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Christian News Network
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
'Destiny Readings'? 'Expert Seers'?: Australian Group 'Christalignment' Drawing Concerns Over New Age Practices in the Name of God
By Heather Clark on January 15, 20184 Comments
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Photo Credit: Christalignment/Facebook
MELBOURNE — An Australian group that identifies itself as "Christalignment" is drawing concerns over practices that have been deemed New Age and occultic, including its use of "expert seers," who provide "destiny readings," dream interpretations and "energy impartation"—all in the name of God and evangelism.
Christalignment is run by Ken and Jen Hodge, who are the parents of Ben Fitzgerald, a listed missionary with Bethel Church of Redding, California. According to the Christalignment website, Jen Hodge is characterized as a "seer [who] specializes in healing from negative energies/cleansing."
"The Christalignment team, based in Melbourne, Australia, are trained spiritual consultants, gifted in various modalities. We practice a form of supernatural healing that flows from the universal presence of the Christ," the site reads. "We draw from the same divine energy of the Christ spirit, as ancient followers did and operate only out of the third heaven realm to gain insight and revelation."
It outlines that its team members are trained in "destiny reading, Presence therapy, trauma recovery, entity cleansing, relationship alignment and physical healing using divine energy," and also offer dream interpretations and "encounters coming from the third heaven realm." Other services noted by the group include "prophetic" henna tattoos, deep rest therapy and color therapy, as well as meditation classes, which are held at various times throughout the year.
Christalignment has a booth four days a week at Dandenong Market, and also offers its services at events such as Sexpo, Rainbow Serpent, the Melbourne Queer Expo and Mind, Body, Spirit.
"Our unique destiny cards, which we have developed, are so accurate that even if your life circumstances change dramatically, on your return to do them again years later, you will find the results identical, such is their accuracy," the group claims. "They are able to give profound insight into relationships, career and spiritual life."
Some of the cards read "gifts," "acts of service," "quality time," "words of affirmation" and "physical touch," and include photos of Christ or other drawings. On the back is a saying that addresses struggles or other issues the person has been going through.
In addition to "destiny cards," the group also uses Psalm cards, animal cards and color cards for its readings. Each card is stated to have a particular prophetic meaning for the person obtaining a reading.
"Psalm readings are similar to tarot in that cards are counted out according to your birth date date & year. Only three cards are used and these will represent your past, present and future," the site read—that is, until Christalignment altered the wording within the past month after the matter was reported by Christian blog sites, raising deep concern over what appeared to be a similarity to tarot cards.
Christian News Network used the Wayback Machine to compare the two versions of the web page. Click here to see the original wording and click here to see the current wording.
Facebook post noting "expert seers." Click to enlarge.
The group claims that it purposefully attends New Age festivals and other events where the lost are present to be an "undercover prophetic evangelism deliverance ministry" with the goal of seeing the unregenerate "saved, healed, and set free." It denies that it is involved in New Age in any form, but asserts that it is rather seeking to work against the movement by bringing people to Jesus instead of psychics.
"The team is trained not only to be able to release deep encounters with the Spirit of Truth to clients, but to also release words of knowledge and healing. For clients to see Jesus standing before them in an encounter is not uncommon, and many of them get born again," the Hodges claimed in a recent letter to Bethel's Kris Vallotton following controversy over the matter.
"The prophetic word given over us four years ago was that we would see hundreds of witches come into the kingdom, thousands of people turn from darkness, and that tarot cards would be disabled," they wrote. "Praise God this is happening!! As a deliverance ministry, we are able to stop clients ever going to a psychic again and this is our aim."
Vallotton had previously repudiated the use of "destiny cards," but soon retracted his words by posting the Hodges' letter to Facebook, remarking that the couple was being "destroyed by the fake news media."
While Bethel itself has also officially released a statement advising that it is not "formally affiliated" with Christalignment, and that the only connection is that some members are related to the Hodges, it went on to defend the group as engaging in biblical evangelism and doing its part to reach the lost in difficult places.
"Reaching people where they are with the truth and love of God is our job as believers. Many people will not come to our churches, yet they are in great need of a personal encounter with Jesus. The Hodges feel called to share the Gospel with a people group that most of us would feel unsure of how to approach. We value their efforts to minister to unbelievers in the ways they can more easily receive it and in the places they are going, like New Age festivals," it wrote.
"This ministry is a way of getting people to stop and engage with fellow humans so that they might encounter the love of the Father and the truth of His Son, Jesus Christ. If one of our sons or daughters was away from the Lord and looking for truth at a festival, we would be praying for them to meet believers like the Hodges who know the love and truth of God," Bethel continued.
It urged those with concern to go directly to Christalignment themselves to work out any disagreement.
Read the statement in full here.
However, not only have Christalignment's practices raised concern among Christians who believe that the practices are indeed modeled after the New Age—no matter how much the group denies it—but so did Bethel's statement in defense of the organization.
"[W]hen Pulpit & Pen broke the story, Jen Hodge pulled two of her videos that were clearly letting others see they were practicing what is recognized as legitimate tarot card readings. When people gave links to Kris Vallotton from the Christalignment website where it was explained how destiny cards are similar and used like tarot cards, Jen Hodge altered her website," notes Church Watch Central.
"Bethel leaders suggest Christians are narrow-minded if they oppose creative means of evangelism. This, of course, assumes that using destiny cards is no problem," also writes Holly Pivec of Spirit of Error. "… What practices would Bethel be willing to repudiate? For example, if a group put together a Christian version of a Ouija board—but called it a destiny board and said they were using it through the power of the Holy Spirit so that people could have an encounter with God—how would this be any different? Where would Bethel draw the line and why there?"
"How does Bethel teach its people discernment? What guidelines do they provide? What biblical support for them? Is their flock expected to trust all discernment to Bethel leaders? If not, how are they being equipped to exercise mature discernment?" she asked. "Why not simply deny affiliation with Christalignment and leave it at that? This looks like a defense of the practices of Christalignment."
Jeremiah 14:14 reads, "Then the Lord said unto me, 'The prophets prophesy lies in My name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them. They prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.'"
Leviticus 20:23 also states, "And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them."
An Australian group that identifies itself as "Christalignment" is drawing concerns over practices that have been deemed New Age and occultic, including its use of "expert seers," who provide "destiny readings," dream interpretations and "energy impartation"—all in the name of God and evangelism. Christalignment is run by Ken and Jen Hodge, who are the parents of Ben Fitzgerald, a listed missionary with Bethel Church of Redding, California. According to the Christalignment website, Jen Hodge is characterized as a "seer [who] specializes in healing from negative energies/cleansing."
"The Christalignment team, based in Melbourne, Australia, are trained spiritual consultants, gifted in various modalities. We practice a form of supernatural healing that flows from the universal presence of the Christ," the site reads. "We draw from the same divine energy of the Christ spirit, as ancient followers did and operate only out of the third heaven realm to gain insight and revelation." It outlines that its team members are trained in "destiny reading, Presence therapy, trauma recovery, entity cleansing, relationship alignment and physical healing using divine energy," and also offer dream interpretations and "encounters coming from the third heaven realm."
READ MORE http://christiannews.net/2018/01/15/destiny-readings-expert-seers-australian-group-christalignment-drawing-concerns-over-new-age-practices-in-the-name-of-god/
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California Man Who Says He Was 'Blind' Without Christ Turns Himself in for Murder Committed 25 Years Ago
By Heather Clark on January 13, 20184 Comments
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REDDING, Calif. — A California man walked into a local television station this week and also turned himself in to the police in confessing to a murder committed 25 years ago, as he said that his faith in God and the weight of living with the secret compelled him to do what was right.
"God and Christ and these things that have happened over the course of 25 years have pushed me and pushed me to do the right thing," Brian Hawkins, 44, told local television station KRCR. "I know the wrong can't be changed, but this is the closest I can come to doing the right thing."
According to the outlet, Hawkins appeared at the station this week and said that he wanted to confess to the murder of Frank McAlister, then 19, who was killed in 1993. Police believe that McAlister had been robbed, and during the course of the robbery, he was murdered and his body left in the woods. His car was found abandoned at a Costco parking lot with a "large amount of blood."
While Hawkins didn't want to talk to KRCR about the specifics of the case, he said that he wanted the public to know that he had turned to God, which motivated him to confess to the crime. He said that he was "blind" living without Christ, and that he has felt regret for the murder ever since.
"Every minute of every day has been a nightmare," Hawkins stated. "It's kind of weird. Frank never got to have a life, but we were teenagers, and now I'm 44 and still haven't even had a life, and now most likely won't anyway."
He said that he hoped that the community would forgive him, shedding tears at times during the interview. Hawkins shared that he believes God has forgiven him, but he knew he had to confess. He explained that he also sought to reach out to the McAlister family, but Frank's father died before he was able to get there.
The television station said that it agreed to interview Hawkins, but advised that it would not release the footage until he had turned himself into police, and after authorities were able to corroborate the claims.
Hawkins was subsequently arrested after confessing to the crime at the police station next door, as were his accomplices Shanna Culver, 46, and her brother Curtis Culver, 45. One of the two Culvers also reportedly confessed, although police have not stated which one.
The three had reportedly been questioned by investigators in 1993, but denied any part in the killing. The matter has therefore remained a mystery ever since as nothing connected them to the murder, even though it was known that they were the last to see McAlister.
"I've been through Hell my whole life because of this," Hawkins said, explaining that the guilt had eaten him up and he could not hold it in any longer.
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Moody Bible Institute President, COO Resign Amid Board's 'Unanimous Decision' for 'New Season of Leadership'
By Heather Clark on January 10, 20188 Comments
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CHICAGO — The president and COO of Moody Bible Institute have submitted their resignations amid controversy over the direction of the historic institution, and in light of the board's "unanimous decision" for "new leadership."
The Moody Board of Trustees accepted the resignations of President Paul Nyquist and COO Steve Mogck on Wednesday, according to an email sent to students by Chairman Randy Fairfax. Nyquist, a former pastor and president of the church planting organization Avant Ministries, had served at Moody since 2009.
"As you know, the Board of Trustees has been discussing issues related to widespread concerns over the direction of Moody. Today, we accepted the resignations of President Dr. Paul Nyquist; Chief Operating Officer Steve Mogck; and the retirement of Provost Dr. Junias Venugopal," he wrote.
"Let there be no mistake that the Board of Trustees holds these three men in high regard for their ethical, moral, and spiritual leadership. They are godly, honorable men to whom we entrust to the Lord and offer our deep gratitude for their years of faithful service to Christ and to Moody. However, we are unanimous in our decision that it is time for a new season of leadership. I ask that you be in prayer for them and their families," Fairfax said.
According to reports, some students and staff expressed disappointment following an announcement in November that Moody would be closing its Spokane, Washington campus, discontinuing certain offerings and cutting faculty. While some said that the changes were due to decreasing enrollment, Moody outlined on its website that it was "repositioning the ministry for kingdom impact."
MORE http://christiannews.net/2018/01/10/moody-bible-institute-president-coo-resign-amid-boards-unanimous-decision-for-new-season-of-leadership/
Paula White Urges Followers to Give 'First Fruits' Offering of a Day, Week or Month's Wages
By Heather Clark on January 8, 201838 Comments
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APOPKA, Fla. — Prosperity preacher Paula White, who also serves as the chair of President Trump's Evangelical Advisory Board, is urging her followers to give a "first fruits" financial offering with the start of 2018, stating that there are "consequences" for those who don't do so out of "ignorance or direct disobedience."
"As you remember the Lord your God, according to Deuteronomy 8:18, through your first fruits offering, He gives you the power to acquire wealth to establish His covenant," she wrote in a post on her website, accompanied by a YouTube video.
"Each January, I put God first and honor Him with the first of our substance by sowing a first fruits offering of one month's pay. That is a big sacrifice, but it is a seed for the harvest I am believing for in the coming year," White outlined.
She urged others to do so as well, noting that some of her partners "sow a month's pay, a week's pay, [or] a day's pay,"—whatever is their best. White stated that the offering differs from a tithe—or 10 percent—because it is the whole of the first.
She asserted that "2018 is a year of life and deliverance from struggle [and] it begins right now with first fruits." White noted that part of the Hebrew word for 18 means "alive" or "living."
MORE http://christiannews.net/2018/01/08/paula-white-urges-followers-to-give-first-fruits-offering-of-a-day-week-or-months-wages/
Former Teacher Has Certificates Suspended for Speaking Against Sin of Homosexuality on Facebook
By Heather Clark on January 9, 201845 Comments
NEWARK, N.J. — The New Jersey Department of Education has suspended the teaching certificates of a former high school teacher who came under fire seven years ago for speaking against the sin of homosexuality on Facebook.
As previously reported, Jenye "Viki" Knox, 56, first came under fire in June 2011 after she posted comments on Facebook decrying the promotion of the homosexual lifestyle Union High School.
The school had reportedly erected a display in acknowledgment of "Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Month," which featured popular homosexual celebrities.
"It's still there," she vented on her personal Facebook page. "I'm pitching a fit."
The status then began to spark discussion, which turned into a controversy when others were offended by her comments.
Knox, a born-again Christian who also had served as the adviser for the school's Bible study group, defended the Bible's position on homosexuality when others challenged her status.
"God cannot abide, tolerate, accept, go along with sin. That's why Jesus came and gave his life as an offering for our souls; so we could once again be right-standing," she responded. "Everything God has created, Satan has perverted, everything! Sin is sin. Wrong is wrong."
MORE http://christiannews.net/2018/01/09/former-teacher-has-certificates-suspended-for-speaking-against-sin-of-homosexuality-on-facebook/
Ohio's Largest Abortion Facility Launches Billboard Campaign to Claim: 'Abortion Is a Blessing'
By Heather Clark on January 6, 201821 Comments
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The largest abortion facility in Ohio has launched a billboard campaign in an effort to urge readers "to reflect on the powerful role that abortion plays in people's lives."
The facility, called Preterm, has purchased 16 billboard locations around the Cleveland area to "spark conversation" surrounding its belief that abortion is necessary as it allows women to live however they want without a child getting in the way. Preterm offers surgical abortions up to 19 weeks gestation—almost five months—and medication abortions up to nine weeks.
"Abortion is a normal and necessary part of people's lives. People from all walks of life have abortions for many different reasons. And each person's experience is valid," the MyAbortionMyLife website reads.
"To a parent struggling to make ends meet, abortion may be the best way to love and care for your family. To a young person, abortion may be the chance to graduate. To all of us, abortion is foundational to a just society where we can live life on our own terms," it asserts.
Each billboard contains a different message in support of abortion, with the phrase "Abortion is" and then a blank that is completed by a thought. Among the 16 billboards include the statements "Abortion is a blessing;" "Abortion is sacred;" "Abortion is a family value;" "Abortion is hope;" "Abortion is a second chance;" "Abortion is liberty;" "Abortion is health care;" and "Abortion is good medicine."
MORE http://christiannews.net/2018/01/06/ohios-largest-abortion-facility-launches-billboard-campaign-to-claim-abortion-is-a-blessing/
US Supreme Court Declines to Hear Challenge to Mississippi's Freedom of Conscience Act
By Heather Clark on January 8, 201895 Comments
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal of a Fifth Circuit ruling that upheld Mississippi's "Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act," a bill meant to shelter residents from punishment when acting in accordance with their religious convictions in regard to the institution of marriage.
The court denied the cases of Barber v. Bryant and Campaign for Southern Equality v. Bryant on Monday without explanation, a move welcomed by those on the legal team defending the Mississippi legislation.
"The 5th Circuit was right to find that those opposing this law haven't been harmed and, therefore, can't try to take it down. Because of that, we are pleased that the Supreme Court declined to take up these baseless challenges, which misrepresented the law's sole purpose of ensuring that Mississippians don't live in fear of losing their careers or their businesses simply for affirming marriage as a husband-wife union," Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) Senior Counsel Kevin Theriot said in a statement.
As previously reported, the Freedom of Conscience Act was signed into law in April 2016 by Gov. Phil Bryant, who identifies as a Christian. The bill prohibits the government from punishing those who decline to officiate same-sex ceremonies or provide services or accommodations for the celebrations, as well as those whose policies require use of locker and restrooms consistent with their biological gender.
MORE http://christiannews.net/2018/01/08/us-supreme-court-declines-to-hear-challenge-to-mississippis-freedom-of-conscience-act/
HIV Positive Teacher's Aide, Track Coach Accused of Molesting 42 Youth Pleads Guilty to Sex Abuse Charges
By Heather Clark on January 6, 20187 Comments
WALDORF, Md. — A former Maryland teacher's aide and track coach accused of sexually abusing 42 youth between 2015 and 2017 has accepted a plea deal after being charged with over 200 offenses, including the attempted transmission of HIV.
According to reports, Carlos Bell, 30, was first investigated in December 2016 after a parent contacted authorities in regard to inappropriate text messages that her teenager had received on their cell phone. Bell, who had worked as an aide at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School and the indoor track coach at La Plata High School, was consequently removed from his positions.
A search warrant to seize Bell's computer and cell phone then led the state crime lab to discover child pornography on his electronic devices, including recordings of Bell having sexual contact with students. However, according to television station WTOP, Bell bought more devices even while under investigation and molested eight more youth until his arrest in June 2017.
MORE http://christiannews.net/2018/01/06/hiv-positive-teachers-aide-track-coach-accused-of-molesting-42-youth-pleads-guilty-to-sex-abuse-charges/
Gideons No Longer Allowed to Offer Bibles at Kansas Elementary School Following Complaint
By Heather Clark on January 7, 2018568 Comments
HERINGTON, Kan. — Representatives for Gideon International will no longer be allowed to make Bibles available to students at an elementary school in Kansas following a complaint from a national humanist organization.
The American Humanist Association (AHA) recently sent a letter to the superintendent of Herington Schools and the principal of Herington Elementary School to advise that it had been contacted by the parents of several children who were unhappy with a recent one-day Bible distribution.
According to the correspondence, the Bibles were placed on a table in a commons area where those interested could freely take a copy.
"Your school district has allowed an outside religious organization, believed to be the Gideons, to distribute Bibles to young children at Herington Elementary School. The district's actions in assisting the Gideons in distributing Bibles to elementary students represents a clear breach of the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution and we hereby demand assurances that this practice will discontinue immediately," the letter, written by attorney Monica Miller, read.
It asserted that allowing the Bible placement sends the message that the school and district endorse Christianity.
MORE http://christiannews.net/2018/01/07/gideons-no-longer-allowed-to-offer-bibles-at-kansas-elementary-school-following-complaint/
U.S. Department of State Announces Annual Notation of World's Most Egregious Violators of Religious Freedom
By Heather Clark on January 7, 20185 Comments
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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of State has announced its annual designation of "Countries of Particular Concern" (CPC) based on observance of ongoing violations of religious freedom.
"In far too many places around the globe, people continue to be persecuted, unjustly prosecuted or imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of religion or belief," spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a statement on Thursday.
"Today, a number of governments infringe upon individuals' ability to adopt, change or renounce their religion or belief, worship in accordance with their religion or beliefs, or be free from coercion to practice a particular religion or belief."
The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 requires the U.S. secretary of state to name each year the countries that have been the most egregious violators of religious freedom. Secretary Rex Tillerson has decided to re-designate from the year prior the countries of Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as CPCs.
Pakistan has also been placed on a "special watch list" due to ongoing persecution throughout the past year.
As previously reported, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) had recommended last April that the Department of State designate 16 countries as CPCs, 10 of which have been cited by the government for years. The six that the Commission sought to be added were the Central African Republic, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Syria and Vietnam.
While it applauded the Department of State for again adding the 10 designations to the CPC list, the Commission expressed disappointment that Tillerson only added Pakistan to a watch list, and that the other countries of recommendation were not mentioned at all.
"The designation of these countries is a key step in ensuring continued U.S. engagement in support of international religious freedom. Although USCIRF agrees with the 10 countries on the State Department's list, it does not go far enough. Secretary Tillerson should have also designated the Central African Republic, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Syria, and Vietnam," Chairman Daniel Mark said in a statement.
"Pakistan continues to harass its religious minorities, has state-sanctioned discrimination against groups such as the Ahmadis, and tolerates extra-judicial violence in the guise of opposing blasphemy," he explained. "As USCIRF has said for many years, Pakistan should be designated by the State Department as a CPC."
As previously reported, the Commission outlined in its 2017 report it is illegal in Pakistan to defile the Koran or to blaspheme the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Those who violate the law suffer devastating consequences, such as life imprisonment or the death penalty.
MORE http://christiannews.net/2018/01/07/u-s-department-of-state-announces-annual-notation-of-worlds-most-egregious-violators-of-religious-freedom/
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Twitter Users Express Concern After Chelsea Clinton Wishes Church of Satan a 'Happy New Year'
By Heather Clark on January 5, 20186 Comments
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Photo Credit: Kyle Cassidy
Twitter users are expressing concern after Chelsea Clinton wished the Church of Satan a "Happy New Year" on Tuesday.
The matter began as Clinton had commented on a tweet by model Chrissy Teigen, who was upset that someone had posted photos of her daughter in making claims that she and her husband were a part of the "pizzagate" scandal.
"Chrissy, sending you & beautiful Luna a huge hug. It is awful & never ok when people threaten or demean any child," Clinton remarked. "I've lost count of the Twitter accounts who've threatened Charlotte with #FGM. While I never bother to report threats against me, I now report every one against her."
Tiegen responded and said that she felt sorry for what Clinton's family had dealt with, and sent her love to Clinton's husband and daughter.
An account named "roguehooters" later commented on the tweet, and a reader tagged the official Hooters account to notify them that someone was posting under their name. Twitter soon suspended the rogue account, and a Hooters representative responded to the tag, stating that they do not endorse the account nor was the user affiliated with the risque' restaurant.
Tiegen, who had simply been chatting with Clinton, then saw the discussion below her tweet and asked what was happening.
"In 2017, @ChurchofSatan & I were put on a few threads together. In 2018, it's…@Hooters. What a time to be alive Chrissy!" Clinton remarked.
Since Clinton tagged the Church of Satan in mentioning them, the group commented back.
"The never ending excitement here is never ending," the Satanic group wrote.
"It's been so long! Happy New Year!" Clinton responded.
"Same to you. Here's to a great 2018!" the Church of Satan replied.
MORE http://christiannews.net/2018/01/05/twitter-users-express-concern-after-chelsea-clinton-wishes-church-of-satan-a-happy-new-year/
J.J. Hanson, Voice Against Physician-Assisted Suicide in the Midst of Own Battle With Cancer, Dies at 36
By Heather Clark on December 31, 201719 Comments
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ALBANY, N.Y. — J.J. Hanson, who staunchly fought against physician-assisted suicide in the midst of his own battle with terminal brain cancer, has died at age 36.
In May 2014, Hanson was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer, and was told that he had four months left to live. He was advised that his tumors were inoperable and that he should go home and enjoy the few weeks he had left with his family.
However, Hanson and his wife, Kris, decided to obtain opinions from several other physicians and were able to find a doctor who was willing to perform surgery. He was also placed on chemotherapy and radiation, and underwent a clinical trial with an experimental drug.
The road ahead was difficult and Hanson struggled with depression after several months into the fight.
MORE http://christiannews.net/2017/12/31/j-j-hanson-voice-against-physician-assisted-suicide-in-the-midst-of-own-battle-with-cancer-dies-at-36/
Man's 'Swatting' Hoax Amidst Gaming Feud Ends in Fatal Shooting of Innocent Father of 2
By Heather Clark on December 30, 201716 Comments
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WICHITA, Kan. — An innocent Kansas man is now dead and his two children are fatherless after a dispute over a game of "Call of Duty" resulted in a SWAT team showing up at a false address called in by a convicted prankster.
According to reports, a video gamer that had been in an argument in playing a "Call of Duty" game with a $1.50 wager contacted notorious "swatter" Tyler Raj Barriss, 25, and asked him to get back at someone. Swatting is defined as making a false report to the police that results in a response from a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.
However, the other player who was to have been "swatted" lied by providing an address that was not his own, and Barriss used the address provided as he told the 911 operator that he had shot his father in the head following an argument with his mother, and that he was now holding his siblings and mother hostage. He also claimed that he had poured gasoline throughout the home, and was thinking of lighting it.
A large police presence then showed up at the Wichita location, and Andrew Finch, 28, soon came to the door to see what was happening. He reportedly had no knowledge of the gaming dispute and was not involved. Finch was shot moments later as he lowered his arms several times after being directed to keep his hands up, and police had thought, based on the phone call, that he was armed and dangerous.
"We learned through that call that the father was deceased, shot in the head. So that's the information we were working off of," Wichita Deputy Chief Troy Livingston told reporters. "Our officers came here preparing for a hostage situation. Several got in position. A male came to the front door, and one of our officers discharged his weapon."
MORE http://christiannews.net/2017/12/30/mans-swatting-hoax-amidst-gaming-feud-ends-in-fatal-shooting-of-innocent-father-of-2/
UK National Health Service Apologizes After Woman Complains About 'Transgender' Nurse for Pap Smear
By Heather Clark on January 1, 201822 Comments
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LONDON — The National Health Service (NHS) of the U.K. has issued an apology after a woman contacted them to complain that after she requested a female nurse for her pap smear, a man who identified as a woman arrived to handle the procedure.
A pap smear is a routine test that is performed on adult women every 3-5 years, depending on age, and involves the collection of cell samples in the cervix to test for cervical cancer.
The woman, who spoke with The Sunday Times and requested to maintain her anonymity, said that she had requested that a female nurse handle the intimate procedure this past September, but became "embarrassed and distressed" when the nurse who greeted her had a deep voice and facial stubble.
The woman says that she told the nurse that there must have been a mistake, but he replied, "My gender is not male. I'm a transsexual."
MORE http://christiannews.net/2018/01/01/uk-national-health-service-apologizes-after-woman-complains-about-transgender-nurse-for-pap-smear/
Utah Lawmaker Proposes Criminal Assisted Suicide Bill After Teen Helps Friend Kill Herself
By Heather Clark on December 30, 20175 Comments
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SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — A lawmaker in Utah has proposed a bill that would classify assisted suicide as manslaughter after an 18-year-old allegedly coaxed a 16-year-old girl to kill herself and then recorded her as she died.
Tyerell Przybycien has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the death of Jchandra Brown after being accused of transporting the girl to her place of death and tying a noose so she could hang herself. His attorneys claim that Brown is solely responsible for her own death as Przybycien did not physically kill her.
"An act or conduct that 'causes' the death is required in all cases: something like pulling the trigger on a gun, driving recklessly, etc.," defense attorney Greg Stewart told CNN. "Tyerell picked Ms. Brown up from work when she called and asked for his help, drove her to stores to purchase rope and compressed air for inhaling, and helped her to tie a noose and build a pedestal to stand on. None of these actions directly 'caused' the death of Ms. Brown."
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Discovery of Clay Seal From First Temple Period Viewed as Another Support of Biblical Text
By Heather Clark on January 2, 20182 Comments
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Photo Credit: Israel Antiquities Authority/Clara Amit
JERUSALEM — The discovery of a 2,700-year-old clay seal dating back to the era of the First Temple is being viewed as another fascinating support of information already outlined in the Bible.
The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on Monday that the stamped clay docket was found in the Western Wall Plaza during an archaeological excavation and features a depiction of two men wearing knee-length striped garments with the words "the governor of the city" below in ancient Hebrew.
Dr. Shlomit Weksler-Bdolah, who led the excavation, said that the seal most likely served as a souvenir from the governor of the day, one of the highest ranking officials appointed by the king.
"The finding of the sealing with this high-rank title, in addition to the large assemblage of actual seals found in the building in the past, supports the assumption that this area, located on the western slopes of the western hill of ancient Jerusalem, some 100 m. west of the Temple Mount, was inhabited by highly ranked officials during the First Temple period," she outlined.
MORE http://christiannews.net/2018/01/02/discovery-of-clay-seal-from-first-temple-period-viewed-as-another-support-of-biblical-text/
Swarthmore College's Religion Course Catalog Includes Study in 'Queering the Bible'
By Heather Clark on January 4, 201840 Comments
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Photo Credit: Wikipedia/Kungming2
SWARTHMORE, Pa. — A private liberal arts college just outside of Philadelphia is drawing concerns over a "Queering the Bible" class included in its course catalog that is meant to provide "queer and trans readings of biblical texts."
Swarthmore College, founded in 1864 by Quakers, provides a description of the course on its website, along with other upcoming religious-themed classes such as "Christian Mysticism," "Islamic Law and Society" and "From Vodun to Voodoo: African Religions in the Old and New Worlds."
"This course surveys queer and trans readings of biblical texts," the outline reads. "It introduces students to the complexity of constructions of sex, gender, and identity in one of the most influential literary works produced in ancient times."
MORE http://christiannews.net/2018/01/04/swarthmore-colleges-religion-course-catalog-includes-study-in-queering-the-bible/
Planned Parenthood's Annual Report: 321,384 Abortions Performed by Organization in 2016-2017
By Heather Clark on January 2, 20185 Comments
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Photo Credit: All Nite Images
WASHINGTON — The abortion and contraception giant Planned Parenthood has released its annual report, which shows that while the number of abortions it performed last year are the lowest in a decade, still over 321,000 babies were murdered in their mother's womb during the 2016-2017 fiscal year.
"As we enter our 101st year, providing access to expert health care and education remains at the center of what we do. We continue to drive innovations in health care delivery by leveraging new technology to get patients the care and information they need to live healthy lives and build the futures they want," the organization wrote in its report, which outlines the services provided over the past year, most centering on sexual activity.
Planned Parenthood reported 321,384 abortions for the year, down from the 328,348 performed abortions during the 2015-2016 fiscal year—or 6,964 fewer murdered children. However, the number still equates to over 800 abortions a day.
MORE http://christiannews.net/2018/01/02/planned-parenthoods-annual-report-321384-abortions-performed-by-organization-in-2016-2017/
Serial 'Swatter' Who Called in Deadly Hoax Amidst Video Gaming Feud Charged With Creating False Alarm
By Heather Clark on January 4, 20181 Comment
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The convicted prankster who called 911 with a false murder and hostage report that resulted in a SWAT team surrounding an innocent man's home—with police fatally shooting the father of two—has been charged with one felony count of creating a false alarm and will be extradited to Kansas to face trial.
Tyler Raj Barriss, 25, appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday, where he waived his right to fight extradition to Kansas, where the innocent man died. A "fugitive from justice" warrant had been filed against Barriss, along with the felony charge.
According to the Los Angeles Times, in May 2016, Barriss was sentenced to two years and eight months behind bars for making a false bomb threat, but was released in January 2017. The following day, he was arrested again after violating a protective order, and spent another seven months in jail.
Glendale Police Sgt. Daniel Suttles told the outlet that it is believed Barriss is responsible for at least two dozen bomb threats, including those that resulted in the evacuation of an elementary school and a local television station. Prior to the latest incident, the Los Angeles Police Department was already investigating Barriss over a number of "swatting" calls that prompted a large law enforcement turnout.
Swatting is defined as making a false report to the police that results in a response from a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.
MORE http://christiannews.net/2018/01/04/serial-swatter-who-called-in-deadly-hoax-amidst-video-gaming-feud-charged-with-creating-false-alarm/
California Man Accused of Plotting Attack on San Francisco's Pier 39 in the Name of ISIS
By Heather Clark on January 1, 2018No Comment
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MODESTO, Calif. — A California man has been arrested and charged with plotting a terror attack on San Francisco's Pier 39 in the name of the barbaric Islamic group ISIS.
Everitt Jameson, 26, of Modesto was arrested on Dec. 22 and charged with attempting to provide support to a foreign terrorist organization after being investigated by the FBI. The government organization had been tipped that Jameson was posting in support of ISIS in online chat forums.
According to the criminal complaint, Jameson referred to the United States as the "darul," meaning the "land of unbelievers," and expressed support for the Oct. 31 terror attack in New York City, in which Sayfullo Saipov used a rented truck to plow down pedestrians and bicyclists, resulting in the deaths of eight people.
MORE http://christiannews.net/2018/01/01/california-man-accused-of-plotting-attack-on-san-franciscos-pier-39-in-the-name-of-isis/
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'Aspiring Pastor' Charged With Murder After Wife, Children Found Dead in Home Dec 26, 2017 02:50 pm
KELOWNA, B.C. -- A Canadian man that had aspirations to be a pastor has been charged with second-degree murder after his wife and two young daughters were recently found dead in their home. Jacob Forman, 34, made his first court appearance on Thursday after authorities found his wife of ten years, Clara, and their daughters Karina and Yesenia, 7 and 8...
Continue reading the story http://christiannews.net/2017/12/26/aspiring-pastor-charged-with-murder-after-wife-children-found-dead-in-home/
'We've Prayed About It': Professing 'Christian' Couple Refuses Woman's Pleas Not to Abort Baby Dec 27, 2017 03:50 pm
A viral video posted to social media on Friday shows a man and woman who professed to be Christians declining a woman's pleas not to abort their baby, stating that the child would interfere with their plans and that they had "prayed about" the matter. While the background behind the video, such as the location of the recording, has not been divulged, the footage...
Continue reading the story http://christiannews.net/2017/12/27/weve-prayed-about-it-professing-christian-couple-refuses-womans-pleas-not-to-abort-baby/
Oregon Court Upholds Order to Pay $135K in 'Emotional Damages' for Declining to Make Cake for Same-Sex 'Wedding' Dec 28, 2017 07:09 pm
PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Oregon Court of Appeals has upheld a lower court ruling that ordered Sweet Cakes by Melissa owners Aaron and Melissa Klein to pay $135,000 in "emotional damages" to two lesbian women for declining to make a cake for their same-sex "wedding" in 2014. "iven BOLI's detailed factual findings about the effect of the refusal of service on these...
Continue reading the story http://christiannews.net/2017/12/28/oregon-court-upholds-order-to-pay-135k-in-emotional-damages-for-declining-to-make-cake-for-same-sex-wedding/
Trump White House Sends Congratulatory Letter to Prosperity Preacher Kenneth Copeland for '50 Years of Ministry' Dec 29, 2017 09:22 am
WASHINGTON -- Prosperity and Word of Faith preacher Kenneth Copeland posted a photo to social media on Tuesday of a letter that he received from President Trump congratulating him for "50 years of ministry." "Melania and I send our warmest wishes as you celebrate 50 years of ministry," began the letter, which was dated Aug. 16 but just shared this week. "For...
Continue reading the story http://christiannews.net/2017/12/29/trump-white-house-sends-congratulatory-letter-to-prosperity-preacher-kenneth-copeland-for-50-years-of-ministry/
Judge Declines to Issue Emergency Injunction Against Baker Who Wouldn't Make Same-Sex 'Wedding' Cake Dec 23, 2017 06:27 pm
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- A state judge in California has declined to grant an emergency injunction against a baker who declined a request to make a same-sex "wedding" cake due to her religious beliefs, but also offered to call an accommodating business on behalf of the two lesbians seeking the cake for their event. Kern County Superior Court Judge David Lampe...
Continue reading the story http://christiannews.net/2017/12/23/judge-declines-to-issue-emergency-injunction-against-baker-who-wouldnt-make-same-sex-wedding-cake/
California Teen Asks School Board to Change Policy Banning 'Religious Theories' in Science Class Dec 26, 2017 12:26 pm
ANGELS CAMP, Calif. -- A sophomore student at a public high school in California is requesting that his school district change its policy prohibiting the discussion of Creation beliefs in science class. Grayson Mobley, 16, spoke to the Bret Harte Union High School Board earlier this month to ask that he be allowed to politely cite his beliefs when pertinent....
Continue reading the story http://christiannews.net/2017/12/26/california-teen-asks-school-board-to-change-policy-banning-religious-theories-in-science-class/
Atheist Group Wants Arkansas Governor to Stop Posting Bible Verses on Official Social Media Pages Dec 23, 2017 12:40 pm
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- One of the most conspicuous professing atheist groups in the nation has sent a letter to the governor of Arkansas to request that he stop posting Bible verses on his government-related social media pages. Gov. Asa Hutchinson posts a Scripture to his Twitter and Facebook accounts each Sunday, sharing verses such as, "I will give thanks to the...
Continue reading the story http://christiannews.net/2017/12/23/atheist-group-wants-arkansas-governor-to-stop-posting-bible-verses-on-official-social-media-pages/
ACLU Sues Healthcare Network for Cancelling Chest Surgery of Woman Who Identifies as Man Dec 29, 2017 06:15 pm
SEATTLE, Wash. -- The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed suit against the largest healthcare network in Washington State after chest reconstruction surgery scheduled for a woman who identifies as a man was cancelled and she had to obtain the operation elsewhere. According to the complaint filed by the ACLU, the 30-year-old woman, who goes by the name...
Continue reading the story http://christiannews.net/2017/12/29/aclu-sues-healthcare-network-for-cancelling-chest-surgery-of-woman-who-identifies-as-man/
UK Mother Declines Abortion After Baby Diagnosed With Rare Lung Condition Dec 26, 2017 11:38 pm
HULL, East Yorkshire -- A mother in the UK is thankful for her son after she declined to abort him upon learning that he had a rare lung condition. "I was given the option to terminate the pregnancy as it was unlikely the baby would survive, but there was no doubt in my mind that I would carry on," Yvonne Excell recalled to the Hull Daily Mail. Excell was 20...
Continue reading the story http://christiannews.net/2017/12/26/uk-mother-declines-abortion-after-baby-diagnosed-with-rare-lung-condition/
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Palm Springs Becomes First City Council in Nation to Be All Homosexual, Bisexual or Transgender
By Heather Clark on December 9, 201729 Comments
Photo Credit: Palm Springs City Government/Facebook
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — The City of Palm Springs, California has sworn in a man who identifies as a woman, as well as a woman who identifies as bisexual, making its city council all-"LGBT" as its other three members identify as homosexual.
Lisa Middleton, a man who identifies as a woman (pictured), and Christy Holstege, an attorney who identifies as bisexual, were both sworn in on Wednesday after being elected last month.
They join Mayor Robert Moon and Councilman Geoff Kors, who both are "married" to men, and Councilman J.R. Roberts, who likewise identifies as homosexual.
Holstege and Middleton won with 30 percent of the vote, as compared to the 13 percent received by the nearest candidate. They replace Ginny Foat and Chris Mills, who decided not to run for reelection, according to CBS News.
"The kind of actions that made my election possible took place over the last 15-20 years in this city," Middleton stated, according to local television station KESQ. "I am thrilled to have an opportunity to represent Palm Springs and Palm Springs values throughout this state and throughout this country."
"It takes a diverse voice," Holstege, who is married to a man but who identifies as bisexual, also remarked. "I work to make a living in Palm Springs. I want to raise kids here, and I think that's important. I have to represent all of us, each and every one of us who lives in Palm Springs and I'm really looking forward to build a Palm Springs that works for all of us."
Middleton's campaign website outlines that he is involved with various humanitarian and transgender advocacy groups, including the LGBT Center of the Desert and Equality California, and also serves as the chair of the neighborhood improvement coalition ONE-PS. Middleton is married to a woman and has an adult son and daughter.
Holstege's campaign website notes that in addition to handling civil litigation, elder law and domestic violence law, she also "focuses her practice and pro bono efforts serving underserved communities of the Coachella Valley, including people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, homeless individuals, injured workers, personal injury victims, and victims of discrimination and violence."
According to a report by the Desert Sun entitled "Gay Then, Gayer Now: The New Palm Springs City Council Marks a Milestone in LGBT Acceptance," Palm Springs has a history of electing homosexuals to office, as the two previous mayors and four past members of city council have identified as homosexual.
However, Councilman Roberts told the New York Times that he doesn't want Palm Springs City Council to be known primarily for its sexuality.
"As the last bit of confetti is being swept up, some concerns have replaced elation," he outlined to the outlet. "I really don't want us to be known as the queer council. I want this to be about the things we accomplish."
Holstege said Wednesday that she wants to focus on issues such as homelessness and to restore trust in the expenditures of public tax money. Middleton, who has worked with the Planning Commission since 2014, likewise stated that the passage of a half-cent sales tax is a priority in order to give the city a better budget to work with in regard to city planning and zoning.
As previously reported, at least two other men who identify as women were elected to government office last month. In Minnesota, Andre "Andrea" Jenkins was elected to the Minneapolis City Council, and in Virginia, Daniel "Danica" Roem was elected to the House of Delegates.
Historic American statesman Daniel Webster, who held office both in the House and Senate, once said, "If the power of the gospel is not felt throughout the length and breadth of the land, anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness will reign without mitigation or end."
Noah Webster, known as the father of American education, also said, "All the miseries and evils which men suffer from—vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war—proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible."
The Lost
"There are more lost people in the world, this morning, than ever there has been in history; and the Church of Jesus Christ is responsible for them."
VIDEO 9.59 mins
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WATCH: Trump Ex-Wife Reveals Truth About Him, People Should Listen
November 27, 2017 Frank Spear
Ivana Trump, President Trump's ex-wife, had the chance to speak out about how she thinks her ex-husband is doing as president, and her opinion on Melania and more. President Trump and Ivana were married from 1977 until 1992.
Ivana Trump appeared on "The Ray D'Arcy Show" to talk about various aspects of the President's job. She admitted that Mr. Trump must be missing his old life. Ivana went on to express that the President must be "exhausted" from working all day, every day. The message she was passing on seemed clear enough; President Trump sacrificed so much for the country that allowed him to be as successful as he is today.
"He was in Trump Tower, he would go to Mar-a-Lago, and go to play golf at Westchester and things like that… now from 8:00 in the morning till midnight, he's working, working, working, and everybody shouts at him the problem of that country, the new rule," Mr. Trump's ex-wife reflected.
In the President's old life as a citizen, he would enjoy his days playing golf and relaxing. After all, wasn't he entitled to that after building successful companies
Apparently, President Trump felt that his job was not yet done. He wanted to make a big change in the United States after the dust has settled and he had the chance to live the dream life.
"I don't envy him. I think he must be freaking exhausted. I would be too," Ivana Trump continued. When his ex-wife is speaking so highly of him, it is apparent that she sees that he is working for the greater good and not holding a petty grudge.
MORE https://www.christiannewsalerts.com/trump-ex-wife-reveals-truth/?
BREAKING: Top Clinton Investigator Drops Bombshell, This Is Terrifying
November 28, 2017 William Widener
The Clintons have been surrounded by scandal for decades. Now, more details continue to seep out proving this fact. The latest details involving an Obama-era investigator are disturbing, to say the least.
According to Fox News, an investigator during the Obama administration who worked on the Hillary Clinton email investigation shared what it was like working on such a case. Former Intelligence Community Inspector General Charles McCullough III said that the Clinton campaign and its allies threatened and intimidated him, his family, and his staffers — just for doing his job.
MORE https://www.christiannewsalerts.com/top-clinton-investigator-drops/?utm_campaign=CNA_20170715
CHILLING: ISIS Threatens Shock City With Christmas Attack
November 28, 2017 Ben Baker
Even though ISIS is suffering major losses and is diminishing in power, its lone operatives remain a threat to the United States.
According to The Daily Mail, ISIS has released a new propaganda poster revealing one of its intended targets over the Christmas holiday. It's Times Square in New York City — and hints at the use of explosives.
Times Square draws massive crowds during the holiday season, a fact ISIS undoubtedly hopes to exploit in a future attack, especially during a time of cheer and reflection centered on Jesus Christ.
Their latest propaganda poster shows an operative dressed as Santa Claus looking out over the crowd in Times Square. He's carrying a laden bag next to a box of dynamite. The caption on the poster reads: "We meet at Christmas in New York…soon."
It's part of a series of threats issued by the terrorist organization over encrypted social media channels and shared by their followers and supporters.
MORE https://www.christiannewsalerts.com/isis-threatens-shock-city/?/tTyXrv437CUXVPhq1J0J2xyXja10zt1tC&bt_ts
First Lady Melania Trump has been praised for bringing grace and elegance to the Trump White House. This has carried on into the holiday season and shows how proud the Trump Family is of their faith and their esteemed positions.
Melania Trump has gone all out for the Trump Family's first Christmas in the White House. In a video posted to the first lady's Twitter account Monday, the elaborate Christmas decorations were debuted. Along with many lighted Christmas trees, garlands, and ribbons, the Trump Family included the historical White House Nativity scene.
This Christmas marks the 50th anniversary of the Nativity scene's inclusion in the White House Christmas decorations. The Nativity scene appears in the video, but it's unclear where the Trump Family has chosen to feature it. The Obama Family previously displayed the Nativity scene in the East Room.
According to an official White House statement, Mrs. Trump's chosen Christmas theme is "Time-Honored Traditions," intended to pay homage to 200 years of White House holiday traditions. She was reportedly involved in "every detail" of the decorations
MORE https://www.christiannewsalerts.com/melanias-huge-christmas-move/?utm_source=Boomtrain&utm_medium=automated&utm_campaign=CNA2&bt_ee=7R4Y2sud83fh7s2onM4wAYUzPAxI+g1Gij70iw+4uAynxrvYtESKMsGHMAfxh0ba&bt_ts=1512066872489
Seinfeld,' 'Miami Vice' actor dead at 62
November 29, 2017
'Seinfeld,' 'Miami Vice' actor dead at 62
Image Source: Screenshot
Julio Oscar Mechoso, character actor extraordinaire, died on Saturday of a heart attack at the age of 62.
Known as a versatile utility player, he appeared in 129 television shows and motion pictures, including Seinfeld, Miami Vice, Coach, Matlock, and Grey's Anatomy.
His Family Reacts
Last week, Mechoso passed away from a heart attack, and many of his friends, family members, and colleagues are reflecting on his great acting talents.
His daughter, Melinda, called had some kind words to say about her father. She told the Miami Herald:
MORE https://www.conservativeinstitute.org/pop-culture/tv/seinfeld-actor-dead-62.htm?
November 27, 2017 Frank Spear
Ivana Trump, President Trump's ex-wife, had the chance to speak out about how she thinks her ex-husband is doing as president, and her opinion on Melania and more. President Trump and Ivana were married from 1977 until 1992.
Ivana Trump appeared on "The Ray D'Arcy Show" to talk about various aspects of the President's job. She admitted that Mr. Trump must be missing his old life. Ivana went on to express that the President must be "exhausted" from working all day, every day. The message she was passing on seemed clear enough; President Trump sacrificed so much for the country that allowed him to be as successful as he is today.
"He was in Trump Tower, he would go to Mar-a-Lago, and go to play golf at Westchester and things like that… now from 8:00 in the morning till midnight, he's working, working, working, and everybody shouts at him the problem of that country, the new rule," Mr. Trump's ex-wife reflected.
In the President's old life as a citizen, he would enjoy his days playing golf and relaxing. After all, wasn't he entitled to that after building successful companies
Apparently, President Trump felt that his job was not yet done. He wanted to make a big change in the United States after the dust has settled and he had the chance to live the dream life.
"I don't envy him. I think he must be freaking exhausted. I would be too," Ivana Trump continued. When his ex-wife is speaking so highly of him, it is apparent that she sees that he is working for the greater good and not holding a petty grudge.
MORE https://www.christiannewsalerts.com/trump-ex-wife-reveals-truth/?
BREAKING: Top Clinton Investigator Drops Bombshell, This Is Terrifying
November 28, 2017 William Widener
The Clintons have been surrounded by scandal for decades. Now, more details continue to seep out proving this fact. The latest details involving an Obama-era investigator are disturbing, to say the least.
According to Fox News, an investigator during the Obama administration who worked on the Hillary Clinton email investigation shared what it was like working on such a case. Former Intelligence Community Inspector General Charles McCullough III said that the Clinton campaign and its allies threatened and intimidated him, his family, and his staffers — just for doing his job.
MORE https://www.christiannewsalerts.com/top-clinton-investigator-drops/?utm_campaign=CNA_20170715
CHILLING: ISIS Threatens Shock City With Christmas Attack
November 28, 2017 Ben Baker
Even though ISIS is suffering major losses and is diminishing in power, its lone operatives remain a threat to the United States.
According to The Daily Mail, ISIS has released a new propaganda poster revealing one of its intended targets over the Christmas holiday. It's Times Square in New York City — and hints at the use of explosives.
Times Square draws massive crowds during the holiday season, a fact ISIS undoubtedly hopes to exploit in a future attack, especially during a time of cheer and reflection centered on Jesus Christ.
Their latest propaganda poster shows an operative dressed as Santa Claus looking out over the crowd in Times Square. He's carrying a laden bag next to a box of dynamite. The caption on the poster reads: "We meet at Christmas in New York…soon."
It's part of a series of threats issued by the terrorist organization over encrypted social media channels and shared by their followers and supporters.
MORE https://www.christiannewsalerts.com/isis-threatens-shock-city/?/tTyXrv437CUXVPhq1J0J2xyXja10zt1tC&bt_ts
First Lady Melania Trump has been praised for bringing grace and elegance to the Trump White House. This has carried on into the holiday season and shows how proud the Trump Family is of their faith and their esteemed positions.
Melania Trump has gone all out for the Trump Family's first Christmas in the White House. In a video posted to the first lady's Twitter account Monday, the elaborate Christmas decorations were debuted. Along with many lighted Christmas trees, garlands, and ribbons, the Trump Family included the historical White House Nativity scene.
This Christmas marks the 50th anniversary of the Nativity scene's inclusion in the White House Christmas decorations. The Nativity scene appears in the video, but it's unclear where the Trump Family has chosen to feature it. The Obama Family previously displayed the Nativity scene in the East Room.
According to an official White House statement, Mrs. Trump's chosen Christmas theme is "Time-Honored Traditions," intended to pay homage to 200 years of White House holiday traditions. She was reportedly involved in "every detail" of the decorations
MORE https://www.christiannewsalerts.com/melanias-huge-christmas-move/?utm_source=Boomtrain&utm_medium=automated&utm_campaign=CNA2&bt_ee=7R4Y2sud83fh7s2onM4wAYUzPAxI+g1Gij70iw+4uAynxrvYtESKMsGHMAfxh0ba&bt_ts=1512066872489
Seinfeld,' 'Miami Vice' actor dead at 62
November 29, 2017
'Seinfeld,' 'Miami Vice' actor dead at 62
Image Source: Screenshot
Julio Oscar Mechoso, character actor extraordinaire, died on Saturday of a heart attack at the age of 62.
Known as a versatile utility player, he appeared in 129 television shows and motion pictures, including Seinfeld, Miami Vice, Coach, Matlock, and Grey's Anatomy.
His Family Reacts
Last week, Mechoso passed away from a heart attack, and many of his friends, family members, and colleagues are reflecting on his great acting talents.
His daughter, Melinda, called had some kind words to say about her father. She told the Miami Herald:
MORE https://www.conservativeinstitute.org/pop-culture/tv/seinfeld-actor-dead-62.htm?
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JUST IN: Rand Paul Gives Trump Shocking News, Media Stunned
November 28, 2017 Frank Spear
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), published an op-ed on Fox News explaining his work over the past couple of weeks. He wrote of his promise to the American people, and how he hopes to keep it at any cost.
Sen. Paul expressed that he plans to vote for the Senate version of the tax cut legislation, according to The Washington Examiner. "I plan to vote for this bill as it stands right now," Paul wrote. As the end of the year approaches, many are wondering if tax reform will make it through the system in time. Paul may be the missing link to assure that happens.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), can only lose two votes on the Republican side if he hopes to pass the bill without help from Democrats. The Left is still steadfast in their opposition to President Trump and likely will not vote for the bill.
Many questioned Sen. Paul on whether or not he would vote for the bill. He has challenged the GOP's methods and even voted against the budget resolution that allowed the bill to pass the Senate with a simple majority.
MORE https://www.christiannewsalerts.com/rand-paul-gives-trump-shocking/?utm_source=Boomtrain&utm_medium=NS
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BREAKING: Trump Issues Major 'Russia' Statement, This Is Massive
November 27, 2017 Ben Baker
Despite any evidence that President Trump colluded with Russia to win the election, Democrats have continued to embrace the narrative.
President Trump sent out a post on his Twitter feed discussing this issue and what the Left has habitually ignored since he took office. He stated, "Since the first day I took office, all you hear is the phony Democrat excuse for losing the election, Russia, Russia, Russia. Despite this I have the economy booming and have possibly done more than any 10-month President. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
According to Fox News, the liberal media and the Left were likely crushed when it was revealed that Special Counsel Robert Mueller had issued indictments for crimes committed by Paul Manafort before, and not related to in any way, President Trump's campaign for the presidency.
An investigation that has gone on for more than six months now has failed to yield any evidence that President Trump colluded with Russia to win the election. Yet the Left continues obsessing with the narrative, running with the idea that President Trump's former advisor George Papadopoulos' admission of lying to the FBI about his contact with a Russian national, is somehow proof of their claims.
But this admission of lying to the FBI shows no evidence of collusion. Communicating with someone from Russia in itself is not collusion. Nor would it even be considered collusion unless that individual was compensated by President Trump's team to help him win the election, which didn't happen.
President Trump's tweet points to the idea that the Left is absolutely refusing to admit that his presidency is doing wonders for America's once stagnate economy. Rather than give President Trump credit, they simply refuse to talk about it, preferring instead to discuss his supposed corruption. When they do discuss the economy, it's somehow attributed to former-President Barack Obama's efforts and nothing that President Trump has done.
The GDP, which is used to determine the health of the economy, especially small businesses, has had 3.1 percent growth with President Trump. Under President Obama, it was a weak 1.3 percent, coincidentally the same GDP growth during the Great Depression.
Jobs have increased by 1.33 million instead of the 4.59 million lost during the beginning of President Obama's first term. A stunning difference is that many of the jobs created under President Obama were part-time positions, while many of the jobs created under President Trump are full-time positions. In fact, September saw an additional 935,000 full-time jobs, on the top four of biggest increases in US history.
Perhaps most impressive is that these gains were largely obtained without adding too much to the US debt. As of October, President Trump only added $400 billion, or two percent, to the national debt. During the same amount of time in President Obama's first term, he added $1.3 trillion, or 12 percent.
The economy has exploded under President Trump, yet Democrats keep thumping the Trump-Russia collusion false-narrative. Are Democrats simply trying to detract from President Trump's successes?
POLL: Is the Trump-Russia Collusion False-Narrative a Dead Issue?
Perhaps the reason the Left is clinging so much to the Russia collusion narrative is that they want to report on anything other than the successes President Trump has been bringing in. While they call for impeachment and justice for an alleged crime with no evidence, President Trump has been working hard to boost the economy and create jobs.
If President Trump could accomplish this much in the first ten months of his presidency, imagine what he'll do for the US economy in an entire term, or even a second term for that matter.
BREAKING: Israel Issues Shocking War Threat, This Could Get Ugly
November 27, 2017 Ben Baker
With the threat of ISIS subsiding, Israel is becoming the new hostile threat in the Middle East.
According to The Jerusalem Post, an anonymous source revealed a disturbing plan by Israel. They vow to destroy any and all Iranian facilities within 40 kilometers' of Israel's own Golan Heights.
The discovery was made after Syrian President Bashar Assad made a surprise visit to Russia recently. During the meeting, President Assad asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to deliver a message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The message, which was reportedly delivered, was that Damascus was willing to establish a demilitarized zone of about 40 kilometers on the border of Golan Heights as long as Israel agreed not to remove President Assad from power. Reportedly Prime Minister Netanyahu was willing to accept the deal, but would not be swayed from eliminating Iran and the political militants known as Hezbollah.
The interesting dilemma here is that Israel sees President Assad as an enemy by association, according to the anonymous source. President Assad is seen by Israel as a president of the Alawite community. Alawites are a minority group of Shi'ite Muslims based in Syria that has received support from Iran for many years.
The discovery was made after Syrian President Bashar Assad made a surprise visit to Russia recently. During the meeting, President Assad asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to deliver a message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The message, which was reportedly delivered, was that Damascus was willing to establish a demilitarized zone of about 40 kilometers on the border of Golan Heights as long as Israel agreed not to remove President Assad from power. Reportedly Prime Minister Netanyahu was willing to accept the deal, but would not be swayed from eliminating Iran and the political militants known as Hezbollah.
The interesting dilemma here is that Israel sees President Assad as an enemy by association, according to the anonymous source. President Assad is seen by Israel as a president of the Alawite community. Alawites are a minority group of Shi'ite Muslims based in Syria that has received support from Iran for many years.
This hostile conflict between the two nations has been waging for many years. It temporarily subsided as many of the Middle Eastern nations were forced to deal with the mutual threat of ISIS which was laying claim to large swaths of territory and killing many many people of all nationalities.
But with ISIS suffering major defeats at the hands of US-led coalition forces and Russian backed forces, there exists a power vacuum that many nations are hoping to fill, once again resulting in Iran being pitted against Israel in a continuation of the conflict.
During the fighting against ISIS Israel threatened to bomb President Assad's palace. Syria responded with threats of "dangerous repercussions" should Israel conduct strikes against Syrian positions. Though heated, none of these arguments resulted in major action.
This proxy war could also inflate into a much larger conflict given that the US has allied with Israel and Russia is backing Iran. With ISIS in the mix, both superpowers have been able to focus their efforts on a mutual enemy, but with the terrorists fleeing into the shadows they might find themselves at odds as their smaller partners go toe to toe.
Iran is trying to build a potent influence in the Middle East. Is Israel right in attempting to diminish Iran's abilities in the region?
POLL: Should the US Aid Israel Against Iran?
The rich oil fields left behind by ISIS forces are also likely adding fuel to the fire as many nations could be hoping to profit from the millions of dollars in revenue these areas would bring.
It's unclear how the US would respond to an all-out war should Russia chose to get more heavily involved in Iran's rise to power. It would be tragic to see American forces being forced to remain in the area, not to quell a rising terrorist threat, but to help the locals settle their differences, which historically has not gone well.
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ALERT: Supreme Court Issues Shock Trump Ruling, This Is Huge
October 25, 2017 Luis Miguel
As federal courts continue to issue rulings on President Trump's travel ban, it is likely that the Supreme Court will eventually hear the case. For the moment, the nation's highest court continues to deliver the President temporary-but-significant legal victories on the issue.
According to The Washington Examiner, the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed Hawaii's challenge to the 120-day refugee ban established by the President's Executive Order, citing the expiration of the 120 days–which effectively made the case moot.
The case in question, Hawaii v. Trump, centered on the Executive Order that, among other measures, placed a halt on refugee entry for 120 days. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the State of Hawaii's assertion that the order discriminated based on religion.
The Supreme Court sent the case back to the 9th Circuit Court and has vacated lower court rulings on the refugee ban. This comes shortly after the Supreme Court denied hearing oral arguments for a related case last month.
As Christian News Alerts noted, the Supreme Court also threw out Trump v. International Refugee Assistance Project because the case's central argument–the 90-day travel ban–expired in September.
Supreme Court Justice Sonya Sotomayor dissented from the order, vacating the lower courts' judgments. Although America's ultimate judicial body has now twice ruled in favor of the Trump administration, the issue is not settled definitively.
In light of the expired aspects of President Trump's Executive Order, as well as the legal challenges to it, the White House rolled out a new travel ban with significant modifications. Most prominently, the new Executive Order makes the travel ban indefinite rather limited to 90-days, as Christian News Alerts reported.
Additionally, the new travel ban changed some of the countries on the restricted list based on those nations' cooperation with American vetting procedures. The order now includes North Korea and Venezuela, in essence countering the unfounded claim of the Executive Order being a "Muslim ban."
Nevertheless, the State of Hawaii has already taken legal action against the new Executive Order. CNN reported that Judge Derrick Watson of the US District Court for the District of Hawaii blocked the revised travel ban.
But the White House is remaining firm in its determination to see the Executive Order implemented. As covered by The Washington Examiner, Attorney General Jeff Sessions has lauded the President's travel ban. "The president's executive order is an important step to ensuring that we know who is coming into our country," Sessions said.
The Attorney General continued: "It is a lawful, necessary … order that we are proud to defend and indeed most may not know the Supreme Court has already vacated one court's injunction against that order and we are confident we'll prevail as time goes by in the Supreme Court."
The Supreme Court dismissed Hawaii's challenge of Trump's refugee ban. Do you agree with their decision?
POLL: Should The Supreme Court Dismissed Hawaii's Challenge To Trump's Refugee Ban Sooner?
Accordingly, The Examiner noted that the Justice Department Tuesday asked the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals to review the decision that blocked the Executive Order. Any decision by the 4th Circuit Court will likely be appealed to the Supreme Court.
The nine justices who currently sit on that court will ultimately decide whether the President has the national security authority to determine who can enter the country — a right already granted to the Executive Branch by law.
URGENT: Trump Declares Emergency, Please Take Heed
October 27, 2017 Ben Baker
The opioid epidemic has been wreaking havoc in the US for many years, and has claimed many lives.
But it appears that President Trump is finally attacking the threat head-on. According to his Twitter feed, "Effective today, my administration officially declared the #OpioidCrisis a NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY under federal law."
According to US News, the opioid epidemic affects the deaths of 91 Americans every day from overdose. More than 64,000 people lost their lives to these overdoses in 2016.
What's interesting about this drug epidemic is that overall death via drug overdoses by teens was in decline from 2007 to 2014, before suddenly spiking and constituting the recent opioid epidemic. The biggest problem with the current opioid epidemic is the drugs used are mostly legally obtained prescription drugs that are misused — either intentionally or unintentionally.
According to US News, a survey conducted by the American Society of Anesthesiologists finds 30 percent of millennials felt it was okay to take opioids without a prescription. It was also revealed that 1 in 10 knew someone who had borrowed opioids from someone who obtained them through a prescription.
CNN reports that while President Trump had originally promised to declare the opioid epidemic a national emergency, declaring it a national public health emergency is actually a much smarter move given the nature of the epidemic.
National emergency declarations are handled by FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund, which is likely tapped out because of the devastating hurricanes experienced this summer. FEMA was created to deal with natural disasters and emergencies of infrastructure anyway.
Rafael Lemaitre, Obama's former Communications Director for the White House Drug Policy, says using FEMA funding to fight the epidemic would be "a little bit like asking an engineer to bake a cake."
Declaring it a national public health emergency, while meant to only last for 90 days, can be renewed continually by Congress, allowing for the declaration to continue so long as the problem remains unresolved. This declaration also allows federal agencies to cut the bureaucratic red tape and provide swifter relief using grant money already within their budgets.
President Trump has called for a two-pronged attack targeting both the abuse of prescription opioids and illegally obtained opioids. To fight the prescription abuse, President Trump suggested a "really tough, really big, really great" advertising campaign. This advertising campaign would spread awareness and knowledge to kids and younger adults about the opioid epidemic and hopefully curb abuse with upcoming generations.
President Trump also stressed the need to build a border wall between the US and Mexico and to enact stricter enforcement methods to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the US. According to Trump, "An astonishing 90 percent of the heroin in America comes from south of the border — where we will be building a wall — which will greatly help in this problem."
Declaring the opioid epidemic a national public health emergency has met rare bipartisan approval as both Democrats and Republican praised the move to fight the drug problem in the US.
President Trump has declared the opioid crisis a national emergency. Do you agree?
POLL: Do You Believe The Opioid Crisis Is A National Emergency?
It seems few can argue with President Trump's statements: "As Americans, we cannot allow this to continue. It is time to liberate our communities from this scourge of drug addiction. Never been this way. We can be the generation that ends the opioid epidemic. We can do it."
Hopefully, his declaration will spur politicians and medical professionals to find a way to end the opioid epidemic once and for all. And perhaps they can find the catalyst for this drug abuse and begin assisting Americans that–for whatever reasons–are turning to opioids to solve their problems.
ALERT: Rosie O'Donnell Issues Shock Trump Announcement, Media Stunned
October 26, 2017 Ben Baker
It's been a while, but former actress Rosie O'Donnell has broken her self-imposed silence about President Trump in her most recent interview.
According to The Washington Times, O'Donnell says she's been doing some soul searching and engaging in "a lot of therapy" recently. O'Donnell stated it's all because she's been struggling with President Trump's election in November. "It was a severe shock to my entire essence and my beliefs in the order in the world," she said.
O'Donnell alleges that seeing Mr. Trump, who she views as an abuser, become president has caused her to experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). "And to think that the man who had abused me so viciously and with impunity for over a decade was now running the country," she declared.
She went on to claim that the shock of President Trump winning the election made her unable to do her job on the show "SMILF" since shooting began immediately after the election.
O'Donnell claims that the therapy and soul-searching have helped her "cope" with the reality of a President Trump. "I did a lot of therapy, I wasn't in shock in anymore; as much as I am devastated, disappointed, disheartened, and depressed by the reality of it, I wasn't in pure panic mode like I was that day and that week," O'Donnell said.
While it's impossible to determine the validity of another person's emotions, many consider O'Donnell's claims to be a little dramatic. It's also hard to sympathize with O'Donnell given the ugly feud she's had with President Trump; a feud that evidence refutes as being one-sided.
According to CNN, the animosity between the two started in 2006. At the time, Mr. Trump was co-owner of the Miss USA pageant and O'Donnell was co-host of The View. Mr. Trump made a controversial decision to give Miss USA Tara Conner a second chance after it was discovered she was using drugs, drinking underage, and engaging in other scandalous activities.
Mr. Trump allowed her to keep her crown if she went to rehab, saying publicly, "I've always been a believer in second chances. Tara is a good person. Tara has tried hard. Tara is going to be given a second chance."
O'Donnell severely criticized the decision, lashing out at Mr. Trump's character, saying he wasn't a "self-made man" but a "snake-oil salesman on Little House On The Prairie." She went on castigating Mr. Trump by claiming his business went bankrupt and by attacking his multiple marriages.
Mr. Trump obviously took offense and lashed back, thus a feud between the two was born that has lasted for over a decade.
Granted, President Trump has said some things over the years to and about O'Donnell that could be deemed as inappropriate and there is no excusing that. But O'Donnell has hardly taken the moral high ground.
USA Today reports that in June, O'Donnell sent out a tweet linking to a game called "Push Trump Off A Cliff Again!" The game allowed players to push a button sending President Trump falling to his death off a cliff.
She even sent out an odd tweet speaking to the North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-un, with cat ears and what sounds like a helium-enhanced voice. The caption said, "we don't #Resist #TrumpRussia." In the video, she says, "Hi Mr. Kim Jong-un, sorry if I didn't pronounce that right. Anyway Sir, um, our President Donald is a moron, don't listen to him, we don't."
It's understandable that liberals, like O'Donnell, are upset with having Mr. Trump as President, given his success with the economy, his rolling back Obama-era regulations, and his generally dismissive attitude towards political correctness. But to be so mentally impacted by his election to require therapy to cope with it appears a bit extreme.
Rosie O'Donnell has broken her silence. Is it just for show?
Is Rosie O'Donnell doing this for media attention?
After all, everyone on the Right had to suffer through the presidencies of left-leaning champions. Take Former President Obama for example. Conservatives had to cope with Mr. Obama's DOJ settlement schemes, the Uranium One scandal, having Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, botching the Iran deal, Obamacare, cultivating the rise of ISIS, Benghazi and many other tragedies and disasters.
If conservatives could persevere through eight years of President Obama's administration, liberals — and yes, even Rosie O'Donnell — can endure having Mr. Trump as president.
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WATCH: Hannity Calls For Top Official's Resignation, Millions Furious
October 25, 2017 Frank Spear
https://www.christiannewsalerts.com/hannity-calls-officials-resignation/?Sean Hannity, the host of Hannity on the Fox News Channel, recently decided to call out a key figure in the Russian collusion rumors, and this is leaving Democrats absolutely furious.
During his show, Hannity decided to call out Special Counsel Robert Mueller and demanded that he resign from his position due to "conflicts of interests." Hannity goes on to back up his claim by explaining just how Mueller investigating the Russia scandal is a big problem for the American people who are seeking transparency in this ever-shifting story. The focus has left President Donald Trump, and now the former Obama Administration and then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in the cross-hairs.
The Uranium One Deal was approved by Hillary Clinton's State Department back in 2009. This deal gave 20 percent of the United State's uranium resources to Russia.
This all ties back to Mueller because at the time of this deal, Robert Mueller was the FBI Director and "clearly had the information" that would determine whether there were unethical or even illegal information trading hands during this time.
Hannity argued that there is clear evidence of "corruption and bribery" having taken place in the Uranium One deal. Specifically, he pointed to the fact that Russian backers were contributing to The Clinton Foundation leading up to the deal.
There was no mincing of words when Hannity stated that Mueller "should resign immediately, tonight" due to the conflict of interests in his probe into the Russia scandal. If there is a tie between Russia and Clinton's State Department, it seems unlikely that Mueller would throw himself under the bus with everyone else involved.
That said, it is impossible to get a fair gauge of what happened if a connection is found between the Special Counsel and the people involved in the scandal.
In most cases, as in "if this were still about President Trump," the mainstream media would be locked into overdrive at the news. Instead, the media airs video of Mrs. Clinton talking about how this is all just a big Republican conspiracy theory.
The biggest problem with Clinton's statement is that she is willing to write off a scenario where there is clear evidence of her receiving bribes from Russians as "conspiracy," while at the same time insisting that the Russians rigged the election — without evidence. It is a contradiction of epic proportions; pure, unbridled hypocrisy.
"There's no way the American people can trust Robert Mueller to investigate anything Russia related," Hannity stated. With regard to the evidence that has been exposed, he has a point.
Sean Hannity is calling for Robert Mueller's resignation. Do you think Mueller should step down?
POLL: Should Mueller Step Down From The Special Investigation Due To Conflict Of Interest?
Hannity went on to question whether then-Attorney General Eric Holder should be questioned by Congress about what he knew regarding this issue. His insight could be revealing as to what really happened.
It seems that every day, something comes to light that breaks this story open a little wider. The Left is in denial, despite clear evidence showing that there was some sort of cover-up taking place.
Of course, the most disturbing byproduct of this scandal is this: Russia now owns over 20 percent of US uranium and that is no laughing matter.
JUST IN: Rand Paul Makes Shock Trump Move, Media Stunned
October 25, 2017 Mark Prvulovic
As one long-time anti-Trump Republican made a speech on the Senate floor — a speech that was met with applause and a standing ovation — one member chose to stand apart from the crowd.
Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) announced plans to retire from the US Senate and the end of his current term. In doing so, he made accusations against the Republican Party and the Trump presidency. Rand Paul (R-KY) was the only Senator who didn't stand up and applaud Flake's anti-Trump speech, according to one Twitter post.
Sen. Flake announced Tuesday that he planned to retire from the US Senate at the end of his term, saying that he was out of step with the Republican Party in the era of Trump's presidency. When he finished his comments, "All stood and clapped after Flake's speech—except @RandPaul," tweeted Andrew Desiderio, a reporter for The Daily Beast.
This surprise announcement came after more than a year of vocal criticism of the President and where he's been taking the GOP, ending in Flake publishing a book called Conscience of a Conservative: A Rejection of Destructive Politics and a Return to Principle, that criticizes both the President's ideology and his character.
Recent polls found that Mr. Flake was trailing behind the likely Democrat Senate nominee, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), as well as other challengers, in the primary should he have sought a second term in 2018.
Sen. Flake made his surprise announcement just minutes after President Trump left the Capitol Building. "We must never allow ourselves to lapse into thinking that this is just the way things are now. If we simply become used to this condition, thinking that it is just politics as usual, then heaven help us," Mr. Flake said, according to The Washington Post.
"Without fear of the consequences and without consideration of the rules of what is politically safe, we must stop pretending that the conduct of some in our executive branch are normal. They are not normal. Reckless, outrageous and undignified behavior has become excused as telling it like it is when it is actually reckless, outrageous and undignified," he concluded.
These comments came hours after President Trump met with the Senators for a rare luncheon, where Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), another anti-Trump Republican, accused the President of "debasing" the country with his "untruths."
Sen. Rand Paul was the only one who didn't stand and applaud Mr. Flake's surprise speech, seemingly feeling that there was no point in attacking the President just as tax reform comes to the table.
Sen. Paul has previously worked closely with Mr. Trump in his executive health care order, according to The Washington Examiner. Many aspects of the Executive Order took inspiration from Paul's own proposals, such as allowing the purchasing of plans across state lines.
Sen. Flake gave an anti-Trump speech while announcing his retirement. Would you have applauded his speech or stayed sitting like Sen. Rand Paul?
POLL: Would You Have Stood For Sen. Flakes Speech?
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), who had previously attacked the President, addressed his colleagues later on. "It's been one of the great honors of my life to have the opportunity to serve with a man of integrity and honor and decency and commitment to not only Arizona but the United States of America. I have seen Jeff Flake stand up for what he believes in, knowing full well that there would be a political price to pay."
As for the average conservative, Trump-supporting American, it's unlikely that Flake's presence on the Senate floor will be missed.
ALERT: Sheriff Joe Issues Shock 'Career' Announcement, Millions Are Stunned
October 25, 2017 Luis Miguel
Joe Arpaio, the former Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, is a champion among conservatives because of his hard-line stance against illegal immigration and his decades of service in law enforcement. After receiving President Donald Trump's first presidential pardon in August, Arpaio says he's not ready to quietly disappear from public life.
According to The Washington Examiner, Arpaio has not ruled out a Senate bid for his home state of Arizona. The former Sheriff says he is electable and has the know-how for raising large amounts of money for a campaign.
If the popular lawman were to run, he would have a less than difficult road to the Republican nomination now that Arizona's junior Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) has announced that he will not seek re-election once his term ends in 2018, as reported by The Hill.
Sen. Flake has been a long-time supporter of increased legal immigration and amnesty for illegal immigrants. He voted for the famous "Gang of Eight" amnesty bill in the Senate and has often taken issue with President Trump's policies and personality.
In fact, Mr. Flake used the announcement of his decision to not run again to launch a personal attack against the President, whom he described as "reckless, outrageous, and undignified." President Trump, in turn, has offered scathing remarks against the Senator and indicated his intention to support a Republican other than the incumbent in the 2018 election.
Following the news that Mr. Flake would be ending his tenure in the Senate, the President took to Twitter to write: "The reason Flake and Corker dropped out of the Senate race is very simple, they had zero chance of being elected. Now act so hurt & wounded!"
President Trump had a friendly political relationship with Sheriff Arpaio even before the pardon. They campaigned for one another in 2016, although Arpaio ultimately lost his election amid legal charges.
Arpaio, speaking of a conversation he had with Breitbart Chairman and former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon: said "I did tell him that my heart is for Donald Trump and always will be."
The renowned sheriff said: "My heart is with the president and anything he needs or wants I will do. So we'll have to see what his position is. It's an open seat now."
But Arpaio did not specifically discuss the issue of a Senate bid with Bannon, who is recruiting pro-Trump Republicans to run against incumbent establishment politicians in an effort to both pass the Trump agenda and unseat Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
As far as the Arizona Senate seat, it appears Bannon has grown fond of Dr. Kelli Ward, a physician and former State Senator. Ward challenged Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) for the Republican nomination in 2016 but lost. Now that Sen. Flake is out of the race, Ward is leading among GOP hopefuls. Whoever wins the primary will have a good chance of winning the state election in a state that generally sends Republicans to Washington.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio may run for the Senate. Would he make a good senator?
POLL: Would Sheriff Joe Make A Good Senator?
A source close to Bannon says, "Ward is the candidate." Arpaio, whose candidacy is thus far only a possibility, has not said whether he will support Ward's candidacy. The former sheriff called her "a nice lady" who "supports some of the things I believe in, like with the illegal immigration problem."
Republican contenders will seek to gain the endorsement of President Trump, who is popular among the state's GOP voters.
WATCH: Rand Paul Drops Wikileaks Bombshell, People Are Stunned
October 26, 2017 Frank Spear
https://www.christiannewsalerts.com/rand-paul-drops-wikileaks-bombshell/?Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), had an interview on Fox News' Fox & Friends Wednesday. During the meeting, they eventually got to the topic of the Wikileaks, and things got quite interesting.
A significant chunk of the interview was spent talking about the role reversal we have seen now that the DNC seems to be caught up in multiple scandals involving Russia, despite their whining over the Trump-Russia collusion. At one point, Sen. Paul endorsed the rumor that Wikileaks received the DNC emails from a leaker and not a hacker.
"It amazes me for a year the Democrats have been whining, whining, saying they lost to the Russians," Sen. Paul said. Now, it appears that the DNC played a part in buying the now-infamous Dossier originally released by Buzzfeed.
Furthermore, the rumors claiming that WikiLeaks leaked Clinton's emails to another Democrat is also alive and well. Sen. Paul noted the irony during his interview.
"Everything blamed on Republicans looks like what they were responsible for," he said. Everything we have heard up until this point seems to be circling back around, and the finger is pointed directly at Democrats.
When it comes to learning about political opponents, politicians sometimes use "opposition research." This is a process wherein, among other things, researchers look for faults in a candidate or politician (or "dirt") that may hurt them on the campaign trail, or threaten their active status in politics. It's something that is very commonplace in today's day and age.
"We're spending millions and millions of dollars on committee investigations, special prosecutors, all because Hillary Clinton can't admit she lost because she was a bad candidate," Mr. Paul noted, alluding to Robert Mueller's special counsel.
Fusion GPS, the company that conducted the "research" into President Trump, and released the dossier, was also a topic of discussion. The Washington Post stated that a GOP donor hired Fusion GPS, and then the Democrats — after the DNC took it over.
Sen. Paul said, "It might have been one of the other primary candidates." He continued, "There were 16 of them. All I can say is it wasn't me."
The interview continued as Sen. Paul discussed Sen. Jeff Flake, (R-AZ), as well as his dramatic retirement speech. Sen. Paul confirmed that he has another view on President Trump, but he isn't afraid to stand up to him.
The DNC claims of Trump-Russia collusion have been up-ended. Do you believe that the DNC has ties to Russia?
Is the DNC in bed with Russia?
"Look, I've been willing to go stand toe-to-toe with the president when I disagree with him on policy but I'm willing to support the president when I agree on policy like cutting taxes. I think the president is one of the boldest people we had in the White House on cutting taxes. I will support him there. That doesn't mean I will always support him," the Senator confirmed.
We have an interesting view on how a sitting Senator feels about some of the rumors that the DNC may be immensely involved with Russia, the dossier on President Trump, and more. Sen. Paul is apparently not ready to rule these off as a simple conspiracy. We will have to see where it goes from here.
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That Is My Race': 'Transracial' German Model Undergoes Treatments to 'Transition' From Caucasian to Black
By Heather Clark on October 19, 201713 Comments
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A Caucasian model from Germany is raising eyebrows as she has been undergoing various treatments this year to "transition" to a black woman as she believes that is who she really is on the inside.
"Please understand me. I'm not a white woman with black skin and African hair. I'm a black woman with heart and soul," Martina Adam wrote on Facebook in July. "Getting more and more the body of a black woman is so a wonderful and liberating feeling for me. I don't want to offend anyone! But I'm not only outwardly a black woman; I'm also with heart and soul a black woman. I swear that by God!"
Adam, who initially underwent plastic surgery to look like model Pamela Anderson, changed her mind and decided to undergo a medical treatment earlier this year to increase her skin's production of melanin. She also had her lips injected to appear fuller, and obtained a dark weave to look more African American.
Adam recently appeared on "The Maury Show" to talk about her belief that she is really a black woman in a white woman's body. She wore a large necklace to the occasion that read "Black Girls Rock."
"Martina, do you think you're a black person?" host Maury Povich asked.
"Yes," Adam replied, resulting in an uproar of disbelief from the audience. "But 80 percent. I have to learn a lot. I know."
Povich explained that being black is more than just "skin deep" or hair extensions, and pointed out some of the odd statements that she had made to his producers.
"I am black, that is my race," she said. "I can't wait to go to Africa because I hear the food is tasty!"
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Air Force Service Members Accused of Painting Satanic Graffiti on South Carolina Church
By Heather Clark on October 16, 201752 Comments
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MAYESVILLE, S.C. — Four Air Force service members have been arrested after surveillance footage connected them to a recent act of vandalism at a historic South Carolina church.
Kayla Eilerman, 18, Clayre Savage, 18, Daveion Green, 19, and Brandon Munoz, 20, are facing charges of malicious injury to a house of worship, conspiracy and trespassing surrounding the incident, which occurred late last month. They all are stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, approximately 25 miles away.
According to reports, on Sept. 29, a member of Salem Black River Presbyterian Church in Mayesville called police after discovering that the church had been defaced with pentagrams, an upside-down cross and the word "Satan." 20 spray-painted markings were found around the exterior of the church and two other buildings on the property. A door had also been kicked in.
Police soon released images from the church's security footage, which led to tips from the general public.
"Several tips came in from the community, including from Shaw AFB personnel who gave us the names of possible suspects," Ken Bell, spokesperson for the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, said in a statement. "We began researching the names through various databases and social media."
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Wyoming Man Who Identifies as Woman Convicted of Raping Girl in Residential Restroom
By Heather Clark on October 20, 2017143 Comments
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CASPER, Wy. — A Wyoming man who identifies as a woman has been convicted of sexually molesting a 10-year-old girl after luring her into the restroom.
Miguel Martinez, who also goes by Michelle, was found guilty of first-degree and second-degree sexual abuse of a minor by a 12-member jury on Wednesday.
According to reports, Martinez, a friend of the family, invited the girl into the restroom while he was visiting her apartment in March and then raped her.
He had a blood alcohol level of .218, which is almost three times the legal limit.
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Colorado Christian Baker Asked to Make Cake to 'Celebrate the Birthday of Lucifer'
By Heather Clark on October 18, 201749 Comments
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LAKEWOOD, Co. — A Christian baker who is at the center of a U.S. Supreme Court case surrounding his right to decline to fulfill orders that conflict with his religious beliefs was recently asked to make a birthday cake for Satan.
"I would like to get a quote on a birthday cake for a special event," an email, sent to Jack Phillips of Masterpiece Cakeshop on Sept. 30, read. "It is a cake that is religious in theme, and since religion is a protected class, I am hoping that you will gladly bake this cake."
"As you see, the birthday cake in question is to celebrate the birthday of Lucifer—or as they are also known [as] Satan—who was born as Satan when he was cast from Heaven by God," it stated, as reported by the Daily Signal.
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Air Force Colonel Punished for Declining to Sign Document Affirming Airman's Same-Sex 'Marriage'
By Heather Clark on October 18, 201733 Comments
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — An Air Force colonel was recently punished for declining to sign a document affirming a retiring subordinate's same-sex "marriage."
Col. Leland Bohannon, who serves at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, found himself in a predicament in May when he was handed a number of awards and certificates to sign for a master sergeant's retirement ceremony. Among the certificates was a "certificate of spouse appreciation," which is an optional document of recognition.
Because the master sergeant is an a homosexual relationship, Bohannon did not feel as a Christian that he should sign the certificate, as it would be a gesture of affirmation. He signed all of the other awards and certificates, and requested a religious accommodation from his superior for the spouse appreciation certificate.
The request was returned six weeks later "without action," and in the meantime, Maj. Gen. Sami Said offered to sign the certificate instead. Bohannon agreed.
However, when the master sergeant discovered that Bohannon did not personally sign the spouse appreciation certificate, he filed an Equal Opportunity complaint, claiming that Bohannan discriminated against him.
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U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Hear Appeal of Ruling Declaring Ten Commandments Monument Unconstitutional
By Heather Clark on October 16, 201717 Comments
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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal of a ruling out of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals that declared a New Mexico Ten Commandments monument unconstitutional. Two Wiccan women who took offense at the display had filed suit against the Decalogue placement in 2012, stating that it made them feel "alienated."
The nation's highest court gave no reason on Monday for its decision to not to take the case.
"This is a victory for the religious liberty of people everywhere," Peter Simonson, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, remarked in a press release. "The Supreme Court's decision to let the rulings against the monument stand sends a strong message that the government should not be in the business of picking and choosing which sets of religious beliefs enjoy special favor in the community."
The ACLU had represented Wiccans Jane Felix and Buford Coone of the Order of the Cauldron of the Sage in its legal challenge against the monument, which has been on display at Bloomfield City Hall since 2011. A former city council member had proposed the monument four years prior, which was then approved by city council but paid for with private money.
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'Killer Klown' Drag Queen Reads to Children at Michelle Obama Library for 'LGBTQ History Month'
By Heather Clark on October 20, 2017110 Comments
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Photo Credit: Instagram/Xochi Mochi
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Concerns are being raised after a drag queen dressed as a "Killer Klown from Outer Space" recently read to children at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library for "LGBTQ History Month."
"I got to read to the children today and it was one of the best experiences I've been given as a drag queen," wrote the entity who goes by the name Xochi Mochi following the event on Oct. 14. "It's so important to have representation and normalize all the letters in LGBTQIA+ in everyday lives."
Mochi, who also calls himself "dragula," "super monster," "sextraterrestrial" and "gaylien," donned five long horns that protruded out of the top of his head, with white facial paint accented by dark makeup. Some found the persona to be demonic.
"Demonic teachings alive in Long Beach. I'm outraged they would allow this," tweeted California congressional candidate Omar Navarro.
One of the many dark and Halloween-like photos on Mochi's Instagram shows him wearing black lipstick and fang-like teeth, while standing next to his significant other, who is likewise painted up to look like a ghoul.
"I love my #SisterWife #LesbianLover #BestFriend and #SuperMonster @frankie_doom #MonsterCrushEveryDay," Mochi wrote, also simply posting the word "Hell" as the main caption.
Another photo shows Mochi dressed in a red and black skirt and top, with a caption noting that he was dressing up for a "Demon Lolita" party.
"Of course I had to be momma Satan!" he exclaimed.
Boys Who Identify as Girls Allowed to Wear Skirts, Be Addressed as 'Zie' at Surrey Boarding School
By Editor on October 15, 201714 Comments
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Photo Credit: Gordon's School
(Evening Standard) — A boarding school in Surrey will let boys who question their identity wear skirts and sleep in girls' boarding houses.
Pupils may also request to be addressed by different names or gender-neutral pronouns such as "zie" at Gordon's School in Woking, the Sunday Times reported.
The £15,000-per-year school, which has five boarding houses for girls and five for boys, will also allow students to use gender-neutral bathrooms.
Continue reading this story >
Mentally Ill Mother Accused of Killing Toddlers in Oven
By Heather Clark on October 17, 201721 Comments
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ATLANTA, Ga. — A Georgia mother has been charged with murder after being accused of killing her two toddler boys by shutting them in a hot oven.
Lamora Williams, 24, allegedly killed her sons Ja'Karter, 1, Ke-Yaunte, 2, sometime between Thursday and Friday. According to reports, she called the boys' father, Jameel Penn, following the incident and advised via video chat that there was something wrong.
When she panned around the room, he saw two of his children motionless on the floor, and immediately called police. Officers arrived to find the toddlers dead and with burn marks on their bodies.
"I ain't got no soul no more," Penn said during a vigil for the boys, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Williams' friend, Neesa Smith, told the outlet that she received a call before Penn, as Williams advised that she "couldn't do it anymore." Williams had reportedly left her job a month ago to take care of the children after she couldn't find a babysitter. Penn and Williams have four children; one was not at home that night and the other was not harmed.
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Notorious Late-Term Abortionist Opens 'Advanced Gestation' Abortion Facility in Maryland
By Heather Clark on October 17, 20176 Comments
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BETHESDA, Md. — A notorious late-term abortionist plans to open an "advanced gestation" abortion facility in Bethesda, Maryland on Tuesday—an announcement that has been met with opposition from pro-life groups nationwide.
Leroy Carhart will perform abortions in a suite of the Wildwood Medical Center on Georgetown Road, notes the website AbortionClinics.org.
"Offering advanced gestation abortion care starting Tuesday, October 17th!" it reads. Abortion is legal throughout all nine months of pregnancy in Maryland.
A protest and press conference is scheduled for noon as members of the Maryland Coalition for Life, Operation Rescue and others will be present to speak against the new facility.
Operation Rescue says that the location is not licensed to perform abortions, and Carhart would be operating illegally if he conducts terminations as scheduled. It filed complaints with the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, as well as the Maryland Board of Physicians.
"We trust that any effort to open that Bethesda facility without a valid license will be met with swift action on the part of Maryland authorities, who are already aware of the situation," said President Troy Newman in a statement.
Bethesda Magazine contacted AMR Commercial, a leasing agent for the building, which advised that it had received a number of calls urging that Carhart's lease be voided.
However, representative William Montrose noted that it was another management company that leased the suite to the abortionist. He believes that an abortion facility is a "bad fit for the building" because it would generate opposition.
"Typically, with any kind of business, you don't want any kind of distracting noise outside your door," Montrose told the outlet.
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Former Megachurch Minister Refuses to Exclude Profanity From Social Media Post: 'I Will Not Sanitize This'
By Heather Clark on October 10, 201743 Comments
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ANDERSON, S.C. — A former megachurch pastor who says he has been struggling with guilt since being fired last year due to problems with alcohol abuse recently refused to exclude profanity from a social media post that transparently expressed how badly he feels about his sins and the consequences of his choices. His language has generated a variety of reactions, including concern from those who note that profanity is not to proceed from the mouths of those who profess Christ.
"I know it's harsh, but I will not sanitize this article to appease those who may be offended at the language and want a scrubbed and safe version of Christianity that simply doesn't work for the world!" Perry Noble of NewSpring Church in Anderson, South Carolina recently wrote on social media.
He told followers, repeating the phrase numerous times throughout the post, that he woke up one morning and thought to himself that he was a "worthless piece of [expletive]."
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Roman Catholic Dioceses Nationwide Being 'Consecrated' to 'Immaculate Heart of Mary'
By Heather Clark on October 9, 2017148 Comments
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Photo Credit: Fatima Candlelight Celebration
A number of Roman Catholic dioceses nationwide—and also globally—have been consecrating themselves to the "immaculate heart of Mary" throughout 2017, a practice that evangelicals say is unbiblical and gives to the earthly mother of Jesus the devotion that should be bestowed to Christ alone.
"We are uniting ourselves to her who opens up the way for God to enter, and we are uniting our hearts to her immaculate heart, the one heart that is perfectly united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus," James Johnston Jr. of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Missouri told the National Catholic Register.
The consecrations are being conducted as 2017 marks the 100th year since the purported 1917 apparitions of Mary to child shepherds in Fatima, Portugal. The apparitions were stated to have taken place on the 13th of each month over a six-month period.
"God desires to establish in the world devotion to my immaculate heart," Mary was quoted as stating during one of the appearances to the children. "To whomever embraces this devotion I promise salvation; these souls shall be dear to God, as flowers placed by me to adorn His throne."
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Blasphemous Minister Who Supports Polyamory Claims 'Holy Trinity Is a Polyamorous Relationship'
By Heather Clark on October 11, 201721 Comments
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DALLAS, Texas — A blasphemous Baptist minister in Texas known for his book "The Queering of an American Evangelical" says that he supports polyamorous—or plural—relationships and believes that God Himself is polyamorous.
"The Holy Trinity is a polyamorous relationship," Jeff Hood, who holds a doctorate with a focus in "queer theology" from Brite Divinity School and who was ordained at a church within the Southern Baptist Convention, asserted during a recent Patheos interview with Chuck McKnight.
"You can't talk about the level of intimacy and ecstasy that these three beings are constantly experiencing without defining their relationship in such a way," he claimed. "Their love has always been and will always be a shared phenomenon. In the Holy Trinity, love is never denied. We should spend our lives making sure that the love of polyamorous individuals is never denied and always protected. The Holy Trinity demands it."
Hood has stated before on his website that he believes that "the disciples and Jesus were involved in some sort of polyamorous relationship."
In August, he told Jennifer Martin of Splinter that he thinks polyamorous relationships reflect the Trinity.
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Attorney General Jeff Sessions Issues Govt-Wide Guidance on Federal Religious Liberty Protections
By Heather Clark on October 7, 201770 Comments
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WASHINGTON — At the instruction of President Trump, Attorney General Jeff Sessions has released a memo to all government departments and agencies that provides guidance as to how federal laws pertaining to religious liberty protections should be interpreted.
"Religious liberty is not merely a right to personal religious beliefs or even to worship in a sacred place," he wrote. "It also encompasses religious observance and practice. Except in the narrowest circumstances, no one should be forced to choose between living out his or her faith and complying with the law."
Sessions then provided 20 principles pertaining to religious liberty, as well as pertinent case law on the matter. The notations included: "The free exercise of religion includes the right to act or abstain from action in accordance with one's religious beliefs" (principle 2), "The freedom of religion extends to person and organizations" (principle 3) and "Americans do not give up their freedom of religion by participating in the marketplace, partaking of the public square or interacting with the government" (principle 4).
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Undocumented Teen in Custody After Crossing Border Takes Feds to Court in Effort to Obtain Abortion
By Heather Clark on October 11, 201718 Comments
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Photo Credit: Jess Lis
AUSTIN, Texas — An undocumented teenage girl who is in the United States unaccompanied by her parents is asking a court to grant her permission to obtain an abortion as officials at the immigration facility where she is being held have allegedly denied her request.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the 17-year-old, who is only being referred to as "Jane Doe" in legal documents.
It is challenging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) over policies that the organization says keep illegal immigrant youth from obtaining abortions.
According to the Associated Press, the teenager is from Central America and may be up to 14 weeks pregnant. She says she wants to abort her child, in part, because her parents had allegedly mistreated one of her siblings for becoming pregnant. She is currently in federal custody at an immigrant shelter in Texas.
"Instead of arranging for Ms. Doe's requested medical care, Defendants forced Ms. Doe to visit an anti-abortion crisis pregnancy center where she was forced to undergo an ultrasound for no medical purpose, made to reveal intimate details about herself, and was subjected to the center's attempts to dissuade her from having an abortion," the lawsuit reads.
"With the assistance of court-appointed guardian and attorney ad litems, Ms. Doe sought to obtain a judicial bypass of the state's parental consent requirement. Ms. Doe had an appointment scheduled with a health center for counseling, but ORR refused to transport, or allow Ms. Doe to be transported by anyone, to the health center," the complaint continues. "Defendants also made clear that Ms. Doe would be prohibited from obtaining the abortion itself."
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Florida Mothers Arrested After Allegedly Overdosing on Heroin With Babies in Back Seat
By Heather Clark on October 7, 20176 Comments
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Photo Credit: Boynton Beach Police Department
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. — Two Florida women have been arrested on child neglect charges after they allegedly overdosed on heroin together with their infant children in their car.
The Boynton Beach Police Department posted about the matter on Friday, stating that it wanted to make the situation public "in hopes of preventing it from happening again and prompting anyone addicted to drugs to seek help."
Kristen O'Connor, 27, of Coral Springs met June Schweinhart, 28, of Lake Worth at a drug rehabilitation program and became friends, both being pregnant at the time.
On Thursday, while out together with their babies—one month and two months old—O'Connor received a text from her drug dealer and decided to purchase $60 worth of heroin and snort it in the car.
"One of them began to overdose, so the other called 911, but then she too started convulsing," police explained on social media. "Fortunately, there was a Good Samaritan nearby who saw all of this happening and took the phone from her to speak with dispatchers."
Police arrived to find O'Connor unresponsive. Both women were transported to Bethesda Hospital East to be treated for overdoses, while officers took care of the babies.
"Officers brought the babies back to the police department, where they were snuggled for several hours," the police department said. "The Department of Children and Families responded to take custody of the babies, who were eventually turned over to family members."
O'Connor and Schweinhart were soon arrested and charged with child neglect. They were released from the Palm Beach County Jail after posting bond, the Sun-Sentinel reports. Police are seeking the dealer who sold the women the drugs.
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Federal Judge Again Rules Tax-Free Clergy Housing Allowances Violate Establishment Clause
By Heather Clark on October 7, 201735 Comments
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MADISON, Wisc. — A federal judge has again struck down a 60-year-old law that allows pastors in the nation an exemption from paying taxes on their housing allowance.
"[A]ny reasonable observer would conclude that the purpose and effect of § 107(2) is to provide financial assistance to one group of religious employees without any consideration to the secular employees who are similarly situated to ministers. Under current law, that type of provision violates the Establishment Clause," wrote U.S. District Court Judge Barbara Crabb, appointed by Jimmy Carter.
As previously reported, the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) had first filed suit in August 2012 to challenge the 1954 "parish exemption" granted by Congress.
"In the case of a minister of the gospel, gross income does not include (1) the rental value of a home furnished to him as part of his compensation; or (2) the rental allowance paid to him as part of his compensation, to the extent used by him to rent or provide a home and to the extent such allowance does not exceed the fair rental value of the home, including furnishings and appurtenances such as a garage, plus the cost of utilities," the pertinent statute states.
U.S. Representative Peter Mack, who introduced the legislation, was said to have introduced the law in order to reward ministers for working to fight against wickedness in the land.
"Certainly, in these times when we are being threatened by a godless and anti-religious world movement we should correct this discrimination against certain ministers of the gospel who are carrying on such a courageous fight against this foe," he stated. "Certainly this is not too much to do for these people who are caring for our spiritual welfare."
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Appeals Court Revives Satanic Temple Suit Seeking 'Religious Exemption' From Abortion Waiting Period
By Heather Clark on October 7, 201730 Comments
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ST. LOUIS, Mo. — A Missouri appeals court has revived a lawsuit filed by a member of the Satanic Temple who is seeking a "religious exemption" from a state law that requires mothers to wait 72 to hours to obtain an abortion following an ultrasound and the provision of an informational booklet advising that they will be terminating the life of a human being.
"Because we believe that this case raises real and substantial constitutional claims, it is within the Missouri Supreme Court's exclusive jurisdiction under Article V, section 3 of the Missouri Constitution, and we hereby order its transfer," the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Western District wrote on Tuesday.
As previously reported, the New York-based Satanic Temple announced in 2014 its plan to use the Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby decision to "bolster" an initiative seeking exemptions from pro-life laws that its members claim to violate their religious beliefs.
The U.S. Supreme Court had ruled in June of that year that the federal government cannot force closely-held companies to obey regulations which violate the owners' religious beliefs. Hobby Lobby has been providing birth control coverage to employees for years, but took issue with four contraceptives that it considered to be abortifacients.
The organization therefore decided that it too would seek an exemption from laws that conflict with its beliefs, such as obtaining information or counseling about abortion before ending the unborn child's life. It states that "[t]he Satanic Temple believes that the body is inviolable, subject to one's own will alone."
The Satanic Temple then crafted a letter for abortion-minded women to present at abortion facilities in search of exemptions and waivers from applicable abortion laws.
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Jury Recommends Death Penalty for Oklahoma Muslim Who Beheaded Coworker
By Heather Clark on October 13, 20174 Comments
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NORMAN, Okla. — A jury has recommended the death penalty for a Muslim man who beheaded his coworker three years ago and attempted to decapitate a second woman.
The 12-person jury took approximately three hours to determine that Alton Nolen, 33, was eligible for capital punishment. Nolen had been found guilty last month of first-degree murder, as well as four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of assault and battery with a deadly weapon.
His attorneys entered an insanity plea, but it was rejected by the jury. Some psychiatrists had testified during the two-week trial that Nolen was mentally ill, while others stated that he acted with full knowledge that his behavior was wrong.
"He did not know what he was doing was wrong. Actually, he thought what he was doing was right. Nolen is delusional in his beliefs," defense attorney Shea Smith told jurors, according to the Norman Transcript.
"This was a decisive act not driven by a mental illness. I submit to you he would do it again in a heartbeat," Cleveland County Assistant District Attorney Susan Caswell contrarily argued.
Recorded audio of the 2014 police questioning of Nolen was also played for jurors, during which he expressed no remorse and said that he was only doing what he believed Allah wanted.
"You know the Muslim is somebody who submits their will to Allah … Whatever he wants done, that's what we do," he said in 2014 following his arrest. "And you know he wants us to get the oppressors out of this place."
Nolen told police that he acted out because he felt he was being treated differently by his coworkers since he is a follower of Islam.
"I don't feel regret, because you know what I've done," he stated. "That's probably going to make Vaughan Foods a better place to work for a Muslim."
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Atheist Group Urges Investigation Into Coach's Gesture to Unite Teams in Post-Game Prayer
By Garrett Haley on October 8, 201774 Comments
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BRIDGEPORT, Mich. – A national atheist activist organization has requested an investigation into what it calls a "flagrant violation of the First Amendment" after learning that coaches and players of a Michigan high school's junior varsity football team circled up to pray with another team after a recent game.
"This conduct is unconstitutional because coaches endorse and promote their own religion when acting in their official capacities as school district employees," the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) wrote in a recent letter to the Bridgeport Spaulding School District.
According to reports, after a junior varsity football game in Michigan between Bridgeport High School and Ogemaw Heights High School, players and coaches from both teams gathered together in the middle of the field to hear a few words from the Bridgeport head coach.
One of the attendees that day, Ashley Miller, described in a Facebook post what happened next.
"At that point, the [Bridgeport] coach talked to the kids about how it's not just about winning but the sportsmanship, … then every player bowed their heads (including coaches) and they prayed!" she wrote. "They prayed on the football field … both teams together. This was amazing to me! I don't know what was said, but that right there made my heart and soul smile! Kudos to the coaches and players!"
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Islamic Imam Delivers Prayer Before U.S. House Claiming God Is 'Experienced Through Multiple Paths'
By Heather Clark on October 5, 201769 Comments
WASHINGTON — An Islamic imam delivered a prayer on Wednesday before the U.S. House of Representatives, claiming that God is simply known by "different names" and experienced through "multiple paths."
Abdullah Antepli, the chief representative of Muslim affairs at Duke University, had been invited to deliver the invocation by Democratic Congressman David Price of North Carolina.
"The holy one, as your creation, we call you by different names, experience you through multiple paths," Antepli began. "Our human diversity is from you. As the creator of all, you made us different. Enable us to understand, appreciate and celebrate our differences."
"Teach and guide us to turn these differences into opportunities, richness and strength. Prevent us from turning them into sources of division, polarization, hate and bigotry," he continued.
Antepli also asserted in his prayer that America has made progress by being pluralistic and of many religions.
"We are far from being perfect, but came a long way in creating a multi-cultural, multi-religious and pluralistic society by making in America 'You will be judged by what you do, not by who you are' as one of our foundational promise," he said.
"The most compassionate one, help us to preserve our achievements in this regard," Antepli continued. "Do not let the destructive forces of division and exclusion erode our ideals, our firm commitment to diversity and pluralism. Empower us and these legislators to further improve the culture of inclusion and welcome to all in our nation and beyond."
He closed his prayer in "your most holy and beautiful names"—plural.
Wednesday was Antepli's second visit to the U.S. House of Representatives, as he also delivered the invocation before lawmakers in 2010. He was later asked to participate in consultations with the U.S. Department of State under then-Secretarys of State Hillary Clinton and John Kerry, according to Religion News Service.
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'In Satan We Trust': Florida Atheist Plans to Erect Six-Foot Metal Pentagram in City Park
By Garrett Haley on October 2, 2017135 Comments
Photo Credit: South Florida Sun-Sentinel
BOCA RATON, Fla. – A Florida member of the Freedom From Religion Foundation says that he plans to erect a large pentagram in a city park this December in an effort to counter Christian and Jewish displays regarding the birth of Christ.
Since 1990, a city law in Boca Raton has allowed "unattended, expressive installations, displays, exhibits and similar objects" to be displayed during the holiday season in the city's Sanborn Park. According to a report from CBS12, a local atheist named Preston Smith plans to put up a blood-red pentagram that stands six feet tall, weighs 300 pounds and bears several captions, including "In Satan We Trust," "I Kneel Before No Gods" and "May the Children Hail Satan."
Smith, who was raised as a Catholic but now describes himself as an atheistic Satanist, says he likes the pentagram because it represents "the polar opposite of everything that the Church stands for." He views Satan as a metaphor for rebellion rather than an actual being.
"Satan serves as the symbol to go against—to rebel against—Yahweh, Jesus, and Muhammad," he said in an interview published on YouTube. "The devil, in atheistic Satanists' point of view, promotes great things: the separation of church and state, critical thinking, equal rights, science literacy, and sexual freedom—everything organized religion opposes."
Smith describes his pentagram as a protest against nativity scenes and other religious holiday displays.
"The reason for the pentagram is that we have to have a break on the monopoly of the nativity scenes in public spheres," he said. "A nativity scene, which is the myth that somehow a 14-year-old girl was magically impregnated—and, you know, it's the stuff of legends, it's folklore. We have to break the spell of menorahs being so widespread and acceptable in the public sphere, which is just a fairy tale of one night's worth of oil burning for, what, eight nights. So I think that's the direction I was going in."
Las Vegas Gunman Was a High-Stakes Gambler Who 'Kept to Himself' Before Massacre
By Editor on October 2, 201736 Comments
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LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Washington Post) — Before he opened fire late Sunday, killing at least 58 people at a country music festival on the Las Vegas Strip, gunman Stephen Paddock was living out his retirement as a high-stakes gambler in a quiet town outside Las Vegas.
Paddock, 64, would disappear for days at a time, frequenting casinos with his longtime girlfriend, neighbors said. Relatives also said Paddock had frequently visited Las Vegas to gamble and take in concerts.
Eric Paddock said his brother often gambled in tens of thousands of dollars. "My brother is not like you and me. He plays high-stakes video poker," he said. "He sends me a text that says he won $250,000 at the casino."
Continue reading this story https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/10/02/las-vegas-gunman-liked-to-gamble-listened-to-country-music-lived-quiet-retired-life-before-massacre/?tid=sm_tw&utm_term=.387317a2e408
Superintendent Says Bible Verse on Bench Memorializing Student Killed in Accident Must Be Removed
By Heather Clark on October 3, 201735 Comments
Photo Credit: WSET-TV/screenshot
CHARLOTTE COURT HOUSE, Va. — A school superintendent in Virginia says that a Bible verse engraved on a bench that memorializes a student who died in an ATV accident last year must be removed in order to be "legally compliant."
The Charlotte Court House community came together following the death of Colton Osborne, a student at Randolph Henry High School known for his love of baseball, to purchase a bench in his memory and place it near the school baseball field.
"The community of Charlotte County is a very sweet and loving community, and they do frequently request to give memorials," Superintendent Nancy Leonard told local television station WSET.
However, because the bench includes text from Philippians 4:13, which reads, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," the school board says that it is concerned that it is violating the Constitution.
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North Carolina Couple Refuses to Abort Conjoined Twins: 'To Us, It Wasn't an Option'
By Heather Clark on October 4, 20174 Comments
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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A North Carolina couple that was advised to abort after learning that their unborn twin sons were conjoined at the chest is celebrating the birth of their boys, named Isaac and Elijah.
"To us, it wasn't an option," Jason Kroeger told Fox 19. "There is that initial shock, and a lot goes through your head, but pretty quickly we came to the realization these are our boys, and we've got to do what we can do for them."
Kroeger and his wife, Heather, learned earlier this year that they were expecting and were provided with a due date of Oct. 1. At first, it was thought that the couple was expecting just one baby.
However, during another ultrasound at the end of the first trimester, the Kroegers were informed that there were twins in Heather's womb, which appeared to be conjoined.
It was recommended that couple obtain an abortion, but they refused.
Caring for the twins meant that the couple needed to travel to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in Ohio, as other locations were not equipped to handle the situation.
On Sept. 5, the boys were born, and are stated to be doing better than expected.
"Isaac is kind of mellow and calm and Elijah is just grabbing and looking around and wanting to touch everything," Jason Kroeger told reporters. "It's going to be interesting seeing them grow up and seeing the different personalities between the two."
Doctors have since determined that Isaac and Elijah will not be able to be separated because they share too many vital organs, but the twins did recently have some sort of operation, according to a GoFundMe page set up for the couple.
Judge Reluctantly Rules Pennsylvania County Can't Include Christian Cross on Official Seal
By Heather Clark on October 3, 201744 Comments
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LEHIGH COUNTY, Pa. — A federal judge in Pennsylvania has reluctantly ruled that a county in the Commonwealth can't include a Christian cross in its official seal.
U.S. District Judge Edward Smith, nominated to the bench by then-President Barack Obama, wrote in his ruling that he doesn't believe that Lehigh County's inclusion of a cross in its 73-year-old seal violates the Establishment Clause in the way that the Founding Fathers intended when they wrote the U.S. Constitution.
"Lehigh County's seal is a passive symbol that does not coerce any citizen to practice or adhere to Christianity, and does not establish a county religion. Thus, the seal does not violate the plain text of the Establishment Clause. Nor does it establish religion in the way the drafters of the First Amendment imagined," he stated.
However, Smith said that he felt he had to adhere to the standards of higher courts that have concluded otherwise.
Over 50 Dead in Las Vegas After Deadliest Shooting in Modern US History
By Editor on October 2, 2017189 Comments
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Photo Credit: Andy Naylor
(ABC News) — More than 50 people were killed and 400 injured when a lone gunman opened fire from a perch high up in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas Sunday night, police said, making it the deadliest shooting in modern U.S. history.
The "nonstop gunfire," according to one witness, sent bystanders outside the resort on the Vegas strip ducking for cover and scrambling for their lives.
Bystanders sprang into action, caring for the wounded and at least one described someone dying in their arms.
Continue reading this story http://abcnews.go.com/US/50-dead-200-injured-las-vegas-deadliest-shooting/story?id=50223240
Indiana to Appeal After Obama Judge Strikes Down Law Banning Abortion of Down Syndrome Children
By Heather Clark on October 1, 20177 Comments
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The attorney general of Indiana says that he plans to file an appeal after a federal judge appointed to the bench by then-President Barack Obama issued a permanent injunction against a state law that bans the murder of unborn children based on a Down Syndrome diagnosis or any other disability, but stops short of ending all abortion in the state.
"By declaring unconstitutional a state law that would bar abortions based solely on race, sex or disability such as Down syndrome, a federal judge has cleared the path for genetic discrimination that once seemed like science fiction," Attorney General Curtis Hill said in a statement.
"This state has a compelling interest in protecting the dignity of the unborn and in ensuring they are not selected for termination simply because they lack preferred physical characteristics," he added.
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U.S. Department of Justice Memo: Sex Discrimination Law 'Does Not Refer to Gender Identity'
By Heather Clark on October 6, 20172 Comments
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WASHINGTON — Attorney General Jeff Sessions has issued a memo revoking a previous determination by Obama Attorney General Eric Holder that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 includes gender identity.
"Title VII expressly prohibits discrimination 'because of … sex' and several other protected traits, but it does not refer to gender identity. 'Sex' is ordinarily defined to mean biologically male or female," the memo, issued on Wednesday to federal prosecutors, read.
It noted that the U.S. Supreme Court has similarly concluded in legal precedent that "[t]he critical issue, Title VII indicates, is whether members of one sex are exposed to disadvantageous terms or conditions of employment [or other employment actions] to which members of the other sex are not exposed."
"Although Title VII bars 'sex stereotypes' insofar as that particular sort of 'sex-based consideration' causes 'disparate treatment of men and women,' Title VII is not properly construed to proscribe employment practices (such as sex-specific bathrooms) that take account of the sex of employees but do not impose different burdens on similarly situated members of each sex," the memo continued.
Therefore, "Title VII's prohibition on sex discrimination encompasses discrimination between men and women but does not encompass discrimination based on gender identity per se, including transgender status," Sessions concluded.
Consequently, he withdrew the Obama administration's determination that Title VII pertains to transgenders and advised that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will take the position that it does not unless the courts rule otherwise.
"I have determined that the best reading of Title VII's prohibition of sex discrimination is that it encompasses discrimination based on gender identity, including transgender status," Holder wrote in 2014. "The most straightforward reading of Title VII is that discrimination 'because of … sex' includes discrimination because an employee's gender identification is as a member of a particular sex, or because the employee is transitioning, or has transitioned, to another sex."
Sessions noted that his revocation of Holder's memo should not be construed as a license to mistreat those who suffer from gender dysphoria, nor does it affect the federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act or the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. He vowed to continue to "vigorously" enforce such laws, including in regard to crimes against those who present themselves as "transgender."
The DOJ says that it simply cannot read into the statute what Congress has not expressly stated in the text.
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Judge Rules Florida County Can't Disallow Atheists From Delivering Invocations at Govt Meetings
By Heather Clark on October 2, 201740 Comments
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A federal judge appointed to the bench by then-President Bill Clinton has ruled that Brevard County, Florida's board of commissioners can't disallow atheists from delivering invocations at public commission meetings.
"By opening up its invocation practice to volunteer citizens but requiring that those citizens believe in a 'higher power' before they will be permitted to solemnize a board meeting, the County is violating the freedom of religious belief and conscience guaranteed by the Free Exercise Clause," wrote U.S. District Judge John Antoon II.
He said that the county's practice of only allowing religious residents to deliver the prayer is an "instrument" of division and is unconstitutional.
"The County defines rights and opportunities of its citizens to participate in the ceremonial pre-meeting invocation during the county board's regular meetings based on the citizens' religious beliefs," Antoon wrote. "[T]he county's policy and practice violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and … the Florida Constitution."
As previously reported, Brevard County's board of commissioners voted unanimously in 2014 to deny a request from David Williamson of the Central Florida Freethought Community after he sent correspondence to Chairman Mary Bolin Lewis asking that his group be added to the county's invocation list.
The County replied that Williamson's group did not qualify for the invocation because it is defined as a "prayer presented by members of [the] faith community."
"The prayer is delivered during the ceremonial portion of the county's meeting, and typically invokes guidance for the County Commission from the highest spiritual authority, a higher authority which a substantial body of Brevard constituents believe to exist," the response from the commissioners and the county attorney outlined.
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Democratic Senate Candidate Running Against Roy Moore Supports Legalizing Abortion Until Birth
By Heather Clark on September 27, 201733 Comments
The Democratic candidate who is running against "Ten Commandments Judge" Roy Moore for the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by now-Attorney General Jeff Sessions told MSNBC this week that he believes women should be able to obtain abortions up until birth.
Doug Jones was asked by Chuck Todd of "Meet the Press" on Wednesday night where he draws the line when it comes to an abortion.
"What are the limitations that you believe should be in the law when it comes to an abortion?" Todd inquired.
"I am a firm believer that a woman should have the freedom to choose what happens to her own body, and I'm going to stand up for that and I'm going to make sure that continues to happen," Jones replied.
"I want to make sure that as we go forward, people have access to contraception, [and] they have access to the abortion that they might need—if that's what they choose to do," he said.
As Jones did not mention any limitations, Todd interjected with an example to understand whether or not Jones is not opposed to late-term abortions.
"You wouldn't be in favor of legislation that said ban abortion after 20 weeks, or something like that?" he asked.
"No," Jones responded. "I'm not in favor of anything that is going to infringe on a woman's right and her freedom to choose. That's just the position that I've had for many years, [and] it's the position I continue to have."
He then quickly mentioned that once a baby is born, however, he would support caring for the child.
"I want to make sure that people understand that once a baby is born, I'm going to be there for that child," Jones said. "That's where I become a right-to-lifer."
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Rick Warren Hopes His Partnership With Roman Catholic Leader Will Become 'Model' for World
By Heather Clark on September 27, 201768 Comments
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Photo Credit: Diocese of Orange
LAKE FOREST, Calif. — Megachurch leader Rick Warren, known for his best-selling book "The Purpose-Driven Life," said in a recent interview that he hopes his partnership with a local Roman Catholic leader to collaboratively combat social ills becomes a "model" for others around the world. His remarks have drawn disagreement from those who believe that ecumenism with those who preach another gospel is unbiblical.
The Roman Catholic site Crux published the interview, which featured both Warren and friend Kevin Vann of the Diocese of Orange, on Sept. 14. They were asked by interviewer and diocese Chancellor Pia de Solenni to share about how their friendship formed and developed.
Vann recalled that Warren attended his installation as the bishop of Orange and also called to congratulate him. The two continued to communicate and soon also began praying together.
"One way we stay in touch is by texting personal prayer requests to each other," Warren explained. "When my youngest son died in April 2013, I knew Kevin was praying for me, and when his father died in November 2014, I was praying for him. Sharing pain and grief brought us closer."
Not only did Warren and Vann pray together, but "brainstorming meetings between [their] two staffs" about the issue of mental illness—in light of Matthew Warren's suicide—led to the formation of a joint conference and other efforts to address mental health.
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Eight-Year-Old Bludgeoned With Hammer While Trying to Save Sister From Sexual Abuse
By Heather Clark on September 26, 201732 Comments
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — An eight-year-old boy was allegedly bludgeoned to death with a hammer while trying to save his sister from being sexually abused by his mother's ex-boyfriend.
According to reports, on Sept. 1, Elizabeth Salone, 28, asked her ex-boyfriend Deandre Chaney Jr., 23, to watch her children while she drove her brother to work at 5:30 a.m.
However, while she was gone, Chaney allegedly sexually molested Salone's seven-year-old daughter, and her son Dante stepped in to stop him. Chaney then retrieved a hammer and began beating both of the children, with Dante taking the worst of the blows.
Salone returned home 40 minutes later, and as she heard crying, she went upstairs to see what was wrong. Chaney then struck her too with a hammer and tied her up, pouring lighter fluid on her. He then took her car keys and cell phone, and drove off in her car.
Chaney, who had been on parole and was wearing an ankle monitor, cut off his monitor, and soon took an Amtrak train headed for Utah. He was able to flee as far as Nevada and was discovered hiding in a backyard shed when taken into custody by police the following day.
Salone was able to break free and run to a neighbor's house, where she called the police. However, her son Dante was declared brain dead at the hospital and died six days later.
"This guy beat my grandson with a hammer—down to his spine. They couldn't save his brain," lamented grandmother Monique Brown to Fox 40 Sacramento.
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Muslim Man Who Beheaded Coworker Told Investigators: Allah 'Wants Us to Get the Oppressors Out'
By Heather Clark on September 24, 201711 Comments
NORMAN, Okla. — A Muslim man from Oklahoma who beheaded his coworker three years ago after being suspended from the job told investigators that Allah "wants us to get the oppressors out," as per recorded audio played during his trial on Wednesday.
"You know the Muslim is somebody who submits their will to Allah … Whatever he wants done, that's what we do," Alton Nolen, now 33, told police in 2014. "And you know he wants us to get the oppressors out of this place."
He said that he acted out because he felt he was being treated differently by his coworkers because he is a follower of Islam.
"I don't feel regret, because you know what I've done," Nolen stated. "That's probably going to make Vaughan Foods a better place to work for a Muslim."
As previously reported, in Sept. 2014, days following his suspension from Vaughan Foods over alleged comments about Caucasians, Nolen entered the front office, where he encountered Colleen Huffort and began attacking her with a knife.
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Crowd Recites Lord's Prayer at Football Game After Group Complains About Loudspeaker Prayer
By Garrett Haley on September 24, 201716 Comments
SMITHS STATION, Ala. – Students, players and members of the public attending a high school football game in Alabama stood up and recited the Lord's Prayer in unison on Friday after a secular group complained about a student-led prayer that was broadcast over the loudspeaker during a recent game.
On Aug. 31, the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) sent a letter to Dr. James McCoy Jr., superintendent of Lee County Schools, regarding a prayer that a student volunteered to deliver before a high school football game.
"It is our understanding that on August 25, 2017, Smiths Station High School broadcasted a prayer over the loudspeaker prior to the first football game of the season," wrote FFRF legal fellow Christopher Line. "We understand that this prayer took place right after the national anthem."
The group said that a concerned parent notified them about the pregame prayer.
"It is illegal for a public school to sponsor religious messages at school athletic events," the FFRF letter contended.
Calling the prayer a "serious violation of the First Amendment," FFRF urged McCoy to put an end to the practice.
"Not only is the district endorsing these prayers by allotting time for them at the start of games, but it is also providing the prayer-giver with the public address system needed to impose these prayers on all students and community members at games," the correspondence stated. "Public school events must be secular to protect the freedom of conscience of all students
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Satanic Temple Wants Followers to Force Christian Bakers to Make a Cake to 'Honor Satan'
By Heather Clark on September 29, 201737 Comments
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SALEM, Mass. — The Massachusetts-based Satanic Temple, out of its dissatisfaction with Christian-owned bakeries that decline to make cakes celebrating same-sex "weddings," is now asking its followers to force bakers to make a cake for Satan.
The group says that it came up with the idea in light of the Masterpiece Cakeshop case soon to be considered by the U.S. Supreme Court.
"[B]ecause sexual orientation is not a protected class under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, (whereas race and religion are), there is a good chance that the right to discriminate against gay couples will be affirmed as a constitutional liberty," it wrote.
Out of the Satanic Temple's fears that the court will likely rule in favor of the cakeshop, it has asked that those "who feel alienated or oppressed by the privileged status that religion holds over sexual orientation" contact religious bakers and order a cake to "honor Satan."
It asserts that the bakeries will not be able to say no since religion is considered a federally-protected class.
"Because religion is a protected class, a baker may refuse service to LGBTQ people, but they may not refuse service based upon someone's religion. If they aren't willing to make a cake for same-sex unions, let's have them make a cake to honor Satan instead," spokesperson Doug Messner, who goes by the name Lucien Greaves, said in a statement on Thursday.
However, as previously reported, while the Satanic Temple contends that it is a religious group, it also notes on its website that it is "non-theistic" and does not believe in Satan or the supernatural at all, but only views the devil as a metaphor and a "symbol of the eternal rebel."
"[W]e do not promote a belief in a personal Satan," its FAQ section explains. "To embrace the name Satan is to embrace rational inquiry removed from supernaturalism and archaic tradition-based superstitions."
Some, therefore, consider the group as essentially an atheist effort to make a point about religion.
The Satanic Temple acknowledged to the Daily Caller this week that it is particularly upset that Christian bakers have declined to create baked goods for same-sex ceremonies because many members of the devilish group identify as homosexual.
"A lot of our membership is also homosexual as well, and I feel like there's obvious reasons for that," Messner said. "You know, we're very into that kind of thing. There's no issue of tolerance with us. And a lot of people who have grown up gay feel very alienated from traditional religion. So we have a very high population of LGBTQ community also as membership of the Satanic Temple."
As previously reported, in 2015, during the unveiling of its Baphomet statue in Detroit, attendees shouted "Hail Satan" as two shirtless men pulled off the cloth that covered the figure and then embraced and kissed each other in front of the statue.
The group wrote in Thursday's press release that if the U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of religious bakeries, the Satanic Temple will host a party for Satan in "honor" of every unsuccessful attempt to order a same-sex "wedding" cake from a Christian baker.
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Russian 'Cannibal Couple' in Custody After Allegedly Killing 30 People, Keeping Remains in Jars
By Heather Clark on September 29, 20171 Comment
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KRASNODAR, Russia — A couple in Russia is being held in police custody as it is believed that they have killed and eaten 30 people over the last 20 years.
According to reports, Dmitry Baksheev, 35, and his wife, Natalia Baksheeva, 42, were arrested after city workers in Krasnodar found a cell phone lying in the street that contained graphic images of dismembered body parts, as well as a photo of Baksheev posing with a human hand in his mouth.
Authorities were then able to trace the phone to the Baksheev, who used to work for a military academy. The Moscow Times reports that he first told police that he had found the body parts in a dumpster and lost his phone after taking the photos.
However, he later confessed to killing and eating the remains of at least 30 people along with his wife. During a search of their hostel on the military base, a number of jars were found that contained preserved human remains. A tutorial on cannibalism was also found at the residence.
"In the place of residence of the suspects, the investigators discovered fragments of the human body in saline solution in the dormitor … Frozen meat parts of unknown origin were seized in the kitchen," investigators stated, according to CBS News.
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Aussie Worker Fired for Using Profile Filter Opposing Same-Sex 'Marriage' on Personal Facebook Page
By Editor on September 27, 201724 Comments
(Christian Institute) — An 18-year-old Christian has lost her job after publicly sharing her opposition to same-sex marriage in Australia on Facebook.
Madeline, who was working as a contractor for Capital Kids' Parties in Canberra, changed her Facebook profile picture to say "It's OK to vote no," in reference to the ongoing postal vote on legalising same-sex marriage.
Her employer, Madlin Sims, said this was "homophobic" and could not be tolerated.
She said: "Today I fired a staff member who made it public knowledge that they feel 'it's okay to vote no'.
"Advertising your desire to vote no for SSM is, in my eyes, hate speech. Voting no is homophobic. Advertising your homophobia is hate speech."
She added: "It's not okay to vote no."
Sims also claimed that Madeline's views made her a danger to children, adding that she "could not risk her voicing those opinions to any children of ours".
Madeline was not an employee of the business and so could not claim for unfair dismissal.
While she felt she had been discriminated against due to her religion, Madeline said she had no plans to take Sims to court.
In light of Madeline's dismissal, Australian Coalition for Marriage said that 'yes' campaign leaders needed to be honest about the implications of same-sex marriage on free speech.
Spokeswoman Monica Doumit said that despite repeated claims to the contrary, free speech is at risk if same-sex marriage is legalised.
She said that Madeline's sacking indicated "an appetite on the part of 'yes' campaigners not only to silence, but punish, those who disagree.
"This won't stop if the law changes. On the contrary, same-sex marriage activists will feel emboldened by the change in law", adding "We've seen it happen overseas, and you would have to be very naïve to think it wouldn't happen here."
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Newborn Baby Whose Mother Sacrificed Her Life to Save Daughter Also Dies
By Heather Clark on September 23, 20177 Comments
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The newborn baby of a Michigan mother who refused recommendations that she abort her unborn child in the midst of a battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer, and instead decided to forgo treatment in order to save her baby, has now died just two weeks after her mother passed into eternity.
"It is with great sadness and a absolutely broken heart that I tell you Life Lynn passed away last night," the Cure 4 Carrie page posted to social media on Thursday. "Carrie is now rocking her baby girl. I have no explanation of why this happened, but I do know Jesus loves us and someday we will know why. The grief we feel is almost unbearable; please be praying for our family."
As previously reported, Carrie DeKlyen, a mother of five, was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme in April and was accepted for a clinic trial at the University of Michigan. However, in meeting with doctors at the facility, she was informed that she was pregnant and would need to obtain an abortion in order to proceed.
She declined.
"The doctor said, 'If you don't terminate this baby, Carrie, you will die,'" her husband Nick recalled to People Magazine. "But it was Carrie's decision, and I said 'What do you want to do?' She said, 'We're keeping it.'
DeKlyen had two brain surgeries to remove the tumor, but it returned both times. In July, DeKlyen suffered a stroke and never regained consciousness. Family and friends hoped that she would stay alive long enough for her baby to be safely delivered.
On Sept. 6, doctors performed a Cesarean section on DeKlyen, delivering her daughter, named Life, at a gestation of 24 weeks, 5 days. She weighed 1 pound, 4 ounces.
At first, it was reported that the baby was doing as good as could be expected, but earlier this week, the Cure 4 Carrie page noted that Life had taken a turn for the worse and was struggling with low blood pressure and low oxygen levels. Skin-to-skin contact from her father seemed to help, but on Wednesday evening, Life died.
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'Ten Commandments Judge' Roy Moore Wins Alabama Primary Runoff for U.S. Senate
By Heather Clark on September 26, 2017193 Comments
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore, also known as the "Ten Commandments Judge," has won the state primary runoff for the U.S. Senate, significantly defeating his opponent Luther Strange despite President Trump's endorsement of Strange.
As of press time, with 92 percent of precincts reporting, Moore had obtained 54 percent of the vote versus 45 percent for Strange.
Strange has conceded the race, remarking in a statement, "I congratulate Roy Moore on the result this evening. May God be with him and may God continue to bless Alabama and the United States of America."
He also thanked President Trump and Vice President Pence for their support.
Trump himself congratulated Moore upon learning the results of the race, tweeting, "Congratulations to Roy Moore on his Republican Primary win in Alabama. Luther Strange started way back & ran a good race. Roy, WIN in Dec!"
Moore, while thanking his supporters Tuesday night, also gave thanks foremost to God, noting that he never prayed to God to win, but rather asked that the Lord's will would be done. He said that it is not good for a man to think that he won on his own, and noted that losing is sometimes good for a person.
"[T]here's nothing too great for God. For one day every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain or hill shall be made low. The crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it," Moore said, quoting from the book of Isaiah.
"We're put here on earth for a short time, and for that short time, our duty is to serve Almighty God and serve Him in all things," he also declared. "[W]e have to return the knowledge of God and the Constitution of the United States to the United States Congress."
Moore lamented the division that is sweeping America, but expressed optimism that God can restore the country to its former "greatness."
"This is a time for victory. It's a time to remember the struggles we've gone through. But it's also a time to rededicate our lives to God, and to our Constitution and to our country, [and] to our families," he said.
Moore generated widespread support from evangelicals both statewide and nationwide, including James Dobson of Focus on the Family and Franklin Graham of Samaritan's Purse. Several former White House cabinet members also appeared at Moore's rallies, including Sebastian Gorka, an intelligence analyst who served as an advisor to President Trump, and former Chief of Staff Steve Bannon.
As previously reported, Moore is known as the "Ten Commandments Judge" as he was ousted from the Alabama Supreme Court in 2003 following a battle over a Ten Commandments monument he had erected in the high court's rotunda.
He was reelected by the people in 2012 as chief justice, but the Alabama Court of the Judiciary suspended him again last year following a trial over a memo he released in 2016, advising that his colleagues had not reversed a decision prohibiting probate judges from issuing marriage licenses to homosexuals as per the Alabama Constitution. After the suspension was upheld in April, Moore resigned and soon announced his run for U.S. Senate.
JUDGE Roy Moore FULL Victory Speech After Winning AL Senate Runoff Election 9/26/17
VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ilq_XXyk_o
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Author of 'Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus,' Dies Following Battle With Cancer
By Editor on September 16, 20178 Comments
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(Gospel Coalition) — On Saturday, September 16, 2017, Nabeel Qureshi, age 34, entered into the joy of his master, Jesus Christ, after enduring a yearlong battle with cancer. …
As a Christian apologist with a special focus on Islam, Nabeel was often introduced as a "former Muslim." He felt ambivalence about the label, wondering if he would be forever bound by the life he left.
"We don't identify other Christians as 'former adulterers,' 'former narcissists," etc. I have been made a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), I strive every day to cast off the old self and to put on the new (Ephesians 4:22-24), reflecting the fact that I have been born again from above (John 3:3). I would be thrilled if I never had to talk about Islam again, focusing instead on the awe-inspiring power of God's incarnation and resurrection!"
But, he added: "… as long as there are Muslims, there will be Christians who need to be equipped to share the Gospel with them in compelling compassion. Until that is no longer the case, I am honored to discuss my former way of life to build up the body of Christ." …
In February of 2014, Nabeel published his first book, "Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity" (Zondervan), which landed on the New York Times bestseller list, and was awarded the Christian Book Award for both "Best New Author" and "Best Non-Fiction Book" of 2015. It has sold over a quarter of a million copies.
California School Board Says Allowing Opt-Out of Discussions on Gender Identity Would Be 'Discriminatory'
By Heather Clark on September 21, 2017121 Comments
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ROCKLIN, Calif. — Officials with a school board in California that recently drew controversy after a kindergarten teacher read two books to students about transgender issues stated during a meeting on Monday that allowing opt-outs of discussions on gender identity and homosexuality would be "discriminatory."
While the Rocklin Academy School Board agreed to provide advance notice about such discussions, it asserted in a revised policy that to allow parents to opt-out their children "on the basis of characteristics of protected classes (e.g., race, religion, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, and disabilities) creates a discriminatory environment that is prohibited by law."
In some cases, when the matter conflicts with student privacy rights, parents might not be provided with all of the details and reasoning for the lesson or discussion.
"As a result of student privacy rights, parent(s) may not be notified of all circumstances that led the school to choose a particular piece of supplemental instructional material," the new policy reads. "For example, if the school determines that it is necessary to prevent racial harassment or bullying, it might choose to expose students to material on racial discrimination to sensitize students about the need to teach others with respect."
The policy was approved unanimously by the board following four hours of public comment from those on both sides of the issue. The meeting attracted over 500 community members, some of whom told officials that it should be the parents, not the school, to speak to their children about such topics.
"This was alarming because it happened at such a young age and outside of the curriculum and there was no notice given," one parent also declared.
"To teach my kid that biologically this boy was born a boy and to teach him that now he's a girl is very confusing, and I feel that it's a lie," another stated.
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Abortionist Who Declared 'Love' for Killing Babies While Wielding Surgical Scissors Surrenders Medical License
By Heather Clark on August 23, 20177 Comments
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SAN DIEGO, Calif. — A California abortionist who was the subject of a viral video last year in which he was captured wielding surgical scissors while declaring his love for killing babies has agreed to surrender his medical license after being formally accused by the state medical board of unprofessional conduct, as well as other violations surrounding the medical mistreatment of female patients.
The Medical Board of California characterized Robert Santella's actions as being "outrageous conduct" in its 23-page cause for discipline released on Tuesday.
"Respondent shall lose all rights and privileges as a physician and surgeon in California as of the effective date of the medical board's decision and order," the document reads. "Respondent shall cause to be delivered to the medical board his pocket license and, if one was issued, his wall certificate…"
As previously reported, the confrontation took place last June as abortion abolitionist Zephaniah Mel stood outside of Family Planning Associates in San Diego preaching the gospel and calling those inside to repent.
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Parents Feel 'Betrayed' After Teacher Reads Transgender-Themed Books to Kindergarten Class
By Heather Clark on August 22, 2017312 Comments
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ROCKLIN, Calif. — A number of parents in Rocklin, California say that they feel betrayed after a kindergarten teacher recently read two transgender-themed books to students without their prior knowledge.
"My daughter came home crying and shaking, so afraid she could turn into a boy," one parent stated during a packed board meeting for Rocklin Academy on Monday.
According to reports, the teacher, who has not been publicly identified, read the books "I Am Jazz" and "The Red Crayon" on the second-to-last day of school before summer break. The first book is about teen reality show star Jazz Jennings—a teenage boy who identifies as a girl, and the second tells the story of a blue crayon that was mislabeled red.
No advance notice or opt-out information was provided to parents.
Therefore, when students came home and advised that they had learned about gender identity, with some confused about whether they could transition to the opposite gender, a number of parents contacted the school to express concern.
Principal Jillayne Antoon issued a letter a week later to advise what had transpired in the classroom. She outlined that a student had asked the teacher to read "I Am Jazz" to the class. According to reports, a student who was born a boy but identifies as a girl gifted the books to the teacher. It is not clear if the student who donated the books was the same kindergartener that requested that the Jazz book be read aloud.
"Please be assured that these books are age appropriate children's books, geared for ages 4-8," Antoon wrote to parents. "There were no additional discussions with the class about any topic in relation to these books."
However, according to CBS News, parents say that the male student changed his clothes at some point during the class and presented himself as a girl.
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University Professor Carries Out Plot to Murder Boyfriend, Makes Donation to 'LGBT Health Center' While on Run
By Heather Clark on August 23, 201714 Comments
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CHICAGO — A university professor and his accomplice are facing first degree murder charges after carrying out a plot to kill the "distinguished microbiologist's" boyfriend, and then making a charitable donation to an "LGBT health center" in the murdered man's name while on the run.
Wyndham Lathem, 43, an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at Northwestern University, and Andrew Warren, 56, a treasury assistant for payroll and pensions for the University of Oxford, are being held without bail after turning themselves into police following the murder of Trenton Cornell-Duranleau, 26.
"For several months, [Lathem and Warren] communicated through an Internet chat room about carrying out their sexual fantasies of killing others and then themselves," Illinois Assistant State Attorney Natosha Toller told CBS News.
Last month, Lathem bought Warren a ticket to fly from the U.K. to Chicago, and the men hatched a plot to kill Lathem's boyfriend, Cornell-Duranleau, as well as someone of Warren's choosing. Lathem and Warren also agreed to kill each other simultaneously as the last aspect of their plan.
"What I can tell you [is that] it was not domestic in nature, like a husband/wife or boyfriend/boyfriend or love triangle. That was not the motive," Chicago Police Detective Cmdr. Brendan Deenihan explained during a press conference. "It was a little more dark and disturbing."
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Pregnant Mother With Aggressive Brain Cancer Refuses Abortion, Forgoes Treatment Instead to Save Baby
By Heather Clark on August 21, 201711 Comments
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — A pregnant mother with an aggressive form of brain cancer has refused recommendations that she abort her unborn child and has instead decided to forgo treatment in order to save her baby.
Carrie DeKlyen, a mother of five, was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme in April and and was accepted for a clinic trial at the University of Michigan. However, in meeting with doctors at the facility, she was informed that she was pregnant and would need to obtain an abortion in order to proceed.
She declined.
"The doctor said, 'If you don't terminate this baby, Carrie, you will die,'" her husband Nick recalled to People Magazine. "But it was Carrie's decision, and I said 'What do you want to do?' She said, 'We're keeping it.'"
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Atheist Group Calls Bible a 'Violent, Racist Book' in Scolding Gov. for Lamenting Bible's Removal From Schools
By Heather Clark on August 24, 2017246 Comments
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FRANKFORT, Ky. — A prominent professing atheist organization characterized the Bible as a "violent, racist book" in scolding the governor of Kentucky over his recent remarks lamenting the ramifications of removing the Bible from public schools.
Gov. Matt Bevin appeared on the Tom Roten Morning Show on Aug. 15, where he discussed the public unrest in Charlottesville, Virginia, as well as a recent bill he signed dubbed as the "Bible Literacy Bill."
"When you go back a couple of hundred years, in most instances the only textbooks that were in our public schools were the Bible," he said. "And so to that end to pretend, again, to scrub history and pretend that that wasn't reality, I think is a dangerous precedent."
"And it's interesting, the more we've removed any sense of spiritual obligation or moral higher authority or absolute right and wrong, the more we've removed things that are biblically taught from society, the more we've seen the kind of mayhem that we were just discussing," Bevin stated.
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New Mexico Public School Paints Over Scripture Mural Following Complaint
By Heather Clark on August 21, 201798 Comments
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CLOVIS, N.M. — Officials with a public school in New Mexico quickly agreed to paint over a mural featuring a Scripture citation after receiving a letter from a prominent atheist-led church-state separation group last week.
The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) recently sent a letter to the Clovis Municipal School District after receiving a complaint from a parent who noticed the mural at Clovis Freshman Academy, which features a dove and anchor, and the phrase "Hope anchors the soul—Hebrews 6:19."
The mural had reportedly been created by a former art teacher four years ago and none had complained—until now.
"The district violates the Constitution when it allows schools to display religious symbols or messages," FFRF's letter read. "Public schools may not advance, prefer or promote religion."
"This religious display is particularly inappropriate given that about 35% of those born after 1981 are not religious," it asserted. "The display alienates those nonreligious students, families, teachers and members of the public whose religious beliefs are inconsistent with the message being promoted by the school."
The organization therefore asked that the mural be removed so as to adhere to a neutrality toward religion.
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Hubei Christians Attacked With Fireworks, Mud
By Editor on August 20, 20171 Comment
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EZHOU, Hubei (China Aid) — After a raid chased a house church from its building out into the open on Jan. 10, authorities in China's central Hubei province have been weekly attacking church services, firing fireworks at the Christians and drenching them with mud.
For the past eight months, officials have arrived weekly at the outdoor services of a church and assaulted the Christians gathered there. According to a man surnamed Zhang, who pastors the church, "On July 11, the government officials threw firecrackers at the [Christian] brothers and sisters who attended the gathering. A sister was hurt."
When Christians accompanied the injured woman to the police station to negotiate, four of them were detained for five-to-seven days.
Continue reading this story >
Hubei Christians Attacked With Fireworks, Mud
By Editor on August 20, 20171 Comment
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EZHOU, Hubei (China Aid) — After a raid chased a house church from its building out into the open on Jan. 10, authorities in China's central Hubei province have been weekly attacking church services, firing fireworks at the Christians and drenching them with mud.
For the past eight months, officials have arrived weekly at the outdoor services of a church and assaulted the Christians gathered there. According to a man surnamed Zhang, who pastors the church, "On July 11, the government officials threw firecrackers at the [Christian] brothers and sisters who attended the gathering. A sister was hurt."
When Christians accompanied the injured woman to the police station to negotiate, four of them were detained for five-to-seven days.
Continue reading this story >Hubei Christians Attacked With Fireworks, Mud
By Editor on August 20, 20171 Comment
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EZHOU, Hubei (China Aid) — After a raid chased a house church from its building out into the open on Jan. 10, authorities in China's central Hubei province have been weekly attacking church services, firing fireworks at the Christians and drenching them with mud.
For the past eight months, officials have arrived weekly at the outdoor services of a church and assaulted the Christians gathered there. According to a man surnamed Zhang, who pastors the church, "On July 11, the government officials threw firecrackers at the [Christian] brothers and sisters who attended the gathering. A sister was hurt."
When Christians accompanied the injured woman to the police station to negotiate, four of them were detained for five-to-seven days.
Continue reading this story >http://www.chinaaid.org/2017/08/hubei-christians-attacked-with.html
Hubei Christians attacked with fireworks, mud
Friday, August 18, 2017Mud covers a Christian woman afterauthorities hurled it at Christians gathered for a worship service.(Photo: ChinaAid)ChinaAid
Michigan Man Who Preaches Outside Abortion Facilities Sues to Stop Threats of Arrest
By Heather Clark on August 20, 20173 Comments
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A Michigan man who preaches outside of abortion facilities and other locations on a regular basis has filed a federal lawsuit as he says that he has been threatened numerous times with arrest by police.
Stephen Nylen of New City Fellowship is challenging Grand Rapids' noise ordinance, which prohibits "any noise of any kind," but does not provide an objective standard. He also says that if anyone complains about his speech, he could be charged with breach of the peace if he declines to stop preaching.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Nylen, who regularly engages in religious speech in public forums such as public sidewalks and parks, has been repeatedly warned by city officers that, if someone dislikes his speech [and] complains to authorities about it, then he will be cited under either the noise ordinance or the breach of the peace ordinance if he does not stop speaking," his attorney, Stephen van Stempvoort, wrote in the complaint.
While some have expressed appreciation for Nylen's preaching, who turned to Christ while serving in Iraq, others have responded negatively. Nylen is therefore concerned that in addition to breach of the peace, he could also be cited for causing a disturbance if anyone unhappy with the message responds by shouting or honking their car horn.
"Due to the subjective, vague nature of the city's ordinances, Mr. Nylen has not been able to obtain a clear indication of the line between permitted and not permitted conduct,'' van Stempvoort contended.
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Appeals Court Rules Against High School Football Coach Who Lost Job for Praying on Field
By Heather Clark on August 24, 201736 Comments
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BREMERTON, Wash. — The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against a Washington football coach who was put out of a job in 2015 as school district officials decided not to renew his contract in the midst of a battle over his desire to pray at the 50-yard line.
"While we 'recognize the important role that public worship plays in many communities, as well as the sincere desire to include public prayer as part of [these] occasions,' such activity can promote disunity along religious lines, and risks alienating valued community members from an environment that must be open and welcoming to all," wrote Judge Milan Smith, appointed to the bench by then-President George W. Bush, on behalf of the three-judge panel.
"That is why the 'preservation and transmission of religious beliefs and worship is a responsibility and a choice committed to the private sphere, which itself is promised freedom to pursue that mission,'" he said, quoting from the 1992 U.S. Supreme Court ruling of Lee v. Weisman.
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23 States, 24 Members of Congress Join Supreme Court Briefs in Support of Ten Commandments Monument
By Heather Clark on August 22, 20175 Comments
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WASHINGTON — Attorneys general and governors from 23 states, as well as 24 members of Congress, have filed briefs asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a case involving a Ten Commandments monument in New Mexico that is the subject of a lawsuit filed by two Wiccan women who took offense at the display.
"[C]ertiorari is warranted here to clarify the Establishment Clause doctrine that applies to a common manifestation of religion-influenced expression on governmental property—Ten Commandments displays," the brief for the coalition of state officials reads. "The Ten Commandments, which 'are regarded as a significant basis of American law and the American polity,' are frequently displayed on public property."
"After all, '[a] relentless and all-pervasive attempt to exclude religion from every aspect of public life could itself become inconsistent with the Constitution,'" it outlines, quoting from the prominent Supreme Court case of Lee v. Weisman.
23 States, 24 Members of Congress Join Supreme Court Briefs in Support of Ten Commandments Monument
By Heather Clark on August 22, 20175 Comments
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WASHINGTON — Attorneys general and governors from 23 states, as well as 24 members of Congress, have filed briefs asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a case involving a Ten Commandments monument in New Mexico that is the subject of a lawsuit filed by two Wiccan women who took offense at the display.
"[C]ertiorari is warranted here to clarify the Establishment Clause doctrine that applies to a common manifestation of religion-influenced expression on governmental property—Ten Commandments displays," the brief for the coalition of state officials reads. "The Ten Commandments, which 'are regarded as a significant basis of American law and the American polity,' are frequently displayed on public property."
"After all, '[a] relentless and all-pervasive attempt to exclude religion from every aspect of public life could itself become inconsistent with the Constitution,'" it outlines, quoting from the prominent Supreme Court case of Lee v. Weisman.RE
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Hilllsong's Brian Houston Backs Biblical Marriage but Slams Christians Condemning Gays Ahead of Australia Vote
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By Stoyan Zaimov , Christian Post Reporter | Aug 21, 2017 7:04 AM
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Hillsong Church Senior Pastor Brian Houston of Sydney, Australia giving remarks at Catalyst Conference in Atlanta, Georgia on Friday, October 7, 2016.
Hillsong Church Senior Pastor Brian Houston has urged Christians to participate in the upcoming nationwide postal plebiscite regarding legalizing same-sex marriage in Australia.
While Houston defended marriage as a union between one man and one woman, he also slammed Christians who are quick to condemn gay people.
"I urge all Christians to be a part of the upcoming postal plebiscite on same sex marriage. Whatever your view on this issue, it is undeniably one that is important to the fabric of our social structure. Changing the definition of marriage has wide-reaching ramifications and should not be taken lightly by any society. All Australians should be a part of this process, not just a select few," Houston said in a statement posted on the Hillsong website Friday.
"For Christians, the issue is also a matter of faith and biblical teaching, something that should never be mocked or downplayed by those with opposing views," he added.
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Greg Laurie Condemns White Supremacy at SoCal Harvest: America Needs 'Spiritual Awakening' After Charlottesville
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By Brandon Showalter , CP Reporter | Aug 20, 2017 5:02 PM
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Pastor Greg Laurie preaches at Harvest America at the University of Phoenix Stadium on June 11, 2017.
Pastor Greg Laurie is decrying the racial turmoil and violence that manifested in Charlottesville, Virginia, last weekend, urging Christians to reject every kind of prejudice and hate they see in the world.
Before a crowd of approximately 26,000 people at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, for SoCal Harvest Friday night, the lead pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, spoke of the troubling things America is facing in a message titled "A Second Change for America."
Speaking about the hatred and violence that was witnessed in Charlottesville when a white supremacist rammed his car into a crowd of protesters, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer and injuring 19 others, Laurie said, "Our country is divided," the OC Register reported Saturday.
"For a follower of Jesus Christ, there is no place for racism, bigotry or prejudice of any kind. I see these people carrying crosses, wearing swastikas, talking about white supremacy. There is no superior race. We are all part of the human race," he said, urging all in attendance to take the "second chance" in God's forgiveness in His Son, Jesus Christ.
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Benham Brothers on Charlottesville Violence, Solar Eclipse: There Is Spiritual Darkness in America
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By Stoyan Zaimov , Christian Post Reporter | Aug 21, 2017 10:00 AM
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David (L) and Jason (R) Benham in a Facebook video posted on August 18, 2017.
Conservative Christian brothers and activists Jason and David Benham said Monday's solar eclipse signifies spiritual darkness in America in the wake of the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.
"It is a physical manifestation of the spiritual truth that there is darkness on this land. God is planning for deliverance," David Benham said, urging Christians to "rise above" Satan's plans.
The Benhams commented on the recent protests over a confederate statue in Charlottesville that left one dead, maintaining that racial division is not of Christ and that Satan is at play.
"We see a pattern happening, you can see it all throughout Scripture. When God plans deliverance, Satan plans destruction," Jason Benham said in a Facebook video posted on Friday.
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How Christians Can Respond When Transgender Issues Affect Your Child, Church, You
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By Leonardo Blair , Christian Post Reporter | Aug 19, 2017 9:40 AM
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Transgender activists and supporters protest potential changes by the Trump administration in federal guidelines issued to public schools in defense of transgender student rights, near the White House in Washington, U.S. February 22, 2017.
Editor's Note: This is the final part in a Christian Post series on how Christians should respond to transgenderism. Read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 here and here, Part 4, and Part 5.
What should I do if my child is in a school that teaches that transgender identity is normal? How should I respond if my female friend at church becomes a transgender man? These are some of the questions that The Christian Post posed to three experts in the field as Christians seek guidance on how to respond to the issue of transgender identity in daily life.
The experts include David H. Pickup, Jeff Johnston, and Dr. Juli Slattery.
David H. Pickup is a Christian and licensed marriage and family therapist. He currently operates two private psychotherapy practices in Dallas, Texas, and Los Angeles, California. He works primarily with men dealing with unwanted same-sex attraction and uses authentic Reparative Therapy.
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Paula White Talks God Raising Up Trump, Christian Remnant on Jim Bakker Show
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By Samuel Smith , CP Reporter | Aug 21, 2017 6:10 PM
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Televangelist Paula White and her husband Jonathan Cain appear on an episode of the Jim Bakker Show that aired Aug. 21, 2017.
President Donald Trump's spiritual adviser, Florida televangelist Paula White, said she believes that Trump was raised up by God. She also urged Christians to stop hiding in fear even though the world hates them.
The 51-year-old White, who is senior pastor at New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka, Florida, and her rockstar husband, Jonathan Cain of Journey, appeared on an episode of "The Jim Bakker Show" Monday.
White, who has maintained a ministerial relationship with Trump for over 16 years and serves as Trump's closest religious adviser, stated during the nearly hour-long segment that America is in "days of transition."
White seemingly tried to compare Trump's election to the Oval Office with that of the Old Testament's story of Esther, a Jewish orphan who eventually became the queen of Persia and saved the Jews from a plot of genocide.
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YouTube Just Demonetized Hundreds of Our Videos
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By Michael Brown , CP Op-Ed Contributor | Aug 22, 2017 7:18 AM
The views expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the editorial opinion of The Christian Post or its editors.
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Michael Brown holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures from New York University and has served as a professor at a number of seminaries. He is the author of 25 books and hosts the nationally syndicated, daily talk radio show, the Line of Fire.
It all happened in the course of one night, and it happened quite suddenly.
Last Thursday night, I noticed that YouTube demonetized my interview with a former KKK Grand Dragon who is now an associate pastor in an African American church, claiming it was "Not suitable for all advertisers"? Why wouldn't it be? It was a great, positive, redemptive story, one that the whole world should hear. Why flag it?
The demonetizing of this video was the first thing that got my attention, but I thought to myself, "It's probably because it has KKK in the title."
For months now, we had noticed that almost any video we had with "Islam" in the title would get demonetized. But when we would request a review from YouTube, some of the videos would get reinstated.
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Digital Addiction, Sexualized Culture Driving Rising Teen Suicide Rates; Fight Is 'Spiritual Battle,' Some Say
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By Brandon Showalter , CP Reporter | Aug 23, 2017 7:48 AM
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Technology and a sexualized culture are driving rising suicide rates among teenagers, according to a prominent Internet safety activist and an author who focuses his ministry on equipping families about technology dangers. And this is a battle that is first and foremost a spiritual fight, they note.
A recent CDC report reveals that suicide among teen girls has reached a 40-year high, having doubled in the past 10 years, and in that same time frame the rate has risen 30 percent among teen boys.
In 2015, 524 females ages 15 to 19 and 1,537 males in that same age range ended their lives in the United States, the analysis shows.
Donna Rice Hughes, president of Internet safety advocacy group Enough is Enough, said in a phone interview Tuesday with The Christian Post that the dramatic increase is very sad but not particularly surprising given how "our culture has set up a perfect storm for the emotional, sexual, and mental and relational brokenness of our young people."
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Kindergarten Teacher Hosts 'Gender Transition' Ceremony During Class for 5-Y-O; Kids Traumatized
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By Brandon Showalter , CP Reporter | Aug 23, 2017 9:55 AM
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Children play in their kindergarten run by a private foundation which is not affected by the nursery caretakers' strike in Hanau, 30km south of Frankfurt, Germany, May 8, 2015.
A California public charter school is coming under fire because of a kindergarten teacher who hosted a "gender transition" ceremony during her class, traumatizing kids.
At the Sacramento-area Rocklin Academy Gateway, a kindergarten teacher held a "transition ceremony" for one of the 5-year-old boys — who is reportedly undergoing transition to become a girl. Because lessons in "gender identity" do not fall under the umbrella of sex ed, the opt-out and parental consent laws do not apply, according to local reports.
This lesson took place just days before summer break began and local parents are considering legal action. But in response to growing anger among parents, the school said that if it does not accommodate these transgender students it will be vulnerable to lawsuits.
During this particular class, the teacher read "I am Jazz" and "The Red Crayon," two children's books aimed at explaining transgenderism to kids ages 4 to 8.
"From the time she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl's brain in a boy's body," is a line in the book "I am Jazz."
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New Social Cross Website Offers Christians an Alternative to Facebook
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By Samuel Smith , CP Reporter | Aug 23, 2017 10:47 AM
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Conservative Christians who've been barred from Facebook for posting their beliefs about homosexuality and LGBT issues now have a new social media platform they can join that won't block users for defending biblical principals.
After being suspended from Facebook numerous times for posting their thoughts on LGBT issues, a group of Christian preachers have launched a social networking alternative to Facebook called SocialCross.org.
SocialCross, which works in a very similar manner to Facebook, aims to give Christians a place to engage and have conversations about the events going on in the world without fear that their accounts will be suspended or blocked.
In just three weeks since it has been launched, over 2,300 users have signed up for SocialCross.
"This is a place where we can all come together as people who believe in Christ who want to share with one another and learn from each other and do so without an environment of fear of having people report our post or Facebook blocking us for 30 days," the website's co-founder, Rich Penkoski, a West Virginia-based preacher and co-founder of the online pre-denominational ministry Warriors for Christ, told The Christian Post in an interview this week.
Penkoski explained that he and his colleagues were inspired to create their own social media platform that allows Christians to speak freely and openly after his personal Facebook page was banned for 30 days on separate occasions in July because of comments he made in online threads that were reported to Facebook administrators by LGBT Facebook users.
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Black Christian Leaders Detest Claim That Trump Is the 'Driver' of Racial Division in America
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By Samuel Smith , CP Reporter | Aug 15, 2017 7:19 AM
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William Allen, the former dean of James Madison College at Michigan State University, speaks at a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 14, 2017.
WASHINGTON — A group of conservative black pastors and intellectual leaders on Monday defended President Donald Trump amid criticism of his initial response to the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, last weekend.
While some, like Charlottesville Mayor Mike Signer, have claimed that there is a "direct line" between the events in Charlottesville and the choices Trump made in his 2016 presidential campaign, conservative African-American clergy members, scholars and political activists decried such an argument in a Monday press conference at the National Press Club.
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He Lived as a Transgender Woman for Over 20 Years Until He Heard God Speak to Him
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By Brandon Showalter , CP Reporter | Aug 15, 2017 2:22 PM
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Jeffrey Johnston, former transgender woman, describes his journey in documentary "Tranzformed."
Editor's Note: This is Part 3 in a Christian Post series on how Christians should respond to transgenderism. Part 3 will look at the testimonies of two former transgender persons in separate stories. Read Part 1, Part 2 and the first testimony for Part 3.
Jeffrey Johnston, a Maine native who used to be known as "Janelle," said that when it comes to ministering to transgender people "it's all about the love of God."
Raped at age 9 by one of his father's employees, a strong sexual confusion beset a young Jeffrey and set him on a dark and troubled path toward all kinds of relational dysfunction, addiction and heartache.
He was raped for about two more years until his parents divorced and he moved out of the house with his mom and sister. He was then no longer around the man that worked for his dad, so he could no longer be violated. But the trauma and confusion intensified.
He left home at 17 and moved to Portland, Maine, where he visited a gay bar and met some transgender individuals, initially thinking that they were biologically female. As he describes in the documentary "TranZformed," he found himself having these thoughts going through his mind — believing that God had made a mistake, and that indeed he was a woman trapped in a man's body.
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Beware Mr. President: Your Need to Condemn White Supremacy Has Just Begun; They Have Declared War
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By CP Editors , | Aug 15, 2017 1:08 PM
The views expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the editorial opinion of The Christian Post or its editors.
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U.S. President Donald Trump pauses during a statement on the deadly protests in Charlottesville, at the White House in Washington, U.S., August 14, 2017.
President Trump's specific repudiation of white supremacists 48 hours after his initial bland tweet about the Charlottesville tragedy is to be commended and distinguishes himself from former president Barack Obama, who has yet to admit that radical Islamists are at the core of the Western world's terrorism problem.
However, if the president or his advisers categorize this as a one-off course correction to yet another ill-conceived Trump tweet and move on – there will be grave consequences. Here are three reasons.
White supremacists are just getting started. The white supremacist website Daily Stormer had this to say late Saturday after blood was shed in Charlottesville: "And to everyone, know this: we are now at war. And we are not going to back down. … We are going to go bigger than Charlottesville. We are going to go huge. We are going to take over the country. … We learned a lot today. And we are going to remember what we learned. This has only just begun."
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Freed Christian Pastor Describes North Korean Labor Camp Conditions
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By Stoyan Zaimov , Christian Post Reporter | Aug 14, 2017 1:59 PM
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Pastor Hyeon Soo Lim have been released by the North Korean government for humanitarian reasons.
Rev. Hyeon Soo Lim, the Christian pastor who last week was freed and returned home to Canada, revealed what he had to suffer through at the North Korean labor camp where he was held.
"During the winter, I had to dig holes that measured one meter wide and one meter deep," Lim said on Sunday upon his return to Light Korean Presbyterian Church in Mississauga, Ontario.
"The ground was frozen. The mud was so hard that it took two days to dig one hole. It was incredibly challenging. My upper body was sweating. My fingers and toes were frostbitten," he recalled, according to The Globe and Mail.
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Christian Mom Dies While Imprisoned for Her Evangelical Faith in Eritrea
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By Samuel Smith , CP Reporter | Aug 15, 2017 7:55 AM
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A Christian migrant from Eritrea shows a crucifix made of wood after she attended a Sunday mass at the makeshift church in "The New Jungle" near Calais, France, August 2, 2015. Some 3,000 migrants live around the tunnel entrance in a makeshift camp known as "The Jungle", making the northern French port one of the frontlines in Europe's wider migrant crisis.
A Christian mother who was arrested earlier this year amid a crackdown on evangelical Christians in the African nation of Eritrea has died, a Christian human rights organization reported.
Fikadu Debesay, an evangelical mother of three who was arrested along with her husband in May, died last week while imprisoned at Metkel Abiet, a desert camp located between the towns of Shieb and Gahtelai in the country's Red Sea Region, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
CSW, a religious freedom advocacy organization that received United Nations accreditation earlier this year, reported that the mother was buried last Thursday in Mendefera, the capital city of Eritrea's Debub Region.
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Police Kill 5 Suspects Following Second Terror Attack in Spain; 'Evil of Radical Islam' Blamed
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By Stoyan Zaimov , Christian Post Reporter | Aug 18, 2017 8:05 AM
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Police evacuate people after a van crashed into pedestrians near the Las Ramblas avenue in central Barcelona, Spain August 17, 2017.
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Five terror suspects were killed in Cambrils, Spain, following a second attack of a car being driven into pedestrians, just hours after an earlier incident in Barcelona, which killed 13 people and injured 100 others.
As Sky News reported on Friday, the terror suspects in Cambrils were wearing fake bomb vests when they injured six people, including a police officer, with their car. All five were later killed by police, with officials indicating that a cell of at least eight individuals might have been involved.
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'No More Boys and Girls' BBC Experiment Pushes Gender-Free Classrooms
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By Stoyan Zaimov , Christian Post Reporter | Aug 17, 2017 3:47 PM
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Trailer for an upcoming BBC2 program "No More Boys and Girls" released on August 6, 2017.
A BBC Two documentary is testing out gender-free classrooms where 7-year-old children are being taught to forget differences between boys and girls in an effort to achieve so-called "true equality between the sexes."
The documentary, titled "No More Boys and Girls: Can Our Kids Go Gender-Free?" premiered on Wednesday and follows presenter Dr. Javid Abelmoneim as he leads a classroom of schoolchildren in a gender experiment.
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Guam Pastors Talk North Korea Missile Strike Concerns: There's No Panic but We're Praying
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By Stoyan Zaimov , Christian Post Reporter | Aug 17, 2017 4:17 PM
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Local residents display a Guam flag during a peace rally at Chief Quipuha Park, on the island of Guam, a U.S. Pacific Territory, August 14, 2017.
Pastors in the American territory of Guam have spoken out about North Korea's threat of a missile strike, and said that while local residents have not fallen into a panic, they're praying for peace and for "wiser and calmer minds."
"I am worried because it is nuclear warfare we are talking about and because of the temperament of the leaders who are at the forefront," Fr. Danilo C. Bien, who leads Santa Barbara Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Agana, told The Christian Post in an email on Thursday.
"I hope and pray that wiser and calmer minds will prevail. I hope and pray that our leaders will realize that their decisions affect the welfare of millions of people, if not the whole world," he added.
The government of Kim Jong Un had warned earlier this month that it was planning on launching intermediate ballistic missiles near Guam, in response to heavy economic sanctions against North Korea
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Greg Laurie Talks Solar Eclipse, North Korea and Robert Jeffress (Interview)
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By Samuel Smith , CP Reporter | Aug 13, 2017 9:59 AM
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Pastor Greg Laurie preaches at Harvest America at the University of Phoenix Stadium on June 11, 2017.
As California evangelist Greg Laurie prepares to host his 28th annual SoCal Harvest evangelism crusade in Anaheim next weekend, he says he doesn't believe there is special prophetic significance to the total solar eclipse that will occur the day after the three-day revival event.
Laurie, the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship megachurch in Riverside who regularly hosts evangelism crusades attended by thousands, will host SoCal Harvest 2017 at Angel Stadium on Aug. 18–20, a free three-night event featuring performances from some of the biggest names in Christian music and a Gospel message delivered each night by Laurie.
As the event wraps up Sunday night, a total solar eclipse is scheduled to occur the following day, which would be the first time in nearly a century that a total solar eclipse will be visible across the contiguous United States.
Some Christian leaders, such as evangelist Anne Graham Lotz, have warned that the "Great American Eclipse" could be a divine signal warning of God's possible judgement.
In discussing the upcoming SoCal Harvest crusade in an interview with The Christian Post, Laurie was asked whether or not he believes there is any significance to the upcoming eclipse.
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Former Transgender Man Shares How She Transitioned, Then De-Transitioned
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By Brandon Showalter , CP Reporter | Aug 12, 2017 9:21 AM
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KathyGrace Duncan, formerly a transgender man, is seen here in a documentary titled "TranZformed: Finding Peace With Your God-Given Gender."
Editor's Note: This is Part 3 in a Christian Post series on how Christians should respond to transgenderism. Part 3 will look at the testimonies of two former transgender persons in separate stories. Read Part 1 and Part 2.
KathyGrace Duncan remembers first wanting to be a boy before entering kindergarten. She would often ride her tricycle and pretend to go pick up her girlfriend. The only children in her neighborhood to play with were boys and she understood her desire to be male was not normal and worked hard to keep it a secret.
When she finally told someone about her desire, she confided in another childhood friend, a boy, and he was excited.
"That brought affirmation to me that I was making the right decision, that how I felt was right," Duncan recalled in an interview with The Christian Post.
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Iranian Youths Mass Converting to Christianity Despite Islamic Indoctrination, Government's Efforts
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By Stoyan Zaimov , Christian Post Reporter | Aug 14, 2017 9:50 AM
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Demonstrators march with a banner during a protest against Iran's role in Aleppo, near the Iranian Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, December 16, 2016.
The massive rise of Christianity in Iran, especially among youths, continues despite the Islamic government's efforts to suppress the faith. Even Islamic leaders admitted that more and more young people are choosing to follow Christ.
According to Mohabat News, which reports on the persecution and state of Christianity in Iran, the "exponential rate" of Christian growth has been a factor for the last couple of decades.
Now even leading Islamic seminary officials, such as Ayatollah Alavi Boroujerdi, have pointed to "accurate reports indicating that the youth are becoming Christians in Qom and attending house churches."
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi has also been raising alarm over the number of Iranian youths becoming Christians, and has blamed "foreign influence" for the conversions.
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Christian Singer Aims to 'Invade' Lionel Richie, Mariah Carey's 'All the Hits Tour' With God's Love (Video)
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By Jeannie Law , Christian Post Reporter | Aug 13, 2017 4:01 PM
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Lionel Richie poses with Mariah Carey as they venture out for "All The Hits Tour," December 15, 2016.
TAMPA, Florida — Christian artist Tauren Wells who's the opening act for Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey's "All the Hits Tour" says his goal is to "invade the tour" with God's love.
Thousands attended the "All the Hits Tour" at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, Friday night to hear performances by Mariah Carey and Lionel Richie. Before the audience got to hear their favorite classic songs from the mainstream industry veterans, Wells, the tour's opening act, graced the stage for a half hour set to perform songs off of his new Christian album.
Christian artist Tauren Wells is the opening act on Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey's 2017 "All The Hits Tour."
The former Royal Tailor frontman who has garnered two Grammy nods unapologetically showcased his faith-based tunes in the massive arena. After his set, Wells sat down with The Christian Post to discuss how it all came about and what he hopes to do as he continues to tour 22 markets across the U.S. and Canada with Richie and Carey.
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Cuban Pastor Jailed for Homeschooling Kids Told He Can Resume Work as Church Leader, but Can't Leave His House
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By Samuel Smith , CP Reporter | Aug 10, 2017 1:09 PM
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Worshippers carry a statue of Jesus Christ during a Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) procession on Good Friday in Havana, April 6, 2012. Bells rang from Roman Catholic churches throughout Havana on Friday to remember the death of Jesus Christ as Cubans celebrated a holiday on Good Friday for the first time in more than half a century. The day off, granted at the request of Pope Benedict on his recent visit to the communist island, translated into quieter streets than usual, but only sparse attendance at a Mass in the city's main cathedral presided over by Cardinal Jaime Ortega.
A Cuban pastor who was jailed and later placed under house arrest because he and his wife began homeschooling their children earlier this year will now be allowed to resume his work as a church leader, a leading religious freedom watchdog group has reported.
According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a United Nation's accredited human rights organization, Pastor Ramon Rigal of the Church of God in Cuba made an appearance in court Tuesday where he was granted the right to resume his work for the church after he was initially barred from doing so upon his release from a correctional facility last month.
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Elevation Church Responds After Breastfeeding Mom Was Told to Leave Service
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By Samuel Smith , CP Reporter | Aug 9, 2017 1:35 PM
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Pastor Steven Furtick.
The multi-campus Elevation Church in North Carolina pastored by Steven Furtick has responded to a controversy that arose Sunday after a church member posted a comment on social media saying she was told to leave during service because she was breastfeeding her baby in public.
On Sunday night, a mother from South Carolina who attends services at an Elevation Church campus in the Ballantyne neighborhood of Charlotte took to Facebook to air her grievances after she was told that she had to go to the ladies room to breastfeed her child rather than doing it in the sanctuary during service.
"I just got kicked out of church for breastfeeding with a cover on and directed to the bathroom. Shame on you Elevation," mother Amanda Zilliken wrote in her Facebook post, which included a photo of the church's bathroom.
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Nabeel Qureshi Hospitalized for Nearly 3 Weeks After Tube Got Lodged in His Throat
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By Samuel Smith , CP Reporter | Aug 9, 2017 4:19 PM
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Nabeel Qureshi motions about how long the stent was that was dislodged in his throat during a video blog published on July 28, 2017.
Cancer-stricken apologist and author Nabeel Qureshi has been hospitalized for the better part of the last three weeks after mesh tubing that was supposed to help him eat got dislodged and stuck in his throat.
In a Facebook post Tuesday afternoon Qureshi, who was diagnosed last year with advanced-stage stomach cancer, explained that he is still in the hospital after checking into the emergency room on July 21 because of a dislodged stent in his esophagus.
"I'm still in the hospital. Day 19! Please continue to pray," Qureshi, who served with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries before he was diagnosed last summer, wrote in the social media post.
Qureshi also apologized for not updating his followers more frequently about his medical situation.
Qureshi, who is now living in Houston, Texas, with his family, announced on July 23 through his Facebook page that he was hospitalized after a dislodged stent caused was he described as the most painful experience of his life.
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Multisite Churches Are a 'Uniquely Better Approach,' Says Andy Stanley
By Michael Gryboski , Christian Post Reporter | Aug 11, 2017 6:53 AM
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North Point Community Church founder and lead pastor Andy Stanley giving remarks at Willow Creek Community Church's Global Leadership Summit on Thursday, August 10, 2017.
RICHMOND, Va. — North Point Community Church founder and Lead Pastor Andy Stanley has stated that congregations with multiple campuses have a "uniquely better approach" to church growth.
Speaking at Willow Creek Community Church's annual Global Leadership Summit on Thursday afternoon, Stanley talked about the success of his church since its founding over 20 years ago.
His speech was one of many shown to approximately 600 sites in the United States alone, among them West End Assembly of God in Richmond, Virginia.
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Hillary Clinton's Pastor Compares Her Defeat by Trump to Death of Christ, Says She Now Wants to Preach
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By Leonardo Blair , Christian Post Reporter | Aug 11, 2017 11:00 AM
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Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Hillary Clinton walks off the debate stage as Republican U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump remains at his podium after the conclusion of their third and final 2016 presidential campaign debate at UNLV in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., October 19, 2016.
After Hillary Clinton suffered a devastating loss in the 2016 presidential race to Donald Trump, her longtime pastor — who compared her loss to the death of Christ — says she now has her eyes set on a higher calling. She wants to be a preacher and he thinks she'll be great at it.
On Aug. 15, the Rev. Dr. William S. Shillady, who currently serves as executive director of the United Methodist City Society in New York is set to release a book of the regular inspirational scriptures he sent Clinton during her failed campaign. The book is titled Strong for a Moment Like This: The Daily Devotions of Hillary Rodham Clinton.
He revealed in a recent interview with CNN how Clinton leaned on her faith to overcome her defeat by Trump and how the loss has sparked a desire in her to work for the Lord from the pulpit.
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Astrophysicist Explains How Total Solar Eclipse Is an Opportunity to Share the Gospel
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By Brandon Showalter , CP Reporter | Aug 10, 2017 3:20 PM
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Women gaze up to view a partial solar eclipse outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in San Diego, California, October 23, 2014.
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The upcoming total solar eclipse that will travel across the entire contiguous United States will give Christians an opportunity to point people to the God of the Bible, says Jeff Zweerink, an astrophysicist and apologist with Reason to Believe.
Amid the speculations about divine judgement and the preparations some are making for what has been nicknamed the "Great American Solar Eclipse," Zweerink says he's enthusiastic about witnessing the event.
Zweerink, who earned his Ph.D. in astrophysics from Iowa State University, and is a project scientist at UCLA and research scholar for the apologetics ministry Reasons to Believe, told The Christian Post in a phone interview that he's been anticipating the eclipse for nearly 10 years, as it will be the first total solar eclipse he has ever seen.
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Man Banned From Releasing Undercover Videos From Abortion Convention Appeals to US Supreme Court
By Heather Clark on August 6, 201722 Comments
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WASHINGTON — A pro-life activist who has been banned from releasing any further footage of undercover recordings from the 2014 and 2015 National Abortion Federation Conventions has taken his case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
David Daleiden is appealing his case from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld a lower court ruling in March prohibiting Daleiden from releasing any further videos from the event, in part due to the safety risks that they could present to abortion providers.
"We are appealing to the highest court in quest of justice," Tom Brejcha of the Thomas More Society, which is representing Daleiden in court, said in a statement on Friday. "This lawsuit was brought against Mr. Daleiden by NAF, the abortion industry's trade group, because he dared to expose the truth about their members' profiting from an illegal trade in the remains of human beings."
As previously reported, the National Abortion Federation had sued Daleiden in July 2015 to stop his recorded footage from being made public, claiming that it could jeopardize the safety of its members.
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Disney Preschooler Animation 'Doc McStuffins' Features Family With 'Two Moms'
By Heather Clark on August 10, 2017252 Comments
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A watchdog group that monitors the promotion of sin in children's entertainment is expressing concern over a recent episode of the preschooler-geared cartoon "Doc McStuffins," which featured an animated depiction of the lesbian moms of two children.
"Controversial topics and lifestyle choices should be left up to the parents to discuss and Disney Junior should not introduce this to young children," said the organization One Million Moms in a blog post. "Just because an issue may be legal or because some are choosing a lifestyle doesn't make it morally correct. Disney should stick to entertaining and providing family-friendly programming instead of pushing an agenda."
The episode, which aired this past Saturday on Disney Junior, centers on the importance of having a plan in place for emergencies. The lesbian characters, voiced by Wanda Sykes and Portia de Rossi, face an earthquake caused by a toy dragon jumping and down, and they run for safety—one with each child—in separate directions.
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Court Rejects Lesbian's Request to Have Christian Judge Removed From Divorce Proceedings Against Husband
By Heather Clark on August 5, 201710 Comments
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FORT PAYNE, Ala. — An appeals court in Alabama has rejected a lesbian's request to have a judge who also serves as a pastor removed from her divorce proceedings against her husband.
Tiara Lycans desires to divorce her husband, Zachary Lycans, and wants the court to grant her custody of their child. However, she is unhappy with the judge assigned to her case, who she says has "publicly expressed belief that homosexual relationships and marriages are contrary to God's Law."
DeKalb Circuit Court Judge Shaunathan Bell has served as a minister at Liberty Hill Baptist Church in Fort Payne for 15 years and regularly shares Scripture and Christian-themed exhortation on the Twitter page that he shares with his wife.
"Who cares that you can quote the entire Bible, if you live like you've never read it," he re-tweeted on June 13.
"The Church does not exist for you. You are the Church existing for God's glory through His mission to reach everyone else," Bell also re-tweeted on April 17.
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Court Overturns Ruling Prohibiting Police From Using Law Against Pastor's Preaching Outside Planned Parenthood
By Heather Clark on August 10, 20172 Comments
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Photo Credit: Donna Hebert/Facebook
PORTLAND, Maine — A federal appeals court has overturned a lower court ruling that granted a preliminary injunction to a Portland pastor who asserted that he was being unlawfully targeted by police outside of a Planned Parenthood facility for his pro-life preaching.
The Maine Civil Rights Act "is a facially content-neutral measure that targets noise for reasons that have nothing to do with any topic discussed, idea propounded or message conveyed," Judge David Barron, appointed to the bench by then-President Barack Obama, wrote on behalf of the three-judge panel of the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
"Moreover, by its terms, the measure serves that significant state interest without burdening substantially more speech than necessary and while leaving open ample alternative channels of communication," he opined.
As previously reported, Andrew March of Cell 53 Church had filed suit in November 2015 after Maine Attorney General Janet Mills, a pro-abortion Democrat, filed a civil rights lawsuit to keep Brian Ingalls from standing within 50 feet of the Monument Square Planned Parenthood facility—or any Planned Parenthood location in Maine. Ingalls is an elder at March's church.
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11 'Mostly Children and Elderly' Killed, 18 Injured in Bloody Massacre at Nigerian Church
By Leonardo Blair , Christian Post Reporter | Aug 7, 2017 12:25 PM
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The Saint Philips Catholic Church in Ozubulu, Nigeria.
In an attack Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned as "unspeakable sacrilege," an early morning mass at St. Philip's Catholic Church in Ozubulu was turned into a bloody massacre on Sunday as gunmen entered the church and fatally shot at least 11 people and injured 18 others.
Some local outlets such as Vanguard report that "no fewer than 35 worshippers" were killed.
Anambra State Police said in a statement that they "will leave no stone unturned in fishing out the shooters" but were quick to point out that the massacre was not a terrorist attack. Instead, it was drug-related gang warfare.
"Intelligence report/preliminary investigation proved that it is a fight between the two individuals of the community living outside Nigeria," the statement said. "It is definitely not a terrorist attack in the mould of Boko Haram or fulani herdsmen attack. It is sacrilegious but for now, is still premature to disclose the identities, we will brief the public after investigation is concluded."
Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Garba Baba Umar further explained to Vanguard that International Police, Interpol, would be involved in the investigation. He said the gunmen were searching for a man who had funded the building of the church and when they did not find him, they unleashed their wrath on the parishioners.
"They came but did not get their target and they went to the church. We have not declared their target wanted because he is also a victim. He built a church for his people and that was where the killing took place," Umar said. "They were after him but ended up in the church. We strongly suspect that the killing is related to a drug cartel. Whatever the problem, they should have sorted themselves out there instead of coming to Anambra to wreak havoc. We will certainly involve Interpol in cracking this case and we have already swung into action."
Victims of the St Philip's Catholic Church massacre in Ozubulu, Nigeria.
According to the Vanguard, the gunmen arrived at the church in a Lexus SUV and one of them shot at close range an elderly man, identified as Pa Ikegwuonu. Pa is the father of Chief Aloysius Ikegwuonu, a businessman from Amakwa, who funded the building of the church. Ikegwuonu's wife was reportedly shot in her right arm and is recovering at a local hospital.
Multiple videos and images online show haunting images of the lifeless bodies of churchgoers piled in the back of a truck. A variety of sandals were also shown stuck to the blood-splattered floor of the church.
Parish priest Jude Onwuaso who fled for his life at the first sound of gunfire told the BBC that a "boy or man" entered the church and started shooting.
"After the first round, there was second round and I guess it was during the second round that people were shot dead. When I came back I discovered that some of my parishioners were dead, about five or six I saw shot dead bleeding. A lot of people were injured, some were shot in the stomach, some were shot in the head and some were shot in the hand," he said.
Charles Justice, who took his friends to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital in Nnewi, told Premium Times that the attack on the church happened after the homily at 6 a.m. Mass.
"Those who died are mostly children and the elderly, I know about three children who were below five years that died in the shooting," Justice said.
Ogochukwu Maduka, a Lay Reader at the church, explained that when she first got to the church it was in darkness because there was no power.
"After much effort to get the generator to work failed, they had resort to using candles and rechargeable lamps," said Maduka, who was seated at the front of the church during the service.
"The holy Mass had proceeded as usual, after the first, second and gospel reading, and then the priest's homily, as we stood up for the proclamation of faith, there was a sound of gun like thunder from behind. There was chaos and panic and confusion. The priest ran away as the gunshots continued and I took cover under the seat," she said.
"When people started running around, the man began shooting upwards. Those mostly affected were those at the back of the church," Maduka added, explaining she counted about 15 dead bodies in the aftermath.
In a statement on the massacre, President Buhari said "there was no justification whatsoever to target church worshippers and kill them in cold blood."
"All Nigerians must rise up and speak with one voice against these remorseless evil men," he said.
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16 Facts That Prove That America Is In Deep, Deep Trouble
News Image BY MICHAEL SNYDER/END OF THE AMERICAN DREAM AUGUST 02, 2017
Is this the generation that is going to witness the end of America?
If our country stays on the path that it is currently on, it is very difficult to see how we are possibly going to make it.
Throughout human history every great society has eventually entered a period of decline, and sadly that is happening to us as well.
My hope is that we can wake the American people up while there is still time, and that we can return to the values and the principles that this nation was originally founded upon.
Most of us don't want to look at the negative while the markets are up but this gives us a false sense of security to what is really happening in our nation.
Below are 16 facts that prove that America is in deep, deep trouble. Many of these numbers come from my new book, and many of them seem almost too crazy to believe...
#1 When Ronald Reagan won his first election, the U.S. national debt was less than one trillion dollars. When Barack Obama entered the White House it was sitting at 10.6 trillion dollars, when the Republicans took control of the House of Representatives in 2010 it was about 14 trillion dollars, and now we have nearly reached the 20 trillion dollar mark.
Read more at http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=1441#b6yU7mehepHpZ3lL.99
The Battle Over Jerusalem Has Only Just Begun
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News Image BY BASSAM TAWIL/GATESTONE INSTITUTE AUGUST 02, 2017
The Palestinian "victory" celebrations that took place after Israel removed metal detectors and surveillance cameras from the entrances to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem bode badly for the future of stability and peace in the Middle East.
To the Palestinians and many Arabs and Muslims, the Israeli move is viewed as a sign of weakness. In their eyes, the removal of the security cameras and metal detectors is capitulation, pure and simple.
How do we know this? Easy: look at the Palestinian response. Rather than acknowledging the conciliatory nature of the Israeli government's decision, aimed at easing tensions and preventing bloodshed and violence, the Palestinians are demanding more.
As far as the Palestinians are concerned, the controversy over the Israeli security measures at the Temple Mount, which came after three terrorists murdered two Israeli police officers at the holy site on July 14, is part of a larger battle with Israel.
We have reached a new level in this discourse: Palestinian Authority (PA) officials are now openly admitting that it is not the metal detectors or security cameras that are at issue.
Instead, they admit, this is a battle over sovereignty on the Temple Mount and Jerusalem. For the Palestinians, the real battle is over who controls Jerusalem and its holy sites. The real battle, in their eyes, is over the Jews' right to live in their own state in the Middle East.
Many Palestinians have still not come to terms with Israel's right to exist, and that is what this battle is really about.
Read more at http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=1438#60EEEGGFQ98FgrOS.99
Transgender Gives Birth - Now Womb Transplants For Men Are Next
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News Image BY PNW STAFF AUGUST 02, 2017
Trystan Reese, a transgender man living in Portland, Oregon, has given birth to a boy with his partner of seven years, Biff Chaplow. Their son, Leo Murray Chaplow, was born July 14.
Reese, who was born female at birth, posted a video in March explaining his decision to carry a baby as a transgender man.
"I'm OK with my body being a trans body," he said. "I'm OK being a man who has a uterus and has the capacity and capability of carrying a baby."
However many transgender activists want to take the next step with womb transplants to enable anyone to have the ability to carry a baby.
Womb transplants are no longer theoretical since Dr. Mats Brannstrom of Sweden has delivered five babies from transplanted wombs, all since 2014.
Read more at http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=1439#Y8Uc5SUIV5X7J5Ko.99
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Black So. Baptist Pastor Who Sponsored Resolution Condemning Alt-Right Explains Why He Is Staying
Texas pastor Dwight McKissic moved to bring his proposal on the "alt-right" to messengers Tuesday June 13, 2017.
The black pastor who introduced the resolution condemning the alt-right at the SBC's annual meeting is explaining why, despite the denomination's failure to pass it initially, he is remaining a Southern Baptist.
In a Wednesday editorial in The Washington Post, Dwight McKissic, who for 33 years has been the senior pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, responded to a New York Times piece by Lawrence Ware, a black academic and minister who announced he was departing the Southern Baptist Convention — the nation's largest evangelical Protestant group.
Ware said he was leaving for several reasons, including the group's stance on LGBTQ issues, the massive support for President Donald Trump and his policies within the denomination, and the hiccup that occurred in passing the resolution authored by McKissic condemning the alt-right and white nationalism at the SBC annual meeting in June. The resolution ended up passing with near unanimity after it underwent an edit and Russell Moore, president of the denomination's policy arm, spoke out in support of it from the convention floor.
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'Star Trek: Discovery' Cast Not Allowed to Mention God; Creator Wants Show Science-Driven Only
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By Jeannie Law , Christian Post Reporter | Aug 2, 2017 8:06 AM
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Star Yrek Discovery will premiere on CBS September 24, 2017.
Although Star Trek has nothing to do with God overall, cast members of the new "Star Trek: Discovery" revealed that they are not even allowed to mention the word "God" while on set.
In a recent interview for an Entertainment Weekly cover story ahead of the series' release, the cast of the upcoming CBS TV series implied that any mention of God was out of bounds.
The series star, Jason Isaacs (Captain Lorca), told the publication that he ad-libbed the phrase "for God's sakes" while on set and the episode's writer, Kirsten Beyer, corrected him.
He explained that he was told that the creator, Gene Roddenberry, had a vision for his show to be completely godless, a strictly science-driven 23rd-century telling. Isaacs sarcastically replied: "How about 'for f***'s sake'? Can I say that?"
"You can say that before you can say 'God,'" Beyer responded.
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Christian Grandma Florist Fined for Not Working Gay Wedding Takes 'Last Stand' at Supreme Court
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Jul 17, 2017 | 10:28 AM
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Barronelle Stutzman, owner of Arlene's Flowers in Richland, Washington, speaks as supporters rally around her in November 2016.
Barronelle Stutzman, also known as the "Christian grandma florist," is now asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear her appeal to reverse a Washington court's decision earlier this year that found her guilty of discrimination for refusing to provide flowers for a gay wedding.
The Associated Press reported on Sunday that lawyers for Stutzman are claiming that Washington's high court violated her First Amendment protection for artistic expression in its ruling in February.
Alliance Defending Freedom positioned in a post on Friday that Stutzman is taking her "last stand" at the Supreme Court.
"For more than four years, Barronelle has endured the litigation in this case with unwavering grace, humility, and faith — even as she faces losing everything she owns," ADF wrote.
"Now she will take her last stand before the U.S. Supreme Court, asking it to preserve her religious freedom and her right not to be forced to speak a message about marriage that violates her beliefs."
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Benham Bros. Wanted to Use HGTV Show to Make 'Disciples of the Nation'
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Jul 17, 2017 | 9:21 AM
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David (L) and Jason (R) Benham speak at the Family Research Council's Values Voters Summit in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 9, 2016.
Popular conservative Christian real estate entrepreneurs the Benham Brothers recalled Saturday how they almost promised HGTV that they would keep quiet about their Christian beliefs on political issues in an attempt save their now-canceled reality television show, which they wanted to use to make "disciples of the nation."
David and Jason Benham, whose HGTV show "Flip it Forward" was supposed to air in the fall of 2014 but was canceled after LGBT activists pressured the network over their twins' beliefs on marriage and sexuality, spoke at the annual Family Leadership Summit on Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa, hosted by the Iowa-based social conservative organization The Family Leader and its president Bob Vander Plaats.
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'Satan Takes Souls to Hell': Hundreds of Outraged Christians Hold Prayer Rally Against Satanic Monument
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Jul 17, 2017 | 9:24 AM
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Over 100 people protest on July 15, 2017, against a Satanic memorial at Belle Plaine, Minn., holding signs reading "Satan takes souls to Hell for eternity."
Over a hundred Christians held a prayer-filled protest on Saturday in Belle Plaine, Minnesota, in opposition to a Satanic monument, warning against the celebration of Satan.
CBS Minnesota's WCCO reported on Saturday that protesters held warning signs such as "Satan takes souls to hell for eternity" and "Satan belongs in Hell, not our Veteran's Memorial Park."
The Massachusetts-based Satanic Temple's monument, known as the "bowl of wisdom," is a 23-inch by 23-inch black steel cube inscribed with inverted pentagrams, on top of which lies an upside-down soldier's helmet.
Freedom From Religion Foundation, backing the Satanic Temple, threatened to sue the city if officials did not allow the monument to be placed at the park, which also hosts a soldier praying over a grave with a Christian cross.
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Christian Refugees Outnumber Muslims in First Year Under Trump: Pew
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Jul 16, 2017 | 8:52 AM
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Syrian refugee Ahmad al Aboud, and his family members, walk to board their plane in Amman, Jordan in April 2016 bound for the United States.
In a clear shift from the President Barack Obama administration during which arriving Muslim refugees outnumbered Christian refugees, more Christian than Muslim refugees have been admitted to the United States under President Donald Trump, according to the Pew Research Center.
The Pew analysis, based on data from the Department of State to compare the first few months of the Trump administration to the last year of the Obama administration, reveals that 9,598 Christians emigrated to the country from Jan. 21 to June 30, compared to 7,250 Muslim refugees.
The religious composition of refugees to the U.S. has been shifting on a monthly basis as well, Pew notes.
In February, Trump's first full month in office, Muslims accounted for 50 percent of the 4,580 refugees who entered the country, and Christians made up 41 percent of arrivals. By June, Christians made up 57 percent of arrivals, while Muslims accounted for 31 percent.
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House Rejects Ban on Transgender Surgery for Troops
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Jul 16, 2017 | 3:42 PM
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Women in combat.
Leading conservative Christian activists are voicing their disapproval with the Republican-led House of Representatives after 24 GOP lawmakers voted against and helped sink an effort to bar federal tax dollars from being used to fund gender reassignment procedures for military service members.
Last Thursday, the House rejected an amendment proposed by by Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo., to the $696 billion 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, the annual bill that lays out military budgets and expenditures.
Members of the 25th Infantry Division bow their heads in prayer during a deployment ceremony at Schofield Barracks, near Wahiawa, Hawaii, July 7, 2006. About 7,000 troops from Schofield will be leaving Hawaii in the next few weeks and will be deployed to Iraq. This continues the largest deployment of Hawaii-based troops since the Vietnam War.
Hartzler's amendment would have nixed the military's authority to fund hormone therapy, sex change surgeries and other treatment related to gender transition for transgender members of the military and their families. The amendment would have continued to fund mental health services related to gender dysphoria.
The measure comes after the Obama administration acted last year to end a ban on openly serving transgender service members and enacted a policy that funds costly transgender health services for members of the military who are medically diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
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False 'Message Bible' Creator Changes Mind on Homosexuality, Says He Would Officiate 'Gay Wedding'
Jul 12, 2017 04:53 pm
Photo Credit: Clappstar/Wikipedia Eugene Peterson, the creator of the 2002 "Message Bible" modern paraphrase, states that he has changed his mind on the issue of homosexuality and would be willing to officiate a same-sex ceremony if he were pastoring a church today. "I wouldn't have said this 20 years ago, but now I know a lot of people who are gay and lesbian and they seem to have as good a spiritual life as I do. I think that kind of debate about lesbians and gays might be over," he told Jonathan Merritt of Religion News Service, who published an interview with Peterson on Wednesday.
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Hobby Lobby Agrees to Forfeit Over 5,500 Artifacts, Pay $3 Million in Settlement With Department of Justice
By Heather Clark on July 9, 201725 Comments
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The popular arts and crafts chain Hobby Lobby has agreed to forfeit over 5,500 ancient artifacts and pay $3 million in a civil settlement after the U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint asserting that the items had been illegally shipped into the country from a dealer in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The company denies any intentional wrongdoing, but regrets its trust in the dealers and shippers of the goods.
"We have accepted responsibility and learned a great deal," said Hobby Lobby President Steve Green in a statement. "Our entire team is committed to the highest standards for investigating and acquiring these items. Our passion for the Bible continues, and we will do all that we can to support the efforts to conserve items that will help illuminate and enhance our understanding of this Great Book."
According to reports, in 2009, Green traveled to the UAE to review a number of cuneiform tablets and other artifacts as the company had begun acquiring historical and biblical pieces for its collection. As previously reported, the Greens plan to open the Museum of the Bible in Washington in November—a 430,000-square-foot facility that will house one of the world's largest collections of ancient biblical scrolls, codices, papyrus fragments and other historical artifacts.
However, in obtaining a cultural property attorney for advisement on purchasing these particular pieces, Hobby Lobby was allegedly warned that there existed a chance that the goods may have actually been looted from archaeological sites in Iraq.
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Church of England Overwhelmingly Votes to 'Welcome and Affirm' Transgenders
By Heather Clark on July 10, 201789 Comments
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Photo Credit: Hans Musil3
YORK, U.K. — The Church of England, also known as the Anglican Church, has voted overwhelmingly to "welcome and affirm" transgendered persons, and might now also offer special liturgies to mark the person's "transition" and accept them in their new perceived identity.
According to the denomination's website, the General Synod voted on Sunday to approve a motion that "recognizing the need for transgender people to be welcomed and affirmed in their parish church, call[s] on the House of Bishops to consider whether some nationally commended liturgical materials might be prepared to mark a person's gender transition."
An outline of the proposal explains that the materials "may be used in parish churches and chaplaincies to provide a pastoral response to the need of transgender people to be affirmed following their long, distressing, and often complex process of transition."
The House of Bishops voted 30-2 in favor of the motion, with two abstaining, and the House of Clergy voted to approve the measure 127-28, with 16 abstentions. Similarly, in the House of Laity, 127 supported the motion versus 48 opposed, with eight abstaining from the vote.
Chris Newlands from Blackburn, Lancashire proposed the motion, stating, "I hope that we can make a powerful statement to say that we believe that trans people are cherished and loved by God, who created them, and is present through all the twists and turns of their lives."
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Florida Police Officer to Receive Letter of Reprimand for Marking 'Transgender' as Male on Citation
By Heather Clark on July 12, 201765 Comments
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A Citizens Police Review Board has decided that a Florida police officer should receive a letter of reprimand for marking "male" on a traffic ticket when the driver identified as a woman. The board also recommended that the entire police department receive transgender sensitivity training.
According to reports, in January, Officer James Brinton pulled over a man who goes by the name Shelby Kendall (pictured) for reckless driving. Kendall had been racing his Camaro against a Mustang on a four-lane when spotted by police.
When Brinton began completing the citation with the aid of his computer, which scanned Kendall's driver's license and automatically filled in the identifying information, Brinton noted that the computer had marked the sex as "female."
Thinking it was a mistake, Brinton then asked Kendall why his license was marked in such a way, and he replied that it is because he identifies as female.
"Well, for the purposes of this citation, you're a male," Brinton allegedly stated, and changed the citation accordingly.
Kendall soon called the internal affairs department to complain about Brinton.
"If I've done everything I need to do for the state of Florida to recognize me as a female, he doesn't have a right to purposely mis-gender me," Kendall told the Sun-Sentinel. "It was inappropriate and kind of bullying and sends a message to the transgender community."
The matter was brought before the Citizens Police Review Board on Monday, which agreed with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department that Brinton should receive a letter of reprimand. It also concluded that the entire police department should receive training on the issue.
Atheist Group Urges Fire Dept. to Remove 'Blatantly Unconstitutional' Cross From Fire Station Lawn
By Garrett Haley on July 10, 201762 Comments
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Photo Credit: Google Earth
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – A prominent atheist group is demanding that a fire department in Georgia take down a cross that has stood outside of one of their fire stations for more than a decade.
Catoosa County Fire Department serves a district in far northwestern Georgia, just across the state line from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Outside of the department's Fire Station 3 in Graysville stands a large cross that is visible from a nearby highway. Imagery from Google Earth shows that the cross has stood there for more than 10 years.
However, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) is now demanding that the cross be taken down. In a press release issued on Wednesday, the Wisconsin-based atheist group said they sent a letter to the district's fire chief, explaining why they believe the cross is "blatantly unconstitutional."
"The religious significance of the Latin cross is unambiguous and indisputable," FFRF stated. "An overwhelming majority of federal courts agree that the Latin cross universally represents the Christian religion, and only the Christian religion. And a majority of federal courts have held displays of Latin crosses on public property to be an unconstitutional endorsement of religion."
"The cross displayed at Fire Station 3 unabashedly creates the perception of government endorsement of Christianity," it added. "It also conveys the message to the 30 percent of Americans who are not Christian, including the 23 percent who are not religious, that they aren't 'favored members of the political community,' to quote the U.S. Supreme Court."
A local resident reportedly notified the FFRF of the cross, also advising that it includes a Christian message about being saved.
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Virginia KKK Rally Countered by 1,000 Protesters
By Heather Clark on July 9, 201719 Comments
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — A KKK rally in Virginia was met with a swelling protest on Saturday.
An estimated 50 Klan members gathered in Charlottesville to express objection to the city council's decision to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from Lee Park, which has now been renamed Emancipation Park.
The statue has stood since 1924, but has recently become the subject of debate as some consider the display to be racist and "an emblem of white supremacy." An injunction has currently stalled the removal until a court hearing in November.
"The liberals are taking away our heritage," James Moore of the Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan told the Washington Post prior to the event. "By taking these monuments away, that's what they're working on. They're trying to erase the white culture right out of the history books."
KKK Imperial Wizard David Duke also urged his Twitter followers to attend the rally.
However, an estimated 1,000 people also turned out on Saturday to stand against the Klan.
Some KKK members wore traditional white or black garb and hoods, and held out their hands in Nazi salutes. Chants of "white power" could also be heard, according to video footage recorded by attendees, and one member held a sign claiming through the citation of Scripture that "Jews are Satan's children."
But members of the public also held signs such as "Racism destroys lives," "Jesus said love your neighbor" and "Love trumps hate," as they lined the streets surrounding the rally.
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