Glenn Beck Steps into Bible Controversy

Glenn Beck is giving a Colorado Springs women's shelter $55,000 because the facility lost a federal grant. The executive director of Gospel Shelters for Women, Marilyn Vyzourek, refused to discontinue mandatory Bible studies for the women. The former Fox News host says he's giving to make up for the financial loss. Gospel Shelters operates Liza's Place and a companion program called Hope's Home, which helps drug and alcohol addicts just out of prison.

School Flyer Fight

The Supreme Court turned aside an appeal by a Christian group to give out flyers at schools in Missouri. The Victory Through Jesus Sports Ministry Foundation hosts summer camps and was excluded from distribution at Lee's Summit R-7 School District. A district court panel found that the school system did not take religious orientation into account when deciding to limit distribution of Victory's flyers.

Refugee Camp Bombed

Samaritan's Purse is accusing the government of Sudan of bombing one of its refugee camps in South Sudan, few miles from the border with Sudan. The Christian relief organization has dropped 420 tons of food to the refugees. South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan just a few months ago. Samaritan's Purse says the bombs did not injure anyone or damage an buildings but one landed a few feet from a boy yet did not explode. The White House has urged the government to stop the bombings, though Sudan claims it had nothing to do with the attack.

Church Hands out Money to Members

The First Baptist Church of Euless, Texas is asking its congregation to invest $30,000 and use the proceeds to support evangelism. Members were given 5, 10 or 20 dollar bills during yesterday's services. The Dallas-area megachurch did the same thing a year ago and members came back with $150,000.

Stephen Colbert: Does God Have a Sense of humor?

Stephen Colbert interviews Catholic priest James Martin, author of Between Heaven and Mirth, on Comedy Central's The Colbert Report.

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CS Lewis on Twitter

C.S. Lewis has joined the social media revolution. HarperCollins has created the official Twitter account for the Christian apologist. It will feature quotes and news about his books. The account already has more than 7000 followers. This coming Wednesday (Nov 16) Douglas Gresham (Lewis’ stepson) will be hosting a live twitter event. You can find the Twitter feed here.

Ruling on Campus Police

North Carolina's highest court says the police working at religious college campuses in the state hold real authority - overturning a lower court ruling that said giving campus police power at religious institutions amounted to an illegal entanglement of government and religion. A North Carolina state law called the Campus Police Act allowed the state's attorney general to give authority to campus-police departments at private schools. The NC Supreme Court decision stemmed from a drunken-driving arrest at Davidson College (which is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA). When a campus officer arrested Julie Anne Yencer on charges of drunken and reckless driving, she pleaded guilty, but wanted the charges dismissed, based on the idea that the Davidson police officer did not have authority and that the Campus Police Act was unconstitutional.

Oprah at Megachurch

Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry showed up for Sunday services at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston. When Osteen introduced them he said, "Awesome to have you!" She interviewed Osteen as part of her new series Oprah's Next Chapter, which will premiere in January on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

Tebow Called "Nut"

Comedian Bill Maher calls NFL quarterback Tim Tebow a "religous nut" and "cuckoo for Christianity." See the video below.

Justin Bieber's Mom

Justin Bieber's mom is Tweeting Scripture as her son faces a paternity suit. Pattie Mallette, using the Twitter name StudioMama, has offered Bible verses and positive quotes such as this one, soon after news of the lawsuit came to light:

"Forgiveness in a nutshell means, 'Letting go of your right to get even.' Choose forgiveness. Be willing to be made willing to forgive."

A couple of days later, she re-tweeted her Justin's tweet:

"Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2."

Night to Honor Israel

John Hagee Ministries just gave out $6 million to Israeli charities at Hagee's Cornerstone megachurch in San Antonio, Texas during the group's Night to Honor Israel. Here's how it broke down:

Nefesh B'Nefesh - $900,000
(encourages immigration to Israel from English-speaking countries)

Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon - $250,000

Herzog Hospital in Jerusalem - $250,000

Western Galilee Hospital - $250,000

Megachurch Founder Investigated

The founder of the world's largest Christian church is coming under scrutiny for his business dealings. Prosecutors are investigating prosperity teacher David Yonggi Cho of Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul. More than two dozen church elders complain that he has embezzled the equivalent of $20 million, and one reports say the funds were used to buy property in the US. Meanwhile, his wife is accused of selling a building for her own profit.

Irony of Request Seemingly Lost of Schuller Family

Members of the Crystal Cathedral in Southern California are upset over an email sent to the congregation asking that food be brought to the founder's wife, Arvella Schuller, who is sick. But rather than having people come to their home, the Schullers asked in the email that donations be dropped off at the cathedral's Tower of Hope - where the Schullers' limo drivers could then pick it up. The request even specified what type of food was acceptable.  After leading the church into bankruptcy, court documents now indicate the family took nearly $10 million out of the church's endowment funds.

Tebowing Mocked

Tim Tebow says he's not bothered by what some commentators say is a mocking of his Christian faith. Detroit Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch struck a prayerful pose that's become known as "Tebowing" after sacking the Denver Broncos quarterback last week. The entire Lions team joined in the gesture during their 45-10 victory over the Broncos on Sunday. Comedian Denis Leary tweeted that "Jesus must be thinking even Judas had a better release than this guy" after the stunning loss. But one ESPN commentator says she was offended by it here. And a leader in the Nebraska Fellowship of Christian Athletes said it was "in bad taste and inappropriate, at best."

In God We Trust reaffirmed

The House of Representatives reaffirmed the nation's national motto should be In God We Trust yesterday by a vote of 396 to 9. The decision to make it the national motto was originally passed in 1956 and reaffirmed in 2002 - followed by a vote to reaffirm the concept in the motto by the Senate in 2006. It comes from a verse in Francis Scott Key's Star-Spangled Banner. It appeared on coins during the Civil War and was later added to US coins and bills. The courts have rejected claims it is a violation of the separation of church and state. President Obama criticized congress for spending time on the measure instead of his jobs bill. See his comments in the video below.

Bible Apps Take Off

The Bible is beating Angry Birds as an app. Publishers Weekly says Bible Apps are more frequently downloaded than the popular game. For instance, LifeChurch.tv’s YouVersion, a Bible app with more than 150 translations has been downloaded more than 30 million times. That means the app has been installed on one out of every 17 iPhones, iPads and Android devices sold. And iPhone Life magazine reports that “BibleReader broke into the top 10 highest grossing book apps for the iPad earlier this year.”

Christian Publisher Sold

HarperCollins is buying Thomas Nelson. The Nashville publisher produces many Christian books and cut its staff by 10% in 2008. HarperCollins acquired Zondervan in 1988. A recent survey found sales of religious books and Bibles is flat over the past two years.

Captioning Exemptions Revoked

Hundreds of churches are about to get letter from the FCC warning them to include closed captioning in their broadcasts or face fines. Five years ago, the FCC gave 300 of them "permanent exemptions" ago because they showed providing captions would impose a burden. The video producers will have 90 days to challenge the decision. Only five will be allowed to maintain their exemption.

School employees must sign statement on sex

Georgia's Shorter University is asking its employees to sign a statement rejecting homosexuality. The Personal Lifestyle Statement also requires staff members to reject premarital sex and adultery. Those who don't sign may be fired. Students do not have to sign the policy.

Christian Relic Discovered

Read about a tiny Christian relic found in Jerusalem here.