North America Christian student takes school to Supreme Court for forced Islamic prayer

Source: Frontline News
October 6, 2019
Can a public school force a Christian student to recite an Islamic prayer of conversion and say there is “No God, but Allah?” A Maryland school is defending its actions at the Supreme Court after the student fought back.

Four years ago a high school student who is Christian was forced by her teacher at La Plata High School in La Plata, Md., to recite the Islamic conversion creed – the Shahada – as part of a written assignment. She was required to write the Islamic creed, “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”

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Science Confirms: the Human Soul Lives on After Death

Source: breakingisraelnews.com
August 29, 2019
The results are in: the human brain can be similar to a “biological computer,” and that human consciousness may be similar to a program that is operated by a quantum computer inside the brain. According to new findings reported in an article in Peace Quarters, following death, “their soul comes back to the universe, and it does not die.”

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The Church of the Apostles Discovered at Bethsaida, Says CSAJCO

Beit Habek, Israel - July 20, 2019 - (God Inspires News) -- A large church from the Byzantine period was unearthed during the fourth season of archaeological excavations, carried out by Kinneret College and the Center for the Study of Ancient Judaism and Christian Origins, at the site of Beit Habek (el-Araj), near the Jordan River estuary on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. The excavators have identified it with the Church of the Apostles visited by a Bavarian bishop named Willibald in 725 C.E. He described his journey in which he traveled around the Sea of Galilee visiting Tiberias, Magdala, Capernaum and Kursi. On his way, he passed through a place called Bethsaida where he saw a church built over the house of Peter and Andrew. These two brothers were numbered among the first disciples of Jesus. The New Testament also records that they came from the village of Bethsaida, which in the first century was located on the lakeshore and today is in the Buteiha Valley Nature Reserve.

Thus far, only the southern rooms of the church have been excavated. The church belonged to a monastery complex. It had ornate mosaic floors, some of which are well preserved. A fragment of the marble chancel screen, decorated with a wreath, was found, as well as glass tesserae gilded in gold that belonged to a wall mosaic. These decorative elements testify to a large and magnificent church.

The excavation was conducted by the Kinneret Institute for Galilean Archeology in the Kinneret College, headed by Prof. Mordechai Aviam in collaboration with Prof. R. Steven Notley with the Center for the Study of Ancient Judaism and Christian Origins and Nyack College in New York, and under the auspices of the Israel Antiquities Authority. Students from both institutions and volunteers participated in the excavation.

This discovery strengthens the possible identification of the village of Bethsaida at the site of el-Araj. In addition, this year the excavators demonstrated that the ancient Jewish village, which was re-founded by the Jewish tetrarch Herod Philip as a polis and re-named Julias, had spread over a very large area. The remains of a private house from the Roman period were excavated 100 meters from the main excavation area. Finds from the house dated from the first to the third centuries CE included pottery, coins, fishing net weights and a cooking oven. A geophysical study was conducted in the vicinity using electromagnetic sensors operated on the ground and from a drone by the Terralog Innovation Company. The results indicate that there are many houses buried under the erosion of the delta of the Jordan River.

In addition to these important discoveries, a hoard of 20 Ottoman silver coins and five French gold coins were found together under the concrete floor of the "Bek's House." The house was built in the 19th century by Abdul Rahim Bek, a wealthy landlord who owned the entire Beteiha Valley and part of the Golan. Apparently, the coins were a "foundation cache" placed under the floor for good luck.

American Legion Salutes VA Policy-Change as Victory for Religious Freedom

Indianapolis, IN - July 9, 2019 - (God Inspires News) -- The American Legion celebrating the 4th of July this year with what they dubbed as "A perfect affirmation for Independence Day" is how American Legion National Commander Brett P. Reistad summed up the news that VA would be more welcoming of religious literature, symbols and displays at all of its facilities.

"This is a direct result of our recent Supreme Court victory in The American Legion v. American Humanist Association," Reistad said. "That case involved far more than a cross in Bladensburg, Md. It involved the cherished right for people to exercise their faith without government overbearance. VA promises that it will continue to respect and tolerate differing views, but at the same time the department makes clear that religious liberty at VA is once again protected. We welcome the announcement by VA Secretary Robert Wilkie for bringing needed clarity on this issue. Some groups may not approve but the Supreme Court spoke loudly with a 7-2 favorable ruling."

With a current membership of nearly two million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, patriotic youth programs and Americanism. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through nearly 13,000 posts worldwide. From the drafting of the original GI Bill to the creation of the Department of Veterans Affairs, The American Legion is the most influential voice for America's veterans. The American Legion will be celebrating its centennial through Veterans Day.

Equality Act Unequally Targets Faith Community, NRB Says

by: National Religious Broadcasters

Washington, D.C. - April 13, 2019 - (God Inspires News) -- Religious liberties were under direct attack in the U.S. House of Representatives this week, according to National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), an association of Christian radio, television, and internet communicators.

In a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services, testimony was taken on H.R. 5, “The Equality Act,” an unprecedented expansion of federal civil rights laws to grant protections for transgender persons. As one witness warned, as a result of H.R. 5’s limitless redefinition of “places of accommodation” to include the provision of goods, services, and programs, including online activities, “churches and houses of worship” as well as pastors would be swept within its prohibitions against discrimination. Another witness suggested that church members ask their pastors to adopt an inclusive approach to transgender issues, and to switch churches or their charitable giving if their demands were not met.

NRB’s concerns that H.R. 5 contravenes fundamental religious freedoms are further supported by the text of the bill itself. The “Equality Act” unequally discriminates against religious people and faith-based employers and ministries by explicitly prohibiting the application of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), passed by overwhelming bipartisan majorities in Congress and signed into law in 1993 by President Bill Clinton to restore historic protections of religious liberty against abusive government actions. RFRA was the basis of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2014 decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., upholding the rights of Hobby Lobby to be exempted from the abortion and contraception-related provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

NRB strongly urges lawmakers in both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to reject the “Equality Act.” It is an affront to the timeless guarantees of religious freedom that the Founders embedded within the liberties of the First Amendment, and recognized by Congress when it passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 1993 and later amended it favorably in 2000 in the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). It is a self-evident truth that new forms of “equality” should not be legislated at the expense of historic freedoms.

Last month during its annual meeting in Anaheim, California, NRB’s Board of Directors unanimously adopted a resolution, “Opposing Coercive Measures Against the Freedom to Believe the Bible on Marriage, Sexuality, and Gender,” which specifically urges Congress “to reject coercive proposals like the Equality Act and rather to pass laws preventing government intolerance and discrimination against those who – with malice toward none – simply wish to adhere to biblical understandings of gender, sexuality, and marriage.” NRB’s Board of Directors is comprised of approximately 100 key leaders among Christian communicators.

United Methodists Reaffirm Biblical Faithfulness

by: Institute on Religion and Democracy

St. Louis, MO - April 8, 2019 - (God Inspires News) -- United Methodists have upheld their denomination’s rules on sexual ethics, rejecting plans that would permit same-sex marriages and clergy to be sexually active outside of monogamous, heterosexual marriages.

The General Conference of the United Methodist Church, the only body that can speak for the 12.6 million-member Christian denomination, voted Tuesday morning to reject a plan advocated for by the majority of the church’s bishops. Later in the day, delegates gathered in St. Louis adopted a plan advocated by traditionalists which increases accountability measures for clergy and local bodies.

The United Methodist Church is the second-largest Protestant denomination in the United States, but has a global membership of more than 12 million members in the United States, Africa, Europe, and the Philippines.

The denomination’s longstanding official standards are that all people are welcome in its churches, while also teaching that marriage is only between one man and one woman.

United Methodist Action Director and elected General Conference Delegate John Lomperis commented:

“This was a historic turning point for our denomination, and will hopefully help make the United Methodist Church look refreshingly very different from what we have seen in the last several years.”

IRD President Mark Tooley commented:

“This General Conference is further proof that the center of gravity in the United Methodist Church is shifting from the United States and to the vibrant, growing Christian faith of the Global South.

“The United Methodist Church is no longer rooted in a declining liberal U.S. mainline Protestant tradition and is instead reflecting its identity as a global church.”

Event: Thousands of Christian Ministry and Media Professionals to Gather in Anaheim for Proclaim 19

by: National Religious Broadcasters

Washington, D.C. - March 4, 2019 - (God Inspires News) -- This month, thousands of Christian media and ministry professionals will make their way to Proclaim 19, the NRB International Christian Media Convention in Anaheim, California, to make strategic connections, to acquire new resources, and to discover the latest tips, trends, and insights in their respective field of work. The 75th anniversary of National Religious Broadcasters will be celebrated and the premiere of a new faith entertainment company will be highlights of the four-day gathering, March 26-29.

Every year, the Convention draws a wide range of participants, including radio and TV station owners and operators, pastors, church media professionals, radio and TV program producers, college educators, students, filmmakers, Web and mobile developers, social media managers, marketing representatives, and ministry staff members.

“Thousands of Christian communicators come to our annual Convention to find the insights, connections, resources, and opportunities that will help them advance their efforts,” said Michael Little, NRB’s board chairman. “If you’re endeavoring to reach people for Jesus Christ through media, Proclaim 19 is where you need to be!”

A highlight of the upcoming Convention is the celebration of NRB’s 75th anniversary as an association. NRB was founded in 1944 after the national radio networks of the time – spurred by a small group of cultural elites – moved to drop popular, self-supporting evangelical Christian ministries off the air. In response, NRB was formed and moved swiftly to end that assault, which eventually led to the newly formed ABC radio network’s reversal of the ban on paid religious broadcasting. Other networks would later follow their lead.

“The more things change, the more they stay the same,” Little said. “The challenges to free speech of the Gospel that brought NRB into existence in 1944 are even more urgently with us in 2019. Now, more than ever, NRB is needed to offer an effective defense of evangelicals’ rights to contend for the proclamation of the Gospel today.”

Also notable at Proclaim 19 will be the Super Session on Wednesday, March 27, at which there will be an unprecedented roll-out of content for the faith entertainment space. From the creators of I Can Only Imagine and Woodlawn, in partnership with Lionsgate™, comes Kingdom, an entertainment company 10 years in the making. Kingdom will be presenting an exclusive first-look of its new slate of films at Wednesday’s Super Session with a celebrity lineup including Jon and Andy Erwin, Kevin Downes, for KING & COUNTRY, Greg Laurie, Madeline Carroll, and an executive from Lionsgate. Kingdom is the Diamond Sponsor of Proclaim 19.

Another Super Session of note is the Public Policy Super Session on Tuesday, March 26, moderated by Fox News’ Todd Starnes and featuring U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback, as well as representatives from leading legal organizations who will discuss the latest efforts in the defense of religious freedom.

In total, there will be four Super Sessions at Proclaim 19, as well as an Opening Session, Worship Service, Closing Gala, various industry 101 sessions, and four industry summits (Digital Media, Radio, TV & Film, Great Commission). The NRB Great Commission Summit, a pre-Convention event, will be held on March 25. The presentation of NRB’s annual media awards will take place during the Closing Gala and the Awards Luncheon.

Proclaim 19 will feature more than 80 speakers, including John MacArthur, Joni Eareckson Tada, Tony Evans, Priscilla Shirer, Rick Warren, DeVon Franklin, Erwin McManus, Mike Lindell, and Alex Kendrick.

In addition, there will be live radio broadcasts (Eric Metaxas, Dennis Prager, Larry Elder, Sebastian Gorka) and advanced screenings of Overcomer, Breakthrough, Roe v. Wade, Children of Shanghai, Jesus: His Life, and The Chosen.

Another major feature of the annual gathering is the award-winning Exposition, the world’s largest marketplace dedicated to Christian media and ministry professionals seeking to harness the power of electronic media to spread the Gospel. Showcasing their products and services will be around 200 companies, ministries, and organizations, including broadcasters, nonprofits, educational institutions, publishers, media agencies, and broadcast equipment and software companies.

Proclaim 19 will be held March 26-29 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. The Exposition will officially open its doors Wednesday, March 27, at 8:20 a.m.

Convention details can be found at nrbconvention.org. Credentialed members of the news media interested in covering Proclaim 19 may apply for press passes at nrb.org/pressregistration.


About NRB

The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) is a nonpartisan, international association of Christian communicators whose member organizations represent millions of listeners, viewers, and readers. Our mission is to advance biblical truth, promote media excellence, and defend free speech. In addition to promoting standards of excellence, integrity, and accountability, NRB provides networking, educational, ministry, and fellowship opportunities for its members. This year, NRB marks its 75th anniversary as an association. Learn more at www.nrb.org.

About the NRB Convention

The annual NRB International Christian Media Convention is the largest nationally and internationally recognized event dedicated solely to assist those in the field of Christian communications. The dynamic Exposition consists of around 200 companies and is an active marketplace for those seeking tools and services to expand their organizations. The next Convention will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, March 26-29, 2019. For more information, go to www.nrbconvention.org.

CHURCH NEEDS MORE MASCULINE PRIESTS

Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights

Washington, D.C. - February 26, 2019 - (God Inspires News) -- Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on the need for more masculine priests:

The assault on masculinity has been going on inside and outside of the Catholic Church for decades, but it is now at a fever pitch. To cite one recent example, in his February 21 article, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof blamed masculinity for the sexual abuse scandals in the Catholic and Southern Baptist Churches. The Southern Baptist Convention was recently investigated by reporters.

Kristof quotes Serene Jones, president of the Union Theological Society: “They [the two Churches] both have very masculine understandings of God, and have a structure where men are considered the closest representatives of God.”

This remarkable comment deserves a serious rejoinder. But first a word on why the Southern Baptists were targeted and why Kristof interviewed Jones.

Why did the Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News investigate the Southern Baptist Convention? There are several other Baptist denominations, so why the Southern Baptists? Alternatively, why didn’t they choose to probe the Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists, or Presbyterians?

Let me take a wild guess. It’s for the same reason the media, until now, have focused exclusively on the Catholic Church: both Churches are known for their orthodox Christian teachings on sexuality. If they can be discredited, their moral voice will be compromised. One would have to be ideologically blind not to see what’s going on.

Why did Kristof tee it up for the president of the Union Theological Seminary? Because he knew she would feed his narrative. This New York-based institution has long been home to “progressive” thinkers, including dissident Catholic theologians (it has even employed those who have been banned from teaching at Catholic colleges due to their wholesale rejection of Catholicism).

More substantively, Kristof’s thesis—masculinity is related to sexual abuse—is so spurious that even he admits to its flaw.

For starters, he summarizes his argument by citing the Catholic Church’s male clergy and the “submissive” role occupied by females, but then a light goes off in his head. If this is the case, he wonders, then why haven’t most of the victims in the Catholic Church been women and girls?

Here is how he puts it. “It’s complicated, of course, for many of the Catholic victims were boys….” Actually, there is nothing complicated about it—he is simply wrong. Masculine priests, those who are naturally attracted to females, account for very little of the sexual abuse.

Kristof can’t even get this little bit right. The vast majority, 81 percent, of the victims were male. That’s not “many”—it’s most. And they were not boys: 78 percent were postpubescent; adolescents are properly regarded as young men. But to admit this is to admit that homosexual priests are responsible for the lion’s share of the abuse. And no one at the New York Times is going to admit to this verity.

The Catholic Church needs more masculine priests, not fewer. To put it differently, though matters are better today, for many years the Church had too many priests who were either effeminate or sexually immature. We’ve seen where that got us.

Many Will be Shocked at What God’s Word Says About Immigration and Borders

American Pastors Network

Washington, D.C. - February 23, 2019 - (God Inspires News) -- Borders and immigration are the top issues across the country right now, and Americans are viewing the headlines from moral, political, constitutional, humanitarian, financial and defensive perspectives.

The American Pastors Network (APN), however, says the answers to these hot-button issues are found in God’s unchanging Word—the Bible.

APN President Sam Rohrer has shared insight about the biblical guidance available on border security and immigration on the APN daily 60-second radio feature, “Stand in the Gap Minute,” heard on hundreds of stations nationwide. Rohrer and his radio co-hosts also frequently explore immigration and how it relates to both the Bible and the Constitution on the daily, live, one-hour radio program, “Stand in the Gap Today.”

“Immigration and border control issues dominate our news and divide our nation, but God is not divided nor is He confused on this or any issue—and we should not be either,” Rohrer says. “In fact, there are clear, biblical principles on why no one should be confused about God’s position on immigration and borders.”

In Acts 17:26, for example, Paul says that God established nations and borders. Daniel 2 says God raises up leaders and nations, and He puts them down.

“Without borders there’s no order, no law, no justice,” Rohrer adds. “Without borders, God’s promise to bless the nation whose God is the Lord could never occur. God’s plan of redemption revolves around nations. In time, God will judge all nations who reject Him. Is it any wonder that the coming antichrist and globalists demand open borders?”

If borders or walls are immoral—as even some religious leaders contend—then Nehemiah was wrong. And even more so, God Himself is wrong, because heaven has walls and gates, and Jesus says that whoever circumvents one gate and climbs in another way is a thief and robber.

“Borders are essential to nations,” Rohrer says. “In fact, the definition of nation includes a common language, a common view of God and common borders. God’s blessings and judgment are bestowed on individuals and nations. Therefore, borders and border control are essential to protect a nation’s citizens and should rise to the highest of concerns for those in civil authority.”

Additionally, the immigration controversy is not only political but moral. The Scripture passage most used to justify open borders and weak immigration policies is Leviticus 19:34, Rohrer says, where God commanded Israel to welcome the stranger or sojourner as one who’s native born.

“By itself,” Rohrer asserts, “this verse sounds compelling and unconditional, but it’s not. The Hebrew word for stranger in this text is ‘ger,’ and it means the immigrant wanting to assimilate—to embrace the God of Israel and their laws. King Solomon in II Chronicles 6:32 repeated this: ‘If a sojourner comes to the land ‘because of our God’ and prays in the temple … then welcome them in.’ To be welcome, immigrants must submit not rebel, fear God and not fight for atheism or Allah.”

The government has a unique duty to God and to the citizen—one might even call it a moral duty. Different from the Church’s duty to care for the sick and reach out to those who don’t yet know the God of heaven, government’s duty according to Romans 13 is to enact justice, enforce the law and protect the citizen.

“This is why God provided civil government with the sword of justice,” Rohrer says. “This is, in part, why we are to pray for those in authority—that we may lead quiet and peaceable lives and because they are accountable to God. God’s Word does hold all the answers about borders, immigration and much more, we just need to read God’s instruction for our lives and our nation, take them to heart and follow them.”

Additionally, Rohrer was featured in a commentary for Charisma News, which asked: “What Is the Truth Concerning Americans’ Wants and Needs for Immigration and Secure Borders?”