Friday, October 16, 2009

Apology for Nazi Comment

A Southern Baptist leader is apologizing for comparing some Democratic health-care proposals to Nazi Germany. Richard Land, head of the Southern Baptist Convention Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission said what Democratic leaders are advocating "is not something like what the Nazis did. It is precisely what the Nazis did." Land was speaking at a Florida banquet when he suggested the "Dr. Josef Mengele Award" should go to the president's chief health-care adviser. Mengele led the Nazi genocide including medical experiments at death camps. Land now says he never intended to "equate the Obama administration's health-care reform proposals with anything related to the Holocaust" and that he "deeply regrets" the reference to Dr. Josef Mengele.

Discrimination Suit

A former youth worker with a Florida megachurch is suing for racial discrimination. Joshua Randolph claims Brandon White, the son of the founder of Without Walls International Church and a senior administrator, sent him racially offensive e-mail messages using the N-word. Randolph says he quit over the issue. Pastor Paula White calls it an attempt to embarrass the predominantly black church. White's ex-husband led the church until he stepped down recently.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Would-be Thief Stopped

A man tried to rob the Lighthouse Christian Bookstore in Martell, California, claiming he had a gun. A female employee refused to fill the bag he brought into the store with money. After making sevearal demands, the man fled the scene.

Passenger Arrested

A Bible chanting airline passenger on a flight from Seattle to Atlanta was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. The Delta flight crew made an unscheduled stop in Tennessee. Passengers say Paul Marchuk III was subdued by other passengers when he began quoting Bible verses while biting and flailing about inside the aircraft.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Burning Bibles at Church

The Amazing Grace Baptist Church in Canton, North Carolina plans a book burning on Halloween – including Bibles. Marc Grizzard says Bibles that are not King James Version have a satanic influence. The church website says members will burn “Satan's music such as country, rap, rock, pop, heavy metal, western, soft and easy, southern gospel, contemporary Christian, jazz, soul (and) oldies.

Books going into the fire include those by Rick Warren and Billy Graham. That’s they have used Bibles other than the King James Version. Other authors going in the flames: Bill Hybels, John McArthur, James Dobson, Charles Swindoll, John Piper, Chuck Colson, Tony Evans, Oral Roberts, Jimmy Swagart, Mark Driskol, Franklin Graham, Bill Bright, Tim Lahaye, Paula White, T.D. Jakes, Benny Hinn, Joyce Myers, Brian McLaren, Robert Schuller, Mother Teresa, The Pope, Rob Bell, Erwin McManus, Donald Miller, Shane Claiborne, Brennan Manning and William Young.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Teen Ordered Back to Islamic Family

The runaway who fled to Florida because she was afraid of her Islamic father after embracing Christianity has been ordered back to Ohio. A Florida judge says 17-year-old Rifqa Bary should return to her family near Columbus. A Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation found no credible threats.

Choose Life Tags

Choose Life license plates have hit roadblocks in New Jersey, New York and Illinois. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court decided not to consider an appeal from Illinois abortion opponents over the matter. That leaves the decision, for the moment, in the hands of state governments. Choose Life plates have won approval in 24 states. Five U.S. Circuit Courts have ruled on the matter. And each one of them has come to different conclusions.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Left Behind Video Game

A video games based on the Left Behind book series is now available in some Walmart stores around Dallas and Houston as a test. The popular novel series byTim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins have sold millions of copies in 30 languages. The US market for Christian video games is expected to grap 3% of the market in the next five years, pulling in $648 million, according to estimates by PricewaterhouseCoopers. Thousands of Texas-based pastors are getting letters about the games. It's part of a 10 week campaign that runs through Christmas.

Abortion & Gay Marriage Survey

A new survey shows most Americans now oppose abortion rights. At the same time, the Pew Research Center survey shows most (57%) favor civil unions for gay couples. In 2003, support for civil unions stood at 45%. Most remain opposed to gay marriage (53%).