Politics at Liberty U

A Liberty University official wants an apology from the College Democrats club. Vice president of student affairs Mark Hine says he never told club members that Democrats could not be Christians or that the club couldn’t meet. The accusation was repeated in the media and MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann selected Hine for his Worst Person in the World segment. Club members met with Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. this week after Liberty revoked its official recognition. The Christian school objects to the group’s support of the Democratic Party’s pro-choice platform and candidates. While the club can still meet, until it is reinstated, the Liberty College Democrats will not get any funds from the University, be allowed to use the school’s name or invite outside speakers.

Order to Stop Bible Study

A San Diego pastor says he's being harassed by county officials for holding the Bible study at his home each week. David Jones was given a written warning that warned to "stop religious assembly or apply for a major use permit" which would cost tens of thousands of dollars. Here's a video report on the controversy from KGTV.

Whatever Happened to.. Robert Tilton?

Here's a story from the the Dallas Morning News about televangelist Robert Tilton.

Cable Channel Bought

Robert Schuller (the younger one) and the founder of GodTube are buying AmericanLife TV. The cable channel reaches about 13 million subscribers. Schuller (former Crystal Cathedral pastor) and Chris Wyatt say it won’t become another religious network but plan to change the on-air look and change it into a “family values” channel.

Gay Marriage Survey

Most Americans oppose gay marriage by 57-40% in a new Gallup Poll. In 1996 the percentage was 68-27%. Here are some other findings from the survey:

Only 18-to-29-year-olds favor gay marriage: 59-37%
Moderates favor gay marriage: 50-46%
Most Americans favor allowing gays to adopt: 54%
A slim majority believe gay relations between consenting adults should be legal: 56-40%

Meyer Ministry Entangled in Suit

Joyce Meyer Ministries is being drawn further into a murder investigation. The organization's former security chief is facing murder charges after the bodies of his wife and two sons were found in their home. Ministry records including information about insurance policies, work history, pensions and travel records are being requested as part of a wrongful death lawsuit filed yesterday by the mother and brother of the slain wife. Christopher Coleman resigned from the ministry shortly after the murders. Lawyers want to explore how much Joyce Meyer Ministry was aware of what was going on with Coleman and his family. Meyer herself visited the Coleman house not long after the bodies were discovered to offer condolences. A family spokesman says any money recovered by the lawsuit will go to a memorial fund.

First for Vatican Radio

Vatican Radio plans to run commercials starting in July. Listeners can hear the pope's broadcasts and news of the Catholic Church on FM radio stations throughout Italy or over the internet. The service is first began in 1931 and has never run ads – until now.

Mormon Church on Prop 8

Here's a statement from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the California Supreme Court's decision to uphold Proposition 8.

Prop 8 Upheld

The California Supreme Court has upheld the gay marriage ban known as proposition 8. California voters passed the contitutional amendment last year in a close election. That means the state will not allow marriage licenses to be issued to same-sex couples. The court also decided that the some 18,000 gay couples who had marriage ceremonies before the law took effect will stay wed. Watch fo the issue to be put to California voters against next year.

These states allow same-sex couples to marry:

• Massachusetts
• Connecticut
• Iowa
• Vermont
• Maine

Faith-Healing Conviction

A Wisconsin jury convicted Leilani Neumann of reckless homicide because she prayed for her daughter’s healing instead of getting medical treatment for the 11-year-old’s diabetes. She could get 25 years behind bars but plans an appeal. Her husband will go on trial for the same crime later this summer. WSAW-TV has this video report.

Lawsuit Over Mission

An Oregon prisoner is suing Lane County because he had to live in a place with daily religious services after his release. Jason Dwain Davies served time for identity theft, drug possession and resisting arrest. Parole officers then assigned him to the Eugene Mission after his time behind bars. The mission feeds and shelters the homeless and offers gospel services. A county spokesman said Davies could have had to go on a waiting list for another location but the mission was the only rehab place open at the time. Davies is back in prison following a new conviction on charges of identity theft and possession methamphetamine.

4 Mags Closed

Christianity Today will let 30 workers go and shut down 4 magazines. That includes Today’s Christian Woman magazine, the Campus Life College Guide, Glimpses, and Church Office Today.

Atheist Bus Message

Public buses around the South Bend, Indiana area will soon sport ads promoting atheism. The banners are sponsored by the Indiana Atheist Group and say You can be good without God. City officials in Bloomington, Indiana turned down the same ads but the ACLU filed a lawsuit. Similar ads are already running on more than two dozen buses in Chicago that read, In the beginning, man created God.