IRS Rules in Favor of Pastors/Churches

Ministry Today

Good news for all you politically minded pastors: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) ruled this week that a group of ministers gathered for a series of public policy conferences surrounding 2006’s election season did not break any rules that would have put their churches at risk of losing nonprofit status.

Though based on a complaint filed against the Houston-based nonprofit Niemoller Foundation, the IRS decision has larger implications for every local minister, as it indicates that pastors cannot be penalized for speaking out or taking political action on moral issues—and encouraging their congregations to do likewise. Besides endorsing a specific political candidate or using ministry funds to support a political cause, pastors are free to become politically active “on behalf of moral values,” the IRS stated.

“Not only do pastors and churches have freedom, but now they know about it,” said Kelly Shackelford, chief counsel of Liberty Legal Institute, which represented Niemoller.

Read the full article HERE.

Flu advice: a challenge to churches

CARMEL, Ind. - The state health commissioner’s advice for avoiding swine flu is forcing Hoosiers to rethink friendly greetings.

Dr. Judy Monroe recommends that people stop shaking hands as a way to minimize transmission of the virus, which has now spread to more than 10 states.

Shaking hands is such an ingrained practice that many people will likely find it tough to give up. Local religious leaders are pondering how to accommodate the advice.

“Makes people feel at home and it’s been a part of our religious practice too,” said Pastor Larry Hunt, Grace Apostolic Church.

But the fear of spreading the flu now has church leaders talking about what to do.

At First Baptist Church of Carmel, “we’re not going to dictate to people that they can or cannot shake hands,” said Pastor Joe Flatt. “It’s kind of what we are here.”

Full Story Here

NPR axes Christian radio programs

In 1985, National Public Radio (NPR) adopted a policy stating that member stations had to provide “nonsectarian, non-political, noncommercial” educational programming. But in February 2009, the wording was changed to say: “NPR Member Stations shall provide ONLY [emphasis added] nonsectarian, non-political, noncommercial educational content on all broadcast channel(s) and related media distribution platforms such as member partners that use the NPR member brands.”
The rule, which takes effect May 1, means that any NPR stations carrying religious programming must cease and desist that programming as of that date. In explaining its decision, PBS says it “places a high value on presenting diverse perspectives, as opposed to rigidly adhering to any single political or religious point of view.” Allowing such programming to continue, “would cause the public’s trust in PBS to erode, along with the value of the brand.”

David McNabb is the host of “Christian Corner” on KJZZ in Phoenix. His and several other religious programs featured on the NPR member station will be axed effective Friday.

Full Story Here

Less than half of Americans believe in evolution

A new poll released by The Gallup Survey found that 39 percent of Americans believe in the theory of evolution, 25 percent do not believe in evolution, and 36 percent have no opinion either way.

The data also showed religious practice is the greatest predictor of belief in evolution.  Only 24 percent of weekly church-goers believe in evolution, while 41 percent of this group do not believe it, and 35 percent have no opinion.  Among those that seldom or never attend church, 55 percent believe in evolution, 11 percent do not believe it, and 34 percent have no opinion.

The survey also measured belief in evolution by age and education level.  In general, younger people with higher levels of education tend to believe in evolution at higher rates.

Interestingly the survey also found that over 55 percent of Americans were not able to associate Charles Darwin with evolution.  The survey was performed on the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth.  The research group concluded that many scientists would likely be dismayed to discover that after 200 years of the popularization of evolution theory less than half of Americans believe it or can even identify it’s primary founder.

Read The Gallup Survey results HERE.

Read an article about the survey on FoxNews.com HERE.

Gay marriage opponents seek protection from harassment

WorldNetDaily

Lawsuit seeks safeguards from ‘gay’ harassment

A California organization that promoted a successful ballot measure last fall to protect traditional marriage now is challenging the constitutionality of a state campaign finance law used to harass and threaten supporters of the initiative.

The Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit on behalf of ProtectMarriage.com to protect financial contributors to the Proposition 8 campaign from retaliation.

Personal information about individuals who gave a little as $100 in support of Proposition 8 has been made public under the campaign law, resulting in threats and intimidation from advocates for homosexual marriage, the lawsuit said.

“Putting the names and employers of the people who supported Proposition 8 on the Internet for anyone to see has caused serious problems,” said James Bopp Jr., the lead attorney for Prop. 8 supporters. “No one should worry about getting a death threat because of the way he or she votes.

“This lawsuit will protect the right of all people to help support causes they agree with, without having to worry about harassment or threats,” he said.

Read the full article HERE.

Pastor Craig Gross to Found Controversial Church in Sin City

Craig Gross, who founded xxxchurch.com, is no stranger to controversy.  He and his wife, Jeanette, believe that God has called them to reach people in the growing pornography industry.  To that end, the couple and a supporting ministry team, rented a booth at a large porn convention in Vegas in 2002.  Since then, they have continued to set up booths at porn expos nationwide.

Gross claims that his edgy ministry is filling an outreach gap:  “I think the church does a poor job overall when it comes to evangelism.”  The pastor recently decided to open a church in Las Vegas–The Strip Church.  This assembly will be located in the heart of Vegas.  According to the ministry’s website, the venture is supported by the Christian Missionary Alliance.

Gross uses concepts of “relevance” and “emergent” Christianity to support his philosophy of Christian infiltration. 

Click here to read the full story.

Homeschooling grows rapidly in the U.S.

Christian Newswire

The National Center for Education Statistics, which is part of the Department of Education estimates that homeschooling grew 36% between 2003 and 2007. “Homeschoolers can now be found in all walks of life,” said Michael Smith, HSLDA President.

The NCES estimates 1.5 million homeschooled children, or 2.9% of the school age population in 2007. This is a significant increase from 1.1 million in 2003, or 2.2% of the school aged population.

The NCES survey also considered the reasons parents are turning to homeschooling. Parents continued to cite the negative peer influences of public school, the desire to provide religious or moral instruction as well as concern about the academic quality of public school as their reasons for homeschooling.

Read the full article HERE (Christian Newswire)

Read a related article HERE (WorldNetDaily)

Inaugural prayer in Jesus’ name?

Marcus Yoars – Ministry Today

The drama surrounding Rick Warren’s forthcoming invocation at President-elect Barack Obama’s inaugural ceremony just won’t subside. After being maligned by both gay-rights groups and evangelicals for accepting Obama’s invitation, the Saddleback Church pastor is now being grilled on whether he’ll offer his prayer in the name of Jesus.

“I’m a Christian pastor so I will pray the only kind of prayer I know how to pray,” Warren stated last week in a written response. “Prayers are not to be sermons, speeches, position statements nor political posturing. They are humble, personal appeals to God.”

Read the full article HERE.

Licensing proposal could require lawyers to endorse homosexuality

Bob Unruh – WorldNetDaily

One of the top lawyers in the nation in the battle to protect traditional marriage, historically Christian lifestyle choices, parental rights and the key freedoms provided by the U.S. Constitution is warning that there eventually could be no lawyers left to take up those disputes.

That’s because of a recommendation before the State Bar of Arizona – the organization that licenses attorneys – to require all new lawyers to swear they won’t let their personal religious perspective on homosexuality affect their representation of any client. Mathew Staver, chief of Liberty Counsel, warns that the proposal is just the “tip of the iceberg.”

According to reports in Arizona, the state bar is considering a major change to its existing oath that requires lawyers to affirm they won’t “permit considerations of gender, race, age, nationality, disability or social standing to influence my duty of care” to clients.

The proposal in Arizona is to add “sexual orientation” to that list.

The concept would demand that Christian lawyers affirm they would pursue child custody cases for lesbians and “marriage” rights for homosexuals just as they would pursue any other issue for clients, regardless of their religious perspective.

Not agreeing to the demand would end a Christian lawyer’s career before it even starts, since attorneys cannot practice law without bar association permission.

Read the entire article HERE.

Atheists sue to remove ‘God’ from inaugural

Carol Cratty – CNN.com

WASHINGTON (CNN) — A number of atheists and non-religious organizations want Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony to leave out all references to God and religion.

In a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Washington, the plaintiffs demand that the words “so help me God” not be added to the end of the president’s oath of office.

In addition, the lawsuit objects to plans for ministers to deliver an invocation and a benediction in which they may discuss God and religion.

An advance copy of the lawsuit was posted online by Michael Newdow, a California doctor and lawyer who has filed similar and unsuccessful suits over inauguration ceremonies in 2001 and 2005.

The new lawsuit says in part, “There can be no purpose for placing ’so help me God’ in an oath or sponsoring prayers to God, other than promoting the particular point of view that God exists.”

Newdow said references to God during inauguration ceremonies violate the Constitution’s ban on the establishment of religion.

Newdow and other plaintiffs say they want to watch the inaugural either in person or on television. As atheists, they contend, having to watch a ceremony with religious components will make them feel excluded and stigmatized.

Read the full article HERE.

Most Americans Say ‘Merry Christmas’

ChristianNewsWire.com

A Fox News poll reveals most Americans say “Merry Christmas.” The poll taken December 9-10 shows 77% of Americans prefer “Merry Christmas” as opposed to saying something with less meaning.

The poll found that larger numbers of Republicans (87%) say “Merry Christmas”, but Christmas numbers were lower with Democrats at 72%.

Many have stopped doing business with companies who are “scrooge-like” and only want to make money on Christmas but don’t acknowledge Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, these companies are likely to offend the large majority of Americans as 85% of Americans say they are Christians. After all, what day does America and the world open presents on? Christmas!

Read the full article HERE.

Proposition 8 battle still raging

In the November elections, the citizens of the State of California voted in favor of ballot Proposition 8 by a margin of 52% to 48%.  This proposition changed the state Constitution to restrict the definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman – effectively eliminating the legal right of same-sex couples to marry in California.  Proposition 8 captivated the nation’s attention both before and after the election.  Now, as 2009 approaches the legal battle for Proposition 8 is still raging on both sides of the issue.

Recently, California State Attorney General Jerry Brown filed an 111 page brief asking the California State Supreme Court to invalidate the voter-approved state Constitutional ban on gay marriage.  Brown claims that “the amendment process cannot be used to extinguish fundamental constitutional rights without compelling justification.”  This move surprised many citizens and legal experts alike because it appears to conflict with his legal duty to uphold the state’s laws.  Furthermore, when the results of Proposition 8 were revealed last month Brown said he planned to “defend the proposition as enacted by the people of California.”

Attorneys for the Protect Marriage coalition filed opposing arguments calling Brown’s argument “an astonishing theory” and stating that he is “failing to protect the will of the voters as the law instructs him.”  The Protect Marriage brief also claims that the court does not have the legal authority to invalidate the voter-approved Constitutional amendment stating that the law “commands judges – as servants of the people – to bow to the will of those they serve.”

The Protect Marriage coalition is also taking their campaign a step further.  They are petitioning the State Supreme Court to annul the estimated 18,000 gay marriages that were officiated since June 2008 – when the Court ruled them permissible.  The coalition argues that Proposition 8 is brief and clear stating that “only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California” with “no conditional clauses, exceptions, exemptions, or exclusions.”  Attorney General Brown argues that Proposition 8 was not written to be retroactive and that the existing gay marriages should remain valid.

Some analysts say that if the California State Supreme Court strikes down Proposition 8 they expect to see a legal effort to recall justices who vote against the measure.

Rick Warren to Pray at Obama Inauguration

The Joint Congressional Committee on Inauguration Ceremonies announced that President-Elect Barack Obama has selected influential Evangelical minister Rick Warren to give the invocation at the Presidential Inauguration ceremony on January 20, 2009.  Rick Warren and his wife, Kay, are the directors of at least six well-known ministries and religious non-profit organizations.  Among these, he is the Founding Pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forrest, California (the 4th largest church in America) and director of Purpose Drive Ministries (an off-shoot of his wildly popular “Purpose Driven” book series).

Many are surprised at Obama’s selection of Rick Warren, an outspoken pro-life advocate who likely disagrees with the future President’s position on many other social issues.  Prominent pro-choice, gay rights, and other liberal groups have already criticized Obama for his selection.  Others see the move in keeping with Obama’s stated desire to win the approval of groups that did not support him in the election.  White Evangelicals supported McCain over Obama by a margin of 73% to 26%.

Others see this development as yet one more step in Rick Warren’s rise to popularity in America’s religious life.  Some expect that he will eventually succeed ailing minister Billy Graham as “America’s Pastor” – a commonly used phrase to indicate America’s most influential religious figure.  Billy Graham became well known through his ministry crusades.  He had a personal audience with every sitting U.S. President since Truman and became an adviser and/or friend of many of them.  Rick Warren’s influence in national politics became abundantly clear when Presidental candidates from both major parties agreed to appear at the Civil Forum on The Presidencty that he hosted during the summer of 2008.

‘Gay Bible’ to be published

Alison Flood – guardian.co.uk

A gay version of the Bible, in which God says it is better to be gay than straight, is to be published by an American film producer.

New Mexico-based Revision Studios will publish The Princess Diana Bible – so named because of Diana’s “many good works”, it says – online at princessdianabible.com in spring 2009. A preview of Genesis is already available, in which instead of creating Adam and Eve, God creates Aida and Eve.

“And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Aida, and she slept: and he took one of her ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which the Lord God had taken from woman, made he another woman, and brought her unto the first. And Aida said, ‘This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of me. Therefore shall a woman leave her mother, and shall cleave unto her wife: and they shall be one flesh.’ And they were both naked, the woman and her wife, and were not ashamed.”

The film studio said it would also adapt and direct the revised Bible as a two-part mini-series, The Gay Old Testament and The Gay New Testament, once it is completed.

Read the full article HERE

Naughty or Nice?

The American Family Association (AFA) – an organization that describes itself as ‘America’s largest pro-family online action site’ – has but together a list of Christmas-friendly and Christmas-unfriendly retail companies for 2008.

The AFA reviewed four areas to determin whether or not top retailers are Christmas-friendly: print media, broadcast media, website, and personal visits to stores.  In each area, the AFA tried to determine whether the companies would either freely use the term “Christmas” or avoid and/or ban using the term.

Included on the Christmas-Unfriendly List are:

• Barnes & Noble
• Costco
• CVS
• Gap/Old Navy
• Kroger
• Office Depot
• Radio Shack
• Staples
• Supervalu

Included on the Christmas-Friendly List are:

• Bed Bath & Beyond
• Belk
• Best Buy
• Big Lots
• Dollar Tree
• Family Dollar
• Dollar General
• Home Depot
• Kmart
• Kohl’s
• Lowe’s
• Macy’s
• Petsmart
• Rite Aid
• Sears
• Target
• Walgreens
• Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club

For the full list, company information, and so forth, please see the AFA web site at:

http://www.afa.net/christmaslist.asp