Religious News & Views

Index

Edited by Nic Samojluk

Schullers Daughter to Lead Crystal Cathedral. The Rev. Robert H. Schuller, founding pastor of the Crystal Cathedral in Southern California, announced on June 7 that he has turned over the administrative duties of his ministry to his daughter, Sheila Schuller Coleman. The transition comes after Schuller's son, the Rev. Robert A. Schuller, resigned late last year as senior pastor of the church. In October, his father said the two men differed over the "direction and the vision" of the megachurch and its related "Hour of Power" television program. "I believe God has called me back to give leadership once again to this ministry," the elder Schuller, 82, wrote in a June 10 statement on his Web site. "I have committed to giving two more years of casting God's vision for this ministry and Sheila has accepted my request to put legs to the vision." Coleman, a 58-year-old author, has been the director of family ministries at the church and the superintendent of its private school. Now, she will be the administrative leader of Crystal Cathedral Ministries. "We're excited that a woman has an opportunity to step forward and do something like this," said church spokesman John Charles. ... Read More: http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=2657#2

La Sierra University Under siege. Working scientists agree, overwhelmingly, that evolution explains much of what we see in nature. Many Christians, including some with doctorates in science, reject this consensus. The conflict reaches deep into Adventism, and has the potential, as everyone knows, to tear our church apart. Now a letter from Adventist minister David Assherick, addressed to church leaders and critical of the science teachers at La Sierra University, has set off an Internet brouhaha that underscores the point�underscores how divided we are, and how desperately we need new consensus. Or at least new humility. Asscherick's somewhat breathless fulmination includes these words: "If naturalistic evolution is true, Creation is cremated, the Sabbath is sabotaged, and our very name is neutered." In response, La Sierra's president, Randall Wisbey, has written, in a letter to his board and other stakeholders, that students at his university do sit under teachers who examine "the evolutionary process." But these teachers are Christians, and what they teach is fully compatible with "a vibrant Adventist Christian faith." ... Read More: http://www.spectrummagazine.org/articles/column/2009/05/29/creation_wars

Taliban executes 2 Christians. Taliban Islamic radicals have attacked a community of Christians, executing two of them following a rally that protested Muslim graffiti in their neighborhood that ordered them to accept Islam or die, according to an international Christian organization. The attack in Pakistan follows only by days an expansion of the territory occupied by the Islamic Taliban members. The report from International Christian Concern said it happened in Taseer Town in Karachi. The organization, which reaches out to persecuted Christians around the world, said it was told by Asif Stephen, a Christian politician, that the Christians protesting the Islamic slogans say: "We were protesting peacefully and all of sudden, a few militants carrying the latest weapons rushed in. Some of the attackers entered homes and pillaged money and jewelry and abused the women and burned their properties. The elderly were injured and one child fell to the ground and died in my friend's arms." ... ReadMore: http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=96034

Maryland Adventist Joins White House Staff. Paul Monteiro, a member of the Bladensburg Seventh-day Adventist Church in Maryland, was recently appointed as religious liaison in the Office of Public Liaison at the White House. Monteiro, who joined the Adventist Church in 2006, explains that his office is responsible for engaging "community groups, [and] religious organizations in the business of government, and to make sure that the administration knows about significant priorities and special events and dates important to those groups." "The president is serious about involving the views of faith communities in [policy] discussions -- from health care to education reform to immigration to scientific research -- not just looping them in after the fact," Monteiro said.  "It's a privilege to be part of that effort to bring more people to the table." At his new post, Monteiro schedules events and meetings with representatives from various organizations and denominations, whose concerns he passes on to the appropriate office or agency.  "We call ourselves the 'front door' of the White House," he said. ... Read More: http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=2555

Home: No place for Bible study. A  San Diego pastor and his wife claim they were interrogated by a county official and warned they will face escalating fines if they continue to hold Bible studies in their home. The couple, whose names are being withheld until a demand letter can be filed on their behalf, told their attorney a county government employee knocked on their door on Good Friday, asking a litany of questions about their Tuesday night Bible studies, which are attended by approximately 15 people. "Do you have a regular weekly meeting in your home? Do you sing? Do you say 'amen'?" the official reportedly asked. "Do you say, 'Praise the Lord'?" The pastor's wife answered yes. She says she was then told, however, that she must stop holding "religious assemblies" until she and her husband obtain a Major Use Permit from the county, a permit that often involves traffic and environmental studies, compliance with parking and sidewalk regulations and costs that top tens of thousands of dollars. And if they fail to pay for the MUP, the county official reportedly warned, the couple will be charged escalating fines beginning at $100, then $200, $500, $1000, "and then it will get ugly." ... Read More: http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=98895

Jan Paulsen's Visit to China. Five hundred believers crowded the aging sanctuary in Shenyang as the General Conference president described the final counsel Jesus gave His disciples on the night they celebrated Passover together in the Upper Room. In a literal upper room two stories above, another 500 believers jammed an overflow chapel, watching the service below on a single 26-inch closed-circuit TV screen. Two hundred more worshippers lined every hallway and stairway, out of sight, but listening intently to the music and words that drifted down the corridors from the bullhorn-style speakers trailing long wires. On the fourth day of a seven-day trip to the People�s Republic of China, Jan Paulsen and a team of General Conference and Northern Asia-Pacific Division leaders worshipped with two large Adventist congregations in this city of seven million. Overflow crowds of 2500 at the Beiguan Church and 1200 at the Beishi congregation greeted the president with applause, banners, and special choral anthems as he made his first visit to China since becoming church president 10 years ago, and the first any General Conference president has made to mainland China in more than 60 years. ... Read More: http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=2594

An Atheist's Three Prayers. Life couldn't get worse, thought Nadya as she stood sobbing in a bustling Moscow metro station. A purse-snatcher had just fled with her bag, taking her passport, the keys to her apartment, and all her money. But Nadya wasn't crying about that. Everything seemed to be going wrong in her life. Her parents had thrown her out of their home. She had left a violent husband. She felt unloved, alone, and desperate. A man emerged from the crowd. "Do you need help?" he asked kindly. Nadya, her cheeks moist with tears, told about the robbery and said she needed to call her landlord to get a new key. She needed to clean her pants because she had slipped and fallen into a mud puddle while running after the purse-snatcher. The stranger invited Nadya to use the telephone in his nearby apartment. As soon as they arrived at the apartment, Nadya knew she had made a mistake. He closed the door, and I realized that he wasn't going to help me," said Nadya, a soft-spoken brunette with warm green eyes. Read More: http://www.adventistreview.org/issue.php?issue=2009-1512&page=24  [Link submitted by Hugo Schmidt]

Worldwide Church of God Changes Name.The Worldwide Church of God, which re-examined and later rebuked the teachings of founder Herbert W. Armstrong after his death in 1986, has changed its name to Grace Communion International. It's the second name change for the denomination that Armstrong founded as the Radio Church of God in 1934, and church leaders say it's a better reflection of its mainstream evangelical theology. "We are a church that God radically transformed," said church president Joseph W. Tkach, who is a board member of the NationalAssociation of Evangelicals. "Our new name is consistent with the transformation and aptly describes what God has made of our fellowship." Armstrong denied the Christian belief in the Trinity and took Old Testament law to heart. He urged followers to abide by ancient dietary restrictions, to observe traditional Hebrew festivals, to mark the Sabbath on Saturday, and to reject Christmas, Easter, and birthdays as pagan holidays. ... Read More: http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=2554#4

Miss California: God was testing me.

Expulsion threatened over prayer for sick teacher. Attorneys representing two students who have been threatened with expulsion by a California college because of a prayer for a sick professor say a federal judge has refused the school's efforts to have the case dismissed. "It's outrageous," said Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute, which is working on the case brought by students Kandy Kyriacou and Ojoma Omaga of the College of Alameda in Alameda, near Oakland. "Since when does praying for a sick teacher to get well--with her consent-- earn a suspension? This is not just a constitutional violation; it is a complete lack of common sense. These students were not looking for a fight, but since the school to this day insists that it can expel them if they pray again, we will have to resolve it in federal court," he said. ... Read More: http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=94397

Hate Crime Bill Threatens Religious Freedom. It is now expected that on Wednesday April 22, the full US House Judiciary Committee will vote on H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009.  The so-called hate crimes bill will be used to lay the legal foundation and framework to investigate, prosecute and persecute pastors, business owners, Bible teachers, Sunday School teachers, youth leaders, Christian counselors, religious broadcasters and anyone else whose actions are based upon and reflect the truths found in the Bible. H.R. 1913 broadly defines "intimidation."  A pastor's sermon could be considered "hate speech" under this legislation if heard by an individual who then acts aggressively against persons based on any "sexual orientation." The pastor could be prosecuted for "conspiracy to commit a hate crime." During Committee markup in 2007, Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL) admitted that the legislation will not protect a pastor from prosecution. ... Read More: http://www.alainsnewsletter.com/read.php?sid=147

Pastor now tells how to prep for imminent catastrophe. A nationally known pastor and author who predicts an imminent catastrophe of God's judgment on America is now telling concerned Christians it is time for peace and preparation, not panic. "This is what I hear the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart concerning my own spiritual response to impending calamity," writes David Wilkerson, author of "The Cross and the Switchblade" and founder of a ministry to troubled New York street kids, on his blog today. "It is simply this: Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." As WND reported, Wilkerson drew attention by publishing on his blog over the weekend a vision for impending fires and riots sweeping through New York City and other cities across the country. "An earth-shattering calamity is about to happen," he writes. "It is going to be so frightening, we are all going to tremble--even the godliest among us." ... Read More: http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=91247

Encouraging Report from Korea. The service is high-tech, with video cameras, video roll-ins, light and sound, music, news commentary, testimonies. But the whole service is being put on by children aged 8-13. They're running the TV cameras, mixing the audio, translating from Korean to English, dubbing in the captions, rolling in background video clips, reading the news. And sending the service out to the world on their Web site. These kids prepare on Sabbath afternoons and during the week for this event and for the Sabbath morning service. Some travel a long way: one girl tells us of a two-hour journey by bus and train. And several give testimonies of how they heard about this church, joined it, accepted Jesus, and were baptized. Everyone and everything about this service turns me on: the joy and energy of the kids, the confidence with which they speak into the camera and operate sophisticated equipment, the release of creativity, the development of talents, the glorification of Jesus as Savior and Lord. Here indeed is grace in action! ... Read More: http://www.adventistreview.org/2003-1502/story1.html

Gunmen Kill Guatemalan Pastor. Seventh-day Adventists are mourning the loss of one of their pastors after he was tragically killed while traveling on the road in Guatemala�s southern region on Thursday, February 26. Gunmen Kill Guatemalan SDA Pastor. Erick Cerritos, 33, a native of Guatemala, was traveling in his car with his family when he was intercepted by some one in an automobile and shot several times. Cerritos, who had served more than a decade as a minister in the neighboring country of Honduras, becomes the latest victim the church in Guatemala has seen due to the escalating violence in the country. "This is a terrible tragedy brought out by the unstoppable violence here in Guatemala hitting our Adventist family these last few months," said Juan Lopez, communication director for the Central Guatemala Conference in Guatemala City. It�s a concern that church leaders nationwide have for their church members. Investigators believe that the killling may have been a case of mistaken identity, said Lopez. So far, Lopez said that more than 122 Seventh-day Adventists have been affected by violence since 2008. "There have been 12 church members murdered, 100 extortions, and 10 kidnappings by gang members and drug traffickers all throughout the country," he added. ... Read More: http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=2437

Three Adventist Families Are Montana Plane Crash Victims. Three Seventh-day Adventist families are among the 14 victims killed in a March 22, 2009 airplane crash in Butte, Montana. All three families were members or regular attendees at congregations in the Northern California Conference; the three husbands were longtime friends who attended both church-owned Pacific Union College and Loma Linda University. No cause for the tragedy has yet been determined, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration�s regional office in Renton, Washington, was quoted by the Associated Press as saying a total of 14 people on board the aircraft � seven adults and seven children � were killed when the plane crashed and burned 500 feet from the runway at Bert Mooney Airport in Butte. The plane had crashed into Holy Cross Cemetery in Butte, officials said.Multiple media reports and family members confirm Dr. Erin Jacobson, an ophthalmologist; his wife, Amy Feldkamp Jacobson, a dental hygienist; and children Ava, 3, and Taylor, 4, and Jude, 2, were among the victims. ... Read More: http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=2484

Tragedy Strikes Children of Adventist Abortion Clinics Owner. MEDIA ADVISORY, Mar. 24 /Christian Newswire/ -- Some of you may have seen the major news story of the private plane that crashed into a Montana cemetery, killing 7 children and 7 adults. But what the news sources fail to mention is that the Catholic Holy Cross Cemetery owned by Resurrection Cemetery Association in Butte - contains a memorial for local residents to pray the rosary, at the 'Tomb of the Unborn'. This memorial, located a short distance west of the church, was erected as a dedication to all babies who have died because of abortion. What else is the mainstream news not telling you? The family who died in the crash near the location of the abortion victim's memorial, is the family of Irving 'Bud' Feldkamp, owner of the largest for-profit abortion chain in the nation. Family Planning Associates was purchased four years ago by Irving Moore "Bud" Feldkamp III, owner of Allcare and Hospitality Dental Associates and CEO of Glen Helen Raceway Park in San Bernardino. The 17 California Family Planning clinics perform more abortions in the state than any other abortion provider - Planned Parenthood included - and they perform abortions through the first five months of pregnancy. ... Read More: http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/646579835.html

European Bishops Still Pressing for Sunday Rest. Using the economic crisis to press for Sunday legislation, the European Conference of Catholic Bishops, or COMECE, and the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD) and the Church of England hailed a February 2, 2009 initiative to introduce a written declaration into the House that would protect Sunday as a day of rest in Europe. Five MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) drafted and introduced the declaration. "A work-free Sunday," said COMECE, is an essential pillar of the European Social Model and as part of the European cultural heritage. Such a declaration would constitute an important commitment to a Social Europe. "Men and women who work on Sundays, are put at a disadvantage in their social relationships: Their family life, personal development and even health are verifiably affected," said COMECE. The Bishops urged that "respect for Sunday rest has the potential to be a pillar of the European social model,"  ... Read More: http://www.ktfministry.org/news/393/european-bishops-still-pressing-for-sunday-rest

What really happens when you die? It's a question that has echoed throughout the ages: what really happens when you die? And at the moment of death, does the Bible state believers remain conscious and get immediately transported to a paradise called heaven to spend time with fellow Christians whose physical lives have also come to an end? The answers just might floor you. In perhaps the most underpublicized verse of the entire Bible � ironically found just three verses before what is arguably the most famous line of John 3:16 � Jesus Christ declared that no one has gone to heaven except Himself. It's true. Here's the stunning quote. "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven." (John 3:13, King James Version) "No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven � the Son of Man." (John 3:13, New International Version) Meanwhile, the Bible does indicate that at least one other person, specifically the Old Testament prophet Elijah, did go to heaven. Scripture clearly states that "Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven." (2 Kings 2:11) ... Read More: http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=86822

 
Warren praises Obama for inviting homosexual bishop. Rick Warren is applauding Barack Obama's decision to invite homosexual Episcopal bishop V. Gene Robinson to pray at an inauguration event next week in Washington, DC. Christianity Today quotes a statement from Warren, who says "President-elect Obama has again demonstrated his genuine commitment to bringing all Americans of goodwill together in search of common ground. I applaud his desire to be the president of every citizen." Warren's comment came in the wake of a controversy over Obama's decision to invite Warren to give the invocation prayer at the swearing-in ceremony at next Tuesday's Presidential Inauguration. Robinson, who became the Episcopal Church's first openly homosexual bishop back in 2003, joined other homosexual activists and their supporters in condemning Obama for inviting Warren, saying "it was like a slap in the face." ... Read More: http://www.onenewsnow.com/Church/Default.aspx?id=387426

Miracle on the Hudson. Yesterday's crash landing of a US Airways jet onto the Hudson River along the west side of Manhattan is being called a miracle.  The fact that all 155 passengers and crew members are safe today is truly amazing.  Even the New York Times' sub-heading reads:  "For Terrified Survivors, a Miracle."  New York's Governor David Paterson, referring to the movie "Miracle on 34th Street," said "I believe now we've had a miracle on the Hudson." There are moving stories of heroic acts large and small: The pilot, Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, walked up and down the length of the plane twice as it rapidly filled with water, to be sure no one was left on board.  He was the last one off. According to one report, a male passenger, seeing a mother with a baby, called out "Women and children first!"  And people stood aside. Passenger Bill Zahaski described being up to his neck in water and having to strip down to his underwear and swim to an exit. ... Read More: http://www.onenewsnow.com/Blog/Default.aspx?id=387534

Nurse suspended for offering to pray. A Christian nurse in Britain may soon be fired for offering to pray for her patients' recovery. Caroline Petrie has been suspended and faces disciplinary action because her employer claims she failed to show a "personal and professional commitment to equality and diversity" when she suggested the prayer, the London Telegraph reported. Petrie, 45, a wife and mother of two, is a community nurse who works for North Somerset Primary Care Trust. As part of her job, she visits patients who are sick and elderly. Petrie said she never forced her Christian beliefs on any of her patients but simply asked if an elderly woman would appreciate the blessing.   "I had applied dressings to her legs and shortly before I left I said to her: 'Would you like me to pray for you?'" The patient said, "No, thank you." ... Read More: http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=87792

The Fairness Doctrine Questioned.

Judge tells Christian: 'I would kill you'. A woman arrested at the Cairo airport because her identity card described her as a Christian has been threatened for her faith by the judge in her case, according to a new report. Makkar's lawyer, Nadia Tawfiq, reported that Judge Abdelaa Hashem questioned Makkar closely about her Christian faith during a courtroom hearing. The decision to grant her bail came Saturday in the hearing before Hashem after Makkar told the judge about her new Christian faith and her abandonment of Islam. Tawfiq told Compass Direct "the judge then said, 'I want to talk with Martha alone,' so we all left the room, and he said to her, 'Nobody changes from Muslim to Christian � you are a Muslim.' "And she said, 'No, I am a Christian.' He told her, 'If I had a knife now, I would kill you,'" the lawyer said.  ... Read More: http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=87262

Did the Gospel Include the Cross? The Bible indicates a wide variety of instances where Jesus and others spread "the Gospel" prior to His death. This includes John the Baptist preaching "the Gospel" before Jesus' public ministry. It includes Jesus preaching the Gospel throughout His three years of ministry on Earth [the word "Gospel' is not used in John's account, but "Word" is more or less his equivalent.] The disciples are sent out part way through Jesus' third year of ministry to preach the gospel to the surrounding areas. What were these people preaching...and why is it called "The Gospel"? But I'm serious...what do you think Jesus and His disciples preached as "The Gospel" during that time? The reason why this is an interesting question is that no one knew Jesus was going to Die. Of course Jesus knew He was going to die, but the disciples didn't. Luke 24:26-27 and John 20:9 makes very clear that none of His disciples had realized that He was going to die, so what kind of Gospel were they preaching if no one had figured this out? ... Read More: http://www.authentic-christianity.net/

Bushfire Death Toll Close to 200; Adventists Affected. The death toll from fires in southern Australia has reached at least 181, the worst in the country's history. Thousands of firefighters, aided by the army, are battling several major bush fires, and the number of dead is expected to rise over 200 as fires are put out. Several properties owned by Adventists have been destroyed. It is yet uncomfirmed if any Adventists have perished in the fires. Nathan Brown, editor of Signs of the Times in Australia stated in an email today that while things are quieter now, there are still 23 fires burning across the region. Below, we are posting the latest bulletin announcements released by the church in Victoria. Statement by the Victorian Conference of Seventh-day Adventists: The Victorian Conference unites with all church members from around Victoria and Australia, to express their deep sympathy for the many families who have lost loved ones, friends, property, livestock, pets and much more in the recent bush fires. ... Read More: http://www.atoday.com/content/bushfire-death-toll-close-200-adventists-affected

Union President is Jamaica's New Governor General. For the first time in the 47-year history of Jamaica, a Seventh-day Adventist will hold the nation's highest office: Patrick Allen, president of the church's West Indies Union, is expected to take office as Jamaica's sixth Governor General in late February. Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced his appointment in a Parliament session on January 13, 2009. "It is astounding and I don�t think I can wrap my head around it, and I�m not sure what the Lord is doing here, but He has some Joseph and Daniel role for me to perform," Allen told Adventist Review in a telephone interview the same day from Freeport, Bahamas, where he was helping to conduct an audit. "I'm just praying about it and making myself available for God to use me in whatever way He chooses best." Allen will resign his present position as West Indies Union President, . ... Read More: http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=2342

Florida Court Sets Atheist Holyday. In Florida, an atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter and Passover holy days.  He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians, Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days. The case was brought before a judge.  After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring,"Case dismissed!" The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, "Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case?  The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others.  The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and  Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays." The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do.  Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant." The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance  or holiday for atheists." The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April Fools Day. Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool.  Therefore, April 1st is his day. 

God's Recall Notice.  The Maker of all human beings  is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in their primary and central component. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed 'Sub-sequential Internal Non-Morality,' or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed. Some of the symptoms include:1. Loss of direction 2. Foul vocal emissions 3. Amnesia of origin 4. Lack of peace and joy 5. Selfish or violent behavior 6. Depression or confusion in the mental component 7. Fearfulness 8. Idolatry 9. Rebellion ... Read More? Click Here!

Russian Patriarch Poisoned!! Russian Patriarch Alexy II�the Pope of the Russian Orthodox Church�died suddenly of poisoning on November 5, 2008. Since the fall of Constantinople to the Turks in 1453, the Moscow Patriarchy has been looked upon by the Greek church as their new religious headquarters. Patriarch Alexy II was the Pope of the Greek church, and his position was equivalent to that of the Pope of the Latin church. Before his sudden demise, he was vigorous and strong, and about to lead a new Renaissance for the Russian people.This resurgence of the Orthodox church is a NIGHTMARE for the Vatican. Patriarch Alexy II was the first Patriarch of the post Soviet period. During his 18-year reign, the church was transformed from an organization that was once persecuted and later tightly controlled by Soviet authorities to a growing and resurgent church, embraced by two thirds of the people, as well as much of the country's political elite. ... Read More: [Link provided by Wyjoz] http://www.reformation.org/russian-patriarch-poisoned.html

Religious Freedom and Catholicism. Pope Benedict XVI, when meeting the new ambassador of the Philippines to the Holy See on October 27th, 2008, made this amazing statement regarding church and state: "The Catholic Church is eager to share the richness of the Gospel�s social message, for it enlivens hearts with a hope for the fulfillment of justice and a love that makes all men and women truly brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus," the Pontiff stated. "She carries out this mission fully aware of the respective autonomy and competence of Church and State. Indeed, we may say that the distinction between religion and politics is a specific achievement of Christianity and one of its fundamental historical and cultural contributions." [Contrast this with what Pope Innocent III, stated in 1207:] Cum ex Officii Nostri. We decree as a perpetual law, that whatsoever heretic ... shall be found therein, shall immediately be taken and delivered to the secular court to be punished according to the law. All his goods also shall be sold ... The house, however, in which a heretic has been received shall be altogether destroyed, nor shall anyone presume to rebuild it; but let that which was a den of iniquity become a receptacle of filth. ... Read More: http://www.biblelight.net/freedom.htm

Plan targets Shariah ban on leaving Islam. With Shariah law cited as the source of justice in most of the Islamic world, and new encroachments by the drastic religious rules into the West, a Christian ministry has launched a campaign to do away with punishment for apostasy, the act of leaving Islam for another religious faith. The effort launched by the Barnabas Fund said in addition to those in other religions, there are brave Muslim voices already calling for the apostasy law to be abolished. "Although only Muslim leaders can make this happen, we as Christians can help the process, by speaking up for freedom of religion and belief and by encouraging others to do the same," said Patrick Sookhdeo, the international director of the fund. ... Read More: http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=84096

An open letter to Rick Warren. I'm writing to share my profound and abject revulsion at your agreement to offer the invocation at the inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama as president Jan. 20. I understand you want this to be a time of "healing" for our nation. However, when we read the Bible, we see there are times for men of God to stand up to leaders, like Nathan did to King David, and confront them with the absolute truth of God's word and His laws. Barack Obama is opposed to any and all restrictions on the killing of unborn children and has pledged to work against the few that remain. In fact, as a state legislator in Illinois, he pushed a law that would require the killing of babies born alive after unsuccessful abortions. You know he will also open the floodgates to the use of U.S. taxpayer dollars to fund abortion overseas through groups like Planned Parenthood and agencies such as the United Nations Population Fund. You should note the U.N. supports forced abortions and sterilizations in China. He has even promised to sign into law the Freedom of Choice Act, which would make illegal even peaceful efforts to persuade mothers from aborting their babies. In essence, Obama holds and has pledged to enforce, a radical pro-abortion position that will curtail free speech, freedom of religion and ensure that many more innocent lives will be destroyed. ... Read More: http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=84211 [Link submitted by Wyjoz]

Samuele Bacchiocchi, 70, Noted Sabbath Scholar, Dies. Samuele Bacchiocchi, a retired theology professor at Andrews University and one of the world�s leading proponents of the seventh-day Sabbath, died December 20,  the Sabbath, following a two-year battle with cancer. He was 70 years of age and resided in Berrien Springs, Michigan. "Sam was best-known for his scholarship on the seventh-day Sabbath. He was a prolific writer, a tireless preacher, and appreciated as an energetic and passionate teacher. I'm going to miss my long-time friend and colleague," said Keith Mattingly, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, who worked alongside Bacchiocchi in the Andrews University Department of Religion and Biblical Languages. Bacchiocchi, who spent 26 years teaching at the Seventh-day Adventist-owned university and more than 30 years lecturing worldwide about the Sabbath and its significance, was the first Protestant to attend and graduate from the doctoral program at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. The doctoral dissertation received a grade that merited his graduation "summa cum laude," and Bacchiocchi received a gold medal for academic achievement donated by Pope Paul VI. Both were high honors, particularly for a non-Roman Catholic student at the Jesuit-run university. ... Read More: http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=2300

Younger Schuller Resigns From Crystal Cathedral. The Rev. Robert A.Schuller has resigned as senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral in Southern California after his father, the Rev. Robert H. Schuller, said his son would no longer be the sole preacher on the church's "Hour of Power" television program. In October, the elder Schuller said differences between the two men over the "direction and the vision" of the megachurch and its related television broadcast had led them to "part ways." At that time, the younger Schuller remained as the church's senior pastor while the elder Schuller hosted the broadcast and invited a range of guest speakers to the pulpit. A statement on Crystal Cathedral's Web site says its executive team has accepted the younger Schuller's resignation and he remains a member of the Reformed Church in America, the denomination with which the church is affiliated. "It is expected that Robert will make an announcement soon regarding plans for his new ministry," reads the statement. "The leadership and congregation wishes him all the best as his plans unfold." ... Read More: http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=2298#3

7 students suspended for refusing anti-Christian class. Seven Christian students in Quebec have been handed suspensions in the last few days--and could face expulsions--for refusing to participate in a new mandatory Ethics and Religious Culture course that, according to a critic, is a "superficial mishmash of trendy theoretical platitudes" with the goal of convincing children that "all religions--including pagan animism and cults--are equally 'true.'" Canada's National Post has reported on the developing confrontation between educators who have ordered students to take the course and students and their parents who object to what they see as a virtual indoctrination into a social and moral relativism. Since the course is required for all students, not just public school students, 600 of the students at Montreal's Jesuit Loyola High asked for exemptions and all were rejected. ... Read More:  http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=84064

Jan Paulsen Letter to President-Elect Obama. As you take up the great responsibilities of this office, please know that the prayers of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church�a community of some 25 million Christian believers in more than 200 countries�are with you. We pray that God will give you strength and wisdom to meet the unprecedented challenges of our time. As you chart a course for this nation, and confront matters with far-reaching significance for every nation, we pray that you will have a daily experience of God�s presence; that you and your family will know His �peace that passes all understanding�. Your commitment to building a compassionate and just society is one that resonates with deeply held values of our church. We stand as ready partners in the shared goals of improving quality of life through education and health care; promoting service in the community; healing divisions; and, caring for society�s most vulnerable members. ... [I say "Amen" to this, provided the unborn are included among the "most vulnerable members"] Read More:  http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=2277

Cheating Death. Observing that many of his friends were dying from heroin use, Bob and his wife made another attempt to leave the life of drugs behind them by moving to Colorado, away from their drug sources. But as the years passed, concerns about having enough money to retire led Bob to leave his job as a heavy equipment operator for a new line of work: growing marijuana. Soon he had a profitable business and was transporting his product to Washington, D.C. Business flourished, and what began as a small, growing operation was now netting him and his wife a profitable income while serving as their own consistent source of drugs. Despite the financial rewards, Bob's life was unraveling. His relationship with his wife was strained. Brushes with the law had resulted in more jail time. The diagnosis of hepatitis C now brought him face-to-face with his own mortality. Read more:  http://www.adventistreview.org/issue.php?issue=2008-1534&page=24 [Link submitted by Hugo Schmidt]

Security in desperate times. The route between home and work is strewn with House for Sale signs. Some businesses and auto dealerships have moved out of their rented space. We wonder if the bank with which we�ve done business for years will have the same name tomorrow as it does today. On the morning news, we see that a man who saved carefully for his whole life is about to retire, and finds that his retirement account will only last three to five years because his investments have gone sour and he has no time to replace those savings. We read that a family of six died by murder-suicide because the provider lost his job and could think of no solution for his �shame;� or that a single mother killed herself and her child rather than accept charity or face homelessness. We learn that an international insurance company, which "saved" millions of dollars over the years by denying claims to its own clients, has been rescued by the government (which means us taxpayers), to the tune of $85 billion. All of that in less than a week. ... Read More: http://www.thequiethour.org/resources/2008security.php

Suit against God thrown out over lack of address. LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) � A judge has thrown out a Nebraska legislator's lawsuit against God, saying the Almighty wasn't properly served due to his unlisted home address. State Sen. Ernie Chambers filed the lawsuit last year seeking a permanent injunction against God. He said God has made terroristic threats against the senator and his constituents in Omaha, inspired fear and caused "widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants." Chambers has said he filed the lawsuit to make the point that everyone should have access to the courts regardless of whether they are rich or poor. On Tuesday, however, Douglas County District Court Judge Marlon Polk ruled that under state law a plaintiff must have access to the defendant for a lawsuit to move forward. ... Read More: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i2jb6VPJX4XBa5yiEEIuPjrcZmFwD93R8TH00

Realtor under fire for workplace religion. A pastor's wife is suing her employer over forced participation in a Buddhist seminar at work. Employees at California Prudential Realty were told to go to a seminar, but first they had to read a book and watch a video on Buddhism. Attorney Richard Ackerman, head of the Pro-Family Law Center, gives details about the book titled Buddha 9 To 5: The Eightfold Path to Enlightening Your Workplace and Improving Your Bottom Line. "It's Buddhist theology; that's basically what it is," he explains. "And actually, one of the sadder parts of it is that it's even a perversion of [Buddhism] because it suggests that Buddhism is all about capitalism and increasing profits." The attorney explains what happened to his client. "She was required to engage in Buddhist chants, to sit in a darkened room for about 15 minutes and, after they had got done with their prayer and meditation session, they turned on the lights and asked if anybody felt uncomfortable," Ackerman contends. ... Read More: http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=285734

Court to decide whether campus evangelism a crime. California student, Ryan Dozier, decided to spend some time on campus sharing his faith and handing out tracts to fellow students, generating conversations about Christianity. Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) attorney Heather Hacker comments on the situation. "A campus police officer came over and told him that if he continued to do so without a permit that he would be possibly expelled or arrested, and so Ryan stopped immediately," she explains. Hacker says Dozier thought the case was closed, but he was apparently mistaken. "Three weeks later he got a certified letter from the president of the college stating that his actions were the subject of a campus crime report," she adds. "Last time I checked, sharing your faith on a public college campus was not a crime." ... Read More: http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=328186

Advice to Christians: Defend life, prepare for persecution. "We are going to see, I think, unprecedented attacks against our faith through measures like the hate crimes [legislation] to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act," he says. "We're going to see attacks on innocent human life through the Freedom of Choice Act, trying to erase all the gains that have been made in the pro-life movement. And I think even our freedoms are going to come under attack." Obama stated during the presidential campaign that one of his top priorities upon taking office would be to sign the Freedom of Choice Act. Perkins says Christians will have to be resolute in defense of what they know to be right. "We're going to have to stand together, and stand in defense of these truths, and be bold about that stance," he counsels. ... Read More: http://www.onenewsnow.com/Church/Default.aspx?id=310956

Four Pacific Union College Students Die in Tragic Accident. Four Pacific Union College (PUC) students died in a vehicle accident on Deer Park Road late Saturday night. The Napa County Sheriff�s Department identified the victims as Boaz Pak, 20, of Hidden Valley Lake, California; Luke Nishikawa, 22, of Honolulu, Hawaii;  Simon Son, 19, of Hidden Valley Lake, California; and Chong Shin, 20, of Aloha, Oregon. The accident took place at about 11:45 p.m. on November 15. According to police reports, the four victims were in a Honda Civic driving down the hill on Deer Park Road when it collided with an oncoming vehicle at Sanitarium Road junction. The men were pronounced dead at the scene. All the young men were well known and liked on campus. Shin, a business major, was involved in youth ministry at the Rohnert Park Korean Seventh-day Adventist Church. Son, a nursing major, was involved in a campus outreach program called Homeless Ministries. Just that morning, students say that Son had gone to the bay area with a group of students to feed the homeless. ... Read More: http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=2212

Desmond Ford on Genesis. Most educated people in Western countries regard Adventism as a 19th century cult.  Why?  Because of the promoting of Usher's six-thousand-year-old earth for most of our existence, and because we ignore the evidence furnished by the geological column, astronomy, continental drift and plate tectonics, radiometric, radiocarbon, and amino acid dating, etc. Among Bible scholars who do accept the Scriptures as God's supernaturally inspired Word, we are also considered as an anachronism because of the way we interpret the early chapters of Genesis. Please note well that the issue here at stake is not the inspiration of Genesis, but its interpretation. Evangelicals fall into four chief categories as regards their understanding of the first chapter of the Bible. There are those who hold "the gap theory," believing that long ages intervene between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. ... Read More: http://www.adventistreform.com/TheGenesisDebate.html [Link provided by Sean Pitman]

Barring the Use of God's "Yahweh" Name by Catholics. Observant Jews have traditionally not used the name Yahweh, refusing to pronounce the so-called proper name of God out of respect, or to be sure they do not misuse it. Now neither will Roman Catholics, at least in their worship services. "In recent years the practice has crept in of pronouncing the God of Israel's proper name," said a June letter from the Vatican. "As an expression of the infinite greatness and majesty of God, it was held to be unpronounceable and hence was replaced during the reading of sacred Scripture by means of the use of an alternate name: Adonai, which means 'Lord.'" In August, U.S. bishops were directed to remove Yahweh from songs and prayers. Protestants should be following their lead, said Carol Bechtel, professor of Old Testament at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. ... Read More: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/october/9.15.html  [Link submitted by Hugo Schmidt]

How the Shut Door Became the Investigative Judgment Doctrine. 4. When Oct 22 passed, Miller felt terrible, again, and I am sure doubly embarrassed. He and his followers were ridiculed mercilessly. 2nd Great Disappointment. 5. In a reaction to the scorn and contempt by the public, many of the followers who still hung on to the hope, created a face-saving idea called the Shut Door theory, essentially saying, we may have been wrong on the event, but we were not wrong about God judging His people, hence we will be saved, and you are all lost. 6. The shut door theory soon faded away. Miller was asked about it and stayed very non-committal. 3rd Great Disappointment. 7. The seeds of Adventism grabbed what was left, and revised the shut door theory changing it from the past tense to the present tense, a "shutting door" theory, ie Investigative Judgement. Saving a sense of urgency, but avoiding any dates, and giving renewed hope to the few who remained. ... Read More: http://www.spectrummagazine.org/reviews/book_reviews/2008/08/28/sake_gospel_ford

Sacramento Adventist Academy Graduate Wins Olympic Gold. Sacramento Adventist Academy (SAA) graduate Mary Whipple won a gold medal for the United States at the Beijing Olympics on Sunday August 17. Whipple is the coxswain for the women's eight-member rowing crew. Whipple attended SAA her junior and senior years, graduating in 1998. Students and teachers were excited by her victory as they gathered for the first day of school on Monday. "We are very proud of our alumnus winning a gold medal," said Principal Bettesue Constanzo. English teacher Kathy Provonsha remembers Whipple well. "Mary was an outstanding student, a hard worker, and even in high school she loved crew. We all knew about it. She was very committed to that schedule," says Provonsha. "She and her twin sister were well-liked, popular, and active socially." ... Read More: http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=2051

India: Adventist Pastor, Mother Burned to Death. Hindu extremists are being blamed for the death of a Seventh-day Adventist pastor in Orissa, India late last week, local church leaders reported. Samuel Nayak, pastor of the Phulwani Adventist Church, and his mother were burned to death during anti-Christian violence sweeping the region of India, said Gordon Christo, communication director for the Southern Asia Division. Nayak's family was away from home at the time and escaped alive, Christo said. The International Herald Tribune reported eight people confirmed dead as a result of the rioting. The outbreak came after unidentified attackers killed a Hindu religious leader and four other individuals, the Tribune reported. According to the Tribune, Hindus are blaming Christians for the deaths, while the Indian government cited Maoist rebels.  ... Read More: http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=2062

Army Honors Desmond Doss With Hospital Guest House Naming. Desmond T. Doss, Sr., the Seventh-day Adventist who wouldn't carry a weapon but saved the lives of dozens of Army comrades in World War II, died in 2006. His legacy lives on, however, most recently with the naming of a guesthouse at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., in Doss' honor. The Walter Reed Guest House was renamed July 9 in honor of the World War II medic and first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Pfc. Desmond T. Doss was a Seventh-day Adventist who refused to drill or train on Saturdays, the Bible Sabbath, or carry a weapon. As a medic serving in the Pacific during World War II, Doss served his country by saving the lives of his comrades, while also adhering to his religious convictions. U.S. Army Col. Gordon R. Roberts, Medical Center Brigade commander and a fellow Medal of Honor recipient, knew Doss for more than 30 years and said Doss was a "uniquely American soldier with a uniquely American story." ... Read More: http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=2055

California Court: Doctors Can't Discriminate Based on Sexual Orientation. California's Supreme Court ruled on August 18 that doctors cannot discriminate against gays and lesbians even if they believe their religious freedom will be violated during a course of treatment. The case involved a San Diego County lesbian, Guadalupe Benitez, who informed doctors that she and her partner wanted to pursue fertility treatments. Two doctors in a Vista, California., practice said that their religious beliefs would prevent them from performing an artificial insemination for Benitez. Benitez sued, citing California's civil rights act. The Constitution's "right to the free exercise of religion does not exempt defendant physicians here from conforming their conduct to the Act's antidiscrimination requirements even if compliance poses an incidental conflict with defendants' religious beliefs," wrote Associate Justice Joyce L. Kennard in a unanimous decision. ... Read More: http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=2053#3

Are the Genesis Creation Days Literal or symbolic? I received the material posted below from Dr. Sean Pitman, a talented young physician whose hobby is religion. He was contacted by Zach Armstrong, who believes that the story of creation, as recorded in Genesis, should be interpreted in a symbolic manner. He argued his case using certain biblical texts allegedly suggesting that each day of creation might have been long seasons instead of literal 24 hours as interpreted by young creationists. Dr. Pitman answers each argument with reasons why he rejects this manner of reading the story of origins. This exchange is followed by Pitman's response to Desmond Ford interpretation of the Genesis record of Creation. ... Read more? Click Here!

Biblical message now criminalized. A new Colorado law is helping homosexual activists achieve their goal of forcing Christians to teach biblical condemnation of homosexuality only behind the closed doors of their sanctuaries. The as-yet untested state law promotes sexual identity "perception" to the level of skin color under state discrimination laws. Some opponents are calling it a "bona fide censorship law," and top analysts for Focus on the Family, the Christian publishing and broadcast powerhouse, are expressing concern over the "mischief" they expect to follow the signing by Gov. Bill Ritter.  As WND reported, Ritter, a Democrat, struck gender-specific restrooms and locker rooms statewide when he signed the plan into law in May. The law makes it illegal to deny a person access to public accommodations, including restrooms and locker rooms, based on gender identity or the "perception" of gender identity. ... Read More: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=66829 [Link provided by Wyjoz]

Same Sex Marriage Threatens Religious Liberty. In theory, allowing homosexual couples to marry should not threaten anyone's religious freedom. Although the social and moral implications of gay marriage are apparent to many, few realize the significant danger posed to religious freedom by the California Supreme Court ruling in May giving gays a constitutional right to marry. The Court's decision now elevates homosexuality to the same legal status as race, a protected class. This Court has refused to grant religious freedom the same status as a fundamental right, instead expressing doubt about the free exercise of religion and ruling against religious freedom consistently in a series of decisions over the past fifteen years. The net result is a legal imbalance where gay rights enjoy maximum protection, and the rights of individual religious conscience enjoy very little protection. The absurdity of the "equality" argument comes into sharp focus in this scenario. Consider that a Christian school could expel two heterosexual students for sexual misconduct without exposing itself to legal liability, but could not expel homosexual students for the same offense. This is what it means for gays to become a protected class. Instead of achieving equality, they achieve a superior status in society. ... Read More: http://www.religiousliberty.info/blog/?p=75#comments

ABC News: Sunday Shopping Banned in Croatia. The Croatian parliament has passed a law forcing shops to close on Sundays in a concession to the Roman Catholic church. The church has campaigned for years for Sundays to be devoted to family or Mass in Croatia, which is almost 90 percent Roman Catholic. But Croatians have begun spending weekends in shopping malls that have flourished across the country in the past few years and remain open seven days a week. The law adopted Tuesday and goes into effect Jan. 1. It allows Sunday shopping over the summer and Christmas holidays. The law also allows stores in gas, bus and train stations to open on Sundays year-round, along with those in hospitals. Bakeries, newsstands and flower shops are also exempt from the ban. ... Read More: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=5378375 [Link provided by Wyjoz]

Pentecostal minister plays key role in Democrat election strategy. DENVER - The request befuddled Leah Daughtry. The experienced political hand in charge of planning next month's Democratic National Convention - a self-described "black chick from Brooklyn" and ordained Pentecostal minister who keeps a Bible in her purse - didn't know what to tell the atheists. Daughtry, 44, was preparing for an Aug. 24 interfaith service that will open the Democrats' gathering here - a first for a party that hasn't always gotten God. Before her was an angry letter from a secularist group that wanted to know whether atheists would be on the podium. "Atheists speaking at an interfaith service ... does that work?" ... Read More: http://www.onenewsnow.com/Business/Default.aspx?id=184828

Texas Bible decision may start a trend. Last year, the Texas Legislature passed a law allowing Bible courses to be offered as an elective by public school districts. Recently the State Board of Education gave final approval to the courses, which will focus on the history and literature of the Bible. Jonathan Saenz is with Liberty Legal Institute, which helped craft the legal arguments for the elective course. He predicts the impact of the decision will be felt nationwide. "Texas is going to be seen as a leader on this issue," says Saenz, who argues that school districts across America want to offer a Bible elective -- and students across the country want to take it. "And you have very few state legislators sending the signal that it's okay for them to do that," he remarks. ... Read More: http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=187858

Was Ellen White Guilty of Plagiarism? What is also interesting here is that most of the Biblical authors quoted or borrowed from the work of other writers without reference, to include Biblical prophets - the same as Ellen White did.  So, if one brings the charge of plagiarism against Ellen White, one must also bring the same charge against many of the Biblical prophets and other authors - - if one is going to be consistent that is. But, if one wants to get really legalistic about this idea, one has to actually consider a legal definition of plagiarism. Legally speaking, the mere use of another's language does not constitute literary theft according to Attorney Vincent L. Ramik, a specialist in patent, trademark, and copyright cases. After researching about 1,000 copyright cases in American legal history, Ramik issued a 27-page legal opinion in which he concluded: "Ellen White was not a plagiarist, and her works did not constitute copyright infringement/piracy." Read More? Click here! ==>

The passion of the ungodly. This is not meant to be a political or social commentary. It's a devotional article. So here's the question to ponder: Can these people, who do not claim Jesus as Savior but have tender hearts, become citizens of the kingdom of God? They seem to be godless people to us, but they often exhibit the traits of one gracious God, who described His glory to Moses: "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin." Exodus 34:6,7 NIV. God's priorities are clear: "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 NIV. ... Read More: http://www.thequiethour.org/resources/2008change-world.php

Religious Minorities Harassed in Azerbaijan. On December 8, 2007, a group of Seventh Day Adventist meeting in Baku at the home of Ramiz Dadashov was raided by authorities. In response to a letter of complaint to the President of Azerbaijan sent by the Institute on Religion and Public Policy, Kamal Gilijov, Chief of the Supervising Body over the execution of Laws in the field of investigations, examinations, and operative search of Internal Affairs Bodies, claimed that Mr. Dadashov was "promoting religious activity against the Islamic religion and thereto was arranging meetings at his own house where children, women and men had been involved amongst whom he was distributing books propagating their above said religion." The letter went on to say the Mr. Dadashov would probably be subject to a fine and that religious literature seized in his house "was sent to the State Committee on Religious Entities of the Azerbaijan Republic for obtaining appropriate comments." ... Read More: http://www.thecuttingedgenews.com/index.php?article=581&pageid=&pagename [Link provided by Wyjoz]

Man Sues Publishers Over Bible Verses Condemning Homosexuality. In a legal action guaranteed to shock most Americans, a gay man is suing a major publisher of Bibles claiming certain verses caused him "emotional distress." He's suing for $70 million. Bradley LaShawn Fowler, a 39-year old self-avowed homosexual from Canton, Michigan, seeks $60 million from Zondervan, a major publisher of religious books, and an additional $10 million from Thomas Nelson Publishing in his lawsuits filed in the federal court for the Eastern District of Michigan.  While observers believe Fowler is being backed by an anti-Christian or pro-gay group, according to The Grand Rapids Press (in Michigan), the plaintiff Fowler is representing himself in the legal proceedings. ... Read More:  http://www.newswithviews.com/NWV-News/news56.htm  [Link provided by Wyhoz]

Pat Robertson Charity Ministry. Remember a few years ago when broadcaster Pat Robertson couldn't stop making headlines? He had called for the assassination of Hugo Chavez, praised Liberian dictator Charles Taylor, proclaimed some bad theology about God's wrath, supported China's one-child policy, broke his promise about selling his racehorses, and used his ministry's planes for his own diamond-mining operation. Frankly, he didn't make a lot of good news. Amid all of this, donations to Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) climbed dramatically, doubling from $84 million in 1997 to $166 million in 2006. When we asked Robertson's donors why they were still writing checks, many cited CBN's humanitarian efforts. Others said they found Robertson authentic: "He is real," said one. ... Read More: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/july/19.7.html [Link provided by Hugo Schnidt]

Bush 'may convert to Catholicism'. President George Bush was given such a splendid welcome by Pope Benedict XVI yesterday that rumours started flying that the President, like Tony Blair before him, was on the verge of converting to Catholicism. It was a Vatican visit such as no other head of state has ever enjoyed. Instead of greeting him, like all previous high-ranking visitors, in the papal library of the Apostolic Palace, the Pope took Mr Bush round the medieval St John's Tower then gave him a tour of the Vatican gardens, culminating in a brief open-air concert by the Sistine Chapel Choir. The notion was given extra mileage by the fact that the President's brother Jeb, the former governor of Florida, converted to Catholicism on marrying his wife Columba, a Mexican. ... Read More: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/bush-may-convert-to-catholicism-846953.html [Link provided by Wyjoz]

Was Mark the First Gsopel Ever Written? A "Spectrum" blog authored by Gary Chartier, entitled "The Meaning of Jesus" Posted on June 2nd, 2008, generated some comments, dealing with the correct way of interpreting the life and teachings of Jesus, as recorded in the New Testament Gospels. A comment posted by one of the bloggers prompted me to post a few comments of my own. It raised the question possed by modern scholars who seem to be determined to doubt the authenticidy of the Gospel writings. Most modern theologians argue that Mark was the first Gospel ever written. Of course, this is negated by the testimony of the Fathers of the Christian Church. I could not resist the temptation of setting the record straight. I believe that the weight of the evidence points to Matthew as the author of the first Gospel ever written, and directed at the first Jewish Christians. From the above named exchange of comments posted by the bloggers, I did select some and posted them on this forum for your benefit. ... Read More? Click here ==>

Ratzlaff's Proclamation Is Oxymoronically Amusing. But I do find one argument amusingly and oxymoronically ironic: the idea that the rest we have in Jesus "liberates" us from the fourth commandment. This means, basically, that the seventh-day Sabbath, a symbol from the old covenant, has been abolished and Christians are "freed" from keeping it. Sabbath-keeping is, says Dale Ratzlaff, a legalistic work that robs us of the rest Christ offers us in the new covenant doctrine of grace. Now, maybe I'm missing something here, but how is it that the one commandment devoted to rest, the one commandment that specifically expresses rest, the one commandment that gives us a special opportunity to rest, has been turned into the universal "New Covenant" symbol of works? The only commandment that, by its nature, is all about rest has become the iconic metaphor for salvation by works? Can you see the irony of Ratzlaff's entire premise: by resting on the Sabbath, I'm trying to work my way to heaven! ... Read More: http://www.atoday.com/content/ratzlaffs-proclamation-is-oxymoronically-amusing

Bush Bestows Freedom Medal on Ben Carson. An Adventist pioneer in pediatric neurosurgery who overcame childhood poverty and achieved worldwide renown received the highest civilian award bestowed by the United States government. On June 19, Dr. Benjamin S. Carson Sr. was awarded the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom for his outstanding contributions to medicine and his motivating influence on America's young people, U.S. President George W. Bush said during a morning ceremony in the East Room of the White House. Perhaps best known for his successful efforts in separating conjoined twins and controlling brain seizures in children, Carson is chief of pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins University Medical Institutions in Baltimore, Maryland. The inner city Detroit, Michigan native overcame a "grim future" of poverty, crime, and violence to become "a scholar, a healer, and a leader," Bush told the audience ... Read more: http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1944

Church Building Starts--After Tornado Hits. A Seventh-day Adventist Church in southwestern Missouri is being rebuilt from the ground up after a May 10 tornado obliterated the structure. The local pastor expects services to resume in the Neosho, Missouri, Seventh-day Adventist Church no more than 120 days from now. The storm struck between 6 and 7 p.m., local time, as the weekly Sabbath was drawing to a close, said Pastor Dwight Seek, who'd been in Neosho only since February. "It came through and completely leveled the church," Seek told Adventist Review by telephone. "It didn't leave anything but the basement." According to Adventist Risk Management, the damage to the 32-year-old church was estimated at $200,000. Rebuilding is underway, Seek said. ... Read more: http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1945

UC policy discriminatory toward Christian schools. The University of California (UC) school system is being accused in a federal lawsuit of discriminating against Christian schools by denying recognition of college prep courses taught from a Biblical worldview. The lawsuit stems from policies in the UC school system that deny approval of courses from private Christian schools. The UC school system has refused to accept certain college prep courses taught by Calvary Chapel High School of Murrieta. While attorneys on both sides of the issue agree that the UC school system has the right to set its admission standards, Advocates for Faith & Freedom (AFF) said the school system does not have the right to discriminate against schools teaching from a Christian worldview. ... Read more: http://www.onenewsnow.com/Journal/newsofinterest.aspx?id=115326

The Meaning of Jesus' Death. "It is a fact that in the midst of life we are faced with death. It’s also a strange kind of irony that after a lifetime of defeat sprinkled with a few thrills of victory, we gather at the memorial service or graveside of the “dearly departed” with eloquent eulogies and tributes. At such times, it seems that all the deceased’s works were not only good, they were magnificent. Their virtues are magnified and shortcomings overlooked as if they were never part of the relational equation. Due to its permanent nature and the toll the loss takes on the living, it is difficult to find virtue or meaning in death. Yet, when it comes to Jesus, there are many meanings of his death." ... Read more? Click here ===>  [The original blog includes 240 comments by readers]

 
Providential Dream In the Life of a Missionary Pilot. Of course they were eager to see the plane that had effortlessly flown me into their valley, so all walked back to the waiting plane. On the way, the missionary astonished me by saying, "I knew you were coming to visit us today. I had a dream last night that I was working in the garden just as I was this morning when I heard the sound of a plane. I looked up and saw the red nose of the mission plane pointing toward us just like it did this morning. Then it circled the mission and you waved to us and we waved to you, just like this morning. So at worship in the church this morning I told them that Pastor Barnard is coming today, so get ready. The parents believed but the children did not, and went down to the bottom of the gorge to get some firewood. They will be deeply disappointed they missed you." ... Read more:  http://www.thequiethour.org/evan/airplanes/dream.php

Some Pastors are Thumb Suckers.  Here is what I don�t get. Where did it become off limits to challenge a pastor? Oh, I know the Scripture "Saying, Touch not mine anointed," but that begs a different question. How do we know who is anointed and who is not? I promise you there are many pastors who are not anointed of God. Jesus called them hirelings, those who are just in it for the paycheck. I think it is time we called them out. What if I told them I was anointed to rebuke them? Presumptuous, you might say, or a bit arrogant? Maybe so. But I�m just a fan in the bleachers watching a lousy performance and pointing my fingers at the coach. Seems to me the one�s who want to criticize me are the same ones who allowed this mess to develop. They probably criticize the football coach on Friday nights at their local high school game. http://www.newswithviews.com/Daubenmire/dave116.htm [Link submitted by Hugo Schmidt]

Adventist Church Makes Inroads in Catholic Communities. Consuelo Santiz had to contend with an angry mob when she joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church. At first her new faith meant holding church secretly in her home at night. Later, as the Roman Catholic community learned a new denomination had entered the village, she saw members of her church family beaten and jailed. Breaking through the crowd surrounding a prison one evening in 2001 was the only way to deliver food to her imprisoned husband. His crime was becoming an Adventist. Santiz, 32, is one of 254 Adventists in this village of about 2,400 people. In 1995 there were none. The journey hasn't been smooth, but it's one that's made her stronger, she says. Now her poise is apparent as she speaks with ease in front of an audience--unusual in a culture where women are typically shy in public. ... Read more:  http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1906

Jordan River Stones Overgrown With Weeds. The other day I was leafing through the "Adventist World" magazine when an article written by Stephen Dumbar caught my attention, and I decided to read it. Suddenly, the following paragraph forced me to stop as I realized the implications of what the author was suggesting: "I wonder if the Jordan stones of our church have been overgrown with weeds, and if for many, God's "mighty arm" is fading from view. Or have we, like second-generation Israel, merely grown dull to the miraculous? While some have chosen to abandon the experiences of our pioneers, to topple the altars, to cover the stones, many still stop to ask, "What do these stones mean?" ... Read more? Click here ===>

British Muslim Pharmacist Under Attack for Refusing to Give Woman Abortifacient Pill. MANCHESTER, United Kingdom May 26, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A UK Muslim pharmacist is under attack for refusing to dispense an abortifacient emergency contraceptive to a British couple on the grounds that he would be violating his Islamic faith. The pharmacist of a Sainsbury chemist (drugstore) in Manchester told Chris Mellett, 29, and Kaye Walsh, 36, that it was against his Islamic beliefs to provide the couple the abortifacient drugs which they had requested. Mellett and Walsh had earlier discovered that their contraception method failed, and were looking for the abortifacient "morning-after" pill, which works by suppressing ovulation and can cause the death of a conceived embryo by making the womb a hostile environment to implantation. ... Read more: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/may/08052609.html

David Pendleton tells why he left the Adventist Church for the Catholic Church. David Pendleton was raised in a devout Adventist home in Hawaii, where he graduated from Windward Adventist School and Hawaiian Mission Academy. He earned a B.A. in history and political science from La Sierra University, where he was student body president, and an M.A. in religion from Loma Linda University. Beginning in 1996, at age 29, he won election to the Hawaii House of Representatives, where he rose to become the youngest Minority Floor Leader in Hawaii's history. Pendleton also served the Hawaii Conference of Seventh-day Adventists as religious liberty director and as a pastor until the end of 2004. In early 2007, after a number of years of soul searching and study, he informed the Conference Office that he was turning in his ordination credentials. ... Read more: http://www.atoday.com/i-have-a-lot-aloha-adventist-church-0 Read also the comments I posted there: http://www.atoday.com/i-have-a-lot-aloha-adventist-church-0#comment-36

ADRA Bridges Save Nearly 900 Lives During Cyclone Nargis. Silver Spring, Maryland.Nearly 900 people were saved from tidal waves and flooding in the Pyinsalu islands, located on the southern coast of the Irrawaddy Delta, by standing on bridges built by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) recently. As the high winds of Cyclone Nargis battered southern Myanmar's delta region and high tidal waves and floodwaters covered low-lying areas, hundreds of people flocked to at least 22 ADRA bridges that had been constructed months before to link isolated communities in the Pyinsalu Sub-Township, a patchwork of rivers and islands on the extreme southern edge of Labutta Township. One structure alone, the Lay Yin Kwin Bridge, which measures 140 feet in length, held 145 people for several hours, while the storm waters rose and then receded. ... Read more: http://www.adra.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=9213&news_iv_ctrl=1141

May 19, 1780: Darkness at Noon Enshrouds New England.1780: In the midst of the Revolutionary War, darkness descends on New England at midday. Many people think Judgment Day is at hand. It will be remembered as New England's Dark Day. Diaries of the preceding days mention smoky air and a red sun at morning and evening. Around noon this day, an early darkness fell: Birds sang their evening songs, farm animals returned to their roosts and barns, and humans were bewildered. A definitive answer came in 2007. In the International Journal of Wildland Fire, Erin R. McMurry of the University of Missouri forestry department and co-authors combined written accounts with fire-scar evidence from Algonquin Provincial Park in eastern Ontario to document a massive wildfire in the spring of 1780 as the "likely source of the infamous Dark Day of 1780." ... Read more: