George Beverly Shea Passes

George Beverly Shea has died at the age of 104. He stood beside Billy Graham, singing at the evangelist's crusades for more than 60 years. Shea died in Asheville after a brief illness. His version of How Great Thou Art became a trademark for the baritone who performed before an estimated 200 million. More than 70 albums bear his name. He was nominated for Grammy Awards on ten occasions, winning one in 1965 and presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.

Corbin Bernsen: I’d rather talk about God than Lindsay Lohan

Known for his current role in the USA network's Psych and LA Law back in the 80s, Corbin Bernsen is a familiar face to TV viewers. Here's what he told Fox News about his faith:

I consider myself a Christian. It’s the kind of thing I struggle with. I have faith, I believe in God… All I know is I march to my own drummer these days. I stay true to myself and there’s a lot of people who want faith in their lives and I’m more about that. I would like to bring them into the discussion. I am certainly on a journey of discussion. We’re have a conversation about it and in these days where there’s so much in the world that’s not working and somehow we’ve used faith and religion as a glue for society, something that’s made things work, not drive things apart, I feel there’s a need to celebrate that for the good of what it is. It gets so much bad press. There’s an assumption if you have any faith you vote a certain way or you’re a conservative and that’s not true. There are very cool, relevant people who have faith in their lives and people who want to have faith who are afraid to enter the conversation. That’s all I care about, entering the conversation. I have four sons who are basically growing up in a world where basically they don’t believe… that’s not good either. So I’m not saying you have to believe in God or Christ, just come into the conversation for a bit…I find it far more interesting than say, talking about Lindsay Lohan.

Read more here.

Reaching the Globe with the Good News

A look at the work of Trans World Radio here.

Brennan Manning dies

Brennan Manning has passed away at the age of 78. Best known as the writer of the The Ragamuffin Gospel , Manning died yesterday following several years of declining health. He was 78. The book was especially inspiring to some Christian musicians ,including Michael W. Smith, Michael Card and the late Rich Mullins, who named his band in honor of Manning's book. One popular quote of Manning, spoken by Carman on DC Talk song ("What if I Stumble?"), goes like this:

"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”

Manning attended Pennsylvania's Saint Francis College and was ordained a Franciscan priest in 1963. He taught theology at the University of Stuebenville in Ohio and became the spiritual director of Saint Francis Seminary. His association with the Little Brothers of Jesus of Charles de Foucald included living in France, Spain and Switzerland. Manning struggled with alcoholism, briefly relapsing when he returned to the U.S. He writing showed a brutal brokenness, endearing him to his readers.

Baptist leader stepping down

Richard Land will leave his post as president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention in order to lead Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte. Land stirred controversy last year with his comments about the Trayvon Martin shooting and then it was discovered he plagiarized parts of his commentaries. The Commission chastised Land and his radio show ended. Land said he was going to retire in October--which would have been his 25th anniversary in his current position.

11 Bands You Might Not Realize Are Christian

See the list at BuzzFeed here.

Suicide of star pastor Rick Warren’s son sparks debate about mental illness

Evangelical Christian leaders have begun a national conversation about how their beliefs might sometimes stigmatize those who struggle with mental illness. Read more at the Washington Post here.

Rise Of Hispanic Evangelical Church

TIME magazine takes a look at the influence Of Latinos In America's Religion here.

Protest over Jesus’-Stomping Exercise

More than 50 demonstrators showed up at Florida Atlantic University to support professor Deandre Poole. He is on leave after telling students to stomp on a piece of paper after writing Jesus on it. Protestors say administrators should not have apologized or gotten involved with the what they deem to be a classroom issue. They called it an issue of academic freedom. The group of protestors went so far as to mimic the original exercise itself. The Faculty Senate plans to debate the issue with the administration on April 19.

Lawsuit over flowers at gay wedding

The state of Washington is suing Arlene's Flowers owner Barronelle Stutzman for refusing to provide flowers for a gay wedding. The Richland, Washington florist say she couldn't do it because of her "relationship with Jesus." The state attorney general wrote in the lawsuit that this is a violation of the Washington anti-discrimination law. It's rarity for the government to file a discrimination suit on its own. Stutzman could have signed a document promising to provide flowers for gay wedding in the future but her own lawyers say this is not an issue of discrimination but an instance of the government infringing on her First Amendment right to free speech and that Stutzman is entitled to exercise her religious conscience and arranging flowers is an act of personal expression.

Warren Makes Plans following Son's Death

Rick Warren and his wife are planning private funeral services for their son who shot and killed himself this last week. Matthew suffering from depression his entire life. The Warren's also plan to established the Matthew Warren Fund for Mental Illness and set up a blog site to accept contributions to "others affected by mental illness." Since news of his suicide became public, Warren has been attacked for his political stands against same-sex marriage and for his preaching. Here's a video from the church's Sunday morning service.

False Rumor about Joel Osteen

A fake website proclaimed that Megachurch pastor Joel Osteen was resigning from the pulpit due to a lack of faith. You can see it here. It was only a hoax. The Texas pastor's name is even misspelled in the web address. The site includes a fake CNN story with the headline Pastor of mega church resigns, rejects Christ. A statement alledgedly from Osteen reads, "I believe now that the Bible is a fallible, flawed, highly inconsistent history book that has been altered hundreds of times. There is zero evidence the Bible is the holy word of God. In fact, there is zero evidence 'God' even exists." There are more details at the Houston Chronicle here.

Rick Warren's Son Commits Suicide

Matthew Warren, the youngest son of megachurch Pastor Rick Warren, is dead. The 27 year old committed suicide yesterday after a lifetime of battling mental illness. Rick Warren wrote The Purpose-Driven Life and founded Saddleback Valley Community Church. He sent members of his church a letter that read in part:

“At 27 years of age, Matthew was an incredibly kind, gentle and compassionate young man whose sweet spirit was encouragement and comfort to many. Unfortunately, he also suffered from mental illness resulting in deep depression and suicidal thoughts. No words can express the anguished grief we feel right now. He had a brilliant intellect and a gift for sensing who was most in pain or most uncomfortable in a room. He’d then make a bee-line to that person to engage and encourage them. In spite of America’s best doctors, meds, counselors, and prayers for healing, the torture of mental illness never subsided. Today, after a fun evening together with Kay and me, in a momentary wave of despair at his home, he took his life.

Read the whole letter here.

How ‘The Bible’ Broke Through

The final episode of the History Channel’s The Bible pulled in more than 11 million viewers.  Read the story of how the show broke through at Wall Street Journal here.

Baptist Leader on Gays and Korea

Southern Baptist Convention president Fred Luter went on CNN to defend his comments linking the North Korea's military threats to the debate over gay marriage.

President's pastor attacks 'religious right' on Easter

President Obama attend Easter worship at St. John’s Church where Luis Leon called conservatives bigots and racists from the pulpit. Here's a video report from Fox News.

Edith Schaeffer

Edith Schaeffer died over the weekend. She was 98 years old. She co-founded L'Abri along with her husband Francis Schaeffer and wrote more than a dozen books.

Arrested for soliciting a prostitute

Bob Jones University's "Chief Brand Officer" was suspended for allegedly soliciting a prostitute. Read the story here.

The money man behind atheism’s activism

"He wants to see the atheism movement expand its footprint." Read the story from CNN here.

student says he was suspended for not 'stepping on Jesus'

A Florida Atlantic University's instructor told everyone in his class to take out a piece of paper, write the word JESUS on it in bold letters, and then put the paper on the floor and stomp on it.  Watch a video report from Florida's WPEC-TV here.

TV Series: Who Does Satan Look Like?

The History Channel is catching some flack for the way Satan looks on The Bible special. Many people took to social media to say Satan looks like President Barack Obama. Even Glenn Beck tweeted "Anyone else think the Devil in #TheBible Sunday on History Channel looks exactly like That Guy?" Actor Mohamen Mehdi Ouazanni plays the role of Satan. Series creator Mark Burnett gave a couple of thousand dollars to Obama's campaign during the 2008 election.

Baptist Appointed by White House

The White House has tapped Melissa Rogers to chair an advisory panel of faith leaders. Rogers replaces Joshua DuBois at the Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, which was formed by President George W. Bush in 2001 to create partnerships between public and private organizations. She is a Baptist and former general counsel for the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. Read a blog post on the White House website from Rogers here.

Bible College Student Arrested

Police in Flagstaff, Arizona arrested a Bible college student when the dean of his school escorted him to the police station to tell them he was having sex with his 17-year-old girlfriend--also a student at the school. The unnamed 21 year old says the relationship was consensual and that they had been together for about five months. He now faces felony charges for sexual contact with a minor, which could earn him a year in prison.

Half of Evangelicals says Same-Sex Marriage is inevitable

"A majority of Americans categorize homosexuality as a civil rights issue like age, race and gender, and almost two-thirds think legalization of same-sex marriage in the U.S. is inevitable," says Ed Stetzer, the president of LifeWay Research. A new poll on gay issues from the Southern Baptist affiliated organization discovered:

64% of Americans say same-sex marriage will become legal in the U.S.
50% of those calling themselves "born-again, evangelical or fundamentalist Christian" agree

Read more here.

Bibles in the Classroom

CNBC interview explores why the couple behind the Bible mini-series believes public schools Should teach the Bible in classrooms.

Fuller Seminary announces new President

Fuller Theological Seminary has a man at the helm. Mark Labberton takes over as president beginning July first. Richard Mouw is retiring from the position at the largest Evangelical Christian seminary in the world. Labberton graduated from Fuller’s Master of Divinity program and spent a quarter of a century pastoring in Presbyterian churches. Fuller is located in Pasadena, California,

Do Atheists Really Believe in God?

Asking God to harm them or others is just as upsetting to atheists as religious folks. That's the finding of a new study out of Finland. Details are in the International Journal for the Psychology of Religion. Researchers asked their subjects to decide whether statements like daring God to drown parents or visit friends with disease. The researchers found that even when atheists said such utterances were meaningless, they nevertheless showed discomfort when hooked up to monitors. The study authors say their findings show, at the very least, the idea of God is powerful, even in very secular societies like Finland.

NYT: Focus on the Family Transforms Its Message

The New York Times profiles what Focus on the Family has become since the departure of James Dobson - here.

Pastor on O'Reilly Factor

Pastor Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Church of Dallas appeared on Fox News The O'Reilly Factor. Jeffress has been in the news lately because NFL quarterback Tim Tebow withdrew plans to appear at the church in April for the dedication of a multimillion dollar building.

Christian University Setting Records

Liberty University is now the largest university in Virginia. The university founded by Jerry Falwell ended last year with more than $1 billion in net assets for the first time. And it's online head count has grown an average of about 8,000 students a year. Find out more in a Washington Post profile of the school here.

Atheists apologize for misquote of Sarah Palin

American Atheists is apologizing for misquoting Sarah Palin on a billboard in Texas--but at the same time defending it. The billboard says, “We should create law based on the God of the Bible." While being interviewed by Fox's Bill O'Reilly, Palin referenced the founding fathers, saying that they gathered and decided “we would create law based on the God of the Bible and the Ten Commandments.” The atheist billboard says "should" but Palin actually said "would" and it was in reference to the founding of America, not today's political landscape. American Atheists first declared in a tweet that “Sarah Palin was NOT Misquoted” but later admitted it was wrong--saying it would change the wording but still insisting that even the mistake reflects Palin's view. There are a half-dozen other billboards going up around the Dallas and Austin area.

Atheists ratchet up rhetoric, use billboards to attack Republican politicians

An atheist organization known for being provocative plans to take that reputation to the next level this week by putting up seven billboards that call out prominent politicians and religious leaders. Read more at CNN here.

Florida College Shuts Down Bible Study

Rollins College in Winter Park has shut down a Bible study that was taking place in one of the dorm rooms, Fox News’ Todd Starnes reports. The school says the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship informal Bible study held in the common area of a dorm suite violated its policy. An RA told the study leaders to leave and were banned from the dorm - even though the students wanted to hold the Bible study. The school recently recognized ICF because the group requires its leaders to be professing Christians. Here's a video report from WOGX-TV about the controversy.

Winans Gets Prison

A member of the Winans music family got a 14 year prison sentence today in Detroit for financially defrauding some 1200 investors. Prosecutors say Michael Winans Jr. led an $8 million pyramid scheme. In his sentencing, the judge said Winans ruined the lives of numerous churchgoers.

Pastor Calls Tebow a Whimp

The pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas is taking a swipe (as the Washington Post calls it) at Tim Tebow. Robert Jeffress has posted a 10 minute video (below) in which he responds to the controversy that led the sports star to cancel his planned April appearance at the Texas church. Although Jeffress doesn't mention Tebow by name, he rebuked those who haven't stood with him. Jeffress says “I am grateful for men of God like these who are willing to stand up and act like men rather than wimping out when it gets a little controversial and an inconvenient thing to stand for the truth." Jeffress has received negative publicity for his remarks about gays and other religions. Here's the video:

The Couple Behind 'The Bible' Mini-Series

A husband-and-wife team are hoping to do justice to the Bible in a Biblical record in a new, 10-hour series that starts Sunday, March 3, on the History Channel. Read about them here.

Tansgender woman sues Baptist school

A transgender woman is suing California Baptist University in Riverside for allegedly expelling her because of her gender identity. She wants half a million dollars.

Sex Seminar held in College Chapel

Allegheny College’s Ford Memorial Chapel was the site of what the student newspaper called “I Heart the Female Orgasm” on Wednesday night, a program hosted by a variety of student groups on campus. Here's more on what happened from KDKA-TV.

Colorado Springs Evangelicals

PBS takes a look at Evangelical organizations in Colorado Springs in the video below.

Tebow's schedule

Tim Tebow may have cancelled his appearance the First Baptist Church of Dallas, but he is keeping his planned visit to Trinity Christian Academy for a fundraiser during his April visit to north Texas. He will also appear at a Gala for Involved for Life which supports the Downtown Pregnancy Center, Uptown Women’s Center and Sonograms on Site. The pastor of the megachurch, Robert Jeffress, has told news outlets that Tebow called him personally to cancel, saying he needed to "lay low" and apparently the First Baptist appearance was too high profile for him--but he might come later. TMZ reports that Tebow was pressured to back out.

Tebow Cancels

Tim Tebow has decided not to speak at the First Baptist Church of Dallas. He was scheduled to take part in April services at the megachurch's new $130 million building. The church is pastored by Robert Jeffress, whose comments on other religions and homosexuality have drawn criticism. Tebow didn't explain his decision but did say in a press release:

While I was looking forward to sharing a message of hope and Christ's unconditional love with the faithful members of the historic First Baptist Church of Dallas in April, due to new information that has been brought to my attention, I have decided to cancel my upcoming appearance. I will continue to use the platform God has blessed me with to bring Faith, Hope and Love to all those needing a brighter day. Thank you for all of your love and support. God Bless!

Benny Hinn's Son Arrested

The son of evangelist Benny Hinn is back in the U.S. after allegedly "beating up" a deaf man in Brazil during "one of his father's events" over the weekend. According to local newspapers, the elder Hinn was on stage when Joshua Hinn grabbed a man who he thought was going to throw water on his father. The man, Hestephenson Araujo, wasn't able to speak and explain his actions--he brought a bottle of water with him so that Hinn could use it to "bless" him. The deaf man had to go to the hospital after Hinn and two American bodyguards took him to a trailer park and beat him up in the northern Brazilian town of Manaus. Araujo's father says Hinn's representatives talked him into not press charges--by offering a "large sum of money".

Cancelling Classes for Wiccans

The University of Missouri wants students to have classes cancelled when Wiccan and Pagan holidays come up--just as they do on Christmas, Thanksgiving and Hanukkah. The school's Guide to Religions: Major Holidays and Suggested Accommodations tells faculty members not to schedule exams and other student activities for the Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna, Ramadan, and Samhain, which is a Pagan and Wiccan celebration considered by some to be the Wiccan New Year.

Tebow to speak at Texas church

Tim Tebow's plan to speak at the First Baptist Church of Dallas in April is catching some criticism. The church's pastor, Robert Jeffress, has been in the news for making controversial comments on gays and other topics. Among them:

Gays shouldn’t be allowed in the military because "70 percent" have AIDS.

Islam, Mormonism and Judaism came “from the pit of hell”

Obama’s reelection “would lead to a rise of the Antichrist”

Gay activists try to hide “the link between homosexuality and pedophilia.”

The church is completing work on a new $130 million campus. It should be open by April.

Toby Honored

The Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album goes to.. TobyMac. He took the Grammy for his latest release, Eye On It. It's his second Grammy as solo artist and 6th overall (he used to be part of DC Talk). Eye On It hit number one on the Billboard Top 200 and iTunes® Overall Album charts. The video that goes with the title track got more than half-a-million views in just three weeks.

Sworn in on iPad Bible app

Several firefighters in Atlantic City, New Jersey took their oaths of office using not a physical Bible, as is tradition, but a Bible app on Apple's iPad. See a video report from WMGM-TV.

NBC40.net

What happened to God in America?

CNN's Carol Costello reports on the growing number of Americans who don't believe in God.

Mainstream Christian Music

A look at the impact of Christian music on the mainstream.

Watch Mainstream Christian Music on PBS. See more from Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly.

Dobson writes Novel

Religious News Service interviews James Dobson about his new novel here.

Young Celebs met for Bible Study

Selena Gomez is attending a Bible study with other young stars, according to US Weekly. The group includes Matt Lanter, Vanessa Hudgens and Justin Bieber--who just broke up with Gomez. Bieber's mom is a regular. Leading the group is E! reporter Jason Kennedy. They discuss the Bible, enjoy snacks and often when they gather in a Beverly Hills hotel conference room.

Dallas megachurch pastor changing ways he addresses homosexuality

A magachurch pastor says he is changing how he makes references to homosexuality in the pulpit. Robert Jeffress, pastor of the 11,000-member First Baptist Dallas, tells the Associated Press he usually talks about homosexuality within "a bigger context of God's plan for sex between one man and one woman in a lifetime relationship called marriage. It would be the height of hypocrisy to condemn homosexuality and not adultery or unbiblical divorce." Jeffress also says he is open to the possibility that sexual orientation has a genetic basis that cannot be cured or prayed away. "I think we were too quick to dismiss the possibility of a genetic predisposition (but) we cannot pick and choose what parts of God's word we are called to share. God gave it to us, not to hurt people, but to help people. My sense is that people are just avoiding the subject, by and large. They are so bent on trying to add to the numbers of their churches that they don't want to disenfranchise new members or be characterized as unfriendly."

Applebee's Waitress Fired

We told you about the receipt left for an Applebee’s waitress by a pastor on which she wrote “I give God 10%, why should you get 18.” The waitress, Chelsea, posted a photo of it on Reddit. But now the Applebee's in St. Louis has fired Chelsea. HuffPost Comedy has started a petition with hopes of convincing Applebee's to rehire Chelsea.

Bible study for sports stars

Christian sports legends Bubba Watson, Tim Tebow, and Ben Crane gathered together this week for a Bible study in Phoenix. Read the story here.

Receipt Photo Goes Viral

A restaurant receipt has gotten a pastor a lot of attention on Reddit. She left it at an St. Louis Applebee’s and added this comment, “I give God 10%, why do you get 18?” Pastor Alois Bell of Truth in the World Deliverance Ministries says she ended up leaving a tip of $6.29 — the same amount that was scribbled out on the receipt — and that her credit card was also charged with an additional $6.29. Bell told
everyone else at her table also left tips in cash. Bell told KTVI-TV that when the receipt was posted to Reddit, Bell said people started sending her angry messages. “I’ve been harassed because of this and it doesn’t tell the whole story.” 

Stanley gets heat for Obama comment

Megachurch pastor Andy Stanley responds to his description of President Obama as 'pastor in chief' here.

Megachurch Cities

A Barna survey finds Las Vegas has the highest concentration of megachurch attendees. On the other end- Salt Lake City, Madison, Wisconsin, and Toledo, Ohio. The survey also finds one in ten of the people who say they are Christians attend a church with 1,000 or more regular attenders. After Vegas comes:

2. Baton Rouge
3. Tampa-St. Petersburg
4. Orlando
5. Dallas, Fort Worth
6. Houston
7. Albuquerque/Sante Fe

Megan Fox and the Pentecostal church

Megan Fox says knows what it’s like to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The actress tells Esquire she started speaking in tongues at the age of eight when she attended a Pentecostal church in Tennessee.

“It feels like a lot of energy coming through the top of your head—I’m going to sound like such a lunatic—and then your whole body is filled with this electric current. And you just start speaking, but you’re not thinking because you have no idea what you’re saying. Words are coming out of your mouth, and you can’t control it. The idea is that it’s a language only God understands. It’s the language that’s spoken in heaven. I can’t stand pills. I don’t like drinking. I don’t like feeling out of control. I have to feel like I’m in control of my body. And I know what you’re thinking: Then why would I want to go to church and speak in tongues? You have to understand, there I feel safe. I was raised to believe that you’re safe in God’s hands. But I don’t feel safe with myself.”

Fox is now a member of a non-denominational church, which she says offers her a refuge from the madness of Hollywood.

Pastor Missing in Iran

An American pastor is missing in Iran. He was imprisoned in Iran on charges of evangelizing others, but no one has heard from him lately. lFox News spoke with his wife to find out the latest.

Poll: Religious Liberty Threatened

A new Barna poll shows about half of all Americans are concerned that religious freedom is at risk in the country. A large number of them say they believe activist groups are making an attempt to remove “traditional Christian values” from the public square. Here's the breakdown.

How concerned are you that religious liberties are under threat in the U.S.?
Very - 29%
Somewhat - 22%

71% of Evangelicals responding to the question answered "very" or "somewhat" while 97% of Evangelicals agreed with the statement “some groups have actively tried to move society away from traditional Christian values.”

A poll by Religion News Service and the Public Religion Research Institute nearly a year ago found 56% of Americans did NOT feel that religious freedom was under attack in this nation. The Barna poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

#1 Album

A Christian album hits the Billboard chart at number one. Chris Tomlin talks about his new album with Fox News in the video below.

This is Religious Freedom Day

Each year, the President declares January 16th to be Religious Freedom Day and calls upon Americans to "observe this day through appropriate events and activities in homes, schools, and places of worship." The day is the anniversary of the passage, in 1786, of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom.The goal is the promotion and protection of students' religious expression rights by informing educators, parents, and students about these liberties.

Inaugural Benediction

Luis León will give the closing prayer at the presidential inauguration. He is pastor of Saint John’s Church, an Episcopal parish located near the White House. It is so close, in fact, a pew has been reserved for the president to visit any service since 1815. In 2005 Luis León gave the invocation for the President George W. Bush’s second inauguration. Just a few days ago, Atlanta Evangelical pastor Louie Giglio withdrew from consideration after a sermon he gave more than a decade ago about gays came to light.

Why Washington's National Cathedral will start hosting same sex weddings

CNN reports on a change at the Washington, DC cathedral which has hosted many national events.

Missionaries Die in Accident

Several parishioners from a Michigan church were killed during a missionary trip to Haiti. Father John Vallier says all three were members of the Parish of the Holy Spirit in Grand Rapids. They were in Haiti as part of a medical team traveling in five vehicles to a villiage south of Port-Au-Prince when their SUV slide down a steep hill after the brakes failed. The driver was killed as well.

Pastor Drops out of Obama inauguration over Gay comments

The pastor picked to give the inauguration benediction is out. Louis Giglio withdrew when some comments he made some 20 years ago were posted on ThinkProgess - a politically liberal website. The pastor of Atlanta's Passion City Church said gay relationships are sinful, an abomination and he warned his congregation about the “aggressive agenda” for acceptance of the “homosexual lifestyle.” The Presidential Inaugural Committee picked Giglio for his efforts related to human trafficking, but withdrew its support of him over the remarks and gay advocacy groups urged the committee to pick someone else. Read Giglio's comments about why he pulled out here.

Gays in America’s Christian churches

The Washington Post offers a slideshow of how different churches are responding to gay members here.

Colorado Christian U.’s lawsuit over contraceptive coverage Dismissed

Colorado Christian University legal challenge to new health-care rules requiring employers to offer insurance covering contraception has lost in court. A federal judge has dismissed the school's lawsuit. There are about half a dozen Christian colleges and universities challenging the Obama administration, which claims the suit came too soon because the administration is promising to issue new regulations to accommodate religious objections. A similar suit by Wheaton College lawsuit was dismissed in August for the same reason.

Scores of Evangelical Christians to show support for Hobby Lobby

In the video below, KCTV in Kansas City reports on Hobby Lobby's stand on a healthcare measure they said conflicts with the company's Christian beliefs.

KCTV5

Targeting 'Les Miserables' to Christians

CNN takes a look at how the movie Les Miserable is being promoted to Christians here.

The challenge of hope in 'Les Misérables'

The takeaway of CNN contributor to the new film adaptation of Les Miserable here.

Congregation gives more than half-a-million in 2 days

A Miami megachurch has raised more than $600,000 in two days to help "the hurting and under-resourced in Miami and India." Christ Fellowship Church had hoped to raise $337,000, but the result was overwhelming. The church has six campuses and operates an organization called Caring for Miami which offers counseling, homeless assistance, medical and dental care, and other services to people living in the area. A large portion of the gives will go to fund that outreach. Children in the church raised more than $3800 by bringing pennies for helping children in need. Middle and high schoolers were encouraged to take their shoes off after a special service. More than 1,800 pairs of shoes were collected as donations to those in poverty living in places like Haiti, El Salvador. There is more information on the church here.

Millennials at church: A small but passionate flock

Read more at USA Today

The world's religious make-up

A new Pew Research Center report finding is shown in this chart.

Into everlasting fire

The Economist takes a look at the concept of hell in different societies here.

Cali Gay Therapy Law on Hold

A California law banning therapy aimed at changing the sexual orientation of gays is on hold. The Liberty Counsel, a Christian legal group, asked the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to stop the law's enforcement until the court decides on whether it violates the First Amendment rights of therapists and parents. One judge in the state has already declared it unconstitutional - while another decided the opposite. It was due to go into effect January first. An appeals court panel wants to wait at least until it can hear full arguments in the case. A lower court had turned down a request for an injunction by counselors who practice so-called "reparative therapy" along with two families who say the therapy helped their sons. If the law goes into effect, therapists using this technique could be disciplined by state licensing boards.

Former Pop Singer Sings a new Song

He was known for singing Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, This Magic Moment, and The Lion Sleeps Tonight during the 60s. Now, he's a pastor in Kansas. Frankie Valens left the music scene after some pop hits and now serves the same church his dad preached at years ago - First Christian Church in Syracuse. Now in his 70s, Valens attended Bible college briefly, but this is his first time to step the pulpit. His new album is titled Just Give Me Jesus. Here's a video of Valen in action a couple of years ago.

Christian Colleges win appeal

An appeals court is ordering the Obama administration to revise its contraception mandate. Wheaton College and Belmont Abbey College complained about rules requiring employers to provide access to contraceptive care. The schools said they should fall under a religious affiliation exemption. Lower courts dismissed their challenge. This decision reinstates it.

Appeals Court: OK to fire HR Director for view on Gay Rights

It was perfectly legal for the University of Toledo to fire an HR administrator because she wrote an opinion piece challenging gay rights, according to a federal court. The appeals panel took a look at a lower court's decision to side with the school when Crystal Dixon was dismissed, based on her opinion essay. She had sued, accusing the public university of violating her constitutional rights. Specifically, her 14th Amendment right to equal protection under the law by punishing her for expressing her views on homosexuality while other university employees were allowed to state views on homosexuality. The article came out in the Toledo Free Press in 2008. Dixon wrote “As a Black woman who happens to be an alumnus of the University of Toledo's Graduate School, an employee and business owner, I takegreat umbrage at the notion that those choosing the homosexual lifestyle are 'civil-rights victims'" because they have made "a life decision." In a school hearing, Dixon said her opinion did not prevent her from performing her duty and that she had even hired at least one gay person to work in her department. But the appeals court ruled that her expressed opinion conflicted directly with the policies she was supposed to enforce at the university and the fact her article was a statement of her own views as a private citizen did not matter.

The Decline of Evangelical America

An Arizona pastor has written an opinion piece in the New York Times titled The Decline of Evangelical America in which he claims 2012 saw "a collapse in American evangelicalism." Read more here.

Is ‘The Hobbit’ a ‘Christian’ film?

Religion News Service weighs in on the issue here.

Texas Church Explodes on Would-Be Thieves

Would-be thieves trying to take the copper wiring at a Houston, Texas church got more than they bargained for. Watch a video report from ABC News that shows what happened.

Counseling Suit against College Settled

A student who was expelled from her university for refusing to counsel a client about a same-sex relationship has settled her lawsuit with the school. Julea Ward told professors at Eastern Michigan University her Christian faith prevented her from supporting the sexual orientation of gay clients. She asked to have a gay client referred to another counselor. Instead, she was kicked out of school. The University will pay her $75,000, but the school’s curriculum requirements remain intact.

Judge finds NC 'Choose Life' plates unconstitutional

Here's a video report from WRAL-TV about a ruling concerning license plates.

Noah's Flood

An acclaimed underwater archaeologist says he has found proof that the biblical flood was based on real events. Robert Ballard says he is leading a team looking at a ancient civilization hidden underwater in the Black Sea near Turkey using robotic technology. In 1985, Ballard's team tracked down the Titanic wreckage.

Church Robbery Spree

A crime bulletin is out for two young white males believed to be behind more than 50 church robberies across the Midwest. The thieves have stolen money for the poor, gift cards for seminary students, musical instruments, and much more from churches in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.

A first for Canada

Canada has its first deaf Catholic priest. Matthew Hysell lost his hearing as a toddler when he contracted meningitis. Raised a Baptist in Michigan, Hysell made the decision to become a priest as a teenager after reading about the priesthood in school. He graduated from City University in New York, then earned a master's in theology from a California program. He next moved to Edmonton to study at Newman Theological College. Hysell was ordained yesterday and is now assigned to St. Theresa’s Roman Catholic Parish and will also serve as a parish priest at St. Thomas Church in the nearby community of Mill Woods. Hysell will celebrate mass using sign language and will hear confessions face to face.

Attempt to Ban Bell Ringers on Campus

There's an effort to ban the Salvation Army bell ringers from UC Berkeley by students who object to the group's stance on homosexuality. The student government at the California school past an anti-bell ringer resolution accusing the charity of discrimination and demanding the administration revoke the Army's permit to collect donations on campus. In response, the ministry denies the charges, saying the accusations are based on Internet rumors and not facts. The Army's says it does not require those it helps to agree with its doctrines, as the student resolution claims.

Evangelical runs California marijuana dispensary

Read the story in the Sacramento Bee here.

Religion and Same-Sex Marriage

If you opposed same-sex marriage, the odds are good it is because of religion, according to Frank Newport of the Gallup poll. A survey by the polling company finds 46% of those who opposed same-sex marriage say it because of their religious beliefs. Seven out of 10 weekly church attenders are opposed to same-sex marriage, while seven in 10 of those who seldom or never attend church are in favor of it. Read more about the survey here.

Sex among Unmarried Evangelicals Survey

Fewer young unmarried evangelical Christians are having sex than previously thought, according to the National Association of Evangelicals. 77% of evangelicals between the ages of 18 and 29 disagree with the statement “Having sex outside of marriage is morally acceptable for an unmarried person.” At the same time, 44% of unmarried evangelicals admitted having sex outside of marriage. That's lower than the finding of a estimate based on a 2009 survey by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. The NAE says the difference is based the two surveys defined evangelical differently. Read more here.

Misspelled words Commandments Monument

A newly 2,000-pound erected Ten Commandments monument on the Oklahoma state capitol grounds contains several typos. The misspelled words? Sabbeth instead of sabbath and maidseruent instead of maidservant. State Rep. Mike Ritze sponsored the original bill to put up the huge granite block and his family donated $10,000 for the monument. Another $10,000 came from private donations.

Christian Motivational Speaker Dies

Zig Ziglar has passed away at the age of 86 after a bout with pneumonia in Plano, Texas. The motivational speaker was always upfront about his Christian faith as he crossed the country talking about what makes a good sales person and the positive thinking point of view he espoused. His first book, See You at the Top, was published in 1975. It sold well and was followed by many others. Here's a video sample of his home-spun humor and common sense recommendations.

Criticism of show shines light on Seventh-day Adventists

Watch a video about Two and a Half Men star Angus T. Jones and his criticism of his own show and its relationship to his becoming a Seventh-day Adventist below.

 

Russian Youths Protest Mormons As 'Cult'

Read or listen to the story at NPR here.

Schuller Claim Slashed

Robert Schuller won't be getting the $5 million he claimed he deserved from the bankrupt church he founded. A California bankruptcy judge cut the claim against Crystal Cathedral Ministries down to about $600,000. The judge decided Schuller was only entitled to a year of compesation. He stepped down as senior pastor in 2005 in the midst of a scandal.

TV Star says he's now a Christian

One of the stars of Two and a Half Men says the show is "filth" and asks people to stop watching it.  Angus T. Jones, who has played Jake since 2003, says, "You can not be a true God-fearing person and be on a television show like that. I know I can't." Jones has been attending a Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Los Angeles area.  Here's the video.

College Audit: Controller Embezzled Funds

Prosecutors say an employee at a baptist university embezzled more than $100,000. Melinda Okai is accused of taking the funds from Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis by issuing fake refund checks and issued emergency loans to her husband - without crediting the loans to his tuition accounts. The missing funds showed up in an internal audit. Okai became controller in late 2009.

The Pope's Book on Christmas

Here's a CNN interview about a new book by Pope Benedict XVI, which claims to debunks several myths about the Nativity.

Women Bishops

The Church of England will not allow women to become bishops. A proposal in support of women bishops did not get enough support from church’s governing General Synod today. The church voted to approve women for the priesthood in 1992.

Tyndale Gets Contraceptive Reprieve

A judge is stopping, at least temporarily, efforts to force a Christian publisher from providing its employees with contraceptives such as Plan B and intrauterine devices under the new health-care law. The judge gave Tyndale House the preliminary injunction it requested. The company equates these contraceptive methods with abortion. Tyndale sued the Department of Health and Human Services last month, saying the order violates their religious beliefs. The parties will meet in court to make arguments in the case on a yet to be determined date.