Vampire Writer on Being Mormon

"Being Mormon is a big part of who I am, and I try very hard to live the right way, but I don't know that I'm an example. I hate to say, 'Yes, look at me. I'm a good example of being Mormon.' I want to be the best person I can be, so in that aspect, maybe I'm a good example." - Stephenie Meyer, author of the Twilight vampire saga in an interview with TIME magazine

Siblings Differ on Billy Graham Movie

Billy Graham’s children are at odds over a film about their father. Franklin Graham has been somewhat negative about the move Billy: The Early Years but older sister Gigi Graham has nothing but positive things to say about it. Franklin Graham has released a statement says the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association "has not collaborated with nor does it endorse the movie".

In one scene, Bob Jones Sr. the president of (at that time) Bob Jones College tells Billy Graham he’ll never amount to anything. Franklin Graham objects to it as a distortion of Jones but Billy Graham's own autobiography indicates that the exchange really happened.

Directed by Robby Benson, it hits the big screen October 10. Here the trailer:

Christian Publisher Drops Out of Dem Convention

The editor of Relevant Magazine has pulled out of his appearance at the Democratic National Convention. Cameron Strang was supposed to deliver a prayer Monday night. But the registered Republican worried that his decision to appear at the Denver meeting will be taken as an endorsement but as bridge-building gesture. Cameron's father is founder of Charisma magazine. Taking his place will be Donald Miller, who wrote the popular spiritual memoir Blue Like Jazz.

Presidential Swing Vote

White non-Hispanic Catholics:

• McCain - 45%
• Obama – 44%

Source: Pew Research Center

Presidential Support

White Evangelical Protestants:

• John McCain - 70%
• Barack Obama - 17%

Source: Wall Street Journal/NBC poll

Religion & Politics

Those who say, "Churches and other religious institutions SHOULD stay out of politics."

--------- 2008 compared to 2004

Everyone 52% / 44%

Conservatives 50% / 30%

Liberals 57% / 62%

Republicans 51% / 37%

Democrats 52% / 52%

Republican Protestants 46% / 28%

White Evangelical Republicans 36% / 20%

Source: Pew Research Center

Prayer Dispute

There was a walkout on a counsel meeting this week over prayer. WRTV from Indianapolis has this report.

Republican Pastor to Close Dem Convention

A Florida pastor has been tapped to deliver the closing prayer at the Democratic National Convention after Barack Obama accepts the Democratic presidential nomination. Joel Hunter pastors Florida's Northland Church. The anti-abortion minister is also a registered Republican. He left the Christian Coalition after he failed to get the group to focus on the issue of global warming and poverty.

A Survey of Christian Women

In a ministry setting, I have personally experienced:

• gender discrimination - 25%
• demeaning comments – 19%
• suggestive jokes – 18%
• glances with sexual overtones – 16%
• touching or sexual contact – 15%
• a hostile environment – 14%

About half of those who have personally experienced sexual harassment said they did not report it because they didn't want to cause controversy. About 30% confronted the perpetrator, 28% reported it to their supervisor, 21% quit, and 1% took legal action.

Source: NationalChristianPoll.com

More Accusations Against ORU

A former accountant of Oral Roberts Ministries claims money went into an unmarked account shared by the ministry and Oral Roberts University. The Associated Press is reporting that the unnamed employee says the funds were supposed to go toward scholarships or other needs at the school. But the earmarks were ignored, she says.

Another accountant has alleged that former president Richard Roberts and his wife spent university and ministry money on personal items. The Roberts deny the claims.

Another "Jesus Had Kids" Film in the Works

A comic book called The Magdalena is coming to the big screen. In this film, Jesus is said to have married Mary Magdalene and had children. Generations later, a women discovers she is party of this lineage of female warriors, descended from Mary Magdalene, who fight supernatural evil. Luke Goss and Jenna Dewan will star in the movie.

Chinese Bibles Returned

A group of Christians from Vision Beyond Borders is leaving the Kunming airport in China after customs officials decided to return their Bibles. More than 300 Bibles were confiscated from four members of the Sheridan, Wyoming-based group who then refused to leave the airport. They eventually left but returned to the airport to fly to Thailand and the Bibles were returned.

Film about Billy Graham Coming

A new film about Billy Graham will hit theaters October 10. More than 50 large churches will hold sneak previews in the next few weeks leading up to the premiere. Billy: The Early Years cost $6 million to make and comes with a soundtrack with contributions from such artists as Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Sara Evans and Michael W. Smith. The movie was not approved ahead of time by Graham or his family.

Bible College Being Forced to Move

Eminent domain is forcing a Bible college to move from its location in Louisville, Kentucky WHAS-TV explains.

Catholic Diocese to Pay $10 Million

A Roman Catholic diocese in Kansas City has agreed to pay $10 million to settle nearly 50 sexual abuse claims against the diocese and its priests. Fox 4 News WDAF in Kansas City has more:

Church for Humanists

Some 3000 people gather in New York on Sunday's at the Society for Ethical Culture. AFP reports on this church for humanists.

Three-Year-Old Used in Church Robberies

Connecticut's WFSB-TV has this report on theft at a church involving a toddler.

Church Breaks Ground in Salt Lake City

FOX KSTU Reports on plans for Christ Meat of The Word Sanctuary & Fellowship.

Johnny Depp & Alternative Church History

A new film starring Johnny Depp (who is also producing the movie) called Rex Mundi tells the story of a search for the Holy Grail involving "descendents of Jesus" (in other words, in this film Jesus had children). It’s based on a graphic novel where where Martin Luther is assassinated, there is no Reformation, and the Catholic Church reigns supreme.

Falwell's Funds from Sun Myung Moon

Jerry Falwell saved his ministry through a cash infusion from the church of the Reverend Sun Myung Moon. That’s according to a new book called Falwell Inc. Reporter Dirk Smillie says Moon's Unification Church gave Falwell 5-and-a-half million dollars in the early 90’s. The money allowed Falwell to buy up $29 million of debt. The Moral Majority and Liberty University founder died last year.