Category Archives: Law and Faith

Culture, Culture News, Current Events, Law and Faith, Politics, Promotionals, Testimonies

Miss California Shares Untold Story

Miss California Carrie Prejean

Miss California Shares Untold Stories with Her San Diego Megachurch

By Eric Young
Christian Post Reporter
Mon, Apr. 27 2009 04:29 PM EDT

Miss California Carrie Prejean appeared onstage Sunday at the San Diego megachurch where she is a member to share about the events of this past week.

Since the Miss USA competition on April 19, Prejean has gone from interview to interview discussing her highly publicized comments on same-sex marriage – comments that many agree likely cost her the crown.

During the pageant in Las Vegas, openly gay gossip blogger Perez Hilton had asked Prejean whether every state should follow Vermont’s recent move to legalize same-sex marriage.

In her response, 21-year-old Prejean said she thinks “it’s great that Americans are able to … choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage.”

“And you know what, in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman,” she continued. “No offense to anybody out there, but that’s how I was raised and that’s how I think it should be between a man and a woman.”

Since then, Prejean has experienced a huge backlash from some liberal media outlets and some within the gay community, including Hilton, who fired back with a malicious video posting in his blog.

But more than criticism, Prejean has received a great deal of support, some of which has also come from members of the gay community, who told Prejean that people like Hilton are not a representation of who they are.

“I just want to thank everybody so much for your support, for the letters, e-mail, messages I’ve gotten,” Prejean said Sunday in front of her home church, The Rock Church in San Diego. “[And] I want to thank the gay community for their support, for apologizing to me on behalf of this man (Hilton) that said this to me and the personal attacks that he has on me.”

During her appearance Sunday, Prejean shared about her experiences from the time the politically charged question was asked to the several interviews that she went on to give, which included those on Fox News and NBC’s Today Show, among others.

[Continue Reading…]

Culture News, Current Events, Law and Faith, Politics, Theology

Are Pastor’s Going To Be Free To Preach Against Sin?

House agrees to muzzle pastors with ‘hate crimes’ plan
‘This is first time protected status given to whatever sexual orientation one has’

Posted: April 30, 2009
WorldNetDaily

===================

The U.S. House today approved a federal “hate crimes” bill that would provide special protections to homosexuals but leave Christian ministers open to prosecution should their teachings be linked to any subsequent offense, by anyone, against a “gay.”

The vote, 249-175, came despite intense from Republicans who argued the measure would create a privileged class.

Bishop Harry Jackson Jr. of the High Impact Leadership Coalition also condemned the action, offering a warning about the nation’s future.

He was interviewed on the issue by Greg Corombos of Radio America/WND.

Jackson said the action puts “sexual orientation” in a specially protected class under federal law.

“Based on history, it really isn’t something that needs to be protected,” he said. “There’s a problem that this is going to mark the first time that a protected class status is given to … whatever sexual orientation one has.”

He said the experience in other countries has led to prosecution of Christians. In Sweden, for example, a minister was sentenced to 30 days in jail for preaching from Leviticus.

Similar state laws have resulted in similar results. In Philadelphia several years ago, a 73-year-old grandmother was jailed for trying to share Christian tracts with people at a homosexual festival, Jackson said.

…

Under the specifications of the law, a Christian needn’t touch a homosexual to face charges, he noted.

“If the homosexual merely claims he was subjectively placed in ‘apprehension of bodily injury’ by the Christian’s words then, again, the Christian can be thrown in prison for a felony ‘hate crime,'” he said.

WND reported previously that the plan was introduced by Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., who said, “The bill only applies to bias-motivated violent crimes and does not impinge public speech or writing in any way.”

Section 10 of the act states, “Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, shall be construed to prohibit any expressive conduct protected from legal prohibition by, or any activities protected by the free speech or free exercise clauses of, the First Amendment to the Constitution.”

However, critics cite United States Code Title 18, Section 2, as evidence of how the legislation could be used against people who merely speak out against homosexuality. It states: Whoever commits an offense against the United States or aids, abets, counsels, commands, induces or procures its commission, is punishable as a principal.

Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern, warned Christians to speak up before the legislation passes. He said they are acting like the proverbial frog in a slowly heating kettle that boils to death.

“They need to wake up and take action to oppose this threat to religious liberty.”

[Read Full Article Here]

Culture News, Law and Faith, Politics

Culture News: New UK “Sex Ed” Proposals Offer No Opt-Out For Religious Schools

From the Christian Post:

LONDON – Christians have spoken out against government plans to introduce new rules that would require schools to teach 11-year-old students about homosexuality and civil partnerships during compulsory sex education classes.

Until now, school headteachers have had the option of not teaching about homosexuality and civil partnerships, but if adopted, the rules will apply to all secondary schools, with no opt-out for religious schools.

A formal consultation needs to be completed before the rules can come into effect, but once they do, the new will apply in primary and secondary schools starting from the 2011-12 academic year. Along with sex education, classes on the dangers of alcohol, drugs and on financial education will be compulsory.

Under the proposals, 4- and 5-year-olds will be taught about different body parts and lessons on sex will be taught at the age of nine.

Between the ages of 11 and 14, students will be taught about contraception, pregnancy, sexual activity and sexually transmitted diseases.

The guidelines also state that “students should address the role and benefits of marriage and civil partnerships in stable relationships and family life.”

…The proposed rules also state that while religious schools will be required to teach lessons that may be against their beliefs, they will also be allowed to teach their faith position on the issue.

[Read Full Article Here]

Culture News, Current Events, History, Law and Faith, Politics, Roman Catholicism, Sacraments, Theology

Culture News: D.C.-Area Bishops To Enforce Communion Ban On Sebelius

Well, I cannot say that this is not relevant to our nations current historical setting. In fact, I would go so far as to say that this is going to be a very important moment in the coming culture shift that grows stronger every day that newly appointed secularists and anti-Christs are confirmed into the Government’s leading ranks.

Here is the news story from The Bulletin:

Two Washington, D.C.-area Catholic bishops have instructed Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, D-Kan., President Barack Obama’s pick to Be Secretary Of Health and Human Services, to refrain from receiving Holy Communion on account of her stances on human-life issues such as abortion and embryonic stem cell research.

This comes as Ms. Sebelius undergoes Senate confirmation hearings before the Committee on on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

In May 2008, Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kan. told Ms. Sebelius that she should not present herself to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion. Last week, Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C. and Bishop Paul Loverde of Arlington, Va., both said that they would enforce Archbishop Naumann’s orders while Ms. Sebelius is in their respective dioceses.

Ms. Sebelius ran afoul of Catholic leaders for her strident support of abortion. She has been connected with late-term abortionist Geroge Tiller, who was found not guilty of violating Kansas’ late-term abortion laws at a trial earlier this week. Dr. Tiller still faces an investigation that could strip him of his medical license.

Ms. Sebelius was asked to refrain from the Eucharist in accordance with Canon 915 of the Catholic Code of Canon Law. According to that Canon, “those upon whom the penalty of excommunication or interdict has been imposed or declared, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin, are not to be admitted to Holy Communion.”

[HT: In Light of the Gospel]

Culture, Current Events, Debate, History, Law and Faith, Politics

Obama’s Attack on Medical Civil Liberties

Here is a disturbing list of things that President Obama has already done since he’s been in office for under 3 months (by Newt Gingrich and Rick Tyler):

  • Efforts to roll back freedom of conscience protections are only the latest in a series of aggressive actions that demonstrate intolerance for those whose conscience is convicted in support of a culture of life:
  • In the first month of his presidency, Obama reversed the established Mexico City policy that kept taxpayer money from being used by international organizations for abortions as a method of family planning protecting millions of American from paying for a procedure that they find morally objectionable.
  • Last week, the President unilaterally lifted embryonic-stem-cell research restrictions.
  • In the President’s recent healthcare summit, groups that support abortion were invited but pro-life groups with a stake in healthcare were excluded.
  • With the President’s support, Congress recently approved $50 million in funding for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). UNFPA is complicit in China’s unspeakably cruel one-child enforcement policy, which employs forced abortion and sterilization.
  • The President’s nomination of Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius to be the new Secretary of Health and Human Services prompted George Weigel who leads Catholic Studies at the Ethics and Public Policy Center to question whether “conscience-rights protection for pro-life physicians and health-care workers [will] be sustained, amended, or eliminated.”
  • In February, the Administration decided that it would no longer extend hiring protections to faith-based organizations but would instead review on a “case-by-case basis.

. . . . . . .

Yet, the most hostile assault against the civil liberties in the medical profession may be yet to come.

In 2007, Obama promised a Planned Parenthood gathering on the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade that, as president, he would sign the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). If enacted, FOCA would repeal all federal and state restrictions on abortion including the ban on partial-birth abortion. FOCA would force all public hospitals and health programs offering maternity services to provide abortions. Moreover, provisions in state constitutions that protect speech and the free exercise of religion of those whose conscience is opposed to abortion could be invalidated.

Having no reason to believe that President Obama will not fulfill this radical campaign pledge, some Catholic bishops are talking openly about engaging in civil disobedience to protect Catholic hospitals and their doctors from being forced to perform abortions.

The chilling effect of the Obama administration forcing doctors and nurses to choose between their losing their careers and being compelled to participate in abortions against their moral and religious belief is incalculable. Not only will pro-life doctors and nurses be driven from the professions, but patients will lose the ability to choose doctors who reflect their own religious and moral convictions, doctors who now help them to make healthcare choices based upon them.

The fact is, there are doctors and nurses who have no moral objection to abortion. Why then, should some medical professionals be compelled to do something that compromises their conscience? It is one thing to hold fast to the pro-abortion position as a matter of a personal opinion, it is quite another to force someone else to compromise their moral integrity.

Now the clock is ticking on the thirty-day review and public feedback period where public opinion might change the administration’s direction toward religious freedom. Let’s hope. [Continue Reading…]

Culture News, Current Events, Law and Faith, Politics, Prayer Requests

Culture News: NC Judge’s decision threatens homeschoolers everywhere

From the Evangelical Examiner:

Many Christian families homeschool their kids all over the United States. Each state has different rules about homeschooling and the curriculum, what is happening in North Carolina is downright assault against all homeschoolers everywhere. On top of that, most homeschooled kids will far exceed Publicly Educated kids by wide margins when it comes to test scores.

Venessa Mills is fighting a legal battle for the heart and soul of homeschooling in North Carolina. As reported on World Net Daily, on Friday, March 6, Judge Ned W. Mangum stripped her of the right to homeschool, and ordered her three children to enter public school.

The Mills children; in testing, are as much as two years ahead of Publicly Schooled children of the same age. But even with abundant evidence showing the Mills children are well adjusted and well educated, Judge Mangum ruled overwhelmingly against Mrs. Mills on every point. Judge Mangum was unwilling to look at statistics and the children’s records in an unbiased way. A simple fact is that ‘most’ homeschooled children do much better than any Publicly schooled child.

When issuing his verdict Judge Mangum stated his decision was not ideologically or religiously motivated. However, he told Mrs. Mills public school will “challenge the ideas you’ve taught them.” In other words, Judge Mangum is a liberal judge who wants to retrain the children in a way that they succumb to the ways and teachings of “government”

What has emerged is a picture of a clearly liberal judge imposing his beliefs and striking down traditional values. Mangum, a Democrat appointee, disregarded the facts of the case in favor of his own agenda. Such anti-conservative prejudice is increasingly legislated from the bench, and appears to be encouraged by the Democratic Obama administration.  It’s just another way that Judge’s impose their Social Engineering on people.

On March 24th lawmakers in North Carolina will be reminded of the sheer numbers of homeschoolers in their state. As students and their parents descend on the capitol, organizers of the Capital Fest 2009 field trip will show they have a voice in North Carolina legislation regarding education.

Homeschoolers from across the nation are asked to fight back to defend their rights as Americans to educate their children. Many feel that the judge has been given a free hand to impose his personal opinions and needs to reexamine his decisions. You can find more information on how to participate at HSinjustice.com.

[HT: Paul Jones]

Culture News, Current Events, Debate, Law and Faith, Politics

Culture News: Ban Marriage in California… that will solve everything!

Prop. 8 Opponents Begin Effort to Strike ‘Marriage’ from Calif. Law

By Lawrence Jones
Christian Post Reporter
Wed, Mar. 11 2009 08:19 AM EDT

Proposition 8 opponents received permission Tuesday from the California Secretary of State’s office to begin collecting petition signatures toward a repeal of the state’s same-sex marriage ban.

The initiative would side step the issue of same-sex marriage by making all couples eligible for marriage benefits regardless of their sexual orientation. If approved, the initiative would strike the word “marriage” from all state laws and replace it with the term “domestic partnership.”

The measure would also repeal Proposition 8, California’s constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

State Attorney General Jerry Brown submitted the official title and summary for the measure on Monday, about a week after the state Supreme Court heard arguments challenging the validity of Proposition 8.

The official and title summary for the measure is as follows:

Substitutes Domestic Partnership for Marriage in California Law. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
Replaces the term “marriage” with the term “domestic partnership” throughout California law, but preserves the rights provided in marriage. Applies equally to all couples, regardless of sexual orientation. Repeals the provision in California’s Constitution that states only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.

The proponents of the measure are two Southern California college students, Kaelan Housewright and Ali Shams. They must collect around 695,000 signatures, or 8 percent of the total votes cast for governor in the 2006 gubernatorial election, by August 6 in order to qualify for the 2010 ballot…

[Continue Reading…]

Culture, Current Events, History, Law and Faith, Politics, Science

Obama’s Legacy: Promoting a Culture of Death

Ryan T. Anderson:

President Obama today [March 9th, 2009] fulfilled his campaign promise to lift federal-funding restrictions on research involving the destruction of human embryos. He couldn’t have done so at a more inappropriate time, for just last week scientists made headlines again announcing yet another breakthrough in what is known as “induced pluripotent stem-cell” technology. Following up on the initial breakthrough in November 2007 that allowed scientists to produce the biological equivalent of embryonic stem cells without creating, using, or destroying any human embryos, scientists have continued to refine their methods. Last week’s announcement was the latest in a long string of developments. If Obama truly wants to find honorable compromises that the entire nation can accept in good conscience and even endorse, he should be promoting these alternative sources.

During the ceremony this morning, Obama announced that by signing this executive order “we will lift the ban on federal funding for promising embryonic stem cell research.” Of course there never was a ban on federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research. President Bush was, in fact, the first president in history to fund embryonic stem cell research. The compromise Bush reached, however, put restrictions in place that prevented the further destruction of human embryos. It is these restrictions protecting human life that Obama has lifted.

[HT: James Grant]