Christian News Brief Monthly Archive - Apr 2004
1 Apr 2004
Preaching Against Homosexuality in Canada May Soon be a Crime
In Canada, there is growing concern that preaching against homosexuality may soon be considered a crime. Many Americans have been keeping a close eye on political developments in Canada over the last few years as homosexual rights are increasingly being written into law. Now the director of the Inte ...
1 Apr 2004
Controversial Bills on Illegal Immigration Unlikely for the Rest of the Year
Congressman Tom Tancredo, chairman of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus, says it is unlikely the legislature will pass any controversial bills this year that would further the cause of illegal immigration. The Colorado Republican says this includes a piece of bi-partisan-sponsored legislat ...
1 Apr 2004
Operation Predator Nabs 19 in New Jersey
Authorities arrested 19 people Wednesday in Bergen County, New Jersey -- many of them aliens and foreign nationals -- suspected of committing sexual abuse against minors. The Department of Homeland Security's new Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made the arrests as part of Operat ...
1 Apr 2004
Richard Clarke's Criticism of President G. W. Bush Stems from Feelings of Self Importance
A media critic believes former anti-terrorism advisor Richard Clarke has been critical of President George W. Bush's policies because the president did not meet with him as often as Bill Clinton did. Thomas Kean, chairman of the 9-11 Investigation Commission, recently told CBS's The Early Show tha ...
2 Apr 2004
California Pastor Encourages Conference Call Prayer
A California pastor is encouraging Christians to go to their phones once a week for a nationwide prayer meeting. This hour-long "prayer conference call" takes place every Wednesday and is open to concerned Christians across the United States. The telephonic prayer meeting starts at 12:00 noon, Cen ...
2 Apr 2004
Report from President's Council on Bioethics Gets Mixed Reviews
A senior policy analyst for Focus on the Family called the April 1 report of the President's Council on Bioethics a "welcome attempt" to monitor the effects of assisted reproductive technologies and to ban ethically questionable experimentation. However, Carrie Gordon Earll's reaction to the rep ...
2 Apr 2004
Georgia Marriage Ammendment Passes - On its Way to the Ballot
The Georgia House of Representatives passed S.R. 595, the Georgia Marriage Amendment, this past Wednesday by a vote of 122-52. The bill, which clearly defines marriage as between one man and one woman, is designed to make that definition part of the Georgia Constitution and to protect traditional ma ...
2 Apr 2004
West Virginia Supreme Court Rejects Homosexual "Marriage" Lawsuit
There has been another major victory this week in the battle to maintain traditional marriage. The Supreme Court in West Virginia has rejected a lawsuit filed by same-sex couples who sought to establish homosexual marriage. The court's decision cam after two Christian legal groups -- the American ...
2 Apr 2004
Kerry at Odds With Roman Catholic Leaders
Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry is fed up with challenges by Roman Catholic leaders who question him on those of his political positions that oppose church teachings. Kerry has been particularly criticized by Catholics for taking a pro-abortion stand. In a recent interview, Kerry told t ...
2 Apr 2004
Oliver North Says Mainstream Media Trying to Oust Bush
Prominent U.S. national defense analyst Oliver North believes the mainstream media is doing all it can to get rid of President George W. Bush, including failing to report the positive things that have been going on in Iraq. The retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel recently published War Stories: Operat ...
5 Apr 2004
Canadians Delay Adding "Sexual Orientation" to Hate Crimes Law
Canadian legislation that would add homosexuals to a list of groups protected by law against "hate propaganda" has been delayed until at least April 20 -- and it could die permanently if the government calls for an election in the meantime. LifeSiteNews.com reports that efforts by a small group o ...
5 Apr 2004
Rick Santorum to Feds: Get Out of the Way of Welfare Reform
A concerned U.S. senator says it's time for the federal government to get out of the way of welfare reform. Pennsylvania's Rick Santorum wants to see the president's Healthy Marriage Initiative, a major part of the Welfare Reform Re-Authorization Act, enacted as soon as possible. This effort wo ...
5 Apr 2004
Republican Congressman Jim Gibbons says We Need Less Dependence on Foreign Oil
Nevada Republican Congressman Jim Gibbons says the latest round of gas price increases is providing the latest evidence that America needs to become less dependent on foreign oil. "Over the last three or four years -- since September 11, 2001 -- those countries producing oil have decided to charge ...
5 Apr 2004
Colorado Congressman Working to Get Fellow Conservative Elected
A Colorado congressman who has been a champion of immigration reform says he is working hard to help get a fellow conservative elected to the U.S. Senate to replace the retiring Ben Nighthorse Campbell. But the GOP is facing an uphill battle to hold on to the seat. Republican Tom Tancredo would ha ...
6 Apr 2004
California High Court Paves Way for Double Murder Charges for Unborn and Mother
California's law dealing with the unborn, which is being used to prosecute Scott Peterson, has become stronger. The state's highest court has ruled killing a pregnant woman and her unborn baby counts as two murders -- even if the killer does not know the woman is pregnant. That decision overturn ...
6 Apr 2004
Unborn Victims of Violence Act May Lead to Revisit of Roe v. Wade
A pro-life activist says the Unborn Victims of Violence Act that was just signed into law will not stop abortions from happening, but it may eventually force the courts to take another look at Roe v. Wade. The law protects unborn children from the moment of conception -- which naturally raises the ...
6 Apr 2004
McDonald's Maintains MTV Support Amid Family Advocacy Pressure
A family advocacy group is standing up against a fast-food chain for its support of MTV. The McDonald's restaurant chain is not dropping its financial support of MTV, despite the network coming under fire from Congress, the FCC, and pro-family groups. The company cited two public service announce ...
6 Apr 2004
Roman Catholic Group Takes Kerry to Task Over His Actions
A Roman Catholic group is taking Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry to task for not being a good example for his church. The heavy criticism Kerry has taken may have led to his telling the church to back off criticizing him for his political positions. But Louis Giovino of the Catholic L ...
6 Apr 2004
Chinese Forces Build-up May be to Defend Against Americans
An author and former national defense advisor says the United States would probably face a 100,000-man Chinese army if it ever had to go to war again in Korea. Bill Triplett is the former chief Republican counsel to the Senate Armed Services Committee. He recently published Rogue State: How a Nucl ...
7 Apr 2004
Mississippi Pro-Life Bills Progressing Well in State Legislature
A Mississippi pro-life activist says it's extremely encouraging that there are currently eight pro-life bills pending in the state legislature. Some of the bills need only a full vote by the State Senate, others only by the House. They deal with a variety of abortion-related issues, including one ...
7 Apr 2004
Kerry & Kennedy Comments on Bush and War in Iraq Sabotaging Our Troops
Conservative political pundits say it is unfathomable how the Democrats can continue to sabotage the U.S. efforts in Iraq after so much good has come of it. John Kerry has described the U.S. war on terror as led by George W. Bush "the most arrogant, inept, reckless and ideological foreign policy i ...
7 Apr 2004
Georgetown Universitys Adherence to Catholic Teaching Questioned During Kerry Visit
A Catholic pro-life group says Georgetown University's hosting of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry today calls into question the school's adherence to Catholic teaching. Kerry, whose political stance in favor of abortion is well known, is scheduled to speak today on the Georgetown cam ...
8 Apr 2004
Christians Flock to Shrines During Easter Amid Israeli Security Concerns
In Israel, thousand of Christians this week are visiting shrines thought to be the sites where the Easter story happened. In the wake of the recent assassination of the leader of the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, the Jewish nation has raised the security level at many of those sites. Josh Blo ...
8 Apr 2004
S.O.S. Project Encourages a Return to the Ten Commandments
A non-denominational outreach group in South Carolina has initiated a three-pronged approach that Americans can use to take a stand for the Ten Commandments and express their concern about what the group describes as the "rapid disintegration of America's moral fiber." The S.O.S. Project is enco ...
8 Apr 2004
New Jersey Abortion Provider Unable to Find Office Space
An abortion provider in New Jersey is having problems moving into new offices because the landlord is afraid the clinic will chase other tenants away. Matrix Development Corporation says the abortion clinic will disturb other tenants and will make the building less desirable. Their reaction to the ...
8 Apr 2004
FCC Needs to Take Lead in Battling Porn in Hotels
The head of a Michigan-based group that fights for traditional family values says the Federal Communications Commission needs to take the lead in prosecuting hotels that offer in-room pornography. Gary Glenn, president of the American Family Association of Michigan, is leading an effort in that sta ...
8 Apr 2004
Iraq's Interim Constitution Unclear on Religious Freedom
A British-based organization that supports persecuted Christians says that Iraq's interim constitution is not clear on religious freedom. One article of the Iraqi constitution says that all Iraqis have the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religious belief. However, another article say ...
8 Apr 2004
Uzbekistan Unrest Blamed on Islamic Militants
A ministry that provides Bibles to people living in the former Soviet Union is expressing concerns about recent civil unrest in Uzbekistan. Islamic adherents in that country have been blamed for a recent rash of violence and kidnappings. Officials say terrorists want to establish an Islamic state ...
8 Apr 2004
Fiji Revival Underway
An international ministry for Christ says a recent trip to Fiji revealed a strong revival in the South Pacific nation -- and that even nature has responded to God's move there. Jack Dennison of CitiReach International tells Joel News that many top government officials, including the president and ...
12 Apr 2004
ECUSA Head Defends Church Stance on Homosexual Clerics
The head of the Episcopal Church USA is defending his denomination's openness to homosexual clerics and saying it all comes down to how the Bible is viewed. As in many mainline churches today, the authority of scripture is coming under increasing attack from those who no longer believe that all of ...
12 Apr 2004
Kansas Grand Jury Indicts Adult Video & Book Store
A Kansas pro-family activist says the recent indictment of an adult video and book store is just the beginning of what is described as a wave of legal challenges against the pornography industry. Many pornography-related businesses stay in business not because what they do is legal, but because no o ...
12 Apr 2004
FDA May Regulate Ultrasound Photography
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration may start limiting the amount of ultrasound photography available around the United States. Lately unregulated businesses are setting up in shopping areas, ready to provide expecting mothers with ultrasound images, or sonograms, of the babies they are carrying. ...
12 Apr 2004
David Horowitz Says Kerry Win Will Compromise Nations Safety
Political pundit David Horowitz says there will be dire consequences if John Kerry defeats President Bush this November. Some conservatives feel that, due to Kerry's positions on defense and his promotion of U.S. military restraint by the United Nations, a win by the Democratic presidential candida ...
12 Apr 2004
Southern Baptists "Week of Prayer" Credited for Hockey Team Salvations
The prayers of thousands of Southern Baptists are credited for half of a Minnesota youth hockey team accepting Christ. Stephanie Smith is a youth evangelism missionary for the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention. But she is also an athletic trainer for the Northern Lights hockey team, which she a ...
13 Apr 2004
Kentucky House Passes Constitutional Ammendment Banning Gay Marriage
In a big victory for pro-family forces in Kentucky, the state's House has passed a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriages and deny legal recognition to civil unions. Last night's vote was an overwhelming 85-11. The proposed amendment now heads to the Senate for a final ...
13 Apr 2004
Homosexual Advocacy Group Releases "Corporate Equality Index" Rating "Homosexual Friendliness"
A leading homosexual advocacy group has been rating U.S. corporations on how homosexual-friendly they are. The Human Rights Campaign is tabulating information for its annual Workplace Project. The project's rating system determines how supportive a corporate employer is of homosexual activism and a ...
13 Apr 2004
War on Polio Almost Over, War on AIDS is Being Lost
The U.S. Secretary of Heath and Human Services says that polio should be eradicated by next year, but the world's war on AIDS is being lost. Secretary Tommy Thompson said recently at a news conference in India that the world is down to its last 1,000 cases of polio, and he expects that by the end o ...
13 Apr 2004
John Kerry Accused of Dishonesty in Anti-War Activities
Democratic senator and presidential hopeful John Kerry is being accused of not telling the truth about his anti-war activities. Kerry's claim to being a war hero has come under question by several veterans groups that are challenging the circumstances of his three Purple Hearts. The medal is awarde ...
13 Apr 2004
Bill Clinton and his Allies Playing Key Role in 2004 Election
A report suggests that Bill Clinton and his allies are playing a key role in the Democrats' effort to regain control of the White House. As the Washington Times puts it, if there is a shadow behind the "shadow campaign" of independent Democratic groups opposing President Bush's re-election, it i ...
14 Apr 2004
A Canadian homosexual magazine's poll says most homosexuals oppose same-sex marriage
A Canadian homosexual magazine's poll says most homosexuals oppose same-sex marriage, and a few want to abolish marriage altogether. Fab magazine editor Mitchel Raphael says that only 36 percent of the respondents favor same-sex marriage. In the report by Baptist Press, the poll also showed that 11 ...
14 Apr 2004
Education Analyst Questions Transcendental Meditation in Schools
An education analyst is questioning the implementation of transcendental meditation, or TM, in public charter schools in Detroit, Michigan. The schools have been including the TM programs in their curriculum as a way to reduce stress and improve the self-esteem of students. But Focus on the Family e ...
14 Apr 2004
Colorado Legislature Brushes With Religion in Politics
The Colorado legislature was the scene yesterday of a dispute between two Roman Catholics over the role of religion in politics. According to an Associated Press report, it all started when Roman Catholic priest Bill Carmody got up to offer the Colorado House's morning prayer. During that prayer he ...
14 Apr 2004
Kansas Battles Porn Problem
A Kansas pro-family activist says across the state line in Missouri, pornography shops are almost as common as fast-food restaurants, and his group is working to make sure Kansas does not suffer the same fate. A Dickinson County, Kansas, grand jury recently indicted an "Adult Superstore" on 29 cou ...
14 Apr 2004
U.S. Employers Clean House on Insurance Rolls
Rising health care costs are forcing U.S. employers to examine who they have on their insurance rolls. Companies are trying to cut costs by weeding out dependents who do not qualify, such as children over a specific age limit. Previously, employers used annual spot checks to allow employees to updat ...
14 Apr 2004
Conservative Author Says American Media "Divided by the Political Spectrum."
A conservative author says the media in America has been divided by the political spectrum. Gary Aldrich of the Patrick Henry Center for Individual Liberty says over the past few years he has learned that the type of political message one has determines the type of exposure that message will receive ...
15 Apr 2004
Pro-Family Activist Stands Behind Bush on War in Iraq
Pro-family activist Gary Bauer is supporting U.S. President George W. Bush in his stand on the continuation of the war in Iraq. Bauer says, "I think that the president clearly outlined the choice here, which is that we either have to do whatever it takes to win in Iraq, or we're going to suffer a ...
15 Apr 2004
Christians for Israel USA Applauds President Bush
The head of Christians for Israel USA is applauding President George W. Bush's support for keeping Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Pastor James Hutchens says the West Bank is actually the traditional heartland of Israel, Judea, and Samaria, land that he says "was promised by God" to the Jew ...
15 Apr 2004
Bush Administration Bows to Homosexual Lobby
Pro-family activists are concerned that once again the Bush Administration has apparently bowed to pressure from the homosexual lobby. When it comes to hiring practices, an executive order by former President Bill Clinton bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Recently, a Bush Admin ...
15 Apr 2004
Gov. Jeb Bush Under Fire
Florida Governor Jeb Bush is under fire for a proposal to give illegal immigrants driver's licenses. Critics call the plan another attempt to gain support from Hispanic voters. American Immigration Control Foundation director Phil Kent feels the Bush plan is "absolutely incredible" and ridiculous ...
16 Apr 2004
Michigan Attorney Fights Porn in Hotels
A Michigan attorney says he is going to keep fighting hotels that show pornographic movies, even if it takes the rest of his life. Attorney Robert Dunn of Bay City, Michigan, is the legal representative of a family that sued a Hampton Inn hotel because their ten-year-old son was exposed to pornograp ...
16 Apr 2004
Minnesota Homosexual Minister Loses Appeal Over Losing His Job
A homosexual minister of music at a Minnesota church recently lost an appeal over losing his job. Hamline United Methodist Church of St. Paul relieved Randall Egan of his ministerial duties when he refused to apologize for calling a parishioner "homophobic." The openly homosexual Egan had argued i ...
16 Apr 2004
Newsday Admits Columnist Misquoted Pro-Family Leader
A New York newspaper is admitting one of its columnists failed to quote a pro-family leader accurately in a column about homosexuality. Newsday says comments against homosexuals that columnist Jimmy Breslin attributed to Lou Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition did not meet its standard of pu ...
16 Apr 2004
Congressman Tancredo States America Will Strikingly Different by 2100 if Immigration Trends Not Reversed
The Chairman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus says if current immigration trends are not reversed, the United States will be a strikingly different country by the end of this century. Congressman Tom Tancredo says he has studied a recent census report indicating that the country is undergoing ...
16 Apr 2004
Bush Campaign Fails to Gain Ground With Hispanic Voters
The Bush campaign has been courting the Hispanic vote for several years. But according to the latest polls, their effort does not appear to be working. Republican strategists are not happy with the results of the latest polls which indicate that more than 60 percent of Hispanic voters favor Democrat ...
16 Apr 2004
Hollywood Liberal Filmmakers Gear Up for Election
Just in time for the presidential election, Hollywood's liberal voices are putting their political criticisms on film. Filmmaker Michael Moore is known in Hollywood and beyond, not only for bitingly satirical, issues-oriented documentaries such as Roger and Me and Bowling for Columbine, but also fo ...
19 Apr 2004
Liberal Lawmakers Pushing Homosexual Marriage on California Residents with AB 1967
For nearly two months, controversial homosexual "marriage" legislation in California has been put on hold due to public pressure. But now, according to Campaign for California Families (CCF) (http://www.savecalifornia.com), the Democrat-controlled Rules Committee in the State Assembly is trying t ...
19 Apr 2004
Three Lutheran Congregations Appoint Open Homosexual Pastors in Defiance of ELCA
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America could soon be following on the heels of the Episcopal Church USA. In direct defiance of church doctrine, three Lutheran congregations have appointed open homosexuals to serve as their pastors. Two of the newly appointed homosexual pastors were duly-ordain ...
19 Apr 2004
Christian Medical Group Spokesman Says There's a Reason Why Abortion Doc's Don't Talk About Their Work
A spokesman for a Christian medical group says there's a reason why abortion doctors don't talk about their work very much. Dr. David Hager of the Christian Medical Association (http://www.cmdahome.org) says these physicians know the gruesome details of their work would appall most people -- and ...
19 Apr 2004
Republicans Ask for Removal of Jamie Gorelick from 9-11 Commision
The partisanship of the 9-11 Commission has become more evident with the controversy surrounding one Democratic member of the Commission: Jamie Gorelick. The Commission has chastised the Bush Administration for not correlating the intelligence of various agencies in order to anticipate the terroris ...
19 Apr 2004
Official Handbook of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy - Equipping Conservatives to Debunk Liberal Arguments
A conservative lawyer and political commentator hopes his new book will equip conservatives to debunk liberal arguments during this year's presidential campaign. The book is called The Official Handbook of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy, but author Michael W. Smith says that conspiracy is really n ...
20 Apr 2004
Bush Gaining Edge Over Kerry in ABC Polls
A new opinion poll shows President Bush making major gains over his Democratic rival, John Kerry. The Washington Post-ABC poll indicates the president has significant advantages over Kerry in public perceptions of who is better to lead. By a margin 49 to 44 percent, Bush is viewed as better able t ...
20 Apr 2004
Canadian Parliament and Author of Bill Criminalizing Public Comments Against Homosexuality Admits He's a Thief
In Canada, a homosexual member of Parliament who has authored a bill that could criminalize public comments against homosexuality has admitted he's a thief. New Democrat Svend Robinson stunned many in that country late last week when he admitted that he had stolen an expensive ring at a public jew ...
20 Apr 2004
Three Christian Law Firms Attempt to Intervene in New York Traditional Marriage Cases
On behalf of their clients, three Christian-based law firms are attempting to intervene in defense of traditional marriage in three cases now pending in the State of New York. That state's attorney general, Elliot Spitzer, recently expressed his reservations about the constitutionality of current ...
20 Apr 2004
British Edition of Cosmopolitan Launches Montly Column on Spirituality
A women's magazine in Britain that lauds casual sex and high-fashion shopping has now stuck its hand into spiritual matters. Last month, the British edition of Cosmopolitan started a new monthly column on spirituality. Unfortunately, the magazine's new "spirituality advisor," Hannah Borno, has ...
20 Apr 2004
Christian Singer Songwriter Says "Safety is an Illusion"
A Christian singer-songwriter says she doesn't have the assurance of her children's safety. Sara Groves tells Associated Press that she searched the Bible to find that comfort, but instead found verses about God's people going through trials. "There's Job and Jonah and Paul in chains and Davi ...
20 Apr 2004
Retired Army General States Israelis May Have to Strike Irans Nuclear Weapons Facilities
A retired Army general says the Israelis may be forced to take out Iran's nuclear weapons facilities as early as this summer if the Islamic regime there continues to develop weapons that could threaten the Jewish state. Retired Maj. General Paul Vallely recently co-authored End Game: The Blueprint ...
20 Apr 2004
Author States Most Christians Don't Understand Biblical Forgiveness
A theologian and author says most Christians don't have a proper understanding of the biblical concept of forgiveness. In his book Prayer of Revenge: Forgiveness in the Fact of Injustice, Doug Schmidt says while Jesus commands His followers to forgive their enemies, there are many instances when o ...
21 Apr 2004
Castrol North American Pulls FX Network Advertisements
A well-known oil company has taken a stand for family values by pulling its advertising from the FX Network. Castrol North American (http://www.castrolusa.com) announced to the Internet-based activist groups OneMillionMoms.com and OneMillionDads.com that it has stopped all advertising on FX after s ...
21 Apr 2004
Retired General says "Web of Terror" Must Come Down
A retired Air Force general says peace will not come to Israel unless countries in what he calls the "web of terror" are taken down. Lt. General Thomas McInerney co-authored End Game: The Blueprint for Victory in the War on Terror. The Fox News Channel military analyst says negotiations between ...
21 Apr 2004
Anglican Communion Rocked Again by Homosexual Priest
The worldwide Anglican Communion is being rocked by another openly homosexual priest. Openly homosexual Jeffrey John is the new dean of St Albans Cathedral in England -- with the Queen's approval. Just last year, John was forced to step down as "Suffragan Bishop of Reading" after provoking a st ...
21 Apr 2004
Christians Don't Grasp the True Message of Christ
A British pastor says many Christians don't have a grasp on the true message Christ preached during His earthly ministry. In his book The Lost Message of Jesus, Steve Chalke says too often the message preached in churches has been influenced more by the culture than by the radical, life-changing m ...
22 Apr 2004
Pro-Lifers Expected to Line Parade Route at "March for Women's Lives"
Those coming to Washington, DC, for the pro-abortion "March for Women's Lives" on Sunday are not all of that mindset. There will be plenty of pro-lifers on hand as thousands of them are expected to attempt to line the parade route in protest of pro-abortion policies. Many of them will be young ...
22 Apr 2004
Former Eagle Scout Calls for Impeachment of Judge Napoleon Jones
Meanwhile, the president of a group which celebrates the traditional values of the Scouting movement has called for the impeachment of Judge Napoleon Jones. Hans Zeiger is an Eagle Scout, president and founder of the Scout Honor Coalition, and author of Get Off My Honor, a forthcoming book about th ...
22 Apr 2004
Author Says Bush Didn't Lie About WMD's
The author of a new book says it is lunacy on the part of liberals to claim President Bush lied about the existence of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) when he pushed for war against Iraq. Mark W. Smith is a conservative attorney living in New York City, which gives him ample opportunity to debat ...
22 Apr 2004
Israeli Defense Expert Says Another 9-11 Style Attack Being Planned
An Israeli defense expert says he agrees with a U.S. intelligence report that reveals Muslim extremists are planning another 9-11-type attack on American soil. ABC News reported this week that U.S. intelligence officials have uncovered evidence that known Muslim terrorists have suggested an attack ...
23 Apr 2004
Christian Sues Australian TV Network Over Profanity
In what could be a landmark case, an evangelical Christian is taking a major Australian TV network to court over the use of profanity. The focus of the case is a new law being used by religious groups that feel vilified. Andre van der Linden says it is time Christianity was afforded the same respe ...
23 Apr 2004
Planned Parenthood Will Celebrate First Chaplain at National Convention
The nation's leading abortion-provider, Planned Parenthood, is holding its national convention in Washington, DC. Part of its planned activities includes celebration of the organization's first chaplain. As Jim Sedlak of STOPP International says, it is really an amazing story. "Earlier this ye ...
23 Apr 2004
Prayer Requests with a Lawyers Touch
Pivacy rights are a growing concern for churches, especially when trying to balance them with prayer requests. A Texas church has come up with an unusual solution. Now parishioners at the First United Methodist Church in Rockwall must fill out a prayer request form that was designed by an attorney ...
23 Apr 2004
Iowa Lawmakers Pass Bill Requiring Pre-Marital Counseling or Longer Wait for License
Some Iowa lawmakers think they've found a way to cut the divorce rate. The State Senate has passed a bill requiring couples to undergo a dozen hours of pre-marital counseling -- or face longer waits for a marriage license. The measure has been sent to the governor. The bill would set a period of ...
23 Apr 2004
Co-author of Federal Marriage Ammendment Optimistic About Its Fate
The co-author of the Federal Marriage Amendment recently spoke out about the chances of its passage. Colorado Republican Senator Wayne Allard knows there is plenty of opposition to the amendment, which would define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. But he is keeping the faith. "I' ...
26 Apr 2004
Rhode Island Middle School Teacher Named National Teacher of the Year 2004
A middle school teacher from Rhode Island has been named National Teacher of the Year for 2004. Kathy Mellor says a big part of teaching is "remembering what it was like to be a kid." Mellor has taught limited English students for 24 years. She reshaped the English as a Second Language (ESL) pr ...
26 Apr 2004
Bush Policy Responsible for Decrease in Terrorist Attacks at Home
A conservative political pundit says the only reason the U.S. has not been attacked since 9-11 is because President George W. Bush has carried the war on terror to the terrorists' backyards. An Associated Press poll last week showed that two-thirds of those surveyed believe it is likely that terro ...
26 Apr 2004
ABC News Announces Scandal in UN Scandal Involving Iraq and Oil
ABC News has recently announced how its investigative reporters have uncovered a U.N. scandal in which illegal vouchers for oil were given to individuals and groups in return for the support of Saddam Hussein. According to Cliff Kincaid of the advocacy group America's Survival, the scandal was fir ...
26 Apr 2004
Video Series "The Missy Files"
A well-known Christian actor has produced a video series for girls. Willie Ames -- known for his roles in the hit TV series Eight Is Enough and in the Christian action adventure series Bibleman -- has now produced and released the first two episodes in a series called The Missy Files. The series s ...
27 Apr 2004
Pennsylvania Voters Head to Polls to Select Republican Candidate
Republican voters in Pennsylvania are going to the polls today to select their candidate for the Senate race this fall. The high-profile contest involves a conservative three-term member of the House who is putting up a strong challenge to unseat a powerful liberal four-term senator. Pro-abortion ...
27 Apr 2004
American Collegians for Life Marches to Counter Anti Abortion March
Among the pro-life groups that showed up in Washington, DC, to counter Sunday's pro-abortion march was an organization that tries to offer support to college-age women with their unexpected pregnancies. Josh Mercer, a director for the group American Collegians for Life, had a huge group of counter ...
27 Apr 2004
Study Finds Liquor Industry Targeting Teens
A university study finds the liquor industry is pouring money into television ads that are viewed, in large part, by people who are not old enough to drink. The study says there were more than 289,000 liquor ads on TV in 2002 -- a 39 percent increase over the year before. The research, conducted b ...
27 Apr 2004
Delaware Website Owners Says Judicial System Discriminates Against Fathers
A Delaware woman who runs a website designed to help keep Christians informed says the American judicial system needs a wake-up call to stop dishonoring fathers. Barbara Goodchild of Townsend, Delaware, operates a website called Suit Up! Its purpose is to give Christians information they need to d ...
27 Apr 2004
California Doctor Believes Marijuana Useful in Treating ADD
A California doctor has testified before the federal government to allow marijuana as a legitimate treatment for teens with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Dr. Claudia Jensen is a pediatrician who was invited to testify before the Drug Policy Subcommittee earlier this month following publication ...
28 Apr 2004
Gay Rights Activists Jump on the Abortion Bandwagon
As predicted by many pro-family leaders and groups, last summer's Supreme Court decision in favor of sodomy has become the cornerstone of many anti-family arguments. Now, a prominent homosexual-advocacy group is taking that approach in explaining why it was a "proud" participant in this past Sun ...
28 Apr 2004
Alabama Pastor Says More Discipleship needed
A Baptist pastor from Alabama says churches should focus more on discipling Christians instead of trying to draw large crowds for events and activities. Jeff Noblit, pastor of First Baptist Church of Muscle Shoals, says churches must look for evidence of a transformed life and saving faith in new C ...
28 Apr 2004
US Military On the Right Track in Fallujah
A military consultant is offering high praise for the way the U.S. military is carrying out its mission against insurgents in Iraq's Fallujah area -- but a former GOP presidential candidate disagrees. Defense contractor and national security consultant Lt. Col. (Ret.) Bob Maginnis is glad America ...
28 Apr 2004
Army Ranger Pat Tillman an Example of Character
A pro-military pundit says the American people should learn a lot about the character of those serving in U.S. armed forces by looking at the sacrifice of Army Ranger Pat Tillman, who was killed in action last week in Afghanistan. The former National Football League player did not want to create a ...
29 Apr 2004
Homosexuality Added to Canada's Hate Crimes Law
Homosexuality has now been added to Canada's hate crimes law. The Globe and Mail newspaper reports the Canadian Senate voted 59-11 on Wednesday to amend the country's criminal code to add the term "sexual orientation" to identifiable groups in "hate propaganda" sections of the code. It means ...
29 Apr 2004
Democratic Congressman Under Fire for Omitting "Under God" When Reciting Pledge
A Democratic congressman, Jim McDermott, is under fire for omitting the words "under God" when he led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in the U.S. House this week. A spokesman for McDermott claims the congressman decided to drop the words because their constitutionality is under review ...
29 Apr 2004
Virginia Law Bans Any Form of Same-Sex Union
The State of Virginia has enacted a law that clearly outlaws any form of same-sex unions in that state. Virginia had previously passed a law that banned homosexual "marriage." But now, lawmakers in that state have taken defense of traditional marriage a step further by banning same-sex "civil u ...
29 Apr 2004
Oklahoma Obstetrician Steps up for The Unborn in Her Practice
An Oklahoma obstetrician uses her practice to preserve the lives of the unborn. When women call Dr. Karen Reisig asking for an abortion, her staff urges them to make an appointment as soon as possible. Since she started her practice in 1979, Reisig has delivered thousands of babies and saved numer ...
29 Apr 2004
Kerry Weasels out of Communion Ban
It appears Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry has found a way around a Vatican directive that says Catholic politicians who support abortion should be denied the Eucharist. Kerry received communion last weekend at a Catholic church in the Boston area known as the Paulist Center. Associated ...
30 Apr 2004
Seattle Traditional Marriage Rally Good Indicator of National Feelings
A pro-family attorney says a huge rally in Seattle on Saturday (May 1) for traditional marriage is a good indication of how the rest of the country feels about preserving the union of one man and one woman. In an effort to rally evangelical Christians behind traditional marriage, hundreds of church ...
30 Apr 2004
John Kerry Takes Both Sides on Many Issues
Critics of Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry claim the Massachusetts multimillionaire has taken both sides on many issues. Besides giving conflicting statements about his Vietnam War medals, Kerry has also taken both sides on one of today's hottest topics: same-sex marriage. American Con ...
30 Apr 2004
House Minority Leader Will Follow Her Conscience Rather Than Catholic Church
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says she'll obey her conscience rather than the Catholic church when it comes to abortion. And like her fellow Catholic Democrat John Kerry, Pelosi says she will continue to ask for Holy Communion despite Vatican opposition to pro-abortion-rights politicians doin ...
30 Apr 2004
Wisconsin Governor Vetoes Bill Protecting Medical Workers from Objectionable Procedures
The governor of Wisconsin says health-care workers cannot object to taking part in some medical procedures they find morally wrong. Wisconsin Right to Life legislative director Susan Armacost says the "conscience clause" would have been the most comprehensive protection for health-care workers an ...
30 Apr 2004
Expedition Planned for Summer to Find Noah's Ark
Although technology may not be able to prove it, the man financing a summer expedition to find Noah's Ark believes they know the exact location of the ancient vessel. The expedition to the upper reaches of Turkey's Mount Ararat is an effort that organizers hope will prove that an object protrudin ...
30 Apr 2004
Study Finds Top 50 Christian Places to Work
A study by Christianity Today and the Best Christian Workplaces Institute (BCWI) has named the top 50 Christian places to work in the U.S. The May 2004 issue of the magazine includes a story that names the top winners in 12 categories. But the overall top spot went to Dallas Theological Seminary, w ...
30 Apr 2004
Ted Koppel Accused of Trivializing Deaths of American Soldiers
ABC's Ted Koppel is being accused of trivializing the deaths of American soldiers in Iraq. The host of the evening program Nightline will use Friday's broadcast to read off the names of more than 700 American soldiers killed in Iraq over the last year. Koppel claims it is a way to honor the fall ...
30 Apr 2004
High School Exit Exams a Good Thing?
Opponents of high-school exit exams have argued that such exams drive down already-low graduation rates. But a study released this week shows, in fact, that may not be the case. Two researchers for the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research have found that requiring high school students to pass a ...