Passion Star's Troubles

Passion of the Christ star Jim Caviezel spoke at the First Baptist Church of Orlando tonight. He spoke of his own and Mel Gibson's troubles. Read more here.

Arrested for Bible Reading

A Riverside County church is suing the California Highway Patrol because members were arrested at a Department of Motor Vehicles office - for reading Bible verses to those who were waiting. The DMV says the group needed a permit. The Hemet Calvary Chapel considers it a violation of members First Amendments rights. Watch video of the arrest below.

God and Cheating

How your viewpoint on God affects your willingness to cheat. Read the article in the LA Times here.

The Boot for Bisexuality

A Christian High School in California is getting flack for kicking out a student for talking about being bisexual on Facebook. The CBS affliliate in Sacramento has details.

Church Robbery

Two masked men burst into a Bible study in Sanford, Florida, demanding money last night. They robbed everyone at gunpoint at the Iglesia Apostolica church.

Church Threatened

A DC church is getting threats after comments from Sean Hannity. Read about it here.

Church Walkout

Some longtime members Crystal Cathedral orchestra members walked out of Easter Sunday services after they found out the church was only going to pay half the amount of money promised them them. The megachurch went into bankruptcy recently and has a debt load of nearly $60 million. Church officials will be in court over the matter next month.

Wilkerson Dies

UPDATE: The accident was a head-on collision. State troopers say the car drifted into on-coming traffic and ran into an 18-wheeler in East Texas at a Neches River bridge. Wilkerson's wife and another women were injured.

David Wilkerson died in a car accident today. The 79-year-old pastor started the Times Square Church. The crash happened in Texas. His wife, Gwen, was hurt in the accident as well. She's in critical condition. He came to national promenence early in his career when he started a ministry to gang members and drug addicts in New York. His tory was told in the best-selling book The Cross and the Switchblade. Times Square Church, which was founded in 1987, is now led by Pastor Carter Conlon and has more than 8,000 members.

Megachurch Hires Hollywood Director

Read about how a large Chicago church plans to make movies here.

Dove Winners

Among this year's Dove Award winners last night:

Francesca Battistelli - Artist of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year

Toby Mac - Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year

Marvin Sapp - Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year

Tamela Mann - Traditional Gospel Album of the Year

Point of Grace - Country Album of the Year

NEEDTOBREATHE - Group of the Year, Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year

Sandi Patty - Inspirational Album of the Year

Chris August - Male Vocalist of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year

Group 1 Crew - Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year, Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year

Billboard Battle

CCM History

Today's New York Times offers an op-ed piece on the beginnings of Christian Contemporary Music. Read it here.

Minister Shoots Self Inside Church Amid Luring Allegations

Minister Shoots Self Inside Church Amid Luring Allegations: MyFoxPHOENIX.com

147 Years Ago Today

It was on this date in 1864 that the U.S. Congress added In God We Trust to U.S. coins.

Eggs Dropped from Copter

A Jacksonville church dropped some 20,000 eggs from a helicopter on a field for children. Here's a video of what the pastor called "Pandemonium" in a tweet.

Obama or Jesus

Some people in New York state are upset over a portable sign outside a church that reads, "President Obama or King Jesus." The Gardiner Reformed Church in Gardiner says it was the topic of the pastor's Sunday sermon. Pastor Gary Sissel says he did not intend to offend anyone with the message, which compared the power exercised by the president to the "humble" show of power by Jesus in the triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Protest at Mosque

Terry Jones, the Quran burning Florida pastor, wants to protest in front of a mosque. But a Michigan judge has told him to appear in court first. The protest is scheduled for later this week in Dearborn at the Islamic Center of America. Prosecutors have asked the judge to make Jones post a bond to cover the cost of additional police officers during the demonstration. When Jones burned a Quran at his small church in Gainesville, Florida last month, riots broke out in Afghanistan, leading to an attack on a United Nation's facility that killed seven staff workers.

Universalism Among Christians

One in four Christians say all people are eventually be saved, according to a new survey by Barna polling. Nearly the same number say a person’s religion does not matter because all faiths teach the same lessons. Four out of ten born again Christians say Christians and Muslims worship the same God. Barna says 43% of Americans agreed with the statement “It doesn’t matter what religious faith you follow because they all teach the same lessons." 54% percent disagreed with the statement. Rob Bell’s book, Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived has recently stirred debate over universalism. Time magazine's Easter Week edition features a cover story on Bell’s controversial views. Read more about the topic here.

School Blocks Own Paper

Liberty University refused to say why it blocked access to the campus newspaper part of last week. No one on campus could access the Lynchburg’s News & Advocate. But several news organizations are reporting that the site was blocked after the newspaper ran a story about the amount of federal student aid the school receives. The article by reporter Liz Barry ran with the headline ”Liberty tops state in federal aid for its students.” The school got some $445 million in federal financial aid last fiscal year. That's more than the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which received $420 million from the federal government, according to Salon.com. Read the full article here.

Fraudbusting Pastor Pleads Guilty‎

Barry Minkow, who did a 7 years in prison for fraud and later founded the Fraud Discovery Institute, plead guilty to insider trading just a few days ago. He could go back to prison for 5 more years as a result. Minkow became a pastor in San Diego after his release from prison and a film was made about him. The ZZZZ Best carpet cleaning swindler invested in the $4-million production and plays himself in the independently financed movie. He resigned from San Diego's Community Bible Church last month. Here's the movie trailer.

Palau in Vietnam

Luis Palau held revival meetings in Ho Chi Minh City over the weekend. The gatherings in Vietnam's largest city was the first time in the nation's history that an international Christian leader has been invited to preach on such a wide scale. Palau will speak in the capital city of Hanoi next weekend, though the meetings still need government approval.

Church Bars Students Over Sex Class

A Chattanooga church has withdrawn its invitation to a group of students from Chicago's Northwestern University. The Community Baptist Church objects to the schools human sexuality class. The class recently included an explicit sexual demonstration, drawing outrage from many inside and outside of the schools. The students, who had no connection with the class, had asked permission to camp out on the church's property while they volunteered on their school break to build a nature trail for the town.

The Passion of the C-List

Business Week takes a look at celebrities who have revived their careers in an article printed in the most recent issue. Read it here.

Bible Study Bloodshed

A Bible study in Florida ended with punches thrown - between women. Hiedi Rhodes of Panama City Beach was arrested when deputies found her fighting with another woman inside the home where the Bible study was taking place. Witnesses said she had begun smoking a marijuana cigarette and told to leave but refused.

Lady GaGa and Judas

In the newest single from Lady GaGa, the pop artist sings about her love of the diciple that betrayed Jesus. She tells interviewers that the track titled Judas is about “falling in love with the wrong man over and over again. It’s about constantly walking towards the light in my life, but always clutching onto the light while peering towards the devil in the back. I sing about what a holy fool I am, and that although moments in my life are so cruel and relationships can be so cruel I’m still in love with Judas. I still go back again to those evil things.”

Among the lyrics:

“When he comes to me, I am ready. I’ll wash his feet with my hair if he needs, forgive him when his tongue lies through his brain. Even after three times he betrays me, I’ll bring him down, a king with no crown.”

She was raised a Roman Catholic and attended an all-girl private Catholic school and now believes "God comes in many forms." Lady GaGa once told CNN's Larry King, "I’m quite a religious woman that is very confused about religion."

Exorcism, Satanism and the Internet

NPR offers a report on a Vatican Conference covering exorcism, Satanism and the Internet here.

High Court Upholds Tax Credit

In a major victory for religious schools, The Supreme Court has upheld giving tax breaks to Arizona religious schools of up to $500 per person or $1,000 for a couple. The 5-4 decision will impact similar laws in other states. This reverses an Appeals ruling that declared this approach an unconstitutional subsidy for teaching religion.

Suit Over Bible at School

Kenneth Dominguez is suing a California school district. The 16-year-old says a year ago he was disciplined by Gateway East High School for bringing his Bible to campus. The San Diego County school is part of the Grossmont Union High School District. The Pacific Justice Institute is representing Dominguez.

Easter Ad Rejected

A Southern California movie theater is refusing to run an ad for a local church's Easter service because the name of Jesus is mentioned. Compass Bible Church in Aliso Viejo wanted movie goers in Orange County to know in an advertisement that would run before movies start that the congregation holds its Easter services at the University of California, Irvine. But NCM Media Networks refused to accept the ad because of its religious content.

Booty to Spoils

The new translation of the Bible from the the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops replaces the word "booty" with the word "spoils." The same is true with other words like "gay" and "grass" and "getting stoned." The translators say it better reflects the meaning of the term in the original and is less likely to bring snickers at Sunday School. The newest edition of the New American Bible will be released Ash Wednesday, March 9.

Pole Dancing for Jesus

A former exotic dancer offers a class called Pole Fitness for Jesus in Houston. Crystal Deans operates Best Shape of Your Life, a pole dancing studio. Upbeat contemporary Christian music is used during workouts. Here's a video report.

Pole Dancing for Jesus Class in Texas: MyFoxNY.com

App Inventor in Coma

The teen who came up with the app called A Note to God is in a coma. Allen Wright was struck by a hit-and-run driver while crossing a street in Sacramento, California. His family is asking for users of the popular iPhone application to pray for Wright. His app lets iPhone users send prayers into cyberspace and allows them to read the prayers of others and offer support. He had been working as a police cadet and planned to join the Marines after his graduation from high school this Spring.

Thanking God for Earthquake

A video making the rounds appears to feature a blonde American college student thanking God for the earthquake in Japan. The young woman thanks God for "shaking Japan awake" from the slumber of secularism but it is apparently a fake which she revealed in a later video. Here's the original one that stirred the controversy.

High Court Declines "In God" Case

The Supreme Court will not consider a case challenging the In God We Trust slogan printed on our money. Atheist Michael Newdow, who has filed many such suits claims it is a religious endorsement. He plans to refile his lawsuit in another district.

New Translations

There are two new Bible translations coming out this week. Zondervan is printing the newest edition of the NIV, the most widely used translation by Protestants. Meanwhile, the US Roman Catholic bishops are will offer The New American Bible, Revised Edition.

Church Drops Baptist from Name

Two Rivers Baptist Church is changing its name. The prominent Nashville church is dropping the word Baptist and will soon call itself the Fellowship at Two Rivers, effective March 20. Located near the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center, the church drew some 3000 people at one time. Now, only about 650 come each Sunday.

Scumbags Welcome

A Central Florida church has put up a billboard reading 'Scumbags Welcome!' The Saturday Night Live (SNL) church in Tavares paid for the sign on Highway 441 between the towns of Tavares. The pastor says complaints have been pouring in but there are no plans to take the billboard down. In fact, SNL has another potentially controversial billboard going up in a few months that references sex. The church is about a year old and has around 50 members who meet on the campus of the Tavaras First United Methodist Church.

Who Goes to Heaven & Hell

A new book is stirring controversy before it hits book shelves at the end of the month because the author offers his view of who is going to hell. Rob Bell, pastor of Michigan's Mars Hill Bible Church is catching flack in social media for his book Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived. Publicity material suggests Bell argues in the book that a "loving God would never sentence human souls to eternal suffering." Here's a video of Bell about his views on hell.

TV Preacher Called Fraud

Peter Popoff is offering "debt cancellation kits" that he claims can wipe out all debt. Despite the fact it was revealed he used radios to fool audiences during services, the TV preacher and faith healer reported more than a million dollars in income to his family from his nonprofit organization in 2005. KABC-TV has this video report on what many media watchdogs call a ministry based on fraud.

Prof Fired

Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia has dismissed a part-time professor for being gay. Officials at the Catholic school say they discovered James St. George sexual orientation from a post on his blog. Some students have told local media that an Internet search easily reveals George's sexual orientation and they question how the school could not have known his views when he was first hired. He's been working at the private college for two years, teaching classes in theology, justice and world religions. George is a member of the Old Catholic Apostolic Church of America, which is not affiliated with the Vatican and allows commitment ceremonies for gays and lesbians.

Abortion Billboard Removed

Pirates Murder Couple Giving Out Bibles

African Pirates have killed an American couple delivering Bibles around the world. Jean and Scott Adam were sailing around the world when their yacht was hijacked by Somali pirates. A US Navy ship was following the yacht when the Adams and another couple were killed. The Adams passed out Catholic Bibles from the American Bible Society and New International Version Bibles from the International Bible Society. Scott Adam earned a master of theology degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California last year.

Hate Crime in Washington State

Someone wrote disparaging remarks about Jesus, and painted swastikas on vehicles at a residence in North Spokane. Someone left a burned Bible on a nearby porch. Police are looking into it as a hate crime.

Couple Denied Entry at Museum

Kentucky's Creation Museum would not allow a same-sex couple entry during a date night event. The two men claim they also did not get a refund. The two tickets cost them $71.90. A Museum spokesperson said the promotional material indicated the event, including a talk from founder Ken Ham about love and marriage, was for heterosexual couples only. A local writer had suggested on his blog that it was the "duty of his readers to send a flamboyantly gay couple" to the event.

Church Attendance

The number of people attending mainline churches is dropping, according to a yearly report, produced by the National Council of Churches. Meanwhile, the only religious groups showing increases are Jehovah's Witnesses and the Seventh-Day Adventists (up more than 4%), the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (up just over 1%), the Catholic church and the Assemblies of God (up just over one-half of one percent), and the Church of God Cleveland (up about a quarter of one percent).

Here are the mainline churches reporting declines in membership:

United Church of Christ, down 2.83%
Presbyterian Church, USA, down 2.61%
Episcopal Church, down 2.48%
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. down 1.96%
American Baptist Churches USA, down 1.55%
Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod), down 1.08%
United Methodist Church, down 1.01%

The Southern Baptist church also fell about half of one-percent.

Benny Hinn Lawsuit

A lawsuit against Benny Hinn claims the televangelist broke a morality clause in a contract between them. Strang Communications says it gave Hinn $300,0000 for three books he was going to write and Strang was going to publish. But the suit claims he violated a morality clause in the book contract when he started what's described in the document as an "inappropriate relationship" with another popular charismatic figure, namely, Paula White. The court document says Hinn admitted to having an "inappropriate relationship" with White this past fall and agreed to return the money but he never has given it back. A tabloid newspaper printed pictures of the couple last year entering and leaving an Italian hotel, holding hands. Both have denied a romantic relationship, although White has been divorced twice and last year Hinn's wife left him and filed for divorce.

Dove Award Nominees

SONG OF THE YEAR:

"All of Creation" (MercyMe)
"Beautiful, Beautiful" (Francesca Battistelli),
"Get Back Up" (TobyMac),
"Hold My Heart" (Tenth Avenue North),
"Lead Me" (Sanctus Real),
"Let The Waters Rise" (MIKESCHAIR),
"Love Came Calling" (Triumphant Quartet),
"Our God" (Chris Tomlin),
"Sometimes I Cry" (Jason Crabb)
"Starry Night" (Chris August)

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
Doug Anderson
Chris August
Jason Crabb
Brandon Heath
Israel Houghton
Marvin Sapp
Chris Tomlin

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
Audrey Assad
Francesca Battistelli
Natalie Grant
Britt Nicole
Janet Paschal
Kerrie Roberts
Laura Story

GROUP OF THE YEAR:
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Gaither Vocal Band
Sidewalk Prophets
Tenth Avenue North
MercyMe
MIKESCHAIR
NEEDTOBREATHE

ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Francesca Battistelli
Jason Crabb
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Natalie Grant
Marvin Sapp
TobyMac
Chris Tomlin

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Audrey Assad
Chris August
Forever Jones
John Mark McMillan
No Other Name
Kerrie Roberts
Kristian Stanfill

Bieber Docu Taps into Christian Audience

There is an article about the new Justin Bieber film in the Boston Herald. Read it here.

Southpark Creators on Broadway

A new play will appear on Broadway starting February 24th called The Book of Mormon. It's the creation of Matt Stone and Trey Parker - the guys behind the satirical TV cartoon South Park. The new musical purportedly tells the story of two mismatched Mormon missionaries preaching in Uganda.

The LDS Church has posted on its website a note about the show, saying, “The production may attempt to entertain audiences for an evening, but the Book of Mormon as a volume of scripture will change people’s lives forever by bringing them closer to Christ.”

Grammy Winners

• Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album-Hello Huricane/Switchfoot
• Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album-Love God, Love People/Israel Houghton
• Southern/Country/Bluegrass Gospel-The Reason/Diamond Rio
• Contemporary R&B Gospel Album-Still/BeBe and CeCe Winans
• Traditional Gospel Album-Downtown Church/Patty Griffin
• Best Gospel Song-“It’s What I Do” by Jerry Peters & Kirk Whalum, songwriters (Kirk Whalum & Lalah Hathaway)/The Gospel According To Jazz Chapter III
• Best Gospel Performance-"Grace" by BeBe and CeCe Winans/Still

Freshman Religion

An annual survey by UCLA's finds this breakdown of religion among college freshman.

Roman Catholic 26.6%
None 23%
Other Christian 12.6%
Baptist 10.1%
Church of Christ 5.1%
Methodist 4.1%
Lutheran 3.3%
Jewish 2.9%
Presbyterian 2.9%
Other religion 2.9%
Episcopalian 1.5%
Buddhist 1.2%
Muslim 1%
Hindu .8%
United Church of Christ/Cong. .8%
Eastern Orthodox .7%
Mormon .3%
Seventh-Day Adventist .3%
Quaker .2%

Emotional Health of Freshman

A yearly survey of college freshmen finds record-low levels of emotional health. The UCLA survey of first-year undergraduates also gave themselves high marks for ambition to achieve. College counselors say students are putting more pressure on themselves to excel. Depression, formerly at the forefront of students' emotional-health concerns, has taken a back seat to anxiety. 51.9% in 2010 reported good or above-average emotional health. That's down from 55.3% the previous year and the lowest level since 1985.

Chuck Smith Stirs Controversy Over Abortion

Chuck Smith, founder of Calvary Chapel, is being criticized by some anti-abortion activists for his advice to a pregnant women during his Pastor's Perspective call-in radio program. Doctors told her that she has conjoined twins who are not likely to survive. Smith advised her to consider an abortion. He told the listening audience: "I am totally opposed to abortion. I believe it is a great sin. I do believe that the 50-plus million children that have been aborted in the United State since the Roe verses Wade is one of the greatest sins of America, and I think that we're going to be judged for it. I do not believe in abortion as it is being practiced today. However, there can be extenuating circumstances.." Operation rescue immediately released a press release criticizing Smith. There is a link to the call here.

Marking 400 Years

The King James Bible will be read in its entirety as part of the Shakespeare's Globe season to mark the translation's 400th anniversary. 20 actors will take part in the 8 day reading, schedule to start Palm Sunday and conclude Easter Monday.

Books Warning Labels Dropped

LifeWay Christian Stores intends to stop its warning labels for a handful books. The Southern Baptist–owned company has been criticized for its controversial Read with Discernment program.Among the titles making the list: William Young's The Shack and Donald Miller's A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. It lists popular books that "may have espoused thoughts, ideas, or concepts that could be considered inconsistent with historical evangelical theology."

Prayer Luncheon Goes Forward

A federal judge in Denver has stopped an effort to prevent a prayer luncheon from taking place today at the US Air Force Academy. The academy’s chaplain service, is sponsoring the event. The judge said the five professors who filed suit do not have legal standing to challenge the event and that their claim of possible reprisals against cadets who do not attend did not constitute an actual harm.

Minister Cleared of Charges

The highest court of the Presbyterian Church, USA has cleared a minister who married two lesbians. A lower court ruled that Jean Southard violated the denomination's constitution, but the newest ruling overturns that decision. The church constitution says, "marriage is a civil contract between a woman and a man."

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.