School Prayer Law Moves Forward

Missouri lawmakers have approved a state constitutional amendment guaranteeing Missourians' right to pray in public places, including schools. If the State Senate goes along with the house, the proposal would appear on a statewide ballot next year. Although supporters say it doesn’t allow anything that’s not already permitted, they hope it will prevent students from being stopped from praying in public schools. Detractors say it’s pointless and a waste of money to hold a statewide election on a constitutional amendment that would have no practical effect.

What Would Jesus Do?

The novel that inspired the phrase What Would Jesus Do is being turned into a film. Charles Sheldon’s In His Steps What Would Jesus Do? was has sold more than 40 million copies since it was first published in 1896. Entertainment Group is producing the film and Nasser Entertainment will distribute it. John Schneieder (Bo Duke in the TV series The Dukes of Hazzard) will play one of the roles of four people: a singer, a newspaper editor, a wealthy philanthropist and a Minister (who loses his faith). Each one vows to walk in the steps of Jesus by asking themselves What Would Jesus Do?

Waiting for IRS Reaction

33 pastors are still waiting to hear from the IRS about their protest during last year's presidential election. They told their congregations to cast their ballots according to the conservative views they say are espoused in the Bible. Some directly endorsed John McCain for president. The coordinated protest across the country called Pulpit Freedom Sunday was designed to be a direct challenge to the agency’s rules preventing religious nonprofits from supporting or opposing political candidates.

Baptists Lose Members

Southern Baptists lost members last year and baptized the fewest people in more than 20 years. Baptisms fell for the fourth straight year to just over 342,000. That’s a drop of just over one percent, according to the denomination’s Annual Church Profile put together by LifeWay Christian Resources. Total membership fell by more than 38,000 (that’s a .02 percent drop).

Preacher Probe Ongoing

A congressional probe of several televangelists is not over. Senator Charles Grassley started the investigation 17 months ago. He’s looking into the finances and extravagant lifestyles of Kenneth Copeland, Randy and Paula White, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar and Eddie Long. Some of them have provided Grassley with requested documents but some are dragging their feet on cooperating. The Senator is considering sending out subpoenas for requested documents.

Bama Lawmakers on Miss USA

Alabama lawmakers have passed a resolution praising a Miss USA contestant for her comments against gay marriage. The Alabama House has approved the resolution about Carrie Prejean yesterday on a voice vote. During the competition, judge Perez Hilton asked her about gay marriage during Sunday’s telecast. Prejean said she felt marriage should only be between a man and a woman.

Seminary Closes School

Sinking enrollment has lead to the closure of the School of Church Music and Worship at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The 65-year-old program will merge with the School of Leadership and Church Ministry to form a new School of Church Ministries. The Louisville, Kentucky school has recently struggled financially. Administrators faced a budget shortfall of more than $3 million shortfall at the end of last year. Since then 35 administrative positions have been cut.

Dove Winners

Steven Curtis Chapman won the Dove Award for artist of the year tonight in Nashville. This is the seventh time he’s won the top honor. Last year, Chapman’s seven-year-old daughter was killed when she was accidentally hit by a vehicle driven by her older brother at the family's home. Other winners:

• Female Vocalist of the Year: Natalie Grant (her 4th year in a row)
  


• Male Vocalist of the Year: Brandon Heath
  


• Song of the Year: Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath
  


• Group of the Year: Casting Crowns

Global Warming Survey

Nearly half of Protestant pastors believe global warming is a real man-made problem. About the same number disagree. A recent poll asked whether pastors strongly or somewhat agree that man-made global warming exists.

• 47% of all the pastors surveyed agreed
• 75% of mainline pastors agree
• 32% of evangelical pastors agree
• 61% of mainline pastors reported preaching about the environment several times a year or more
• 23% of evangelical pastors reported preaching about the environment several times a year or more

Source: LifeWay Research

Megachurch Pastor Critique

Seattle pastor Mark Driscoll takes on the teachings of Joel Osteen in the video below.

Latin Pastor to Schuller Church

Robert Schuller’s megachurch has hired an Argentinian preacher to lead its Hispanic ministry. Dante Gebel has appeared on in TV shows and movies and written several motivational books. The Crystal Cathedral in Southern California has a 10,000-member congregation.

Osteen at Yankee Stadium

Joel Osteen is renting out the new Yankee Stadium for about $1.5 million. The Houston televangelist will be the first non-baseball attraction when he speaks on Saturday Tickets are $15 each.

Preacher Sues CNN

WSB-TV reports on a preacher suing CNN for his arrest by security guards while on a sidewalk outside the network's Atlanta headquarters.

Bono On the Soul

U2's Bono from his Op-Ed piece in the New York Times: "Then comes the dying and the living that is Easter. It’s a transcendent moment for me — a rebirth I always seem to need. Never more so than a few years ago, when my father died. I recall the embarrassment and relief of hot tears as I knelt in a chapel in a village in France and repented my prodigal nature — repented for fighting my father for so many years and wasting so many opportunities to know him better. I remember the feeling of “a peace that passes understanding” as a load lifted. Of all the Christian festivals, it is the Easter parade that demands the most faith — pushing you past reverence for creation, through bewilderment at the idea of a virgin birth, and into the far-fetched and far-reaching idea that death is not the end. The cross as crossroads. Whatever your religious or nonreligious views, the chance to begin again is a compelling idea."

Carolina Pastor Indicted

A Charlotte pastor faces charges of tax evasion. Anthony Jinwright leads the 2000 member Greater Salem City of God. Prosecutors say he lived a lavish lifestyle and made millions while filing false state and federal tax returns, tax evasion and making false statements to federal agents.

The Gospel Of Green

Newsweek profiles Evangelical environmentalist Peter Illyn.

Lawsuit Over Evolution

The Institute for Creation Research is suing the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board over a decision not to let it train science teachers by confer a master's degree in science education. The state board ruled the program did not meet state academic standards but the Institute says it came down to its views on evolution.

Miss Cali Controversy

She didn’t win the Miss USA contest Sunday night but first runner-up Carrie Prejean (Miss California) is getting most of the attention. A judge asked her about legalizing same-sex marriage. Her answer: "I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody there. But that's how I was raised and that's how I think it should be.” Prejean says she’s gotten 1,000 new Facebook messages. The title went to Miss North Carolina, Kristen Dalton.

High Court Rejects Challenge

Khristian Oliver’s death sentence will stand. The convicted murderer had ask the Supreme Court to rule that his constitutional rights were violated by Texas jurors because they used Bible during deliberations. Oliver fatally shooting and bludgeoning his victim with the barrel of a gun. While jurors were deciding whether to impose a death sentence, they read a passage about a murder committed with an iron object.

Church Head: Jesus Not Only Way

Jesus is not the only way to God. That’s what the head of the Episcopal church told people attending a special convention. Katherine Jefferts Schori said to insist Jesus is the only way to God is to "limit God."

Schori made the remarks in Peoria, Illinois where she had come to shore up support for the denomination. The local Diocese decided to leave the Episcopal Church in November and realign with the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone. The Episcopal Church has battled local organizations in recent years over homosexuality and the ordination of women.

Name Change for Armstrong Church

The Worldwide Church of God is changing its name. The organization founded by Herbert W. Armstrong was considered a cult by Evangelicals for years. But after Armstrong's death in 1986, the church took a conservative theological turn. The denomination will now be known as Grace Communion International. It’s also become a member of the National Association of Evangelicals.

10 Years Ago.. Columbine

Ten years ago today, two students at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado went on a shooting rampage, killing a dozen classmates and a teacher. They injured 23 others and then killed themselves.

Dave Cullen’s new book titled Columbine tackles some popular misconceptions about the shootings – such as reports that Cassie Bernall was asked if she believed in God before she was shot to death. The 17-year-old Christian supposedly answered "yes" before her death. Her heroism and was popularized by many in the Evangelical community. Cullen says it was another student, Valeen Schnurr, who proclaimed her belief in God as she was shot. Schnurr, on the other hand, survived the attack.

Susan Boyle

When Susan Boyle hit the stage at Britain's Got Talent, audience members rolled their eyes. But the skepticism melted when the 47-year-old began to sing. Father Basil Clark, dean of the district that covers her village in Scotland, told Catholic News Service Boyle has a learning disability that has left her unemployed. But she’s a churchgoing Catholic who’s life revolves around her family and her parish. Clark says she is a "very gentle and very caring" woman of “great faith” and "When I watched the judges' faces it reminded me of what I was like when I first saw Susan singing -- absolutely blown away by the quality of the singing and by that fantastic voice.. I think it's great at one level. It might just be the thing that will make her, but she is a very vulnerable person and it could be quite difficult. Here's the video of her appearance on the show.

Athletes & Evangelists Cross Paths

ESPN offers this article and video on the role of televangelists in professional.

Twittering Away Your Morality

USC researchers say Twitter and other fast-moving social networking windows block out our morality. We simply don’t have enough time to process the information and see what rules apply, they claim. The lead author of the study says, in contrast to the rapid-fire digital environment, “We need to allow for adequate time and reflection.” Children are particularly vulnerable because their brains are still developing.

The scientists asked about a dozen study participants to tell stories. Their brains were the scanned as they tried to recall the stories and attached emotions. Details will be published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

ORU Gets One Million

The Armand Hammer Foundation is giving Oral Roberts University a $1 million gift. The grandson of the late industrialist, Michael Hammer, is behind the effort. He's on the school's board of trustees. Officials say the funds will drop the University’s debt to about $2.5 million. Not long ago it was more than $50 million.

Alamo Sues State

Tony Alamo is suing the state of Arkansas as he waits trial on charges that he took young girls across state lines for sex. Arkansas authorities have already taken 36 children from the cult leader’s compound and Alamo wants to stop child services from taking any more or forcing parents to leave the church in order to regain custody of their children.

Beatle Visit to India

Ringo Starr told reporters at a news conference in New York that he didn’t care for India when the Beatles made their famous visit to the country in 1968. At the time, the band had become followers of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. At a press conference to promote a benefit concert for teaching meditation to children, Starr said, "There were lepers without fingers and noses” and he left after 10 days because "the food was too spicy".

Osteen on Labels

"There was a time where I thought I don't want to be known as "an evangelical" because at the time that meant you were a Republican that was against everything. I think that's changed. That was a few years back. I don't want people to look at me as their minister and say he's a Republican and he's against this, that and the other because my church is made of up of all different types of people. In some ways I would agree with that. That's again probably back to a belief my dad had that he didn't get political because he didn't want to divide the audience. I feel that same way. I don't want to be categorized. Our message is about spreading Christ's love to everybody. If you look at somebody and say he's against that or that or he's on that side, to me people start turning you off because of that."

Megachurch Pastor Joel Osteen in an interview with BeliefNet

Born Agains

A survey of self-described Christians and those who say they are Born Again.

Born agains are twice as likely to strongly agree that:
the Bible is accurate in all the principles it teaches;
that their life has been greatly transformed by their faith;
that a person can be under the influence of spiritual forces such as demons
to hold an unfavorable opinion of Wicca.

Born agains are twice as likely to strongly disagree that:
Satan is just a symbol of evil
that Jesus sinned while He lived on earth.

Born agains are three times as likely to strongly disagree that:
that the Holy Spirit is merely a symbol of God’s power or presence;2
that Mormons are Christians; and that the Bible, Koran and Book of Mormon teach the same truths.

Born agains are one-third more likely to strongly disagree that:
1.to have a definition of God as the omniscient, omnipotent creator and ruler of the world

Source: The Barna Group

MercyMe Makes Splash

MercyMe’s new album hit 18 on Billboards Top 200 Chart in its first week of release. The release is called “10” and sold nearly 30,000 units. It includes a new recording of their hit I Can Only Imagine which features the London Session Orchestra. The group has sold out shows across the country including venues seating up to 18,000. The tour has been broadcast on MercyMeTV.

Obama's Income

President Barack Obama and the first lady made $2.7 million last year. They gave $1400 to five churches. Less than one-percent of their income. And none of it went to the Trinity United Church of Christ. In 2007, the Obama’s gave $26,270 to the church. But this past year he separated from pastor Jeremiah Wright. In all, Obama donated $172,050 to charities, including $25,000 to CARE and the United Negro College Fund.

Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill earned $269,256 last year and gave just $1,885 to charity. That’s also less than one-percent of their income.

A Survey of Unchurched Americans

I am "spiritual" because I want to know more about "God or a higher supreme being":
20- to 29-year olds – Yes 73%
30 years old and older – Yes 62%

I would listen to what someone believes about Christianity:
20- to 29-year olds – Yes 89%
30 years old and older – Yes 75%

"I would be willing to study the Bible if a friend asked me to.”:
20- to 29-year olds – Yes 61%
30 years old and older – Yes 41%

I would attend church if it presented truth to them in an understandable way "that relates to my life now.":
20- to 29-year olds – Yes 63%
30 years old and older – Yes 47%

I would be more likely to attend if people at the church "cared for me as a person.":
20- to 29-year olds – Yes 58%

I would be willing to attend a small group:20- to 29-year olds – Yes 46%
30 years old and older – Yes 27%

Source: LifeWay Research

New Moody President

The Moody Bible Institute has picked its next president. Paul Nyquist will take over the reigns of the school founded in 1886 by evangelist D.L. Moody. Nyquist currently works with Avant Ministries, an international mission that develops churches around the world. He has also pastored churches in the mid-west. Besides the college, other ministries outreaches include Moody Publishers and Moody Radio.

Is the Bible Accurate?

A survey of self-described Christians. Do you believe Bible is accurate in all of the principles it teaches?

Strongly Agree – 55%
Agreeing Somewhat -18%
Disagreed Somewhat - 13%
Strongly Disagree – 9%

Source: The Barna Group

Warren Skips Interview

This past Sunday, Rick Warren was supposed to appear on the ABC show hosted George Stephanopoulos "This Week". But the megachurch pastor decided not to go on the show to clarify his controversial remarks surrounding California’s proposed constitutional amendment to define marriage between a man and a woman.. His church said Warren was exhausted. Warren delivered his Easter sermon at his church in Southern California but was sick Saturday when the ABC interview was due to be taped. Fox News told viewers that Saddleback Church had put varnish on the pulpit right before the services and the fumes got to him. Some bloggers are suggesting that Warren is ducking the marriage controversy. The issue started when he told CNN's Larry King that he did not campaign for passage of the measure. He said, "I am not an anti-gay- or anti-gay-marriage activist. Never have been, never will be.”

Are Mormons Christians?

A survey of self-described Christians. Do you believe Mormons are Christians?

Strongly Agree – 18%
Agreeing Somewhat -21%
Disagreed Somewhat - 12%
Strongly Disagree – 17%

Source: The Barna Group

Ambassador to the Vatican

The Vatican isn’t happy with Barack Obama’s choices to serve as its US ambassador. The Holy See has apparently already turned down three candidates because of their support for abortion rights. One of them is Caroline Kennedy. The Vatican is also upset about Obama’s decision to lift a previous ban on embryonic stem cell research. The president travels to Italy in July and will meet with Pope Benedict XVI.

Most Important Purpose

A survey of self-described Christians. Would you agree that the most important purpose in your life is to “love God with all their heart, mind, strength and soul”?

Strongly Agree – 74%
Agreeing Somewhat -15%
Disagreed Somewhat - 7%
Strongly Disagree – 4%

Source: The Barna Group

Faith's Impact

A survey of self-described Christians. Are you contend that your religious faith has significantly impacted their life.

My faith had “greatly transformed” my life – 59%
My faith “has been helpful but has not greatly transformed” my life – 29%
My religious faith “has not made much of a difference” in who I am and how I live – 9%

Source: The Barna Group

Evil Spirits

A survey of self-described Christians. Do you a person can be under the influence of spiritual forces, such as demons or evil spirits?

Strongly Agree – 39%
Agreeing Somewhat -25%
Disagreed Somewhat - 10%
Strongly Disagree – 18%

Source: The Barna Group

Stolen Equipment Returned

WOAI-TV in San Antonio explains how a church got its stolen equipement back.

The Holy Spirit

A survey of self-described Christians. Do you believe the Holy Spirit is “a symbol of God’s power or presence but is not a living entity”?

Strongly Agree – 38%
Agreeing Somewhat -20%
Disagreed Somewhat - 9%
Strongly Disagree – 25%

Source: The Barna Group

No Gay Housing

Gay students will not get campus housing at Texas Christian University as originally planned. A new living learning area called the DiversCity Q community was supposed to open this fall. Eight students had signed up. TCU is associated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Did Jesus Sin

A survey of self-described Christians. Do you believe Jesus sinned when He lived on earth?

Strongly Agree – 22%
Agreeing Somewhat -17%
Disagreed Somewhat - 9%
Strongly Disagree – 46%

Source: The Barna Group

The Bible vs Other Holy Books

A survey of self-described Christians. How does the Bible compares to other holy books? When faced with the statement that “the Bible, the Koran and the Book of Mormon are all different expressions of the same spiritual truths”.

Strongly Agree – 19%
Agreeing Somewhat -22%
Disagreed Somewhat - 12%
Strongly Disagree – 28%

Source: The Barna Group

Belief About Satan

A survey of self-described Christians. Would you agree with the statement that Satan “is not a living being but is a symbol of evil" ?

Strongly Agree – 40%
Agree Somewhat - 19%
Disagree Strongly – 26%
Disagree Somewhat – 9%

Source: The Barna Group

Faith Groups Losing Gay Rights Fight

The Washington Post take a look at how some faith groups are losing their fight against gay rights.

Warren On Gay Marriage

Rick Warren spoke with Christianity Today magazine about recent media reports that he had changed his position on gay marriage:

In a Beliefnet interview.. Steve Waldman asked me about gay marriage. I said I believe marriage, that term, should be reserved for a man and a woman. I'm not saying same-sex couples don't love each other. I gave some examples of what I think shouldn't be considered to be marriage, like an older guy with a younger woman. Then [Waldman] said, "Are you saying that those are the same thing?" I said, "Oh sure." It made it sound like I was equating homosexuality with pedophilia and incest. I don't believe it, never have, and never would. I don't believe that, but because I made a commitment to not say anything about it, people just ran with it. They were looking for a new poster boy. There's a lot of hatred out there.

No More Christians

The Mosaic Church has hit the Crestview, Florida area with signs and commercials with the slogan No More Christians. A web with the same name promote a series of discussions planned at the church.

Christian But Not Conservative

CNN has a discussion of the growing number of Christians who are not politically conservative.

Obama Hosts Seder

Barack Obama will host a Seder tonight.It's believed to be the first time the traditional Passover meal has been celebrated at the White House.

Pop Winans Dies

The head of the Gospel singing Winans family has died in Nashville. Pop Winans was 74 years old, having suffered a heart attack and stroke in October. His children have won six Grammys and his last recording called Uncensored was nominated for a Grammy for best traditional gospel album in 2000.

Blessing of the Sun

NPR offers a look the Jewish "Blessing of the Sun".

Supreme Court Religious Affiliations

Roman Catholic: Chief Justice John Roberts, Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, Anthony Kennedy, Samuel Alito

Jewish: Stephen Breyer, Ruth Badger Ginsburg

Protestant: John Paul Stevens

Episcopal: David Souter

Pastor Dies in Church

Pastor Rodney Bowling of Grace Point Baptist Church in the north Alabama town of Somerville was found dead inside his church yesterday. The 46-year-old apparently died of a heart attack. Bowling leaves behind three children.

Mags Dropped

The Navigators has decided to stop publication of its two magazines, Discipleship Journal and Pray! will be dropped in favor of developing a greater web presence.

Last year, Ignite Your Faith and CCM Magazine ceased publication. At the same time, Rick Warren has launched a magazine called the Purpose Driven Connection.

Is it Episcopal or Episcopalian?

You may have heard reporters refer to Episcopalian bishops and the Episcopalian Church. But here's how it should work. Episcopal is an adjective (She is an Episcopal priest). Episcopalian is a noun referring to a member of the Episcopal Church (She is an Episcopalian). An Episcopalian can be a minister, in the sense of ministering to others, and this can be either a lay or an ordained ministry. Priests are usually referred to as the Reverend So-and-So, not Reverend So-and-So. (And they're generally addressed as Father So-and-So, not Reverend that's like addressing a judge as Honorable.) Bishops are usually the Right Reverend So-and-So, and addressed as Bishop So-and-So. Bishops can be identified because they wear purple. Bishops are important in the Episcopal Church.

Disgraced Pastor Wants to Lead Again

Henry Lyons wants to lead the National Baptist Convention, USA again – despite the fact he was given more than five years in state prison for racketeering and grand theft. Lyon’s says he’s no longer the man he was a decade ago. The election for president of the denomination takes place in September. Current president William Shaw can’t run again. The only other declared candidate is Julius Scruggs who serves as pastor of the First Missionary Baptist Church, in Huntsville, Alabama.

Rick Warren Switch on Gay Marriage?

Some gay rights websites are suggesting that Rick Warren has switched his position on gay marriage after Warren appeared on CNN’s Larry King Live this week. The megachurch pastor told viewers, "I am not an anti-gay marriage activist. Never have been, never will be.."

10 Years Behind Bars for Praying

An Italian court hsa sentenced a pilot to 10 years in prison for praying instead of taking emergency steps to avoid a crash off the coast of Sicily that killed 16 people four years ago. 23 people survived. Chafik Gharby was flying the Tunisian bound airline when it developed problems. Investigators say it had a wrong part installed and Chafik could have glided the plane for a landing. Prosecutors claim he panicked and crashed the plane, praying when he should have been taking emergency measures. His voice on a recording can be heard asking from help from "Allah and Muhammad his prophet".

Focus Employee Indicted

A man who works in the Spanish broadcasting department of Focus on the Family is facing charges that he used the internet to arrange sex with a teenage girl. Juan Alberto Ovalle also narrates the Bible in Spanish on CDs for Trans World Radio. Police arrested him after he drove to meet the girl. She turned out to be an undercover officer.

Disgraced Leader Wants Comeback

Henry Lyons wants to lead the National Baptist Convention, USA again – despite the fact he was given more than five years in state prison for racketeering and grand theft. Lyon’s says he’s no longer the man he was a decade ago. The election for president of the denomination takes place in September. Current president William Shaw can’t run again. The only other declared candidate is Julius Scruggs who serves as pastor of the First Missionary Baptist Church, in Huntsville, Alabama.

No war with Islam

"Let me say this as clearly as I can. The United States is not, and never will be, at war with Islam. In fact, our partnership with the Muslim world is critical."

A remark made by President Obama today in Turkey during his first visit to a Muslim-majority nation.

Mosques Point in Wrong Direction

About 200 mosques older in Islam's holiest city of Mecca point pilgrims in the wrong direct for prayers, according to the BBC. Mosques are supposed to indicate the direction of the most sacred Islamic site of an ancient cube-like building in Mecca's Grand Mosque called the Kaaba. The misleading Mosques in Mecca were spotted by people in high-rises.

One Year Ago.. Texas Polygamist Compound

More than 180 women and children were taken from The Yearn for Zion Ranch near Eldorado, Texas by Texas Child Protective Services one year ago. Jailed polygamous religious leader Warren Jeffs leads the breakaway Mormon sect. Reports from local media suggested the group had first refused to allow authorities on the compound. Police began a roadblock around the secluded retreat.

The End of Christian America

Newsweek offers this article on the fall of the number of self-identifying Christians in the US.

Jesus Sightings

A video of local newscasts about supposed sightings of Jesus and his mother in everyday objects.

Marriage Law Struck Down

Iowa’s high court says the state's same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional. That makes Iowa the third state where marriage is legal. The Iowa Supreme Court ruling was unanimous. It upholds a lower court ruling that strikes the language limiting marriage to only between a man a woman. It will be at least several weeks before gay and lesbian couples can seek marriage licenses in Iowa because a request for a rehearing could be filed.

Housing Bubble

An economist for the International Monetary Fund found that during the last two housing booms, regions with high concentrations of evangelicals saw lower gains in home prices and less volatility than similar regions with fewer evangelical residents. Here's a charge showing the difference produced by the New York Times. Read the full story here.

A Survey of Pastors

More people from outside your church are asking for help.
Yes - 62%

You have more requests for help from church members.
Yes – 31%

Are some of your church members out of work?
Yes – 40%

Has your church has increased spending to help the needy.
Yes – 37%

You have recently given personally to people in need?
Yes – 27%

Source: LifeWay Research

Gingrich Becomes Catholic

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich will be received into the Catholic Church at St. Joseph's Church in Washington this weekend.

Flood Victims' Faith

CNN offers this report on how faith is sustaining flood victims.

Judge: Under God OK

A Texas judge has dismissed a lawsuit asking that the words "under God" be taken out of the Texas pledge of allegiance recited each morning by public schoolchildren. David Croft claims it’s a violation of separation of church and state. He has three children who are enrolled at the Carrollton-Farmers School District.

The Robe

The Robe is out on DVD after a major restoration effort. The 1953 Biblical film was a critical and box office success. It chronicled what happened after Jesus’ crucifixion from the Roman point of view. It was the first film released CinemaScope. Based on a 1942 novel by Lloyd C. Douglas, the film featured Richard Burton as the Roman army officer charged with carrying out the crucifixion. He went on a search for the robe of Jesus and in the process became a devoteed Christian.

Paulk Dies

Earl Paulk has died in Atlanta. The megachurch pastor was in his 80's and had battled cancer for years. His Cathedral at Chapel Hill rose to a membership of 10,000 in the '90s but was later rocked by sex scandals. His son, D.E. Paulk is now leader of the church. For years the younger Paulk believed the elder was his uncle. But the biological connection beame public in 2007 after several women alleged they had affairs with Paulk. He was also accused of sexually abusing several children but denied the allegations.

Abortion Doc: Not Guilty

A Wichita jury has a found late-term abortion doctor not guilty of committing 19 counts of a misdemeanor stemming from his medical practice. Prosecutors accused George Tiller of failing to abide by a state law that requires an independent physician to consult on late-term abortions. But Tiller’s troubles are not over with just yet. The Kansas medical board says its investigating him over the same issues.

Obama Controversy at Notre Dame

Dobson's Rebel Son

A profile by the Denver Post of Ryan Dobson - James Dobson's son.

Does Satan Exist

Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church appeared on ABC's Nightline last night to face off on the question as to whether Satan exists or not. Here's a link to the show.

Evolution in Texas

The Texas State Board of Education has turned aside an effort to make public school teachers explain “weaknesses” in the theory of evolution during science class. The board deadlocked 7-to-7 on the proposal. The tie keeps in place a decision made by the board at the first of the year to do away with a rule that required the "strengths and weaknesses" of all scientific theories be taught.

Lesbian Ordination Stopped

A setback for gay rights supports in the Presbyterian Church, USA. The denomination has stopped the application for ordination of a lesbian deacon. The San Francisco presbytery had given Lisa Larges the green light. But a church commission overturned the decision. Larges has been turned down twice already because she is a lesbian.

Abortion Doc on Trial

Closing arguments are planned for tomorrow in the trial of a Kansas abortion doctor. George Tiller is accused of breaking a Kansas law requiring two physicians without legal or financial ties sign off on any late-term procedure. He's one of the few doctors in the country who perform abortions in the last trimester of pregnancy. Tiller took the stand yesterday and the defense rested today.

Fake Schuller Twitters

The 82-year-old founder of the Crystal Cathedral has an online imposter. Someone is pretending to be megachurch pastor Robert H. Schuller and already has 1000 Twitter followers. The company quickly suspended the account this week when the problem was brought to its attention. The posers posts indicated he or she knows a lot about Schuller’s background.

Schuller isn’t the first. A fake Stephen Colbert drew more than 70,000 followers.

Churches Hit by Recession

A CNN report on churches struggling with the recession.

Cleveland Church Closings

A CNN report on some Catholic faithful who are upset about plans to close churches on the west side of Cleveland.

Christian Book Expo

The Christian Book Expo drew a disappointing 1500 people at its first ever meeting in Dallas over the weekend.

In God We Still Trust

The St. Johns County School Board near Jacksonville, Florida is being sued by a group of parents over a song called In God We Still Trust. It was supposed to be included as part of a end-of-the-year school program but was cut when the complaints started. The parents was the school board to pay damages because – even though the children never sang the song in public - their kids had to learn the lyrics to it.

Amazing Race: Episode 6

On last night’s edition of The Amazing Race, the teams found themselves in the slums of India. Father and son Mel and Mike finish second. Two former fight attendants arrived last and were eliminated. The teams next head to Thailand.

Mel White is a one-time speechwriter for Pat Robertson and Billy Graham who has now turned to gay-rights activism. He’s teamed with his son, Mike White who wrote the screen play for the films School of Rock and Nacho Libre.

Pastor Hands Out Shot Glasses

A Methodist pastor is making it a habit of handing out shot glasses at local bars. Glen Hanson of Cross Point United Methodist Church in Des Moines, Iowa is already known for doing things a bit different. His congregation meets in a high school auditorium, candles are replaced by glow sticks on Christmas Eve and often his 140-pound dog on home visits. He handed out barf bags on Ash Wednesday to symbolize the need to cleanse ourselves. Hanson recently started advertising the church by passing out shot glasses at bars. Cross Point United Methodist Church is printed on the side.

Pastor Fined for Illustration

A pastor in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin got in trouble for an sermon illustration. John Putnam had a member fire a steel-tipped practice arrow across the front of the congregation at Pentecostals of Sheboygan County. One member stood to complain about it before the arrow was even fired. He was told to sit down and be quiet. When he complained again, Putnam asked the man to leave. Police gave the pastor and the man who shot the arrow several citations. Each will pay more than $100 in fines. Putnam was talking about spiritual armor: The helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit and the belt of truth.

Theft of Church Money

"Satan had a big part in the theft."

An Arlington, Washington woman quoted in a local newspaper who worked at the Arlington Free Methodist Church. She's charged with forging the pastor's name on more than 80 checks worth more than $73,000. She called a detective last year and confessed to stealing money from a former employer.

The New Calvinisim

TIME magazine takes a look at how Calvinism is influencing American Evangelicalism.

College Gets Court Victory Against College Group

It's OK for the University of California’s Hastings College of the Law to refuse to recognize the Christian Legal Society because the student group will not allow gay and lesbian members. That's the ruling of the 9th Circuit Appeals court, upholding a 2006 ruling by a San Francisco judge. The CLS has more than 160 chapters across the country at law schools.

Amazing Race: Episode 5

On the most recent episode of the CBS show Amazing Race, Mel and Mike had to deliver a Russian bride to her wedding and Mike had to strip down to his underwear before going for a 1.4 mile run with two local runners. They finished in 4th place.

Mel White is a one-time speechwriter for Pat Robertson and Billy Graham who has now turned to gay-rights activism. He’s teamed with his son, Mike White who wrote the screen play for the films School of Rock and Nacho Libre.

Christians on American Idol

An M-TV story on Christian signers on American Idol.

A second article on reaction to first story.

Fast-Growing Methodist Church Drops Out

Witchata's GracePoint Community Church is breaking away from the United Methodist Church. The fast-growing 700-member congregation will meet this Sunday at a local high school. The Bishop of the Kansas-West Conference of the United Methodist Church says the conference would maintain its own GracePoint United Methodist Church. Bryson Butts resigned as GracePoint United Methodist pastor this past Sunday and says the new church has no beef with the United Methodist Conference. The church became known for attracting a young audience through use of secular music and sophisticated light and sound. There are even advertisements paid for by GracePoint that says Church Doesn't Suck.

Haggard on Divorce Court

He once lead one of America's largest Evangelical churches. Now Former megachurch pastor Ted Haggard and his wife will appear on the April 1st edition of the TV show Divorce Court. Judge Lynn Toler will interview the couple about how their marriage after it became public that he was having a sexual relationship with a Denver male escort. Producers aren't saying how much they are paying Haggard for the appearance.

One Year ago..Wright and Obama

One Year ago.. Barack Obama dropped Jeremiah Wright, from his African American Religious Leadership Committee after controversial remarks he made surfaced about Aids and 9/11. Obama said at the time that he was still a member Wright's church of but decided to distance himself from remarks the mega-church pastor.

Wright has suggested that the U.S. brought the 9/11 attacks on itself and accused the federal government of spreading the AIDS virus in the African-American community. Wright has since retired from the 8000-member Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.

Obama was married at Trinity and his three daughters were baptized there. He gave $22,500 to the church in 2006 but says he was unaware of Wright's remarks until 2007.

Inauguration Lawsuit Dismissed

A judge has thrown out a lawsuit filed to stop references to God at the presidential inauguration as unconstitutional. Atheist activist Michael Newdow and the American Humanist Association wanted to stop traditional prayer and references like "so help me God”. A request for an injunction was turned down just days before the inauguration. The decision could be appealed.