Tim Tebow’s Gospel of Optimism

Read the story here in the New York Times.

Pastor's Music Video Slams Gingrich

An Iowa pastor is sending out a satirical rap video against Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich. Sioux City pastor Cary Gordon criticizes Gingrich for his three marriages and admitted marital infidelities on the tape. Gordon, an associate pastor at Cornerstone World Outreach, has endorsed Rick Santorum. See the video below.

Debating the Bible in Chalk

There's a controversy brewing on the campus of Salisbury University in Maryland. The Atheist Society of Salisbury and the Salisbury University Cru (formerly the Campus Crusade for Christ) have been battling in chalk. Students from each group are writing Bible verses on the sidewalk and then debating them on Facebook. The Student Government Association and the Dean have met with each side, trying to keep the discussion civil. Some people at the school have complained the verses are offensive to them. The janitorial staff washes the evidence away as they make their rounds while the administration simple "chalks it up" to an expression of free speech. There are two examples of the chalking below.

Perry: Obama's War on Religion

Rick Perry has a new TV ad out, charging that Barack Obama is fighting a "war on religion." Perry says, "You don't need to be in the pew every Sunday to know there's something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can't openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school.. As President, I'll end Obama's war on religion. And I'll fight against liberal attacks on our religious heritage." See it below.

American Attitudes toward churches

A new LifeWay Research survey shows how favorable Americans are toward some denominations:

62% are favorable toward Methodists
59% are favorable toward Catholics
53% are favorable toward Southern Baptists
37% are favorable toward Latter-day Saints (Mormons)
28% are favorable toward Muslims.

This denomination is not for me:
35% strongly agree that a Southern Baptist church is not for them
33% strongly agree that a Catholic church is not for them
29% strongly agree that other Baptist churches are not for them
26% strongly agree that a Methodist church is not for them
20% strongly agree that a nondenominational church is not for them

44% Knowing a church is Southern Baptist would negatively impact their decision to visit or join the church
36% Knowing a church is Southern Baptist would have no impact
10% Knowing a church is Southern Baptist would positively impact their decision.

Graham Back Home

Billy Graham is out of the hospital. The 93-year-old evangelist was treated for pneumonia at Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina. He's now on oral medication and undergoing physical therapy.

Religion Powerful Force in 2012 Race

ABC News takes a look at the role religion will play in next year's political races here.

Christian Book Store Struggles in Internet Culture

Fox News takes a look at the financial struggles of Christian bookstores here.

Why Tim Tebow stirs debate

A look at Denver quarterback Tim Tebow and public displays of faith in the NFL in a USA Today article here.

Ban on churches in schools Upheld

A court ruling that churches can't use space in New York City schools during off hours will stand. In 1995, the Bronx Household of Faith sued the city but lost. The church appealed to the Supreme Court, but today the high court declined to take the case, letting the lower court ruling stand. Some 60 congregations in New York City use public school building for worship services.

Lawsuit over School Event

The ACLU is suing the Chesterfield County, South Carolina school board over a school assembly held in September at New Heights Middle School. It featured a Christian rapper and a youth evangelist. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Jonathan Anderson who is an atheist and his son, who attends the school. They say the rally was an unconstitutionally promotion of Christianity. The school district says it hasn't seen the lawsuit yet.

Church reverses interracial couple decision

A Kentucky church that recently banned mixed-race couples from joining the congregation has reversed itself. Gulnare Free Will Baptist Church voted unanimously yesterday to overturn the policy. The controversy started when the daughter of the church secretary brought an African born fiance to a church service where they sang.

A Christmas Quiz

1. What did the angels sing to the shepherds?
2. In what direction did the Wise Men see the star in the sky?
3. Where did the wise men go to see the baby?
4. How many wise men were there?
5. In which season of the year was Jesus born?
6. What did Mary ride on to Bethlehem?
7. What did the wise men ride on?
8. In what country did the Christmas tree originate?
9. In what century did Christmas celebrations begin?
10. Was there ever an original, real Santa Claus?
11. What Christmas tradition commemorating the birth of Jesus
did St. Francis of Assisi begin?
12. Did Jesus tell us to remember his birth?

Answers Here