Satanism Ritual Charges in North Carolina

A Democratic leader in North Carolina is being accused of participating in Satanism. Prosecutors in Durham have arrested three people who have been involved with the Durham County Democratic Party and charges against them include assault with deadly weapon, rape and kidnapping involving a satanic ritual. Police say a couple claims they were beaten, shackled, kept in dog cages and starved.The attorney for the three tells the Charlotte Observer there is no satanic worshipship or crime. They also run a company called Indigo Dawn which offers “past-life regression, spirit guide communication and healing and cleansing”. The companies site has been taken down but here is part of what was once online.

Oprah's View of Jesus

A video making the rounds on the internet shows Oprah Winfrey on her show talking about other ways to God besides Jesus. The clip has gotten millions of hits on a variety of sites.

Bibles at the Olympics

China has agreed to allow some Bibles to be given out at the Beijing Olympics this summer. The Bible Society, based in Britain, will make some 50,000 copies of the Gospels available at the Athletes' Village in Beijing and other cities involved in the Olympics. At least 30,000 copies of the full New Testaments will also be printed along with 10,000 Bibles. The Bibles will have the official Olympic stamp.

Political Activists Gather

Nearly 100 Evangelical activists met Tuesday night in Denver to talk about the presidential race. Organized by the Liberty Counsel, the group discussed backing John McCain despite their differences with the him and to lobby the Republican to pick former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee as his vice presidential running mate.

Radio Ad for Obama

A new ad for Barack Obama is designed to address James Dobson’s recent criticism of the presumptive Democratic nominee. The advertisement will run on Christian radio stations in Colorado Springs, Colorado – the home of Dobson’s Focus on the Family. The Matthew 25 Network is the Political Action Committee that produced the spot.

Willow Creek Makes Changes

One of the leading Evangelical megachurches has changed its outreach after a study showed members weren’t happy and many felt they were not making progress in their spiritual life. Chicagoland’s Willow Creek Community Church has changed midweek service into a variety of topics. Church leaders say they have no plans to abandon their seeker-services for new believers. The Reveal Spiritual Life Survey is based on input from 80,000 people and includes a look at more than 200 churches besides Willow Creek. It is detailed in the book Follow Me: What's Next for You?

Guilty of Proselytizing

Two Evangelicals have been found guilty of promoting Christianity in Algeria, according to AP. They were handing out tracts and Bibles in the north African Muslim county. They plan an appeal of the $1500 fine and suspended jail terms.

Obama Speech

Barak Obama plans to give a speech about faith today in Zanesville, Ohio. His campaign is working to gather young evangelicals around the candidate. Before the election takes place, the Obama forces are planning dozens of Christian rock concerts and meetings of religious leaders along with other strategies to motivate religious voters.

McCain and Grahams Met

John McCain met with Billy Graham and his son Franklin today at the Graham’s home near Asheville, North Carolina. The elder Graham met and prayed with McCain’s parents during the Vietnam War while he was a prisoner. Singer Ricky Scaggs had lunch with the Grahams and met the Republican presidential candidate. Franklin Graham met with Barack Obama recently along with a large group of evangelical leaders in Chicago. The Grahams say they have no plans to endorse a candidate.

Exorcism Protected in Texas

A Texas church is off the hook for an exorcism it performed on a teenager. Members of the Pleasant Glade Assembly in Fort Worth held down Laura Schubert for hours during her exorcism six years ago. The 17-year-old sued and a jury awarded her $300,000. An Appeals Court reduced the fine but now the Texas Supreme Court has thrown the jury verdict out. The justices say the court was unconstitutionally entangled the court in religious. The Austin American-Statesman says Schubert claims she was injured during the encounter, experiencing hallucination and eventually attempting suicide.