Anne Rice Quits Christianity

Anne Rice says she's no longer a Christian. She wrote on her Facebook page this week, "I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. I quit Christianity and being Christian." Rice is author of Interview With a Vampire and has recently written several Christian books. She says the priest sexual abuse scandals in the Catholic church have also bothered her.

Bus Driver Suit

A former bus driver is suing his former employer for firing him earlier this year when he refused to drive passengers to Planned Parenthood. Edwin Graning wants Capital Area Rural Transportation System to give him his job back and pay unspecified damages. Graning, an ordained Christian minister, concerned that he might be transporting a client to undergo an abortion. The company denies that it discriminated against him because of his religion.

Christian Music Pioneer Passes

The man behind the 70s Christian group Sweet Comfort band, Kevin Thomas, died in May at the age of 57. Thomson played bass and managed the group. He suffered from several health problems. The group sprung in Southern California in 1972 and retired in 1984 after producing six albums.

Free Christian Music

Websites with free Christian songs and lyrics.

Sharesong.org

Christian Sheet Music Lyrics

Christian Gospel Music Lyrics

Christian Lyrics Online

a-z music lyrics

Psalmisty

All Gospel Lyrics

Getting to Know Rod Parsley

• Preaches prosperity gospel at World Harvest Church in Columbus, Ohio

• His $40 million-a-year Breakthrough TV ministry is on 1,400 TV stations and cable affiliates

• Dropped out of Circleville Bible College in his second year

• Lives on a 21-acre compound in a $1 million home

Clerk Talks about Jesus, Robber Leaves

A robber leaves empty-handed after the store clerk talked about Jesus and her Christian faith. WSVN-TV reports.

International Burn a Quran Day

A pastor is hosting what's being called International Burn a Quran Day on September 11.

Screamin' Demons

A Georgia pastor is trying to get his local high school to drop its mascot. Donald Crosby of Kingdom Builders Church of Jesus Christ says teams at Warner Robins High School shouldn't be called the Demons. Crosby is tring to get his son transferred from the school to avoid having him shout, "Go Demons!" at games. In the meantime, he started a petition drive. The mascot was adopted right after World War II in honor of the 7th fighter squadron based at Robins Air Force Base for repairs which had the nickname Screamin' Demons.

Suit Over Views on Homosexuality

A student is suing Augusta State University because she was told she must undergo a remediation program over her beliefs about homosexuality and transgendered persons. Jennifer Keeton is working on a master's degree in school counseling, but school officials say she'll be dismissed from the program unless she alters her "central religious beliefs on human nature and conduct." because "she holds to Christian ethical convictions on matters of human sexuality and gender identity. Augusta State University had no comment on the lawsuit, but maintains there is no discriminate on the basis of students' religious beliefs.

Benny Hinn Accused of Affair

Benny Hinn is denying reports he has had an affair with Without Walls International Church senior pastor Paula White. Both have statements on their websites objecting to a National Enquirer report that they've become romantically involved. It includes photos of the two holding hands on what the paper calls a "romantic trip to Rome." White is twice divorced and Hinn's wife filed for divorce earlier this year. The Hinns have been married for 30 years. Both of their ministries are being investigated by Iowa Republican Senator Charles Grassley for possible violations of rules set down by the IRS about nonprofit organizations.

Doug Oldham Dies

Christian singer Doug Oldham has died at the age of 79. An associate of Jerry Falwell, he passed away at the University of Virginia Medical Center while awaiting surgery for a recent back injury. Oldham was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2006. He recorded more than 64 albums and sang with the Billy Graham and for five presidents.

Focus Going Social

Focus on the Family say it is going to do "everything Facebook lets a company do." The ministry founded by James Dobson plans to use social media and extensively even though it didn't have a Facebook page until last year. Even then, it was a supporter and not an employee who started it. The site now has 51,000 fans. Facebook says it has surpassed 500 million active users, making it the largest social network in the world.

Megachurch Pastor Injured

Rick Warren is recovering from accident that severely burned his eyes. He was pruning in his garden Monday when he inadvertently wiped the toxic sap of a firestick plant in his eyes. Warren was hospitalized and released the next day. The California pastor has been on a leave from preaching at his church to write the church's fall curriculum on Christian service.

CS Lewis off-Broadway

Two different plays are running off-Broadway right now about CS Lewis. There is a stage adaptation of his Screwtape Letters while Freud's Last Session is based on a book by Armand Nicholi called The Question of God which contrasts the views of Freud and Lewis. The play turns into a lively debate about God, sex, and politics. Neither show is marketed to a specifically Christian audience.

OK Law on Hold

An Oklahoma abortion law will not go into affect because a judge has issued an injunction to block it. This extends an order issued in May. The law would require women seeking abortions to have an ultrasound and listen to a detailed description of the fetus. It's is being challenged by the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Millions to Study Character

Wake Forest University has been given $3.67 million to study the nature of character. Three professors from the Winston-Salem, North Carolina school - one in philosophy and two in psychology will lead the study. The funding comes from the John Templeton Foundation for The Character Project.

The Legend of Caine

Will Smith may star in re-telling of the biblical story of Cain and Abel. Smith will reportedly be the producer of The Legend Of Caine which will be brought up to date with the inclusion of a Vampire-like twist. The script was written by Caleeb Pinket, Will Smith's brother-in-law.

Gospel Album Called Sick Joke

A record label executive says Tom Jones new Gospel album is a "sick joke." Island records vice president David Sharpe has since apologized for the remark after Jones demanded one. Jones left EMI last year and signed with Island Records. The 70-year-old's decision to release an album of blues-flavored gospels and spirituals called Praise & Blame came as a surprise.

Prayers for Gulf Families

Evangelical groups are promoting today as a National Day of Prayer for the Gulf. The National Association of Evangelicals and the Evangelical Environmental Network are asking Christians to pray for Gulf Coast residents affected by the BP oil spill. Congregations across the U.S. and as far away as New Zealand will observe the National Day of Prayer for the Gulf from their own church location. Churches in Gulf Shores, Alabama took part in an inter-denominational sunrise service Sunday on the beach at Gulf State Park this morning.

Christianity in Africa

The Economist has a report on the rise of Christianity in the Horn of African here.