March 31, 2007
March 30, 2007
BJU breathes a sigh of relief as Chris Sligh says he doesn't want to be associated with their "sect"
American Idol loser Chris Sligh blames everyone but himself in this interview after being booted from American Idol.
From the article
"Bob JonesSligh attended Bob Jones University, but the son of overseas missionaries generally chooses to stay mum about his association --or disassociation -- with the school known for its ultra-conservative theology. [note: His parents also stayed mum about their association with Chris.]
Last week, BJU spokesman Jonathan Pait publicly expressed "disappointment" in the direction Sligh had taken with his musical training and his participation on "American Idol."
Sligh said he has no hard feelings, even though he was expelled from Bob Jones after attending a ['christian' rock] concert featuring the group For Him.
"They kicked me out," Sligh said. "It was actually good, because I had been trying to figure out how to leave. My parents had given me the option of going to two colleges, and I chose the less-crazy one, believe it or not."
Sligh's history with Bob Jones followed him throughout the competition.
"I specifically kept my comments about Bob Jones to myself, just for personal reasons," Sligh said.
"I don't want to throw them underneath the bus. I respect what they do -- it's just that their sect of Christianity is not really what I want to be associated with." [Chris is a member of a liberal charismatic megachurch outlet.]
judgesSligh said he didn't feel like he always got a fair assessment from the judges. And, he said, they always seemed to be a little bit harder on him.
Sligh admitted it wasn't a strong performance but said he didn't think he deserved the severity of criticism he received -- particularly from Cowell, who called the performance "a mess."
"It wasn't a great performance," Sligh said, "but, honestly, it was not as bad as what the judges made it seem. As soon as they gave me the spanking they did, I kind of knew that I was going home.
He said the judges were "really great with about 99 percent" of other music styles but couldn't grasp what he was offering.
"I think the judges had a hard time understanding it," Sligh said. "It's like they didn't really understand where I was coming from. They never commented on my voice, which I think was a bit frustrating for me."
[Obviously America didn't get Chris and his self centered performances as they voted to send home home in front of at least 4 other sub par performers.]
March 29, 2007
The Ministry of Rescue and Recovery
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." Galatians 6:1-3
This is an eight lesson study by Mike Althaus which is designed to help those who've fallen by the wayside, or been hurt and need restoration. Click here to see the index showing the eight lessons within this study.
This is an eight lesson study by Mike Althaus which is designed to help those who've fallen by the wayside, or been hurt and need restoration. Click here to see the index showing the eight lessons within this study.
March 28, 2007
Church at Brook Hills changes tactics regarding the Rick Ousley affair
After stating that they would not respond to any email on the Rick Ousley subject, The Church at Brookhills has changed their website to state that they will respond if you give them your contact information.
March 27, 2007
Catholic Pope believes in Hell, Southern Baptist Billy Graham doesn't
"The Orlando (Florida) Sentinel for April 10, 1983, asked Billy Graham: “Surveys tell us that 85% of Americans believe in heaven, but only 65% believe in hell. Why do you think so many Americans don’t accept the concept of hell?” He replied: “I think that hell essentially is separation from God forever. And that is the worst hell that I can think of. But I think people have a hard time believing God is going to allow people to burn in literal fire forever. I think the fire that is mentioned in the Bible is a burning thirst for God that can never be quenched.”
In his 1983 “Affirmations” for evangelists, Graham said the fire of hell could be symbolic:
“Jesus used three words to describe hell. ... The third word that He used is ‘fire.’ Jesus used this symbol over and over. This could be literal fire, as many believe. Or IT COULD BE SYMBOLIC. ... I’ve often thought that this fire could possibly be a burning thirst for God that is never quenched” (A Biblical Standard for Evangelists, Billy Graham, A commentary on the 15 Affirmations made by participants at the International Conference for Itinerant Evangelists in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, July, 1983, Worldwide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota, pages 45-47).
“Jesus used three words to describe hell. ... The third word that He used is ‘fire.’ Jesus used this symbol over and over. This could be literal fire, as many believe. Or IT COULD BE SYMBOLIC. ... I’ve often thought that this fire could possibly be a burning thirst for God that is never quenched” (A Biblical Standard for Evangelists, Billy Graham, A commentary on the 15 Affirmations made by participants at the International Conference for Itinerant Evangelists in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, July, 1983, Worldwide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota, pages 45-47).
In Time magazine, November 15, 1993, Graham said: “The only thing I could say for sure is that hell means separation from God. We are separated from his light, from his fellowship. That is going to be hell. When it comes to a literal fire, I don’t preach it because I’m not sure about it. When the Scripture uses fire concerning hell, that is possibly an illustration of how terrible it’s going to be—not fire but something worse, a thirst for God that cannot be quenched.”
"HELL is a place where sinners really do burn in an everlasting fire, and not just a religious symbol designed to galvanise the faithful, Pope Benedict XVI has said.
Hell "really exists and is eternal, even if nobody talks about it much any more".
Hell "really exists and is eternal, even if nobody talks about it much any more".
March 26, 2007
Homosexuals arrested for criminal trespassing at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Members of a sodomy-rights group were arrested Monday after staging a sit-in at a Baptist seminary whose president is drawing criticism for his comments on prenatal treatments that would influence a child's sexual orientation.
The group, Soulforce, attempted to meet with the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary's president, the Rev. R. Albert Mohler Jr., an influential evangelical leader.
About a dozen members of the group were arrested and escorted off the campus and charged with criminal trespassing after sitting in front of Mohler's office for about two hours, said Jarrett Lucas, a co-director of a Soulforce tour that is visiting Christian colleges.
The group did not contact officials at the private campus in advance of the visit, said Lawrence Smith, the seminary's vice president of communications. Smith said a small group left when they were asked by police to leave, but about a dozen stayed.
Smith said Mohler was not on the campus during the protest.
Mohler irked gay-rights supporters by asserting in a recent article that homosexuality would remain a sin even if it were biologically based, and by his support for a hypothetical medical treatment that could switch an unborn gay baby's sexual orientation.
Mohler has said he wrote the article "intending to start a conversation." Lucas said group members wanted Mohler to rescind his comments and publicly apologize.
"Some of us were raised in a southern Baptist tradition, so for him to deny his own constituents simply a conversation — we wanted to go have him hear our voice — and we were denied that," Lucas said.
The group, Soulforce, attempted to meet with the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary's president, the Rev. R. Albert Mohler Jr., an influential evangelical leader.
About a dozen members of the group were arrested and escorted off the campus and charged with criminal trespassing after sitting in front of Mohler's office for about two hours, said Jarrett Lucas, a co-director of a Soulforce tour that is visiting Christian colleges.
The group did not contact officials at the private campus in advance of the visit, said Lawrence Smith, the seminary's vice president of communications. Smith said a small group left when they were asked by police to leave, but about a dozen stayed.
Smith said Mohler was not on the campus during the protest.
Mohler irked gay-rights supporters by asserting in a recent article that homosexuality would remain a sin even if it were biologically based, and by his support for a hypothetical medical treatment that could switch an unborn gay baby's sexual orientation.
Mohler has said he wrote the article "intending to start a conversation." Lucas said group members wanted Mohler to rescind his comments and publicly apologize.
"Some of us were raised in a southern Baptist tradition, so for him to deny his own constituents simply a conversation — we wanted to go have him hear our voice — and we were denied that," Lucas said.
"If sin goes unjudged in a church, we are thereby inviting others to become self-indulgent" (Rick Ousley Affair)
A Google search of blogs and other websites regarding the Rick Ousley affair brings a multitude of posts that defend Rick Ousley and claim that no one else should judge what he did. As usual, most of those same people express no concern for Rick Ousley's victims while they continue to make excuses for him.
Their mindset shows the sad lack of sound Biblical judgement that surrounds the easy believism of the Southern Baptist Convention and the "megachurch" model.
Author, pastor and missionary David Cloud made these remarks in regard to the lack of judgment in the church today. I believe we would all do well to heed his warning.
THE POSITIVE ONLY APPROACH VS. HUMAN NATURE
(Friday Church News Notes, March 23, 2007, http://www.wayoflife.org/ fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is excerpted from The Doctrine and Administration of the Church by Paul R. Jackson: "Modern psychology objects to a negative approach and opposes commandments and warnings.
God's Word does not support such a theory, for the theory ignores the awful fact of a depraved human nature. It would be ideal if men could be encouraged to live godly lives without any warning of judgment upon ungodliness. But to suppose they will do so is idealistic and contrary to all observation, as well as to Scripture.
God warns of impending judgment and says, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb. 10:31). "Because there is wrath, beware..." (Job 36:18). If sin goes unjudged in a church, we are thereby inviting others to become self-indulgent.
It will not do to plead "love" as a basis for neglect. ... God does not put love and punishment in opposition to each other. He says, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth..." (Heb. 12:5-11). The church has a solemn responsibility to restrain sin by proper discipline. If we do not exercise the judgment, the Lord will (1 Cor. 11:31-32).
Other Articles of Interest
MOST SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCHES DO NOT EXERCISE DISCIPLINE
What Is Wrong With The Divorced Pastor?
Their mindset shows the sad lack of sound Biblical judgement that surrounds the easy believism of the Southern Baptist Convention and the "megachurch" model.
Author, pastor and missionary David Cloud made these remarks in regard to the lack of judgment in the church today. I believe we would all do well to heed his warning.
THE POSITIVE ONLY APPROACH VS. HUMAN NATURE
(Friday Church News Notes, March 23, 2007, http://www.wayoflife.org/ fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is excerpted from The Doctrine and Administration of the Church by Paul R. Jackson: "Modern psychology objects to a negative approach and opposes commandments and warnings.
God's Word does not support such a theory, for the theory ignores the awful fact of a depraved human nature. It would be ideal if men could be encouraged to live godly lives without any warning of judgment upon ungodliness. But to suppose they will do so is idealistic and contrary to all observation, as well as to Scripture.
God warns of impending judgment and says, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb. 10:31). "Because there is wrath, beware..." (Job 36:18). If sin goes unjudged in a church, we are thereby inviting others to become self-indulgent.
It will not do to plead "love" as a basis for neglect. ... God does not put love and punishment in opposition to each other. He says, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth..." (Heb. 12:5-11). The church has a solemn responsibility to restrain sin by proper discipline. If we do not exercise the judgment, the Lord will (1 Cor. 11:31-32).
Other Articles of Interest
MOST SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCHES DO NOT EXERCISE DISCIPLINE
What Is Wrong With The Divorced Pastor?
Poor Behavior Is Linked to Time in Day Care - New York Times
Poor Behavior Is Linked to Time in Day Care - New York Times
A much-anticipated report from the largest and longest-running study of American child care has found that keeping a preschooler in a day care center for a year or more increased the likelihood that the child would become disruptive in class — and that the effect persisted through the sixth grade.
A much-anticipated report from the largest and longest-running study of American child care has found that keeping a preschooler in a day care center for a year or more increased the likelihood that the child would become disruptive in class — and that the effect persisted through the sixth grade.
March 25, 2007
The Church at Brook Hills WILL NOT RESPOND to Rick Ousley Victims
From the Church at Brookhills website.......
"Please note at this time that this form is limited to comments that you feel would be helpful to the issue at hand, and that these comments will be read, but not posted or responded to."
Great article THE ADULATION OF MAN IN THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE
THE POSITIVE ONLY APPROACH VS. HUMAN NATURE (Friday Church News Notes, March 23, 2007, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is excerpted from The Doctrine and Administration of the Church by Paul R. Jackson: "Modern psychology objects to a negative approach and opposes commandments and warnings. God's Word does not support such a theory, for the theory ignores the awful fact of a depraved human nature. It would be ideal if men could be encouraged to live godly lives without any warning of judgment upon ungodliness. But to suppose they will do so is idealistic and contrary to all observation, as well as to Scripture. God warns of impending judgment and says, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb. 10:31). "Because there is wrath, beware..." (Job 36:18). If sin goes unjudged in a church, we are thereby inviting others to become self-indulgent. It will not do to plead "love" as a basis for neglect. ... God does not put love and punishment in opposition to each other. He says, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth..." (Heb. 12:5-11). The church has a solemn responsibility to restrain sin by proper discipline. If we do not exercise the judgment, the Lord will (1 Cor. 11:31-32). (Written by missionary David Cloud.)
"Please note at this time that this form is limited to comments that you feel would be helpful to the issue at hand, and that these comments will be read, but not posted or responded to."
Great article THE ADULATION OF MAN IN THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE
THE POSITIVE ONLY APPROACH VS. HUMAN NATURE (Friday Church News Notes, March 23, 2007, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is excerpted from The Doctrine and Administration of the Church by Paul R. Jackson: "Modern psychology objects to a negative approach and opposes commandments and warnings. God's Word does not support such a theory, for the theory ignores the awful fact of a depraved human nature. It would be ideal if men could be encouraged to live godly lives without any warning of judgment upon ungodliness. But to suppose they will do so is idealistic and contrary to all observation, as well as to Scripture. God warns of impending judgment and says, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb. 10:31). "Because there is wrath, beware..." (Job 36:18). If sin goes unjudged in a church, we are thereby inviting others to become self-indulgent. It will not do to plead "love" as a basis for neglect. ... God does not put love and punishment in opposition to each other. He says, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth..." (Heb. 12:5-11). The church has a solemn responsibility to restrain sin by proper discipline. If we do not exercise the judgment, the Lord will (1 Cor. 11:31-32). (Written by missionary David Cloud.)
March 24, 2007
Southern Baptist Church at Brookhills: How long did they know and cover up for Rick Ousley affairs?
Keep this in mind: The Bible clearly states that a bishop (pastor) should be the husband of one wife. Not multiple wives like Ousley had. If the congregation would have followed the BIBLE instead of Rick Ousley, they would not be faced with the problems they are now faced with.
The Birmingham News states that Ousley will take 3 months off to deal with this 'problem.'
Folks, it is starting to look like the man had problems in this area during his whole time of ministry at the church. This isn't going to be fixed in three months.
Brook Hills folks, you have only yourselves to blame for taking part in Rick Ousley's sins.
“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife ... One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” (1 Timothy 3:2, 4, 5).
“If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly” (Titus 1:6).
“Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock” (1 Pet. 5:3).
You enabled him to continue in his wickedness by supporting him with your tithe and church attendance.
What's Wrong With the Divorced Pastor?
Plenty.
The Birmingham News states that Ousley will take 3 months off to deal with this 'problem.'
Folks, it is starting to look like the man had problems in this area during his whole time of ministry at the church. This isn't going to be fixed in three months.
Brook Hills folks, you have only yourselves to blame for taking part in Rick Ousley's sins.
“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife ... One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” (1 Timothy 3:2, 4, 5).
“If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly” (Titus 1:6).
“Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock” (1 Pet. 5:3).
You enabled him to continue in his wickedness by supporting him with your tithe and church attendance.
What's Wrong With the Divorced Pastor?
Plenty.
March 23, 2007
Elvis Impersonator Leads Sunday Morning Baptist 'Worship'
Christian Worldview Network
During this taped sermon, the speaker says "Be sure and check out the hot pastor's wife."
Other comments:
Give the head deacon a round of applause for wearing his shirt unbuttoned.
March 22, 2007
BREAKING: Pope Benedict committs fashion crime: red shoes, pink dress
The angels would NEVER want to wear red pope shoes with pink vestments!!
Don King presents the pope with championship boxing belts (really)
"Don King Visits the Vatican Promoter Presents Pope with 'World Champion of Peace and Love' Boxing Belts
Don King received a papal blessing and presented Pope Benedict XVI with specially made world championship boxing belts denoting the Pontiff as the "world champion of peace and love" at the Vatican today.
King sat in the first row on the steps of St. Peter's Basilica with an unobstructed view of the Pope's weekly public audience as a crowd estimated at 25,000 looked on from St. Peter's Square.
"I was very humbled by this divine experience and revelation," King said. "I presented him with the championship boxing belts because he is a fighter for Jesus, peace and love all over the world.
"I gave Papa a note asking him to pray for many people including my injured boxer Victor Burgos, America, President Bush, Laura Bush, our troops and all troops fighting for freedom around the world."
King also asked for a special prayer for the poor, downtrodden, aged and denied. He added: "It goes without saying that I asked the Pope to pray for my wife, Henrietta, my children and my grandchildren as well."
King was invited to Italy by Italian 154-pound champion Luca "Bergamo Bomber" Messi, who attended the general audience with King.
King gave ceremonial title belts to the Pope from the World Boxing Association, World Boxing Council, International Boxing Federation, Italian Boxing Federation and the French Boxing Federation.
The final day of King's whirlwind three-day tour of Italy also included an early-afternoon visit to the Italian Parliament's Chamber of Deputies where he spoke to Parliament Member Massimo Romagnoli and former Minister for Italians Abroad Mirko Tremaglia.
King ended the day by visiting many of the historic monuments including the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, The Roman Forum and others. As always, King granted all wishes for autographs and pictures wherever he went."
Don King received a papal blessing and presented Pope Benedict XVI with specially made world championship boxing belts denoting the Pontiff as the "world champion of peace and love" at the Vatican today.
King sat in the first row on the steps of St. Peter's Basilica with an unobstructed view of the Pope's weekly public audience as a crowd estimated at 25,000 looked on from St. Peter's Square.
"I was very humbled by this divine experience and revelation," King said. "I presented him with the championship boxing belts because he is a fighter for Jesus, peace and love all over the world.
"I gave Papa a note asking him to pray for many people including my injured boxer Victor Burgos, America, President Bush, Laura Bush, our troops and all troops fighting for freedom around the world."
King also asked for a special prayer for the poor, downtrodden, aged and denied. He added: "It goes without saying that I asked the Pope to pray for my wife, Henrietta, my children and my grandchildren as well."
King was invited to Italy by Italian 154-pound champion Luca "Bergamo Bomber" Messi, who attended the general audience with King.
King gave ceremonial title belts to the Pope from the World Boxing Association, World Boxing Council, International Boxing Federation, Italian Boxing Federation and the French Boxing Federation.
The final day of King's whirlwind three-day tour of Italy also included an early-afternoon visit to the Italian Parliament's Chamber of Deputies where he spoke to Parliament Member Massimo Romagnoli and former Minister for Italians Abroad Mirko Tremaglia.
King ended the day by visiting many of the historic monuments including the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, The Roman Forum and others. As always, King granted all wishes for autographs and pictures wherever he went."
March 21, 2007
March 18, 2007
Homosexual man says he is the "Rosa Park's" of the Catholic Church
A recent poll from Decision Research shows that a majority of Catholics in Massachusetts -- 53 percent -- favor same-sex civil marriage.Raised in an orphanage by priests and nuns, as well as by a Catholic family, Gregory Maguire attended parochial schools in upstate New York. "The fact that I grew up as a Catholic, part of my system of thinking -- the grammar of how I frame the moral questions is Catholic grammar," Maguire said. "I have the great blessing and good fortune of finding myself during formative years in a very progressive church that was always eager to ask the next question rather than provide the next answer." And Maguire explained, "A parent's first obligation is to speak to his children with the most authentic language he has. For me, that is Catholicism."
His "intellectual and spiritual training" to "question, but not necessarily conclude," he considers a "birthright" and "inheritance."
"So I don't feel as much of a disjuncture as many people do," he said, "because when I sit in the pew and hear a letter from a bishop, or an injunction even from the pope about gay parents doing damage to children, I just say: Well, he has not asked the right question -- hasn't asked Andy and me, 'Why are you making so many sacrifices to take care of these orphans?' "
At New Ways Ministry's national symposium, Maguire plans to tell his story, leading a focused discussion on gay parenting in a sacramental church. "It means far less to them [his children] that they have two dads than two parents who are there when they go off to school and when they return," he said.
The tangible benefits and social status of marriage -- its legal, public and moral commitments -- also helps, Maguire explained. "We are able to say to our children honorably that we are married." Among all the differences they embody, "being brown-skinned, adopted and from foreign countries, at least they don't have to deal with that difference. Their parents are as married as any others."
Nonetheless, remaining in the church, Maguire acknowledges, is a struggle. "I run the great risk of being misunderstood or dismissed," he said. A declaration from the Vatican in 2003 that gay parents do "violence" by raising children caused us "grave distress," Maguire added.
But he explained, to "leave the church over what it's saying, I would have to pluck out my eyes because I don't like what I am seeing." For Maguire, that action would be tantamount to spiritual suicide, he said. "I would far rather be brave and sit in the pew" and "with a fair amount of respect, be the Rosa Parks of the situation. I am not moving. I didn't move before, and I'm not moving now. I am going to be buried from this church."
Has it been worth it?
Nicole Conley and her daughter, Catherine, visit the grave of Conley's husband, Marine Cpl. Matthew Conley of Greenhill, on what would have been his 23rd birthday.
March 15, 2007
Hillary Clinton: Homosexuality Is Not Immoral
Of course, most of the Republican candidates agree with her.
Hotline On Call: HRC: Homosexuality Is Not Immoral
Hotline On Call: HRC: Homosexuality Is Not Immoral
Effort to hide homosexual indoctrination uncovered in IL school (OneNewsNow.com)
Effort to hide homosexual indoctrination uncovered in IL school (OneNewsNow.com) Students forced to sign a confidentiality agreement saying they would not tell anyone about the pro homosexual discussions, including their parents.
March 14, 2007
March 12, 2007
Homosexual Club Protestors FINED by Government!
Does free speech fly in Cleveland? City: As long as you apply for a permit
A Luthersville pastor said he and his followers will continue to make their presence felt through protests in Cleveland, and he said he is thinking about putting down roots with a new church in the area. Billy Ball of Faith Baptist Church said the citations he and other church members have received from Cleveland police will not stop them from protesting within the city.
The demonstrators have been cited for violating Cleveland's special events ordinance, which requires those interested in holding events ranging from parades to protests to file an application with the city about the event's location and what resources they'll need from the city. Events involving free speech require a three-day notice with the city and the application fee is waived.“I think it's good for the city to have an ordinance for parades or an ordinance for particular events,” Ball said, “but they've got to leave space in their ordinance for spontaneous events.”
Cleveland Police Chief John Foster said the group wouldn't have been cited had they followed the ordinance. The group has protested in the city four times, and each event has been documented by police as a separate offense.
“The city and police - we support the First Amendment; we support all of the constitution,” Foster said. “Our function is to provide public safety and protect the citizens. It is not our function to silence. That's not our aim or goal.”He explained that once his officers are on the scene of one of the protests, they stand guard to protect the protester from citizens who may be angry about their presence. But in doing that, the officers are not able to do their duty by patrolling the rest of the city.“Our concern is being able to plan for the unexpected or what might happen, not for what's happening now,” Foster said.
But Ball said that if they were to submit an application in advance to exercise their First Amendment rights, it's not really free speech.“To make those people wait three days is basically too narrow of a limitation on their freedom of speech,” he said. “I don't think it's going to work. The best thing for the city to do is drop the charges and go forward.”According to the city's special events ordinance, each violation carries a fine ranging from $50 to $1,000. The amount of a fine would be determined by a judge.
Ball's group began protesting last month in response to a recent U.S. District Court settlement that the White County Board of Education re-instate non-curricular clubs on campus, pay $158,000 in legal fees and $10,000 in damages to students who created White County High School's gay-straight alliance in 2005.
Ball said in a previous White County News story that his group came to preach the Gospel and to rebuke what he calls Sodomite sympathizers. He said in the Jan. 18 story that the settlement is a back-door effort to get teachers and students to accept what he calls an ungodly lifestyle.
Ball and seven other men were scheduled to appear for Cleveland Municipal Court's calendar call Feb. 26, but he has since asked for an extension. He said he and his attorney, Joel Thornton of the International Human Rights Group, will be fighting the citations.“We came to preach, and (the city) decided to escalate,” Ball said. “That's their default response. This kind of reasoning has not withstood federal court muster.”
He is referring to a March 2006 settlement between anti-abortion activists and the city of Florence, S.C. The city's permit requirements regarding special events were ruled unconstitutional in U.S. District Court in Columbia, S.C., and the city settled by paying $51,000 in damages and court expenses to the activists.Ball said he is fighting a similar case in Atlanta after his group was cited last year for protesting a gay-pride parade in Piedmont Park.
He also said his group has been getting a good response from White County residents, and he is looking for property to create what he called an old-fashioned, independent Baptist church in the area.
Cleveland Clerk Connie Tracas said they've never had problems with the city's special events ordinance. She said many First Amendment groups such as the local Right to Life or even Kansas' Westboro Baptist Church - whose members protested several areas across the county in March 2005 in response to the local gay-straight alliance club - followed the city's ordinance.
“It's working out really well for us,” Tracas said. “The police department is on notice; they have to do additional traffic control.”She said the ordinance is in place to protect the event's participants and the city public. Foster agreed.“It allows us to plan for all the ‘what ifs',” he said. “In today's world, we'd never know what the ‘what if' is going to be.” [Sounds like the Newt Gingrich school of "End Free Speech" thought.
A Luthersville pastor said he and his followers will continue to make their presence felt through protests in Cleveland, and he said he is thinking about putting down roots with a new church in the area. Billy Ball of Faith Baptist Church said the citations he and other church members have received from Cleveland police will not stop them from protesting within the city.
The demonstrators have been cited for violating Cleveland's special events ordinance, which requires those interested in holding events ranging from parades to protests to file an application with the city about the event's location and what resources they'll need from the city. Events involving free speech require a three-day notice with the city and the application fee is waived.“I think it's good for the city to have an ordinance for parades or an ordinance for particular events,” Ball said, “but they've got to leave space in their ordinance for spontaneous events.”
Cleveland Police Chief John Foster said the group wouldn't have been cited had they followed the ordinance. The group has protested in the city four times, and each event has been documented by police as a separate offense.
“The city and police - we support the First Amendment; we support all of the constitution,” Foster said. “Our function is to provide public safety and protect the citizens. It is not our function to silence. That's not our aim or goal.”He explained that once his officers are on the scene of one of the protests, they stand guard to protect the protester from citizens who may be angry about their presence. But in doing that, the officers are not able to do their duty by patrolling the rest of the city.“Our concern is being able to plan for the unexpected or what might happen, not for what's happening now,” Foster said.But Ball said that if they were to submit an application in advance to exercise their First Amendment rights, it's not really free speech.“To make those people wait three days is basically too narrow of a limitation on their freedom of speech,” he said. “I don't think it's going to work. The best thing for the city to do is drop the charges and go forward.”According to the city's special events ordinance, each violation carries a fine ranging from $50 to $1,000. The amount of a fine would be determined by a judge.
Ball's group began protesting last month in response to a recent U.S. District Court settlement that the White County Board of Education re-instate non-curricular clubs on campus, pay $158,000 in legal fees and $10,000 in damages to students who created White County High School's gay-straight alliance in 2005.
Ball said in a previous White County News story that his group came to preach the Gospel and to rebuke what he calls Sodomite sympathizers. He said in the Jan. 18 story that the settlement is a back-door effort to get teachers and students to accept what he calls an ungodly lifestyle.
Ball and seven other men were scheduled to appear for Cleveland Municipal Court's calendar call Feb. 26, but he has since asked for an extension. He said he and his attorney, Joel Thornton of the International Human Rights Group, will be fighting the citations.“We came to preach, and (the city) decided to escalate,” Ball said. “That's their default response. This kind of reasoning has not withstood federal court muster.”
He is referring to a March 2006 settlement between anti-abortion activists and the city of Florence, S.C. The city's permit requirements regarding special events were ruled unconstitutional in U.S. District Court in Columbia, S.C., and the city settled by paying $51,000 in damages and court expenses to the activists.Ball said he is fighting a similar case in Atlanta after his group was cited last year for protesting a gay-pride parade in Piedmont Park.
He also said his group has been getting a good response from White County residents, and he is looking for property to create what he called an old-fashioned, independent Baptist church in the area.
Cleveland Clerk Connie Tracas said they've never had problems with the city's special events ordinance. She said many First Amendment groups such as the local Right to Life or even Kansas' Westboro Baptist Church - whose members protested several areas across the county in March 2005 in response to the local gay-straight alliance club - followed the city's ordinance.
“It's working out really well for us,” Tracas said. “The police department is on notice; they have to do additional traffic control.”She said the ordinance is in place to protect the event's participants and the city public. Foster agreed.“It allows us to plan for all the ‘what ifs',” he said. “In today's world, we'd never know what the ‘what if' is going to be.” [Sounds like the Newt Gingrich school of "End Free Speech" thought.
March 11, 2007
Falwell defends invitation to adulterer Gingrich by comparing "it" to Regan's divorce........
"This morning we are seeing reports of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich admitting to having a sexual dalliance at the same time that President Bill Clinton’s sexual dalliance with an intern was dominating the national headlines.
Mr. Gingrich admitted to the affair in a two-part interview with Dr. James Dobson, during a “Focus on the Family” broadcast.
I was pleased to hear Mr. Gingrich state: “I’ve gotten on my knees and sought God’s forgiveness.”[Gingrich made no mention of his other adulterous affairs, does only the latest one count?]
He has admitted his moral shortcomings to me, as well, in private conversations. And he has also told me that he has, in recent years, come to grips with his personal failures and sought God’s forgiveness.[Gingrich is a serial adulterer. Did he admit that?]
I have been very impressed with the spiritual maturity of this man and am convinced that he has been honest and forthright in clarifying his past failings and his quest, as a Christian, for God’s forgiveness. [Gingrich claims to be a Southern Baptist, yet he has no testimony of being born again and he attends Catholic Mass with his 3rd wife.]
Mr. Gingrich, now 63 and a grandfather[By the two daughters that he refused to pay child support on], openly discussed his two divorces with Dr. Dobson, including the affair that took place during the Clinton impeachment proceedings. It is a “very painful topic and I confess that to you directly,” he stated.
As a pastor with more than a half-century of experience of working with fallible people, I have ministered to a few men who have experienced moral collapse. I have usually been able to tell which of these men was genuinely seeking forgiveness for their actions. My sense tells me that Mr. Gingrich is such a man. He is today happily married to wife Callista, and committed to be the husband he should be.[He never sought "forgiveness" until he decided to run for President.And unless he had an affaid with Falwell or Dobson, he is asking the wrong people to forgive him.]
I well remember the challenge we evangelicals faced in 1980 when our candidate, Ronald Reagan, was the first presidential candidate who had gone through a divorce. We wisely made allowance for God’s forgiveness and America was the beneficiary of this historic champion. [This is the worst excuse for an adulterer I have read since the Jim Bakker scandal!]
Consequently, I decided earlier this week to invite Mr. Gingrich to come to Liberty University on May 19 as our graduation speaker. This will be his second commencement speech at Liberty, previously addressing graduates in 1991.
In recent years, Mr. Gingrich has dedicated much of his time to calling America back to our Christian heritage.[Preachers, not lost politicians who don't attend ANY church except a CATHOLIC church are NOT QUALIFIED to call America back to ANY THING, especially something having to do with Jesus Christ!]
His most recent book, “Rediscovering God in America,” is a brilliant essay that highlights the unique and obvious Christian influence that inspired our nation’s dawning. The book takes readers on a tour of Washington, D.C., inspecting many documents, memorials, friezes and writings of presidents and national leaders who clearly put allegiance to Almighty God at the forefront of the nation’s development.[The book is fraught with errors.]
There has been a war on God in our nation in recent years and the effort to rekindle our national commitment to God is urgently needed.[The war on God is coming from compromising preachers and "evangelical leaders" like James Dobson who make excuses for ADULTERERS like Newt Gingrich. Their actions profane that which is holy.]
Mr. Gingrich is certainly one of the brightest men I know in public life today, and he is becoming one of our great ambassadors for reawakening the spirit of our Founders.
In fact, his topic during the May 19 graduation will be, “Rediscovering God in America.” I am already anxious to hear it and am pleased that our young people will hear this modern American statesman." (You can read Falwell's complete loss of credibility here)
March 10, 2007
Newt Gingrich: As unfaithful to his various religions as he has been to his wives?
James DOBSON: Well, you answered that question with regard to Bill Clinton instead of referring to yourself. May I ask you to address it personally? You know, I believe you to be a professing Christian and you and I have prayed together, but when I heard you talk about this dark side of your life and when we were in Washington, you spoke of it with a great deal of pain and anguish, but you didn't mention repentance. Do you understand that word, repentance?
GINGRICH: Absolutely. And I answered … maybe it was the way the question was posed in terms of how the cross-parallels of the two things. In terms of my own life, let me say that I was raised initially as a Lutheran and I ended up converting and becoming a Southern Baptist when I was in graduate school at Saint Charles Avenue Baptist Church with Dr. Avery Lee, who was just a great, great preacher and moral leader. And so that's my background.
Newt Gingrich and his third wife, the former Callista Bisek, have renewed their three-year-old marriage vows in a Catholic ceremony in the U.S. Capitol, the bride said Thursday. (8/2003)
Her mother, Bernita Bisek, of Whitehall, Wis., who was a witness, said Newt Gingrich's second marriage had been annulled.
Callista Gingrich said her marriage was "blessed in the Catholic Church" and that "we had a very small group of family and friends" in attendance.
The ex-speaker and Marianne Gingrich were divorced in April 2000. Two years later, he asked the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta to annul the 19-year marriage. Marianne Gingrich told reporters then that she and her husband had married in a Lutheran church in Ohio in 1981 and that neither was Catholic.
At Marquette University, Mark Johnson, an associate professor of theology, said that an annulment is a declaration by the Catholic Church that it believes that the evidence shows that a "full, sacramental marriage never took place."
"An annulment, therefore, is a declaration that whatever external appearances there may have been to the contrary, what we thought was a marriage was in fact null," he said.
"An annulment, therefore, is a declaration that whatever external appearances there may have been to the contrary, what we thought was a marriage was in fact null," he said.
He said that when a Catholic weds a divorced person, they are barred from being married by a priest and would "risk grave scandal" if he or she took Holy Communion.
Asked how the church could annul a marriage between two non- Catholics, Johnson said: "The Catholic Church believes, and this is going to sound impolitic, that it has the fullest understanding of what a sacramental marriage is and the right to make judgment about the sacramental status of any Christian marriage."
When congressman Newt Gingrich was a graduate student at Tulane
University I baptized him by immersion into the membership of the St.
Charles Avenue Baptist Church. Perhaps I didn't hold him under long
enough.
-- Rev. G. Avery Lee
callista bisek photo, marianne gingrich photo, jackie gingrich photo
Priests described as unrepentant after being caught stealing $8.7 million from churches: South Florida Sun-Sentinel
The Rev. Francis Guinan was outraged in the fall of 2003, facing two parish audits by the Diocese of Palm Beach -- one at St. Patrick in Palm Beach Gardens, the other at St. Vincent Ferrer in Delray Beach.He professed disbelief to his bishop that his integrity would be questioned. He wrote to his bishop that priests pledge to live, if not a life of poverty, one of modesty rewarded by serving the faithful.But diocese policy calls for a parish audit whenever there is a change in pastors, and Guinan had just left St. Patrick after 16 years to take over St. Vincent from his close friend, the Rev. John Skehan, who was retiring after 40 years. Diocese auditors were eager to crack open the books.Guinan called on Bishop Gerald Barbarito, new to his post, to abolish the diocese's audit policy.
"My reasons for this request are as follows: It is demeaning, embarrassing and humiliating. It accomplishes nothing that could not be accomplished in a more dignified fashion," Guinan wrote to Barbarito in October 2003. "The money spent on an audit is a waste and should be spent more wisely."He wrote that the sacrifices and commitment of priests are "without parallel.""They devote their lives to the church with little thought for personal gain. They are generous, charitable and compassionate. They have earned and deserve trust, at least until proven otherwise," Guinan wrote. "May I be so crude as to ask you to `call off the dogs.'"
But Barbarito was not persuaded, and an independent audit of St. Vincent eventually uncovered an alleged $8.6 million theft going back decades.
Skehan, 79, and Guinan, 64, were arrested last fall on charges of grand theft over $100,000, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Both Irish-born priests have pleaded not guilty and are free on bail.When he was arrested after returning from Ireland, Skehan admitted to investigators he established "slush" funds, bank accounts that were kept off St. Vincent's books. One of the slush funds was dubbed "Holy Name."
The cash was skimmed weekly from the collection plates at St. Vincent, money that bookkeepers helped Skehan and Guinan hide, according to the court records. Those bookkeepers were given immunity for their cooperation. When it became clear auditors were going to pore through the books, financial documents were shredded."Skehan told investigators that he felt that anything that he took ... he had coming to him, as the diocese was cheap and never paid for his education," a Delray Beach police detective wrote in one report released Thursday. "Skehan gave his opinion that he had never been properly paid by the diocese; he was running a big business and getting nothing for it."
The elderly priest told investigators that it was a "mountain of money" he had misappropriated, but he said he didn't recall where all the money went. He expressed surprise the figure was so high. He said he had no regrets about giving unauthorized payments and bonuses to church employees. He also told investigators he stashed some of the cash in bank accounts in Ireland under his brother's name, but he would tell them no more about that, according to records.
Guinan jetted off to Las Vegas and the Bahamas with a woman witnesses told investigators was his girlfriend. Skehan bought himself a $300,000 gold coin collection. Both men collected real estate and upscale homes. They created a complex maze for accountants to sort out, including multiple bank and stock investment accounts that were kept secret from the diocese.A spokeswoman for the Diocese of Palm Beach said she would not comment on the documents because the criminal case is pending.
A bookkeeper interviewed by investigators portrayed an atmosphere of paranoia that she saw as normal in the St. Vincent offices. Money was hidden in ceiling tiles. Employees searched the room of a priest who they thought the diocese had planted as a spy. Books were falsified to cover up the missing money.
There was a limo trip to Joe's Stone Crab restaurant on Miami Beach with Guinan and Skehan and their close church employees and their spouses. They continued the outing at another bar.Skehan had a bedroom closet that was padlocked with documents allegedly dealing with past pedophiles within the church, according to the records. It was "maybe some blackmail and stuff so he didn't want anybody ever to be able to get into there," one church employee said.
When the criminal investigation got under way, Skehan told the employee to give his apartment keys to a relative to "offload some documents from his home," the employee said.At St. Vincent, one of Palm Beach County's largest and oldest parishes, Skehan was well liked and even revered by parishioners. Guinan didn't enjoy the same reputation."He was never there," one church employee told investigators. "He didn't really care about St. Vincent's. He was gone most of the time."
Falwell invites adulterer to deliver commencement address
LYNCHBURG, Va. — Newt Gingrich's admission of an extramarital affair as he pursued President Clinton's impeachment in the Monica Lewinsky scandal has won praise from another conservative Christian leader: the Rev. Jerry Falwell.
It's also helped to gain Gingrich an invitation to deliver the commencement address at Falwell's Liberty University. Gingrich is considered a possible Republican presidential contender, although he has not announced any intention to run.
In an interview with Focus on the Family founder James Dobson that aired Friday, Gingrich admitted to the affair in 1998. In 2000, he divorced his second wife, Marianne, after his attorneys acknowledged his adultery with Callista Bisek, a former congressional aide now his third wife. Complete article here.
It's also helped to gain Gingrich an invitation to deliver the commencement address at Falwell's Liberty University. Gingrich is considered a possible Republican presidential contender, although he has not announced any intention to run.
In an interview with Focus on the Family founder James Dobson that aired Friday, Gingrich admitted to the affair in 1998. In 2000, he divorced his second wife, Marianne, after his attorneys acknowledged his adultery with Callista Bisek, a former congressional aide now his third wife. Complete article here.
March 8, 2007
March 7, 2007
Southern Baptist leader says Giuliani's divorce a problem - CNN.com
A Southern Baptist leader said Tuesday that evangelical voters might tolerate a divorced presidential candidate, but they have deep doubts about GOP hopeful Rudy Giuliani, who has been married three times.Richard Land, head of public policy for the Southern Baptist Convention, told The Associated Press that evangelicals believe the former New York City mayor showed a lack of character during his divorce from his second wife, television personality Donna Hanover.
"I mean, this is divorce on steroids," Land said. "To publicly humiliate your wife in that way, and your children. That's rough. I think that's going to be an awfully hard sell, even if he weren't pro-choice and pro-gun control."
A better question would be why are the Southern Baptists supporting ANY Republicans?
McCain is pro-abortion. Rice is pro-abortion.
Rudy is pro-abortion, pro-homosexual rights, anti-Second Ammendment and pro-Third World immigration. According to the Jewish Task Force "Every year as New York's mayor, Giuliani marched in the Sodomite parade down Fifth Avenue with all of the transvestites, the sadomasochistic freaks wearing Nazi helmets, and the child molesters of the National Man Boy Love Association (NAMBLA).
Giuliani himself dressed in "drag" - he wore a dress, a wig, makeup and lipstick - on more than one occasion.
Giuliani married his first cousin and then pulled all types of strings to get the marriage annulled by the Catholic Church.
Giuliani himself dressed in "drag" - he wore a dress, a wig, makeup and lipstick - on more than one occasion.
Giuliani married his first cousin and then pulled all types of strings to get the marriage annulled by the Catholic Church.
March 6, 2007
The Strange Partnership Between Dan Burrell and Jeri Massi (Bassenco)
Dan Burrell has formed a partnership with Jeri Massi aka Bassenco.
Regular readers will remember that Dan Burrell is a baptist preacher in North Carolina who liked to call himself "The thinking man's fundamentalist." When asked why he called himself that, he changed his self proclaimed title to read "That's why he's sometimes called "The Thinking Man's Fundamentalist".
Dan is also well known for slamming Pensacola Christian College's recreation ministry plans while spending at least a million dollars on a parking lot at Northside Baptist.
Who is Bassenco Jeri Massi?
"BASS is merely a vengeful, vindictive witch (dabbler in astrological prognostication). She prefers a lie to the truth, and hates any male who claims to speak with authority from the Word of God. She gives all indications of one who is demon-possessed.
Her irritation with me is mostly due to [the writer] spoiling her facade as "Grace Jovian." Considering that "jovia" can be a root word meaning "a joke" (like "jovial"), she does make a joke of true grace. Several years back, she went to great lengths to develop a troll called "Grace Jovian" and pass it off as a real person. She utterly duped one very nice former poster that used the handle "Elizabeth" and used another, BHarris, to try and convince me that this person had been to HAC, and was writing a piece of fiction from actual experience.
When I say that she had gone to great lengths to establish this alternate personality, I mean that she had months of preliminary work in it. She made sure that she left an "internet trail" by signing up with that name at several innocuous sites, and developed a detailed bio for this fictitous name that she used on the FFF. Because of her attacks on fundamentalism, and obvious swipes at the hated HAC/FBCH, most "haters" on the FFF automatically accepted her credentials and mocked those, like me, who said she was a troll.
But when she manipulated my friends to try and privately mislead me through email, it backfired. A simple internet search revealed several details that were convincing and indisputably linking BASSENCO with GRACE JOVIAN. She was not content to use this little ruse on just the FFF. No, she went to several Separatist, Fundamental websites connected with people she absolutely hates for the purpose of signing the guestbook and leaving an little message with a link to her garbage.
She was "evangelizing." I noticed this in my net search, and informed a couple of site admins about her devious and underhanded activities. There can be no doubt this irritated her. All she wants is vengeance. That which is within her is only hatred, pure and simple."
Regular readers will remember that Dan Burrell is a baptist preacher in North Carolina who liked to call himself "The thinking man's fundamentalist." When asked why he called himself that, he changed his self proclaimed title to read "That's why he's sometimes called "The Thinking Man's Fundamentalist".
Dan is also well known for slamming Pensacola Christian College's recreation ministry plans while spending at least a million dollars on a parking lot at Northside Baptist.
Who is Bassenco Jeri Massi?
"BASS is merely a vengeful, vindictive witch (dabbler in astrological prognostication). She prefers a lie to the truth, and hates any male who claims to speak with authority from the Word of God. She gives all indications of one who is demon-possessed.
Her irritation with me is mostly due to [the writer] spoiling her facade as "Grace Jovian." Considering that "jovia" can be a root word meaning "a joke" (like "jovial"), she does make a joke of true grace. Several years back, she went to great lengths to develop a troll called "Grace Jovian" and pass it off as a real person. She utterly duped one very nice former poster that used the handle "Elizabeth" and used another, BHarris, to try and convince me that this person had been to HAC, and was writing a piece of fiction from actual experience.
When I say that she had gone to great lengths to establish this alternate personality, I mean that she had months of preliminary work in it. She made sure that she left an "internet trail" by signing up with that name at several innocuous sites, and developed a detailed bio for this fictitous name that she used on the FFF. Because of her attacks on fundamentalism, and obvious swipes at the hated HAC/FBCH, most "haters" on the FFF automatically accepted her credentials and mocked those, like me, who said she was a troll.
But when she manipulated my friends to try and privately mislead me through email, it backfired. A simple internet search revealed several details that were convincing and indisputably linking BASSENCO with GRACE JOVIAN. She was not content to use this little ruse on just the FFF. No, she went to several Separatist, Fundamental websites connected with people she absolutely hates for the purpose of signing the guestbook and leaving an little message with a link to her garbage.
She was "evangelizing." I noticed this in my net search, and informed a couple of site admins about her devious and underhanded activities. There can be no doubt this irritated her. All she wants is vengeance. That which is within her is only hatred, pure and simple."
March 5, 2007
Paul Melnichuk and the Prayer Palace
After worshipping at the Prayer Palace this morning, Hyacinthe Houghron will, as she does every second Sunday, stuff her tired green minivan with a small
feast: six coolers of homemade soup, a mountain of sandwiches, cakes and sweets.Loaded down with second-hand clothes pulled from the ceiling-high piles in her hair salon, she’ll give out the goods to homeless people on downtown Toronto’s grittiest streets.
Missions like this aren’t cheap for people like her and other volunteers at the church. “We’re poor folks,” says Houghron, describing the majority of the 3,000-strong congregation who attend the spaceship-shaped church at Hwy. 400 and Finch Ave.
The hairdresser scrapes together $600 of her own money each month to keep up the program because the Prayer Palace – one of Canada’s largest evangelical churches – stopped running it five years ago. Other charitable works, like a promised orphanage in Brazil, either dried up or never materialized.
Meanwhile, the three white pastors – Paul Melnichuk and his 40-year-old twin sons, Tim and Tom – lead lavish lives in contrast to the mainly working-class black families that make up the bulk of the church.
Between them, the pastors have amassed a real estate fortune worth about $12 million. Each owns a multi-million-dollar country estate north of Toronto (Tim’s is worth as much as $5.5 million), they share a Florida vacation villa, and the pastors and their wives drive luxurious cars – among them a Porsche Cayenne SUV, a Lexus RX 330 SUV and a Mercedes-Benz CLK 320 convertible.
Congregants are largely unaware of the pastors’ extravagant lifestyles.“Wow,” says Leslie Stewart, 63, who works in a paint factory six days a week and gives 10 per cent of his income to the church. “I never heard of anything like that. But if I release my tithe and they misuse it, they have to face God.”
The Prayer Palace has a devoted congregation. Most worshippers believe in tithing, the practice of donating 10 per cent of one’s income to the church, and each year they give a reported $3 million. “The people love (the Melnichuks),” Houghron says. “Pastor Paul … loves the Lord. He does God’s work.”
In addition to personally funding the homeless program, Houghron – a staunch supporter of Pastor Paul – tithes and also gives him $100 to $200 cash for his birthday. “He’s never given me gifts like that but he’s given me spiritual gifts,” says Houghron. “He encourages the work I do for the homeless.”
The Prayer Palace offers several exuberant religious services each week. Conducting them, combined with the pastor’s church-building efforts, qualifies the Prayer Palace as a charity under federal law, making the church exempt from taxes.
However, a continuing Star investigation into Canadian charities has found the church devotes little money to charitable work. In fact, the church’s most recent financial statements show that only $9,443 was spent on “benevolent and charity” activities in 2005. The church’s annual “missions” fluctuate between $500 and $36,704 in the past few years. (Snip, complete article here)
March 3, 2007
Chuck Colson gets one thing right
"When church music directors lead congregations in singing contemporary Christian music, I often listen stoically with teeth clenched. But one Sunday morning, I cracked. We'd been led through endless repetitions of a meaningless ditty called "Draw Me Close to You," which has zero theological content and could just as easily be sung in any nightclub. When I thought it was finally and mercifully over, the music leader beamed. "Let's sing that again, shall we?" he asked. "No!" I shouted, loudly enough to send heads all around me spinning while my wife, Patty, cringed.
I admit I prefer traditional hymns, but even so, I'm convinced that much of the music being written for the church today reflects an unfortunate trend—slipping across the line from worship to entertainment. Evangelicals are in danger of amusing ourselves to death, to borrow the title of the classic Neil Postman book.
This trend is evident not just in theater-like churches where musicians—with their guitars and bongo drums—often perform at ear-splitting levels. It's also true of Christian radio, historically an important source of serious preaching and teaching. Several stations recently—many acting on the advice of a leading consulting firm—have dropped serious programming in favor of all-music formats."
(Snip....full article here.)
Free Christian Music for your IPOD or MP3 Player. Click here.And here.
Contemporary Christian Music EXPOSED
March 2, 2007
Tomorrow is not promised
They were so young to die, most of them were only 16 years old, a few were 17. They didn't go to school that day thinking they would die shortly after noon in the rubble of Enterprise High School. But die they did. Tomorrow is not promised, not to any of us. But it is especially heart rending to look upon these young faces, so full of bright hope for the future. Where is the comfort? Where now is the hope? Our thoughts and prayers go out to these surving family members.
Michael J. Bowen ...... Peter James Dunn II......... Ryan Andrew Mohler
The hope for the Christian is in Jesus Christ. I don't know the state of these young people, but I do know that if any of them were born again, they are absent from their bodies, but present with the Lord. And you can have that same assurance, of forgiviness from your sin, and knowing that you will spend eternity with Jesus Christ.
Alice Michelle Wilson ...Andrew Joel Jackson....Jamie Ann Vidensek
Some of us will die tomorrow. Perhaps some of us will make it to old age. But settle your account with the Lord Jesus today, before it is everlastingly too late.
Kathryn Madora Strunk .............Michael D. Tompkins
ADMIT: That you're a sinner, condemned to physical and spiritual death, because you are not perfect. Romans 3:10, 6:23, & James 1:15 There is NONE righteous, no, not one ... the wages of sin is DEATH ... sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth DEATH. (Spiritual death is eternity in HELL.)
BELIEVE: that JESUS died, rose again, and that He alone can save you from sin, death, and Hell. Romans 10:9-10 believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness.
CONFESS: JESUS CHRIST, and nothing else, as your own Saviour. Romans 10:9-10 & 13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus ... confession is made unto salvation ... whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Michael J. Bowen ...... Peter James Dunn II......... Ryan Andrew Mohler
The hope for the Christian is in Jesus Christ. I don't know the state of these young people, but I do know that if any of them were born again, they are absent from their bodies, but present with the Lord. And you can have that same assurance, of forgiviness from your sin, and knowing that you will spend eternity with Jesus Christ.
Alice Michelle Wilson ...Andrew Joel Jackson....Jamie Ann Vidensek
Some of us will die tomorrow. Perhaps some of us will make it to old age. But settle your account with the Lord Jesus today, before it is everlastingly too late.
Kathryn Madora Strunk .............Michael D. Tompkins
ADMIT: That you're a sinner, condemned to physical and spiritual death, because you are not perfect. Romans 3:10, 6:23, & James 1:15 There is NONE righteous, no, not one ... the wages of sin is DEATH ... sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth DEATH. (Spiritual death is eternity in HELL.)
BELIEVE: that JESUS died, rose again, and that He alone can save you from sin, death, and Hell. Romans 10:9-10 believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness.
CONFESS: JESUS CHRIST, and nothing else, as your own Saviour. Romans 10:9-10 & 13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus ... confession is made unto salvation ... whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
March 1, 2007
Rabbis attempt to resume animal sacrifices on the Temple Mount
The present-day Sanhedrin Court along with a group of rabbis announced their plans on Wednesday to resume ancient Temple practices of animal sacrifices on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, despite religious bans by Moslems and Jews. The court purchased herds of sheep for ritual sacrifice, which they have planned for the eve of Passover, depending on the situation at the controversial religious site.
“Regrettably, there are many extremist Israeli groups who want to carry out their plans,” said Jerusalem's senior Islamic cleric, Mohammed Hussein. “Let them say what they want, Al Aksa is a Moslem mosque.”
The 71 members of the Sanhedrin have all the required elements necessary for Temple sacrifice, including the ritual altar, and said they want to begin sacrificing animals again, despite the absence of the Temple. Professor Hillel Weiss, a member of the Sanhedrin, said it is an important step to show that it’s not only talk.
Rabbi Dov Stein, secretary of the new Sanhedrin Court, believes Temple sacrifices won’t happen any time soon.
“We want to do the sacrifice, but we have political problems,” Stein said. “We hope there will come a time when the government will agree. We will push for that to happen.”
Not all religious Jews are in favor of the sacrifices however.
“Animal sacrifice, as a mode of religious worship, stopped for Jews, Christians and Moslems,” said Rabbi Daniel Hartman of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. “Moving back in that direction is not progress.”
Tenakh/Hebrew/Old TestamentProphecies Fulfilled byJesus Christ, Messiah
ALL of these prophesies were made hundreds, sometimes thousands, of years before Jesus Christ was born. Looking in the face of how He literally fulfilled them all (plus hundreds more), it is an impossibility that He is not Messiah, Saviour of the world. The ONLY person...past, present or future...who could fulfill all these prophecies is Jesus Christ. If you have questions about Jesus Christ, the Jewish Messiah prophesied in the Tenakh, please write Daniel Sims, a missionary to the Jewish people or visit his website, The Hope of Israel Baptist Mission. Their mailing address is The Hope Of Israel Baptist Mission, P.O. Box 911, Powder Springs, GA 30127.
“Regrettably, there are many extremist Israeli groups who want to carry out their plans,” said Jerusalem's senior Islamic cleric, Mohammed Hussein. “Let them say what they want, Al Aksa is a Moslem mosque.”
The 71 members of the Sanhedrin have all the required elements necessary for Temple sacrifice, including the ritual altar, and said they want to begin sacrificing animals again, despite the absence of the Temple. Professor Hillel Weiss, a member of the Sanhedrin, said it is an important step to show that it’s not only talk.
Rabbi Dov Stein, secretary of the new Sanhedrin Court, believes Temple sacrifices won’t happen any time soon.
“We want to do the sacrifice, but we have political problems,” Stein said. “We hope there will come a time when the government will agree. We will push for that to happen.”
Not all religious Jews are in favor of the sacrifices however.
“Animal sacrifice, as a mode of religious worship, stopped for Jews, Christians and Moslems,” said Rabbi Daniel Hartman of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. “Moving back in that direction is not progress.”
Tenakh/Hebrew/Old TestamentProphecies Fulfilled byJesus Christ, Messiah
ALL of these prophesies were made hundreds, sometimes thousands, of years before Jesus Christ was born. Looking in the face of how He literally fulfilled them all (plus hundreds more), it is an impossibility that He is not Messiah, Saviour of the world. The ONLY person...past, present or future...who could fulfill all these prophecies is Jesus Christ. If you have questions about Jesus Christ, the Jewish Messiah prophesied in the Tenakh, please write Daniel Sims, a missionary to the Jewish people or visit his website, The Hope of Israel Baptist Mission. Their mailing address is The Hope Of Israel Baptist Mission, P.O. Box 911, Powder Springs, GA 30127.
| Fulfilled Prophecy | Tenakh/Hebrew Scripture | New Testament |
| His pre-existence | Micah 5:2 | John 1:1, 14 |
| Born of the seed of a woman | Genesis 3:15 | Matthew 1:18 |
| Of the seed of Abraham | Genesis 12:3 | Matthew 1:1-16 |
| All nations blessed by Abraham's seed | Genesis 12:3 | Matthew 8:5, 10 |
| God would provide Himself a Lamb as an offering | Genesis 22:8 | John 1:29 |
| From the tribe of Judah | Genesis 49:10 | Matthew 1:1-3 |
| Heir to the throne of David | Isaiah 9:6-7 | Matthew 1:1 |
| Called "The mighty God, The everlasting Father" | Isaiah 9:6 | Matthew 1:23 |
| Born in Bethlehem | Micah 5:2 | Matthew 2:1 |
| Born of a virgin | Isaiah 7:14 | Matthew 1:18 |
| His name called Immanuel, "God with us" | Isaiah 7:14 | Matthew 1:23 |
| Declared to be the Son of God | Psalm 2:7 | Matthew 3:17 |
| His messenger before Him in spirit of Elijah | Malachi 4:5-6 | Luke 1:17 |
| Preceded by a messenger to prepare His way | Malachi 3:1 | Matthew 11:7-11 |
Pig tactics mulled to drive Muslims away from public square/Oslo rape statistics shock
Pig tactics threatened
Norwegian anti-immigration politicians in Bergen have promised to chase off Muslims with pigs feet and squealing noises if Bergen's central square is used for prayers.
The leader of the Demokratene, a populist party formed by outcasts of the populist Progress Party, Vidar Kleppe, said Wednesday that he backed the remarks of city council representative Kenneth Rasmussen.
Rasmussen reacted with threats of porcine tactics after Labour Party politician Jerad Abdelmajid said that the city's Muslims could take their Friday prayers in Torgallmenningen, Bergen's central square, when they will be without a mosque from March 31. Building of a new mosque is behind schedule.
Abdelmajid's announcement provoked heated public debate.
"I completely agree with Kenneth Rasmussen that Muslims having their Friday prayers with their bu**s in the air in the city center is no solution. They can find other places," Kleppe told news agency NTB.
Kenneth Rasmussen told newspaper Dagbladet's web site that Bergen residents should hang up pig's feet and play pig squeals over loudspeakers to scare off Muslims, and claimed these tactics worked when he was a soldier for the United Nations in Somalia and Lebanon in the 1990s.
In other Islamic news
Oslo rape statistics shock
Two out of three charged with rape in Norway's capital are immigrants with a non-western background according to a police study. The number of rape cases is also rising steadily.The study is the first where the crime statistics have been analyzed according to ethnic origin. Of the 111 charged with rape in Oslo last year, 72 were of non-western ethnic origin, 25 are classified as Norwegian or western and 14 are listed as unknown.
Rape charges in the capital are spiraling upwards, 40 percent higher from 1999 to 2000 and up 13 percent so far this year.
Police Inspector Gunnar Larsen of Oslo's Vice, Robbery and Violent crime division says the statistics are surprising - the rising number of rape cases and the link to ethnic background are both clear trends.
While 65 percent of those charged with rape are classed as coming from a non-western background, this segment makes up only 14.3 percent of Oslo's population. Norwegian women were the victims in 80 percent of the cases, with 20 percent being women of foreign background.
Norwegian anti-immigration politicians in Bergen have promised to chase off Muslims with pigs feet and squealing noises if Bergen's central square is used for prayers.
The leader of the Demokratene, a populist party formed by outcasts of the populist Progress Party, Vidar Kleppe, said Wednesday that he backed the remarks of city council representative Kenneth Rasmussen.
Rasmussen reacted with threats of porcine tactics after Labour Party politician Jerad Abdelmajid said that the city's Muslims could take their Friday prayers in Torgallmenningen, Bergen's central square, when they will be without a mosque from March 31. Building of a new mosque is behind schedule.
Abdelmajid's announcement provoked heated public debate.
"I completely agree with Kenneth Rasmussen that Muslims having their Friday prayers with their bu**s in the air in the city center is no solution. They can find other places," Kleppe told news agency NTB.
Kenneth Rasmussen told newspaper Dagbladet's web site that Bergen residents should hang up pig's feet and play pig squeals over loudspeakers to scare off Muslims, and claimed these tactics worked when he was a soldier for the United Nations in Somalia and Lebanon in the 1990s.
In other Islamic news
Oslo rape statistics shock
Two out of three charged with rape in Norway's capital are immigrants with a non-western background according to a police study. The number of rape cases is also rising steadily.The study is the first where the crime statistics have been analyzed according to ethnic origin. Of the 111 charged with rape in Oslo last year, 72 were of non-western ethnic origin, 25 are classified as Norwegian or western and 14 are listed as unknown.
Rape charges in the capital are spiraling upwards, 40 percent higher from 1999 to 2000 and up 13 percent so far this year.
Police Inspector Gunnar Larsen of Oslo's Vice, Robbery and Violent crime division says the statistics are surprising - the rising number of rape cases and the link to ethnic background are both clear trends.
While 65 percent of those charged with rape are classed as coming from a non-western background, this segment makes up only 14.3 percent of Oslo's population. Norwegian women were the victims in 80 percent of the cases, with 20 percent being women of foreign background.
February 28, 2007
Lawsuit claims Trinity Baptist Jacksonville hid allegations of sexual abuse
A woman says she was molested by a former pastor when she was 6.
By JEFF BRUMLEY, The Times-Union
Trinity Baptist Church in Jacksonville covered up multiple allegations of sexual abuse against former pastor Robert Gray to avoid legal liability, according to a negligence lawsuit filed Wednesday.
The civil action, filed in Duval County Circuit Court, was brought by an unidentified Hamilton County woman in her mid-30s who said she was molested by Gray several times when she was about 6 years old and a first-grader at the church's Trinity Christian Academy.
A Trinity spokesman referred all questions about the lawsuit to the congregation's attorney, Ed Trent.
Trent wouldn't comment on the specific allegations Thursday but noted that an investigation he conducted last year cleared the church of deliberately or inadvertently ignoring sex abuse complaints against Gray, who is now 80 and facing a criminal trial in November.
David Barksdale, an attorney defending Gray in his four-count criminal case, declined to comment because he hadn't seen the lawsuit.
Filed by Miami attorney Adam Horowitz, the lawsuit claims the Independent Baptist church failed to provide a safe environment for the plaintiff by concealing reports that Gray had "sexually abused numerous other minors" and by not reporting that information to authorities. The church also misled the congregation about "Gray's fitness to serve in the ministry," the lawsuit says.
The abuse occurred during the 1979-80 school year, growing from a series of nonabusive counseling sessions between Gray and the girl into meetings where he repeatedly molested her, the lawsuit says.
To keep her quiet, Gray told the girl her father could lose his job and she would be sent to live with someone else if she reported the abuse, which occurred in his office, according to the lawsuit.
The woman is seeking a jury trial and unspecified compensatory and punitive damages for permanent psychological, emotional and physical injuries resulting from the abuse.
Separately, Gray faces trial Nov. 12 on four counts of capital sexual battery, each carrying a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole for 25 years.
At least 20 accusers have come forward since May, all claiming some form of abuse by Gray dating as far back as the 1970s. The statute of limitations expired in all but four of the cases, hence the number of criminal charges filed against him. The woman who filed the civil lawsuit is one of the four whose accusations led to criminal charges.
The former pastor was arrested in May, when the first accusations surfaced, and again in July when others came forward. He was released on $25,003 bail and is living at home on house arrest, free to go only to medical and legal appointments.
jeffrey.brumley@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4310
Rape victim files kidnap charges against nun, 3 priests
The Philippine Star
ILOILO CITY – A 25-year-old woman, who earlier accused an assistant parish priest in Iloilo of rape, has filed charges of kidnapping and obstruction of justice against a nun and three other priests.
In a three-page affidavit, the woman alleged that Sister Serafica Tolentino and Fathers Robert Amalay, Neil Antenor Cruz and Ramon Masculino detained her in a religious school for five days and coerced her not to file rape charges against Fr. Martin Alarcon.
Talk of the alleged kidnapping cropped up last week when the woman filed two counts of rape against Alarcon, assistant parish priest in Carles town.
The complainant alleged that on Feb. 15, the nun and three priests brought her to the Assumption Convent on Gen. Luna street here to keep her away from the media.
At first, she said she was convinced that the group only wanted to help her. However, she said she later sensed that their motive was "to stop me from filing a case" against Alarcon and that they were forcing her to take medicines "so it will appear that I am insane."
Tolentino, the woman alleged, "saw to it that whenever she (was) not around at least somebody (would) look after me and I was not allowed to go out of the room without her or any companion."
Although Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo was not included in the complaint, the woman alleged that he tried to stop her from filing the rape complaint against Alarcon.
"He (asked) me to give them time to resolve the incident within the confines of the church and not to file the case," she said in her affidavit. (Snip, article here)
ILOILO CITY – A 25-year-old woman, who earlier accused an assistant parish priest in Iloilo of rape, has filed charges of kidnapping and obstruction of justice against a nun and three other priests.
In a three-page affidavit, the woman alleged that Sister Serafica Tolentino and Fathers Robert Amalay, Neil Antenor Cruz and Ramon Masculino detained her in a religious school for five days and coerced her not to file rape charges against Fr. Martin Alarcon.
Talk of the alleged kidnapping cropped up last week when the woman filed two counts of rape against Alarcon, assistant parish priest in Carles town.
The complainant alleged that on Feb. 15, the nun and three priests brought her to the Assumption Convent on Gen. Luna street here to keep her away from the media.
At first, she said she was convinced that the group only wanted to help her. However, she said she later sensed that their motive was "to stop me from filing a case" against Alarcon and that they were forcing her to take medicines "so it will appear that I am insane."
Tolentino, the woman alleged, "saw to it that whenever she (was) not around at least somebody (would) look after me and I was not allowed to go out of the room without her or any companion."
Although Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo was not included in the complaint, the woman alleged that he tried to stop her from filing the rape complaint against Alarcon.
"He (asked) me to give them time to resolve the incident within the confines of the church and not to file the case," she said in her affidavit. (Snip, article here)
February 27, 2007
Chris Sligh, Religion, American Idol, his wife and other news...
Many hits on my blog come from people searching for information about American Idol contestant Chris Sligh.
Here are a few bits of information.
1. Chris Sligh is not a Mormon. He is a member of a liberal non denominational megachurch. His pastor, Chris Surratt, is totally supportive of a career in Rock Music for Chris Sligh and claims to have helped Chris plan strategy. Surratt states in his 'church planting' blog, "I always knew that it was just a matter of time before [Chris Sligh] was "discovered", but this is freakin' ridiculous!"
2. Chris Sligh is the son of Chuck and Susan Sligh, Independent Baptist missionaries. (Not Southern Baptist.)
3. His grandfather was also an Independent Baptist preacher and his grandmother had a good testimony among the faithful.
4. He looks like his mother when his hair is long.
5. At one point Chris had short hair, and he looked more like his dad.
6. Chris Sligh is not a fan of fundamentalist Christians.
7. Chris Sligh is married. His wife is Sarah Sligh.
Other Chris Sligh articles can be found here.
Rock music articles.
More rotten fruit from the tree of Rock and Roll
Rock Music and the High Levels of Suicide
By Independent Baptist missionary David Cloud
The Premature Death of Rock Stars by Dr. Terry Watkins
Here are a few bits of information.
1. Chris Sligh is not a Mormon. He is a member of a liberal non denominational megachurch. His pastor, Chris Surratt, is totally supportive of a career in Rock Music for Chris Sligh and claims to have helped Chris plan strategy. Surratt states in his 'church planting' blog, "I always knew that it was just a matter of time before [Chris Sligh] was "discovered", but this is freakin' ridiculous!"
2. Chris Sligh is the son of Chuck and Susan Sligh, Independent Baptist missionaries. (Not Southern Baptist.)
3. His grandfather was also an Independent Baptist preacher and his grandmother had a good testimony among the faithful.
4. He looks like his mother when his hair is long.
5. At one point Chris had short hair, and he looked more like his dad.
6. Chris Sligh is not a fan of fundamentalist Christians.
7. Chris Sligh is married. His wife is Sarah Sligh.
Other Chris Sligh articles can be found here.
Rock music articles.
More rotten fruit from the tree of Rock and Roll
Rock Music and the High Levels of Suicide
By Independent Baptist missionary David Cloud
The Premature Death of Rock Stars by Dr. Terry Watkins
Can Southern Baptists adopt elements of charismania and still be considered Southern Baptist?
Can Southern Baptists adopt elements of charismatic theology and still be considered Baptist?
How Southern Baptists answer this question -— prompted by recent debates about policies regarding speaking in tongues and “private prayer language” at the International Mission Board and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary -- may turn on the historical record.
Is there historical evidence that Baptists were willing to embrace elements of charismatic theology while remaining in the Baptist fold?
For Dwight McKissic, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, the answer is yes. The 18th-century Sandy Creek Baptists, based in North Carolina, held to elements of what may be regarded today as charismatic theology and were able to unite with Charleston Baptists, based in South Carolina, whose theology rejected such views. Both Baptist movements, according to McKissic, were willing to set aside their theological differences in order to cooperate together in missions.
To advance a similar coalition in Southern Baptist life today, McKissic convened the Sandy Creek-Charlestonian Convergence last December. About 100 Baptists and other Christians from about a dozen states attended the meeting and developed several strategies to gain acceptance of their views in the SBC.
In April, McKissic will host a “Baptist Conference on the Holy Spirit” to explore various interpretations of spiritual gifts in Southern Baptist life.
McKissic has argued for “latitude” among Southern Baptists on tongues and private prayer language in correspondence to various SBC leaders, as well as a position paper published to explain the rationale for the Sandy Creek-Charlestonian Convergence. In each, McKissic grounds his argument for religious liberty in these matters on the Sandy Creek-Charleston Baptists analogy. Among McKissic’s objectives is an amendment to the SBC’s statement of faith, the Baptist Faith and Message.
(Snip, press here for more details on Southern Baptist apostasy.)
By James A. Smith Sr.
Baptist Press
How Southern Baptists answer this question -— prompted by recent debates about policies regarding speaking in tongues and “private prayer language” at the International Mission Board and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary -- may turn on the historical record.
Is there historical evidence that Baptists were willing to embrace elements of charismatic theology while remaining in the Baptist fold?
For Dwight McKissic, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, the answer is yes. The 18th-century Sandy Creek Baptists, based in North Carolina, held to elements of what may be regarded today as charismatic theology and were able to unite with Charleston Baptists, based in South Carolina, whose theology rejected such views. Both Baptist movements, according to McKissic, were willing to set aside their theological differences in order to cooperate together in missions.
To advance a similar coalition in Southern Baptist life today, McKissic convened the Sandy Creek-Charlestonian Convergence last December. About 100 Baptists and other Christians from about a dozen states attended the meeting and developed several strategies to gain acceptance of their views in the SBC.
In April, McKissic will host a “Baptist Conference on the Holy Spirit” to explore various interpretations of spiritual gifts in Southern Baptist life.
McKissic has argued for “latitude” among Southern Baptists on tongues and private prayer language in correspondence to various SBC leaders, as well as a position paper published to explain the rationale for the Sandy Creek-Charlestonian Convergence. In each, McKissic grounds his argument for religious liberty in these matters on the Sandy Creek-Charleston Baptists analogy. Among McKissic’s objectives is an amendment to the SBC’s statement of faith, the Baptist Faith and Message.
(Snip, press here for more details on Southern Baptist apostasy.)
By James A. Smith Sr.
Baptist Press
February 26, 2007
More rotten fruit from the tree of Rock and Roll
Watsonville Veterans Memorial Hall Trashed
Angry rock fans destroyed a concert hall sound system, broke windows and shattered bar glasses and set a car on fire when a popular Mexican rock band got stuck in the snow and had to cancel an evening show.
At least 600 people who paid up to $60 a ticket to see the band El Tri on Sunday were told the group was caught in a massive blizzard outside Reno and would miss their appearance.
About 100 fans trashed the Watsonville Veterans Memorial Hall where the band was scheduled to play, said David Ruiz of San Jose, a friend of the band.
Another 200 people spilled into the street, setting fire to a car, vandalizing other vehicles and trying unsuccessfully to turn over a truck, police said.
About 40 officers in riot formation cleared the area, Watsonville police Sgt. Saul Gonzalez said. No arrests were made.
Angry rock fans destroyed a concert hall sound system, broke windows and shattered bar glasses and set a car on fire when a popular Mexican rock band got stuck in the snow and had to cancel an evening show.
At least 600 people who paid up to $60 a ticket to see the band El Tri on Sunday were told the group was caught in a massive blizzard outside Reno and would miss their appearance.
About 100 fans trashed the Watsonville Veterans Memorial Hall where the band was scheduled to play, said David Ruiz of San Jose, a friend of the band.
Another 200 people spilled into the street, setting fire to a car, vandalizing other vehicles and trying unsuccessfully to turn over a truck, police said.
About 40 officers in riot formation cleared the area, Watsonville police Sgt. Saul Gonzalez said. No arrests were made.
February 25, 2007
Fundamentalism needs to be saved
It is shocking and somewhat unreal. Two popular Internet forums that present themselves as bastions of fundamentalism are actually full of apostates and people without enough sense to come in out of the rain.
Sharper Iron boasts many blogs and posts for discussion from self identified Independent Baptist fundamentalist. It tries to paint itself as a "serious" place, but the forum is filled with people agreeing with the likes of Rick Warren and Chris Sligh.
The Fighting Fundamentalist Forum takes a less serious view of itself, but the forum is over run with people who are very far off base doctrinally. They have scrapped the bottom of the barrel with this topic, where numerous people who claim to be fundamentalist shill for JOYCE MEYER.
Sharper Iron boasts many blogs and posts for discussion from self identified Independent Baptist fundamentalist. It tries to paint itself as a "serious" place, but the forum is filled with people agreeing with the likes of Rick Warren and Chris Sligh.
The Fighting Fundamentalist Forum takes a less serious view of itself, but the forum is over run with people who are very far off base doctrinally. They have scrapped the bottom of the barrel with this topic, where numerous people who claim to be fundamentalist shill for JOYCE MEYER.
February 24, 2007
Catholics worship grease stain on pan in Houston, TX
They kneeled. They cried. They asked for healing.
Before them, on an altar of roses and prayer candles, was a metal baking sheet, stained with what hundreds of Houston Catholics now believe is an image of the Virgin Mary.
Guadalupe Rodriguez, a Pugh Elementary School cafeteria worker, discovered the possible miracle on Ash Wednesday, while scrubbing away the last crumbs from the pizza lunch.
By Friday, a steady stream of people were filing through the southeast Houston front yard of Sylvia Calderon, a PTA member who took in the sheet pan after school leaders decided they couldn't accommodate the curious crowds.
At dawn, one woman arrived at Calderon's home in the Denver Harbor neighborhood asking to see the Virgin's image before her 8-year-old son had surgery. That afternoon another woman came for a blessing bearing a picture of her grandson, who has cerebral palsy.
Scientists call this phenomenon religious pareidolia, when the eye sees religious images in objects such as tree trunks and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Believers say it's a miracle.
"It was beautiful," said Angie Bentancur, who left the picture of her grandson beside the sheet pan Friday afternoon.
On Wednesday, Rodriguez, a longtime kitchen worker, was leaning over the sink of the cafeteria at Pugh Elementary washing sheet pans — the kind that normally hold rows of chocolate chip cookies or chicken nuggets.
It was with the last pan, pulled from the cold rinse, that the Virgin appeared, Rodriguez, 59, said.
"I started looking at it, and started looking at it, until I realized it was the Virgin," she said.
The pan appears to be stained, maybe by grease, with an image several inches tall.
Her hands still wet, Rodriguez took the pan to the cafeteria, and held it up to her co-workers. What do you see, she asked?
The Virgin Mary, they said, undeniably — on a sheet pan.
Someone got the cafeteria manager, Coralia Pacay, who said the same: undeniably, the Virgin Mary — on a sheet pan.
Pacay and Rodriguez went to Principal Lyda Guerrero. They asked her what she saw.
"It was a silhouette," Guerrero recalled. "A silhouette of the Virgin Mary."
For believers, there is no doubt about Rodriguez's discovery. It is a message from God. The find created a logistical problem for school officials. When they got home Wednesday, many pupils who had seen the sheet pan told their parents, many of whom returned to school to see for themselves. Pacay propped up the pan near the lunch line.
The crowds grew to include neighbors, and soon district officials, including Houston Independent School District Superintendent Abelardo Saavedra, who agreed the tray had to go somewhere else. That's when the PTA agreed to take it to Calderon's house.
"Right now because it is attracting a lot of attention, we just don't want it in the school," said Rebecca Suarez, HISD spokeswoman. "But we want to treat it with respect."
Calderon, who has a 7-year-old daughter at Pugh, has been up since dawn and stayed awake until near midnight every day since then. She only takes the sheet pan in when she sleeps.
A steady stream of people continue to shuffle into her yard. Most are women, some with children. They walk from neighboring houses or park down the street. Some hold bouquets, others candles or pictures.
They brush the Virgin's image with their palms, fingertips, the backs of their hands. They close their eyes and make the sign of the cross.
Some hope to set up a permanent spot for the baking pan in the neighborhood, where anyone can visit, day or night.
Regardless, school officials say they doubt it will go back to the wash bin any time soon.
"I think someone was watching over us," Guerrero said. "I think someone is watching over this community and this school district and this school."
By SARAH VIREN
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