Both Sides Condemn Violence

WTVT-TV in Tampa reports on the fallout over the Tiller Murder.

Court Appearance for Accused

The man suspected of gunning down a Wichita abortion doctor George Tiller is expected to make his first court appearance this afternoon. Tiller was shot to death in the foyer of the Reformation Lutheran Church while serving an a usher shortly after the morning service began. He was one of a handful of doctors in the country performing late term abortions. He

The accused, Scott Roeder, describes himself a citizen of the Republic of Kansas who refused to recognized the US Government, failing to pay income or Social Security taxes. Roeder also belonged to a group called One Supreme Court that declared federal and state laws did not apply to him. Police found bomb-making materials during a search of his car in 1996. An appeals court overturned his conviction. The search was declared illegal. Roeder's brother has a history of mental illness.

Politics at Liberty U

A Liberty University official wants an apology from the College Democrats club. Vice president of student affairs Mark Hine says he never told club members that Democrats could not be Christians or that the club couldn’t meet. The accusation was repeated in the media and MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann selected Hine for his Worst Person in the World segment. Club members met with Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. this week after Liberty revoked its official recognition. The Christian school objects to the group’s support of the Democratic Party’s pro-choice platform and candidates. While the club can still meet, until it is reinstated, the Liberty College Democrats will not get any funds from the University, be allowed to use the school’s name or invite outside speakers.

Order to Stop Bible Study

A San Diego pastor says he's being harassed by county officials for holding the Bible study at his home each week. David Jones was given a written warning that warned to "stop religious assembly or apply for a major use permit" which would cost tens of thousands of dollars. Here's a video report on the controversy from KGTV.

Whatever Happened to.. Robert Tilton?

Here's a story from the the Dallas Morning News about televangelist Robert Tilton.

Cable Channel Bought

Robert Schuller (the younger one) and the founder of GodTube are buying AmericanLife TV. The cable channel reaches about 13 million subscribers. Schuller (former Crystal Cathedral pastor) and Chris Wyatt say it won’t become another religious network but plan to change the on-air look and change it into a “family values” channel.

Gay Marriage Survey

Most Americans oppose gay marriage by 57-40% in a new Gallup Poll. In 1996 the percentage was 68-27%. Here are some other findings from the survey:

Only 18-to-29-year-olds favor gay marriage: 59-37%
Moderates favor gay marriage: 50-46%
Most Americans favor allowing gays to adopt: 54%
A slim majority believe gay relations between consenting adults should be legal: 56-40%

Meyer Ministry Entangled in Suit

Joyce Meyer Ministries is being drawn further into a murder investigation. The organization's former security chief is facing murder charges after the bodies of his wife and two sons were found in their home. Ministry records including information about insurance policies, work history, pensions and travel records are being requested as part of a wrongful death lawsuit filed yesterday by the mother and brother of the slain wife. Christopher Coleman resigned from the ministry shortly after the murders. Lawyers want to explore how much Joyce Meyer Ministry was aware of what was going on with Coleman and his family. Meyer herself visited the Coleman house not long after the bodies were discovered to offer condolences. A family spokesman says any money recovered by the lawsuit will go to a memorial fund.

First for Vatican Radio

Vatican Radio plans to run commercials starting in July. Listeners can hear the pope's broadcasts and news of the Catholic Church on FM radio stations throughout Italy or over the internet. The service is first began in 1931 and has never run ads – until now.

Mormon Church on Prop 8

Here's a statement from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the California Supreme Court's decision to uphold Proposition 8.

Prop 8 Upheld

The California Supreme Court has upheld the gay marriage ban known as proposition 8. California voters passed the contitutional amendment last year in a close election. That means the state will not allow marriage licenses to be issued to same-sex couples. The court also decided that the some 18,000 gay couples who had marriage ceremonies before the law took effect will stay wed. Watch fo the issue to be put to California voters against next year.

These states allow same-sex couples to marry:

• Massachusetts
• Connecticut
• Iowa
• Vermont
• Maine

Faith-Healing Conviction

A Wisconsin jury convicted Leilani Neumann of reckless homicide because she prayed for her daughter’s healing instead of getting medical treatment for the 11-year-old’s diabetes. She could get 25 years behind bars but plans an appeal. Her husband will go on trial for the same crime later this summer. WSAW-TV has this video report.

Lawsuit Over Mission

An Oregon prisoner is suing Lane County because he had to live in a place with daily religious services after his release. Jason Dwain Davies served time for identity theft, drug possession and resisting arrest. Parole officers then assigned him to the Eugene Mission after his time behind bars. The mission feeds and shelters the homeless and offers gospel services. A county spokesman said Davies could have had to go on a waiting list for another location but the mission was the only rehab place open at the time. Davies is back in prison following a new conviction on charges of identity theft and possession methamphetamine.

4 Mags Closed

Christianity Today will let 30 workers go and shut down 4 magazines. That includes Today’s Christian Woman magazine, the Campus Life College Guide, Glimpses, and Church Office Today.

Atheist Bus Message

Public buses around the South Bend, Indiana area will soon sport ads promoting atheism. The banners are sponsored by the Indiana Atheist Group and say You can be good without God. City officials in Bloomington, Indiana turned down the same ads but the ACLU filed a lawsuit. Similar ads are already running on more than two dozen buses in Chicago that read, In the beginning, man created God.

Dem's Suspended

Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University has suspended the campus Democratic party club. That means the club can meet but cannot use the university’s name. The school says “we are unable to lend support to a club whose parent organization stands against the moral principles held by” the university. The group formed last fall.

Burning Bibles

Brushback from Christians over the burning of Bibles in Afghanistan by the US military.

American Idol Winner

This year's American Idol winner has been on the worship team at New Life Church in Greater Little Rock, Arkansas for several years - though Kris Allen downplayed his church connection during the competition. His pastor, Rick Bezet, flew to Los Angeles to attend the finale. The Christian fan-based is believed to have focused on Allen after Danny Gokey, who was open about his faith, was voted off the show. Although runner-up Adam Lambert has not publically announced he is gay, there is speculation that his perceived sexual orientation cost his the crown.

Inmates Graduate Seminary

28 Mississippi inmates have just received bachelor's degrees in Christian ministry from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. They took courses in theology, counseling and a full year of Greek. That’s the same as any student attending classes at the seminary. The school paid for the program.

Osmond Proud of Gay Daughter

Marie Osmond says she is not upset by her adopted daughter’s sexual orientation. The well-known Mormon celebrity told Entertainment Tonight, "I love my daughter, she's my baby girl. So what if she's gay. I'm a Christian and Christ was that way - he loved everybody."

Search Underway for Mom & Son

The missing Minnesota mother and her cancer-stricken son has ignited a debate over religion and medicine. The family is Catholic but also are part of the Nemenhah band. The Missouri-based group advocates a natural healing philosophy and use methods promoted by some American Indians. Colleen Hauser told a judge that she believed chemotherapy is poison and she wants to give him supplements along with a restrictive diet. The mother and son, who has Hodgkin's lymphoma, may be in Mexico.

One Year Ago.. Chapman's Daughter Killed

One of the the daughters of Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman was killed near Nashville on this day one year ago. Five-year-old Maria was run over by an SUV driven by her teenage brother in the family driveway. She had been adopted from China along with two other girls. The award-winning singer founded Shaohannah's Hope, a foundation that helps financially assist couples in the adoption process. The 45-year-old singer wrote a book about being a father called Cinderella: The Love of Daddy and his Princess.

Military Burns Bibles

The US Military burned confiscated Bibles in Afghanistan intended for Afghans. A church sent the Bibles as a gift. They were printed in the two Afghan languages and sent to a soldier at Bagram Air Force Base who ddn't realize he wasn't allowed to hand them out. The Pentagon says military rules forbid proselytizing so the Bibles had to be destroyed. The military chose not to send them back to the church to avoid them getting out another way. The church might have sent them to another organization operating in Afghanistan. The Pentagon hasn't identified the church.

Kid Sets Church on Fire

Police in Naperville, Illinois are looking into why a child apparently set fire to a church. At the time, dozens of parishioners were meeting in the basement for a fellowship following Sunday services. There were no injuries reported at the Naperville Congregational Church from the blaze caused about $500 in damages.

Ministry Worker Charged with Murder

A full-time security officer at Joyce Meyer Ministries is facing murder charges. Christopher Coleman was arrested last night and accused of strangling his wife and two sons at their Chester, Illinois home. Coleman had complained of some kind of threats related to his security work. He was cut loose from the ministry last week over what was described as "a violation of moral conduct." But local media has reported he was involved with a Florida woman who during out-of-town ministry trips.

Getting to Know.. Ned Flanders

Simpsons creator Matt Groening has written a little book called Flanders' Book of Faith. Flanders is the conservative Christian who lives next to Homer Simpson, the star of the popular cartoon series. As Homer once said, "If everyone here were like Ned Flanders, there'd be no need for heaven. We'd already be there." The book offers these details of Flander’s personal life:
His recipe for devil's food cake includes a quart of holy water and an exorcism
He reads Harry Potter and the Consequences of Dabbling in Magic to his kids before bed
He listens to a Christian rock station, 102.7 BLISS FM
He allows a full 30 minutes for grace before dinner in his daily planner
He counts 143 blessings before going to sleep
His favorite things include his Rapture-ready tote bag
Lisa Simpson asks Ned, "How do we know the writers really wrote the word of God and didn't just make up a bunch of stuff?" He tells her, “If it were false, then the fellas who wrote the Scriptures would have been lying, or insane, or both." An echo of a CS Lewis’ argument known as Lord, Liar, or Lunatic.

Accreditation Agency Flourishes

A record 102 faith-based organizations joined the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability last year. And 40 new members were added to the rolls during the first four months of 2009. That’s twice the usual number for that time period. The ECFA counts nearly 1400 organizations as members.

No Benefits

Workers laid-off from faith-based groups will not get unemployment benefits from Virginia. Religious groups are exempt from unemployment taxes in the state. An exemption is the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. It has set up a voluntary self-insurance program with the state which lets laid-off workers file for unemployment. The state bills the diocese for the benefits.

Fox: More "Prolife"

A new Fox News poll finds 49% call themselves pro-life while 43% say they are pro-choice. It’s the first time in the last 5 years this poll has found more voters describing themselves as pro-life. The numbers were reversed last fall.

On the issue of gay marriage, more Americans (29%) think there should be no legal recognition given to gay and lesbian relationships (40% in 2004). A third believe gays and lesbians should be allowed to get married (up from 27% three years ago).

Angels & Demons Takes Top Spot

Angels & Demons is the #1 film in North America this week. It raked in $48 million in its first weekend of release. The follow-up to 2006's The Da Vinci Code made even more internationally - $104 million. It cost $150 million to make.

Based on the 2000 novel by Dan Brown, Tom Hanks reprises his role as a symbologist looking into a murder-mystery within the Catholic Church. The Catholic League wanted a disclaimer to run before the movie begins in the US saying the film is a work of fiction. The producers ignored the request but agree to do it in India.

Obama Calls for 'Open Minds' on Abortion

Barack Obama addressed some 12,000 people attending graduation exercises at Notre Dame while hundreds of antiabortion protesters gathered outside the front gate of the university. The president got several loud, sustained ovations during his speech. When people attempted to interrupt him at the start the crowd came to his defense with boos and then chants. One protester yelled "Stop killing our children” and another "Abortion is murder!" and "You have blood on your hands." Some graduates taped a yellow cross and yellow images of baby feet to the top of their mortarboards.

Obama called for "open hearts, open minds" in the pursuit of "common ground" and referred to "right-wing ideologues who want to take away a woman's right to choose” and asked the audience:

"Is it possible for us to join hands in common effort? As citizens of a vibrant and varied democracy, how do we engage in vigorous debate? How does each of us remain firm in our principles, and fight for what we consider right, without demonizing those with just as strongly held convictions on the other side?

Remember, too, that the ultimate irony of faith is that it necessarily admits doubt. This doubt should not push us away from our faith. But it should humble us. It should temper our passions and cause us to be wary of too much self-righteousness."

Obama's upcoming nomination of a new Supreme Court justice is likely to cause the issue to heat up.

Norma McCorvey was among those arrested. She was the "Jane Roe" in the Roe v. Wade case that the Supreme Court used to legalized abortion. She is now against the procedure.

Texas Bible Giveaway

Some parents in the Dallas suburb of Frisco are complaining about the Gideons handing out free Bibles to students. The district allows religious groups in some schools for one day on a rotating basis.

PBS May Drop Religion

PBS is considering a rule that would cut off any affiliate that broadcasts any religious show. The proposal comes up for a vote next month. This would affect stations like New Orleans’ WLAC-TV which airs the Catholic Mass each day – something it has done for 25 years. DC’s WHUT-TV has aired Mass for Shut-Ins for more than a decade. KMBH-TV in Texas carries Sunday Mass broadcasts and KBYU in Provo, Utah offers a BYU Devotional featuring lectures from leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Murder Case Link to TV Ministry

An Illinois man has resigned from his position with Joyce Meyer Ministries after his wife and children were found strangled in their home. The St Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Christopher Coleman had been meeting with a woman from Largo, Florida described as his girlfriend while on trips for the ministry. The ministry says after an internal inquiry showed Coleman violated ministry policy during his employment. No arrests have been made in the case so far.

New Mascot

Eastern Nazarene College has dropped its Crusader mascot. The Quincy, Massachusetts school will now call their sports teams the Lions. The mascot was unveiled at an ice cream social this week. Sponsored by the Church of the Nazarene, the school is traditionally interdenominational and has no formal religious requirements for students.

Sunday Best

Y'Anna Crawley took the top prize in BET's American Idol-like gospel music competition, Sunday Best. The Maryland native won a recording contract and a 2009 Lincoln MKS. Crawley performed The Promise on the season finale which will be her first single on her debut project.

Shift in Abortion Views

Most Americans are now calling themselves "pro-life". It’s the first time that's happened since the Gallup organization began asking the question 14 years ago. A new survey by the organization finds 51% say they are pro-life and 42% say they are pro-choice. Gallup's annual Values and Beliefs survey indicates a major shift from a year ago when 50% were pro-choice and 44% pro-life.

23% say the procedure should be illegal in all circumstances
22% say it should be legal under any circumstances

The percentage of Republicans who identify themselves as pro-life increased by 10 points over the past year, from 60% to 70% while there has been essentially no change in the views of Democrats and those who lean Democratic. More information.

Yoido Church

Five of the world’s ten biggest megachurches are in South Korea including David Cho’s Yoido Full Gospel Church. It has 830,000 members. That means one out of every 20 people in Seoul is a member. Yoido was founded in 1956 in a battered tent that Cho bought from the Marine Corps for only $50. The church has an emphasis on woman being involved in ministry. There are now more than 62,000 female deacons - more than twice the number of men who hold that position. For years, Cho’s right-hand woman was his mother-in-law. Jashil Choi is known as “Hallelujah Mama”.

Pastor Tasered

A Phoenix pastor was tasered by police during a traffic stop - and now the video is on Youtube. The confrontation took place in April during a routine Border Patrol traffic stop at a checkpoint near Yuma about 50 miles north of the Mexican border. Steve Anderson of the Faithful Word Baptist Church had his camera going when officers ordered him out of his vehicle. A canine signaled there was cause for a search but Anderson refused to get out. After busting his window, officers tasered him. Here's his video explaining what happened from his persepctive.

Here's a report from KPHO-TV on the incident.

Faith Healing Trial

The trial is underway for a woman accused of praying over her dying daughter rather than taking her to the doctor. A Wisconsin jury will decide whether Leilani Neumann should have had her daughter’s diabetes diagnosed. Neumann says her family believes the Bible for her daughter’s healing. Her husband also faces charges and his trial will start later this summer. Neumann’s lawyer has asked that Texas faith healer Thurman Scrivner be allowed to testify that faith healing is a legitimate way to cure illness.

Woman Returns Money

Lynita Regis returned more than a quarter of a million dollars that wound up in her bank account by mistake. The single mom in Washington is behind in her rent and says she was tempted but told reporters she's a "child of God and gotta do the right thing." The money belongs to King County where she once worked at the jail. Regis had been given access to the adult detention center account.

'Jesus in Jeans'

A sculpture called 'Jesus in jeans' has been unveiled at a UK church. At a cost of more than $50,000, the bronze artwork is on display at Our Lady Immaculate and St Philip Neri Catholic church in Uckfield near the Strait of Dover (located between England and France).Funding for the Marcus Cornish piece came from a member of the congregation who passed away last year. In a few days, the statue will be placed on top of the church’s bell tower, some 100-feet in the air.

Burger King Incident

A Wisconsin pastor will serve a year of probation after a Burger King confrontation two years ago. David Fogderud was also handed 100 hours of community service. Police arrested the pastor of The Overflowing Cup Total Life Center in Beloit, Wisconsin after teenage boys complained he harassed them. Fogderud said he only tried to witness to them and tell them about a Christian rock concert at the church. He was convicted of obstructing an officer. After he left the scene, officers stopped his car and say he was uncooperative. But Fogderud said they used excessive force on him.

Judge Rules in Prayer Suit

Employees of a Florida school district must stop promoting their religious beliefs at school events. That’s the ruling of a federal judge against the Santa Rosa County School District. The ACLU sued the district last year. The judge’s order requires school officials to only use a religious venue for events when a secular venue is not available, to have no part in religious events including baccalaureate services, have no part in prayer at events or promote their religious views to students.

Anger Over New Megachurch Pastor

More than 1000 people at a Chicago church have signed a petition questioning the appointment of a new pastor. Carlton Pearson was tapped to lead Christ Universal Temple’s 6000 member congregation despite his teaching that everyone will go to heaven. Christ Universal is known for its focus on positive thinking and meditation.

To Tuck or Not to Tuck

A mother has won her fight to allow her daughter to leave her shirt hanging out at school. The principal and district administrators in Irving, Texas ordered Dyker Neyland's 7-year-old to tuck the shirt inside her pants but Neyland says that's not appropriate because her daughter's behind shows. Neyland says she is being persecuted for being a Christian. The Irving school board agreed with her and overturned the principal's decision.

IRS Clears Group

The IRS has ruled a Texas group didn’t violate the law with a series of closed-door pastor conferences. The Texas Restoration Project encouraged church congregations to vote their values did not endorse specific candidates. The organization had the backing of governor Rick Perry before his reelection in 2006. The Texas Freedom Network had filed a complaint.

Church Sex Trial

KING-TV in Seattle reports on a church sex abuse trial.

Gay Porn Suspension

A Christian college student suspended for appearing in gay porn videos says he’ll finish his degree at another school. John Gechter attended Grove City College in western Pennsylvania until administrators discovered his activity when an e-mail with images of him spread across campus. The Presbyterian college offered him the opportunity to reapply for admission in a year if he stopped his acting career. But Gechter plans to move to New York where he will be headlining a play. Grove City has agreed to allow him to transfer a few courses he’ll need to graduate with a degree from the school. Gechter says students threw fruit at him in the cafeteria and sent him hate mail. The molecular biology senior earned in around $10,000 each weekend from the more than a dozen films in which he appeared.

Christians in the Holy Land

Marketing the Church

An advertising Age article on the marketing of the church.

Methodist Campaign

Here's a video of a new advertising campaign from the United Methodist Church called Rethink Church. The $20 million dollar campaign just started this past week and is aimed at 18- to 34-year-olds. There's a Facebook page, t-shirts and other items all pointing back to an web site called 10 Thousand Doors.

Miss Cali Keeps Title

Carrie Prejean will keep her Miss California title. She stirred controversy a couple of weeks ago with her answer to a question about gay marriage at the Miss USA pageant. She was first runner-up. But her comments against same-sex marriage lead the Miss California organization consider appointing a possible replacement for her. Despite more racy photos of her showing up on the internet, Donald Trump, who owns the pageant, told reporters this morning Prejean will keep her title. She said some of the photos were not supposed to be published and some were photo shopped.

Prejean told James Dobson on his daily Focus on the Family program the issue is a spiritual battle:

"I just knew at that moment that God was just telling me "Carrie, how bad do you want this? Are you willing to compromise your beliefs for a one year crown of Miss USA.. And (after speaking against gay marriage) I knew there was no way I was going to win Miss USA. No way.. I felt as though Satan was trying to tempt me in asking me this question."

One Year Ago.. Davey Creator Dies

The 90-year-old creator of the Davey and Goliath children’s TV show died one year ago this day in Dallas. Dick Sutcliffe came up with the Lutheran program featuring a boy and his talking dog as claymation figures using stop-action animation. It was popular in the 60’s and 70’s but fell off the public's radar until 2003 when it made a comeback. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America which owes the rights to the figures reluctantly agreed to let them star in a commercial for Mountain Dew. The star was the subject of a one-hour documentary called Oh Davey!... History of the Davey and Goliath Television Series.

Miss California Skeletons

Miss California may lose her state title because she told pageant officials there was only one photo of her in her underwear that showed up on the internet this week. But now more photos have popped up on a celebrity news site. That would violate her Miss USA contract because she's topless in the shots. Carrie Prejean stirred controversy by answered a question during the national pageant about same-sex marriage by declaring her opposition to it. The response may have cost her the crown.

Muted Prayer Day

The White House is planning no public events connected with today’s the National Day of Prayer. Obama will not hold any public events with religious leaders as was done during the Bush administration. Some two million people took part in 40,000 events marking the day last year. The Obama administration has asked a judge to dismiss a suit filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation trying to stop the effort entirely as a violation of church and state.

History Teacher Broke Law

A Southern California judge has ruled a history teacher violated the First Amendment rights of a student by offering critical comments about Christians. James Corbett teaches at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo and referred to Creationism as “religious, superstitious nonsense”. A student sued in 2007 claiming Corbett repeatedly made disparaging remarks about Christianity. Here are more details.

Prayer Day Question

The White House still hasn’t said whether it will take part in the National Day of Prayer this Thursday. Some groups are trying to pull the reins of the event away from the conservative National Day of Prayer Task Force (headquartered at James Dobson’s Focus on the Family). Jews on First and The Interfaith Alliance is asking President Barack Obama to declare it a day for all Americans - even for nonbelievers.

Twittering in Church

TIME magazine looks at Twittering in Church in this article.

Pop Stars Sing Gospel

A new gospel compilation album features pairs pop artists with celebrated gospel choirs. Jon Bon Jovi backed by the Washington Youth Choir sings Keep the Faith and Al Green contributes People Get Ready with R&B singer Heather Headley. The Clark Sisters will duet with Robert Randolph on Higher Ground and 3 Doors Down teams with Soul Children of Chicago on Presence of the Lord. Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration will be available exclusively at Wal-Mart and at online retail.

Kemp Dies

Jack Kemp has died. Diagnosed with cancer this year, the former vice presidential candidate ran with Bob Dole in 1996. Kemp became a Presbyterian in the 1950’s and said he become a born-again Christian though he's remembered more for championing conservative economic policy over conservative social policy.

Torture Survey

Here's the results of a survey asking if the use of torture against suspected terrorists is ever justified:

White evangelical Protestants – Yes 61%
Those who attend services at least once a week – Yes 54%
All Respondents – Yes 49%
Those who seldom or never go to services – Yes 42%
unaffiliated with any religious organization - Yes 40%
mainline" Protestants – Yes 31%

Source: Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life

Abortion Poll

The # of Americans favoring abortion has fallen to its lowest level since 1995, according to a new poll.

I believe abortion should be legal in most cases
August 09 - 54%
Now -46%

Moderate and liberal Republicans who say abortion should be legal in most cases:
August 09 – 57%
Currently – 43%

White mainline Protestants who say abortion should be legal in most cases:
August 09 – 69%
Currently – 54%

White Evangelical Protestants who say abortion should be legal in most cases:
August 09 – 33%
Currently – 23%

Source: Pew Research

The National Day of Prayer

Thursday is the 58th Annual National Day of Prayer. Groups will gather on the front steps of County Courthouses at noon to pray for the nation. This year’s theme is Prayer...America's Hope. It’s based on Psalm 33:22: "May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You." Shirley Dobson, wife of Focus on the Family founder James Dobson has been chair of the National Day of Prayer since 1991. The Continental Congress first set aside a day of prayer in 1775. In 1952, Congress established an official day of prayer and in 1988 it was designating the first Thursday in May.

Creationists Settle Dispute

A fight between two creationist groups is over. Answers in Genesis and Creation Ministries International once were allies but began fighting over copyrights and ownership of mailing lists four years ago. Soon there were accusation of financial mismanagement and poor business decisions. Mediation failed and the two went to court but now they’ve agree to put aside their complaints- though terms of their settlement are not being made public. Answers in Genesis (led by Ken Ham) is based in the US and grew out of Australia’s Creation Ministries International (founded by Carl Wieland). Answers has made a splash recently with its well-attended $27 million Creation Museum in Kentucky.

Methodist Keep Gay Marriage Ban

Methodist pastors are being told not to perform same-sex marriages or gay civil unions. The denomination’s highest court says that goes even in districts where the regional church officials support same-sex unions. Last year, the United Methodist General Conference voted to keep a ban on same-sex marriages and clergy were told to stay away from performing the ceremonies in the church.

Judge Nixes Name Change

Jonathan L. Thomas wants to change his name to Sinner Lawrence Bilskirnir but a Nebraska judge has said, “no”. Thomas says he wants the change because of his Norse religion. He calls himself a heathen who follows Thor as his God and is serving a prison term for burglary, drug possession and theft.

Robertson Stepping Down

Pat Robertson is retiring from the University he founded. He’ll step down as president of Regent University next summer. The religious broadcaster founded the Virginia Beach school in 1978. The 79-year-old Robertson will continue as chancellor and a member of the board of trustees.

Brotha Car Tag

A Florida state senator is proposing a specialty tag that would read: Can A Brotha Get a Break? Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson is reacting to another proposed license plate that would feature an image of Jesus on the cross. Lawson wants to money from sale of the plates to go toward the Employees Relief Fund for the purpose of offsetting salary and benefit cuts by the Legislature and providing grief counseling. Lawson plans to run for a seat in the US Congress next year.

Howard: Catholics Will Like A&D

Director Ron Howard writes this about his new film Angels & Demons: "I nor Angels & Demons are anti-Catholic. And let me be a little controversial: I believe Catholics, including most in the hierarchy of the Church, will enjoy the movie for what it is: an exciting mystery, set in the awe-inspiring beauty of Rome."

CCM RIP?

BeliefNet explores some of the reasons Contemporary Christian Music may be dying.

Thanks But No Thanks

A Harvard Law School professor is refusing to accept an award from Notre Dame because President Obama will deliver this year's commencement address. Mary Ann Glendon will not accept the Laetare Medal because the school is giving Obama an honorary degree despite a request from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. Glendon says she’s concerned her award was designed to give the appearance of balance.

Why They Leave

Most former Protestants and Catholics say their decision to leave their church was not prompted by a single event or issue but gradually took place over time (71%). Here are some other findings in a new study:

Was clergy sex-abuse scandals an important reason for why you left your church?
Yes- 27% of those who are now unaffiliated

Was finding a religion you liked better an important reason for why you left your church?
Yes – 58%

Was “unmet spiritual needs” an important reason for why you left your church?
Yes – 51%

Was the reason for your withdrawal from faith because you "just do not believe in God" or most religious teachings any more?
Yes – 42% Catholic
Yes-39% Protestant

Was the notion that "modern science proves religion is superstition" an important reason for your disaffiliation?
Yes – 32%

Do you see religious people as hypocritical, judgmental and insincere?
Yes -75% (unaffiliated)

Are you open to returning to the faith sometime in the future and just have not found the right religion yet?
Yes – 33% (unaffiliated)

Did you stop believing in church teaching?
Yes – 65% Catholic
Yes - 50% Protestant

Wa the Catholic Church's specific teachings on abortion and homosexuality an important reason for your departure?
Yes – 56% (former Catholics who are now unaffiliated)
Yes – 23% (former Catholics who are now Protestant)

Source: Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life

Pastor's Pay Dispute

Members of New York’s Riverside Church are trying to stop a new pastor from making $600,000 a year. That would be about twice what his predecessor was paid. They went to court claiming Brad Braxton is refusing to reveal the church’s financial condition. But a judge has put the case off until after Braxton’s Sunday installation. His base salary will be a quarter-of-a-million dollars along with a monthly housing allowance, insurance benefits; money for a maid, private school tuition for his daughter, entertainment, travel and other expenses. Braxton calls himself a progressive evangelical. The dissenters complain the Southern Baptist minister will push the church toward more conservative positions.

Miss Cali Speaks at Church

Miss California spoke today at a San Diego megachurch where she’s been a member for several years. The San Diego Christian College junior told the congregation that her state sponsors wanted her to apologize for saying marriage should be between a man and a woman during the Miss USA pageant but Prejean refused. The Rock Church where she spoke was founded by former San Diego Chargers defensive back Miles McPherson and was involved in the campaign to pass a constitutional ban on gay marriages in California. Some pageant observers say since Prejean was first runner-up, low scores from one judge in response to her answer would have been enough to cost her the title.

Gay Clergy Voted Down

The Presbyterian Church, USA has turned aside efforts to allow gay clergy – but the margin is getting narrower. Two church districts (or presbyteries) voted against the plan yesterday which ensures the proposal will be defeated. It passed the denomination’s General Assembly last summer but still needed the approval of of the nation's 173 presbyteries. The margin of rejection was smaller than a similar earlier measure.

"Great Sex for You"

A Florida church may lose its meeting site because of sermons on sex. Melbourne’s New Hope Church pastor Bruce Cadle is going through a series titled Great Sex for You. But the Brevard Public School District's risk-management department isn’t happy about it and is threatening to kick the Church out of the Sherwood Elementary School because of complaints over a flier sent to thousands of people titled Is Your Sex Life A Bore? New Hope regularly meets inside the school auditorium.

Standing O for Miss Cali

The conservative audience attending the Dove Awards gave Miss California a standing ovation when she came out to introduce Mercy Me singing their hit I Can Only Imagine. At the Miss USA pageant last weekend, Carrie Prejean was asked by celebrity blogger Perez Hilton about gay marriage. Prejean responded that she believes marriage should only be between a man and a woman.

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.