Gay Agenda Take-over of Houston City Council?

First Houston homosexual mayor appoints first Texas transgender judge

Mayor Annise Parker responded to reporters tersely concerning a rumor that a city-wide redistricting would be designed for election of homosexuals.


-- From "Mayor Parker Leaves Press Conference Amidst Rumors" by Isiah Carey, Reporter KRIV TV-26 Houston 12/7/10

She answered several questions about redistricting and quickly walked out of the room.

"That's all I have to say about this issue," said Parker. "That's it. This is not what this press conference is about."

Rumors have run wild after Conservative Councilman Mike Sullivan was removed from a position that would oversee redistricting in the city.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Houston mayor appoints transgender attorney as judge" from The Houston Chronicle 11/18/10

Phyliss Frye, a transgendered Houston attorney and longtime activist for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender causes . . .

Frye volunteered at City Hall and worked to repeal the "cross-dressing ordinance" that allowed police to arrest men in women's clothes and lesbians wearing fly-front jeans.

A graduate of Texas A&M, Frye was an Eagle Scout and an Aggie cadet known as Phillip Frye.

Frye currently is representing Nikki Araguz, the transgender widow fighting a legal battle to receive part of her firefighter husband's death benefits.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Judge: Preacher Wrongly Arrested for 'Hate Speech'

[British] Police have been ordered to pay compensation to a Christian street preacher who was hauled off in handcuffs for saying that gays will go to hell.

-- From "Payout for anti-gay preacher over arrest: Landmark ruling in Christian's battle for free speech" by Steve Doughty, UK Daily Mail 12/10/10

A judge condemned the arrest of Anthony Rollins, who quoted the King James Bible on the subject of the ‘effeminate’ as he preached in Birmingham.

Mr Rollins was handcuffed and then held in a cell for nearly four hours after a passer-by dialled 999 and complained that his language was ‘hugely offensive’.

The ruling – which ended with West Midlands police ordered to pay more than £4,000 in damages to the 45-year-old preacher – appears to set a new landmark in the battle between the gay lobby and Christians who want to say in public that homosexual sex is wrong.

It comes as Christian leaders, notably former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey, have been complaining against the use of equality law to force Christians to act against their consciences.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Birmingham street preacher wins wrongful arrest case" posted at The Christian Institute 12/10/10

In a case backed by The Christian Institute, Birmingham County Court ruled on Wednesday that [Police Constable] Adrian Bill committed assault and battery against Mr Anthony Rollins when he handcuffed him unnecessarily.

On 24 June 2008 Mr Rollins was preaching from the King James Bible in Birmingham city centre. He expressed his Christian belief that homosexual conduct is morally wrong.

A member of the public, Mr John Edwards, objected to Mr Rollins’ message and shouted “homophobic bigot” before calling 999 and asking for the police. Two officers arrived on the scene and PC Adrian Bill arrested Mr Rollins without further inquiry. Handcuffs were placed on Mr Rollins even though he was calm and compliant.

The judge . . . [said] that the police conduct was incompatible with Mr Rollins’ human rights to free speech and religious liberty.

The Christian Institute’s Mike Judge said . . . “Whether you agree with Mr Rollins’ beliefs or not, surely we all value free speech. Christians are tired of being put on trial for their beliefs. There is clearly a problem with the Public Order Act and it needs fixing.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Jesus Slammed in NH School Required Reading

The parents of a Bedford teen are calling for the ouster of school officials who assigned their son a book that refers to Jesus Christ as a "wine-guzzling vagrant and precocious socialist."

-- From "Required Reading in NH High School - Jesus is a Wine Guzzling Socialist?" by Gene Byrd, The National Ledger 12/8/10

Barbara Ehrenreich is required reading in one high school in New Hampshire and the pessimistic and angry feminist writes in one of her books on her many complaints about America and Christians that Jesus Christ was a "wine guzzling socialist."

That has one set of parents of a tenth grader angry enough that they have pulled their teen out of the school and are now home-schooling 16-year-old Jordan Henderson.

A school board in New Hampshire requires 10th graders to read the book, "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America," described as "a first person account at a look at America through the eyes of a bitter minimum wage worker."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Parents outraged over finance class reading" by Greg Kwasnik, Union Leader Correspondent 12/7/10

"We had almost PhD people letting this fumble through their fingers, and they all said it was grand," said Dennis Taylor, a conservative Christian. "I think there should be a review of these individuals and perhaps some firing done."

Taylor and his wife Aimee . . . complained about the book to the school district, citing its occasional use of obscene dialogue and anti-capitalist message.

"The author is a known social Marxist, hates everything American, everything that America stands for or was built on," Aimee Taylor said. "I mean when you read the book you see that strongly in this woman's agenda. It's horrible."

In response to the Taylors' complaint, school district officials convened a materials review committee of teachers, administrators and community members to assess the book. Upon review, the committee ruled that the book's educational merit outweighed its shortcomings.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Required reading questioned at NH school" posted at WHDH TV-7 Boston 12/6/10

“We need to see what our children are being fed because we can’t trust the school,” said Amy Taylor.

The Taylors will speak before the school board next week.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Muslim Org. Forces College Class Cancelled

An Oregon College has succumbed to political correctness pressure from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) to cancel a class on the history of Islam by labeling the instructor as a hateful Islamophobe for being associated with an organization that exposes Islamic Jihad.

UPDATE 12/10/10: Ultimatum issued to college by American Center for Law and Justice



-- From "College drops Islam course in light of instructor’s history" by Saul Hubbard, The Register-Guard (Eugene, Oregon) 12/7/10

Lane Community College has pulled the plug on a noncredit winter course entitled “What is Islam?” after learning about some of the controversial political views of the course’s instructor, Eugene resident Barry Sommer.

Sommer’s proposed course caught the attention of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil liberties advocacy organization.

LCC President Mary Spilde said the college first learned of Sommer’s background as the result of a media inquiry.

Sommer said Monday he is disappointed with how LCC handled the matter and that he regards it as a free speech issue. He said he has retained the services of the American Center of Law & Justice — a nonprofit public interest law firm based in Washington, D.C., founded by evangelist Pat Robertson — for any potential legal action.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "College slammed for censoring class on Islam" by Michael Carl © 2010 WorldNetDaily 12/8/10

"An Islamic supremacist hate group like CAIR [Council on American-Islamic Relations] must not be allowed to intimidate our nation's educational institutions and dictate how young Americans are to be informed about the Islamic jihad threat," Pamela Geller, of Stop the Islamization of America wrote.

The Washington state CAIR chapter had spearheaded the opposition to the class.

". . . we're wondering what kind of educational background he has. And of course, he's a member of ACT for America. He's the Oregon chapter head. That's also one of the red flags that we saw," [CAIR Leader Arsalan] Bukhari said.

Bukhari accused Act for America President and founder Brigitte Gabriel of being anti-Muslim.

Sommer said he believes that his association with ACT for America was the only reason CAIR objected.

"The record is clear: CAIR uses smear tactics to hide its own record of terrorist links and criminal activities," said Gabriel. "When CAIR speaks, all freedom-loving Americans should be wary."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Same-sex 'Marriage' Expected in Maryland

A majority of senators on a key committee in Maryland now favor legalizing same-sex marriage, making it increasingly likely that the state will join five others and the District in allowing such unions.

-- From "With Democratic gains in state Senate, Maryland poised to approve same-sex marriage" by John Wagner, Washington Post Staff Writer 12/9/10

Membership changes on the panel, where same-sex marriage bills have previously died, are among a handful of shifts produced by last month's elections. Collectively, they appear to have tipped the balance on the most high-profile social issue the General Assembly will consider during its upcoming 90-day session.

Republican gains Nov. 2 in other state legislatures are expected to lead to more conservative social policies. But Democrats in Maryland bucked the trend, adding two seats to their majority in the Senate. Moreover, when the General Assembly convenes next month, a few senators who lost primaries will be replaced by Democrats more supportive of same-sex unions.

Despite Maryland's reputation as a liberal state, lawmakers have been slower to embrace same-sex unions than their colleagues in some other blue states, in part because of the strong opposition of the Catholic and black churches.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Gay marriage should come to a vote in Md. this year" by Andy Green, Baltimore Sun 12/9/10

A Senate president remembers a traumatic debate over abortion nearly 20 years ago and vows that, although he personally opposes gay marriage, he will work to end any filibuster on the issue. The House of Delegates, more liberal than the Senate, has probably had the votes to legalize gay marriage for a long time, but no one wanted to press the issue if it would just die in a Senate committee.

And a governor who had long seen civil unions as the way forward now says he will sign a marriage equality bill if it reaches his desk.

That’s a lot of chickens to count before they hatch, but the path toward legalizing gay marriage here looks clearer than ever — not because of any extraordinary event, or landmark court case, or massive protest march, but because one by one, Marylanders have grown comfortable with the idea that homosexuality is no reason to deny someone’s fundamental rights.

To read the opinion column above, CLICK HERE.

Louisiana Rejects Science Debate in Textbooks

Rejecting a citizen outcry for accurate science education, the Louisiana Board of Education has approved purchase of new high school biology textbooks (to replace the current outdated books) with new books that continue to present the unsubstantiated 'fact of human evolution.'


-- From "Education board considers new biology textbooks" by The Associated Press 12/7/10

Opponents of the books say they fail to explain the many scientific challenges to evolution, teach the subject dogmatically without criticism and contain inaccuracies.

Supporters of the new books say they shouldn't include disclaimers about the theory of evolution, and they argue that critics are trying to force religious issues into science classrooms.

A panel of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted 6-1 Tuesday to approve the new books. The full board will take up the matter Thursday, but Tuesday's vote had a majority of the board backing the textbooks.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Panel approves textbooks" by Mike Hasten, Monroe News Star 12/8/10

Louisiana last purchased high school science and biology books eight years ago. Teachers told the panel that numerous scientific discoveries have been made in the past eight years and students are being denied access to the latest information.

A crowd of people at the meeting wanted books that at least mention creationism or intelligent design or say that evolution is not a fact. An almost equal group promoted teaching pure science [sic].

"These books are extremely weak on actually examining evidence of the claims being made in the books," said Lennie Ditoro, an associate of the Family Forum. She said the problem with the books is that evolution is "taught dogmatically, and the evidence that challenges it is completely ignored."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Educators and church officials debate new science books" by Tyana Williams, WAFB TV-9 (Baton Rouge, LA) 12/7/10

They said it wasn't a debate about creationism versus evolution, but at times that's what it turned into. Tuesday morning, the State Board of Education heard hours of testimony on why they should or should not approve new science textbooks.

Committee chairman Dale Bayard questioned one of the speakers, asking "Is there any data that man originated from primates?"

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Oklahoma Tea Party Pushes Christian Agenda

Citizens demonstrated at a state GOP legislators' meeting to show support for pro-family/pro-life and other social issues, saying they aren't concerned solely about fiscal issues.

-- From "Oklahoma Republican Voters Push Conservative Values" posted at KTUL TV-8 (Tulsa, OK) 12/6/10

Some rank and file republicans are challenging the new leadership in the state legislature.

They want them to hold true to conservative values.

Outside of the city's Community Center there are protestors on the streets who don't want the voters' interests to be forgotten. . . . the protestors are more concerned about social issues like immigration and abortion.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Protesters push Republicans to remain conservative" by Randy Krehbiel, Tulsa World Staff Writer 12/7/10

To get the point across, the group - which included Tulsa County Assessor Ken Yazel - brought signs and flags warning of dire consequences for RINOs - Republicans In Name Only. Prayers were offered every few minutes, often by the Rev. Tom Vineyard of Windsor Hills Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.

At issue is a struggle within the Republican Party between social conservatives and business interests that are lukewarm at best to issues such as illegal immigration, abortion and gay rights.

Matters intensified last week when comments by House Speaker-elect Kris Steele, R-Shawnee, were interpreted by some to mean that he intends to ditch some of the more controversial social issues.

. . . economic and budgetary goals need not be achieved at the expense of social issues.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Church is About Friendships, NOT God: Study

"Our study offers compelling evidence that it is the social aspects of religion rather than theology or spirituality that leads to life satisfaction," Sociology assistant professor Chaeyoon Lim of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the study's lead author, explained.



-- From "Study: Happiness is having friends at church" by Michelle Healy, USA TODAY 12/7/10

Numerous studies have shown that religious people report a higher level of well-being compared with the non-religious, says Chaeyoon Lim, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and lead author of the study. But what aspect of religiousness — church attendance, prayer, theology or spirituality — accounts for this level of life satisfaction has been unclear.

Lim says that "90% of the correlation between church attendance and life satisfaction can be explained if you have these close interactions."

Lim notes that the study's findings cut across all the main Christian denominations, as well as Jews and Mormons. The sample size of other religious groups was too small to draw conclusions.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Why religion breeds happiness: Friends" by Elizabeth Landau, CNN.com Health Writer/Producer 12/7/10

Many other studies have argued that the happiness gleaned from being religious is about spirituality and theology - for example, your belief in a higher power and your engagement in the rituals of your tradition. But in this study, factors such as prayer, holding religious services at home, and strength of faith do not appear to be related to life satisfaction.

But people who go to a place of worship and have few close friends there are not any happier than people who never go to services, the study authors found.

Religious identity is also important, Lim said. People who say that religion is a very important part of self identity tend to be happier. And that also goes back to the friendship issue: It’s not simply the presence of friendship, but also the fact that you share this sense of religious identity with this particular social network, that makes you more satisfied with life, Lim said.

Friendship in congregation also appears to make people volunteer more, even outside of the religious setting, and donate more often to both religious and nonreligious causes, Lim and Putnam found.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Marriage Trend: Confined within Church

While the Ninth Circuit Court in San Francisco hears arguments for the latest definition of 'marriage,' and a survey shows that most marriages are among churchgoers, Christian leaders spanning Roman Catholics and many Protestant denominations have affirmed God's marriage design.

"The retreat from marriage in Middle America means that all too many Americans will not be able to realize the American Dream."

UPDATE 1/14/11: The Religious Procreate, Others Don't

UPDATE 5/26/11: No Marriage in Most U.S. Households: Census

UPDATE 4/5/13: More Women Shack Up & Give Birth; Marriage Rare

-- From "Higher Education Linked to More Church Attendance, Marriage" by James Gilbert, WLTX TV-19 (Columbia, SC) 12/7/10

A new report finds that Americans with college degrees are now more likely to attend church and stay married than those with only high school diplomas.

Sociology professor Brad . . . Wilcox, who directs the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, says that while college graduates tend to be liberal on many issues, they now take their own marriage and religion more seriously than those who are less educated.

The findings are contained in the 2010 issue of "The State of Our Unions," which is subtitled, "When Marriage Disappears: The Retreat from Marriage in Middle America."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "New Report Finds Marriage Trouble in Middle America" Source: University of Virginia, posted at Newswise, Inc. 12/5/10

The 2010 edition of the State of Our Unions report was released today by the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia and the Center for Marriage and Families at the Institute for American Values.

The report is the first to address the causes of the observed retreat from marriage in Middle America. It finds that shifts in marriage attitudes, increases in unemployment and declines in religious attendance are among the trends driving the retreat.

The report finds . . . In a historic reversal, the cultural foundations of strong marriages – adherence to a "marriage mindset," religious attendance and faith in marriage as a way of life – are stronger now among the highly educated than among the moderately educated.

The author of this year's lead essay, sociologist W. Bradford Wilcox of U.Va.'s College of Arts & Sciences, said, "Marriage plays a central role in securing the American Dream for countless Americans. Adults and children fortunate enough to live in an intact, married family are much more likely to succeed in school and the workplace, to acquire a home of their own, and to experience upward mobility.

"The vast majority of American adults aspire to marriage, and children are much more likely to thrive if they are raised in a married home with their own mother and father," Wilcox said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Leaders From Diverse Faiths Express Commitment to Protect Marriage" by Michael Otterson, Contributor KCSG TV14/16 (St. George, UT) 12/6/10

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined with other faiths Monday in signing “The Protection of Marriage: A Shared Commitment”, an open letter to express commitment toward the preserving of marriage as the union between one man and one woman. Presiding Bishop H. David Burton signed on behalf of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The letter, which was signed by leaders from Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Evangelical, Jewish, Lutheran, Mormon, Orthodox, Pentecostal and Sikh communities, stated:

Marriage is the permanent and faithful union of one man and one woman. As such, marriage is the natural basis of the family. Marriage is an institution fundamental to the well-being of all of society, not just religious communities.

As religious leaders across different faith communities, we join together and affirm our shared commitment to promote and protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman. We honor the unique love between husbands and wives; the indispensible place of fathers and mothers; and the corresponding rights and dignity of all children.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Religious leaders’ open letter reaffirms protection of man-woman marriage" posted at Catholic News Agency 12/7/10

The U.S. Catholic bishops have joined other American religious leaders in signing an open letter reaffirming their commitment to the protection of marriage as “the permanent and faithful union of one man and one woman.”

“The preservation of the unique meaning of marriage is not a special or limited interest but serves the good of all. Therefore, we invite and encourage all people, both within and beyond our faith communities, to stand with us in promoting and protecting marriage as the union of one man and one woman,” the letter concludes.

“Today is the moment to stand for marriage and its unchangeable meaning. We hope this letter will encourage just that,” commented Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) and a signatory to the letter.

He said the letter reflects a “broad consensus” across religious divides.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "'Stand with us' on marriage, leaders urge" by Tom Strode, Washington bureau chief for Baptist Press 12/6/10

Southern Baptist ethicist Richard Land and other religious leaders Dec. 6 urged Americans to stand together in protecting the traditional understanding of marriage for the good of society.

The letter was released on the same day the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco heard oral arguments in a case regarding the definition of marriage. The court is considering an appeal of federal Judge Vaughn Walker's August invalidation of California's 2008 voter-approved constitutional amendment that protected the traditional definition of marriage. If the case goes to the U.S. Supreme Court and Walker's ruling stands, then every state could be forced to recognize "marriage" between homosexuals.

Among those joining Land in signing the letter were Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals; Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and archbishop of New York; George Wood, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God; Harry Jackson, bishop of the Fellowship of International Churches; and Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference.

Others endorsing the letter included leaders of the Anglicans, Congregationalists, Lutherans, Pentecostals, Wesleyans, General Baptists, Jews, Mormons and Sikhs.

Opponents of "gay marriage" warn that its legalization will negatively affect all of society, impacting everything from the tax-exempt status of religious organizations to the way private businesses are operated to what is taught in elementary schools.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

UPDATE 9/20/14 - Census: 'Gay Marriage' Official, but Fewer Marry

Atheists Put 'Fear of god' in Municipalities

With government revenues shrinking, cities across America are scrambling to avoid a costly run-in with atheists' lawyers threatening to sue any municipality daring to pray to God Almighty.

-- From "Roosevelt Park proactively studies policy for prayer at meetings" by Brian McVicar, The Muskegon Chronicle 11/20/10

The Roosevelt Park [Michigan] City Council is grappling with a thorny, often controversial issue: praying at city meetings.

In an effort to avoid litigation, council member Eric Grimm and city staff members have crafted a draft policy that is being examined by the city council. Grimm is an attorney at Williams, Hughes & Cook, a Muskegon law firm.

Although the city has had few, if any, people complain about its invocation practice, Grimm said he’s tackling the issue “proactively rather than waiting until the problem arises.”

Among the items the draft policy addresses are discouraging the mention of specific religious figures such as Jesus Christ, or urging council members against asking audience members to bow their heads or say amen. It’s also says participation in an invocation is optional, and that council members can deliver an invocation without making “any reference to ‘God,’ ‘Father,’ ‘Mother,’ ‘Creator,’ or any deity,” according to the draft.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Proposal to eliminate invocation at council meetings rejected" by Drew Winchester, Lehigh Acres Citizen 11/22/10

Councilmember Chris Chulakes-Leetz backed off his hope of removing the prayer prior to the start of Cape Coral [Florida] City Council meetings after he failed to garner any support Monday.

Residential support was lacking, too, after several citizens laid out their feelings before council at the podium during public comment.

Debra Ivey said she would be "ashamed" to live in a city where prayer is not a part of government.

"Why else would you want to remove prayer unless you were ashamed of God?" Ivey said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Cape Coral City Council may nix prayer practice" by Denes Husty III, News-Press (Fort Myers, FL) 11/18/10

Chulakes-Leetz said that a few residents suggested eliminating the opening prayer. He said the city attorney agreed that “because of the separation of church and state constitutional issues, the easiest way is to do away with all of it and have a moment of silence.”

The councilman said he believes this would be more beneficial to everyone than the recitation of one of the three form prayers contained in the present resolution. All three prayers ask for guidance or mention an appreciation of local government. One prayer includes the words God and Lord.

The ACLU believes that “it is not a good decision for a local government to endorse a non-sectarian or monotheist God,” [said Glenn Katon, American Civil Liberties Union of Florida spokesman]. He said a moment of silence and reflection is preferable.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Proposal to stop prayer from Cape Council meetings dropped" by Christina Mora, WZVN ABC TV-7 (Fort Myers, FL) 11/23/10

After receiving a letter from the "Atheists of Florida" ordering the Cape to cease prayer at city meetings, residents spoke up Monday night. Their voices were heard loud and clear.

"I am offering $1,000 to anyone that can show me and hallucinate for me any place in the Constitution of the United States of America where it calls for separation of church and state," said Cape resident John Larson Shudlick.

While handful of speakers defended prayer at meetings, just one spoke out against it.

It was a victory for those fighting to keep god in government.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Most Muslims NOT Moderate: Poll

A new poll from the Pew Research Center of Muslims around the world shows significant support for terrorists and overwhelming belief that Islamic clerics and Sharia law must be integrated in government.

-- From "Majority of Muslims want Islam in politics, poll says" by Meris Lutz, Los Angeles Times 12/6/10

According to the survey, majorities in Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan and Nigeria would favor changing current laws to allow stoning as a punishment for adultery, hand amputation for theft and death for those who convert from Islam to another religion. About 85% of Pakistani Muslims said they would support a law segregating men and women in the workplace.

Muslims in Indonesia, Egypt, Nigeria and Jordan were among the most enthusiastic, with more than three-quarters of poll respondents in those countries reporting positive views of Islam's influence in politics: either that Islam had a large role in politics, and that was a good thing, or that it played a small role, and that was bad.

Despite an overall positive view of Islam's growing role in politics, militant religious organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah spurred mixed reactions. Both groups enjoyed fairly strong support in Jordan, home to many Palestinians, and Lebanon, where Hezbollah is based. Muslim countries that do not share strong cultural, historical and political ties to the Palestinian cause, such as Pakistan and Turkey, tended to view Hezbollah and Hamas negatively.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Poll: ~75% of Muslims in Egypt, Pakistan favor stoning people for adultery" by Robert Herriman, Examiner 12/6/10

As far as Islam’s role in politics, almost all nations believe the role of Islam in politics is a good thing with Egypt and Indonesia polling at 95% saying Islam should play a large role in politics.

75% of Muslims polled in Egypt and Pakistan favor the following laws in their countries: 1. stoning people who commit adultery, 2. whippings and cutting off of hands for crimes like theft and robbery and 3. the death penalty for those who leave the Muslim religion.

Majorities in Jordan and Nigeria also favor such laws.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

'Gender-neutral' Dorm Roommates Latest Trend

The University of Arizona is considering a pilot program that would allow students of the opposite sex to live in the same dorm room, an option designed to make gay students feel more comfortable living on campus.

. . . universities are trying to take the ideological position that gender is arbitrary and socially meaningless.


-- From "University of Arizona considers co-ed dorm rooms" posted at KVOA TV4 Tucson AZ 11/23/10

The proposal right now would only make about five of the thousands of dorms here on campus "gender inclusive."

They are also looking into making a small wing of about twenty rooms exclusive to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students.

Opponents of the idea are now speaking out. Religious defense group Alliance Defense says this will encourage sexual harrassment issues on campus.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "University of Arizona considering mixed-gender housing" by Anne Ryman, The Arizona Republic 11/22/10

Also known as gender-neutral, open housing or mixed-gender housing, the option is a growing trend on U.S. college campuses. It is offered to a varying degree at more than 50 colleges and universities, from elite private schools such as Dartmouth College to large public universities such as the University of California-Berkeley. Most of the policies have been enacted in the past five years.

Supporters say the option provides comfort and a feeling of security for groups that are vulnerable to harassment, such as students who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or questioning their sexuality.

"That's completely at odds with common sense," said David French, senior counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund, a Scottsdale-based Christian organization that seeks to preserve family values.

Critics also say universities shouldn't be subsidizing "poor choices" by mixing different sexes in the same rooms. College students already struggle with plenty of issues, including binge drinking, depression and anxiety, French said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Homosexual Indoctrination Mandated for Schools

Just as in Massachusetts, schools in states with same-sex 'marriage' and other pro-homosexual laws are required to force homosexual indoctrination on students and are restricted from informing parents in advance, and parents are not permitted to pull their children from the indoctrination.

UPDATE 2/14/12: Minnesota School Succumbs to Gay Agenda Bullying (includes links to related incidents)



-- From "Parents' rights are Vallejo mom's concern" By Lanz Christian Bañes, Vallejo Times-Herald 12/03/10

When Helenmarie Gordon addressed the Vallejo school board last month, she had no intention of pitting two groups against each other.

"I just wanted to bring this concern up," said Gordon, mother of two Franklin Middle School students. She had asked the board why she had not been notified of an anti-bullying curriculum and why she was not allowed to opt her children out of it.

The Education Code does not require schools to notify parents when discussing gender or sexual orientation.

Gordon said she did find the material disturbing after viewing the short documentary "That's a Family," which is shown to elementary school students and shows different types of families, including gay and lesbian ones. She readily admits she comes from a strong Christian background and said she resents being portrayed as homophobic.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "No opting out of pro-gay school propaganda" by Brian Fitzpatrick © 2010 WorldNetDaily 12/3/10

If your child attends school in Vallejo, California, he will watch pro-gay propaganda videos whether you like it or not.

Forced by the ACLU to provide "mandatory diversity training" to students and faculty, the Vallejo Unified School District is now showing all students "anti-bullying" films produced by a homosexuality affirming San Francisco group called GroundSpark. Among other topics, the films discuss same-sex relationships.

"We do not feel that this is an area that students can opt out," school superintendent Floyd Gonella told KNTV after the meeting. He continued, "We feel this is an area we don't have to give prior notification."

"There are six protected classes in California that cannot be discriminated against, harassed or bullied," said Pacific Justice Institute Chief Counsel Kevin Snider. "Religion, race/ethnicity national origin, gender, disability, and sexual orientation. The school district is showing three films, but the films don't protect all six classes equally, as the law requires." Snider contended that two of the GroundSpark films being shown, 'That's a Family' and 'Straightlaced,' are primarily pro-gay.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read, American Voters Getting Message - Gay Agenda Targets Children as well as School Enacts Kindergarten Homosexual Indoctrination Curriculum

Apple Bans Evangelical Christian iPhone App

After Apple Computer, Inc. saw an on-line petition signed by 7,700 homosexual activists, it deleted from it's popular iTunes/iPhone store the "Manhattan Declaration" (which includes a petition signed by nearly half a million Americans) because of its pro-family/pro-life stance, and advocacy for religious liberty.

In a statement, Apple said, "We removed the Manhattan Declaration app from the App Store because it violates our developer guidelines by being offensive to large groups of people."

UPDATE 12/28/10: App Rejected Again; "Apple's statement amounts to the charge that [Christianity] is 'potentially harmful to others.'"

UPDATE 12/21/10: Steve Jobs laying low - won't respond to media on this

UPDATE 12/14/10 (video) Steve Jobs has become "Big Brother"


UPDATE 12/11/10: Washington Post discovers Apple/Manhattan Declaration controversy

UPDATE 12/9/10: Revised app submitted to Apple as "olive branch"



-- From "Conservative Christians blast Apple decision to discontinue app" by Dan Gilgoff, CNN 12/1/10

A coalition of conservative Christian leaders blasted Apple on Wednesday for discontinuing an app the group had created because the technology giant said the app was offensive.

The Christian leaders had created the app to promote a document that urges opposition to abortion and gay marriage and support for religious liberty, among other positions.

The Manhattan Declaration app allowed users to sign and share the the declaration and included a four-question quiz that featured questions like "Do you support same-sex relationships?" and "Do you support the right of choice regarding abortion?"

A spokeswoman for the declaration said Wednesday that Apple had approved and posted its app in October and that it had received a 4 plus rating for "no objectionable content."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Christian Leaders Protest Apple's Removal of 'Anti-Gay' App" By Ki Mae Heussner, ABC News 12/2/10

The iPhone application initially disappeared from the app store in late November after more than 7,000 people signed a Change.org petition urging Apple to delete it.

Calling it "anti-gay" and "anti-choice," the petition questioned Apple's decision to approve the application and deem it free of "objectionable content."

According to the Manhattan Declaration website, the declaration calls on Christians to "resist sexual immorality."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Apple's removal of Christian app draws ire" by Michael Foust, assistant editor of Baptist Press 12/3/10

The app -- one of more than 200,000 applications, or software programs, in the app store -- included the complete text of the Manhattan Declaration, a 4,700-word statement on the culture that about 150 evangelical, Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox leaders signed last year and that more than 475,000 other people have since signed.

Conservatives also note that there are dozens if not hundreds of apps containing the word "gay" in the iPhone/iPad app store, covering everything from same-sex dating to "gay travel" to "gay news."

"That Apple would deem the Manhattan Declaration as 'offensive' is alarming and distressing," the ManhattanDeclaration.org petition states. "Some who are 'offended' by the Manhattan Declaration can only be offended by the positions the Manhattan Declaration takes -- positions based on biblical Christianity and affirmed by nearly half a million Christians representing dozens of denominations."

Apple has a history of helping liberal causes, and in 2008 donated $100,000 to opponents of California Prop 8, the constitutional amendment that protected the traditional definition of marriage. Prop 8 passed.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Homosexualists Target Small Town America

While most Bible-believing clergy choose to avoid controversy in church, the Gay Agenda is advancing across America, one town at a time, as exhibited with the passage of an ordinance in Bowling Green, Ohio to create a protected class for sexual deviancy.

UPDATE 8/28/12: Gay Agenda Attacks America One Town at a Time

-- From "Anti-discrimination laws passed in Bowling Green" by Jennifer Feehan, Toledo Blade Staff Writer

The laws, which were adopted by Bowling Green City Council in August, 2009, were put before voters as referendums Nov. 2. On election night, one passed, the other failed - both by slim margins.

Monday, after provisional ballots were counted, an ordinance that adds 12 protected classes to the city's housing code was approved, 4,767 to 4,284. An ordinance that protects those same groups from discrimination in employment, education, businesses, and public services passed, 4,635 to 4,338. That law also sets up a process by which complaints of discrimination can be heard by the city.

When the laws take effect in 30 days, Bowling Green will become the 17th Ohio city and one of more than 125 nationwide to have local ordinances that protect gay and transgender persons from discrimination.

Mary Vollmar, a member of the group that got the referendums on the ballot, said she believes the ordinances lay the foundation for a campaign to legalize same-sex marriage.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Ohio gay rights debate mirrors national mood" by David Crary, Associated Press 11/25/10

To local conservatives managing the No campaign, the ordinances were an unneeded gesture of political correctness in a community where, in their view, blatant discrimination hadn’t been a problem. They said the ultimate goal was to undermine Ohio’s 2004 ban on same-sex marriage — part of surge of similar bans in other states — as a step toward legalizing gay marriage nationwide.

The ultimate gay-rights goal is national recognition of same-sex marriage, which now is legal in five states and the subject of several pending lawsuits filed by gay-rights groups that could eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

“There is a sense of inevitability of moral standards diminishing that is frustrating for many,” said the Rev. Scott Estep, pastor of a popular Bowling Green church, Dayspring Assembly of God. . . . though the pastor himself made no formal endorsement of either side.

“There’s been quite a quandary for many of us — not wanting to alienate or condemn anyone, but not wanting to compromise our convictions,” [Estep] said in an interview in his office as the nearby lobby buzzed with youths preparing for a retreat.

The Rev. Michael Dandurand, who ministers to Roman Catholic students as pastor of St. Thomas More University Parish, said many students asked for guidance. . . .

Dandurand challenges his youthful parishioners to respect Catholic teaching, yet overall, he says, “the horse is out of the barn” in a popular culture that embraces gay rights and nonmarital sex.

“I don’t want to be a Pollyanna,” he said. “It will be harder to live one’s Christian values in our culture.”

To read all of the above, very lengthy chronicle, with analysis, CLICK HERE.

From "Is your town next for protecting perversion?" by Dave Welch © 2010 WorldNetDaily 11/27/10

As the American Family Association revealed in their documentary ("They're Coming To Your Town") several years ago, GLBTQIA (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, Questioning, Intersexed and Allies) activists have been quietly moving into small to midsize towns across the country and taking advantage of those who thought the sexual diversity battle is only in the "big cities."

. . . non-discrimination is now the hammer used to bludgeon communities into submission by the Purveyors of Perversion.

While we've argued that "sexual orientation" is a preference and not determined at birth, they blew right past us to add gender identity, gender expression and now … genetic information.

As these GLBTQIA operatives run for city councils, become mayors, sponsor referendums and carry out an effective takeover of your town, will they take you by surprise since it always happens "somewhere else"?

When – and if – we get our priorities in order, God just may again bring a spiritual, moral and political renewal that will turn our nation away from our own implosion.

Pastors, that must start with us.

To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.

IL Civil Unions Law, so Now to "Gay Marriage"

Now that newly elected Democrat Gov. Quinn successfully "twisted arms" in the legislature to pass the Civil Unions SB1716, against the will of the Illinois citizens whom they represent, the chant has begun to enact full-blown same-sex "marriage."

UPDATE 5/11/12: Governor Quinn, follows Obama, proclaiming demand for Illinois gay "marriage" law

UPDATE 2/1/11: Governor Quinn signs civil unions bill at gala event

-- From "Civil Unions Advance in Illinois" by Monica Davey, New York Times 12/1/10

Illinois lawmakers on Wednesday approved legislation allowing civil unions in this state, and the governor has indicated he will sign it, making Illinois one of only a handful of states to grant to same-sex couples a broad array of legal rights and responsibilities similar to those of marriage.

Opponents complained about the timing of the vote (during a fall session before newly elected legislators arrive) and said they feared civil union legislation might ultimately harm the institution of marriage. “This will be the entry to a slippery slope,” Ron Stephens, a Republican state representative, said. “The next thing we’ll see will be consideration of gay marriage.”

In Illinois, where Democrats dominate both state legislative chambers (and will next year, even after new lawmakers are seated) the votes were split: 32 to 24 in the State Senate [vote tally .PDF here] on Wednesday, and 61 to 52 in the House a day earlier [vote tally .PDF here].

Supporters of gay rights widely praised Illinois’s decision, but many said the eventual goal remained legalizing same-sex marriage, not a separate civil union system.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Daley wants state to 'move faster' on gay marriage" by Fran Spielman, City Hall Reporter, Chicago Sun-Times 12/2/10

After a historic vote legalizing civil unions this week, Mayor Daley on Thursday welcomed the Illinois General Assembly into “this new century” and urged lawmakers to “move faster” — and legalize gay marriage.

“Finally, they realized they should have the same rights under state law. But eventually, [gay] marriage will take place. It has to. . . . We have to move faster,” the mayor said.

“These are great citizens. They’re a tremendous resource for us in our great city. I’m very proud of the relationship that I had with them over many years. And it’s really important for us to move forward. These are people [who] have families. These are people [who] work in every sector of our society. They should not be discriminated against in any way whatsoever,” he said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Gay Activists Fed Up with President Obama

The tool of incrementalism has been effectively used to advance the Gay Agenda for decades, but today's homosexualists demand that the politicians they've paid to place in office change American society immediately. So, while the activists complain, the mainstream media attempt to calm down the fury against the president.

-- From "Gay activist: Obama's 'useless'" by Jennifer Epstein, Politico 12/2/10

Gay rights activist and author Larry Kramer [said,] "He has been really useless in terms of both HIV and gay issues."

"He is simply not a leader," Kramer added. "He may be president, but he is not a leader."

Gay activists have repeatedly expressed dismay about Obama's unfulfilled promise to quickly repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that bans gays from serving openly in the military. . . .

The president has also been criticized by gay groups for not advocating for the legalization of same-sex marriage.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "On World AIDS Day, Larry Kramer, who first warned of epidemic, rips 'Do-nothing' Obama" by Heidi Evans, Daily News Staff Writer 12/1/10

On World AIDS Day, the man who first sounded the alarm about the AIDS epidemic and shamed the government into action for a decade, had some choice words for President Obama.

In an interview with the New York Daily News about growing older with HIV, Kramer, now 75 and writing a novel about America and AIDS, offered up his views on the current president.

“Mr. Do-Nothing Obama will say today ‘Lets think of all the poor dead people’- or ‘let’s honor all the dead’ instead of fighting for the living.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "‘Our Government Has a Role to Play’ in Reducing the Stigma of HIV/AIDS, Obama Says" by Susan Jones, CNSNews.com 12/2/10

In a message marking World AIDS Day on Wednesday, President Barack Obama mourned those who have died from the preventable disease and made promises to those who are living with it.

More than one million Americans currently live with HIV/AIDS in the United States, and more than 56,000 become infected each year. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half (48%) of people living with HIV are men who have sex with other men. Nineteen percent of those living with HIV are injection drug users.

In his proclamation, the president recommitted the U.S. to fighting the disease, preventing its spread, finding a cure – and to “combating the stigma and discrimination” associated with HIV/AIDS.

President Obama noted that around the globe, tens of millions of people have benefited from HIV prevention, treatment and healthcare programs funded by American taxpayers.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Colleges Are Producing New Style of AIDS Activist" by Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times 11/30/10

Cameron Nutt, a medical anthropology student at Dartmouth, says he backs President Obama “100 percent.” But, incensed over the president’s “failure to remain true” to a campaign promise to spend $50 billion over five years fighting the AIDS epidemic overseas, Mr. Nutt disrupted Mr. Obama this fall at a Boston rally. His co-protesters included Luke Messac, a University of Pennsylvania medical student and a field organizer for Mr. Obama’s presidential campaign, and Krishna Prabhu, a Harvard University senior who caucused for Mr. Obama in Iowa in 2008 — and rescheduled his final exam in global health to attend the president’s inauguration.

Their protests — which have drawn a sharp rebuke from the president (not to mention some disapproving parents) — come as many in the AIDS advocacy community are wondering aloud whether Mr. Obama is as devoted to their cause as his immediate predecessor, George W. Bush. In 2003, Mr. Bush began vastly increasing spending on lifesaving antiretroviral medicines for AIDS patients in impoverished nations; the number receiving the drugs has shot up from 50,000 to more than five million today. Yet the World Health Organization says as many as 10 million lack needed therapy.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Gays to Obama: The pressure's on" by MJ Lee, Politico 12/02/10

Gay rights activists say the Pentagon’s review of “don’t ask, don’t tell” is the final piece of the puzzle President Obama needs to secure its repeal — and that now, the pressure is on more than ever.

Rosendall warned that if the repeal doesn’t happen before the end of the lame-duck session, “demands for action are going to be a lot louder,” saying that “many of us who have defended the president so far will have an increasingly difficult time doing so.”

Laurie Young, the director of public policy at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said there was never any question in the gay community on the intentions of Obama.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Slow but sure progress on gay rights in the U.S." by Jonathan Mann, CNN 12/3/10

The people who used to be called "queer" are looking more conventional in the United States these days, and some of the most tradition-bound institutions in the country are cautiously coming to accept them.

America was founded by the Puritans . . . Much of the United States is still heir to that opinion.

What may be easy to overlook is that the politics are changing. Mainstream Republicans no longer campaign on a traditionalist "family values" agenda. The Tea Party movement has chosen to stay clear of the subject entirely. [Click here to read how untrue this is about the Tea Party movement.]

Business culture is changing too. Many large companies, including the one that owns CNN, offer heterosexual and same-sex couples the same employee benefits. News culture has changed as well. When a prominent politician or personality "comes out" about their sexuality, it's no longer a scandal and usually, it's hardly even a "story."

. . . Things are moving slowly for gays and lesbians in the United States, but remarkably, they seem to be broadly moving in only one direction.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Read also, Obama: Gay Agenda for Lame-Duck Congress

Chimpanzees are Authors of Morality, says Scientist

Eminent biologist [and] pioneer in the topic of animal empathy, [Frans De Waal who] has spent over 30 years studying primates . . . argues that the building blocks of morality come from our animal ancestors, not religion [or a god].

-- From "Morality: Created By Evolution or Religion?" by Dan Harris, ABC News 12/2/10

De Waal, a pioneer in the topic of animal empathy . . . said that mammals frequently display empathy and reciprocity, crucial components of morality.

"I do think that human morality didn't start from scratch -- human morality started with the primate psychology which has all these tendencies of reciprocity and empathy and following social rules and so on...so we took that psychology and we turned it into a moral system," he said.

It's not just primates who show a moral sense. Dogs console their owners. If a mouse sees another mouse it knows is in pain, it will become more sensitive to pain. Dolphins and beluga whales have been known to help humans in distress.

All of these examples make De Waal pose a provocative question. Is morality inherited from our primate ancestors or did belief systems and religions create a moral code?

To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.

To read the Frans De Waal essay on this topic, CLICK HERE.

Also read, Scientist: Universe Created Itself, Not God

Homosexual Military Remake: IL Sen. Kirk?

Newly elected Illinois RINO Senator Mark Kirk faces a conundrum: Does he jettison his GOP Immaculation immediately during the Congressional lame-duck session by voting for repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," or does he buck the homosexualists and risk being "outed" from his closet?

UPDATE 12/18/10: Mark Kirk joins with other Senate RINOs voting for military sexual experiment

-- From "Mark Kirk on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell:" Will Study Report" by Lynn Sweeton, Chicago Sun-Times 11/30/10

Freshman Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.)--a Navy reserve officer who has declined to give his views on gays serving openly in the military--waiting for a Defense Department survey to be completed--will study the report released on Tuesday. Defense Sec. Robert Gates on Tuesday called for the Senate to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," ban, based on the report.

"Senator Kirk will read every page of the DoD/Joint Chiefs of Staff report and will seek a meeting with the Chief of Naval Operations to discuss his findings before making a decision on this issue," his spokesman, Lance Trover, said in a statement.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Mark Kirk Says He's Undecided On DADT Repeal, Will Study Report" by On Top Magazine Staff 12/1/10

Republican Mark Kirk, who'll serve the remaining weeks of President Barack Obama's unexpired term, was sworn in on Monday. Democratic Senator Roland Burris was appointed to the seat after Obama became president but didn't run for the post. Kirk's full term begins in January.

As a representative, Kirk, a Navy reserve officer, voted against a measure that would repeal the law that has ended the military careers of over 13,000 service members.

A Senate committee will begin two days' worth of hearings on the Pentagon report on Thursday.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Mark Kirk Has No More Excuses For Voting To Keep 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'" by Edward McClelland, posted at NBC Chicago 11/30/10

During October’s WTTW debate with Alexi Giannoulias, Mark Kirk suggested he might vote to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell if the Pentagon’s Working Group Study showed that allowing gays to serve openly would have no effect on morale.

“I think we should wait for the Joint Chiefs of Staff to report,” Kirk told moderator Phil Ponce. “This was actually the recommendation of Secretary Gates and the President, but Speaker Pelosi wanted to move forward anyway. The problem here is that when you remove the policy, you got to have a new policy….I’m going to read every word of that study.”

“I understand that he’ll have time to read the report and that it is, in fact, what’s he's asking for: a roadmap,” [Winnie Stachelberg, senior vice president of the Center for American Progress] told Metro Weekly. “Losing Senator Burris as a known vote in favor [of repeal] is a challenge, but, as I understand now-Sen. Kirk’s concerns, I feel we haven’t lost a vote there.”

“I think we should make a very limited set of decisions, and then let the new Congress, that has a fresh mandate from the American people, take office and make the bigger decision,” Kirk said [Monday, nebulously].

To read the opinion column above, CLICK HERE.

Parents Challenge Books in Schools & Libraries

Organized grassroots activism, aided by Internet coordination, becoming more effective in screening immoral/pornographic/profane/obscene books aimed at children

For background, read After Parent Complaints, Schools Drop Sexually Explicit Book Studies

UPDATE 8/24/11: New Jersey School Pulls Assigned Obscene Books after Parental Complaints

-- From "Those challenging books find strength in numbers" by Didi Tang and Mary Beth Marklein, USA TODAY 11/30/10

Shortly after the fall semester began this year, Wesley Scroggins, a parent of three in Republic, Mo., publicly criticized the local school district for carrying books that he described as soft pornography.

"We've got to have educated kids, and we've got to be a moral people," Scroggins said then. "I've been concerned for some time what students in the schools are being taught."

Whereas challenges once were mostly launched by a lone parent, [American Library Association attorney Deborah] Caldwell-Stone says she has noticed "an uptick in organized efforts" to remove books from public and school libraries. A number of challenges appear to draw from information provided on websites such as Parents Against Bad Books in Schools, or PABBIS.org, and Safelibraries.org, she says.

And the latest wrinkle: A wave of complaints around the nation about inappropriate material in public schools has stirred emotional argument over just how much freedom should be extended to students in advanced courses.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Book Banning Epidemic in Southwest Missouri Fueled by Public University Professor" by William Browning, Yahoo! Contributor Network 9/21/10

The Springfield News-Leader reports today that three books are being reconsidered in the Republic School District. Wesley Scroggins, associate professor of business at Missouri State University and concerned parent, wrote an editorial to the newspaper on Sunday warning that "parents need to be cautious" regarding sex education and obscene books in the Republic School System. He points out several issues with the eighth grade sex education curriculum and the book "Slaughterhouse-Five."

The News-Leader states that Scroggins' complaints also contend that Republic teaches evolution, covers inappropriate material in sex education classes, and uses textbooks that teach errors about American government and history. Scroggins says further in his editorial that the curriculum is "unacceptable considering that most of the school board members and administrators claim to be Christian. How can Christian men and women expose children to such immorality?"

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Christmas Ultrasound of Jesus Riles Abortionists

An advertising campaign designed to help people focus on Christ at Christmas will portray an ultrasound scan of the Son of God in His mother's womb on British billboards in December despite criticism that it promotes an anti-abortion message.

Reports indicate ultrasound technology is fueling pro-life progress.

UPDATE 12/22/10: Jesus ultrasound billboards now in in several states in U.S.

-- From "Christmas ad: Baby Jesus' 'sonogram' -- halo and all" posted at USA TODAY 11/22/10

A British group is taking the novel approach of promoting nativity scene like no other -- turning a sonogram-like image into a icon-like poster by portraying Jesus as a fetus with a halo, in Mary's womb.

Well, at least it's a baby image... whose is unclear. The text says, "He's on His Way" and they're clearly not talking about Santa.

Also unclear, according to Baptist Press coverage, drawing on stories in the The Guardian, is whether the message will be hijacked for pro-life campaigns.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "'Baby Scan Jesus' ad set despite criticism" by Tom Strode, Baptist Press 11/19/10

Promoters of "Baby Scan Jesus," as they have named the ad, hope it will reach 40 million people from more than 2,000 billboard and poster sites Dec. 6-20 in England, according to the Guardian, a British newspaper.

A critic called the ad incredibly naïve. "The image is too specifically associated with pro-lifers to be seen in a benign context. They should go back to angels and cribs," said Terry Sanderson, director of the National Secular Society, the Guardian reported in June in one of its stories about the ad.

Trustees for ChurchAds.net, the ecumenical charity behind the campaign, said the ad "is not, in any way, designed to either support or campaign against abortion." The poster "announces the imminent birth of the Christ child in the way that many modern-day parents choose to announce the coming birth of their own child," they said in a written statement.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "UK Ad Campaign’s Ultrasound Image of Christ in Womb Gains Global Interest, Even As Ad Makers Deny Pro-life Message" by Penny Starr, CNSNews.com 11/30/10

“This is a powerful image with eight words that manages to communicate the unique combination of humanity and divinity that Jesus represents,” Francis Goodwin, chairman of ChurchAds.net, told CNSNews.com by e-mail from her office in the UK. “This is a celebration of his birth, hence the timing.”

“We are obviously aware that others might seek to hi-jack the image for their own purposes, but those purposes are not ours,” Goodwin said. “Our objectives are clear and simple and follow on from a 19-year track record of producing Christian advertising.”

This year’s campaign is the second of a five-year plan to retell the birth of Christ in a modern context and to remind people that Christmas is for the celebration of Jesus’ birth.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "'We're winning,' Land tells pregnancy center leaders" by Mickey Noah, Baptist Press 11/29/10

[Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) since 1988,] promoted the ERLC's "Psalm 139 Project," a program in which donors' gifts are used to install ultrasound machines in qualified SBC pregnancy ministry centers around the country.

The initiative is named after Psalm 139:13-14, which says: "For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made."

"If wombs had windows, people would be much more reticent to abort babies," Land said. "Sonograms provide a window into the womb. Pregnant mothers who see their babies on sonograms are far more likely to carry their babies to term."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.