Walking in Jesus' Steps

The Jesus Trail now has competition. In 2010, two hikers conceived the 40 mile trail that retracing the steps of Jesus in Israel. But the country’s Ministry of Tourism has opened a rival trail. The Gospel Trail is a few miles shorter than the Jesus Trail which also journeys through more Arab villages. For more information click here.

Concert Threatened by Suit

An atheist in Utah is trying to stop a performance by Christian singer Michael W. Smith. Here's a video report from KSTU-TV about the lawsuit.

Linsanity Comes to Texas

Jeremy Lin is now a Houston Rocket. The outspoken NBA player who made a splash last season in New York with his clutch play, plans to wear the number 7 because he says it represents God to him. At his introduction press conference, Lin said, "I want to make sure I play hard and I play for God. Everything else I can be OK with. I just want to make sure as a person and as a player I'm consistent in what I believe in. The biggest thing for me is waking up every day trying to glorify God. The only thing I can really promise is I'm going to give my best effort. I'm going to do my best to be a great playmaker, a great decision-maker. I'm gonna try my best to be a humble leader and serve my teammates."

Kathie Lee Gifford on Broadway

Kathie Lee Gifford has a musical she has written headed To Broadway. It's about early 1900s evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson. Here's more on her announcement.

Wheaton Challenges Obama Care

Wheaton College is joining America's Catholic bishops in their legal fight against Obama Care. The Evangelical group objects to the Affordable Care Act's requirement to provide contraception. Their lawsuit, filed in DC says it "forces both institutions to violate their deeply held religious beliefs or pay severe fines. There is an exception for churches and religious schools but not faith-based organizations.

Scientology may face new troubles

USA Today takes a look at Scientology after the Tom Cruise divorce here.

Jailed for Bible Study

An Arizona pastor is in jail for holding a Bible study. The City of Phoenix raided the home of Michael Salmon because he was in violation of a city law related to occupancy. His home Bible study only brought together about 20 people. He's held the studies on his more than four acres of property for some seven years. While Salmon applied for the required permits related to fires, the city says he must commercially incorporate in order to receive a grant. He's now serving a 60 day jail sentence for his crime.

Cain on the Big Screen

Will Smith is reportedly lined up to direct his first film - The Redemption of Cain. He will also play a role in the movie about the sons of Adam and Eve, Cain and his brother Abel. The original title was changed from the The Legend of Cain to the Redemption of Cain to offer a more sympathetic portrayal of the Biblical character.

Noah

Russell Crowe and Anthony Hopkins have signed on to play parts in the new movie from Paramount about Noah. Crowe will play the title role while Hopkins has been cast as Noah’s grandfather, Methuselah. Darren Aronofsky's big budget biblical epic also includes Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson, and Ray Winstone. The film is set for a March of 2014 release.

Beer vs Church

People Tweet about church more than beer, according to a new study. Floatingsheep.org says the numbers are different for different regions of the country. Tweets about church popped up most in the Southeast. Tweets about beer were more common in the Northeast. The survey reviewed some 10 million tweets during a week in June. Church got more than 17 thousand tweets while beer was mentioned some 14 thousand times. People living in San Francisco talked about beer the most, while Dallas was the most focused on church.

Faith drives new political movement

The Tennessean offers a look at Tea Party Evangelicals here.

Westboro: We'll Picket Andy Griffith's Funeral

The Westboro Baptist Church may have missed its chance. The group that thrives on picketing funerals had said it planned to picket the funeral of actor Andy Griffith. But Griffith was buried on North Carolina's Roanoke Island just hours after he died. The star of The Andy Griffith Show and Matlock, Griffith also won a Grammy for a Gospel album. Margie Phelps, spokesperson for Westboro, called him a "twice-divorced adulterer who taught sin.

Counseling Gays Ruling

A student who says her Christian beliefs prevented her from counseling gays has lost her lawsuit against Augusta State University. A federal judge says the school's counseling program was justified in throwing Jennifer Keeton out of the program. Keeton is represented by the Alliance Defense Fund, which has not decided whether to appeal the decision. An appeals court had already refused to block her expulsion from the program, saying her lawsuit was likely to fail and she was looking for special treatment. In a similar suit, an appeals court told Eastern Michigan University that it should not have expelled Julea Ward for referring gay clients to other counselors who did not share her Christian beliefs. The Michigan House passed a bill recently that would stop programs at public schools from taking action against students who did the same. The Michigan Senate hasn't weighted in on the legislation yet.

Cruise Divorce Filing

The wife Tom Cruise says members of the Church of Scientology are following her, since she filed for divorce from him. A lawyer for the group denies the claim. Katie Holmes is asking for sole custody of their daughter, 6-year-old Suri. There are reports she is afraid he will send her to a Scientology camp. Raised a Catholic in Ohio, Holmes has reportedly enrolled in a Catholic school in New York.

Presidential faith

CNN offers a perspective on "Why a president's faith may not matter" here.

Sentenced to read the Bible

A South Carolina women was ordered to read the Bible as part of her DUI sentence for driving the wrong way down a road and causing an accident that severely injured two men. Her blood alcohol content was more than four times the legal limit. Judge Michael Nettles gave Cassandra Belle Tolley eight years. When she gets out, Tolley has five years probation, counseling - and an order to read and write a summary of the book of Job.

Singapore church scandal

CNN offers a video report about a megachurch pastor in Singapore who is accused of misusing church funds to help his wife's singing career.

Salem Suit

A concert promoter is suing the largest Christian radio broadcasting company. LMG Concerts out of Vancouver, Washington (near Portland) claims Salem Communications has a monopoly that restricts competition in the religious media market. Salem has 4 Christian radio stations in the Portland area. Salem's Fish Concerts is a competitor of LMG. The suit says all the major Christian artists have switched from LMG to Fish Concerts.

Jesus Banned from Police Prayers in Charlotte

Charlotte police are taking the name of Jesus out of prayers that are offered during official ceremonies. A notice went out last week about the policy. Employees and chaplains are warned to only give nonsectarian prayers. WBTV has a video report below.

Pastor Accused of Gamibling Away $430k

A Texas preacher and his wife are facing charges related to gambling with church funds. Prosecutors accuse the couple of gambling away $430,000. Read the story here.