Justin Bieber's Faith

A new 3-D concert film/documentary about Justin Bieber (coming out Friday) will show the singer's beliefs, according to his manager. Scotter Braun say viewers will see how important his faith is to Bieber and that "As a Christian, he's someone to look up to." Justin Bieber: Never Say Never was previewed for faith leaders and spiritual discussion guides are being made available. The film shows Bieber praying before concerts. Braun denies the spiritual emphasis is just a marketing tool. Many fans first got to know Bieber from the Christian songs he sang on YouTube before he became famous. His mother, Pattie Mallette, openly shares her beliefs and Bible verses with some 300k Twitter followers. Her son told Billboard magazine, "I believe that Jesus died on a cross for my sins. "He's the reason that I'm here."

Megachurch CFO Out

The Crystal Cathedral's chief financial officer is retiring. Fred Southard's role in the church bankruptcy has brought attention to the fact the church gave him a $132,000 tax-exempt housing allowance. He's been the CFO for the Southern California megachurch for more than 30 years. Court documents show the bankruptcy officer says, "There is no justification whatsoever for a housing allowance of this amount. Mr. Southard has failed to explain why such a housing allowance is necessary or appropriate, given this Debtor is in Chapter 11 and suffering financial difficulties." The church gave some $2 million to two dozen insiders, mostly members of the Robert Schuller family in the year leading up to the bankruptcy.

A list of Religious Companies

CNN has named what the news network calls a list of religious companies. The list includes:

Chick-fil-A which recently kicked up a controversy by giving food to a group opposed to gay marriage, has a proud Christian identity.

Forever 21. The words John 3:16 appears at the bottom of its stores' shopping bags. A spokeswoman for the company told The New York Sun that the message is a "demonstration of the owners' faith."

Whole Foods. John Mackey, the organic food chain's co-founder and CEO, is a Buddhist who has worked to incorporate the eastern tradition's ideals into his company.

Tom’s of Maine. After launching the natural home products company in 1970 with his wife Kate, CEO Tom Chappell nearly left it to pursue full-time Christian ministry. While receiving a master's at Harvard Divinity School, however, a professor advised him to just treat his business as ministry.

Tyson Foods. The world's largest chicken company employs a team of chaplains who minister to employees at production facilities and corporate offices.

Hobby Lobby. The privately held chain of more than 450 arts and crafts stories isn't shy about its Christian orientation. "Honoring the Lord in all we do by operating the company in a manner consistent with Biblical principles," reads the company's mission statement. "We believe that it is by God's grace and provision that Hobby Lobby has endured."

ServiceMaster. It owns Terminix and American Home Shield. The company was founded in 1929 by Marion E. Wade, who "had a strong personal faith and a desire to honor God in all he did," according to ServiceMaster's website.

Herman Miller. The Michigan-based furniture manufacturer's founders were steeped in the Reformed Protestant tradition.

Interstate Batteries. The car battery giant has a "self-avowed religious identity and is very open in their God talk" in internal training and communication, Former company president Norm Miller moved to the role of chairman to allow more time to address Christian audiences. Miller talks to those "interested in how he found the truth of Christianity," the company's website says, "and how he learned to effectively apply biblical principles to create a more successful business."

In-N-Out Burger. Western U.S. burger chain In-N-Out has printed citations of Bible passages on cups, wrappers and other pieces of packaging since at least the late 1980s. For instance, "John 3:16" appears on the bottom of soft drink cups.

Walmart. Treat this one as an honorable mention. Lambert says the Walton family, which founded the company and still own a major stake in it, has used Christian servant leadership models in building the world's largest retailer. And the company's Arkansas roots helped sensitize it to the shopping habits of churchgoers.

Read more here.

Christianity in Central America

The Economist takes a look at Evangelicals and Catholics in San Salvador here.

KJV Turns 400

The Globe and Mail takes a look at the impact of the King James Bible here.

National Prayer Breakfast

Here is a video from the National Prayer Breakfast, showing Barack Obama's remarks. There's a full transcript here.

Super Bowl QB

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers says his favorite book is the Bible and leads his team in pregame prayers. Sometimes called "squeaky clean" by the news media, Rodgers is the NFL's career pass rating leader with the lowest interception rate in league history.

Smut for Smut

A student group at the University of Texas San Antonio is giving pornography magazines to anyone who turns in a Bible. Atheist Agenda set up a booth on the campus and calls the event Smut for Smut. It's the second time the group has tried the promotion. Meanwhile, Christian groups on campus are gathering to speak to students who stop by the event.

Church Faces Foreclosure

Regions Bank may take a Kansas City megachurch if the congregation doesn't come up with more than $14 million owned for a mortgage. The foreclosure on the First Family Church's 61 acre campus in Overland Park comes after hundreds of members had left the church over concerns about financial accountability. Pastor Jerry Johnston has not responded to media requests for interviews. Church officials would have up to 30 days to respond to the bank’s petition for foreclosure.

Super Bowl Ad Rejected

Fox Sports says it won't run an ad during the Super Bowl that refers to John 3:16. Produced by the Fixed Point Foundation out of Birmingham, Alabama, the advertisement encourages viewers to look up the Bible verse by directing them to lookup316.com. There is no financial appeal or attempt to sale in the ad. Fox rejected it because it contains "religious doctrine." The group has turned to buys on regional networks to get the ad shown. Here's the ad.

Shea Gets Award

The group that presents the Grammys is giving George Beverly Shea a Lifetime Achievement Award. Shea will be 102 next month when he picks up the award. Best-known for singing at Billy Graham's crusades, he has recorded more than 500 vocal solos and more than 70 albums. He has 10 Grammy nominations and won one Grammy. The Guinness Book of World Records says Shea holds the mark for singing in front of the most people (220 million). His first wife, Erma, died in 1976. In 1985, he married Karlene and now live near Billy Graham in North Carolina.

Kardashian Tithing

Kim Kardashian told CNN's Piers Morgan last night that she tithes her yearly income. The reality star said, "Whatever it is, I give 10% away to the church, and that's what I was taught." Her sister was asked whether she tithes and Kourtney Kardashian said with a laugh, "I'm going to now. I was taught that, too, but I forgot about it."

More Happiness for Couples that Wait

Researchers at Brigham Young University say they've found evidence to support abstinence. They asked survey participants about their sexual activity in their marriage, how often they attended church, pray, and whether spirituality was an important part of their lives. They found people who delay having sex had better relationships in four ways: Better communication, sexual activity, relationship satisfaction, and stability. Details are in the Journal of Family Psychology.

Sundance

Films about faith and religion are prominent at this year's Sundance Film Festival. Two that are attention are Salvation Boulevard where Pierce Brosnan stars as a corrupt charismatic preacher of a Christian spiritual community and Farmiga, which tells the story of an Iowa farm girl who becomes a born-again Christian in the 1970s.

Muslim Growth

If trends continue, more than one person in four will be a Muslim by 2030, according to a study. The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life found the number will reach 2.2 billion. of Muslims in the US will more than double in the next 20 years.

Hall of Fame Inductees

Johnny Cash was among those inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame Monday. Joining him were the Golden Gate Quartet, DeGarmo & Key, and disc jockey Bill "Hoss" Allen. Larry Gatlin and comedian Chonda Pierce served as hosts for the ceremonies at the Trinity Broadcast Network's Trinity Music City Auditorium in Hendersonville, Tennessee.. Performers included Ricky Skaggs, the Oak Ridge Boys, Trace Adkins, Russ Taff and Jeremy Camp

Haggard: I'm Bisexual

Former megachurch pastor Ted Haggard says he's a bisexual. Haggard was forced out of his church after his relationship to a male prostitute became public. In an interview with GQ magazine, he talks about the man and his use of drugs. Haggard told the interviewer he would likely call himself a "bisexual" if not for his belief system and family. Haggard is back in Colorado Springs where is is leading a small independent church.

Pastors Protest BP

A group of 40 people including many Black pastors protested at the Calvary Baptist Church in Kenner, Louisiana against BP. They are complaining that the oil company was slow making payments to their churches. The pastors say the spill cut into their donations.

What Billy Graham Regrets

Billy Graham says he regrets getting into politics. During an interview with Christianity Today, Graham spoke about what he would had done differently in his life:

I ... would have steered clear of politics. I'm grateful for the opportunities God gave me to minister to people in high places; people in power have spiritual and personal needs like everyone else, and often they have no one to talk to. But looking back I know I sometimes crossed the line, and I wouldn't do that now."

President Obama visited the 92-year-old evangelist at his log cabin in North Carolina in April of last year.

Dog Killed for Chewing on Bible

A South Carolina woman is facing charges she abused her nephew's dog for chewing on her Bible. Prosecutors say Miriam Smith of Spartanburg used an electrical cord to hang the dog and burn its body. Police say she called it a "devil dog." She had apparently left the Bible on her porch. Smith could get as much as five years in prison.

Osteen on CNN

Megachurch pastor Joel Osteen will appear tonight on Piers Morgan's new CNN show. In the prerecorded interview, Morgan asked Osteen about homosexuality. Here's a clip.

Cutting Ties with Interfaith Group

Southern Baptists are parting ways with an interfaith coalition that works against discrimination against Muslims in the building of mosques. The Interfaith Coalition on Mosques was started by the Anti-Defamation League. Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, announced his intention to withdraw from the group this past Friday.

The Rite

Anthony Hopkins says he used to be an atheist but now, "I'm not sure what I believe. I think there's something at the back of everything. And I think the film presents an interesting debate, and I respect people's beliefs, whether they're atheists or believers." The film the actor is referring to is titled The Rite. He reprises his role as Hannibal Lecter in the movie that opens Friday. Hopkins says a real exorcist, a priest, was on the set for consultation during the production. The story focuses on a young deacon played by Colin O'Donoghue who isn't sure there is a God, or a Devil.

Hopkins has told reporters in interviews this week, "If someone believes in God, who am I to argue with that? Who am I to question the faith of people like Einstein, Kepler, Charles Darwin, who were themselves great scientists and yet believed in a deity? I do read everything I can. For this project, I read On the Origin of Species, and I've read the Psalms of Bonhoeffer, and his life story. I've read everything I possibly can. The only certainty is death. My only philosophy is that if this is it, if this is the only life there is, I may as well enjoy it. And if it's not - maybe there's something beyond this, and this is all a dream - then I may as well enjoy it as well. It's a double-win situation."

Katy Perry: Christianity Still Important to Me

Katy Perry says her new husband has stopped making jokes about religion because it upsets her. She says British comedian Russell Brand used to make blasphemous jokes, but seldom does now because the 26-year-old former Christian singer objects to it. She tells The Sun that Christianity is still an important part of her life. She also told the British paper that she is offended by Madonna's use of a crucifixion as part of her stage show, which includes the singer performing a song from a cross. Perry says, "For me, spirituality is something very important and I don't like it when people take it lightly. At times, I don't understand why there are artists who play that card, like when Madonna gets up on a cross to sing." The singer had already told the media about her objection for Lady Gaga putting a rosary in her mouth.

University Settles Suit

A college researcher who sued the University of Kentucky will get $125,000 for what he called a case of religious discrimination. C. Martin Gaskell was in line to get a position that would put him in charge of a new astronomical observatory until university officials questioned his views on evolution and that he valued "intelligent design" arguments. Gaskell has said he believes in theistic evolution, that the process of evolution was guided by some intelligent being. The University says the settlement avoids a lengthy court battle, which would have benefited no one.

Abortion Doctor Arrested

A Philadelphia abortion doctor is facing murder charges for allegedly killing babies that could have survived. Prosecutors say Kermit Gosnell cut their spinal cords of seven breathing babies with scissors after removing them from mothers late in their pregnancies. Prosecutors say there is amble evidence that the babies could have survived and that this may have happened hundreds of times. State law in Pennsylvania prohibits abortion after 24 weeks except to save the life of the mother or avoid serious health risk to her.

Pastor Banned From Country

The UK has banned Florida pastor Terry Jones from entering the country. Jones threatened to burn a Koran last year. He was recently invited to speak to a controversial group and is planning to "put the Koran on trial" at his Gainesville, Florida church.

Rapper Picks Up Bible

Lil Wayne says while serving time in jail he began reading the Bible. Following his 11 months in Rikers Island prison in New York, the rapper told Rolling Stone he read some musician's bios and "I also read the Bible for the first time. It was deep! I liked the parts where some character was once this, but he ended up being that. Like he'd be dissing Jesus, and then he ends up being a saint. That was cool."

Governor Apologizes

Alabama's Governor is apologizing for saying anyone who wasn't a Christian was also not his brother or sister. Robert Bentley made the inauguration day remarks at a church once led by Martin Luther King Jr. Bentley says he intends to be a governor for all, not just Christians. The one-time Southern Baptist deacon was decried by The Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish for the remarks.

Landmines at the Jordan

The area at the Jordan River near Jericho, where it is believed John the Baptist baptized Jesus, is surrounded by thousands of land mines. Isreal has issued warnings but the military says the Qasr el-Yahud area is free of mines because it sweeps the area regularly. Some 8000 have been found and removed during 2010. Israel took control of the area in 1967.

Vatican Abuse Letter Revealed

The Vatican warned Ireland's Catholic bishops in 1997 not to tell police about possible cases of child abuse. Even though the Vatican has long denied any involvement in coverups and says it never encouraged priests to withhold evidence, the letter suggests it rejected attempts by Irish churches to help police identify pedophile priests.

The CS Lewis Bible

A new version of the Bible is out that includes passages from CS Lewis. HarperCollins says there are quotes from Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, The Problem of Pain, Miracles, and A Grief Observed. The translation is the New Revised Standard Version.

International Judge the Koran Day

Terry Jones is planning another stunt. The Gainesville pastor who threatened to burn the Quran, but backed down, now says he's going to put the Quran on trial. He's calling March 20th International Judge the Koran Day. If the public "convicts" the Quran, Jones says he will destroy a copy by burning it, "drowning" it, shredding it or subjecting it to a firing squad. He explains more in this video.

Abortion Rates

The abortion rate in the US has leveled off after falling for more than a decade. A survey by the Guttmacher Institute found a 1% increase to 19.6 abortions per 1,000 women of child-bearing age. It was 19.4 in 2005. The actual numbers of abortions, according to the group went up to 1,212,350 from 1,206,200. Abortions were up 38% in Louisiana, but dropped 13% in Wisconsin.

Undefeated QB Legacy

TCU's quarterback led his team to a perfect 13-0 season, capped off by a victory over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. Andy Dalton also left a spiritual legacy on campus. Read about it here.

Baptist Leader Resigns

The Missouri Baptist Convention has lost its leader. David Tolliver resigned Friday from the Southern Baptist group. A statement from the organization says the cause was "immoral behavior with a woman.” His predecessor, David Clippard was fired over "rumors" about his "character.The associate executive director of support services, Jay Hughes will serve as acting interim executive director.

Celebrating the KJV

The BBC takes a look at celebrations in marking the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible a town where one of its translators lived. here.

Getting to Know.. Tullian Tchividjian

William Graham Tullian Tchividjian, the 37-year-old grandson of evangelist Billy Graham will took the pulpit of the late D. James Kennedy at Fort Lauderdale's Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church one year ago. Here’s some background on Tchividjian:

• Tchividjian is pronounced chi-VID-gen
• Friends call him Tullian
• Described as “energetic and easygoing”
• Born July 13, 1972, grew up in Coral Springs
• His parents kicked him out of the house at 16 for promiscuity, drinking and drugs
• Attended Westminster Academy
• Studied philosophy at South Carolina's Columbia International
• Attended Orlando’s Reformed Theological Seminary
• Server three years as assistant pastor at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church in Knoxville
• Formally pastor at Margate, Florida’s New City Church
• He founded New City 5 ½ years ago
• Does not oversee the radio, television and print media arm of the church or Westminster Academy and Knox Theological Seminary
• Says he will stay away from politics though he’s a registered Republican

David and Goliath: The Movie

There are reports that Hollywood plans to make a movie about David and Goliath. Only, in this version (tentatively called Goliath), the young shepherd is chased by the giant across the ancient world. The script apparently ignores the Biblical record. Scott Derrickson, who directed the remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still is behind the film.

The Prodical Comes Home

When Ted "The Voice" Williams reunited with his mother in a midtown Manhattan conference room, he ran to her and they embraced. She said, "My prodigal son has finally come home." Here's a video of the emotional moment. He reminds her that she always told him to pray and he tells her that he did.

Grassley Ends Investigation

A 3 year probe into the financies of 6 televangelists finds no wrong doing by the ministries. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa led the investigation into the organizations headed by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Eddie Long, Creflo Dollar of World Changers Church International, Randy and Paula White, Joyce Meyer and Benny Hinn. The last two say they've made changes to their financial structure, while the other 4 refused to provide any information.

Haggard Gets TV Show

Former megachurch pastor Ted Haggard, who resigned after a sex scandal, will appear in a reality special on TLC. The one-hour special is titled Ted Haggard: Scandalous. If the show gets an audience, it could become a series. Haggard was also featured in an HBO documentary called, The Trials of Ted Haggard. Scandalous will air Sunday, January 16 at 8 and again at 10 pm.

How Faith helped uncover a 'golden voice'

You've probably heard about the Ted Williams story.. the homeless man with the great voice. Did you know that it was the Christian faith of a news producer that motivated him to shoot the video that went viral. Doral Chenoweth works for the Columbus Dispatch and spoke to reporters about why he stopped. "It's part of my faith. You may not be able to help someone with money, but you can at least say hello, how you doing, and look at them." His interest in the homeless started more than a decade ago when he was assigned to photograph a homeless ministry at New Life United Methodist Church in downtown Columbus.It lead him to join the church. He and his wife are regular Habitat for Humanity volunteers who have taken seven trips to Africa with their children.

Ted Williams' Mom: "God Has Answered My Prayer"

The homeless man with the amazing voice found begging on the side of an Interstate highway ramp says he was going to write "another year wasted" in a date planning books that someone gave him. But Ted Williams told interviewers it turned out to not be a wasted year because he "found God." Williams story went viral after a video of him showed up on YouTube (more than 3 million hits). Despite job offers and other gifts from well-wishers, Williams says his biggest wish was to be reunited with his 90 year old mother, whom he hasn't seen in more than a decade. He says, "One of my biggest prayers is that she would live long enough to see me rebound.." She told reporters "God has answered my prayer. I prayed that I would live to see this time when he would do well." Not only have the two been reunited, the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association called to offer Ted a job. Here's an emotional interview he had with CBS news.

Rapture Prediction

Radio Evangelist Harold Camping says the Bible predicts that the end of the world is just months away. The 89-year-old heads Family Radio Worldwide, based out of California and says May 21st is the day the Christian church will be raptured. This isn't the first time he's predicted this happening. Read more about his prediction for this year here.

Death Sentence for Blasphemy

CNN reports on a Christian sentenced to death in Pakistan for blasphemy.

Suspended for Bible Verse

A Florida corrections officer has has been suspended over a Bible verse. The Manatee County Sheriff's department corrections Sgt. Matthew Neu circled a Bible verse in Psalms (109:8) and left the Bible on the desk of another corrections sergeant, along with a note that described the verse as The Obama Prayer. The verse reads, "Let his days be few, and let another take his office." The following verse reads, "May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow." The officer who found the Bible on her desk says she believed that the person who marked the passage wanted Obama dead. Neu says he told investigators that he did not mean to make any threat against the president. He saw the verse in an email and "thought it was funny."

Robertson's Predictions

Pat Robertson is making his predictions for 2011. On today's 700 Club, the televangelist told his TV audience that God told him the US is heading for economic turmoil, but there will be no global nuclear holocaust.

St James Engaged

Australian Christian singer Rebecca St. James got engaged Christmas Day. Jacob Fink lives in Southern California and spent two years as a missionary in South Africa. St. James lives in Tennessee and has two gold records and one Grammy to her credit. Her 9th studio album will be out in April.

Taylor Guitars

Read how Evangelical beliefs played a role in the development of Taylor Guitars here.

Attack on Church

President Obama says a New Year's Day bombing at an Egyptian church was "targeting Christian worshippers." The suicide bomber left at least 21 people dead and wounded 97 others at the al-Qiddissin Church in Alexandria. Experts say the attack appears to be the work of al-Qaida. It is one in a series of attacks against Christians in the Middle East in recent weeks.

Green Backlash

The New York Times reports on an Evangelical backlash over environmentalism here.

Christmas Sign Must Go

A homeowner in northern Virginia is in trouble with his homeowners association for putting a sign in his yard that says, "Happy Birthday Jesus, Come Let Us Adore Him." The New Bristow Village management company told Donald Henderson that he had violated one of the development's covenants and ordered it taken down. Henderson says he won't comply and will use it again next year. The management company says the problem is not the sign's religious message and it was unfortunate that the letter arrived on Christmas Eve. Henderson points out that the association sponsors a Christmas decoration contest. This year's winner had a plastic sign reading 'North Pole.'

Carlson: Vick Should be Executed

Political analyst Tucker Carlson says Michael Vick should have been executed for his involvment with the mistreatment of dogs. The bow-tie wearing Fox News contributor was filling in for Sean Hannity when he told last night's audience:

"I'm a Christian, I've made mistakes myself, I believe fervently in second chances. But Michael Vick killed dogs, and he did in a cruel, heartless way. Personally, I think he should've been executed for that."

The comment was prompted by a report that Carlson was responding to reports that President Obama praised the Eagles for giving Vick a second chance.

Here's the video:

Dallas pastor is Christmas Eve Theft Suspect

Pastor Drops Out

A megachurch pastor has withdrawn from Chicago's mayor's race. James Meeks is already a State Senator, but he said the city's black community needed to rally around a single candidate. Meek's withdrawal statement encouraged other black candidates to do the same. There are more than 10 candidates still in the race, including ex-White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel.

Obama to Church

President Barack Obama made a rare trip to church this morning. He and the first family visited St. Michael's Chapel while on vacation in Hawaii. The Marine Corps base where the church is located is a favorite stop for Obama while he's in Hawaii. He goes to the gym and golfs there. The White House says the president doesn't often attend church while in Washington to avoid disrupting services.

Leaving the ELCA

North Dakota's Peace Lutheran Church is leaving the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. 87 Members of the church, located in Devil's Lake, voted to move to the more traditional North American Lutheran Church. The denomination has been losing members ever since it decided to allow people in same-gender relationships to serve in the clergy.

$5 Million by Dec 31

Rick Warren is asking his congregation to give $5 million before the end of the year. The megachurch pastor told his Saddleback Church he would jumpstart the giving by pledging $1 million himself. The money will go, among other things, to start 5 church campuses. Warren says he takes no salary from the church, no money for speaking engagements and he supports his family solely from the royalties off his book.

What Pat Robertson Meant

Since Pat Robertson made his comments about marijuana, a spokesman has come out with a statement to clarify what the 700 Club host meant. Chris Roslan says Robertson did not intend to suggest he now supports the legalization of marijuana, but questions the severity of the punishment for possession of small amounts of the drug. Here is the full statement.

“Dr. Robertson did not call for the decriminalization of marijuana. He was advocating that our government revisit the severity of the existing laws because mandatory drug sentences do harm to many young people who go to prison and come out as hardened criminals. He was also pointing out that these mandatory sentences needlessly cost our government millions of dollars when there are better approaches available. Dr. Robertson’s comments followed a CBN News story about a group of conservatives who have proven that faith-based rehabilitation for criminals has resulted in lower repeat offenders and saved the government millions of dollars. Dr. Robertson unequivocally stated that he is against the use of illegal drugs.”

You can see the video of what Robertson had to say below.

Message Switch at Lincoln Tunnel

A new billboard has replaced the one put up by atheists on the New Jersey side of the Lincoln Tunnel. The first one said Christmas was a "myth." The new billboard declares, "God is." The Manhattan-based Times Square Church paid for it. The Catholic League erected its own pro billboard on the New York side of the tunnel that reads, "You Know It's Real: This Season Celebrate Jesus."

Robertson Favors Legalizing Pot

Pat Robertson has come out in favor of legalizing marijuana. The televangelist offers a video on his 700 Club about drug law reformers who run prison outreach ministries. Robertson said,"We're locking up people that have taken a couple puffs of marijuana and next thing you know they've got 10 years with mandatory sentences. I'm not exactly for the use of drugs, don't get me wrong, but I just believe that criminalizing marijuana, criminalizing the possession of a few ounces of pot, that kinda thing is just costing us a fortune and it's ruining young people. Young people go into prisons, they go in as youths and come out as hardened criminals. That's not a good thing. Here's a video showing the full context of what he had to say:

Con Man Posing As Pastor

South Carolina's WCBD-TV has a video report on a man who claims to be a pastor to get money.

Controversial Billboards

Cincinnati Right to Life has put up 5 billboards around the city like the one you see here. They feature an ultrasound image of a haloed fetus. The ad was made by ChurchAds.net, a coalition of Christian churches, including Church of England, Baptist Union, United Reformed Church, Anglican and Methodist churches.

Sign Slashed at Church

Vandals have struck at a church Cleveland-area church. The images of Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus on a sign at the St. Julie Billiart Catholic Church in North Ridgeville have been sliced with a knife.

Megachurch Pastor Quits, moves to Asia

Read the story at CNN.com here.

Bible College Warned

Criswell College has received an official warning that its accreditation is in jeopardy. The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools cites “institutional effectiveness” in planning and assessment. The Bible college was started 4 decades ago by the First Baptist Church of Dallas and is named for longtime pastor W.A. Criswell. There were 365 students enrolled during the past semester.

Missionary Murdered in Africa

KLTV in Texas tells the story of a family grieving this holiday season because of the loss of a missionary husband and father. Read about it here.

Poll on Evolution

40% of Americans believes in creationism. That's down from 47% in 1993 and 1999. Here are some other findings from a newly released Gallup poll:

• 38% believe God played a role in the process of evolution.
• 16% believe humans have evolved with no divine guidance (twice as many as in 1982).
• 60% of those who attend church on a weekly basis believe in creationism
• only 2% of those who attend church on a weekly basis believe in secular evolution.
• among those who rarely or never attend religious services, 24% believe in creationism
• among those who rarely or never attend religious services, 39% believe in evolution without divine guidance.

Killed in Israel

An American tourist recently murdered in Israel was a staff member at Church's Ministry among Jewish people, a group involved with presenting Jewish people the Christian message. Kristine Luken was stabbed to death while hiking with a professional tour guide and friend who survived by pretending to be dead, and said the pair were attacked by two Arab men with what looked like a bread knife. No one has been arrested so far in the investigation.

Pastor's Past Revealed

A Virginia Congregation is shocked to learn their pastor was convicted.. for murder. Read about it here.

Churches Figtht in New Mexico

KOB-TV in Roswell shows what happens when church groups comes to blows over theological.

Christmas in 3-D

A Dallas megachurch church is offering its Christmas services today in 3-D. Pastor Ed Young says each person attending the service of Fellowship church will be given a pair of 3-D glasses in order to watch the high-tech service. The church has 4 campuses in the Dallas area and one in Miami. The church's website offers a 3-D video with Young and his wife. You can see it here.

New Plates for KY

Kentucky plans to issue In God We Trust auto license plates as an alternative to the Unbridled Spirit already available. Both plates would run $21.

Food Court Flash Mob

Moving Sign Battle in Texas

An atheist group is running ads on public buses in Fort Worth that read, "Millions of people are good without God." Meanwhile, a van, paid for by local businessmen, is driving around those buses with signs reading, "I still love you. -- God," with another line that says, "2.1 billion Christians are good with God." The atheist ads are paid for by the Dallas-Fort Worth Coalition of Reason. Some black ministers have organized a bus boycott while other pastors have asked the Fort Worth Transportation Authority to ban religious advertising on public buses.

Warren Makes Top 20

Rick Warren and the Dalai Lama were the only religious figures to make Forbe's list of the top 20 most influential Twitter celebrities. Topping the list was 16-year-old singer Justin Bieber with more than 6.3 million followers. Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life , has more than 209,000 followers, putting him at number 20. Along with some personal tweets, Warren mostly offers challenges, Scripture verses, mentoring advice and encouragement to his Twitter followers. You can follow him here.

Pastors flock to Facebook, Twitter

A story from USA Today about the impact of social networks on the church. Read it here.

Bank Told to Get Rid of Bible References

Federal Reserve examiners are demanding a small bank in Oklahoma get rid of a Bible verse of the day, crosses on the teller’s counter and buttons that say Merry Christmas, God With Us. With the help of local Congressmen and the Oklahoma Bankers Association, the bank hopes to be able to continue its use of Scripture.

Cultural Trends in Books

The word “God” peaked in usage in the world’s books about 1830. That's according to Harvard researchers from a survey of Google's 5.2 million digitized book library. Preachers wrote a greater percentage of books in the early 1800s which may explain why “God” peaked that year, when it represented 12.5 of every 10,000 words. By the year 2000, its prevalence had dropped to just 2.6 times out of 10,000 words. Details are in the journal Science where the researchers conclude, "'God’ is not dead, but needs a new publicist."

Carol of the Bed Intruder

Antoine Dodson became an internet sensation when a video of him giving a interview to a local TV station showed up on YouTube. The reporter spoke to him after he chased a rapist from his sister's bedroom.

An Auto-Tune remix, a political ad, and a dog's Halloween costume have all followed. Now, students at Liberty University in Virginia (founded by Jerry Falwell) have come up with their own version of Dodson's rant.

Silent Night Ritual

Indiana's Taylor University has a basketball ritual known as Silent Night. Around Christmastime, students at the Christian college pack the school's gym dressed in pajamas and remain quiet until Taylor scores its 10th point of the game. Watch what happens.

Church Promoted Alleged Scam

Atlanta megchurch pastor Bishop Eddie Long is being linked to a questionable mortgage venture that is being investigated by the feds. Matrix Capital promised to cut mortgage payments of its customers, but investigators say most of them ended up in bankruptcy and losing their homes. It was at Long's church where church members were told in seminars to pay Matrix instead of their mortgage holders. Long has issued a written statement saying he no longer allows Matrix to hold seminars at the church, but he is also not planning to do anything to help people who the feds say were swindled.

Christians Flee Iraq

The New York Times takes a look at Christians leaving Iraq here.

Jones No Longer Welcome

The Florida pastor who threatened to burn copies of the Koran has been dis-invited to a UK rally. The English Defence League now says Terry Jones is no longer welcome because it has "reservations" about his views that appear "homophobic and racist." Jones says the group has bowed to government and media pressure. Jones says he'll still come to the UK in February as planned.

Prof Sues School over Views on Evolution

An astronomer claims the University of Kentucky refused to hire him because of his Christian views related to evolution. Martin Gaskell is suing the school after he was denied a job as director of an observatory even though he was the leading candidate for the post. Gaskell is now a research fellow and lecturer in astronomy at the University of Texas at Austin who says he believes evolution can be reconciled with the Bible but the theory has major flaws. The university admits his views and willingness to express them to religious groups played a role in the hiring decision and tried to get the suit dismissed. A judge denied the motion. The case goes to trial in February.

Billy Graham & Richard Nixon

A piece of audio released by the Richard Nixon Library this past week revealed a conversation the former president had with Billy Graham. The previously unheard 8 minute phone conversation that took place April 11, 1973 showed that Graham predicted the investigation into the Watergate scandal would blow over. Graham assuring Nixon of his support. He also asked Nixon to consider a particular candidate to lead the Postal Service. Here's part of what Graham said:

“I really just wanted to reassure you of my support and prayers and love and backing and just tell you if there’s anything I can ever do, I want you to consider me a member of your team. We don’t know everything, but we know you, and that’s enough for us, and that’s what I intend to say publicly.”

It was later reported that Nixon said, “Don’t let Billy Graham near me, I don’t want him tarred with Watergate.”

Oral Roberts

One year ago, Evangelist Oral Roberts died at the age of 91. He had been hospitalized after a fall at his California home. He died of complications from pneumonia. He founded Oral Roberts University in 1963.

#1 on the Big Screen

The new Chronicles of Narnia movie took the top slot in box office charts. The third installment in the series, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, sold about $24.5 million in its first weekend, enough for No. 1 but on the low end of expectations. Unless it picks up, the series based on the CS Lewis books could end here.

TIME's Top Religious Stories of 2010

1. The "Ground Zero Mosque"
2. The Vatican and the Child Abuse Scandal
3. The Bankruptcy of the Crystal Cathedral
4. Franklin Graham vs. the Muslims
5. The Rev. Terry Jones Threatens to Burn Korans
6. Women Priests, In Spite of the Vatican
7. The Pope Doesn't Quite Endorse Condoms
8. Christians Under Attack in the Middle East
9. Obama Decides Not to Visit the Golden Temple
10. The Vatican and Homer Simpson

Read more at TIME

Preacher May Get UK Ban

A Koran-burning American pastor may not be allowed in England. Terry Jones backed off his threat to burn the Koran, but not before the Florida pastor gained worldwide attention. Now, he wants to speak to activists in Britain but the Home Secretary says she is considering whether to ban him from entering the country. Jones is scheduled to speak at an English Defence League rally "against the evils and destructiveness of Islam" on February 5th in Luton, an area which has a large Muslim minority.

A Christmas Quiz

1. What did the angels sing to the shepherds?
2. In what direction did the Wise Men see the star in the sky?
3. Where did the wise men go to see the baby?
4. How many wise men were there?
5. In which season of the year was Jesus born?
6. What did Mary ride on to Bethlehem?
7. What did the wise men ride on?
8. In what country did the Christmas tree originate?
9. In what century did Christmas celebrations begin?
10. Was there ever an original, real Santa Claus?
11. What Christmas tradition commemorating the birth of Jesus
did St. Francis of Assisi begin?
12. Did Jesus tell us to remember his birth?

Answers Here

KJV: 400th Birthday in May

The King James Version of the Bible will celebrate its 400th anniversary on May 2, 2011. More than 70 events are planned around Britain to mark the date. Ohio State University is planning a conference on the influence of the King James Bible.

Camel Falls in Church Program

Things didn't go right for a Florida church that used a camel in its Christmas program. Watch what happened during a rehearsal at First Baptist Church in West Palm Beach.

Jewish Speaker

An effort is underway to oust Republican Joe Straus from his position as speaker of the Texas House. Some in the Texas Tea Party wants a Christian speaker and Straus is Jewish. Emails are going around that say his rabbi is affiliated with Planned Parenthood. Joe Cook told supports, "We elected a house with Christian, conservative values. We now want a true Christian, conservative running it." Cook insists, "My e-mail said nothing about Jewish people. I just want Christian conservatives in office."

iPad Band

Northpoint Community Church in Atlanta features a band that uses iPads as instruments. Here's a video sample.

North Point's iBand from North Point Web on Vimeo.

Palin & Graham

Sarah Palin and Franklin Graham are heading to Haiti this weekend. The former governor and evangelist will visit a clinic where people are being treated for cholera. The disease has killed more than 2000 people in the country as it still is recovering from a devastating earthquake earlier this year. Graham's Samaritan's Purse has treated thousands of people in Haiti, building a cholera clinic and bringing in plane loads of medical aid into the country.

Blackmail Investigation Dropped

A police investigation into the Daystar TV network has ended. Marcus Lamb, who founded the network, says 3 former employees tried to extort money from him about an affair. But authorities say there does not appear to be any criminal conduct under the Texas Law. One of the former employees has filed a lawsuit again Lamb.

School Controversy over Gay Soccer oach

Belmont University is catching flack for the departure of its women's soccer coach. Some players, students and alumi believe Lisa Howe is no longer at the Tennessee school because she is a lesbian and expecting a child with her same sex partner. Belmont issued a statement insisting the decision was a mutual and the school doesn't consider sexual orientation in its hiring or dismissals. However, former players turned out to protest yesterday and about 50 showed up for a sit-in at the office of the school's president last Sunday. Belmont was affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention until 2007.

Elizabeth Edwards' Faith

An article from Politics Daily about why Elizabeth Edwards left God out of her last goodbye here.