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- Religion
News Daily
brings you
including Christian news,
Buddhist news, Jewish news,
Hindu news, Odd Religion
news, governments that
impact religion, persecution,
unique, one-of-a-kind Daily
Religious stories. We include
the United States, Asia,
Africa, South America, and
Europe. Founded in 1989
Daily Religion News Service of the Worldwide
Web from The Love Church's Department of
Religious News and Information. A not-for-profit
forum on world news that impacts religious
people and their communities.
Web from The Love Church's Department of
Religious News and Information. A not-for-profit
forum on world news that impacts religious
people and their communities.
_______________________________________________________
Saint James College Seminary
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RETURN TO HOME PAGE
Christians backing away from Anders Breivik's assertion that he is also a `Christian’
While confessed Norwegian mass murder Anders Breivik claims to be a Christian, many in the Christian
community are refuting that claim. In his 1,500 page manifesto, Breivik said, "I consider myself to be 100
percent Christian." He added, "I am a supporter of a monocultural Christian Europe" -- meaning that he
stridently opposes multiculturalism. This is particularly true of Muslims.
The Guardian's Andrew Brown claims that, "even in his saner moments [Breivik’s] ideology had nothing to do
with Christianity but was based on an atavistic horror of Muslims and a loathing of `Marxists,’ by which he
meant anyone to the left of Genghis Khan."
Much more direct, Stephen Prothero, a Boston University Religion Scholar clearly stated his views on CNN.
com: "If he did what he has alleged to have done, Anders Breivik is a Christian terrorist." Prothero added, "...
Christians have a responsibility to speak out forcefully against him, and to look hard at the resources in the
Christian tradition that can be used to such murderous ends."
The Women's College's Seminary's Professor Anne Smith takes a different approach. "Breivik claims that his
Christianity compelled him to keep Scandinavia free of Muslim infidels. This begs the question that, if this
were true, why didn't he target Muslims? Instead, we have blue-eyed, blonde, Norwegian slaughtering nearly
a hundred of the blue-eyed, blond, Norwegians. It is hard to envision supporting Breivik's own rationale that
Aryan Scandinavians' lives being snuffed out by a fellow Aryan Scandinavian was even remotely a Christian
act. Can this atrocity be linked to the body of Christianity in any reasonable context? Breivik himself seems to
have answered the question. He told the Norwegian police interrogating him that his terrorist attacks were
'marketing" for his self-authorized mission to keep Scandinavia free of multi-culturalism."
HORDE OF GAY BARBARIANS "GLITTERBOMB" BACHMANNS' "PRAY AWAY THE GAY" CLINIC
A horde of self-styled "Gay Barbarians" turned up at the "Pray Away The Gay" clinic owned by presidential
candidate Michelle Bachmann and her husband Marcus. After demonstrating ourside, the activists (who were
dressed as barbarians) entered the clinic. At that point, they "Glitterbombed" the place...and demanded to be
disciplined by the Bachmanns.
Political and religious conservatives support the Bachmanns' “reparative therapy” which is designed to turn
gay men and women straight. The group points to a statement by Dr. Marcus that the clinic intended to
convert homosexuals and that gays are “barbarians who need to be disciplined.”
The horde requested to speak directly with Bachmann and experience some “discipline” for themselves.
When Marcus was no where to be found, the barbarians glittered the waiting room and reception area while
chanting, “You can’t pray away the gay — baby, I was born this way!”
The action was organized by LGBT activist Nick Espinosa, the same young man who threw glitter on Newt
Gingrich, starting a national trend in political protest of anti-LGBT sentiments from political candidates and
campaigns.
___________________________________________________________________________
THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND DEMANDS THAT RUPERT MURDOCK COME CLEAN...OR
CANTERBURY WILL SELL ITS NEWSCORP SHARES
The Church of England, parent of the Anglican and Episcopal Church, happens to be be an
investor in the Rupert Murdock media empire. The church's Ethical Investment Advisory Group
has put Murdock's News Corp. on notice that it had better have a "full and open inquiry into a
phone hacking scandal" ... or else.
The "or else" is that, if the church is not satisified with Murdock's investigation, it will sell some
$32-million in News Corp that it currently holds. While this is a small portion of the church's
$32-billion portfolio, it sends a clear message that the Church of England demands ethical
behavior on the parts of entities in which it invests.
Rupert Murdock owns Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and the New York Post in the U.S.
and the American FBI has launched an inquiry into possible criminal activity of the parts of
Murdock and his colleagues.
___________________________________________________________________________
SOUTHERN BAPTISTS TO EMBRACE GAY MARRIAGE and REVERSE THEIR OPPOSITION
TO HOMOSEXUALITY. SURPRISED? SO ARE THE SOUTHERN BAPTISTS!
A website belonging to a probably-fictitious group called The Center for Responsible Christian
Living built a website containing the surprising news that the Southern Baptist Convention's
Executive Committee was meeting in "in an extraordinary emergency session" to throw the
denomination's support behind the growing gay rights movement. The SBC says that their
church has been victimized by "an elaborate hoax," with Roger Oldham, vice president for
convention communications and relations for the Executive Committee, responding. He said
that, while the SBC will not advocate for gay rights, its fundamental anti-homosexuality teaching
is both biblical and loving.
___________________________________________________________________________
SAVE THE OCEAN "SURFING MADONNA" HAS HERSELF BEEN SAVED!
It is a marvellous work of mosaic art -- but it was ruled to be "graffiti" by the city of Encinitas, CA. The artwork
was mounted under a railroad bridge during broad daylight. In spite of gaining worldwide attention and
approval, the city council still couldn't find it in its heart to make an exception for the highly-acclaimed work,
THE SURFING MADONNA. The art is the work of artist Mark Patterson, who is going to have to come up with
nearly $3,000 to settle his violation of the city's municipal code. It is perhaps ironic that it was secular
authorities who raised the fuss, with very little objection coming from religious leaders. Patterson retains
ownership of his mosaic mural and is currently seeking another place for it to be displayed.
___________________________________________________________________________
"The HEAVENLY FATHER" ISN'T GOD ANYMORE WITH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
"God the Father" is not going to be a term in use any longer at the Congregationalist Church - the United
Church of Christ.
In order to both modernize while remaining true to Biblical and church tradition, the denomination has
changed the term "heavenly Father" to Triune God.
The change arises from a review of church terminology by the denomination's Executive Council's General
Synod. The new designation is not being accepted with glee by other denominations, particularly the
conservative wing of Christianity.
___________________________________________________________________________
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY MINISTRY STILL REELING FROM FOUNDER'S DEPARTURE
The vintage "Focus on the Family" program has released some 110 employees. The layoffs at the Colorado-
based ministry are reported to be directly related to the departure of its founder, James Dobson, who left last
year do begin his new program, "Family Talk with Dr. James Dobson". Without the 75 year old Dobson at the
helm, donor support has dwindled by what some sources estimate as amounting to nearly $30-million,
precipitating the layoffs. Dr. Dobson's conservative views include his assertion that the cartoon character
Sponge Bob is a thinly-veiled vehicle to promote homosexuality. Dobson used Focus on the Family website to
proclaim his view that "childhood symbols are apparently being hijacked to promote an agenda that involves
teaching homosexual propaganda to children."
___________________________________________________________________________
NOT A NAME YOU'D EXPECT FOR AN ISRAELI BUSINESS!
In view of the obvious reverence to Hitler, a property management company in Israel elected to adopt the name
FUEHRER, which has left many people in Israel and other parts of the world scratching their heads in view of
the odd choice.
___________________________________________________________________________
TOUGH LOVE: ATTEND SERVICES...OR FACE BANG-UP FUNERAL RETRIBUTION!
A woman died in the village of Pexeiros Blancos, Spain. When it was time for the deceased's funeral
procession from the church to the cemetery, local priest, Father Eladio Blanco, refused to go along. He
exclaimed, "She has no right to a proper burial because she almost never came to mass." Some 300
mourners were shocked...and loudly insisted that the priest come to the cemetery and give the deceased
woman a proper burial. STICKING TO HIS GUNS, Father Blanco pulled out a gun and opened fire. One of his
four shots wounded a mourner. Those of you reading this who are pastors, we do not recommend this form
of persuasion to prompt your parishioners to attend your services!
___________________________________________________________________________
ASTOUNDING NEWS!
SAINT ANTHONY RELICS STILL MISSING FROM ST. JOSEPH'S MONASTERY IN MAINE....BUT THERE'S
MORE TO THE STORY!!!
A religious relic is an actual part of a deceased saint, often a shock of hair or, perhaps, a fingernail. Well,
Saint Francis Monastery in Kennebunkport, Maine, had a relic of 12-century Saint Anthony of Padua. But, it
disappeared. In a cruel irony, Saint Anthony is the patron saint of items that are lost or missing!
___________________________________________________________________________
- Religion
News Daily
brings you
including Christian news,
Buddhist news, Jewish news,
Hindu news, Odd Religion
news, governments that
impact religion, persecution,
unique, one-of-a-kind Daily
Religious stories. We include
the United States, Asia,
Africa, South America, and
Europe. Founded in 1966.
Daily Religion News Service of the Worldwide
Web from The Love Church's Department of
Religious News and Information. A not-for-profit
forum on world news that impacts religious
people and their communities.
Web from The Love Church's Department of
Religious News and Information. A not-for-profit
forum on world news that impacts religious
people and their communities.
_______________________________________________________
Belgium joins France in banning Muslim women's face-covering this Saturday
A new law is now taking effect in Belgium that bans women from wearing the Islamic veil in public places. Any
woman caught in public wearing the face-covering burqa or niqab in public is subject to a fine of 137
euros ($197) and up to seven days in jail.
By the way, Christian women were subject to the same rules by the Apostle Paul, who wrote
in 1-Corinthians 11:10 that..."a woman should wear a covering on her head to show she is under authority (of a
man)." -New Living Translation (©2007)
Religious leaders praying in the U.S. Capitol are arrested, frisked, handcuffed,
and led away
Concerned that the U.S. Congress has been turning its back on the needs of America's poor, a prayer rally in
the House of Representatives' Rotunda was organized by an actual former Congressional Representative.
Former Congressman Bob Edgar now serves as the president of Common Cause and he and numerous
other religious leaders convened to pray for a resolution to the debt crisis and funding for the most vulnerable
Americans.
But, they were arrested by Capitol Police. Handcuffed with their hands behind their backs, and taken away.
Among those charged was The Rev. Michael Livingston. A former president of the National Council of
Churches, Livingston is now the director of the NCC's poverty initiative. Reverend Livingstone said:
"Congress is paralyzed by toxic partisan politics while people suffer. Our elected officials are protecting
corporations and wealthy individuals while shredding the safety net for millions of the most vulnerable people
in our nation and abroad. Our faith won't allow us to passively watch this travesty unfold."
Speaking to the crowds just outside the door at the time of the mass arrests was The Reverend Welton
Gaddy, a Southern Baptist Minister who heads the Interfaith Alliance and also hosts the State of Belief radio
broadcast.
Christians backing away from Anders Breivik's assertion that he is also a `Christian’
While confessed Norwegian mass murder Anders Breivik claims to be a Christian, many in the Christian
community are refuting that claim. In his 1,500 page manifesto, Breivik said, "I consider myself to be 100
percent Christian." He added, "I am a supporter of a monocultural Christian Europe" -- meaning that he
stridently opposes multiculturalism. This is particularly true of Muslims.
The Guardian's Andrew Brown claims that, "even in his saner moments [Breivik’s] ideology had nothing to do
with Christianity but was based on an atavistic horror of Muslims and a loathing of `Marxists,’ by which he
meant anyone to the left of Genghis Khan."
Much more direct, Stephen Prothero, a Boston University Religion Scholar clearly stated his views on CNN.
com: "If he did what he has alleged to have done, Anders Breivik is a Christian terrorist." Prothero added, "...
Christians have a responsibility to speak out forcefully against him, and to look hard at the resources in the
Christian tradition that can be used to such murderous ends."
The Women's College's Seminary's Professor Anne Smith takes a different approach. "Breivik claims that his
Christianity compelled him to keep Scandinavia free of Muslim infidels. This begs the question that, if this
were true, why didn't he target Muslims? Instead, we have blue-eyed, blonde, Norwegian slaughtering nearly
a hundred of the blue-eyed, blond, Norwegians. It is hard to envision supporting Breivik's own rationale that
Aryan Scandinavians' lives being snuffed out by a fellow Aryan Scandinavian was even remotely a Christian
act. Can this atrocity be linked to the body of Christianity in any reasonable context? Breivik himself seems to
have answered the question. He told the Norwegian police interrogating him that his terrorist attacks were
'marketing" for his self-authorized mission to keep Scandinavia free of multi-culturalism."
HORDE OF GAY BARBARIANS "GLITTERBOMB" BACHMANNS' "PRAY AWAY THE GAY" CLINIC
A horde of self-styled "Gay Barbarians" turned up at the "Pray Away The Gay" clinic owned by presidential
candidate Michelle Bachmann and her husband Marcus. After demonstrating ourside, the activists (who were
dressed as barbarians) entered the clinic. At that point, they "Glitterbombed" the place...and demanded to be
disciplined by the Bachmanns.
Political and religious conservatives support the Bachmanns' “reparative therapy” which is designed to turn
gay men and women straight. The group points to a statement by Dr. Marcus that the clinic intended to
convert homosexuals and that gays are “barbarians who need to be disciplined.”
The horde requested to speak directly with Bachmann and experience some “discipline” for themselves.
When Marcus was no where to be found, the barbarians glittered the waiting room and reception area while
chanting, “You can’t pray away the gay — baby, I was born this way!”
The action was organized by LGBT activist Nick Espinosa, the same young man who threw glitter on Newt
Gingrich, starting a national trend in political protest of anti-LGBT sentiments from political candidates and
campaigns.
___________________________________________________________________________
THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND DEMANDS THAT RUPERT MURDOCK COME CLEAN...OR
CANTERBURY WILL SELL ITS NEWSCORP SHARES
The Church of England, parent of the Anglican and Episcopal Church, happens to be be an
investor in the Rupert Murdock media empire. The church's Ethical Investment Advisory Group
has put Murdock's News Corp. on notice that it had better have a "full and open inquiry into a
phone hacking scandal" ... or else.
The "or else" is that, if the church is not satisified with Murdock's investigation, it will sell some
$32-million in News Corp that it currently holds. While this is a small portion of the church's
$32-billion portfolio, it sends a clear message that the Church of England demands ethical
behavior on the parts of entities in which it invests.
Rupert Murdock owns Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and the New York Post in the U.S.
and the American FBI has launched an inquiry into possible criminal activity of the parts of
Murdock and his colleagues.
___________________________________________________________________________
SOUTHERN BAPTISTS TO EMBRACE GAY MARRIAGE and REVERSE THEIR OPPOSITION
TO HOMOSEXUALITY. SURPRISED? SO ARE THE SOUTHERN BAPTISTS!
A website belonging to a probably-fictitious group called The Center for Responsible Christian
Living built a website containing the surprising news that the Southern Baptist Convention's
Executive Committee was meeting in "in an extraordinary emergency session" to throw the
denomination's support behind the growing gay rights movement. The SBC says that their
church has been victimized by "an elaborate hoax," with Roger Oldham, vice president for
convention communications and relations for the Executive Committee, responding. He said
that, while the SBC will not advocate for gay rights, its fundamental anti-homosexuality teaching
is both biblical and loving.
___________________________________________________________________________
SAVE THE OCEAN "SURFING MADONNA" HAS HERSELF BEEN SAVED!
It is a marvellous work of mosaic art -- but it was ruled to be "graffiti" by the city of Encinitas, CA. The artwork
was mounted under a railroad bridge during broad daylight. In spite of gaining worldwide attention and
approval, the city council still couldn't find it in its heart to make an exception for the highly-acclaimed work,
THE SURFING MADONNA. The art is the work of artist Mark Patterson, who is going to have to come up with
nearly $3,000 to settle his violation of the city's municipal code. It is perhaps ironic that it was secular
authorities who raised the fuss, with very little objection coming from religious leaders. Patterson retains
ownership of his mosaic mural and is currently seeking another place for it to be displayed.
___________________________________________________________________________
"The HEAVENLY FATHER" ISN'T GOD ANYMORE WITH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
"God the Father" is not going to be a term in use any longer at the Congregationalist Church - the United
Church of Christ.
In order to both modernize while remaining true to Biblical and church tradition, the denomination has
changed the term "heavenly Father" to Triune God.
The change arises from a review of church terminology by the denomination's Executive Council's General
Synod. The new designation is not being accepted with glee by other denominations, particularly the
conservative wing of Christianity.
___________________________________________________________________________
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY MINISTRY STILL REELING FROM FOUNDER'S DEPARTURE
The vintage "Focus on the Family" program has released some 110 employees. The layoffs at the Colorado-
based ministry are reported to be directly related to the departure of its founder, James Dobson, who left last
year do begin his new program, "Family Talk with Dr. James Dobson". Without the 75 year old Dobson at the
helm, donor support has dwindled by what some sources estimate as amounting to nearly $30-million,
precipitating the layoffs. Dr. Dobson's conservative views include his assertion that the cartoon character
Sponge Bob is a thinly-veiled vehicle to promote homosexuality. Dobson used Focus on the Family website to
proclaim his view that "childhood symbols are apparently being hijacked to promote an agenda that involves
teaching homosexual propaganda to children."
___________________________________________________________________________
NOT A NAME YOU'D EXPECT FOR AN ISRAELI BUSINESS!
In view of the obvious reverence to Hitler, a property management company in Israel elected to adopt the name
FUEHRER, which has left many people in Israel and other parts of the world scratching their heads in view of
the odd choice.
___________________________________________________________________________
TOUGH LOVE: ATTEND SERVICES...OR FACE BANG-UP FUNERAL RETRIBUTION!
A woman died in the village of Pexeiros Blancos, Spain. When it was time for the deceased's funeral
procession from the church to the cemetery, local priest, Father Eladio Blanco, refused to go along. He
exclaimed, "She has no right to a proper burial because she almost never came to mass." Some 300
mourners were shocked...and loudly insisted that the priest come to the cemetery and give the deceased
woman a proper burial. STICKING TO HIS GUNS, Father Blanco pulled out a gun and opened fire. One of his
four shots wounded a mourner. Those of you reading this who are pastors, we do not recommend this form
of persuasion to prompt your parishioners to attend your services!
___________________________________________________________________________
ASTOUNDING NEWS!
SAINT ANTHONY RELICS STILL MISSING FROM ST. JOSEPH'S MONASTERY IN MAINE....BUT THERE'S
MORE TO THE STORY!!!
A religious relic is an actual part of a deceased saint, often a shock of hair or, perhaps, a fingernail. Well,
Saint Francis Monastery in Kennebunkport, Maine, had a relic of 12-century Saint Anthony of Padua. But, it
disappeared. In a cruel irony, Saint Anthony is the patron saint of items that are lost or missing!
___________________________________________________________________________
A new law is now taking effect in Belgium that bans women from wearing the Islamic veil in public places. Any
woman caught in public wearing the face-covering burqa or niqab in public is subject to a fine of 137
euros ($197) and up to seven days in jail.
By the way, Christian women were subject to the same rules by the Apostle Paul, who wrote
in 1-Corinthians 11:10 that..."a woman should wear a covering on her head to show she is under authority (of a
man)." -New Living Translation (©2007)
Religious leaders praying in the U.S. Capitol are arrested, frisked, handcuffed,
and led away
Concerned that the U.S. Congress has been turning its back on the needs of America's poor, a prayer rally in
the House of Representatives' Rotunda was organized by an actual former Congressional Representative.
Former Congressman Bob Edgar now serves as the president of Common Cause and he and numerous
other religious leaders convened to pray for a resolution to the debt crisis and funding for the most vulnerable
Americans.
But, they were arrested by Capitol Police. Handcuffed with their hands behind their backs, and taken away.
Among those charged was The Rev. Michael Livingston. A former president of the National Council of
Churches, Livingston is now the director of the NCC's poverty initiative. Reverend Livingstone said:
"Congress is paralyzed by toxic partisan politics while people suffer. Our elected officials are protecting
corporations and wealthy individuals while shredding the safety net for millions of the most vulnerable people
in our nation and abroad. Our faith won't allow us to passively watch this travesty unfold."
Speaking to the crowds just outside the door at the time of the mass arrests was The Reverend Welton
Gaddy, a Southern Baptist Minister who heads the Interfaith Alliance and also hosts the State of Belief radio
broadcast.
Christians backing away from Anders Breivik's assertion that he is also a `Christian’
While confessed Norwegian mass murder Anders Breivik claims to be a Christian, many in the Christian
community are refuting that claim. In his 1,500 page manifesto, Breivik said, "I consider myself to be 100
percent Christian." He added, "I am a supporter of a monocultural Christian Europe" -- meaning that he
stridently opposes multiculturalism. This is particularly true of Muslims.
The Guardian's Andrew Brown claims that, "even in his saner moments [Breivik’s] ideology had nothing to do
with Christianity but was based on an atavistic horror of Muslims and a loathing of `Marxists,’ by which he
meant anyone to the left of Genghis Khan."
Much more direct, Stephen Prothero, a Boston University Religion Scholar clearly stated his views on CNN.
com: "If he did what he has alleged to have done, Anders Breivik is a Christian terrorist." Prothero added, "...
Christians have a responsibility to speak out forcefully against him, and to look hard at the resources in the
Christian tradition that can be used to such murderous ends."
The Women's College's Seminary's Professor Anne Smith takes a different approach. "Breivik claims that his
Christianity compelled him to keep Scandinavia free of Muslim infidels. This begs the question that, if this
were true, why didn't he target Muslims? Instead, we have blue-eyed, blonde, Norwegian slaughtering nearly
a hundred of the blue-eyed, blond, Norwegians. It is hard to envision supporting Breivik's own rationale that
Aryan Scandinavians' lives being snuffed out by a fellow Aryan Scandinavian was even remotely a Christian
act. Can this atrocity be linked to the body of Christianity in any reasonable context? Breivik himself seems to
have answered the question. He told the Norwegian police interrogating him that his terrorist attacks were
'marketing" for his self-authorized mission to keep Scandinavia free of multi-culturalism."
HORDE OF GAY BARBARIANS "GLITTERBOMB" BACHMANNS' "PRAY AWAY THE GAY" CLINIC
A horde of self-styled "Gay Barbarians" turned up at the "Pray Away The Gay" clinic owned by presidential
candidate Michelle Bachmann and her husband Marcus. After demonstrating ourside, the activists (who were
dressed as barbarians) entered the clinic. At that point, they "Glitterbombed" the place...and demanded to be
disciplined by the Bachmanns.
Political and religious conservatives support the Bachmanns' “reparative therapy” which is designed to turn
gay men and women straight. The group points to a statement by Dr. Marcus that the clinic intended to
convert homosexuals and that gays are “barbarians who need to be disciplined.”
The horde requested to speak directly with Bachmann and experience some “discipline” for themselves.
When Marcus was no where to be found, the barbarians glittered the waiting room and reception area while
chanting, “You can’t pray away the gay — baby, I was born this way!”
The action was organized by LGBT activist Nick Espinosa, the same young man who threw glitter on Newt
Gingrich, starting a national trend in political protest of anti-LGBT sentiments from political candidates and
campaigns.
___________________________________________________________________________
THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND DEMANDS THAT RUPERT MURDOCK COME CLEAN...OR
CANTERBURY WILL SELL ITS NEWSCORP SHARES
The Church of England, parent of the Anglican and Episcopal Church, happens to be be an
investor in the Rupert Murdock media empire. The church's Ethical Investment Advisory Group
has put Murdock's News Corp. on notice that it had better have a "full and open inquiry into a
phone hacking scandal" ... or else.
The "or else" is that, if the church is not satisified with Murdock's investigation, it will sell some
$32-million in News Corp that it currently holds. While this is a small portion of the church's
$32-billion portfolio, it sends a clear message that the Church of England demands ethical
behavior on the parts of entities in which it invests.
Rupert Murdock owns Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and the New York Post in the U.S.
and the American FBI has launched an inquiry into possible criminal activity of the parts of
Murdock and his colleagues.
___________________________________________________________________________
SOUTHERN BAPTISTS TO EMBRACE GAY MARRIAGE and REVERSE THEIR OPPOSITION
TO HOMOSEXUALITY. SURPRISED? SO ARE THE SOUTHERN BAPTISTS!
A website belonging to a probably-fictitious group called The Center for Responsible Christian
Living built a website containing the surprising news that the Southern Baptist Convention's
Executive Committee was meeting in "in an extraordinary emergency session" to throw the
denomination's support behind the growing gay rights movement. The SBC says that their
church has been victimized by "an elaborate hoax," with Roger Oldham, vice president for
convention communications and relations for the Executive Committee, responding. He said
that, while the SBC will not advocate for gay rights, its fundamental anti-homosexuality teaching
is both biblical and loving.
___________________________________________________________________________
SAVE THE OCEAN "SURFING MADONNA" HAS HERSELF BEEN SAVED!
It is a marvellous work of mosaic art -- but it was ruled to be "graffiti" by the city of Encinitas, CA. The artwork
was mounted under a railroad bridge during broad daylight. In spite of gaining worldwide attention and
approval, the city council still couldn't find it in its heart to make an exception for the highly-acclaimed work,
THE SURFING MADONNA. The art is the work of artist Mark Patterson, who is going to have to come up with
nearly $3,000 to settle his violation of the city's municipal code. It is perhaps ironic that it was secular
authorities who raised the fuss, with very little objection coming from religious leaders. Patterson retains
ownership of his mosaic mural and is currently seeking another place for it to be displayed.
___________________________________________________________________________
"The HEAVENLY FATHER" ISN'T GOD ANYMORE WITH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
"God the Father" is not going to be a term in use any longer at the Congregationalist Church - the United
Church of Christ.
In order to both modernize while remaining true to Biblical and church tradition, the denomination has
changed the term "heavenly Father" to Triune God.
The change arises from a review of church terminology by the denomination's Executive Council's General
Synod. The new designation is not being accepted with glee by other denominations, particularly the
conservative wing of Christianity.
___________________________________________________________________________
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY MINISTRY STILL REELING FROM FOUNDER'S DEPARTURE
The vintage "Focus on the Family" program has released some 110 employees. The layoffs at the Colorado-
based ministry are reported to be directly related to the departure of its founder, James Dobson, who left last
year do begin his new program, "Family Talk with Dr. James Dobson". Without the 75 year old Dobson at the
helm, donor support has dwindled by what some sources estimate as amounting to nearly $30-million,
precipitating the layoffs. Dr. Dobson's conservative views include his assertion that the cartoon character
Sponge Bob is a thinly-veiled vehicle to promote homosexuality. Dobson used Focus on the Family website to
proclaim his view that "childhood symbols are apparently being hijacked to promote an agenda that involves
teaching homosexual propaganda to children."
___________________________________________________________________________
NOT A NAME YOU'D EXPECT FOR AN ISRAELI BUSINESS!
In view of the obvious reverence to Hitler, a property management company in Israel elected to adopt the name
FUEHRER, which has left many people in Israel and other parts of the world scratching their heads in view of
the odd choice.
___________________________________________________________________________
TOUGH LOVE: ATTEND SERVICES...OR FACE BANG-UP FUNERAL RETRIBUTION!
A woman died in the village of Pexeiros Blancos, Spain. When it was time for the deceased's funeral
procession from the church to the cemetery, local priest, Father Eladio Blanco, refused to go along. He
exclaimed, "She has no right to a proper burial because she almost never came to mass." Some 300
mourners were shocked...and loudly insisted that the priest come to the cemetery and give the deceased
woman a proper burial. STICKING TO HIS GUNS, Father Blanco pulled out a gun and opened fire. One of his
four shots wounded a mourner. Those of you reading this who are pastors, we do not recommend this form
of persuasion to prompt your parishioners to attend your services!
___________________________________________________________________________
ASTOUNDING NEWS!
SAINT ANTHONY RELICS STILL MISSING FROM ST. JOSEPH'S MONASTERY IN MAINE....BUT THERE'S
MORE TO THE STORY!!!
A religious relic is an actual part of a deceased saint, often a shock of hair or, perhaps, a fingernail. Well,
Saint Francis Monastery in Kennebunkport, Maine, had a relic of 12-century Saint Anthony of Padua. But, it
disappeared. In a cruel irony, Saint Anthony is the patron saint of items that are lost or missing!
___________________________________________________________________________
TV-2, Oslo
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