCA, he continued, “is to ensure the right of a woman to have an abortion.”
When asked about a pro-abortion Catholic politician seeking to receive Holy Communion, Dr. Mark Miravalle said, “Canonically, based on scandal, and based on proper protection of the Eucharist, no pro-abortion, pro-choice Catholic politician should be admitted to receive Holy Communion.”
To read the entire article, which includes interview comments with Cardinal George, CLICK HERE.
Abortion Linked to Mental Health Disorders
Refuting claims to the contrary, a new study has documented risks for a myriad of psychiatric disorders resulting from induced abortions
-- From "New Study Shows Direct Link Between Abortion and Mental Health Problems" by Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com Editor 11/28/08
The number of cases of mental health issues rose by as much as 17 percent in women having abortions compared to those who didn't have one and the risks of each particular mental health problem rose as much as 145% for post-abortive women.
For 12 out of 15 of the mental health outcomes examined, a decision to have an abortion resulted in an elevated risk for women.
"Abortion was found to be related to an increased risk for a variety of mental health problems (panic attacks, panic disorder, agoraphobia, PTSD, bipolar disorder, major depression with and without hierarchy), and substance abuse disorders after statistical controls were instituted for a wide range of personal, situational, and demographic variables," they wrote.
"Calculation of population attributable risks indicated that abortion was implicated in between 4.3% and 16.6% of the incidence of these disorders," they concluded.
The researchers found women who had abortions, compared with those who didn't had a 120% risk for alcohol abuse, with or without dependence, a 145% increased risk of alcohol dependence, 79% increased risk of drug abuse with or without dependence and a 126% increase in the risk of drug dependence.
For mood disorders, the experience of an abortion increased risk of developing bipolar disorder by 167%, major depression without hierarchy by 45% and major depression with hierarchy by 48%.
For anxiety disorders, there was a 111% increased risk for panic disorders, 44% increased risk for panic attacks, 59% increased risk for PTSD, 95% increased risk for agoraphobia with or without panic disorder and a 93% increased risk for agoraphobia without panic disorder.
There was no mental health outcome showing abortion to have decreased the risk or a high risk for women who did not have an abortion.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE 12/5/08 (click here): Planned Parenthood funds study to refute above findings.
-- From "New Study Shows Direct Link Between Abortion and Mental Health Problems" by Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com Editor 11/28/08
The number of cases of mental health issues rose by as much as 17 percent in women having abortions compared to those who didn't have one and the risks of each particular mental health problem rose as much as 145% for post-abortive women.
For 12 out of 15 of the mental health outcomes examined, a decision to have an abortion resulted in an elevated risk for women.
"Abortion was found to be related to an increased risk for a variety of mental health problems (panic attacks, panic disorder, agoraphobia, PTSD, bipolar disorder, major depression with and without hierarchy), and substance abuse disorders after statistical controls were instituted for a wide range of personal, situational, and demographic variables," they wrote.
"Calculation of population attributable risks indicated that abortion was implicated in between 4.3% and 16.6% of the incidence of these disorders," they concluded.
The researchers found women who had abortions, compared with those who didn't had a 120% risk for alcohol abuse, with or without dependence, a 145% increased risk of alcohol dependence, 79% increased risk of drug abuse with or without dependence and a 126% increase in the risk of drug dependence.
For mood disorders, the experience of an abortion increased risk of developing bipolar disorder by 167%, major depression without hierarchy by 45% and major depression with hierarchy by 48%.
For anxiety disorders, there was a 111% increased risk for panic disorders, 44% increased risk for panic attacks, 59% increased risk for PTSD, 95% increased risk for agoraphobia with or without panic disorder and a 93% increased risk for agoraphobia without panic disorder.
There was no mental health outcome showing abortion to have decreased the risk or a high risk for women who did not have an abortion.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE 12/5/08 (click here): Planned Parenthood funds study to refute above findings.