Pastor describes how Christians should be ‘salt of the earth’
By Rachel Waligorski
Baptist Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BP)--When Christians follow Jesus’ call to be salt of the earth, they need not be impressive, Kansas City native Charles J. Briscoe told a chapel audience at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
“As salt, we are called not to impress, but to influence,” said Briscoe, who was honored Feb. 6 with a presidential medallion from the Missouri seminary.
Briscoe served 35 years as senior pastor of Paseo Baptist Church in Kansas City until his retirement in 2003. He now serves as urban director of PastorServe, a ministry that supports pastors in the greater Kansas City area by seeking to foster reconciliation across denominational and racial lines.
In a message from Matthew 5:13, Briscoe underscored how Christians should have a Kingdom influence on those around them, yet defer all glory to God, keeping nothing for personal glory.
“We’re not here to parade ourselves,” Briscoe said. “[As salt,] we’re here to purge, preserve and to purify. We’re to purify our culture with the Kingdom agenda.”
Briscoe encouraged believers to confront the world in spite of opposition and personal sacrifice.
“As salt, we are not to hold on, to save ourselves, to keep ourselves in a selfish way,” he said. “We are here to give ourselves away. Salt does not fulfill its purpose until it looses itself.”
While being salt in the world may be costly, Briscoe reminded Christians that it will be far more costly if they refuse to be the salt God has called them to be.
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Tuesday, February 13, 2007
The Almighty Dollar No More?
The Almighty Dollar No More?
By Paul Strand
CBN News
CBNNews.com - THE FEDERAL RESERVE - Recently the American dollar fell to a two-year low against the euro.
You might not think that affects you, but it may be a warning of a dollar disaster that could hit you right in your wallet.
The dollar is the symbol of the world's strongest, most respected economy.
Economic giants like China and Japan have traditionally put their massive savings into safe havens based on the dollar - like U.S. government securities.
China has the world's largest reserves -- more than $1 trillion worth.
But what if the Chinese get worried the greenback might start plunging in value? Or they can get a better deal elsewhere?
Economic consultant Morgan Grace said, "They might want to perhaps find another currency in which to place their valuable reserves."
China's premier hinted they might be thinking along those lines last month when he said they may consider diversifying away from the dollar.
And the equally cash-rich oil producing countries a couple of months back started quietly shifting some of their holdings from dollars into euros.
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By Paul Strand
CBN News
CBNNews.com - THE FEDERAL RESERVE - Recently the American dollar fell to a two-year low against the euro.
You might not think that affects you, but it may be a warning of a dollar disaster that could hit you right in your wallet.
The dollar is the symbol of the world's strongest, most respected economy.
Economic giants like China and Japan have traditionally put their massive savings into safe havens based on the dollar - like U.S. government securities.
China has the world's largest reserves -- more than $1 trillion worth.
But what if the Chinese get worried the greenback might start plunging in value? Or they can get a better deal elsewhere?
Economic consultant Morgan Grace said, "They might want to perhaps find another currency in which to place their valuable reserves."
China's premier hinted they might be thinking along those lines last month when he said they may consider diversifying away from the dollar.
And the equally cash-rich oil producing countries a couple of months back started quietly shifting some of their holdings from dollars into euros.
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Strict Abortion Bill Revisited in South Dakota
Strict Abortion Bill Revisited in South Dakota
By Joe Kafka
Associated Press Writer
CBNNews.com -- PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- Lawmakers who watched as a near-total ban on abortions failed in South Dakota voting booths last year have revived the legislation with changes that may make the difference in public acceptance. But the bill's success is far from assured.
None of the Legislature's leaders, notably some sponsors of last year's bill, are joining the effort this year because waging last year's fight was so exhausting.
"It's far too soon to put our state through something of such a difficult nature again," said Democratic Sen. Julie Bartling, a prime sponsor of last year's abortion bill.
"The state needs to heal, and I just don't feel that we need to take this up in this legislative session again," she added. "The people have spoken."
The bill introduced in January includes exceptions for victims of rape or incest and if continuing the pregnancy would harm the woman's health significantly.
Last year's ban exempted only abortions needed to save a woman's life, and the lack of more exceptions was cited when voters repealed the ban in November. Public opinion polls have shown that a ban with rape and incest exceptions would pass muster with South Dakotans.
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By Joe Kafka
Associated Press Writer
CBNNews.com -- PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- Lawmakers who watched as a near-total ban on abortions failed in South Dakota voting booths last year have revived the legislation with changes that may make the difference in public acceptance. But the bill's success is far from assured.
None of the Legislature's leaders, notably some sponsors of last year's bill, are joining the effort this year because waging last year's fight was so exhausting.
"It's far too soon to put our state through something of such a difficult nature again," said Democratic Sen. Julie Bartling, a prime sponsor of last year's abortion bill.
"The state needs to heal, and I just don't feel that we need to take this up in this legislative session again," she added. "The people have spoken."
The bill introduced in January includes exceptions for victims of rape or incest and if continuing the pregnancy would harm the woman's health significantly.
Last year's ban exempted only abortions needed to save a woman's life, and the lack of more exceptions was cited when voters repealed the ban in November. Public opinion polls have shown that a ban with rape and incest exceptions would pass muster with South Dakotans.
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Pastors Wary of Christian Government Plan
Pastors Wary of Christian Government Plan
CBN News
CBNNews.com - ANDERSON, S.C. - A group called Christian Exodus is moving thousands of Christians to South Carolina to reestablish a Christian government there, according to its Web site, ChristianExodus.org.
But some South Carolina pastors say they're concerned by a group who wants to move to their area to take over local politics.
The Reverend Tom Ritchie, pastor of a Presbyterian church in Anderson, says he has difficulty finding Scripture that suggests Christians should take over government.
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CBN News
CBNNews.com - ANDERSON, S.C. - A group called Christian Exodus is moving thousands of Christians to South Carolina to reestablish a Christian government there, according to its Web site, ChristianExodus.org.
But some South Carolina pastors say they're concerned by a group who wants to move to their area to take over local politics.
The Reverend Tom Ritchie, pastor of a Presbyterian church in Anderson, says he has difficulty finding Scripture that suggests Christians should take over government.
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Women of Terror: Dying to Kill
Women of Terror: Dying to Kill
By John Waage and Salam Eid
CBN News
February 13, 2007
CBNNews.com - JERUSALEM - Every week in Israel, authorities prevent dozens of potential suicide attacks from Palestinians. But hundreds, even thousands in the West Bank and Gaza Strip continue to volunteer to attack Israelis.
And, a growing number of them are women.
Some of the women in training are part of a terror group called the Al Aqsa Martyr's Brigades.
And in the strange world of the Middle East, although their group is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department, they're also part of the Fatah Party, led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, America's designated partner for Middle East peace.
They train in Gaza's olive groves, learning to move out as a unit.
They also learn to operate light weapons, part of their training diversity.
Om Jandal is a Martyr's Brigades commander. She's in charge of the "army of women" based in Gaza's Jabalia refugee camp. And she's the mother of four children.
"In the battlefield I can be a soldier, and when I am back at home, I will go back to motherhood and be a wife to my husband," said Jandal.
Om Jandal claims to have 300 women prepared to sacrifice to kill Israelis.
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By John Waage and Salam Eid
CBN News
February 13, 2007
CBNNews.com - JERUSALEM - Every week in Israel, authorities prevent dozens of potential suicide attacks from Palestinians. But hundreds, even thousands in the West Bank and Gaza Strip continue to volunteer to attack Israelis.
And, a growing number of them are women.
Some of the women in training are part of a terror group called the Al Aqsa Martyr's Brigades.
And in the strange world of the Middle East, although their group is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department, they're also part of the Fatah Party, led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, America's designated partner for Middle East peace.
They train in Gaza's olive groves, learning to move out as a unit.
They also learn to operate light weapons, part of their training diversity.
Om Jandal is a Martyr's Brigades commander. She's in charge of the "army of women" based in Gaza's Jabalia refugee camp. And she's the mother of four children.
"In the battlefield I can be a soldier, and when I am back at home, I will go back to motherhood and be a wife to my husband," said Jandal.
Om Jandal claims to have 300 women prepared to sacrifice to kill Israelis.
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Israel launches Arrow anti-missile system
Steinitz: Arrow test gives Israel advantage over Syria, Iran
By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent, and Agencies
Israel's latest test of its Arrow missile defense system proves Israel has a jump on its fiercest enemies, Iran and Syria, a senior lawmaker on the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee said Monday.
Israel successfully tested the Arrow anti-missile system Sunday night, in its first nighttime trial, intercepting a test target that simulated the warhead of a long-range Iranian surface-to-surface Shihab-3 missile.
"The test yesterday was exceptional," said MK Yuval Steinitz, a former head of the committee. "It proved it can bring down any kind of ballistic missile, a capability no power in the world possesses."
He said that, "Even if Iran or Syria were to develop more sophisticated missiles than they now have, Israel is one step ahead."
Lieutenant Colonel Moshe Fattal, a senior official in the Defense Ministry department responsible for the project, said Sunday that the successful test firing of the Arrow missile shows that Israel can now defend itself against an Iranian nuclear missile threat.
"The test proves that Israel is prepared to deal with a missile attack from Iran, including a nuclear one," Fattal told Army Radio.
"The missile is capable of dealing with future Syrian and Iranian threats as we see them, as of now. I believe that the citizens of Israel can sleep peacefully."
A defense establishment official took issue with Fattal's assessment, however. "There is no significance to the results of the test," the radio quoted the unnamed official as saying Monday. "There is simply no such thing as defense against nuclear missiles."
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By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent, and Agencies
Israel's latest test of its Arrow missile defense system proves Israel has a jump on its fiercest enemies, Iran and Syria, a senior lawmaker on the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee said Monday.
Israel successfully tested the Arrow anti-missile system Sunday night, in its first nighttime trial, intercepting a test target that simulated the warhead of a long-range Iranian surface-to-surface Shihab-3 missile.
"The test yesterday was exceptional," said MK Yuval Steinitz, a former head of the committee. "It proved it can bring down any kind of ballistic missile, a capability no power in the world possesses."
He said that, "Even if Iran or Syria were to develop more sophisticated missiles than they now have, Israel is one step ahead."
Lieutenant Colonel Moshe Fattal, a senior official in the Defense Ministry department responsible for the project, said Sunday that the successful test firing of the Arrow missile shows that Israel can now defend itself against an Iranian nuclear missile threat.
"The test proves that Israel is prepared to deal with a missile attack from Iran, including a nuclear one," Fattal told Army Radio.
"The missile is capable of dealing with future Syrian and Iranian threats as we see them, as of now. I believe that the citizens of Israel can sleep peacefully."
A defense establishment official took issue with Fattal's assessment, however. "There is no significance to the results of the test," the radio quoted the unnamed official as saying Monday. "There is simply no such thing as defense against nuclear missiles."
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Temple's location found, says Israeli archaeologist
Temple's location found, says Israeli archaeologist
Study of ancient cisterns pinpoints sacred site,– Muslim Dome of the Rock outside confines
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© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
Using maps created in 1866 by a British explorer and passages from the Jewish Mishnah, an Israeli archaeologist and professor at Hebrew University says he has pinpointed the location of the sacred Jewish Temple, twice built and twice destroyed in ancient times.
While popular consensus places the Temple, built by King Solomon in the 10th century B.C. and rebuilt by Jews who returned from Babylon in the 5th century B.C., on the site of the present Muslim Dome of the Rock, Prof. Joseph Patrich says archaeological remains show its exact location – and the consensus is wrong.
According to Patrich, the Temple, its corresponding courtyards, chambers and gates were oriented in a more southeasterly direction, sitting diagonally on what is the modern Temple Mount. The difference in orientation and the placement further eastward varies from the east-facing orientation of other scholars who believe the Temple was closer to today's Western Wall.
However, that difference is why, Patrich says, the Temple did not sit over the rock believed by Jews to be the site where Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac and where Muslims believe Muhammad ascended into heaven.
Patrich's siting of the Temple is derived from information collected by British engineer Sir Charles Wilson in 1866 on behalf of the Palestine Exploration Fund. Wilson mapped a series of ancient cisterns below the present Temple Mount platform. One of those, Patrich says, preserves a vestige of the Temple that stood until it was destroyed by Rome in A.D. 70.
The cistern mapped by Wilson, approximately 15 feet wide, 170 feet long and 45 feet deep, was located near the Temple Mount's southeast corner. It was oriented in a southeasterly direction with branches extending north and south.
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Study of ancient cisterns pinpoints sacred site,– Muslim Dome of the Rock outside confines
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
Using maps created in 1866 by a British explorer and passages from the Jewish Mishnah, an Israeli archaeologist and professor at Hebrew University says he has pinpointed the location of the sacred Jewish Temple, twice built and twice destroyed in ancient times.
While popular consensus places the Temple, built by King Solomon in the 10th century B.C. and rebuilt by Jews who returned from Babylon in the 5th century B.C., on the site of the present Muslim Dome of the Rock, Prof. Joseph Patrich says archaeological remains show its exact location – and the consensus is wrong.
According to Patrich, the Temple, its corresponding courtyards, chambers and gates were oriented in a more southeasterly direction, sitting diagonally on what is the modern Temple Mount. The difference in orientation and the placement further eastward varies from the east-facing orientation of other scholars who believe the Temple was closer to today's Western Wall.
However, that difference is why, Patrich says, the Temple did not sit over the rock believed by Jews to be the site where Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac and where Muslims believe Muhammad ascended into heaven.
Patrich's siting of the Temple is derived from information collected by British engineer Sir Charles Wilson in 1866 on behalf of the Palestine Exploration Fund. Wilson mapped a series of ancient cisterns below the present Temple Mount platform. One of those, Patrich says, preserves a vestige of the Temple that stood until it was destroyed by Rome in A.D. 70.
The cistern mapped by Wilson, approximately 15 feet wide, 170 feet long and 45 feet deep, was located near the Temple Mount's southeast corner. It was oriented in a southeasterly direction with branches extending north and south.
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Olmert 'caved to Muslims' on Temple Mount
Olmert 'caved to Muslims' on Temple Mount
Israeli PM criticized for approving plan for minaret, but not synagogue
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By Aaron Klein
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's decision to allow Muslims to construct a massive minaret on the Temple Mount will embolden the enemies of the Jewish state and signal that violence and terrorism are working, according to a group of prominent rabbinic leaders in Israel.
The Rabbinical Congress for Peace, a coalition of more than 300 Israeli rabbinic leaders and pulpit rabbis, said in a statement today Olmert "does not have the moral or historic right to hand over even one inch of Israeli territory to foreigners."
"The mere fact of giving up sovereignty of the Temple Mount – the holiest site of the Jewish People – is an indication of how far the Israeli government has deteriorated and is prepared to forfeit Jewish rights and ownership of Israel granted in our holy Torah, the most authoritative book in the world," the rabbis said.
The rabbis were responding to a story first reported by WND that Olmert granted permission to Jordan to construct a large minaret at a site on the Temple Mount where Jewish groups here had petitioned to build a synagogue.
A minaret is a tower usually attached to a mosque from which Muslims are called to the five Islamic daily prayers.
There are four minarets on the Temple Mount. The new minaret will be the largest one yet. It will be the first built on the Temple Mount in more than 600 years and is slated to tower over the walls of Jerusalem's old city. It will reside next to the Al-Marwani Mosque, located at the site of Solomon's Stables.
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Israeli PM criticized for approving plan for minaret, but not synagogue
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By Aaron Klein
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's decision to allow Muslims to construct a massive minaret on the Temple Mount will embolden the enemies of the Jewish state and signal that violence and terrorism are working, according to a group of prominent rabbinic leaders in Israel.
The Rabbinical Congress for Peace, a coalition of more than 300 Israeli rabbinic leaders and pulpit rabbis, said in a statement today Olmert "does not have the moral or historic right to hand over even one inch of Israeli territory to foreigners."
"The mere fact of giving up sovereignty of the Temple Mount – the holiest site of the Jewish People – is an indication of how far the Israeli government has deteriorated and is prepared to forfeit Jewish rights and ownership of Israel granted in our holy Torah, the most authoritative book in the world," the rabbis said.
The rabbis were responding to a story first reported by WND that Olmert granted permission to Jordan to construct a large minaret at a site on the Temple Mount where Jewish groups here had petitioned to build a synagogue.
A minaret is a tower usually attached to a mosque from which Muslims are called to the five Islamic daily prayers.
There are four minarets on the Temple Mount. The new minaret will be the largest one yet. It will be the first built on the Temple Mount in more than 600 years and is slated to tower over the walls of Jerusalem's old city. It will reside next to the Al-Marwani Mosque, located at the site of Solomon's Stables.
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Navy may deploy anti-terrorism dolphins
By THOMAS WATKINS, Associated Press Writer
SAN DIEGO - Dozens of dolphins and sea lions trained to detect and apprehend waterborne attackers could be sent to patrol a military base in Washington state, the Navy said Monday. In a notice published in this week's Federal Register, the Navy said it needs to bolster security at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, on the Puget Sound close to Seattle.
The base is home to submarines, ships and laboratories and is potentially vulnerable to attack by terrorist swimmers and scuba divers, the notice states.
Several options are under consideration, but the preferred plan would be to send as many as 30 California sea lions and Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins from the Navy's Marine Mammal Program, based in San Diego.
"These animals have the capabilities for what needs to be done for this particular mission," said Tom LaPuzza, a spokesman for the Marine Mammal Program.
LaPuzza said that because of their astonishing sonar abilities, dolphins are excellent at patrolling for swimmers and divers. When a Navy dolphin detects a person in the water, it drops a beacon. This tells a human interception team where to find the suspicious swimmer.
Dolphins also are trained to detect underwater mines; they were sent to do this in the Iraqi harbor of Umm Qasr in 2003. The last time the animals were used operationally in San Diego was in 1996, when they patrolled the bay during the Republican National Convention.
Sea lions can carry in their mouths special cuffs attached to long ropes. If the animal finds a rogue swimmer, it can clamp the cuff around the person's leg. The individual can then be reeled in for questioning.
The Navy is seeking public comment for an environmental impact statement on the proposal.
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SAN DIEGO - Dozens of dolphins and sea lions trained to detect and apprehend waterborne attackers could be sent to patrol a military base in Washington state, the Navy said Monday. In a notice published in this week's Federal Register, the Navy said it needs to bolster security at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, on the Puget Sound close to Seattle.
The base is home to submarines, ships and laboratories and is potentially vulnerable to attack by terrorist swimmers and scuba divers, the notice states.
Several options are under consideration, but the preferred plan would be to send as many as 30 California sea lions and Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins from the Navy's Marine Mammal Program, based in San Diego.
"These animals have the capabilities for what needs to be done for this particular mission," said Tom LaPuzza, a spokesman for the Marine Mammal Program.
LaPuzza said that because of their astonishing sonar abilities, dolphins are excellent at patrolling for swimmers and divers. When a Navy dolphin detects a person in the water, it drops a beacon. This tells a human interception team where to find the suspicious swimmer.
Dolphins also are trained to detect underwater mines; they were sent to do this in the Iraqi harbor of Umm Qasr in 2003. The last time the animals were used operationally in San Diego was in 1996, when they patrolled the bay during the Republican National Convention.
Sea lions can carry in their mouths special cuffs attached to long ropes. If the animal finds a rogue swimmer, it can clamp the cuff around the person's leg. The individual can then be reeled in for questioning.
The Navy is seeking public comment for an environmental impact statement on the proposal.
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Tentative Deal in N. Korea Nuclear Talks
By JAE-SOON CHANG
Associated Press Writer
BEIJING (AP) -- Negotiators reached a tentative agreement on initial steps for North Korea's nuclear disarmament, the U.S. envoy to the talks said Tuesday.
Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill said the agreement outlined specific commitments for North Korea and would set up working groups to implement those goals to begin meeting in about a month. He declined to give other details.
"I'm encouraged by this that we were able to take a step forward on the denuclearization issue," Hill said.
The agreement could mark the first step toward disarmament in more than three years of inconclusive negotiations and deadlock. The process reached its lowest point in October when North Korea conducted its first nuclear test explosion.
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Associated Press Writer
BEIJING (AP) -- Negotiators reached a tentative agreement on initial steps for North Korea's nuclear disarmament, the U.S. envoy to the talks said Tuesday.
Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill said the agreement outlined specific commitments for North Korea and would set up working groups to implement those goals to begin meeting in about a month. He declined to give other details.
"I'm encouraged by this that we were able to take a step forward on the denuclearization issue," Hill said.
The agreement could mark the first step toward disarmament in more than three years of inconclusive negotiations and deadlock. The process reached its lowest point in October when North Korea conducted its first nuclear test explosion.
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Too late to halt Iran's N-bomb, EU is told
Iran will be able to develop enough weapons-grade material for a nuclear bomb and there is little that can be done to prevent it, an internal European Union document has concluded.
In an admission of the international community's failure to hold back Iran's nuclear ambitions, the document – compiled by the staff of Javier Solana, EU foreign policy chief – says the atomic programme has been delayed only by technical limitations rather than diplomatic pressure. "Attempts to engage the Iranian administration in a negotiating process have not so far succeeded," it states.
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In an admission of the international community's failure to hold back Iran's nuclear ambitions, the document – compiled by the staff of Javier Solana, EU foreign policy chief – says the atomic programme has been delayed only by technical limitations rather than diplomatic pressure. "Attempts to engage the Iranian administration in a negotiating process have not so far succeeded," it states.
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'Who's Who' list challenging Darwin grows
'Who's Who' list challenging Darwin grows
100 more of the world's top scientists express skepticism of theory
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© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
The list truly is a "Who's Who" of prominent scientists in the world today, and now another 100 ranking leaders have added their signatures to a challenge to Darwin's theory of evolution.
It's for those who have reached the epitome of their fields, but still are questioning the validity of the Darwinian philosophy and want to put their concerns in writing.
The names include top scientists as MIT, UCLA, Ohio State, University of Washington, University of Pennsylvania, University of Georgia, Harvard, the College of Judea and Samaria, Johns Hopkins, Texas A&M, Duke, University of Peruglia in Italy, the British Museum and others.
"Darwinism is a trivial idea that has been elevated to the status of the scientific theory that governs modern biology," said Michael Egnor, a professor of neurosurgery and pediatrics at State University of New York, Stony Brook, and an award-winning brain surgeon who was picked as one of New York's top doctors by "New York Magazine."
"We know intuitively that Darwinism can accomplish some things but not others," said Egnor, who has signed the statement. "The question is what is that boundary? Does the information content in living things exceed that boundary? Darwinists have never faced those questions. They've never asked scientifically, can random mutation and natural selection generate the information content in living things."
John West, associate director of the Center for Science & Culture, said more scientists than ever before are "standing up and saying that it is time to rethink Darwin's theory of evolution in light of new scientific evidence that shows the theory is inadequate."
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100 more of the world's top scientists express skepticism of theory
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
The list truly is a "Who's Who" of prominent scientists in the world today, and now another 100 ranking leaders have added their signatures to a challenge to Darwin's theory of evolution.
It's for those who have reached the epitome of their fields, but still are questioning the validity of the Darwinian philosophy and want to put their concerns in writing.
The names include top scientists as MIT, UCLA, Ohio State, University of Washington, University of Pennsylvania, University of Georgia, Harvard, the College of Judea and Samaria, Johns Hopkins, Texas A&M, Duke, University of Peruglia in Italy, the British Museum and others.
"Darwinism is a trivial idea that has been elevated to the status of the scientific theory that governs modern biology," said Michael Egnor, a professor of neurosurgery and pediatrics at State University of New York, Stony Brook, and an award-winning brain surgeon who was picked as one of New York's top doctors by "New York Magazine."
"We know intuitively that Darwinism can accomplish some things but not others," said Egnor, who has signed the statement. "The question is what is that boundary? Does the information content in living things exceed that boundary? Darwinists have never faced those questions. They've never asked scientifically, can random mutation and natural selection generate the information content in living things."
John West, associate director of the Center for Science & Culture, said more scientists than ever before are "standing up and saying that it is time to rethink Darwin's theory of evolution in light of new scientific evidence that shows the theory is inadequate."
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Research: God did speak world into existence
Research: God did speak world into existence
Student's scientific documentation offers evidence of biblical account
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© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
A science student in Kentucky says when the Bible records God spoke, and things were created, that's just what happened, and he can support that with scientific experiments.
"If God spoke everything into existence as the Genesis record proposes, then we should be able to scientifically prove that the construction of everything in the universe begins with a) the Holy Spirit (magnetic field); b) Light (an electric field); and c) that Light can be created by a sonic influence or sound," Samuel J. Hunt writes on his website.
"There are several documented and currently taught laboratory experiments that accurately portray the events in Genesis in sequential order, the most important being that of sonoluminescence," he wrote.
That, he described to WND, is the circumstance in which sending a sonic signal into bubbles in a fluid causes the bubbles to collapse and they release photons, or create light.
That aligns with one of the earlier descriptions of the creation by God, when, in Genesis 1:1-3, the Holy Spirit moved upon the face of the deep, which generally is considered water, and said "Let there be light," he explained.
God was sending a sonic influence into the waters, and basically creating light, Hunt said. He's documented his theory, and the experiments he believes back it up, in his "Episteme Scientia, the Law of All That Is."
Researchers at institutions no less than UCLA and the University of Chicago have verified the production of light from bubbles when sound is passed through a liquid, called sonoluminescence.
Hunt said he was spurred on in his work because the advanced physics and other courses he was taking were advancing propositions that sometimes didn't match up.
"The further I went, the more my questions seemed to be being answered in the Genesis record," he told WND.
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Student's scientific documentation offers evidence of biblical account
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
A science student in Kentucky says when the Bible records God spoke, and things were created, that's just what happened, and he can support that with scientific experiments.
"If God spoke everything into existence as the Genesis record proposes, then we should be able to scientifically prove that the construction of everything in the universe begins with a) the Holy Spirit (magnetic field); b) Light (an electric field); and c) that Light can be created by a sonic influence or sound," Samuel J. Hunt writes on his website.
"There are several documented and currently taught laboratory experiments that accurately portray the events in Genesis in sequential order, the most important being that of sonoluminescence," he wrote.
That, he described to WND, is the circumstance in which sending a sonic signal into bubbles in a fluid causes the bubbles to collapse and they release photons, or create light.
That aligns with one of the earlier descriptions of the creation by God, when, in Genesis 1:1-3, the Holy Spirit moved upon the face of the deep, which generally is considered water, and said "Let there be light," he explained.
God was sending a sonic influence into the waters, and basically creating light, Hunt said. He's documented his theory, and the experiments he believes back it up, in his "Episteme Scientia, the Law of All That Is."
Researchers at institutions no less than UCLA and the University of Chicago have verified the production of light from bubbles when sound is passed through a liquid, called sonoluminescence.
Hunt said he was spurred on in his work because the advanced physics and other courses he was taking were advancing propositions that sometimes didn't match up.
"The further I went, the more my questions seemed to be being answered in the Genesis record," he told WND.
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Death threat against Christian opponent of homosexuality
Jim Brown and Jeff Johnson
OneNewsNow.com
Police in Durham, North Carolina, are investigating a death threat against Illinois family advocate Peter LaBarbera that was posted on a popular homosexual website.
Pro-family activist Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth has been the target of a death threat posted on a popular homosexual website.
The origin of the threat comes from "Pam's House Blend," a site operated by lesbian activist and Duke University Press employee Pam Spaulding. Not long after LaBarbera's address was posted on the site, someone identified as "Barry G. Wick" posted a comment that read: "It's across from a park in an area with cul de sacs. I'd bet it's a residence ... and across from a park. Snipers take note."
"Wick" went on to justify violence against people like LaBarbera as a way to serve the larger homosexual cause. LaBarbera says he's not ignoring the threat, which he describes as "over the top."
"We have to take [the threat] seriously because some of the fringe elements and the nastier homosexual activists are consumed with hatred, unfortunately," LaBarbera shares. "They hate Christians because they hate God's norm of sexuality. Our family is [taking it seriously], and we just hope by exposing this, maybe this kind of extremism will fade away."
LaBarbera has contacted the FBI and Durham, North Carolina police, who are investigating whether the threat constitutes an Internet crime. The family advocate wonders what the authorities' response would be if the scenario were reversed.
Click here for the full story! (may need to disable pop-up blocker)
OneNewsNow.com
Police in Durham, North Carolina, are investigating a death threat against Illinois family advocate Peter LaBarbera that was posted on a popular homosexual website.
Pro-family activist Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth has been the target of a death threat posted on a popular homosexual website.
The origin of the threat comes from "Pam's House Blend," a site operated by lesbian activist and Duke University Press employee Pam Spaulding. Not long after LaBarbera's address was posted on the site, someone identified as "Barry G. Wick" posted a comment that read: "It's across from a park in an area with cul de sacs. I'd bet it's a residence ... and across from a park. Snipers take note."
"Wick" went on to justify violence against people like LaBarbera as a way to serve the larger homosexual cause. LaBarbera says he's not ignoring the threat, which he describes as "over the top."
"We have to take [the threat] seriously because some of the fringe elements and the nastier homosexual activists are consumed with hatred, unfortunately," LaBarbera shares. "They hate Christians because they hate God's norm of sexuality. Our family is [taking it seriously], and we just hope by exposing this, maybe this kind of extremism will fade away."
LaBarbera has contacted the FBI and Durham, North Carolina police, who are investigating whether the threat constitutes an Internet crime. The family advocate wonders what the authorities' response would be if the scenario were reversed.
Click here for the full story! (may need to disable pop-up blocker)
Friday, February 9, 2007
The Second Advent of Christ
By Pastor Gary Fox
Author of Semper Reformanda:
We have turned our attention here on Semper Reformanda to the topic of the Second Advent of Christ. As we said last time, we are going to focus not on the sensational, the conspiracy or the conjecture…just the facts…which are deep and rich, exciting and frightening.
Frightening? Indeed. Startling, astonishing, surprising, shocking, astounding and upsetting are all words that can be used to describe the images set forth about this topic in the Bible. The Second Advent of Christ will be a day of wrath, violence, death and conquest. When read in context and really pondered upon the Second Advent of Christ is truly stunning in its scope.
The reason of course that we are so stunned by these images is because we generally lack an appreciation or understanding that God has hatred. God hates. Did you know that? It’s true.
“For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity.” Isaiah 61:8 niv
“You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong. You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors.” Psalm 5:4-6 niv
Yikes.
In 1741, the great reformed preacher Jonathan Edwards preached a message that sent shock waves across this country and ultimately the world. So thoroughly shaken was the congregation when he first preached this sermon that there broke out screaming and wailing…in a reformed church! The people began clinging to the building columns and chair rails…anything solid…because the congregation suddenly fell into a state of panic and paranoia…fearing that the floor they stood on would at any time open up and swallow them into the pits of hell! The sermon was titled: Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. Here is an excerpt… “There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God… Hell, the very expression of divine wrath, is prepared; the fire is made ready; the furnace is hot now; the flames do now rage and glow… unconverted men walk over the pit of hell on a rotten covering, and there are innumerable places in this covering so weak that they will not bear their weight, and these places are not seen.''
Needless to say…this kind of preaching is basically unheard of today. Do you want to know what else is unheard of today? Wide spread revival. And of those rare pockets where such proclamation is made…it will be seldom proclaimed in a culturally relevant way. In Edwards’s day, his message was both bold and delivered in a relevant way…and revival broke out….hmmm…a bold and confrontational message delivered in a relevant way…hmmm…
Obviously since we hear so little about the wrath of God upon the unconverted and unrepentant it is no real surprise that we have lost almost the entire concept that Christ is furious with “the nations” and that He is going to return to earth and destroy them, physically, utterly and violently.
Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. Revelation 19:19-21 niv
Let me attempt to tie all this together. Why is it that we water down our message and proclamation? So many preachers and teachers do all that they can do to remove the teeth from the message! How foolish it is of us to think that we can tweak the message and make it more palpable! How foolish! Look here in Revelation 19…when the kings of the earth and their armies see Christ, physically and with their own eyes…they will not fall down and repent, they will not call out for mercy…they will not see the error of their ways and suddenly realize that they have been wrong all along! No! They will raise their weapons skyward! They will, in one ultimate act of defiance and rebellion, attempt to “make war” against Christ and His kingdom! Ponder that! The world hates our message because the world hates Christ! Our manipulation of the message can not and will not change that my friend!
The nations hate Christ. The nations have always hated Christ. The nations will continue to hate Christ until the great and terrible day of the Lord…on that day…there will be no more unbelievers...just unbridled Christ haters.
Click here to visit Semper Reformanda...
Author of Semper Reformanda:
We have turned our attention here on Semper Reformanda to the topic of the Second Advent of Christ. As we said last time, we are going to focus not on the sensational, the conspiracy or the conjecture…just the facts…which are deep and rich, exciting and frightening.
Frightening? Indeed. Startling, astonishing, surprising, shocking, astounding and upsetting are all words that can be used to describe the images set forth about this topic in the Bible. The Second Advent of Christ will be a day of wrath, violence, death and conquest. When read in context and really pondered upon the Second Advent of Christ is truly stunning in its scope.
The reason of course that we are so stunned by these images is because we generally lack an appreciation or understanding that God has hatred. God hates. Did you know that? It’s true.
“For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity.” Isaiah 61:8 niv
“You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong. You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors.” Psalm 5:4-6 niv
Yikes.
In 1741, the great reformed preacher Jonathan Edwards preached a message that sent shock waves across this country and ultimately the world. So thoroughly shaken was the congregation when he first preached this sermon that there broke out screaming and wailing…in a reformed church! The people began clinging to the building columns and chair rails…anything solid…because the congregation suddenly fell into a state of panic and paranoia…fearing that the floor they stood on would at any time open up and swallow them into the pits of hell! The sermon was titled: Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. Here is an excerpt… “There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God… Hell, the very expression of divine wrath, is prepared; the fire is made ready; the furnace is hot now; the flames do now rage and glow… unconverted men walk over the pit of hell on a rotten covering, and there are innumerable places in this covering so weak that they will not bear their weight, and these places are not seen.''
Needless to say…this kind of preaching is basically unheard of today. Do you want to know what else is unheard of today? Wide spread revival. And of those rare pockets where such proclamation is made…it will be seldom proclaimed in a culturally relevant way. In Edwards’s day, his message was both bold and delivered in a relevant way…and revival broke out….hmmm…a bold and confrontational message delivered in a relevant way…hmmm…
Obviously since we hear so little about the wrath of God upon the unconverted and unrepentant it is no real surprise that we have lost almost the entire concept that Christ is furious with “the nations” and that He is going to return to earth and destroy them, physically, utterly and violently.
Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. Revelation 19:19-21 niv
Let me attempt to tie all this together. Why is it that we water down our message and proclamation? So many preachers and teachers do all that they can do to remove the teeth from the message! How foolish it is of us to think that we can tweak the message and make it more palpable! How foolish! Look here in Revelation 19…when the kings of the earth and their armies see Christ, physically and with their own eyes…they will not fall down and repent, they will not call out for mercy…they will not see the error of their ways and suddenly realize that they have been wrong all along! No! They will raise their weapons skyward! They will, in one ultimate act of defiance and rebellion, attempt to “make war” against Christ and His kingdom! Ponder that! The world hates our message because the world hates Christ! Our manipulation of the message can not and will not change that my friend!
The nations hate Christ. The nations have always hated Christ. The nations will continue to hate Christ until the great and terrible day of the Lord…on that day…there will be no more unbelievers...just unbridled Christ haters.
Click here to visit Semper Reformanda...
Charts of the possible order of End Time events
Charts of the possible order of End Time events:
Click above for full size!
Click above for full size!
Click above for full size!
Click above for full size!
The subject of today is the End Times
James 4:14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
If this is true, which we know it is, then we need to devote our short life on Earth to seeking God, trusting in Jesus as the only way of salvation (that He provided freely for us), repenting of our sins (turning from them), obeying God like never before, and loving our spouse, our children, our family's, our friends, our enemies, and one another in a Biblical way! Remember, our time left is but a vapor!
Just as Anna Nicole Smith did not know her time was up, and she was about to be face to face in Judgment with God the Creator, so we too do not know when our time will be up! You may not finish reading this before you are swept away into eternity of Heaven or Hell! You may finish reading this and live for yet a little while, but take warning not to get caught up in worldly things, and lose focus of the only hope of eternal life we have...that which is only found in our Lord and Savior, and the price of our sin He paid, which allows us to be forgiven! Thank You Jesus!
The subject of today is the End Times
by Pastor Gary Fox:
Author of Semper Reformanda:
“I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:63-64
With all the discussion about end times theology and teaching have we lost the power and impact of this promise? Here is Jesus… arrested… beaten… scorned… mocked… humiliated… called by the High Priest Caiaphas to reply under oath of what His identity actually is. We can only guess at the atmosphere of this moment, but in my mind, I have a feeling that everyone shut up and all who could hear Jesus swallowed nervously. I have a feeling that He did not mumble or slur…that suddenly He was filled with the Holy Spirit and His mind was clear…I just have this feeling that there was a regal, powerful and undeniable strength in His voice when He made it plain, “you will see the Son of Man…coming on the clouds of heaven…”
I’d like to consider the Second Advent for the next several posts on Semper Reformanda. I’m not interested in theories on Raptures or bar codes or the European Economic Union…I’d just like to center our attention on the promise of His return.
By means of introduction…without commentary, let’s just read some scripture and let God speak for Himself regarding the Second Advent of Christ…
Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty. Because of this, all hands will go limp, every man’s heart will melt. Terror will seize them, pain and anguish will grip them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at each other, their faces aflame. See, the day of the LORD is coming —a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger— to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. Isaiah 13:6-9 niv
For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near—a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations. Ezekiel 30:3 niv
“The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head." Obadiah 1:15 niv
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11 niv
What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. Matthew 16:26-27 niv
For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Matthew 24:27 niv
If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Luke 9:26 niv
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great.” Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. Revelation 19:11-21 niv
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20 niv
Click here to view Semper Reformanda...
If this is true, which we know it is, then we need to devote our short life on Earth to seeking God, trusting in Jesus as the only way of salvation (that He provided freely for us), repenting of our sins (turning from them), obeying God like never before, and loving our spouse, our children, our family's, our friends, our enemies, and one another in a Biblical way! Remember, our time left is but a vapor!
Just as Anna Nicole Smith did not know her time was up, and she was about to be face to face in Judgment with God the Creator, so we too do not know when our time will be up! You may not finish reading this before you are swept away into eternity of Heaven or Hell! You may finish reading this and live for yet a little while, but take warning not to get caught up in worldly things, and lose focus of the only hope of eternal life we have...that which is only found in our Lord and Savior, and the price of our sin He paid, which allows us to be forgiven! Thank You Jesus!
The subject of today is the End Times
by Pastor Gary Fox:
Author of Semper Reformanda:
“I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:63-64
With all the discussion about end times theology and teaching have we lost the power and impact of this promise? Here is Jesus… arrested… beaten… scorned… mocked… humiliated… called by the High Priest Caiaphas to reply under oath of what His identity actually is. We can only guess at the atmosphere of this moment, but in my mind, I have a feeling that everyone shut up and all who could hear Jesus swallowed nervously. I have a feeling that He did not mumble or slur…that suddenly He was filled with the Holy Spirit and His mind was clear…I just have this feeling that there was a regal, powerful and undeniable strength in His voice when He made it plain, “you will see the Son of Man…coming on the clouds of heaven…”
I’d like to consider the Second Advent for the next several posts on Semper Reformanda. I’m not interested in theories on Raptures or bar codes or the European Economic Union…I’d just like to center our attention on the promise of His return.
By means of introduction…without commentary, let’s just read some scripture and let God speak for Himself regarding the Second Advent of Christ…
Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty. Because of this, all hands will go limp, every man’s heart will melt. Terror will seize them, pain and anguish will grip them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at each other, their faces aflame. See, the day of the LORD is coming —a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger— to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. Isaiah 13:6-9 niv
For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near—a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations. Ezekiel 30:3 niv
“The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head." Obadiah 1:15 niv
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11 niv
What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. Matthew 16:26-27 niv
For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Matthew 24:27 niv
If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Luke 9:26 niv
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great.” Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. Revelation 19:11-21 niv
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20 niv
Click here to view Semper Reformanda...
Thursday, February 8, 2007
ACLU threat causes SC council to drop prayer
Ed Thomas
OneNewsNow.com
A spokesman for the Alliance Defense Fund says the ACLU's now-standard strategy of demanding that opening prayers at government meetings be stopped has worked in Oconee County, South Carolina, as county council members voted Tuesday to drop their invocation and adopt a moment of silence.
Local officials of the Oconee County Council in South Carolina decided Tuesday afternoon to adopt a moment of silence at the start of their government meetings and no longer open with prayer. The decision was made despite a proposed policy from the Alliance Defense Fund that it assured would legally allow the invocations to continue by allowing prayer from spokesmen of any community religions.
ADF senior counsel Gary McCaleb says the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) had already used what he described as its now-standard tactic, and threatened a lawsuit if the Council did not stop opening its meetings with prayer. The Oconee Ministerial Association had asked the legal coalition for its help for the county.
"ADF stepped in and tried to offer a solid alternative, which unfortunately the county backed down on and then instead adopted a moment of silence," McCaleb explains.
The attorney called the Oconee Council's choice unfortunate, because the ACLU was once again able to silence the First Amendment by employing what he called the classic fear, intimidation, and disinformation tactics that are being used in demand letters to towns and cities across the country. "It's kind of a sad situation, both from the standpoint of here you have them coming in and getting rid of free speech; and the other is that this is a classic 'victory without a fight' for the ACLU."
Click here for the full story! (may need to disable pop-up blocker)
OneNewsNow.com
A spokesman for the Alliance Defense Fund says the ACLU's now-standard strategy of demanding that opening prayers at government meetings be stopped has worked in Oconee County, South Carolina, as county council members voted Tuesday to drop their invocation and adopt a moment of silence.
Local officials of the Oconee County Council in South Carolina decided Tuesday afternoon to adopt a moment of silence at the start of their government meetings and no longer open with prayer. The decision was made despite a proposed policy from the Alliance Defense Fund that it assured would legally allow the invocations to continue by allowing prayer from spokesmen of any community religions.
ADF senior counsel Gary McCaleb says the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) had already used what he described as its now-standard tactic, and threatened a lawsuit if the Council did not stop opening its meetings with prayer. The Oconee Ministerial Association had asked the legal coalition for its help for the county.
"ADF stepped in and tried to offer a solid alternative, which unfortunately the county backed down on and then instead adopted a moment of silence," McCaleb explains.
The attorney called the Oconee Council's choice unfortunate, because the ACLU was once again able to silence the First Amendment by employing what he called the classic fear, intimidation, and disinformation tactics that are being used in demand letters to towns and cities across the country. "It's kind of a sad situation, both from the standpoint of here you have them coming in and getting rid of free speech; and the other is that this is a classic 'victory without a fight' for the ACLU."
Click here for the full story! (may need to disable pop-up blocker)
Haggard denies homosexuality, says Jesus is healing him
Haggard denies homosexuality, says Jesus is healing him
By Staff
Baptist Press
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (BP)--Having been “paralyzed by shame” since news of his involvement with a male prostitute surfaced in November, Ted Haggard emerged from three weeks of intense psychological treatment with an e-mail to members of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, where he formerly served as pastor, Feb. 5.
“We all wanted to know why I developed such incongruity in my life. Thankfully, with the tools we gained there, along with the powerful way God has been illuminating His Word and the Holy Spirit has been convicting and healing me, we now have growing understanding which is giving me some hope for a future,” Haggard said of the treatment he and his wife received in Phoenix.
Tim Ralph, a member of the four-man board of overseers charged with guiding Haggard toward restoration, told The Denver Post that Haggard’s homosexual behavior with a male prostitute named Mike Jones was not a lifelong pattern.
“He is completely heterosexual,” Ralph, pastor of New Covenant Fellowship in Larkspur, Colo., said. “That is something he discovered. It was the acting-out situations where things took place. It wasn’t a constant thing.”
Haggard, 50, told the board that the only extramarital sexual contact he had was with Jones, and Ralph said several people close to Haggard found no contradicting evidence, The Post reported Feb. 6.
“If we’re going to be proved wrong, somebody else is going to come forward, and that usually happens really quickly,” Ralph said. “We’re into this thing over 90 days, and it hasn’t happened.”
Ralph said Haggard continues to receive Christian counseling twice a week, and the board of overseers has advised the Haggards to relocate from Colorado Springs in order to continue the healing process. They also advised him to begin a 12-step program for sexual addiction, The Post reported.
Click here for the full story! (may need to disable pop-up blocker)
By Staff
Baptist Press
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (BP)--Having been “paralyzed by shame” since news of his involvement with a male prostitute surfaced in November, Ted Haggard emerged from three weeks of intense psychological treatment with an e-mail to members of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, where he formerly served as pastor, Feb. 5.
“We all wanted to know why I developed such incongruity in my life. Thankfully, with the tools we gained there, along with the powerful way God has been illuminating His Word and the Holy Spirit has been convicting and healing me, we now have growing understanding which is giving me some hope for a future,” Haggard said of the treatment he and his wife received in Phoenix.
Tim Ralph, a member of the four-man board of overseers charged with guiding Haggard toward restoration, told The Denver Post that Haggard’s homosexual behavior with a male prostitute named Mike Jones was not a lifelong pattern.
“He is completely heterosexual,” Ralph, pastor of New Covenant Fellowship in Larkspur, Colo., said. “That is something he discovered. It was the acting-out situations where things took place. It wasn’t a constant thing.”
Haggard, 50, told the board that the only extramarital sexual contact he had was with Jones, and Ralph said several people close to Haggard found no contradicting evidence, The Post reported Feb. 6.
“If we’re going to be proved wrong, somebody else is going to come forward, and that usually happens really quickly,” Ralph said. “We’re into this thing over 90 days, and it hasn’t happened.”
Ralph said Haggard continues to receive Christian counseling twice a week, and the board of overseers has advised the Haggards to relocate from Colorado Springs in order to continue the healing process. They also advised him to begin a 12-step program for sexual addiction, The Post reported.
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FBI to Rescue U.S. Missionary in Haiti
FBI to Rescue U.S. Missionary in Haiti
By Michael F. Haverluck
CBNNews.com
CBNNews.com -- PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- An American missionary of Haitian descent kidnapped on Sunday near Port-au-Prince is hoping for his release, as two FBI hostage negotiators are working to secure him, according to officials.
After driving home from church with three others in the Port-au-Prince suburb of Croix-de-Bouquets, 58-year-old U.S. citizen Nathan Jean-Dieubonne was abducted Sunday afternoon, reported U.N. police spokesman Fred Blaise.
The kidnappers demanded a ransom from Jean-Dieudonne's family for his release, according to a report from Miami by FBI special agent Judy Orihuela. Soon afterwards, family members asked for help in the negotioations, but the amount demanded by the abductors was not disclosed by authorities.
Jean-Dieudonne was not injured and in good spirits when he spoke with family members.
The missionary's place of residence in the U.S. and his church denomination were not made known at the time of the press release.
The impoverished nation of Haiti has seen a substantial rise in kidnappings for ransoms over the past year, yet the numbers over the past few weeks have declined, which could be a result of a peacekeeping force of 9,000 from the United Nations, along with the augmented patrols of Haitian police in and around Port-au-Prince.
Because foreign missionaries are not as heavily protected as diplomats and business people, they have become higher targets for abductors.
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By Michael F. Haverluck
CBNNews.com
CBNNews.com -- PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- An American missionary of Haitian descent kidnapped on Sunday near Port-au-Prince is hoping for his release, as two FBI hostage negotiators are working to secure him, according to officials.
After driving home from church with three others in the Port-au-Prince suburb of Croix-de-Bouquets, 58-year-old U.S. citizen Nathan Jean-Dieubonne was abducted Sunday afternoon, reported U.N. police spokesman Fred Blaise.
The kidnappers demanded a ransom from Jean-Dieudonne's family for his release, according to a report from Miami by FBI special agent Judy Orihuela. Soon afterwards, family members asked for help in the negotioations, but the amount demanded by the abductors was not disclosed by authorities.
Jean-Dieudonne was not injured and in good spirits when he spoke with family members.
The missionary's place of residence in the U.S. and his church denomination were not made known at the time of the press release.
The impoverished nation of Haiti has seen a substantial rise in kidnappings for ransoms over the past year, yet the numbers over the past few weeks have declined, which could be a result of a peacekeeping force of 9,000 from the United Nations, along with the augmented patrols of Haitian police in and around Port-au-Prince.
Because foreign missionaries are not as heavily protected as diplomats and business people, they have become higher targets for abductors.
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Iran's Khamenei urges Muslim revenge for Jerusalem dig
Ahmadinejad warns of 'deterioration'
Iranian president says provocative act will lead to the deterioration of hostilities in the region. Iranian supreme leader urges Muslims to revenge Jerusalem dig. Livni: Leaders merely 'inciting religious flames for political gain'
Dudi Cohen Latest Update: 02.07.07, 22:17 / Israel News
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Israel's excavation work at the Mugrabi gate near the Temple Mount was a "provocative action which would lead to the deterioration of hostilities in the region," the Fars news agency reported Wednesday evening.
The Iranian president added that "destruction, conflict and tension constitute the nature of the Zionist regime."
He also called on the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the world Muslim states to "foil the devilish plot of the Israeli regime," and slammed the United Nations over what he described as "their silence in the face of the incident."
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini echoed Ahmadinejad's statement, claiming that "the destruction of al-Aqsa was part of a premeditated plot against Muslims."
Supreme leader calls for revenge
A few hours earlier, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the Jerusalem excavations and called on Islamic nations to retaliate against Israel .
''The world of Islam should show a serious reaction to the Zionist regime's insult to Al-Aqsa Mosque,'' Iranian state television quoted Khamenei as saying during a meeting with Ramadan Abdullah Shallah, leader of the Islamic Jihad organization.
"Silence is not an option given these actions, the Muslim world must respond," said Khamenei. Khamenei did not say what sort of response he intended, but said Israel should be made to ''regret'' what it is doing.
Khamenei also addressed the violent clashes within the Palestinian Authority: "Everyone, including the Palestinian factions and Islamic states, needs to make an effort to agree on a ceasefire soon so that the enemy's plot will fail."
"Hizbullah's victory, the successes of Hamas and Iran's achievements all fulfill Allah's promises and fill the hearts of Muslims with hope and determination," said Khamenei.
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Iranian president says provocative act will lead to the deterioration of hostilities in the region. Iranian supreme leader urges Muslims to revenge Jerusalem dig. Livni: Leaders merely 'inciting religious flames for political gain'
Dudi Cohen Latest Update: 02.07.07, 22:17 / Israel News
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Israel's excavation work at the Mugrabi gate near the Temple Mount was a "provocative action which would lead to the deterioration of hostilities in the region," the Fars news agency reported Wednesday evening.
The Iranian president added that "destruction, conflict and tension constitute the nature of the Zionist regime."
He also called on the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the world Muslim states to "foil the devilish plot of the Israeli regime," and slammed the United Nations over what he described as "their silence in the face of the incident."
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini echoed Ahmadinejad's statement, claiming that "the destruction of al-Aqsa was part of a premeditated plot against Muslims."
Supreme leader calls for revenge
A few hours earlier, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the Jerusalem excavations and called on Islamic nations to retaliate against Israel .
''The world of Islam should show a serious reaction to the Zionist regime's insult to Al-Aqsa Mosque,'' Iranian state television quoted Khamenei as saying during a meeting with Ramadan Abdullah Shallah, leader of the Islamic Jihad organization.
"Silence is not an option given these actions, the Muslim world must respond," said Khamenei. Khamenei did not say what sort of response he intended, but said Israel should be made to ''regret'' what it is doing.
Khamenei also addressed the violent clashes within the Palestinian Authority: "Everyone, including the Palestinian factions and Islamic states, needs to make an effort to agree on a ceasefire soon so that the enemy's plot will fail."
"Hizbullah's victory, the successes of Hamas and Iran's achievements all fulfill Allah's promises and fill the hearts of Muslims with hope and determination," said Khamenei.
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Temple Mount becoming mosque for Muslims only
Temple Mount becoming mosque for Muslims only
Top archaeologist blasts Israeli inaction as Islam 'takes over' Judaism's holiest site
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By Aaron Klein
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
JERUSALEM – The Israeli government is "doing nothing" while the Muslim custodians of the Temple Mount discard Jewish artifacts and attempt to turn Judaism's holiest site into an exclusive prayer zone for Islam, a leading Israeli archeologist charged today.
Hebrew University's Eilat Mazor said the Waqf, the site's Muslim custodians, "want to turn the whole of the Temple Mount into a mosque for Muslims only."
"They don't care about the artifacts or heritage on the site," Mazor told the Israeli news site YnetNews.com.
"The Waqf has acted terribly, taking thousands of tons of artifacts from the First Temple, the Second Temple, as well as Muslim artifacts, and throwing them away."
Mazor was referring to Muslim excavations near a new mosque constructed at the Temple Mount's Solomon's Stables. During the excavations, the Wafq reportedly disposed truckloads of dirt containing Jewish artifacts from the First and Second Temple periods. After the media reported this, Israeli authorities froze the construction permit given to the Wafq.
"There is a total ignorance of history and archeology. Artifacts showing ancient history are hidden," Mazor said.
Meanwhile, Muslims here this week are protesting work by the Israeli antiquities authority to repair a ramp near the Temple Mount even though the work, at the Western Wall plaza, is not taking place on the Mount and poses no threat to the holy site. Muslim leaders are calling for a "new intifada" to protest the routine Israeli repair work.
Mazor, a third-generation Israeli Temple Mount archaeologist, is the discoverer and lead archaeologist of Israel's City of David, believed to be the palace of the biblical King David, the second leader of a united Kingdom of Israel, who ruled from around 1005 to 965 B.C.
Mazor slammed the inaction of the Israeli government while Islam "takes over" the Temple Mount.
"The (Israeli) authorities have failed to deal with this issue. The only ones paying attention are the police, and they are only interested in quiet, so they do nothing," Mazor said.
But the Israeli government lately has been active on the issue of the Temple Mount.
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Top archaeologist blasts Israeli inaction as Islam 'takes over' Judaism's holiest site
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Aaron Klein
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
JERUSALEM – The Israeli government is "doing nothing" while the Muslim custodians of the Temple Mount discard Jewish artifacts and attempt to turn Judaism's holiest site into an exclusive prayer zone for Islam, a leading Israeli archeologist charged today.
Hebrew University's Eilat Mazor said the Waqf, the site's Muslim custodians, "want to turn the whole of the Temple Mount into a mosque for Muslims only."
"They don't care about the artifacts or heritage on the site," Mazor told the Israeli news site YnetNews.com.
"The Waqf has acted terribly, taking thousands of tons of artifacts from the First Temple, the Second Temple, as well as Muslim artifacts, and throwing them away."
Mazor was referring to Muslim excavations near a new mosque constructed at the Temple Mount's Solomon's Stables. During the excavations, the Wafq reportedly disposed truckloads of dirt containing Jewish artifacts from the First and Second Temple periods. After the media reported this, Israeli authorities froze the construction permit given to the Wafq.
"There is a total ignorance of history and archeology. Artifacts showing ancient history are hidden," Mazor said.
Meanwhile, Muslims here this week are protesting work by the Israeli antiquities authority to repair a ramp near the Temple Mount even though the work, at the Western Wall plaza, is not taking place on the Mount and poses no threat to the holy site. Muslim leaders are calling for a "new intifada" to protest the routine Israeli repair work.
Mazor, a third-generation Israeli Temple Mount archaeologist, is the discoverer and lead archaeologist of Israel's City of David, believed to be the palace of the biblical King David, the second leader of a united Kingdom of Israel, who ruled from around 1005 to 965 B.C.
Mazor slammed the inaction of the Israeli government while Islam "takes over" the Temple Mount.
"The (Israeli) authorities have failed to deal with this issue. The only ones paying attention are the police, and they are only interested in quiet, so they do nothing," Mazor said.
But the Israeli government lately has been active on the issue of the Temple Mount.
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Abortionist arrested in Florida investigation
Abortionist arrested in Florida investigation
Accused of allowing unlicensed workers to perform medical procedures
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Posted: February 8, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
The owner of an abortion clinic where the body of a baby who was born alive and then allegedly killed was found has been arrested on allegations stemming from her operation of a second clinic, authorities report.
Belkis Gonzalez was arrested and jailed on two felony counts related to abortions at A Gyn of Miramar, Inc., an abortion business in Miramar, Fla., which is known as Miramar Women's Center, according to a report from Operation Rescue, an organization of pro-life activists.
Bill Robertson, an information officer in the Miramar police department, told Operation Rescue that Gonzales had been taken into custody at her Miramar abortion business, and released over the weekend on $1,000 cash bond.
And he reported that a suspect believed to be Gonzalez' partner, Siomara Senesis, also had been apprehended.
The arrests are a result of an investigation that began with a tip supplied to Miramar police in November 2004, by a pro-life investigator whose identity was not revealed by Operation Rescue. They were the seventh and eighth arrests, however, that have resulted from that ongoing investigation, officials said.
Operation Rescue said the two are business partners who have run a number of abortion clinics in the Broward County area, and the felony counts name both as defendants. The counts include "Principle in the First Degree" and relates to aiding in the commission of a crime, and "Unlicensed Practice of Health Care," which relates to running the abortion clinics with employees who were not licensed by the state to do those activities.
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Accused of allowing unlicensed workers to perform medical procedures
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: February 8, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
The owner of an abortion clinic where the body of a baby who was born alive and then allegedly killed was found has been arrested on allegations stemming from her operation of a second clinic, authorities report.
Belkis Gonzalez was arrested and jailed on two felony counts related to abortions at A Gyn of Miramar, Inc., an abortion business in Miramar, Fla., which is known as Miramar Women's Center, according to a report from Operation Rescue, an organization of pro-life activists.
Bill Robertson, an information officer in the Miramar police department, told Operation Rescue that Gonzales had been taken into custody at her Miramar abortion business, and released over the weekend on $1,000 cash bond.
And he reported that a suspect believed to be Gonzalez' partner, Siomara Senesis, also had been apprehended.
The arrests are a result of an investigation that began with a tip supplied to Miramar police in November 2004, by a pro-life investigator whose identity was not revealed by Operation Rescue. They were the seventh and eighth arrests, however, that have resulted from that ongoing investigation, officials said.
Operation Rescue said the two are business partners who have run a number of abortion clinics in the Broward County area, and the felony counts name both as defendants. The counts include "Principle in the First Degree" and relates to aiding in the commission of a crime, and "Unlicensed Practice of Health Care," which relates to running the abortion clinics with employees who were not licensed by the state to do those activities.
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Officials urged to resign for lie about border agents
Officials urged to resign for lie about border agents
Congressman calls for ouster of DHS deputies after IG admits agency gave false information
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© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
A Republican congressman is calling for the resignation of Department of Homeland Security officials who he says lied about the case of two Border Patrol agents imprisoned for their actions in the shooting of a drug smuggler.
As WND reported, at a congressional hearing yesterday, Rep. John Culberson of Texas confronted DHS Inspector General Richard Skinner about his agency's claim it had documentary proof of the guilt of former agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean.
"Richard Skinner admitted yesterday under oath that his top deputies gave members of Congress false information painting Border Patrol agents as rogue cops who were not in fear for their lives and who were 'out to shoot Mexicans,'" Culberson said in a statement.
Culberson said he believes false information was given to congressmen to "throw us off the scent and cover up what appears to be an unjust criminal prosecution of two U.S. law enforcement officers whose job was protecting our country's borders from criminals and terrorists."
The admission came during Skinner's testimony before the Homeland Security Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee. Culberson was asking questions about a meeting DHS officials had Sept. 26 with him and three other Republican congressman from Texas, Reps. Ted Poe, Michael McCaul and Kenny Marchant.
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Congressman calls for ouster of DHS deputies after IG admits agency gave false information
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© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
A Republican congressman is calling for the resignation of Department of Homeland Security officials who he says lied about the case of two Border Patrol agents imprisoned for their actions in the shooting of a drug smuggler.
As WND reported, at a congressional hearing yesterday, Rep. John Culberson of Texas confronted DHS Inspector General Richard Skinner about his agency's claim it had documentary proof of the guilt of former agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean.
"Richard Skinner admitted yesterday under oath that his top deputies gave members of Congress false information painting Border Patrol agents as rogue cops who were not in fear for their lives and who were 'out to shoot Mexicans,'" Culberson said in a statement.
Culberson said he believes false information was given to congressmen to "throw us off the scent and cover up what appears to be an unjust criminal prosecution of two U.S. law enforcement officers whose job was protecting our country's borders from criminals and terrorists."
The admission came during Skinner's testimony before the Homeland Security Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee. Culberson was asking questions about a meeting DHS officials had Sept. 26 with him and three other Republican congressman from Texas, Reps. Ted Poe, Michael McCaul and Kenny Marchant.
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STD vaccine campaign sweeping the nation
STD vaccine campaign sweeping the nation
26 states could mandate Merck drug for schoolgirls in coming months
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Posted: February 8, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Bob Unruh
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
State laws requiring young girls to be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted disease soon could be controlling the decisions parents make regarding their daughters in 26 states, as a result of the financial influence of drug maker Merck & Co. and the support it has gotten for its campaign from Women in Government as well as a prominent Republican lobbyist.
The drug manufacturer, the only company now making the vaccine for human papillomavirus, stands to be the immediate beneficiary – with estimates of up to $4 billion in sales – as well as those few thousand individuals whose complications from the HPV virus may well be eliminated.
The powerful connections behind the apparently separate but simultaneous state legislative proposals to mandate the HPV vaccine across the nation became apparent when Fran Eaton, the editor for the Illinois Review blog posted a commentary on the situation in Illinois.
There she noted with dismay that Texas Gov. Rick Perry had signed into law by executive fiat a requirement that all schoolgirls be vaccinated – at costs that have been estimated at up to $400 per student – with the vaccine created by Merck.
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26 states could mandate Merck drug for schoolgirls in coming months
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: February 8, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Bob Unruh
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
State laws requiring young girls to be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted disease soon could be controlling the decisions parents make regarding their daughters in 26 states, as a result of the financial influence of drug maker Merck & Co. and the support it has gotten for its campaign from Women in Government as well as a prominent Republican lobbyist.
The drug manufacturer, the only company now making the vaccine for human papillomavirus, stands to be the immediate beneficiary – with estimates of up to $4 billion in sales – as well as those few thousand individuals whose complications from the HPV virus may well be eliminated.
The powerful connections behind the apparently separate but simultaneous state legislative proposals to mandate the HPV vaccine across the nation became apparent when Fran Eaton, the editor for the Illinois Review blog posted a commentary on the situation in Illinois.
There she noted with dismay that Texas Gov. Rick Perry had signed into law by executive fiat a requirement that all schoolgirls be vaccinated – at costs that have been estimated at up to $400 per student – with the vaccine created by Merck.
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Evangelists beaten for handing out tracts
Evangelists beaten for handing out tracts
Four took Christian message to conference that taught Islam
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Posted: February 8, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
Four evangelists who are supported by Voice of the Martyrs have suffered beatings by a crowd of irate Muslims, but they first succeeded in handing out more than 13,000 Christian tracts at a conference on Islam.
Officials with VOM, a U.S.-based Christian group helping members of the persecuted Christian church worldwide, said one of the beatings was so severe that the Christian apparently suffered internal bleeding as a result.
But the message was delivered, much as Jesus described in Matthew 16:18, where he announces that "thou are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Gates, of course, generally are immobile, implying that it is the Christian message that advances. That is what happened at the Pakistan conference, VOM said.
"We are thrilled to stand with such courageous Christians," said Todd Nettleton, a spokesman for VOM. "These men bravely carried Christ's message of love to some of those who need it most, even though it was costly to do so.
"We are blessed to be able to provide medical care for them, and to continue to provide gospel materials to Pakistani Christians who risk so much to live for Christ," he said.
The team was at a Muslim festival in the city of Pakpattan on a Friday late last month. The four-member team handed out more than 13,000 Christian messages at that event before being attacked by radical Muslims.
VOM reports that three members of the team were beaten up, then taken to the police station where they were detained and questioned before being released.
The fourth member, however, "was badly beaten by a mob of more than 100 angry Muslims, who then dragged him through the crowd before taking him to the police station," the VOM reported. "He was beaten so severely that he reported blood in his urine and his stool."
VOM said workers on the scene are overseeing his hospitalization and care.
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Four took Christian message to conference that taught Islam
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: February 8, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
Four evangelists who are supported by Voice of the Martyrs have suffered beatings by a crowd of irate Muslims, but they first succeeded in handing out more than 13,000 Christian tracts at a conference on Islam.
Officials with VOM, a U.S.-based Christian group helping members of the persecuted Christian church worldwide, said one of the beatings was so severe that the Christian apparently suffered internal bleeding as a result.
But the message was delivered, much as Jesus described in Matthew 16:18, where he announces that "thou are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Gates, of course, generally are immobile, implying that it is the Christian message that advances. That is what happened at the Pakistan conference, VOM said.
"We are thrilled to stand with such courageous Christians," said Todd Nettleton, a spokesman for VOM. "These men bravely carried Christ's message of love to some of those who need it most, even though it was costly to do so.
"We are blessed to be able to provide medical care for them, and to continue to provide gospel materials to Pakistani Christians who risk so much to live for Christ," he said.
The team was at a Muslim festival in the city of Pakpattan on a Friday late last month. The four-member team handed out more than 13,000 Christian messages at that event before being attacked by radical Muslims.
VOM reports that three members of the team were beaten up, then taken to the police station where they were detained and questioned before being released.
The fourth member, however, "was badly beaten by a mob of more than 100 angry Muslims, who then dragged him through the crowd before taking him to the police station," the VOM reported. "He was beaten so severely that he reported blood in his urine and his stool."
VOM said workers on the scene are overseeing his hospitalization and care.
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Men jailed for being on public sidewalk
Men jailed for being on public sidewalk
Gideons arrested after school officials complain they were handing out Bibles
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Posted: February 8, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
Two men who are members of Gideons International, the Christian organization that is famous for, among other ministries, placing Bibles in motels and giving them to children, have been arrested after trying to hand out Bibles on a public sidewalk in Florida, according to a law firm.
Officials with the Alliance Defense Fund have confirmed they will be representing Anthony Mirto and Ernest Simpson, who were arrested, booked into jail and charged with trespassing.
Jeremy Tedesco, one of the ADF's lawyers on the case, confirmed to WND that the organization's clients were on a public sidewalk when they were handing out Bibles and school officials summoned police.
"The First Amendment protects the right to engage in religious speech on a public sidewalk," ADF Senior Legal Counsel David Cortman said. "Members of the Gideons have been highly respected for decades as peaceful providers of free Bibles to those who want them."
The arrest happened Jan. 19, when Mirto and Simpson were on the sidewalk outside of Key Largo School in Key Largo, Fla., and were distributing copies of the Bible to those interested.
"Neither man entered school grounds," the law firm said. "After the school's principal called police, a Monroe County sheriff's officer asked the men to leave immediately or face trespassing charges. As the men prepared to leave, the officer decided to arrest both individuals."
A hearing is scheduled March 5 in Monroe County Court in the cases, and ADF attorneys are preparing motions to dismiss the charges.
"Officials cannot use fear of arrest as a means of bullying law-abiding Christians into silence," Cortman said. "These men broke no laws when they decided to communicate their message on a public sidewalk."
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Gideons arrested after school officials complain they were handing out Bibles
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: February 8, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
Two men who are members of Gideons International, the Christian organization that is famous for, among other ministries, placing Bibles in motels and giving them to children, have been arrested after trying to hand out Bibles on a public sidewalk in Florida, according to a law firm.
Officials with the Alliance Defense Fund have confirmed they will be representing Anthony Mirto and Ernest Simpson, who were arrested, booked into jail and charged with trespassing.
Jeremy Tedesco, one of the ADF's lawyers on the case, confirmed to WND that the organization's clients were on a public sidewalk when they were handing out Bibles and school officials summoned police.
"The First Amendment protects the right to engage in religious speech on a public sidewalk," ADF Senior Legal Counsel David Cortman said. "Members of the Gideons have been highly respected for decades as peaceful providers of free Bibles to those who want them."
The arrest happened Jan. 19, when Mirto and Simpson were on the sidewalk outside of Key Largo School in Key Largo, Fla., and were distributing copies of the Bible to those interested.
"Neither man entered school grounds," the law firm said. "After the school's principal called police, a Monroe County sheriff's officer asked the men to leave immediately or face trespassing charges. As the men prepared to leave, the officer decided to arrest both individuals."
A hearing is scheduled March 5 in Monroe County Court in the cases, and ADF attorneys are preparing motions to dismiss the charges.
"Officials cannot use fear of arrest as a means of bullying law-abiding Christians into silence," Cortman said. "These men broke no laws when they decided to communicate their message on a public sidewalk."
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Saturday, February 3, 2007
Fox's John Kasich interviews atheist Brian Flemming about the Blasphemy Challenge.
Fox News Blasphemy Challenge
Fox's John Kasich interviews atheist Brian Flemming about the Blasphemy Challenge.
Click here to watch the video!
Very foolish...They know not what they do! Professing to be wise, they became fools. They will have to bow down to the God they deny one day soon. Then, it will be too late.
Fox's John Kasich interviews atheist Brian Flemming about the Blasphemy Challenge.
Click here to watch the video!
Very foolish...They know not what they do! Professing to be wise, they became fools. They will have to bow down to the God they deny one day soon. Then, it will be too late.
Police take home-taught student to psych ward
Police take home-taught student to psych ward
Government objected to her parent-led courses in math, Latin
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Posted: February 3, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Bob Unruh
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
A nation whose education officials already have warned that they will, when necessary, "bring the religious convictions of the family into line" with state requirements, now has removed a 16-year-old girl from her family and placed her in a child psychiatry unit after she turned in below-expected grades in math and Latin.
The news of nearly two dozen officials and uniformed police officers physically taking the teen from her home in front of her shocked family is just the latest horror story to come out of Germany, where homeschooling was placed under a ban by Adolf Hitler and der Fuhrer's law still is enforced.
The stories are concerning to homeschoolers in the rest of the world, including the United States, because of the real potential that international law eventually could be used to ban such activities in places where it now is legal.
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Government objected to her parent-led courses in math, Latin
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Posted: February 3, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Bob Unruh
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
A nation whose education officials already have warned that they will, when necessary, "bring the religious convictions of the family into line" with state requirements, now has removed a 16-year-old girl from her family and placed her in a child psychiatry unit after she turned in below-expected grades in math and Latin.
The news of nearly two dozen officials and uniformed police officers physically taking the teen from her home in front of her shocked family is just the latest horror story to come out of Germany, where homeschooling was placed under a ban by Adolf Hitler and der Fuhrer's law still is enforced.
The stories are concerning to homeschoolers in the rest of the world, including the United States, because of the real potential that international law eventually could be used to ban such activities in places where it now is legal.
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Christians Concerned for Venezuela as Chavez Granted Sweeping Powers
Christians Concerned for Venezuela as Chavez Granted Sweeping Powers
Christians are concerned for the future of religious freedom in Venezuela after the country's Congress granted President Hugo Chavez powers to rule by decree.
by Maria Mackay
Voice of the Martyrs, a Christian persecution watchdog, has expressed its concern for the future of religious freedom in Venezuela after the country’s Congress granted President Hugo Chavez powers earlier in the week to rule by decree for 18 months.
Chavez’s new powers come as he attempts to force through nationalisations key to the new era of “maximum revolution” in which he aims to transform 11 broadly defined areas, including the economy, energy and defence.
Voice of the Martyrs’ Todd Nettleton said, "President Hugo Chavez is gaining almost dictatorial powers over that country. He will be allowed to stay in office as long as he wants and basically rule the country by his decree."
The future for Christians in the country looks uncertain and Nettleton says Chavez doesn’t have a good track record, reports Mission Network News.
"Chavez is very fond of Fidel Castro. We know he's not a friend of the church in his country. So, you just look at the evidence and you look at the past and you look at who Hugo Chavez' friends are, it's got to make you nervous if you have Christian workers in Venezuela."
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Christians are concerned for the future of religious freedom in Venezuela after the country's Congress granted President Hugo Chavez powers to rule by decree.
by Maria Mackay
Voice of the Martyrs, a Christian persecution watchdog, has expressed its concern for the future of religious freedom in Venezuela after the country’s Congress granted President Hugo Chavez powers earlier in the week to rule by decree for 18 months.
Chavez’s new powers come as he attempts to force through nationalisations key to the new era of “maximum revolution” in which he aims to transform 11 broadly defined areas, including the economy, energy and defence.
Voice of the Martyrs’ Todd Nettleton said, "President Hugo Chavez is gaining almost dictatorial powers over that country. He will be allowed to stay in office as long as he wants and basically rule the country by his decree."
The future for Christians in the country looks uncertain and Nettleton says Chavez doesn’t have a good track record, reports Mission Network News.
"Chavez is very fond of Fidel Castro. We know he's not a friend of the church in his country. So, you just look at the evidence and you look at the past and you look at who Hugo Chavez' friends are, it's got to make you nervous if you have Christian workers in Venezuela."
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Abortion Bill Rejected in Wyoming
Abortion Bill Rejected in Wyoming
CBN News
CBNNews.com – Wyoming’s House of Representatives recently rejected a bill requiring a 24-hour waiting period for women who want an abortion.
Women are also required to look at materials showing the risks and side effects of abortion.
Supporters called it the “Women’s Right to Know Act.”
One sponsor said he’d talked to women who were harmed physically and mentally by abortion.
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CBN News
CBNNews.com – Wyoming’s House of Representatives recently rejected a bill requiring a 24-hour waiting period for women who want an abortion.
Women are also required to look at materials showing the risks and side effects of abortion.
Supporters called it the “Women’s Right to Know Act.”
One sponsor said he’d talked to women who were harmed physically and mentally by abortion.
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Current birth rates could produce Muslim domination
Chad Groening
OneNewsNow.com
The Population Research Institute says the Western world is facing a crisis as virtually every country has birth rates well below the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman.
A pro-family organization has done extensive research into birth rates around the world and has concluded that if the Western world wants to survive, it better start having more children. The Population Research Institute (PRI) says virtually every Western or Westernized nation on the planet is slowly dying off because birth rates have fallen below the 2.1-child-per-woman replacement level.
PRI spokesman Joseph D'Agostino says for the most part, only Muslims have high birth rates. "It's because Christians and Jews are refusing to have children, refusing to get married, [and] having such low birth rates that the Muslims are going to inherit the Earth," he explains. "It's not anything the Muslims are doing; it's what Christians and Jews are not doing."
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OneNewsNow.com
The Population Research Institute says the Western world is facing a crisis as virtually every country has birth rates well below the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman.
A pro-family organization has done extensive research into birth rates around the world and has concluded that if the Western world wants to survive, it better start having more children. The Population Research Institute (PRI) says virtually every Western or Westernized nation on the planet is slowly dying off because birth rates have fallen below the 2.1-child-per-woman replacement level.
PRI spokesman Joseph D'Agostino says for the most part, only Muslims have high birth rates. "It's because Christians and Jews are refusing to have children, refusing to get married, [and] having such low birth rates that the Muslims are going to inherit the Earth," he explains. "It's not anything the Muslims are doing; it's what Christians and Jews are not doing."
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Pastors can motivate church members to evangelize, LifeWay Research says
Allie Martin
OneNewsNow.com
A Lifeway Research study finds the churches that are most successful in the area of evangelism are those whose pastors set the tone for an emphasis on soul winning and lead their congregations by example.
A new study by the research arm of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) finds churches that excel in evangelism have pastors who emphasize soul winning. LifeWay Research interviewed staff from several SBC churches and found that the senior pastor’s involvement was the most important determiner of a church’s success at evangelistic outreach.
In its study, LifeWay Research wanted to focus on churches that met the following criteria: churches that had baptized at least 26 people each year for 10 consecutive years; had overall worship attendance growth during the same 10 years; and had a membership to baptism ratio of no more than 20-to-1.
Out of more than 43,000 churches in the denomination, only 22 Southern Baptist congregations met those criteria. In interviews conducted with staff members from 19 of those churches, LifeWay’s researchers found the involvement of a senior pastor to be the most critical factor when it came to soul winning.
"In every case,” LifeWay Research director Brad Waggoner says, the study showed that senior pastors “set the tone for the whole church,” leading not only in terms of preaching and encouraging people but also by example. “Once again,” the LifeWay official notes, “we were reminded of the importance of God calling out leaders who set the pace."
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OneNewsNow.com
A Lifeway Research study finds the churches that are most successful in the area of evangelism are those whose pastors set the tone for an emphasis on soul winning and lead their congregations by example.
A new study by the research arm of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) finds churches that excel in evangelism have pastors who emphasize soul winning. LifeWay Research interviewed staff from several SBC churches and found that the senior pastor’s involvement was the most important determiner of a church’s success at evangelistic outreach.
In its study, LifeWay Research wanted to focus on churches that met the following criteria: churches that had baptized at least 26 people each year for 10 consecutive years; had overall worship attendance growth during the same 10 years; and had a membership to baptism ratio of no more than 20-to-1.
Out of more than 43,000 churches in the denomination, only 22 Southern Baptist congregations met those criteria. In interviews conducted with staff members from 19 of those churches, LifeWay’s researchers found the involvement of a senior pastor to be the most critical factor when it came to soul winning.
"In every case,” LifeWay Research director Brad Waggoner says, the study showed that senior pastors “set the tone for the whole church,” leading not only in terms of preaching and encouraging people but also by example. “Once again,” the LifeWay official notes, “we were reminded of the importance of God calling out leaders who set the pace."
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'Amazing Grace' film about Wilberforce called inspirational
'Amazing Grace' film about Wilberforce called inspirational
By Michael Foust
Baptist Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--William Wilberforce isn't a household name in America, but an upcoming motion picture is trying to change that.
"Amazing Grace" is the story of Wilberforce, a devout Christian and a member of the British Parliament who, beginning around 1787, sought to do what then seemed impossible -- lead the British Empire to abolish the slave trade, what supporters called the lifeblood of the economy. He failed year after year before, finally, in 1807 -- 200 years ago -- his bill became law, abolishing an evil that had resulted in the enslavement and death of millions of Africans. Shortly before his death in 1833, he learned that another bill -- to abolish the practice of slavery itself in the empire -- would soon become law
The movie -– to be released Feb. 23 and rated PG for mild language -- gets its name from Wilberforce's friendship with John Newton, the author of the hymn "Amazing Grace" and a former slave trader who -- several years after becoming a Christian -- teamed up with Wilberforce to abolish the trade.
Christian leaders today say the church could learn much from the way Wilberforce's faith drove him to moral action and kept him from giving up, despite obstacles.
"Anyone would be uplifted by seeing this movie, and people of faith should be inspired by it," said Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission President Richard Land, who saw the movie at a January screening. "I thought it was an excellent movie that shows what happens when a man of true faith takes seriously the command to be salt and light. Wilberforce should be an inspiration to every person of faith who takes seriously the obligation, responsibility and commission to make a difference in society."
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By Michael Foust
Baptist Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--William Wilberforce isn't a household name in America, but an upcoming motion picture is trying to change that.
"Amazing Grace" is the story of Wilberforce, a devout Christian and a member of the British Parliament who, beginning around 1787, sought to do what then seemed impossible -- lead the British Empire to abolish the slave trade, what supporters called the lifeblood of the economy. He failed year after year before, finally, in 1807 -- 200 years ago -- his bill became law, abolishing an evil that had resulted in the enslavement and death of millions of Africans. Shortly before his death in 1833, he learned that another bill -- to abolish the practice of slavery itself in the empire -- would soon become law
The movie -– to be released Feb. 23 and rated PG for mild language -- gets its name from Wilberforce's friendship with John Newton, the author of the hymn "Amazing Grace" and a former slave trader who -- several years after becoming a Christian -- teamed up with Wilberforce to abolish the trade.
Christian leaders today say the church could learn much from the way Wilberforce's faith drove him to moral action and kept him from giving up, despite obstacles.
"Anyone would be uplifted by seeing this movie, and people of faith should be inspired by it," said Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission President Richard Land, who saw the movie at a January screening. "I thought it was an excellent movie that shows what happens when a man of true faith takes seriously the command to be salt and light. Wilberforce should be an inspiration to every person of faith who takes seriously the obligation, responsibility and commission to make a difference in society."
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Tortured brickmakers refuse to embrace Islam
Tortured brickmakers refuse to embrace Islam
Steadfast Christian faith sustains them through month-long imprisonment
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© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
Two brothers who used to work at a brick kiln have escaped from what they describe as a kidnapping and torture by the business owner, who wanted them to convert from Christianity to Islam, according to a new report from Voice of the Martyrs, a U.S.-based Christian group helping members of the persecuted Christian church worldwide.
The two now have had to move to a new location in Pakistan, since the kiln owner continues to search for them, alleging they owe him a sum of about $750 – or 45,000 rupees
The brothers, Shahzad, 18, and Saraj Bashir, 20, were working for the kiln company – at the rate of about 200 to 300 rupees per 1,000 bricks, but were being pressured by the owner to forsake Christianity.
One day their steadfast Christian faith brought their Islamic boss to a breaking point.
"When Shahzad and Saraj refused to convert, the brick kiln owner took them away," according to a VOM source within Pakistan. "He put them in a small, empty room with a mud floor without a bed, chair or mattress."
The source continued: "He kept them there for a month. He gave them food once a day and beat them with a stick when they refused to convert back to Islam. He also threw acid on their arms, but they remained true to their Christ."
The tension between the kiln owner's demands and the brothers' faith had been building for some time. The brothers had been paid for the first few weeks of work, but then the owner, angered by meetings the Christians held, stopped paying for the work and instead told the family they owed him the 45,000 rupees.
"What angered the brick kiln owner more were the prayer meetings conducted by Pastor Emmanuel. Christians attended the prayer meetings and refused converting to Islam," the VOM source reported.
Throughout the time the brothers were held, they prayed daily and asked God to rescue them, VOM said.
One day, their chance came.
"When they discovered the door [to their prison] was open, they bowed before God and thanked Him for the miracle and then escaped," the informant told VOM. The brothers fled for days, without food, until they could reach their family.
Their fear of the kiln owner's anger and potential future actions have forced them now to move from the area. Reports are that the kiln owner continues searching for the brothers in order to get repayment of their "debt," according to VOM.
The brothers pray their experience will bring other Muslims to a knowledge of Christianity, VOM said.
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Steadfast Christian faith sustains them through month-long imprisonment
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© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
Two brothers who used to work at a brick kiln have escaped from what they describe as a kidnapping and torture by the business owner, who wanted them to convert from Christianity to Islam, according to a new report from Voice of the Martyrs, a U.S.-based Christian group helping members of the persecuted Christian church worldwide.
The two now have had to move to a new location in Pakistan, since the kiln owner continues to search for them, alleging they owe him a sum of about $750 – or 45,000 rupees
The brothers, Shahzad, 18, and Saraj Bashir, 20, were working for the kiln company – at the rate of about 200 to 300 rupees per 1,000 bricks, but were being pressured by the owner to forsake Christianity.
One day their steadfast Christian faith brought their Islamic boss to a breaking point.
"When Shahzad and Saraj refused to convert, the brick kiln owner took them away," according to a VOM source within Pakistan. "He put them in a small, empty room with a mud floor without a bed, chair or mattress."
The source continued: "He kept them there for a month. He gave them food once a day and beat them with a stick when they refused to convert back to Islam. He also threw acid on their arms, but they remained true to their Christ."
The tension between the kiln owner's demands and the brothers' faith had been building for some time. The brothers had been paid for the first few weeks of work, but then the owner, angered by meetings the Christians held, stopped paying for the work and instead told the family they owed him the 45,000 rupees.
"What angered the brick kiln owner more were the prayer meetings conducted by Pastor Emmanuel. Christians attended the prayer meetings and refused converting to Islam," the VOM source reported.
Throughout the time the brothers were held, they prayed daily and asked God to rescue them, VOM said.
One day, their chance came.
"When they discovered the door [to their prison] was open, they bowed before God and thanked Him for the miracle and then escaped," the informant told VOM. The brothers fled for days, without food, until they could reach their family.
Their fear of the kiln owner's anger and potential future actions have forced them now to move from the area. Reports are that the kiln owner continues searching for the brothers in order to get repayment of their "debt," according to VOM.
The brothers pray their experience will bring other Muslims to a knowledge of Christianity, VOM said.
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Investigation of pastor's shooting death sought
Investigation of pastor's shooting death sought
Government forces gun down Tamil Mission Church leader
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Posted: February 3, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
Church officials who oversee the work of Christian ministers in Sri Lanka are calling for international intervention in that nation, after a church pastor was gunned down by Sri Lankan government security forces.
The report comes from Assist News Service.
It identifies the victim of the government-forces shooting as Rev. Nallathamby Gnanaseelan, the pastor of Tamil Mission Church Jaffna, and the father of four children, ages 1 to 7.
ASSIST reported that the bishop of Colombo noted the pastor had taken his wife Serena and his daughter to the hospital on his bike.
"The killing took place at Chapel Street when Rev. Gnanaseelan was returning, after dropping his wife and daughter at the hospital. He was heading to his church to conduct a fasting and prayer event," the bishop said.
Reports reaching the bishop's office from the Clergy Fellowship of Jaffna indicate that Rev. Gnanaseelan was shot in the stomach and then as he lay on the street, shot in the head and killed. "His Bible, bag, identity card and motorcycle were taken away and he was left lying on the road," the report said.
"The security forces reports initially indicated that Rev. Ghanaseelan was carrying explosives. Subsequently it was said that he was shot as he did not stop when challenged to do so. This is a deliberate attempt to frame Rev. Gnanaseelan," according to the bishop's report on the Jan. 13 death.
Lanka Nesiah, personal assistant to the bishop of Colombo, told ASSIST: "Rev. Gnanaseelan was a member of the National Christian Evangelical Alliance Clergy Fellowship in Jaffna and was not involved in any political activity. He was a law abiding citizen and a pastor to his congregation. His death is not an isolated incident, but one of many, which takes place in the North East of Sri Lanka, daily."
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Government forces gun down Tamil Mission Church leader
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Posted: February 3, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
Church officials who oversee the work of Christian ministers in Sri Lanka are calling for international intervention in that nation, after a church pastor was gunned down by Sri Lankan government security forces.
The report comes from Assist News Service.
It identifies the victim of the government-forces shooting as Rev. Nallathamby Gnanaseelan, the pastor of Tamil Mission Church Jaffna, and the father of four children, ages 1 to 7.
ASSIST reported that the bishop of Colombo noted the pastor had taken his wife Serena and his daughter to the hospital on his bike.
"The killing took place at Chapel Street when Rev. Gnanaseelan was returning, after dropping his wife and daughter at the hospital. He was heading to his church to conduct a fasting and prayer event," the bishop said.
Reports reaching the bishop's office from the Clergy Fellowship of Jaffna indicate that Rev. Gnanaseelan was shot in the stomach and then as he lay on the street, shot in the head and killed. "His Bible, bag, identity card and motorcycle were taken away and he was left lying on the road," the report said.
"The security forces reports initially indicated that Rev. Ghanaseelan was carrying explosives. Subsequently it was said that he was shot as he did not stop when challenged to do so. This is a deliberate attempt to frame Rev. Gnanaseelan," according to the bishop's report on the Jan. 13 death.
Lanka Nesiah, personal assistant to the bishop of Colombo, told ASSIST: "Rev. Gnanaseelan was a member of the National Christian Evangelical Alliance Clergy Fellowship in Jaffna and was not involved in any political activity. He was a law abiding citizen and a pastor to his congregation. His death is not an isolated incident, but one of many, which takes place in the North East of Sri Lanka, daily."
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Church 'Super Bowl' festivities may go on
Church 'Super Bowl' festivities may go on
NFL says just don't charge admission fees to parties
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Posted: February 2, 2007
5:00 p.m. Eastern
By Bob Unruh
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
Churches across the U.S. planning Super Bowl parties Sunday, as the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears meet in the 41st edition of the classic first won by the Green Bay Packers, have been given sweeping permission by the NFL to go ahead – just as long as no admission fees are charged.
A dispute arose several days ago in the Midwest when the NFL sent a letter to one church based on its website advertisement for a "Super Bowl Party." That letter to Fall Creek Baptist Church in Indianapolis said the church couldn't use the words "Super Bowl," it couldn't charge admission, it couldn't use its projection screen for the game, and a number of other things.
Those limits, coupled with the fact no church felt willing to take on a financial behemoth like the National Football League in court, sparked a series of cancellations of those parties.
"We regret to inform you that we have had to cancel our bash to view the Colts game this Sunday in a family friendly environment due to the fact that the NFL believes we would be in violation of the Copyright Act, because we had planned to show the game on a screen bigger than a 55 inch diagonal," said a website statement from Pastor John D. Newland of Fall Creek Baptist.
However, a written statement given to WND by the NFL late today made no mention of many of those restrictions. It was attributed only to "an NFL spokesman."
"The National Football League has absolutely no objection to churches and others hosting Super Bowl viewing parties as long as they do not charge admission and show the game on a television of the type commonly used at home.
"We are simply following copyright law and have done so with regard to any type of commercial establishment including hotels, theatres, museums, schools, arenas and others.
"This is nothing new. It is a matter of longstanding policy and the law.
"We have no rules that relate to viewing at home on any type of television."
NFL officials, after the statement was released, could not be reached by WND for any elaboration.
Earlier, they forwarded to WND their "Policy On The Public Performance Of Game Broadcasts," which expressed the league's "exclusive" ownership of the games and broadcasts.
The policy also describes the "homestyle exemption," which allows that in certain circumstances "conduct that otherwise violates the public performance right is deemed noninfringing. Specifically, 17 U.S.C. Paragraph 110(5)(A) provides that performance of a televised game will be excused if such performance is 'on a single receiving apparatus of a kind commonly used in private homes, unless (1) a direct charge is made to see or hear the transmission; or (2) the transmission thus received is further transmitted to the public.'"
The NFL policy notes that the league doesn't object to having games played on a single television receiver, "set up in a room or bar, provided payment is not a condition of entry."
Elaborate performances, such as those using a movie theater with multiple, oversized television monitors and entry fees would, however, cause objections.
Pastor Mark Miller, of Indian Creek Christian Church in Indianapolis, said his church's party was cancelled, but when he heard from WND the NFL was committed to being flexible, said it would depend on whether the youth ministry team could re-group – again – that fast.
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NFL says just don't charge admission fees to parties
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Posted: February 2, 2007
5:00 p.m. Eastern
By Bob Unruh
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
Churches across the U.S. planning Super Bowl parties Sunday, as the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears meet in the 41st edition of the classic first won by the Green Bay Packers, have been given sweeping permission by the NFL to go ahead – just as long as no admission fees are charged.
A dispute arose several days ago in the Midwest when the NFL sent a letter to one church based on its website advertisement for a "Super Bowl Party." That letter to Fall Creek Baptist Church in Indianapolis said the church couldn't use the words "Super Bowl," it couldn't charge admission, it couldn't use its projection screen for the game, and a number of other things.
Those limits, coupled with the fact no church felt willing to take on a financial behemoth like the National Football League in court, sparked a series of cancellations of those parties.
"We regret to inform you that we have had to cancel our bash to view the Colts game this Sunday in a family friendly environment due to the fact that the NFL believes we would be in violation of the Copyright Act, because we had planned to show the game on a screen bigger than a 55 inch diagonal," said a website statement from Pastor John D. Newland of Fall Creek Baptist.
However, a written statement given to WND by the NFL late today made no mention of many of those restrictions. It was attributed only to "an NFL spokesman."
"The National Football League has absolutely no objection to churches and others hosting Super Bowl viewing parties as long as they do not charge admission and show the game on a television of the type commonly used at home.
"We are simply following copyright law and have done so with regard to any type of commercial establishment including hotels, theatres, museums, schools, arenas and others.
"This is nothing new. It is a matter of longstanding policy and the law.
"We have no rules that relate to viewing at home on any type of television."
NFL officials, after the statement was released, could not be reached by WND for any elaboration.
Earlier, they forwarded to WND their "Policy On The Public Performance Of Game Broadcasts," which expressed the league's "exclusive" ownership of the games and broadcasts.
The policy also describes the "homestyle exemption," which allows that in certain circumstances "conduct that otherwise violates the public performance right is deemed noninfringing. Specifically, 17 U.S.C. Paragraph 110(5)(A) provides that performance of a televised game will be excused if such performance is 'on a single receiving apparatus of a kind commonly used in private homes, unless (1) a direct charge is made to see or hear the transmission; or (2) the transmission thus received is further transmitted to the public.'"
The NFL policy notes that the league doesn't object to having games played on a single television receiver, "set up in a room or bar, provided payment is not a condition of entry."
Elaborate performances, such as those using a movie theater with multiple, oversized television monitors and entry fees would, however, cause objections.
Pastor Mark Miller, of Indian Creek Christian Church in Indianapolis, said his church's party was cancelled, but when he heard from WND the NFL was committed to being flexible, said it would depend on whether the youth ministry team could re-group – again – that fast.
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Mt. Soledad case 'should be put to rest'
Mt. Soledad case 'should be put to rest'
ACLJ argues more appeals in dispute over San Diego cross unneeded
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Posted: February 3, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
A brief has been filed with the California Supreme Court on behalf of nearly two dozens members of Congress asking that a lower court ruling in the dispute over the Mt. Soledad Memorial be affirmed.
That lower court decision concluded that a ballot proposition in which San Diego voters overwhelmingly supported a plan to donate the memorial and its land to the federal government was constitutional.
The new filing comes from the American Center for Law and Justice, which wants the state Supreme Court to deny a further review of the dispute and allow the cross memorial to stay where it is.
The ACLJ's filing come just a few weeks after a federal appeals court dismissed a separate legal proceeding that challenged the cross memorial.
"The state appeals court got this right and there is simply no reason for the California Supreme Court to take this appeal," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ, which is active in defending the constitutionality of the cross.
"It's clear the legal challenges at both the state and federal levels are not succeeding and we're confident that ultimately this issue can be put to rest once and for all. The Mt. Soledad Memorial is a historically significant tribute honoring veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and poses no constitutional crisis," he said.
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ACLJ argues more appeals in dispute over San Diego cross unneeded
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Posted: February 3, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
A brief has been filed with the California Supreme Court on behalf of nearly two dozens members of Congress asking that a lower court ruling in the dispute over the Mt. Soledad Memorial be affirmed.
That lower court decision concluded that a ballot proposition in which San Diego voters overwhelmingly supported a plan to donate the memorial and its land to the federal government was constitutional.
The new filing comes from the American Center for Law and Justice, which wants the state Supreme Court to deny a further review of the dispute and allow the cross memorial to stay where it is.
The ACLJ's filing come just a few weeks after a federal appeals court dismissed a separate legal proceeding that challenged the cross memorial.
"The state appeals court got this right and there is simply no reason for the California Supreme Court to take this appeal," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ, which is active in defending the constitutionality of the cross.
"It's clear the legal challenges at both the state and federal levels are not succeeding and we're confident that ultimately this issue can be put to rest once and for all. The Mt. Soledad Memorial is a historically significant tribute honoring veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and poses no constitutional crisis," he said.
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Imam leads Democrats in prayer of conversion
Imam leads Democrats in prayer of conversion
Muslim leader at party's winter meeting also asks Allah to stop 'the occupation'
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Posted: February 3, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
With heads bowed reverently, Democrats were led in prayer yesterday by a Muslim imam who essentially asked Allah to assist in converting the party members to Islam, according to a scholar and author.
Robert Spencer, director of Jihad Watch and author of "The Truth about Muhammad," took note of the invocation given at the Democratic National Committee winter meeting by Husham Al-Husainy, imam of the Karbalaa Islamic Education Center, a shiite mosque in Dearborn, Mich.
According to a transcript of the prayer, which can be seen on a video clip provided by HotAir.com, the imam said:
In the name of God the most merciful, the most compassionate. We thank you, God, to bless us among your creations. We thank you, God, to make us as a great nation. We thank you God, to send us your messages through our father Abraham and Moses and Jesus and Muhammad. Through you, God, we unite. So guide us to the right path. The path of the people you bless, not the path of the people you doom. Help us God to liberate and fill this earth with justice and peace and love and equality. And help us to stop the war and violence, and oppression and occupation. Ameen.
Spencer, in a post on his Jihad Watch website, said he found it interesting to see the Muslim leader praying, "in veiled terms to be sure, for their conversion to Islam, and, oh yes, for the destruction of Israel ("And help us to stop the war and violence, and oppression and occupation").
"Imagine if a Christian priest or minister had prayed at a DNC meeting that those attending be guided away from the path of those doomed by God," Spencer said.
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Muslim leader at party's winter meeting also asks Allah to stop 'the occupation'
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Posted: February 3, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
With heads bowed reverently, Democrats were led in prayer yesterday by a Muslim imam who essentially asked Allah to assist in converting the party members to Islam, according to a scholar and author.
Robert Spencer, director of Jihad Watch and author of "The Truth about Muhammad," took note of the invocation given at the Democratic National Committee winter meeting by Husham Al-Husainy, imam of the Karbalaa Islamic Education Center, a shiite mosque in Dearborn, Mich.
According to a transcript of the prayer, which can be seen on a video clip provided by HotAir.com, the imam said:
In the name of God the most merciful, the most compassionate. We thank you, God, to bless us among your creations. We thank you, God, to make us as a great nation. We thank you God, to send us your messages through our father Abraham and Moses and Jesus and Muhammad. Through you, God, we unite. So guide us to the right path. The path of the people you bless, not the path of the people you doom. Help us God to liberate and fill this earth with justice and peace and love and equality. And help us to stop the war and violence, and oppression and occupation. Ameen.
Spencer, in a post on his Jihad Watch website, said he found it interesting to see the Muslim leader praying, "in veiled terms to be sure, for their conversion to Islam, and, oh yes, for the destruction of Israel ("And help us to stop the war and violence, and oppression and occupation").
"Imagine if a Christian priest or minister had prayed at a DNC meeting that those attending be guided away from the path of those doomed by God," Spencer said.
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MARRIAGE DIGEST: Israel recognizes first 'gay marriage'; Hawaii legislators may pass civil unions bill; ...
MARRIAGE DIGEST: Israel recognizes first 'gay marriage'; Hawaii legislators may pass civil unions bill; ...
By Michael Foust
Baptist Press
JERUSALEM (BP)--Israel registered its first "gay marriage" Jan. 29, two months after the nation's highest court issued a landmark ruling for homosexual couples.
Binyamin and Avi Rose, two homosexual men from Israel, became the first couple to have their marriage license recognized, the Jerusalem Post reported. They "married" in Canada last June.
The November decision by the Israeli Supreme Court ordered the country to recognize "gay marriages" from other countries, such as Canada and Spain. Although the ruling didn't allow same-sex couples to get "married" within Israel's borders, it nonetheless put the country at odds with other nations such as the United States and Great Britain, neither of which recognizes foreign "gay marriages." The U.S. government doesn't even recognize "gay marriages" from the state of Massachusetts, where it is legal.
"It was wonderful to get married at the city hall in Toronto, but it was far more important for the state of Israel to recognize us as a couple," Avi told the Jerusalem Post.
His father is a rabbi in the United States and supports "gay marriage."
"We wanted the government of Israel to recognize that we are a couple," Avi told the paper. "It was no more of a statement than [coming from] a 'regular' couple, but we are both committed Zionists and are hopeful that our union will bring more progress on this issue."
Despite Israel's conservative image, homosexual activists there have won significant legal and political battles in recent years. For instance, homosexuals in Israel can serve openly in the military. America's "don't ask, don't tell" policy prevents such open service, with U.S. military leaders saying open service would harm morale and cohesion.
Canada is a popular destination for homosexual couples because its marriage law doesn't require residency.
The 6-1 decision by Israel's highest court sparked outrage by some politicians.
"We don't have a Jewish state here. We have Sodom and Gomorrah here," lawmaker Moshe Gafni told Israel's Army Radio, according to the Associated Press. "I assume that every sane person in the state of Israel, possibly the entire Jewish world, is shocked, because the significance is ... the destruction of the family unit in the state of Israel."
Some legislators support passage of a bill that would prohibit the recognition of "gay marriage." Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, though, opposes the bill.
HAWAII CONSIDERS CIVIL UNIONS -- Democrats in Hawaii's legislature are hoping to pass a bill this session that would legalize same-sex civil unions, putting the state alongside Connecticut, New Jersey and Vermont. Democrats control both chambers. Civil unions grant same-sex couples the legal benefits of marriage.
"Committed couples, regardless of their sexual preference or orientation, should have the same rights. That's the bottom line -- we should treat people equally," state Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser said, according to AP. "There's broad support among Democratic party members."
Republican Gov. Linda Lingle hasn't taken a position on the bill, AP said.
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By Michael Foust
Baptist Press
JERUSALEM (BP)--Israel registered its first "gay marriage" Jan. 29, two months after the nation's highest court issued a landmark ruling for homosexual couples.
Binyamin and Avi Rose, two homosexual men from Israel, became the first couple to have their marriage license recognized, the Jerusalem Post reported. They "married" in Canada last June.
The November decision by the Israeli Supreme Court ordered the country to recognize "gay marriages" from other countries, such as Canada and Spain. Although the ruling didn't allow same-sex couples to get "married" within Israel's borders, it nonetheless put the country at odds with other nations such as the United States and Great Britain, neither of which recognizes foreign "gay marriages." The U.S. government doesn't even recognize "gay marriages" from the state of Massachusetts, where it is legal.
"It was wonderful to get married at the city hall in Toronto, but it was far more important for the state of Israel to recognize us as a couple," Avi told the Jerusalem Post.
His father is a rabbi in the United States and supports "gay marriage."
"We wanted the government of Israel to recognize that we are a couple," Avi told the paper. "It was no more of a statement than [coming from] a 'regular' couple, but we are both committed Zionists and are hopeful that our union will bring more progress on this issue."
Despite Israel's conservative image, homosexual activists there have won significant legal and political battles in recent years. For instance, homosexuals in Israel can serve openly in the military. America's "don't ask, don't tell" policy prevents such open service, with U.S. military leaders saying open service would harm morale and cohesion.
Canada is a popular destination for homosexual couples because its marriage law doesn't require residency.
The 6-1 decision by Israel's highest court sparked outrage by some politicians.
"We don't have a Jewish state here. We have Sodom and Gomorrah here," lawmaker Moshe Gafni told Israel's Army Radio, according to the Associated Press. "I assume that every sane person in the state of Israel, possibly the entire Jewish world, is shocked, because the significance is ... the destruction of the family unit in the state of Israel."
Some legislators support passage of a bill that would prohibit the recognition of "gay marriage." Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, though, opposes the bill.
HAWAII CONSIDERS CIVIL UNIONS -- Democrats in Hawaii's legislature are hoping to pass a bill this session that would legalize same-sex civil unions, putting the state alongside Connecticut, New Jersey and Vermont. Democrats control both chambers. Civil unions grant same-sex couples the legal benefits of marriage.
"Committed couples, regardless of their sexual preference or orientation, should have the same rights. That's the bottom line -- we should treat people equally," state Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser said, according to AP. "There's broad support among Democratic party members."
Republican Gov. Linda Lingle hasn't taken a position on the bill, AP said.
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Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Hit Christian Movie on a Mission 'Facing the Giants'
Hit Christian Movie on a Mission
CBN News
CBNNews.com - Sports Illustrated called it one of the most inspirational movies of the year and now "Facing the Giants" is out on DVD.
It has been dubbed "the little movie that could" because of the positive message it sent to the nation and hollywood.
It's about a high school football coach who trusts God to do the impossible which He did in the movie.
Click here for the full story, and for a link to learn more about how the movie is being used to share Biblical principles for living.
CBN News
CBNNews.com - Sports Illustrated called it one of the most inspirational movies of the year and now "Facing the Giants" is out on DVD.
It has been dubbed "the little movie that could" because of the positive message it sent to the nation and hollywood.
It's about a high school football coach who trusts God to do the impossible which He did in the movie.
Click here for the full story, and for a link to learn more about how the movie is being used to share Biblical principles for living.
So Just What Is Iran Up to Anyway?
So Just What Is Iran Up to Anyway?
By John Jessup
CBN News
January 31, 2007
CBNNews.com - WASHINGTON- The accusations against Iran are coming from the highest level of government and include some Iraqis, too.
On Capitol Hill, the man who's preparing to direct U.S. policy in Iraq for the State Department says Iran is making progress in Iraq difficult.
"We have increasing evidence that they have been providing lethal assistance to extremist Shia groups in that country," said John Negroponte, director of National Intelligence.
Iran denies those charges, but they're getting harder to escape.
This week, a top U.S. general in Iraq told USA Today Tehran is supplying militia groups with katyusha rockets, explosively formed projectiles, and rocket propelled grenades strong enough to pierce through armor. The military has been able to trace them back to Iran through serial numbers.
There's also a report that the attackers responsible for the deaths of five American soldiers in Karbala earlier this month may have been trained and financed by Iran.
Bush, in an interview with ABC News, said the U.S. will deal with Iran to protect U.S. forces in the region.
"Some are trying to take my words and say, 'Well, what he's really trying to do is go invade Iran.' Nobody's talking about that. All options are on the table, of course, in anything. But to say that defending ourselves in Iraq means that… has some greater goal is just simply not the case," said Bush.
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By John Jessup
CBN News
January 31, 2007
CBNNews.com - WASHINGTON- The accusations against Iran are coming from the highest level of government and include some Iraqis, too.
On Capitol Hill, the man who's preparing to direct U.S. policy in Iraq for the State Department says Iran is making progress in Iraq difficult.
"We have increasing evidence that they have been providing lethal assistance to extremist Shia groups in that country," said John Negroponte, director of National Intelligence.
Iran denies those charges, but they're getting harder to escape.
This week, a top U.S. general in Iraq told USA Today Tehran is supplying militia groups with katyusha rockets, explosively formed projectiles, and rocket propelled grenades strong enough to pierce through armor. The military has been able to trace them back to Iran through serial numbers.
There's also a report that the attackers responsible for the deaths of five American soldiers in Karbala earlier this month may have been trained and financed by Iran.
Bush, in an interview with ABC News, said the U.S. will deal with Iran to protect U.S. forces in the region.
"Some are trying to take my words and say, 'Well, what he's really trying to do is go invade Iran.' Nobody's talking about that. All options are on the table, of course, in anything. But to say that defending ourselves in Iraq means that… has some greater goal is just simply not the case," said Bush.
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Minister believes he's Jesus incarnate
Note from Lighthouse:
Matthew 24:4-8
Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
Matthew 24:26-27
"So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man...
*End of Note*
He Calls Himself God
A Puerto Rican minister says Christ 'integrated' with him. Others call him a cult leader and a charlatan.
By Arian Campo-Flores
Newsweek
Feb. 5, 2007 issue -
At first glance, the congregation gathered in a warehouse in Doral, Fla., seems like a typical Hispanic evangelical group. There's the 10-piece band, the singing and swaying, the whooping and hollering. But look a little more closely. There's not a cross in sight. The lectern is emblazoned with a near replica of the U.S. presidential seal, except that it reads in Spanish, government of god on earth. Off to the side stand three burly guys in dark suits with Secret Service-style earpieces. When a door by the stage opens, the guards leap into action. They surround the man with slicked-back hair who emerges and escort him to his seat. When the crowd spots him, it goes wild. People chant, "Lord! Lord! Lord!" It quickly becomes clear that they're referring to him. "It's Jesus Christ himself!" a preacher onstage announces. "Let's welcome Jesus Christ Man!"
In the rapturous eyes of his flock, Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda is, in fact, the second coming of Christ. As the head of the Growing in Grace International Ministry, he presides over a sprawling organization that includes more than 300 congregations in two dozen countries, from Argentina to Australia. He counts more than 100,000 followers and claims to reach millions more through a 24-hour TV channel, a radio show and several Web sites. He is supported by the generosity of his devotees, who have launched some 450 businesses to pour cash into Growing in Grace's coffers. Though de Jesus' followers worship him, others denounce him as a charlatan. Everyone, however, agrees on one thing: his teachings are incendiary.
A native of Puerto Rico, de Jesus, 60, spent his youth drifting from the Roman Catholics to the Pentecostals to the Baptists. Then one night in 1973, he says, he awoke to a vision of two hulking men at his bedside who announced the arrival of the Lord, who, says de Jesus, "came to me and integrated with me." In the early years after founding Growing in Grace in Miami in 1986, de Jesus didn't claim to be Christ. Instead, he worked as a pastor spreading his doctrine: that under a new covenant with God, there is no sin and no Satan, and people are predestined to be saved. But as his following expanded, his claims did, too. In 1998, de Jesus avowed that he was the reincarnation of the Apostle Paul. Two years ago at Growing in Grace's world convention in Venezuela, he declared himself Christ. And just last week, he called himself the Antichrist and revealed a "666" tattooed on his forearm. His explanation: that, as the second coming of Christ, he rejects the continued worship of Jesus of Nazareth.
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Matthew 24:4-8
Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
Matthew 24:26-27
"So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man...
*End of Note*
He Calls Himself God
A Puerto Rican minister says Christ 'integrated' with him. Others call him a cult leader and a charlatan.
By Arian Campo-Flores
Newsweek
Feb. 5, 2007 issue -
At first glance, the congregation gathered in a warehouse in Doral, Fla., seems like a typical Hispanic evangelical group. There's the 10-piece band, the singing and swaying, the whooping and hollering. But look a little more closely. There's not a cross in sight. The lectern is emblazoned with a near replica of the U.S. presidential seal, except that it reads in Spanish, government of god on earth. Off to the side stand three burly guys in dark suits with Secret Service-style earpieces. When a door by the stage opens, the guards leap into action. They surround the man with slicked-back hair who emerges and escort him to his seat. When the crowd spots him, it goes wild. People chant, "Lord! Lord! Lord!" It quickly becomes clear that they're referring to him. "It's Jesus Christ himself!" a preacher onstage announces. "Let's welcome Jesus Christ Man!"
In the rapturous eyes of his flock, Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda is, in fact, the second coming of Christ. As the head of the Growing in Grace International Ministry, he presides over a sprawling organization that includes more than 300 congregations in two dozen countries, from Argentina to Australia. He counts more than 100,000 followers and claims to reach millions more through a 24-hour TV channel, a radio show and several Web sites. He is supported by the generosity of his devotees, who have launched some 450 businesses to pour cash into Growing in Grace's coffers. Though de Jesus' followers worship him, others denounce him as a charlatan. Everyone, however, agrees on one thing: his teachings are incendiary.
A native of Puerto Rico, de Jesus, 60, spent his youth drifting from the Roman Catholics to the Pentecostals to the Baptists. Then one night in 1973, he says, he awoke to a vision of two hulking men at his bedside who announced the arrival of the Lord, who, says de Jesus, "came to me and integrated with me." In the early years after founding Growing in Grace in Miami in 1986, de Jesus didn't claim to be Christ. Instead, he worked as a pastor spreading his doctrine: that under a new covenant with God, there is no sin and no Satan, and people are predestined to be saved. But as his following expanded, his claims did, too. In 1998, de Jesus avowed that he was the reincarnation of the Apostle Paul. Two years ago at Growing in Grace's world convention in Venezuela, he declared himself Christ. And just last week, he called himself the Antichrist and revealed a "666" tattooed on his forearm. His explanation: that, as the second coming of Christ, he rejects the continued worship of Jesus of Nazareth.
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Iran celebrates revolution vowing nuclear advance
Iran celebrates revolution vowing nuclear advance
Jan 31 8:32 AM US/Eastern
Iran kicks off 10 days of celebrations on Thursday marking the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution, with officials promising the unveiling of a major advance in its controversial nuclear drive.
The festivities known as the "Decade of Fajr" (Dawn) culminate on February 11, the date 28 years ago when the US-backed Shah's regime fell to revolutionaries led by the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has already said he will announce "good news" about the development of the nation's nuclear programme during the anniversary celebrations.
Iran has defied the international community and vowed to press on with its nuclear work despite a UN resolution in December imposing sanctions over its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment.
Enrichment is the focus of Western fears that Tehran is seeking to build nuclear weapons as the process can make the fissile core of an atom bomb as well as nuclear fuel.
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Jan 31 8:32 AM US/Eastern
Iran kicks off 10 days of celebrations on Thursday marking the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution, with officials promising the unveiling of a major advance in its controversial nuclear drive.
The festivities known as the "Decade of Fajr" (Dawn) culminate on February 11, the date 28 years ago when the US-backed Shah's regime fell to revolutionaries led by the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has already said he will announce "good news" about the development of the nation's nuclear programme during the anniversary celebrations.
Iran has defied the international community and vowed to press on with its nuclear work despite a UN resolution in December imposing sanctions over its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment.
Enrichment is the focus of Western fears that Tehran is seeking to build nuclear weapons as the process can make the fissile core of an atom bomb as well as nuclear fuel.
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U.S. unveils evidence Iran fueling Iraq war
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
Agents on Tehran's payroll involved in death squads hold prominent positions in the U.S.-backed Iraqi government and National Assembly, according to an expert on Iran who broke the news about the country's nuclear weapons program.
Alireza Jafarzadeh, author of the new book "The Iran threat: President Ahmadinejad and the Coming Nuclear Crisis," said the efforts by Iran to place its agents in the Iraqi government form a part of Tehran's larger plan to export its revolution.
The U.S. is having such a difficult time winning the war, he said, because Iran is fueling the Iraqis with bombs and weapons that are killing American soldiers.
Tomorrow, Jafarzadeh noted, the U.S. ambassador to Baghdad, Zalmay Khalilzad, will hold a news conference to present a dossier of Iran's efforts to fuel sectarian violence in Iraq.
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Agents on Tehran's payroll involved in death squads hold prominent positions in the U.S.-backed Iraqi government and National Assembly, according to an expert on Iran who broke the news about the country's nuclear weapons program.
Alireza Jafarzadeh, author of the new book "The Iran threat: President Ahmadinejad and the Coming Nuclear Crisis," said the efforts by Iran to place its agents in the Iraqi government form a part of Tehran's larger plan to export its revolution.
The U.S. is having such a difficult time winning the war, he said, because Iran is fueling the Iraqis with bombs and weapons that are killing American soldiers.
Tomorrow, Jafarzadeh noted, the U.S. ambassador to Baghdad, Zalmay Khalilzad, will hold a news conference to present a dossier of Iran's efforts to fuel sectarian violence in Iraq.
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Terrorist: We'll use U.S. weapons if Israel retaliates
Terrorist: We'll use U.S. weapons if Israel retaliates
Abbas-related group vows 'to use all tools at our disposal'
By Aaron Klein
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
TEL AVIV – If Israel retaliates for yesterday's suicide bombing with a large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian groups will use "all tools" at their disposal to attack the Jewish state, including American weapons recently transferred to security forces associated with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah organization, a leader of Fatah's declared military wing told WND today.
"If Israel dares any major atrocities in Gaza in response to yesterday's martyrdom operation, we vow to use all tools at our disposal to attack Israel and prove to the Zionists the heavy price of entering Gaza," said Abu Ahmed, a northern Gaza leader of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades terror organization. "This means also the American weapons sent to Fatah as part of an American-Zionist conspiracy to generate internal fighting between us (Fatah) and Hamas."
The Brigades, the declared military wing of Fatah, took responsibility along with the Islamic Jihad terror group for yesterday's attack, which killed three people when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a bakery in the southern resort city of Eilat.
Many members of the Brigades also openly serve in Fatah's security organizations in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice earlier this month told reporters the U.S. is working with Fatah to create a unified Palestinian security force. The Bush administration reportedly will grant $86.4 million to strengthen the Fatah forces, including Force 17, Abbas' security detail, which also serves as de facto police units in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
The U.S. aid is meant to bolster Fatah, which the U.S. considers moderate, against Hamas. Fatah and Hamas have engaged in nearly two months of deadly factional clashes after Abbas called for new Palestinian elections in a move widely seen as an attempt to dismantle the Hamas-led PA.
WND reported the U.S. in recent weeks transferred 7,000 assault rifles and more than 1 million rounds of ammunition to Fatah militias.
The last confirmed American arms shipment to Fatah took place in May. At first, the shipment, consisting of 3,000 rifles, was denied by the U.S. and Israel, but Olmert in June admitted the transfer took place, telling reporters, "I needed to approve the shipment to help bolster Abbas."
At the time, Abu Yousuf, a Fatah militant from Abba's Force 17 security forces, told WND while some of the weapons may be used in confrontations against Hamas, the bulk of the American arms would be utilized to "hit the Zionists."
He said if there is a major conflict with Israel, U.S. weapons provided to Fatah may be shared with other "Palestinian resistance organizations."
"The first place of these U.S. weapons will be to defend the Palestinian national project, which is reflected by the foundation of the Palestinian Authority. If Hamas or any other group under the influence of Iran and Syria wants to make a coup de tat against our institution, these weapons are there to defend the PA," said Abu Yousuf.
"We don't want to go to civil war with Hamas, because this is what both the U.S. and Israel want. This is our last option. We hope our brothers in Hamas won't oblige us to find ourselves in confrontation," Abu Yousuf said.
But the Fatah militant said the new American weapons may also be used to target Israelis. He admitted previous American arms supplied to Fatah were used in "resistance operations" against the Jewish state.
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Abbas-related group vows 'to use all tools at our disposal'
By Aaron Klein
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
TEL AVIV – If Israel retaliates for yesterday's suicide bombing with a large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian groups will use "all tools" at their disposal to attack the Jewish state, including American weapons recently transferred to security forces associated with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah organization, a leader of Fatah's declared military wing told WND today.
"If Israel dares any major atrocities in Gaza in response to yesterday's martyrdom operation, we vow to use all tools at our disposal to attack Israel and prove to the Zionists the heavy price of entering Gaza," said Abu Ahmed, a northern Gaza leader of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades terror organization. "This means also the American weapons sent to Fatah as part of an American-Zionist conspiracy to generate internal fighting between us (Fatah) and Hamas."
The Brigades, the declared military wing of Fatah, took responsibility along with the Islamic Jihad terror group for yesterday's attack, which killed three people when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a bakery in the southern resort city of Eilat.
Many members of the Brigades also openly serve in Fatah's security organizations in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice earlier this month told reporters the U.S. is working with Fatah to create a unified Palestinian security force. The Bush administration reportedly will grant $86.4 million to strengthen the Fatah forces, including Force 17, Abbas' security detail, which also serves as de facto police units in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
The U.S. aid is meant to bolster Fatah, which the U.S. considers moderate, against Hamas. Fatah and Hamas have engaged in nearly two months of deadly factional clashes after Abbas called for new Palestinian elections in a move widely seen as an attempt to dismantle the Hamas-led PA.
WND reported the U.S. in recent weeks transferred 7,000 assault rifles and more than 1 million rounds of ammunition to Fatah militias.
The last confirmed American arms shipment to Fatah took place in May. At first, the shipment, consisting of 3,000 rifles, was denied by the U.S. and Israel, but Olmert in June admitted the transfer took place, telling reporters, "I needed to approve the shipment to help bolster Abbas."
At the time, Abu Yousuf, a Fatah militant from Abba's Force 17 security forces, told WND while some of the weapons may be used in confrontations against Hamas, the bulk of the American arms would be utilized to "hit the Zionists."
He said if there is a major conflict with Israel, U.S. weapons provided to Fatah may be shared with other "Palestinian resistance organizations."
"The first place of these U.S. weapons will be to defend the Palestinian national project, which is reflected by the foundation of the Palestinian Authority. If Hamas or any other group under the influence of Iran and Syria wants to make a coup de tat against our institution, these weapons are there to defend the PA," said Abu Yousuf.
"We don't want to go to civil war with Hamas, because this is what both the U.S. and Israel want. This is our last option. We hope our brothers in Hamas won't oblige us to find ourselves in confrontation," Abu Yousuf said.
But the Fatah militant said the new American weapons may also be used to target Israelis. He admitted previous American arms supplied to Fatah were used in "resistance operations" against the Jewish state.
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Chavez to Get Powers to Remake Venezuela
Jan 31, 10:52 AM (ET)
By FABIOLA SANCHEZ
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - A Congress wholly loyal to President Hugo Chavez met at a downtown plaza Wednesday to give the Venezuelan leader authority to enact sweeping measures by presidential decree.
Hundreds of Chavez supporters wearing red - the color of Venezuela's ruling party - gathered in the plaza, waving signs reading "Socialism is democracy!" as lawmakers read out the proposed bill giving the president special powers for 18 months to transform 11 broadly defined areas, including the economy, energy and defense.
"The people of Venezuela, not just the National Assembly, are giving this enabling power to the president of the republic," said congresswoman Iris Varela, addressing the crowd next to the National Assembly.
Chavez, who is beginning a fresh six-year term, says the legislation will be the start of a new era of "maximum revolution" during which he will consolidate Venezuela's transformation into a socialist society. His critics, however, are calling it a radical lurch toward authoritarianism by a leader with unchecked power.
The former paratroop commander has already said he will use the law to decree nationalizations of Venezuela's largest telecommunications company and the electricity sector, slap new taxes on the rich and impose greater state control over the oil and natural gas industries.
A final draft of the law shows Chavez will also be allowed to dictate unspecified measures to transform state institutions; reform banking, tax, insurance and financial regulations; decide on security and defense matters such as gun regulations and military organization; and "adapt" legislation to ensure "the equal distribution of wealth" as part of a new "social and economic model."
Chavez also plans to reorganize regional territories and carry out reforms aimed at bringing "power to the people" through thousands of newly formed Communal Councils, in which Venezuelans will have a say on spending an increasing flow of state money on neighborhood projects from public housing to road repaving.
Lawmakers were scheduled to formally approve the law Wednesday in an outdoor session in Caracas' Plaza Bolivar, next to the National Assembly.
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By FABIOLA SANCHEZ
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - A Congress wholly loyal to President Hugo Chavez met at a downtown plaza Wednesday to give the Venezuelan leader authority to enact sweeping measures by presidential decree.
Hundreds of Chavez supporters wearing red - the color of Venezuela's ruling party - gathered in the plaza, waving signs reading "Socialism is democracy!" as lawmakers read out the proposed bill giving the president special powers for 18 months to transform 11 broadly defined areas, including the economy, energy and defense.
"The people of Venezuela, not just the National Assembly, are giving this enabling power to the president of the republic," said congresswoman Iris Varela, addressing the crowd next to the National Assembly.
Chavez, who is beginning a fresh six-year term, says the legislation will be the start of a new era of "maximum revolution" during which he will consolidate Venezuela's transformation into a socialist society. His critics, however, are calling it a radical lurch toward authoritarianism by a leader with unchecked power.
The former paratroop commander has already said he will use the law to decree nationalizations of Venezuela's largest telecommunications company and the electricity sector, slap new taxes on the rich and impose greater state control over the oil and natural gas industries.
A final draft of the law shows Chavez will also be allowed to dictate unspecified measures to transform state institutions; reform banking, tax, insurance and financial regulations; decide on security and defense matters such as gun regulations and military organization; and "adapt" legislation to ensure "the equal distribution of wealth" as part of a new "social and economic model."
Chavez also plans to reorganize regional territories and carry out reforms aimed at bringing "power to the people" through thousands of newly formed Communal Councils, in which Venezuelans will have a say on spending an increasing flow of state money on neighborhood projects from public housing to road repaving.
Lawmakers were scheduled to formally approve the law Wednesday in an outdoor session in Caracas' Plaza Bolivar, next to the National Assembly.
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Funerals not for shouting slogans, judge says
Funerals not for shouting slogans, judge says
Request for injunction to allow protests to continue rejected
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: January 31, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
A federal judge in Missouri has ruled that a church whose members believe God is judging America by having her soldiers killed in war cannot shout those beliefs at memorial services for U.S. servicemen and women.
The ruling came on a request for a preliminary injunction in a case brought by a member of that organization, the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., against the state of Missouri, which earlier adopted a law banning protests within an hour before and after such a memorial service.
Judicial Watch, the Washington group focused on more transparency in government, had filed a brief in the case, and its chief, Tom Fitton, told WND that Missouri's restrictions on protests at funerals were "appropriate."
"The question we were trying to address is whether it is appropriate for states to regulate, to protect the rights of these families to have these funerals of fallen service family members conducted in peace," he said.
Several other states also have enacted similar laws, because of the Westboro protests. That group, founded in the 1950s, believes that God is judging America because of the nation's acceptance of homosexuality.
It has used funerals of homosexuals to stage its protests and gained famed because of its "God Hates Fags" posters around events that followed the beating death of Mathew Shepard, a homosexual student at the University of Wyoming who was attacked and beaten.
More recently, Westboro has protested at the funerals of fallen military members, saying their deaths are a judgment on America.
Judicial Watch had argued against the demand made by Westboro that the state of Missouri be ordered not to enforce its statute limiting protests "in or about" the funeral services.
The court order, from U.S. District Judge Fernando Gaitan, Jr., said the plaintiff in the case, Shirley Phelps-Roper, had not demonstrated that the restriction was violating her constitutional rights.
"The court order … essentially adopts Judicial Watch's argument that Missouri's 'funeral protection law' is well-grounded in Eighth Circuit judicial precedents and is consistent with the U.S. Constitution," said Judicial Watch. "Moreover, Judge Gaitan specifically cites Judicial Watch's amicus brief concern the right of family members and friends of those killed in battle to mourn their loss."
"The judge writes: '… amicus Judicial Watch notes that Missouri also has an interest in protecting funeral attendees' First Amendment rights to free exercise of religion.'"
"We're pleased the court seems to recognize the right of funeral attendees to mourn those who died defending our country without being disrupted by protesters," Fitton said. "Unlike the ACLU, most Americans believe that mourners should be able to engage in quiet and reflective prayer at funerals.
"As the court noted, '…picketing soldiers' funerals and belittling the sacrifices made by soldiers are intolerable actions…,'" he said.
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Request for injunction to allow protests to continue rejected
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: January 31, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
A federal judge in Missouri has ruled that a church whose members believe God is judging America by having her soldiers killed in war cannot shout those beliefs at memorial services for U.S. servicemen and women.
The ruling came on a request for a preliminary injunction in a case brought by a member of that organization, the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., against the state of Missouri, which earlier adopted a law banning protests within an hour before and after such a memorial service.
Judicial Watch, the Washington group focused on more transparency in government, had filed a brief in the case, and its chief, Tom Fitton, told WND that Missouri's restrictions on protests at funerals were "appropriate."
"The question we were trying to address is whether it is appropriate for states to regulate, to protect the rights of these families to have these funerals of fallen service family members conducted in peace," he said.
Several other states also have enacted similar laws, because of the Westboro protests. That group, founded in the 1950s, believes that God is judging America because of the nation's acceptance of homosexuality.
It has used funerals of homosexuals to stage its protests and gained famed because of its "God Hates Fags" posters around events that followed the beating death of Mathew Shepard, a homosexual student at the University of Wyoming who was attacked and beaten.
More recently, Westboro has protested at the funerals of fallen military members, saying their deaths are a judgment on America.
Judicial Watch had argued against the demand made by Westboro that the state of Missouri be ordered not to enforce its statute limiting protests "in or about" the funeral services.
The court order, from U.S. District Judge Fernando Gaitan, Jr., said the plaintiff in the case, Shirley Phelps-Roper, had not demonstrated that the restriction was violating her constitutional rights.
"The court order … essentially adopts Judicial Watch's argument that Missouri's 'funeral protection law' is well-grounded in Eighth Circuit judicial precedents and is consistent with the U.S. Constitution," said Judicial Watch. "Moreover, Judge Gaitan specifically cites Judicial Watch's amicus brief concern the right of family members and friends of those killed in battle to mourn their loss."
"The judge writes: '… amicus Judicial Watch notes that Missouri also has an interest in protecting funeral attendees' First Amendment rights to free exercise of religion.'"
"We're pleased the court seems to recognize the right of funeral attendees to mourn those who died defending our country without being disrupted by protesters," Fitton said. "Unlike the ACLU, most Americans believe that mourners should be able to engage in quiet and reflective prayer at funerals.
"As the court noted, '…picketing soldiers' funerals and belittling the sacrifices made by soldiers are intolerable actions…,'" he said.
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