January 2005 Christian News Headlines
12 Jan 2005
Dan Rather, CBS News Boss Both Escape 'Memogate' Unscathed
(AgapePress) - The Virginia-based Media Research Center says it is "disingenuous" for CBS to consider Dan Rather's "retirement" from the network's evening news broadcast sufficient punishment for his involvement in the Memogate scandal.
12 Jan 2005
Texas Seminaries Pursuing Freedom from State Control
(AgapePress) - The Texas Supreme Court has heard oral arguments in a landmark religious liberty case that will determine whether seminaries will be regulated by the state. Under current Texas law, seminaries cannot issue degrees unless the state government approves their curriculum, professors, and board.
12 Jan 2005
Planned Parenthood Distorts Role of Educator
(AgapePress) - Planned Parenthood, one of the nation's abortion giants, recently employed a new "sexuality educator" in the state of Indiana, but her credibility is questionable to Jim Sedlak, director of American Life League's STOPP International.
12 Jan 2005
Pro-Family Activists Commend Communities' Stand for Parental Rights
(AgapePress) - Pro-family activists have thwarted an attack on parental notification in a California school district. The liberal majority on the Roseville School Board was threatening to institute a new policy that would allow children to be excused from campus for abortion, suicide, or drug counseling, all without parental notification.
12 Jan 2005
HoopDogz Barks of Biblical Truth
"HoopDogz is a computer-generated series of videos created to illustrate the Ten Commandments in light-hearted, age-appropriate stories that bring these ancient stone tablets to life for the children of today." -- Product Overview from Cartoon Pizza, Inc.
12 Jan 2005
Bible Elective Blocked by Michigan School Board's Vote
(AgapePress) - A school board in Michigan has rejected a Bible course for its public high school, thus ending a year-long debate about the "Bible as Literature and History" class. According to Associated Press reports, the board agreed with local superintendent Michael Murphy, who feels the course should not be added and that English, art, and history offerings currently in place already address how the Bible affects society.
12 Jan 2005
Attorneys Help Alamo Officials Remember the First Amendment
(AgapePress) - Thanks to a legal group that specializes in defending religious freedom and other constitutional rights, visitors to one of the most historic sites in Texas are once again able to pray without the threat of arrest.
13 Jan 2005
COMMENTARY - 'In the Fight'
LAGOS, NIGERIA (AgapePress) - Over a Nigerian dinner a few moments ago, I asked a missionary deep into his second decade about the health of the Church in this nation.
13 Jan 2005
Despite Temporary Stay, Judge Orders Bible Removed
(AgapePress) - A Bible has been removed from a display on the grounds of a Texas courthouse after an appeals court lifted an order that had kept the Bible in place. The head of a Christian group in the Lone Star State the action should outrage followers of Christ across the nation.
13 Jan 2005
Children's Devotion Book Reflects Simplicity of the Bible
(AgapePress) - Fair Havens Publications has just released Bible Animal Tales: 50 Devotions for Tween-agers, a paperback geared for children ages 8 to 12. To say this book is an answer to prayer is no exaggeration.
13 Jan 2005
Illinois Lawmakers Pass Bill Adding Sexual Orientation to Discrimination Law
(AgapePress) - Conservatives in Illinois suffered a major setback Tuesday when liberals in the House of the Illinois General Assembly garnered enough votes to send a bill giving special protection to homosexuals on to the desk of Democrat Governor Rod R. Blagojevich
13 Jan 2005
Christian Boot Camps Equip Believers for Biblical Witnessing
(AgapePress) - Two ministries have joined forces to train Christians to evangelize biblically. The Texas-based Great News Network recently teamed up with Way of the Master Ministries to hold intensive witnessing seminars called "Evangelism Boot Camps."
13 Jan 2005
Parent Upset Over Mass. School's Pink Triangle Program
(AgapePress) - A Massachusetts mother is expressing outrage over what she calls "the promotion of the homosexual agenda" in her local school system. Last July, the Department of Education in her state allowed a rainbow-colored homosexual pride flag to continue flying at John Glenn Middle School in Bedford; and now pink "Safe Zone" decals have been appearing on classroom doors at the school.
13 Jan 2005
Court Ruling Rips 'Evolution as Theory' Stickers from Science Texts
(AgapePress) - A Christian attorney says a federal judge has joined the ACLU in its crusade against critical thinking by ruling that a suburban Atlanta school district must remove an evolution disclaimer from science books.
13 Jan 2005
Judge Rules Against Student Plaintiff in Graduation Censorship Suit
(AgapePress) - A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a graduating Virginia high school student who was prohibited from singing a Celine Dion song at her commencement ceremony because of its religious content.
14 Jan 2005
Court Says Science Textbook Sticker Encouraging Critical Thinking UnconstitutionalCourt Says Science Textbook Sticker Encouraging Critical Thinking Unconstitutional
(AgapePress) - A federal court in Atlanta, Georgia, has ruled that a disclaimer placed by a Georgia school board in its science textbooks violates the Establishment Clause. The sticker states: "This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered."
14 Jan 2005
COMMENTARY - 'The Heart of Sports' - Fairly Objective
(AgapePress) - Sit in the bleachers at enough high school basketball games, and you soon realize how scarce -- or rather elusive -- is objectivity.
14 Jan 2005
Helpful Hints for a Healthy New Year
(AgapePress) - Looking for some ideas on how to have a healthier new year? A spokesperson from the Christian Medical & Dental Associations offers some tips on reducing stress, engaging in physical exercise, and correcting eating habits.
14 Jan 2005
Maine Pro-Family Group Fights Spread of Legalized Gambling
(AgapePress) - A signature-gathering effort is underway in Maine in order to get on the ballot a referendum designed to repeal a law that permits slot machines at a Bangor racing track.
14 Jan 2005
Media Expert: Pro-Family Voters Helped Make Gibson's Passion the People's Choice
(AgapePress) - Hundreds of thousands of Christian activists helped propel The Passion of the Christ to top honors at the recent 31st Annual People's Choice Awards (PCA). Mel Gibson's surprise box office smash won in the "Favorite Drama" category at this year's award ceremony, which aired January 9 on CBS.
14 Jan 2005
More Teens 'Hook Up'
(AgapePress) - Research indicates that "hooking up" is becoming an increasingly common practice among young people today.
14 Jan 2005
Tsunami Relief Efforts Foster Historic Partnerships, Internat'l Cooperation
(AgapePress) - A Christian ministry is partnering with an Arizona city to help those suffering in the aftermath of the Southeast Asian tsunami. At the same time, the support organization for Wycliffe Bible Translators is deeply involved in the disaster relief efforts.
14 Jan 2005
Call Goes Out for Feds to Crack Down on Proliferation of Web Porn
(AgapePress) - The daughter of a well-known pornographer says the DOJ needs to make a concerted effort to prosecute owners of websites that promote sexual relations between adults and children. And a former FBI investigator says if something is not done in the next four years to curb illegal obscenity, it may never get done.
14 Jan 2005
U.S. Prof Attacks Arab Muslim Student's Pro-Americanism
(AgapePress) - A Kuwaiti Arab Muslim student at a California community college says his political science professor pronounced him deranged after he wrote a paper expressing his love for the United States. According to the student, his instructor told him he needed psychiatric treatment -- all because he turned in a pro-American essay as his take-home final exam.
17 Jan 2005
COMMENTARY - 'The Right Frame of Mind' - The 'Monkey See, Monkey Do' Approach to Science
(AgapePress) - Last week, a federal judge ordered a Georgia school board in Atlanta to remove stickers from its high school biology textbooks that say evolution is "theory, not a fact." The judge claimed the stickers are a violation of the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
17 Jan 2005
Illinois Diocese Involved in Damage Control, Says Catholic Activist Group
(AgapePress) - A group that exposes abuses within the Roman Catholic Church says the diocese of Springfield, Illinois, is a "hotbed" of homosexual perversion.
17 Jan 2005
Internet Porn Merchants Targeting Former Christian Domains
(AgapePress) - An Indiana man is warning Christians who have registered Internet web sites to be careful not to let their domain names lapse.
17 Jan 2005
Survey on Church Sex Abuse Scandals Too Limited, Says Catholic League
(AgapePress) - A spokesman for the Catholic League says a poll that shows a growing uneasiness among Catholics over church finances could be misleading.
17 Jan 2005
Expert Outs "No Name Calling Week" as GLSEN Pro-Homosexual Strategy
(AgapePress) - A conservative expert on sexual orientation is exposing the real agenda behind an upcoming event called "No Name Calling Week." The weeklong observance is the brainchild of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Educators Network (GLSEN) and is based on The Misfits, a book by James Howe legitimizing homosexual behavior in middle school.
17 Jan 2005
College Bans Gibson's Passion -- but Allows Blasphemous, Sexualized Skit
(AgapePress) - A Florida college has prohibited a Christian student group from showing the film The Passion of the Christ. The same school once hosted a live performance that included an obscene reading that involved a character simulating sex with an image of Christ.
17 Jan 2005
Indonesia's Anti-American Stance Hinders Foreign Tsunami Aid
(AgapePress) - A pro-family leader is expressing shock over the way Indonesian officials are treating some of the relief workers trying to help the country recover from the December tsunami disaster.
17 Jan 2005
Pro-Family Organizations Multiply Effectiveness in Cooperative Effort
(AgapePress) - Like popular TV forensic investigators combing a crime scene for crucial evidence, political observers continue to autopsy the recent national elections for clues to explain the outcome. However, most -- if not all -- will overlook the fingerprints of a new alliance of conservative organizations calling itself the Arlington Group.
25 Jan 2005
COMMENTARY - 'From the Home Front'
(AgapePress) - Her question stopped me in my tracks. "So why can't you have a baby and go to college?"
25 Jan 2005
Open Doors Launches Two Million Dollar Tsunami Relief Project
An international Christian ministry has announced a multimillion dollar outreach to victims of last month's South Asian tsunami. The "Wave of Hope" project is being implemented by Open Doors, a ministry that serves the persecuted Church.
25 Jan 2005
Pro-Family Activist Questions GOP's Choice of Pro-Abortion RNC Co-Chair
(AgapePress) - An Ohio-based Christian organization is calling the Republican National Committee to task for naming an abortion advocate as its new co-chairman. Last Wednesday the RNC unanimously elected "pro-choice" National Committeewoman Jo Anne Davidson of Ohio to the post.
25 Jan 2005
High School's Rainbow 'Diversity' Flag Doesn't Fly With Some Parents
(AgapePress) - A rainbow-colored homosexual pride flag has created a stir in a Michigan high school. Members of the Howell High School Diversity Club recently hung the flag to promote different types of sexual orientation within the homosexual community.
25 Jan 2005
Family Advocates Acclaim Marriage Ruling in Indiana
(AgapePress) - An Indiana appeals court has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit by three homosexual "couples" seeking the right to marry. Marriage traditionalists are applauding the ruling.
25 Jan 2005
Parent Claims Bias Killed His Darwin-Critical Curriculum Proposal
(AgapePress) - A parent in California has sued his local district over its exclusion of science materials that present weaknesses and criticisms of evolution. Larry Caldwell's lawsuit alleges the Roseville School District rejected his proposed curriculum because he is a Christian and school officials do not want to inform students of the controversy surrounding Darwin's theories.
25 Jan 2005
TV Watchdog: FCC Ruling 'One Great Mish-Mash of Imprecision'
(AgapePress) - A pro-family spokesman says the FCC's decision yesterday to dismiss more than 30 complaints against indecent programming points to the need for a new kind of leadership at the federal agency.
25 Jan 2005
Pro-Lifers Dismayed by SCOTUS Refusal to Reinstate Terri's Law
(AgapePress) - The parents of a disabled Florida woman at the center of a crucial right-to-life case are appealing to her husband to file for divorce. Attorneys for Terri Schiavo's mother and father admit the couple is running out of legal options after yesterday's Supreme Court rejection of their appeal.