Like most of the religious Left, the National Council of Churches (NCC) never has much to say about religious freedom issues affecting Christians. But any implied criticism of Islam sends the NCC ladder team flying out the door in a frenzy!
The latest peril to religious liberty that the NCC confronted was the “inflammatory” remarks of Virginia Congressman Virgil Goode.
In a letter to his constituents late last year, Goode wrote: "When I raise my hand to take the oath on Swearing In Day, I will have the Bible in my other hand. I do not subscribe to using the Quran in any way." He was responding to the swearing in of Muslim Congressman Keith Ellison, who had used a Korean in an unofficial ceremony. Speaking on the subject of immigration, Goode added, "if American citizens don't wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office and demanding the use of the Quran."
The NCC typically does not say a word about the tribulations of persecuted Christians around the world. North Korean Christians can starve. Churches in Indonesia can burn. Clergy in Iran can be assassinated. Burmese Christians can languish. Vietnamese and Chinese priests may sit in prison for years. The Saudi religious police can round up whomever. Nary a word from the NCC’s headquarters on the upper west side of Manhattan.
Even in the U.S., secularists can mock Christianity, stereotype Christians, desecrate religious symbols, silence praying school children, censor school books and remove historic plaques and statues that may inadvertently reference America’s religious heritage. The NCC’s silence in such situations is almost golden.
But Congressman Goode’s “inflammatory” remarks, received by the Baptist and Methodist farmers and small town people who inhabit his largely rural district in Central Virginia, aroused the NCC’s sensitive conscience for religious liberty. Like Patrick Henry, standing in Richmond’s St. John’s Church, sounding the tocsin against the depredations of King George, the NCC quick response team rushed to action.
First the NCC circulated a petition entitled an “Interfaith Call for Reconciliation in Congress,” demanding Congressman Goode’s apology for inflaming rural Virginians against Muslims, “who feel targeted by repression and abuse…and a growing climate of fear.” It urged Americans to stand up for religious freedom and deplore “hurtful words” by any public figure about any religion. It also invited Congressman Goode to join an interfaith delegation in a mosque visit, so the “healing” can begin.
Armed with that petition, the NCC led an interfaith delegation to visit Congressman Goode this week. The get together was seemingly affable. The congressman’s office included a frame poster declaring “In God We Trust,” the NCC reporter noted. Even more ominously to him, Fox News was on the television. But the NCC delegation, comprised of two NCC officials, a Baptist minister, and three Muslims, bravely moved forward into the lion’s lair.
The delegation shared the feelings of pain with the congressman, the anguish no doubt enhanced by the background noise from Fox News. Congressman Goode thanked his visitors but, according to the NCC, stood by his remarks, saying, “I didn't say anything that was untrue." The NCC delegation agreed that Goode’s statement was technically “factually supportable,” but that its implications were distressing.
Congressman Goode expressed appreciation for America’s religious freedom but warned the delegation that “if this nation had a majority of Muslims…I'm not sure it would be the case." But Goode avuncularly pointed to Sayyid Syeed, of the Islamic Society of North America, and added, "Of course, if they were all more like you, I don't think there'd be a problem."
The lead NCC official found this remark to be condescending but acknowledged that it was intended as a “kind gesture” that even became a “holy moment” of personal connection. Congressman Goode suffers from “preconceptions, misconceptions, [and] misunderstandings,” the NCC official lamented in his report, but this was one of the first times the congressman had “met a peace-loving, broad-minded Muslim who is far more like him than unlike him.”
According to the NCC, Goode agreed to visit a Muslim service in his district, where he will meet “peace loving, broad-minded Muslims, like those in our little group, who love their country and wish the best for all Americans.” That is, provided he actually meets such people there at the mosque.
But Sayyid Syeed’s Islamic Society of North America’s own attitudes towards religious freedom could bear some scrutiny. An exponent of Saudi-style Islam, the group is less than quick to denounce Islamic repression and terror. Certainly, it would never denounce its Saudi sponsors, who have outlawed all non-Islamic religion in their own land. But for that matter, the NCC would never criticize Saudi Arabia’s religion repression, no matter how many Christians and “apostates” are imprisoned or murdered there.
Instead, the NCC is focusing its deep concern on the ominous threat to freedom posed by the attitudes of Congressman Goode and his rural Virginian constituents, whose letters to their Congressman over the Koran issue have largely been supportive. No doubt, the Muslims of Bedford and Danville and Appomattox, and in countless other villages throughout Virginia’s 5th district, are living with great trepidation under the reign of Congressman Goode. Maybe they can now empathize with the suffering Christians of Iran and Pakistan and Syria and Indonesia and in at least a dozen other Islamic countries.
Goodness knows, the NCC’s empathy will never extend to those Christians, who live in daily fear of considerably more than just a letter from a Virginia politician.
Mark D. Tooley
February 2, 2007
Iraqi Catholic archbishop opposes US rescue bid for Christians
An Iraqi bishop has criticized the United States bishops’ proposal to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, which calls on her to grant asylum to Iraq’s persecuted Christians and to create a safe haven for them in the country’s Nineveh plains.
Christians are currently fleeing Iraq in droves amid reports of ethnic cleansing.
The proposed plan is “impossible … and could create much more tension than relief for Christians,” said Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk, located in northern Iraq.
He suggested that the initiative could be divisive for the Christian faithful at a time of increasing anti-U.S. sentiment in Iraq.
“We have not at all assimilated with the coalition forces. We have nothing to do with them, nor indeed do we have anything to do with the West,” said Archbishop Sako.
(Snip)
February 1, 2007
"Show Me the Money!" NYT runs story on Michael Moynihan
GREENWICH, Conn., Feb. 1 — The Rev. Michael R. Moynihan’s taste for the good life was an open secret.
To book a trip to the Breakers, a luxury resort in Palm Beach, Fla., in the late 1990s, Father Moynihan reserved two first-class plane tickets and a room through a local travel agent. He cruised the Long Island Sound in a $200,000 yacht and the streets of Greenwich in a $59,000 black Infiniti sedan. Employees at expensive restaurants knew him by name.
Until Jan. 19 — when Father Moynihan was forced to resign as pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Church after an investigation found that he had maintained two secret bank accounts with church funds and could not document how he had spent more than $500,000 — few parishioners or his superiors in the Bridgeport Roman Catholic Diocese openly questioned whether the priest should indulge in such luxuries or how he paid for them.
In fact, many congregants in the wealthy parish — including more than 100 who took out a half-page ad on Sunday in a local newspaper expressing their support for him — say his good works, not his good taste, are what matters.
“What he drives, what he yachts in, that’s not what I’m concerned about,” said Nigel Ekern, a Darien resident who was married by Father Moynihan and attended St. Michael’s for several years. “Who cares?
(Snip, article here)
By MATTHEW J. MALONE
Published: February 2, 2007
In July, the F.B.I. alerted the diocese to the existence of one bank account maintained by Father Moynihan with $1.4 million. Federal officials declined to say Thursday whether the priest was under investigation.
Father Moynihan signed a letter in August saying that he had disclosed the existence of all accounts. But in December, the diocese discovered a second account — whose balance is still being determined — leading Bishop William Lori to ask that Father Moynihan resign from St. Michael’s.
The diocese still insists it does not know yet how Father Moynihan supported his extravagant lifestyle. For now, he remains a priest in good standing, and the diocese says he will be reassigned, although to a post without any financial oversight.
Priest who declared his homosexuality takes leave of absence
James Morrison, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas, announced earlier this month he is planning to take an extended leave of absence after 20 years of service.
(snip)
Morrison has recently been the center of much controversy and media scrutiny after announcing in a letter to parishioners that although celibate, he is homosexual.
He dismissed rumors that his decision to take a leave of absence was motivated by church authorities.
"The Bishop [Sam G. Jacobs, leader in the Charismatic Catholic Movement] and the congregation at St. Thomas have been very supportive," Morrison said.
Despite the media attention Morrison attracted when he announced his sexuality, he asserts that attendance at church services has been up.
Fugitive Priest From Las Vegas Arrested In Arizona
AP) GLOBE, Ariz. A Catholic priest sought by Las Vegas police and other authorities in connection with several crimes has been apprehended near Globe, Department of Public Safety officials said late Thursday.
A police report said Father George Chaanine muttered that he was going to kill himself after allegedly beating and choking a church soloist in the parish office at Our Lady of Las Vegas Church.
The 52-year-old Chaanine was wanted on charges including attempted murder, sex assault, kidnapping and battery in the Friday attack.
The victim's lawyer identifies her as 54-year-old Michaelina Bellamy.
She's a Las Vegas stage singer who sang as a church soloist and worked at the parish office where Chaanine was an administrator.
January 31, 2007
Turkish Police Clamp Strict Security on Christians’ Trial
Strict security controls surrounded the second court hearing for two Turkish Christians facing criminal charges for insulting Turkish identity under the nation’s controversial Article 301.
Heightened police protection for the two Christians and their lawyer was attributed to the shocking assassination 10 days earlier of another Turkish Christian, prominent Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, murdered in Istanbul by a teenage nationalist.
The two Christians, who are both converts from Islam, are also accused under less-known penal statutes of reviling Islam (Article 216) and secretly compiling private data on Turkish citizens for a Bible correspondence course (Article 135).
At their January 29 hearing, the presiding judge again closed his court to all observers, with only the defendants and their lawyer present for the defense. They faced seven prosecuting lawyers led by ultranationalist attorney Kemal Kerincsiz, notorious in Turkey for having hounded the outspoken Dink with multiple charges under Article 301.
(Snip, article here)
Heightened police protection for the two Christians and their lawyer was attributed to the shocking assassination 10 days earlier of another Turkish Christian, prominent Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, murdered in Istanbul by a teenage nationalist.
The two Christians, who are both converts from Islam, are also accused under less-known penal statutes of reviling Islam (Article 216) and secretly compiling private data on Turkish citizens for a Bible correspondence course (Article 135).
At their January 29 hearing, the presiding judge again closed his court to all observers, with only the defendants and their lawyer present for the defense. They faced seven prosecuting lawyers led by ultranationalist attorney Kemal Kerincsiz, notorious in Turkey for having hounded the outspoken Dink with multiple charges under Article 301.
(Snip, article here)
Istanbul's Anglican community on the brink of open rebellion with their Bishop
Members of Istanbul's Anglican community are on the brink of open rebellion with their Bishop whom they accuse of high-handed tactics in suspending both the church council and the priest who has administered to them for 18 years.
The row erupted over the ordination of a new deacon in Istanbul, Engin Yıldırım.
Local Anglicans say they pressed Geoffrey Rowell, the London-based Bishop responsible for their parish, to postpone the ordination until they could resolve what office the new minister would occupy under Turkish law. Mr Yıldırım is Turkish and at present foreign Christian clergy in Turkey are regarded as officials sent by the governments of their countries. Those close to the Anglican community suspect its real objection may be related to Mr Yıldırım's proselytizing approach to his vocation.
From another article, same subjectA London bishop has suspended the most senior Anglican priest in Turkey, who opposed the fast-track ordination of a Turkish evangelist. The dispute highlights a potential clash of cultures between the hands-off approach of the expatriate Anglicans and the missionary zeal of Turkish Protestant converts.
Istanbul Anglicans have branded the bishop “bullying”, “crazy”, “un-Christian” and “a scandal and a menace”. Their colourful language stems partly from the popularity of Canon Ian Sherwood, the Irish cleric at the centre of the battle.
Trey Farmer, a member of the church council, which has also been suspended, illustrated the strength of feeling. “We are not here to convert anyone, but to support what exists,” he said. “If anyone wants to engage in missionary work in Turkey they are going to have to do it over our dead bodies. I don’t want to get shot for going to church.”
The row erupted over the ordination of a new deacon in Istanbul, Engin Yıldırım.
Local Anglicans say they pressed Geoffrey Rowell, the London-based Bishop responsible for their parish, to postpone the ordination until they could resolve what office the new minister would occupy under Turkish law. Mr Yıldırım is Turkish and at present foreign Christian clergy in Turkey are regarded as officials sent by the governments of their countries. Those close to the Anglican community suspect its real objection may be related to Mr Yıldırım's proselytizing approach to his vocation.
From another article, same subjectA London bishop has suspended the most senior Anglican priest in Turkey, who opposed the fast-track ordination of a Turkish evangelist. The dispute highlights a potential clash of cultures between the hands-off approach of the expatriate Anglicans and the missionary zeal of Turkish Protestant converts.
Istanbul Anglicans have branded the bishop “bullying”, “crazy”, “un-Christian” and “a scandal and a menace”. Their colourful language stems partly from the popularity of Canon Ian Sherwood, the Irish cleric at the centre of the battle.
Trey Farmer, a member of the church council, which has also been suspended, illustrated the strength of feeling. “We are not here to convert anyone, but to support what exists,” he said. “If anyone wants to engage in missionary work in Turkey they are going to have to do it over our dead bodies. I don’t want to get shot for going to church.”
Vatican enraged by magazine expose
AN Italian magazine report which sought to prove that what some priests tell Catholics in the confessional is not always what the Church preaches in public has enraged the Vatican.
To write the cover story in this week's L'Espresso, reporter Riccardo Bocca visited 24 churches in five large Italian cities and confessed sins he never committed or invented ethical dilemmas for the priest.
In one confessional in Naples he told the priest he felt guilty over his father's death after the family allowed a doctor secretly to detach a respirator. The father had for years been paralysed, confined to a bed and unable to breathe autonomously.
Although euthanasia is officially condemned by the Church, the priest told him not to worry too much because God would be the ultimate arbiter.
"If I had a wife, a father or a son who for years was alive only because of artificial life support, I would pull the plug too," said the priest, who then gave him absolution.
In another confessional box he faked being HIV positive and was told by a priest that whether or not he used a condom in order not to pass the virus to the woman he loved was "a very personal matter of conscience".
On homosexuality, one priest told him: "Well, homosexuality is a tendency which is a valid human expression. There are even homosexual priests and lesbian nuns."
Asked if he should openly declare his homosexuality, the priest told him: "Generally the best thing to do is to be yourself. Come clean. Do what the English call 'coming out'."
Apart from abortion - which all 24 priests unanimously condemned - he received conflicting advice on moral issues such as divorce, stem cell research and prostitution.
(Snip, full article here)
There is no room for democracy in the Muslim theology.
"There is no room for democracy in the Muslim theology." An interesting report regarding a sermon from a former Muslim. The lady who wrote the report was driven out of her purpose driven church several years ago. Article here.
January 30, 2007
China Detains 600 Christians, Demolishes Churches
China detained at least over 600 Christians last year amid an ongoing crackdown on unregistered 'house churches', a report released Tuesday, January 30, showed. ...
Other arrested leaders include house church Pastors Liu Yuhua and Wang Zaiqing, detained on charges of "illegal business practices" related to the "unauthorized" printing and distributing of Bibles and other Christian literature. CAA suggested the two Christians have been anticipating long jail sentences as in 2005 Pastor Cai Zhuohua received a three-year prison term on similar charges. (Snip article located here)
Other arrested leaders include house church Pastors Liu Yuhua and Wang Zaiqing, detained on charges of "illegal business practices" related to the "unauthorized" printing and distributing of Bibles and other Christian literature. CAA suggested the two Christians have been anticipating long jail sentences as in 2005 Pastor Cai Zhuohua received a three-year prison term on similar charges. (Snip article located here)
Southern Baptist factions trying to define women's roles
By MATT CURRY
Associated Press
FORT WORTH - A theology professor at a prominent Southern Baptist seminary said officials told her to leave because women are biblically enjoined from teaching men.
Professor Sheri Klouda's departure from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is the newest source of division between opposing factions within the Southern Baptist Convention
It is the largest Protestant denomination in the country, with more than 16 million members.
Paige Patterson, seminary president, did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press. Van McClain, president of the board of trustees, said he could not discuss the matter but e-mailed several previously written statements.
McClain said Klouda was not dismissed, but that she was not granted tenure. He also said it has been rare for women to teach theology at Southern Baptist seminaries.
"With regard to the tightening of the policy of women teaching in the School of Theology, there has been no change in policy, but rather a return to the way it has always been," he said. "There was a momentary lax of the parameters, and [the seminary] has now returned to its traditional, confessional, and biblical position." Photo Baptist Press
Associated Press
FORT WORTH - A theology professor at a prominent Southern Baptist seminary said officials told her to leave because women are biblically enjoined from teaching men.
Professor Sheri Klouda's departure from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is the newest source of division between opposing factions within the Southern Baptist Convention
It is the largest Protestant denomination in the country, with more than 16 million members.
Paige Patterson, seminary president, did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press. Van McClain, president of the board of trustees, said he could not discuss the matter but e-mailed several previously written statements.
McClain said Klouda was not dismissed, but that she was not granted tenure. He also said it has been rare for women to teach theology at Southern Baptist seminaries.
"With regard to the tightening of the policy of women teaching in the School of Theology, there has been no change in policy, but rather a return to the way it has always been," he said. "There was a momentary lax of the parameters, and [the seminary] has now returned to its traditional, confessional, and biblical position." Photo Baptist Press
Las Vegas priest remains at large after church soloist (Also Vegas Showgirl) attack
Roman Catholic priest remained a fugitive for a fourth day Tuesday, while a judge issued a warrant seeking his arrest on attempted murder charges in an attack on a church employee in a parish office.
The Rev. George Chaanine, 52, an emigrant from Lebanon, also faces charges including battery with a deadly weapon, battery with intent to commit sex assault and kidnapping in the Friday attack, police said.
Police have refused to name the woman who was attacked, but her lawyer identified her as Michaelina Bellamy.
"It was a violent attack," Bellamy's lawyer, Al Massi, said.
Massi said he did not know Bellamy's age, and refused to provide details about Bellamy's injuries.
Bellamy sang as a church soloist and worked at the Our Lady of Las Vegas parish office where authorities said Chaanine was an administrator. Bellamy is an entertainer with a long resume, including stints as a featured singer and dancer with the Follies Bergere on the Las Vegas Strip and with singers such as Englebert Humperdinck.
Diocese of Las Vegas spokeswoman Lee Haney said church administrators were "deeply saddened" by the case. Haney released information about Chaanine's background and said church officials were cooperating with police.
On Sunday, Chaanine was placed on administrative leave with pay, meaning he cannot act in any capacity as a priest. (Snip, complete article at this link)
The Rev. George Chaanine, 52, an emigrant from Lebanon, also faces charges including battery with a deadly weapon, battery with intent to commit sex assault and kidnapping in the Friday attack, police said.
Police have refused to name the woman who was attacked, but her lawyer identified her as Michaelina Bellamy.
"It was a violent attack," Bellamy's lawyer, Al Massi, said.
Massi said he did not know Bellamy's age, and refused to provide details about Bellamy's injuries.
Bellamy sang as a church soloist and worked at the Our Lady of Las Vegas parish office where authorities said Chaanine was an administrator. Bellamy is an entertainer with a long resume, including stints as a featured singer and dancer with the Follies Bergere on the Las Vegas Strip and with singers such as Englebert Humperdinck.
Diocese of Las Vegas spokeswoman Lee Haney said church administrators were "deeply saddened" by the case. Haney released information about Chaanine's background and said church officials were cooperating with police.
On Sunday, Chaanine was placed on administrative leave with pay, meaning he cannot act in any capacity as a priest. (Snip, complete article at this link)
Body-Count Evangelism (Rick Warren, Willow Creek, etc.)
Aside from quoting Dan "They didn’t acknowledge me when I walked in the door" Burrell, this is a good article. You can read it at Freerepublic
Nail in the coffin: Why the CRI can not be trusted
WHAT THINK YE OF ROME?
(Snip)
I am trying to do my part and cut down on blog pollution, so I will only post a link and a snip from this utterly ridiculous article in which the 'Christian' Research Institute sugar coats the soul damning Roman Catholic beliefs and smears Fundamentalist.
"Fundamentalist: This term, like "evangelical," suffers from ambiguity, and has changed much in meaning since its first usage early in this century. Fundamentalists have always stood in opposition to liberalism within the church. But today the term conveys certain additional characteristics which set fundamentalists apart from other evangelicals, including: a general suspicion of scholarship, a separatist mentality which includes a rejection of the entire ecumenical movement, an anti-historical (anti-creedal) or restorational view of the church, and a rigid approach to what constitutes appropriate Christian conduct."
(Snip)
I am trying to do my part and cut down on blog pollution, so I will only post a link and a snip from this utterly ridiculous article in which the 'Christian' Research Institute sugar coats the soul damning Roman Catholic beliefs and smears Fundamentalist.
"Fundamentalist: This term, like "evangelical," suffers from ambiguity, and has changed much in meaning since its first usage early in this century. Fundamentalists have always stood in opposition to liberalism within the church. But today the term conveys certain additional characteristics which set fundamentalists apart from other evangelicals, including: a general suspicion of scholarship, a separatist mentality which includes a rejection of the entire ecumenical movement, an anti-historical (anti-creedal) or restorational view of the church, and a rigid approach to what constitutes appropriate Christian conduct."
Priest Rodis Took Money Meant for Tsunami Victims
...[A]bout the time Rodney Rodis was installed as parish priest. Scoggin remembered with a grimace the day Rodis made a heartfelt pitch for donations to help tsunami victims in Indonesia. Scoggin, longtime chairman of Immaculate Conception's finance committee, was so moved that he reached for his wife's purse and dashed off a check for $500. But the check never made it into the church's account; instead, it went into the secret account Rodis had opened at a branch of Virginia Heartland Bank in Fredericksburg, Scoggin said......(Snip, more details at link)By Candace Rondeaux
Navy doctor wins default judgment in Del. against accused priest
WILMINGTON, Del. - A federal judge on Tuesday entered a default judgment against a priest accused of molesting a former Catholic school student.
U.S. District Court Judge Sue Robinson granted the judgment against the Rev. Edward J. Smith after he failed to respond to a lawsuit filed by Navy Commander Kenneth Whitwell.
Whitwell's attorney, Thomas Neuberger, said the judgment marks the first time that a priest has been found liable in Delaware for child sexual abuse.
Whitwell, 38, said he was grateful that he and his family will have the opportunity to tell a jury what happened to him.
"Finally, a victim in Delaware gets to have their day in court, and gets to tell their story publicly," said Whitwell, a Navy optometrist stationed at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Va. (Snip, more at link)
From another article, same case:"The allegation comes less than two years after the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington admitted to spending $1.6 million to settle sexual abuse lawsuits involving priests.
Mr. Whitwell’s attorney Thomas S. Neuberger called Father Smith a “renegade pedophile priest,” claiming that his religious order, the Norbertines, hid the priest in Maryland for two years after he allegedly molested a student at a Philadelphia high school in 1979.
U.S. District Court Judge Sue Robinson granted the judgment against the Rev. Edward J. Smith after he failed to respond to a lawsuit filed by Navy Commander Kenneth Whitwell.
Whitwell's attorney, Thomas Neuberger, said the judgment marks the first time that a priest has been found liable in Delaware for child sexual abuse.
Whitwell, 38, said he was grateful that he and his family will have the opportunity to tell a jury what happened to him.
"Finally, a victim in Delaware gets to have their day in court, and gets to tell their story publicly," said Whitwell, a Navy optometrist stationed at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Va. (Snip, more at link)
From another article, same case:"The allegation comes less than two years after the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington admitted to spending $1.6 million to settle sexual abuse lawsuits involving priests.
Mr. Whitwell’s attorney Thomas S. Neuberger called Father Smith a “renegade pedophile priest,” claiming that his religious order, the Norbertines, hid the priest in Maryland for two years after he allegedly molested a student at a Philadelphia high school in 1979.
Misleading Multiculturalism: Catholics target children for Islam
"A new book for Catholic children raises some interesting questions about Catholic/Muslim beliefs, and also about Catholic education. Pauline Books has just published My Muslim Friend — a book which it hopes will give Catholic children, their parents, and their teachers "a new understanding and appreciation of Islam...."
One has to wonder if the author included any information regarding how Muslims in
"celebrate" the holiday of Ashoura. (Warning: babies and children are also cut - please be aware that the images at this link are quite graphic and barbaric.) Frontpage Magazine
One has to wonder if the author included any information regarding how Muslims in
"celebrate" the holiday of Ashoura. (Warning: babies and children are also cut - please be aware that the images at this link are quite graphic and barbaric.) Frontpage Magazine
Priest to face charge of attempted murder (George Chaanine)
LAS VEGAS - A Catholic priest wanted in the beating last week of a woman who worked at his southern Nevada church is expected to be charged with attempted murder, police said.
An arrest warrant being prepared Monday for the Rev. George Chaanine, 52, also will charge him with kidnapping and battery with intent to commit sex assault, police Lt. John Bradshaw said. Snip, click here for the article
January 29, 2007
Beer and the Bible at Southern Baptist Emerging Church
In a back room at Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood, about 50 people gathered on a recent Wednesday night to talk rock 'n' roll.
Why are Bob Marley and Kurt Cobain considered by some to be messiahs? When did rock music lose its edge and become another product manufactured and marketed by huge conglomerates such as Viacom?
It was a conversation perfectly suited to the setting. Beer-stained wooden tables and the smell of hops complemented a free-flowing, spirited debate among hip young people in scruffy beards and T-shirts.
In 2007, this is church.
Theology at the Bottleworks is run by a wildly successful congregation of young St. Louisans called The Journey. The Schlafly program is part of the church's outreach ministry. And it works.
Every month dozens show up at the brewpub to drink beer and talk about issues ranging from racism in St. Louis to modern art controversies to the debate about embryonic stem cell research.
The Rev. Darrin Patrick, The Journey's founder and lead pastor, says its nontraditional approach is aimed at those who are not likely to attend church.
"We want to go where people are," he said. "We don't expect them to come to us."
(Snip, article at link)
By Tim Townsend
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
"Homosexual Friendly Authors Populate SBC's LifeWay Site"
Bob Allen
01-29-07
In 2005 the Southern Baptist Convention passed a resolution urging churches to be on guard against homosexual influences in public schools. But a conservative Web site says the nation's largest Protestant body might first want to get its own house in order by checking out shelves of the SBC's publisher, LifeWay Christian Resources.
Baptist Press last week bemoaned that Wal-Mart is "still dabbling" in support of "the homosexual agenda," despite warnings of a boycott by religious conservatives. A writer challenged readers to type the word "gay" into the search engine for Wal-Mart's online bookstore, reporting that more than 1,000 titles turn up.
On Friday Paul Proctor at NewsWithViews.com followed two earlier columns warning about Christian book sites that promote authors who are "heretics and false teachers" with a similar challenge.
"[I]f you go to the ChristianResearchService.com website, click on the Master List, scroll down to the section subtitled, 'Homosexual/Lesbian/ Transgendered/Pro-gay,' and enter each of the names listed there into the Southern Baptist Convention's LifeWaystores.com search engine, (select keyword: 'author')," Proctor said, "you will find numerous examples of the double-standard that continues unabated in the online Christian bookstore industry."
EthicsDaily.com did just that, counting 13 of 32 authors on the Christian Research Service list in LifeWay's product database. (Snip, more at link)
01-29-07
In 2005 the Southern Baptist Convention passed a resolution urging churches to be on guard against homosexual influences in public schools. But a conservative Web site says the nation's largest Protestant body might first want to get its own house in order by checking out shelves of the SBC's publisher, LifeWay Christian Resources.
Baptist Press last week bemoaned that Wal-Mart is "still dabbling" in support of "the homosexual agenda," despite warnings of a boycott by religious conservatives. A writer challenged readers to type the word "gay" into the search engine for Wal-Mart's online bookstore, reporting that more than 1,000 titles turn up.
On Friday Paul Proctor at NewsWithViews.com followed two earlier columns warning about Christian book sites that promote authors who are "heretics and false teachers" with a similar challenge.
"[I]f you go to the ChristianResearchService.com website, click on the Master List, scroll down to the section subtitled, 'Homosexual/Lesbian/ Transgendered/Pro-gay,' and enter each of the names listed there into the Southern Baptist Convention's LifeWaystores.com search engine, (select keyword: 'author')," Proctor said, "you will find numerous examples of the double-standard that continues unabated in the online Christian bookstore industry."
EthicsDaily.com did just that, counting 13 of 32 authors on the Christian Research Service list in LifeWay's product database. (Snip, more at link)
Megachurch Pastor accuses some congregation members of being "duped"
Here is the story in a nutshell: David Cox was pushing the Purpose Driven Church (Warrenism) on the congregation at First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Fla.
When a document (below) was passed out around the church, Cox went into full attack mode (al la Warrenism) and claimed that the congregation was being duped. (or worse, read his attack on the facts at this link )
"But perhaps you have been duped by such a piece of
propaganda. I believe when most people consider this document for what it really
says, they will re-think being associated with it because of its lack of theological,
historical, and practical foundation. It simply has no doctrinal basis." (Cox)
Here is the document in question.
In the past ten(10) years a lot of churches in America and in other countries have
changed from a traditional New Testament church model to a contemporary
Purpose Driven model...most with sorrowful pitiful results.
Contrary to Purpose Driven Church propaganda millions have been leaving their
churches after the change occurred. Thousands of churches have split, closed, or
had significant reductions in attendance. Hundreds of pastors have been fired after
insisting on the change to a PDC model.
Most churches, after having a brief upsurge in growth, either reverted back to
their original size or suffered church trauma by introducing the PDC model in
their congregation.
It is important that EVERY church member know if their church is targeted for a
PURPOSE DRIVEN CHURCH takeover. Initially a small clique of church staff
including the pastor plans the change without telling the rest of the church
membership.
Church transitions(a PDC training arm) trains the clique initiating the change in
eight (8 steps. The church is not to be informed of the transitions until the fourth
(4) step. After the sixth (6) step in the process of change if there are some
members in the church who voice concerns the following is suggested:
#1- Identify those who are resisting the changes
#2- Assess the effectiveness of their opposition
#3- Befriend those who are undecided about changes
#4- Marginalize more persistent resisters or questioners
#5- Vilify those who stay and fight
#6- Establish new rules that will silence all resistance
This usually means that the church membership is not told until it is too late to
make a difference. In other words, the church is stolen.
Then the members either accept the changes or leave the church.
Rick Warren author and director of the PDC movement says, "When you reveal
the vision to the church the old pillars are going to leave. But let them leave...they
only hold things up."
So what are the signs that your church is targeted for a PDC change?
#1- Change in music to a contemporary rock style.
#2- Removal of hymn books...often words on a screen.
#3- Eliminating the choir or introducing a choral "entertainment type" singing
group. Repetitive praise lyrics
are used.
#4- Replacing the organ/piano with heavy metal type instruments.
#5- Dressing down to casual informal attire.
#6- Eliminating business meetings, church committees, council of elders, board
of deacons or other
traditional leadership groups.
#7- The pastor with a few assistants (usually four) take charge of all church
business.
#8- A repetitive 40 day PDC study program stressing psychological relationships
with each other, the
community and the world.
#9- Funded budgeted programs are abandoned or ignored with 'hidden' line items
in financial reports.
#10-Sunday morning, evening, and/or Wednesday prayer meetings are changed
to other times, named
differently or eliminated.
#11-Sunday School teachers are moved to different classes or replaced by new
teachers more sympathetic
with the changes being implemented.
#12-The name "Sunday School" is usually dropped and classes are given new
names.
#13-Crosses and other traditional Christian symbols may be moved, removed, or
put in obscure places.
#14-New versions of the Bible are used. Verses are flashed on the screen.
#15-PDC videos are shown prior to, during or after a service.
#16-The decor may be changed to eliminate any resemblance to the 'former
church'.
#17-The name "church" is often removed and may be called a "campus".
Denominational names are often
removed.
#18-An emphasis on more fun and party times for the youth.
#19-Elimination of altar calls or salvation invitations.
#20-The elimination of such words as "unsaved" "lost" "hell" "heaven"
"abortion" "sodomy".
#21-Reclassification of the saved and lost to the "churched" and "unchurched"
#22-The marginalizing or ostracrizing of all who are not avid promoters of the
new PDC program.
#23-Closed meetings between pastor, certain staff, and selected leaders without
any accountability to the
general membership.
#24-Open hostility to members who do not openly embrace the new program or
who may have left for
another church.
Recognize any of this? Many say it's too late when you get to step #4 in the first
section. May be. But don't forget;
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a
sound mind." II Tim. 1:7
[portions of the above were provided by the research dept. of the Southwest Radio
Ministries, Bethany, Okl.]
PURPOSE DRIVEN CHURCH takeover. Initially a small clique of church staff
including the pastor plans the change without telling the rest of the church
membership.
Church transitions(a PDC training arm) trains the clique initiating the change in
eight (8 steps. The church is not to be informed of the transitions until the fourth
(4) step. After the sixth (6) step in the process of change if there are some
members in the church who voice concerns the following is suggested:
#1- Identify those who are resisting the changes
#2- Assess the effectiveness of their opposition
#3- Befriend those who are undecided about changes
#4- Marginalize more persistent resisters or questioners
#5- Vilify those who stay and fight
#6- Establish new rules that will silence all resistance
This usually means that the church membership is not told until it is too late to
make a difference. In other words, the church is stolen.
Then the members either accept the changes or leave the church.
Rick Warren author and director of the PDC movement says, "When you reveal
the vision to the church the old pillars are going to leave. But let them leave...they
only hold things up."
So what are the signs that your church is targeted for a PDC change?
#1- Change in music to a contemporary rock style.
#2- Removal of hymn books...often words on a screen.
#3- Eliminating the choir or introducing a choral "entertainment type" singing
group. Repetitive praise lyrics
are used.
#4- Replacing the organ/piano with heavy metal type instruments.
#5- Dressing down to casual informal attire.
#6- Eliminating business meetings, church committees, council of elders, board
of deacons or other
traditional leadership groups.
#7- The pastor with a few assistants (usually four) take charge of all church
business.
#8- A repetitive 40 day PDC study program stressing psychological relationships
with each other, the
community and the world.
#9- Funded budgeted programs are abandoned or ignored with 'hidden' line items
in financial reports.
#10-Sunday morning, evening, and/or Wednesday prayer meetings are changed
to other times, named
differently or eliminated.
#11-Sunday School teachers are moved to different classes or replaced by new
teachers more sympathetic
with the changes being implemented.
#12-The name "Sunday School" is usually dropped and classes are given new
names.
#13-Crosses and other traditional Christian symbols may be moved, removed, or
put in obscure places.
#14-New versions of the Bible are used. Verses are flashed on the screen.
#15-PDC videos are shown prior to, during or after a service.
#16-The decor may be changed to eliminate any resemblance to the 'former
church'.
#17-The name "church" is often removed and may be called a "campus".
Denominational names are often
removed.
#18-An emphasis on more fun and party times for the youth.
#19-Elimination of altar calls or salvation invitations.
#20-The elimination of such words as "unsaved" "lost" "hell" "heaven"
"abortion" "sodomy".
#21-Reclassification of the saved and lost to the "churched" and "unchurched"
#22-The marginalizing or ostracrizing of all who are not avid promoters of the
new PDC program.
#23-Closed meetings between pastor, certain staff, and selected leaders without
any accountability to the
general membership.
#24-Open hostility to members who do not openly embrace the new program or
who may have left for
another church.
Recognize any of this? Many say it's too late when you get to step #4 in the first
section. May be. But don't forget;
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a
sound mind." II Tim. 1:7
[portions of the above were provided by the research dept. of the Southwest Radio
Ministries, Bethany, Okl.]
Tennessee Temple University Sponsors "Winter Jam"
NewSong - Steven Curtis Chapman - Jeremy Camp - Hawk Nelson - Sanctus Real - Britt Nicole - Tony Nolan - John Morgan - Andre The Hollywood Cowboy
Bellevue Baptist Releases "Investigative" Report
"VII. Investigation Conclusions
When looking at the sequence of events over the seventeen-year period based on interviews with all witnesses, one glaring fact stands out. [One?] Starting with Paul, there appears to have been no serious consideration given by anyone to the health and safety of the Bellevue family. On Paul’s part, there appears to never have been any time in seventeen years that any consideration was given to the effect that having a child molester on the ministerial staff of Bellevue Baptist Church would have on the church. His only consideration appears to have been to keep his job and, in the Team’s opinion, to stay out of jail. If he had considered the welfare of the church family, he would have resigned. The molestation of a child is bad enough, but to continue on in a ministerial capacity with responsibility for sensitive areas of our church life is without excuse."
What is fair use?
When looking at the sequence of events over the seventeen-year period based on interviews with all witnesses, one glaring fact stands out. [One?] Starting with Paul, there appears to have been no serious consideration given by anyone to the health and safety of the Bellevue family. On Paul’s part, there appears to never have been any time in seventeen years that any consideration was given to the effect that having a child molester on the ministerial staff of Bellevue Baptist Church would have on the church. His only consideration appears to have been to keep his job and, in the Team’s opinion, to stay out of jail. If he had considered the welfare of the church family, he would have resigned. The molestation of a child is bad enough, but to continue on in a ministerial capacity with responsibility for sensitive areas of our church life is without excuse."
What is fair use?
January 28, 2007
Southern Baptist Megachurch Pastor Resigns Over Controversy
"On Sunday, a Southern Baptist megachurch in Daytona Beach, Fla., will have an empty pulpit. Instead, a videotape of the church's former pastor will be playing for the congregants as the church currently stands without a senior pastor.
Less than five months into his senior pastorship at First Baptist Church, David Cox resigned Wednesday as he read a prepared statement to more than 500 church members.
"Over the past several weeks, First Baptist Church has undergone a season of extreme duress and difficulty," said Cox in his statement, according to Baptist Press. "Given present dynamics and poised circumstances, I believe that any continued service and ministry here, on my part, would not be productive toward future growth and health."
While details of the "difficulty" at First Baptist were not disclosed in his statement or by church staff when called for comments, the Associated Baptist Press reported the controversy was over changes Cox instituted in the church's worship style, his spending habits and the resignations of many longtime staff members after he took the helm that former Southern Baptist Convention president Bobby Welch retired from in August of 2006.
Cox had served as co-pastor beginning in 2003 with Welch, who led First Baptist for 32 years.
At a town hall style meeting earlier this month, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Cox stood in front of congregants defending his job as church members vented frustrations over the renovated altar and misplaced priorities under Cox's leadership.
The altar was modernized with a hardwood stage, twin movie screens and music equipment, but no cross – renovations that congregants saw as excess, especially as the church plans to move to a new church in some three years.
First Baptist – the largest church in the area, with 4,000 members - is planning to build a new church off Interstate 4.
The congregation also complained about the departure of at least five staffers and questioned the salaries for Cox and other staff at the cost of many popular programs in the church. Congregants are also unhappy with Cox's use of the bestselling The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren and the more contemporary sound of music.
While some defended the changes in the church geared toward appealing to youth, many congregants had begun circulating a petition the first week of January to dismiss Cox."
(Snip, more at link)By Lillian Kwon
Christian Post Reporter
[Shades of Mac Brunson and Steve Gaines?]
Less than five months into his senior pastorship at First Baptist Church, David Cox resigned Wednesday as he read a prepared statement to more than 500 church members.
"Over the past several weeks, First Baptist Church has undergone a season of extreme duress and difficulty," said Cox in his statement, according to Baptist Press. "Given present dynamics and poised circumstances, I believe that any continued service and ministry here, on my part, would not be productive toward future growth and health."
While details of the "difficulty" at First Baptist were not disclosed in his statement or by church staff when called for comments, the Associated Baptist Press reported the controversy was over changes Cox instituted in the church's worship style, his spending habits and the resignations of many longtime staff members after he took the helm that former Southern Baptist Convention president Bobby Welch retired from in August of 2006.
Cox had served as co-pastor beginning in 2003 with Welch, who led First Baptist for 32 years.
At a town hall style meeting earlier this month, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Cox stood in front of congregants defending his job as church members vented frustrations over the renovated altar and misplaced priorities under Cox's leadership.
The altar was modernized with a hardwood stage, twin movie screens and music equipment, but no cross – renovations that congregants saw as excess, especially as the church plans to move to a new church in some three years.
First Baptist – the largest church in the area, with 4,000 members - is planning to build a new church off Interstate 4.
The congregation also complained about the departure of at least five staffers and questioned the salaries for Cox and other staff at the cost of many popular programs in the church. Congregants are also unhappy with Cox's use of the bestselling The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren and the more contemporary sound of music.
While some defended the changes in the church geared toward appealing to youth, many congregants had begun circulating a petition the first week of January to dismiss Cox."
(Snip, more at link)By Lillian Kwon
Christian Post Reporter
[Shades of Mac Brunson and Steve Gaines?]
Hymns replaced by Bono lyrics at church
Hymns replaced by Bono lyrics at church
By Jonathan Petre, Religion Correspondent
"John Lennon once enraged Christians by claiming that the Beatles were bigger than Jesus. The Church of England is now recognising the pulling power of rock stars by recruiting Bono, the singer and lyricist of U2, in its bid to boost congregations.
A Church of England bishop is to preside at this country's first "U2-charist", an adapted Holy Communion service that uses the Irish supergroup's best-selling songs in place of hymns."
Snip, see link for more
January 26, 2007
Family fights Catholic priest over estate (dementia victim)
The family of an 85-year-old woman suffering from dementia have launched a legal battle to regain control of her £1m estate from a Catholic priest. Details here
Las Vegas Police In Standoff With Catholic Priest
(5:55 p.m.) -- Metro police are on the scene of standoff at a local church. It's happening at the Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic Church.
A number of children were in an extra-curricular activity at the school next to the church when the call came in.
There are conflicting reports.
The school's vice principal tells Eyewitness News the children are in shelter-in-place mode.
But police say they are evacuating at this time.
The vice principal did not know which priest it was.
(7 p.m.) -- Police are still working the perimeter of the church. They tell Eyewitness News they have not yet established contact with the priest.
(7:40 p.m.) The last of the children are being escorted out.
8:17 p.m.) -- Police believed they were in a standoff with the priest for hours but now it's looking like he took off in his car.
Suspect's name is Rev. George Chaanine. He's 5-foot 8-inches tall, 140 lbs., black hair and brown eyes. Police are searching for his car, a 2005 cream Buick Lasabre with the license plate 732 RRM.
Apparently at 4:30 p.m., a call came in from people around the church who saw a woman run out of the church beaten up. Police believe Rev. George is responsible. No reason given for why they believe he did it and the extent of the injuries are unknown, though police say they are disturbing.
The priest is a person of interest at this time. He is considered armed and dangerous.
January 25, 2007
Priest has pics of nude boys, Bishop Sevilla says no problem
"A Catholic priest who was investigated in Yakima on suspicion that he viewed child pornography resigned Thursday from the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
The Rev. Darell Mitchell decided to leave both his pastoral assignment in St. Louis and the archdiocese, according to a statement from the archdiocese.
"It's a tragedy," said Monsignor John Ecker, vicar general of the Catholic Diocese of Yakima. "There was no need for it."
Ecker said that Mitchell told him he wasn't sure what he would do next.
"He's very upset," said Ecker.
Mitchell left Yakima in 2004 while under criminal investigation for having photos of nude boys on his computer. About a dozen photos of boys, elementary school-age to teens, all naked, were turned over to police by the diocese. (Snip)
Mitchell was assigned last June to a St. Louis parish that has an elementary school. When SNAP members notified parishioners there last month about the incident with the photos in Yakima, an outcry arose among parents.
"Nobody thought it was a mistake to place him there," Ecker said. "He was never any danger to children."
Ecker explained that Bishop Carlos Sevilla of Yakima knew Mitchell was being assigned to a St. Louis church with a school and that the Archdiocese knew "every detail" of Mitchell's background.
The Archdiocese of St. Louis issued a statement Thursday saying that Sevilla had certified "without qualification that there is nothing in Father Mitchell's background or service that would raise questions about his fitness for ministry."
2nd High Level Polish Priest resigns due to communist syping record
A second prominent Catholic clergyman quit his post recently amid accusations that he collaborated with Poland's communist-era secret police.....
The Rev. Janusz Bielanski resigned as head priest of Krakow's prestigious Wawel Cathedral, the burial site of Polish kings and queens.
Priest Michael Moynihan's "hidden" bank account (1.4 million)
Diocese of Bridgeport officials said yesterday the FBI and U.S. attorney's office first flagged a Greenwich pastor's "hidden" bank account, a discovery that led to the Rev. Michael Moynihan's resignation last week from St. Michael the Archangel [very wealthy] Roman Catholic Church.
Bishop William Lori, who oversees the Bridgeport Diocese's 87 parishes, informed the congregation of the situation over the weekend.
According to Lori, Moynihan's record of financial mismanagement goes back further than revelations of hidden accounts.
(Snip)
Moynihan is accused of keeping at least two accounts hidden from the diocese and St. Michael finance council.
One account includes $500,000 in spending that Moynihan hasn't documented or fully explained. Diocese officials say they're trying to determine how much money was lodged in a second hidden account, and are investigating a third off-the-books account.
Along with diocese officials, a private accounting firm and Moynihan, the church's two-member parish council has assisted with the investigation that was launched last summer, studying accounts and the pastor's explanations of how parish funds have been spent.
One member of that council, 62-year-old Martin Maloney, a Greenwich resident and St. Michael parishioner for 20 years, said he believes Moynihan will be able to show that he spent all of the $1.4 million on the parish.
January 24, 2007
Catholic Priest fights to stay off sex offender list after conviction
"A Catholic priest and Elmira native now jailed for possessing computerized images of homosexual child pornography contends he should not be on New York's sex offender registry when he is freed in March from federal prison...
In May 2005, Volino pleaded guilty to possessing more than three images of child pornography. Prosecutors said that Michael Volino actually had about 600 images of homosexual child pornography on a computer at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester."
The criminal complaint also states Volino had been getting counseling for sexual issues the past 3 years.
[Looks like another case of what the Bishop knew, BEFORE the crime occurred.]
Steve Gaines/Bellevue terminate associate pastor for past sin
(Snip) "Bellevue Baptist Church has fired longtime minister Paul Williams, following an internal investigation into what church leaders described as a "moral failure" that occurred nearly two decades ago.
Details have not been made public by the church and Williams has not been formally charged with any wrongdoing, but the incident allegedly involves sexual abuse of a child 17 years ago."
From the Bellevue Website...
"Bellevue is in contact with the Department of Child Services through counsel and is committed to cooperating fully with that agency.
We are working out a schedule with the Department of Child Services to provide us with onsite training for all Pastoral and Children’s Ministry staff."
Details have not been made public by the church and Williams has not been formally charged with any wrongdoing, but the incident allegedly involves sexual abuse of a child 17 years ago."
From the Bellevue Website...
"Bellevue is in contact with the Department of Child Services through counsel and is committed to cooperating fully with that agency.
We are working out a schedule with the Department of Child Services to provide us with onsite training for all Pastoral and Children’s Ministry staff."
January 23, 2007
Rename the Carter Center “Habitat for Depravity”.
By The Rogue Jew
They should rename the Carter Center “Habitat for Depravity”. According to HotAir.Com, Jimmy Carter is more financially involved with Islamic Terrorism and their Arab Supporters then the Democratic imaginary involvement of VP Dick Cheney/Halliburton.
Claudia Rosett of National Review has dug up some dirt on the Holocaust denying former President who is the helped originate the birth of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.
"In recent weeks, a number of articles have noted that Carter’s anti-Israeli views coincide with those of some of the center’s prime financial backers, including the government of Saudi Arabia and the foundation of Saudi prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud, whose offer of $10 million to New York City just after Sept. 11 was rejected by then-mayor Rudy Giuliani because it came wrapped in the suggestion that America rethink its support of Israel.
Other big donors listed in the Carter Center’s annual reports include the Sultanate of Oman and the sultan himself; the government of the United Arab Emirates; and a brother of Osama bin Laden, Bakr BinLadin, “for the Saudi BinLadin Group.”
Of lesser heft, but still large, are contributions from assorted development funds of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, as well as of OPEC, whose membership includes oil-rich Arab states, Nigeria (whose government is also a big donor to the Carter Center), and Venezuela (whose anti-American strongman Hugo Chávez benefited in a 2004 election from the highly controversial monitoring efforts of the Carter Center)."
Venuzuelan Dictator Hugo Chavez who has alongside his buddies Mahmoud Ahamdinejad, Castro, and Kim Jong Il called for the destruction of the United States is financing Jimmy Carter. I thought Democrat Cynthia McKinney had quite a list of questionable characters who financed her campaign, Carter seems to be rolling in the dough provided by the people who want to destroy America and Israel.
They should rename the Carter Center “Habitat for Depravity”. According to HotAir.Com, Jimmy Carter is more financially involved with Islamic Terrorism and their Arab Supporters then the Democratic imaginary involvement of VP Dick Cheney/Halliburton.
Claudia Rosett of National Review has dug up some dirt on the Holocaust denying former President who is the helped originate the birth of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.
"In recent weeks, a number of articles have noted that Carter’s anti-Israeli views coincide with those of some of the center’s prime financial backers, including the government of Saudi Arabia and the foundation of Saudi prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud, whose offer of $10 million to New York City just after Sept. 11 was rejected by then-mayor Rudy Giuliani because it came wrapped in the suggestion that America rethink its support of Israel.
Other big donors listed in the Carter Center’s annual reports include the Sultanate of Oman and the sultan himself; the government of the United Arab Emirates; and a brother of Osama bin Laden, Bakr BinLadin, “for the Saudi BinLadin Group.”
Of lesser heft, but still large, are contributions from assorted development funds of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, as well as of OPEC, whose membership includes oil-rich Arab states, Nigeria (whose government is also a big donor to the Carter Center), and Venezuela (whose anti-American strongman Hugo Chávez benefited in a 2004 election from the highly controversial monitoring efforts of the Carter Center)."
Venuzuelan Dictator Hugo Chavez who has alongside his buddies Mahmoud Ahamdinejad, Castro, and Kim Jong Il called for the destruction of the United States is financing Jimmy Carter. I thought Democrat Cynthia McKinney had quite a list of questionable characters who financed her campaign, Carter seems to be rolling in the dough provided by the people who want to destroy America and Israel.
Carter says terrorism against Israel is acceptable
(Snip)"Since Carter’s book hit the stands, controversy has swirled around the former president. In a recent Washington Post op-ed piece, Dr. Rachel Ehrenfeld, the world’s foremost authority on narco-terrorism and author of Funding Evil, cites significant contributions from Arab sources to Carter business ventures as well as The Carter Center. Fourteen members of The Carter Center's Board of Councilors in Atlanta, Ga., have resigned in protest of what they deem a distortion of the facts.
Carter seems to be deepening his position by saying on an Al Jazeera television interview on Jan. 14 that he “doesn’t equate Palestinian missiles with terrorism.” Palestinians have fired hundreds of rockets into Israel since the so-called cease fire declared several months ago, injuring Jewish civilians and causing damage to industrial areas in Ashkelon. Mr. Carter has clearly demonstrated that he has no sympathy for Israel’s victims of terror.
The most dangerous statement in Mr. Carter’s book appears on page 213: “It is imperative that the general Arab community and all significant Palestinian groups make it clear that they will end the suicide bombings and other acts of terrorism when international laws and the ultimate goals of the Roadmap for Peace are accepted by Israel.” President Carter has repeatedly stated that everything in the book is accurate, so he must be writing what he believes.
What Mr. Carter is saying is that terrorism against Israel is acceptable unless and until Israel does everything outlined in the Roadmap for Peace! Mr. Carter apparently does not recognize that terrorism is barbaric and is not acceptable in a civilized world. Carter’s twisting of facts and history are dangerous, and Christians must be vigilant in encouraging others to speak out.
The Carter Center website states that “peace with justice requires resolving conflict according to rules agreed to by all, beginning with the shared commitment to human rights and democratic values.”
Cox believes that Jimmy Carter has deviated drastically from his own stated goals. “The Palestinians have consistently broken their agreements over the past ten years with the Oslo Accords and cease fires and reiterated their desire to destroy Israel. Where is Carter on this issue of ‘peace with justice?’ Does it only apply to Palestinians? What about the democratic state of Israel?”
January 22, 2007
Rodney Rodis:Filipino Priest Arrested. White Priest Allowed to Resign
Rodney Rodis is arrested and Michael Moynihan is allowed to resign. Missing from Rodis' parish, $600,000. Unaccounted for in Moynihan's parish, 1.4 million.
Wiccan Witch sues Starbucks
"In a complaint filed Jan. 8 in U.S. District Court in Portland, Alicia Hedum said a manager at Starbucks' Hillsboro Landing cafe asked her to remove her Wiccan cross several times, even though other employees, including the manager, wore Christian crosses."
The question remains: Why does a witch need a cross?
The question remains: Why does a witch need a cross?
Second Canadian Jehovah's Witness sextuplet dies: report
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters) - A second of the six babies born earlier this month in a Vancouver hospital in Canada's first delivery of sextuplets has died, a local radio station reported on Monday.
(snip)
Doctors say babies born in Canada after only 25 weeks have, on average, an 80 percent survival rate and are normally required to stay in intensive care for about 100 days.
But medical officials have also said that care for the babies in this case could be more complicated because the parents are members of the Jehovah's Witnesses cult, which objects to the use of blood transfusions.
(snip)
Doctors say babies born in Canada after only 25 weeks have, on average, an 80 percent survival rate and are normally required to stay in intensive care for about 100 days.
But medical officials have also said that care for the babies in this case could be more complicated because the parents are members of the Jehovah's Witnesses cult, which objects to the use of blood transfusions.
January 21, 2007
Michael Moynihan: Catholic Priest resigns following allegations of financial mismanagement
Priest Michael Moynihan of St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church (Conn.) resigned after a preliminary financial audit uncovered more than $500,000 in spending that the Bridgeport Diocese is trying to account for, officials said yesterday. (Snip, more at link.)
Catholic Priest arrested w/ Male Prostitutes, Faces Drug Charges
More bad news for one of Rome's 'finest'.....
Drug Agents Familiar With Priest Before Bust
Northern Kentucky drug agents say they'd been keeping a close eye on a local priest for several months before busting him at a Covington hotel. Police arrested Father Thomas Gaeke last week as he walked out of the Hampton Inn with two male prostitutes.
His drug possession case was back in court Tuesday. Local 12's Joe Webb was there and has more on a case that keeps getting bigger and bigger.
Tuesday afternoon, Father Thomas Gaeke was a long way from his Florida home and the churches he was pastor at in dayton. He sat and listened as police described his arrest last Monday. Following up on a complaint, they confronted Gaeke at his car in the Hampton Inn parking lot. He refused to get out.
No. Ky. Drug Strike Force Agent: "At that point, myself and another officer, Chief Mullen of the Highland Heights Police Department grabbed Mr. Gaeke and actually had to pull him out of the car."
Snip, more at site 2006 INERGIZE DIGITAL MEDIA
Another Catholic Bishop covers up sex crimes allegations
Orlando Bishop Thomas Wenski on Thursday defended his decision not to tell parishioners that a Deltona priest was removed because of a sex-abuse investigation.
"The bishop's written statement was a response to a support group for victims of clergy molestation, which said the bishop deceived the public about the Rev. Carlos Bedoya.
Bedoya, the pastor at St. Clare Catholic Church, was removed from his post in November. Parishioners were told it was to deal with "personal issues." But diocesan leaders confirmed last week that the reason was an investigation into allegations that Bedoya assisted another man, who [sexually assaulted] a 35-year-old man against his will.
"Based on the information provided to me and the presumption of innocence, I believe that my actions have been appropriate," the bishop wrote to leaders at the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. "I will take future action based on the outcome of law enforcement's investigation and any other factors uncovered." (Snip)
REPORT: Pope Benedict XVI Faces steady opposition within the Vatican
Rome, Jan. 19, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI has faced steady opposition within the Vatican as he seeks to implement new policies, according to an article in Italy’s Panorama magazine. The article concludes that the [Pope]is now assembling his own management team to implement his policies.
“Benedict XVI does not have a decisive temperament,” writes Ignazio Ingrao in his analysis for Panorama The Italian journalist reports that the Pontiff has faced stiff resistance in his effort to reform the Roman Curia and to broaden access to the traditional liturgy.
Dwelling at length on the controversy surrounding the ill-fated appointment of Archbishop Stanislaw Wielgus in Warsaw, the Panorama analysis sees tensions between the Polish clerics who surrounded Pope John Paul II (bio - news) and the allies of the current Pontiff. The author also sees continued fallout from the Wielgus debacle, with other leading Polish prelates likely to face charges that they collaborated with the Communist secret police.
Originally, the Panorama story says, Pope Benedict passed over 6 different candidates put forward by the Polish hierarchy to choose Archbishop Wielgus; the Pope withdrew his support only when he became convinced that the incoming Archbishop of Warsaw had provided misleading information about his background.
The Wielgus controversy drew attention to some of the tensions between Polish Church leaders and the Pope, Ingrao writes. He points out that Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz of Krakow, the longtime secretary to John Paul II, remained quiet about the appointment, although he reportedly did not approve of the Pope’s choice. The Italian journalist also notes that the Pope said that Cardinal Jozef Glemp could retain his title as Primate of Poland for 3 more years, after John Paul II had conferred that title upon Cardinal Glemp for life.
The Wielgus controversy has accelerated shifts in the balance of power within the Roman Curia, Panorama reports, because the incident underlined the need for the Pope to form his own effective leadership team. The Italian magazine reports that it was Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone (bio - news), the Secretary of State, who conveyed the request for Archbishop Wielgus to submit resignation. (Snip)
January 20, 2007
Did Hillary Panic Over Obama and make a huge mistake? (An interesting read.)
"As many people know, I've spent many years in TV network news. I polled old friends and acquaintances today and with one exception, all agreed that Hillary Clinton’s announcement today that she is running for President (yawn) is a HUGE misstep.
First, she did it at a time guaranteed to get her minimum television exposure. The Saturday HUT (Homes Using Television) numbers are miniscule. When was the last time the Saturday Noon News was a “must see” for anyone?
In addition, anyone watching TV today or tomorrow is probably a man and he is tuned into sports. Not Hillary’s target audience!
She should have announced on 4:00 P.M on Thursday, after appearing earlier in the day on GMA, Today, CBSMN, and especially “The View” to coyly announce that she just might have something importance to announce “soon.”
By announcing at 4:00 on a Thursday, she would have been the lead story on all that evening’s newscasts. Thursday is often the second highest rated show of the week. Then she would have been topic #1 that night and all day Friday. She could have been back on the AM shows and The View on Friday, perhaps even a quick Oprah appearance. Friday night’s national news shows would have been all reaction stories, a visit to her hometown, etc. She would have owned 36 hours of prime TV.
As it is, she chose the absolutely worst time. The Sunday AM shows will be all over it, but no undecided voters watch those shows. She will get no mojo or movement from them. By Monday, it’s old news.
Next her method of announcement. She posted it as a statement on her website.
Idiotic.
She could have gathered 2000 screaming, sigh waving supporters on the Capitol steps, balloons, a band, etc. Could have been a huge hoop de do! CNN, FNC and others would have covered it live, etc. As it was, nothing! In the words of one senior editor, “She mailed it in!”
Next, she has based her campaign on “Stopping Bush.” That’s got about 30 days worth of legs. In addition, everything she says for the next 20 months will be seen as “political.” She just threw away any chance she had of being seen as a healer or “statesman” like. Politically, she just painted a huge target on her back. Every time she says word one on any issue, an “independent” third party spokesperson can rake her over the coals, and the Republicans can stay above it all.
Finally, everyone sees it for what it is. She panicked over Obama.
He is a 60 day flash in the pan, this year’s Weasley Clark or Howard Dean. America is not about to elect a Black, Muslim-trained, admitted cocaine-using man President, no matter how good he looks on TV… this month.
The media loves him…. this month. The media that loves him now will fill the air with “investigative stories” about him next month. By April at the latest, he will be very old news
Bottom line on that issue; Hillary stood eye to eye against a totally non-electable presidential candidate…. from her own party…. and she blinked!
Mark Halperin at ABC is gushing over her announcement, but everyone else is saying “Huh?”
Another said, "She has been planning this for 20 or 30 years, and this is her best shot!?!?" "What's next, shooting Santa Claus on Christmas Eve?"
About the author
January 19, 2007
This one STINKS "Interfaith pilgrimage challenges prejudices"
"The Rev. Wanda Gail Campbell, a minister of peace, [heretic] thinks of herself as one of the most tolerant, respectful, open-minded people she knows. [Except she obviously hates Fundamentalist.]
So it was with shock last summer, as she entered the shrine to the Virgin Mary at Lourdes, France, that she realized some deep prejudices against Catholics were bubbling up from her Southern fundamentalist upbringing."
[This is one of the worst articles I have ever read. I can not believe that anyone could write such tripe. In fact, it is unfair to tripe for me to compare this article to tripe.]
Hillary Questions Obama's Muslim Religion Cover Up
"Are the American people ready for an elected president who was educated in a Madrassa as a young boy and has not been forthcoming about his Muslim heritage?
This is the question Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s camp is asking about Sen. Barack Obama.
An investigation of Mr. Obama by political opponents within the Democratic Party has discovered that Mr. Obama was raised as a Muslim by his stepfather in Indonesia. Sources close to the background check, which has not yet been released, said Mr. Obama, 45, spent at least four years in a so-called Madrassa, or Muslim seminary, in Indonesia.
"He was a Muslim, but he concealed it," the source said. "His opponents within the Democrats hope this will become a major issue in the campaign."
When contacted by Insight, Mr. Obama’s press secretary said he would consult with “his boss” and call back. He did not.
Sources said the background check, conducted by researchers connected to Senator Clinton, disclosed details of Mr. Obama's Muslim past.
The sources said the Clinton camp concluded the Illinois Democrat concealed his prior Muslim faith and education."
Snip from Insight Magazine, read full article here
January 18, 2007
[Carlos Bedoya]Deltona priest accused in sexual battery
By SARA KIESLER
Staff Writer
DELTONA -- A shock wave is rippling through the close-knit Deltona family at St. Clare Catholic Church in the wake of a complaint that its pastor participated in sexual battery against a man.
According to a complaint filed with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, the Rev. Carlos Bedoya, 44, invited a 35-year-old man to his home on church grounds to have lunch and "cocktails." He proceeded to restrain the man while David Estrada, a 24-year-old priest-in-training, performed a sex act on the man, the complaint states.
Religious bloggers, broadcasters could face a $200,000 fine
"The ethics bill before the Senate not only cracks down on lawmakers, but also subjects politically active ministers and neighborhood groups to the same rules as K Street lobbyists.
Under the legislation, grass-roots organizations that attempt to "influence the general public" to contact members of Congress would have to register as lobbyists and file financial reports -- or face a $200,000 fine. The requirements could apply to a preacher who goes on TV or radio and tells listeners to call their congressman in support of a particular issue, such as a constitutional amendment against homosexual "marriage."
(Snip, article at Link)By S.A. Miller
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Insurer to Investigate Vermont Diocese's Handling of Priest Sex Abuse
"An insurance company for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington wants to investigate the church's conduct in 27 cases of alleged child sex abuse by a former priest before paying the costs of litigation associated with them.
The state's Roman Catholic church has sued its insurer demanding it pay its legal fees.
In court papers filed last week, the Minnesota-based United States Fidelity & Guaranty Co. requested a review of how much the diocese knew about allegations that former priest Ed Paquette had sexually abused alter boys in two states before he came to Vermont.
The Diocese agreed to permit the investigation as long as the information remained confidential."
[There is a large paper trail concerning this priest. He is also accused of teaching students about "Black Mass"]
Snip, please click here to read the rest of the article
The state's Roman Catholic church has sued its insurer demanding it pay its legal fees.
In court papers filed last week, the Minnesota-based United States Fidelity & Guaranty Co. requested a review of how much the diocese knew about allegations that former priest Ed Paquette had sexually abused alter boys in two states before he came to Vermont.
The Diocese agreed to permit the investigation as long as the information remained confidential."
[There is a large paper trail concerning this priest. He is also accused of teaching students about "Black Mass"]
Snip, please click here to read the rest of the article
Chuck Colson and Rick Warren have joined together
"Framing Your Worldview
New Video Series by Chuck Colson and Rick Warren
Christian leaders Chuck Colson and Rick Warren have joined together to produce a stimulating new study called Wide Angle: Framing Your Worldview
Our worldview —the way we look at life—impacts everything we do. The moral choices we make; the way we spend our money; the kind of relationships we have; the priorities we set."
About Chuck Colson
Big Easy Sleaze Returns
"NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The prostitutes are back on Bourbon Street. So are the drug dealers, the strippers with names like Rose and Desire, the out-of-town businessmen, the college students getting blitzed on candy-colored cocktails and beer in plastic cups." (Snip, article at link.)
Filed under "We told you so."
Filed under "We told you so."
Priest case may go back further (Amount embezzled could be more than $1 million)
"Investigators looking into a Louisa County priest accused of embezzling money from two rural churches believe the scheme goes back longer than the six years written on the indictment.
Rodney Lee Rodis, 50, was indicted Jan. 8 on one count of embezzlement. Rodis had been pastor at St. Jude Catholic Church in Mineral and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Buckner between 1993 and May 2006.
Rodney Lee Rodis, 50, was indicted Jan. 8 on one count of embezzlement. Rodis had been pastor at St. Jude Catholic Church in Mineral and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Buckner between 1993 and May 2006.
(Snip)
Rodney Rodis' name appears on Spotsylvania land records regarding the Watson Lane house as far back as November 2001. A form dated May 26, 2006, showed that Rodis and Sillador paid off the last $76,000 owed on the house.
Detectives who searched the Watson Lane home found a "Lucky Money" receipt dated May 24, 2006, according to court documents. Lucky Money allows people to wire money between the U.S. and the Philippines.
Rodis, a native and citizen of the Philippines, retired from the two Louisa churches around the time the mortgage was paid off and the receipt was formulated.
Neighbors said Rodis had traveled to the Philippines. Etherington said he was in the U.S. on a religious worker's visa that expires in 2015. Rodis surrendered his passport to make bond.
One neighbor said that Rodis planned to return to the Philippines in a few years. He wanted to build a big house there, and run for mayor and, later, president.
Detectives who searched the Watson Lane home found a "Lucky Money" receipt dated May 24, 2006, according to court documents. Lucky Money allows people to wire money between the U.S. and the Philippines.
Rodis, a native and citizen of the Philippines, retired from the two Louisa churches around the time the mortgage was paid off and the receipt was formulated.
Neighbors said Rodis had traveled to the Philippines. Etherington said he was in the U.S. on a religious worker's visa that expires in 2015. Rodis surrendered his passport to make bond.
One neighbor said that Rodis planned to return to the Philippines in a few years. He wanted to build a big house there, and run for mayor and, later, president.
January 17, 2007
January 16, 2007
Mac Brunson's Pastor's Conference to feature Steve Gaines AND Jerry Falwell
In spite of Steve Gaines problems at Bellevue Baptist and his confession of covering up a confirmed and admitted case of sexual molestation, Mac Brunson has invited Gaines to speak at the Pastor's Conference sponsored by First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida.
It has also been announced that the Reverend Jerry Falwell will be joining his Southern Baptist brethren as a conference speaker.
What does Obama's current "church" believe?
We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian... Our roots in the Black religious experience and tradition are deep, lasting and permanent. We are an African people, and remain "true to our native land," the mother continent, the cradle of civilization. God has superintended our pilgrimage through the days of slavery, the days of segregation, and the long night of racism. It is God who gives us the strength and courage to continuously address injustice as a people, and as a congregation. We constantly affirm our trust in God through cultural expression of a Black worship service and ministries which address the Black Community.
Trinity United Church of Christ adopted the Black Value System written by the Manford Byrd Recognition Committee chaired by Vallmer Jordan in 1981. We believe in the following 12 precepts and covenantal statements. These Black Ethics must be taught and exemplified in homes, churches, nurseries and schools, wherever Blacks are gathered. They must reflect on the following concepts:
Commitment to God
Commitment to the Black Community
Commitment to the Black Family
Dedication to the Pursuit of Education
Dedication to the Pursuit of Excellence
Adherence to the Black Work Ethic
Commitment to Self-Discipline and Self-Respect
Disavowal of the Pursuit of "Middleclassness"
Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the Black Community
Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting Black Institutions
Pledge allegiance to all Black leadership who espouse and embrace the Black Value System
Personal commitment to embracement of the Black Value System.
Trinity United Church of Christ adopted the Black Value System written by the Manford Byrd Recognition Committee chaired by Vallmer Jordan in 1981. We believe in the following 12 precepts and covenantal statements. These Black Ethics must be taught and exemplified in homes, churches, nurseries and schools, wherever Blacks are gathered. They must reflect on the following concepts:
Commitment to God
Commitment to the Black Community
Commitment to the Black Family
Dedication to the Pursuit of Education
Dedication to the Pursuit of Excellence
Adherence to the Black Work Ethic
Commitment to Self-Discipline and Self-Respect
Disavowal of the Pursuit of "Middleclassness"
Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the Black Community
Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting Black Institutions
Pledge allegiance to all Black leadership who espouse and embrace the Black Value System
Personal commitment to embracement of the Black Value System.
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