California mayor urges residents to Christian prayer

LANCASTER CA - The mayor of Lancaster has urged its residents to approve Christian-specific prayers at public meetings in an effort to “grow” the sixth-largest city in Los Angeles County into a “Christian community.”

Lancaster residents were urged by Mayor R. Rex Parris in a state-of-the-city speech to support a city ballot measure that would authorize daily prayers at city council meetings.

“We are growing a Christian community, and don’t let anybody shy away from that,” he said in his speech, according to the Antelope Valley Press.

In a later interview with the Daily News, Parris expressed surprise that some religious leaders object to prayers to Jesus at city meetings, and blamed opposition on activists who “want a fight,” the newspaper reported. “They want their 15 minutes of fame.”

The Lancaster mayor is running for re-election and supports the prayer ordinance, the newspaper reported. The city council has already placed a large “In God We Trust” motto across the wall in the city council chambers.

(Source:  NBC)

Controversy attends Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit in Canada

Photograph by B. Anthony Stewart/NGS

TORONTO -  According to recent reports, Jordan has asked Canada to seize the selected parchments of the 2,000-year-old Dead Sea Scrolls that have been on display in Toronto, hoping to keep the artifacts out of Israel’s hands until their “disputed ownership” is settled in accord with international law, the Toronto-based Globe and Mail reported.

Jordan invoked the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, which is concerned with safeguarding cultural property during wartime.   The 1954 convention requires signatories “to take into its custody cultural property imported into its territory either directly or indirectly from any occupied territory.” 

The Jordanians claim Israel acted illegally when it seized the scrolls during the Six Day War (June 5-10, 1967), after which Israel had gained control of the Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights.  The Dead Sea Scrolls had been housed in the Rockefeller Museum located in Eastern Jerusalem.

On Sunday (Jan 3, 2010), Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum ended its exhibit “Words That Changed the World,” which had featured scroll fragments on loan from the Israel Antiquities Authority since June 27, 2009. The display sparked an unprecedented number of visitors, as well as political demonstrations, yielding days of protests outside the museum with pro-Palestinian groups calling on the public to boycott the exhibit.

Canada has ignored Jordan’s request thus far.  A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade told the Globe and Mail that “differences regarding ownership of the Dead Sea Scrolls should be addressed by Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. It would not be appropriate for Canada to intervene as a third party.”

Entrance to a Qumran Cave

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA)  maintains that it has the right to loan the artifacts.

The Jordanians aren’t the only ones trying to get their hands on the ancient scrolls.  Last April, the Palestinian Authority appealed to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to cancel the show. The Palestinian Authority and Toronto-based Muslim activists claimed that the scrolls were “stolen” from Palestinian territory and illegally obtained when Israel annexed east Jerusalem.

The Dead Sea Scrolls are made up of roughly 900 documents and biblical texts and are considered one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century. The scrolls were first discovered in 1947 in underground caves in and around Qumran on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea. Excavations that took place between 1947 and 1956 uncovered a total of 11 caves.  The texts include some of the only known surviving copies of biblical texts made before 100 BCE, preserved evidence of Jewish life during the Second Temple period.

More than 200,000 people reportedly attended the display in Toronto, which along with the scrolls featured 200 other artifacts on loan from the IAA.

The Dead Sea Scrolls are scheduled to appear at the Milwaukee Public Museum starting January 22 with many other artifacts loaned by international and local collections. 

(Source: Toronto Globe and Mail, Jerusalem Post, National Geographic News)

China pastor gets 15 years in prison for media interviews

NASHVILLE — A Uyghur house church pastor in China’s Xinjiang region has been sentenced to 15 years in prison — the most severe sentence possible — for granting media interviews outside of China.

Alimjan Yimit, 36, was charged Jan. 11, 2008, with “suspicions of harming national security,” an accusation generally leveled against those considered enemies of the state, said Bob Fu, president of the ChinaAid human rights organization, in a statement to the press. The following month, the charges were changed to “inciting secession” and leaking state secrets, but court officials returned the case to prosecutors for lack of evidence. Alimjan was secretly tried on the second charge July 28.

The Xinjiang region is a hotbed of separatist activity pitting the indigenous Uyghurs against the ruling Han Chinese. Authorities appear to be trying to shut down leadership of the Uyghur church as part of a broader government crackdown in the area, the Compass Direct news service reported. The vast majority of Uyghurs practice Islam; only a handful of an estimated 10 million Uyghurs are known to be Christians. Alimjan is a convert from Islam.

The verdict against Alimjan follows long criminal detention and labor camp sentences handed down on 10 leaders of a Chinese house church for their attempts to protest an attack against their facilities in mid-September. The two longest criminal detention sentences — which entail incarceration in a high-security prison where inmates often are mentally abused, starved and beaten — were pronounced against Yang Rongli, wife of the pastor of a house church in the northeastern Chinese city of Linfen, who received a seven-year sentence, and her husband, Wang Xiaoquang, who received a three-year sentence.

Alimjan’s “15-year sentence is far more severe than I originally expected,” said his lawyer, Li Dunyong, in a press statement. “It is the maximum penalty for this charge of ‘divulging state secrets,’ which requires [his] actions to be defined as having ’caused irreparable national grave damage.’”

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention had said Alimjan’s arrest and detention were arbitrary and in violation of international law, Li added.

Alimjan’s sentence was the most severe handed down against a house church leader in nearly decade, Fu said.

“The whole world should be appalled at this injustice against [this] innocent Christian leader,” Fu said. “We call upon the U.N. and people of conscience throughout the world to strongly protest to the Chinese government for this severe case of religious persecution.”

The Chinese ambassador in Washington, D.C., Zhou Wenzhong, may be contacted at 3505 International Place NW, Washington, D.C. 20008; telephone, 202-495-2000; fax, 202-588-9760.

 (Source: Baptist Press)

British couple innocent – a win for free speech

LIVERPOOL – A British couple facing criminal charges and the possible loss of their hotel business has been found not guilty of the allegations they faced of criticizing the Muslim faith in a religious discussion with an Islam convert.

After the court decision concerning Liverpool hoteliers Ben and Sharon Vogelenzang was reached, Sharon spoke to the press in a noisy area outside the courthouse where United Christian Broadcasters documented her comments.
 
“It has been a very difficult time [9 months],” she said. “We are looking forward to rebuilding our business and getting on with our lives.”
 
Steve Yates, the couple’s pastor, led a prayer rally prior to trial, commenting that “they’re a couple of good character, of integrity, and as a church, we were just shocked when the charge was made against them.” 
 
Sharon’s brother, Ben Hutch, expressed similar sentiments. “It’s been an outrage,” he stated. “It’s been a tremendous shock that something as insignificant as this should go as far as it has done.”
 
The Christian Institute of Britain defended the couple, and spokesman Mike Judge says that the court’s decision marks a victory for free speech.
 
“It was so important that this case was won,” Judge explains. “It’s important for all our free speech and our freedom to share the gospel with people without having that liberty infringed.”
 
The Christian Institute spokesman concluded that the fact that someone is upset or offended is not a reason to criminalize the speech used by the other person.

(Source: OneNewsNow.com)

Federal court rules Milw sheriff erred inviting Christian group to speak

MILWAUKEE – Complaints by Muslim and Catholic deputies against Sheriff David A. Clarke, Jr. ended in the US Court of Appeals, which unanimously decided Friday, Dec 4, 2009, that the Sheriff erred by inviting The CENTURION Law Enforcement Fellowship to address the deputies at a required meeting.  The plaintiffs were awarded nearly $40,000 in attorney fees.

The mission of The Centurion Law Enforcement Fellowship (TCLEF), is to bring law enforcement officers (police, deputies, troopers, investigators, parole/probation, corrections, etc.) and their families to a saving knowledge of and close personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Through that life-changing relationship, we also seek to positively impact our profession by raising up Christian leaders and reducing our historically high rates of divorce, alcoholism, depression, suicide and related issues.
TCLEF states on its website that “Law enforcement is a God-ordained ministry of service and protection for our society as outlined in the Bible in Romans 13. Inasmuch as our very authority as peace officers is given to us by God, TCLEF seeks to affirm our calling as servant-warriors (“sheepdogs”) and leaders while at the same time developing the officer’s personal spiritual life through Bible study, peer fellowship, group accountability along with active involvement in a solid Christ-centered/Bible-based church.”

Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed an amicus brief in the Milwaukee Deputy Sheriff’s Association v. Clarke case, siding with two deputies who objected to the religious presentations. 

A lower court ruled in favor of the deputies, and the appellate court decision upholds that finding.

(Source: TCLEF, AUSCS, Associated Press)

Former Dutch Health Minister Admits Error of Legalizing Euthanasia

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands – The former Dutch minister who successfully promoted the legalization of euthanasia has now admitted that the government’s move was a mistake, and says that they should have first focused on palliative care.

Els Borst, who served as Health Minister for the Netherlands from 1994 to 2002, proposed the country’s infamous euthanasia bill.  When it passed in 2001, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize euthanasia.  In 2008 alone, Dutch doctors reported 2,331 cases of euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Borst drew criticism from some Christian political parties shortly after the passage of her bill for comments she made in an interview.  Echoing the Christ’s final words on the Cross, Borst exclaimed: “It is finished!”

Now, however, she thinks the government acted too soon, as she told Dr. Anne-Mei The in interviews for the latter’s new book on the history of euthanasia, entitled Verlossers naast God (“Redeemer under God”).

The legalization of euthanasia came “far too early,” Borst said, admitting that the government did not give enough attention to palliative care and support for the dying.  “In the Netherlands, we first listened to the political and societal demand in favour of euthanasia,” she said.  “Obviously, this was not in the proper order.”

Alex Schadenberg, executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, agrees with Borst that the Netherlands has been ineffective in providing proper palliative care.  “Even today they still do not have effective palliative care in place in the Netherlands,” he told LifeSiteNews.com (LSN).

“It’s all good to say that,” he said, referring to Borst’s comments, “but what are they doing now to protect the vulnerable?”

“Now [euthanasia's] become socially accepted,” he continued.  “So how are you going to fix your mistake now, thank you?  And how many thousands of people died because you didn’t properly care for them?  How many thousands killed?”

Dr. The, who has studied euthanasia for fifteen years, affirmed that the foreign perception of inadequate palliative care in the Netherlands is not unfounded.  Further, she explained that in all her years, nearly
all the doctors she has met struggle with euthanasia due to moral issues or emotional reactions.

Borst’s regret over the situation in the Netherlands is particularly important given that that country has served as a model for euthanasia advocates in other countries.  Schadenberg noted, for example, that Canadian MP Francine Lalonde, who currently has a bill before Parliament to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide, has “imported” the Netherlands’ approach into Canada.

As in the Netherlands, Schadenberg explained, Canada “lack[s] the proper care for those either a) at the end of life, or b) experiencing disability or chronic disabling conditions.”

“Without the proper care in place, is [legalizing euthanasia] not the wrong thing to be doing?” he asked.  “Really what the debate in Canada needs to be about is how we care for all Canadians.”

Schadenberg went on to point out the “slippery slope” occurring in the Netherlands, which the country’s politicians deny, he says, through “a systematic cover-up.”  “How can you say there is no slippery slope in the Netherlands – knowing that you now allow euthanasia for newborns, and you went from originally just the terminally ill, [and] now it’s also for those who are mentally ill?” he asked.  “You have allowed your definitions to wander so wide that you haven’t even noticed it.”

Borst’s comments, Schadenberg says, are “simply telling us: do not make the same error as the Netherlands.”

(Source: LifeSiteNews.com)

RANDOM ACTS: Christian group to pay off $10K in strangers’ parking tickets

BOISE — A Christian group (coordinated by Mission Media) will once again camp out in front of City Hall and offer to pay off up to $10,000 dollars in parking tickets for any passersby.  Organizers say the Dec. 12 event is an example of how easy it is to receive God’s grace.

The Grace Gift Parable giveaway was first held in 2004, when Treasure Valley church leaders doled out nearly $7,500 to delinquent parkers, including one woman who arrived with more than a dozen tickets.   It is promoted as a “giveaway with an evangelical touch.”

“It’s an example of grace,” said Dennis Mansfield, a former board member of Mission Media, a nonprofit helping to organize the event. “Grace is unearned. It’s an unmerited favor. At this time of the season, we want to show God’s grace. In the process, we help families.”

Montie Ralstin, Jr., the pastor at Boise Valley Christian Communion, says the event is to help people understand that even though they’ve made mistakes, forgiveness is available.

The $10,000 for this year’s event was donated anonymously by area businesses and the Christian Churches of the Treasure Valley, demonstrating the Biblical principles of (1) doing charitable acts in secret and (2) not letting the left hand know what the hand is doing.

Violators must show up between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 — that’s two weeks from now — at Boise City Hall.  The pastors will work at tables outside City Hall at 150 N. Capitol Blvd. The event will include free refreshments and Christmas music.

 (Source: Associated Press, Boise Idaho Statesman, various press releases)

Federal judge says ‘NO’ to SC plate with cross

COLUMBIA SC - A federal judge ruled Tuesday (Nov 10, 2009) that South Carolina may not issue license plates emblazened with a cross in front of a stained glass window.  The phrase “I Believe” also appears on the license plate.
 
U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie’s ruling said the plate was unconstitutional because it violates the First Amendment, i.e.  the ban on government establishment of religion.
 
Within hours, a Christian group said the ruling would not stand in the way of its alternate plan to get a similar plate issued under a South Carolina state law that permits private groups to issue tags which they design.

(Source: AP)

Italians outraged as European court rules against crucifixes

ROME – Italians reacted with outrage on Tuesday (Nov 3, 2009) after a European court ruled that displaying crucifixes in the country’s schools violated the principle of secular education.

Italy’s education minister condemned the judgment by the European Court of Human Rights, saying that the Christian cross was a symbol of the country’s reigious traditions and cultural identity.

Mariastella Gelmini, a member of the conservative government of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, argued that “no one, and certainly not an ideological European court, will succeed in erasing our identity,” said

Other ministers said they were appalled by the ruling, calling it “absurd,” “shameful” and “offensive.”

Generations of Italian children have grown up studying in classrooms in which a wooden or metal crucifix looms above the blackboard. But Italy has been transformed in the past two decades from a country that exported migrants to one that has accepted around 4.5 million economic refugees and asylum seekers from Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia.

The influx of foreigners has led to deep-seated tensions, particularly with Roma gypsies from former Eastern bloc countries and Muslim immigrants from North Africa and the Middle East.

Schools in Spain, France, and Britain have also debated whether crucifixes should be allowed in public schools. The landmark ruling could prompt a Europewide review of the use of religious symbols in state-run schools.

(Source: Reuters, Italian News Sources)

Report suggests over 1 billion abortions committed worldwide, though rate declining

NEW YORK — A new report by the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute, entitled “Abortion Worldwide:  A Decade of Uneven Progress,” points to the fact that over a billion abortions have been committed, say pro-life activists.

The report found that the annual number of abortions have declined over the period from 1995 to 2003.

Increases in global contraceptive use have contributed to a decrease in the number of unintended pregnancies and, in turn, a decline in the number of abortions worldwide. However, this positive trend was most pronounced in developed regions, while improvement varied widely among developing countries. The decline in worldwide abortion occurred alongside a global trend toward liberalizing abortion laws. Indeed, abortion occurs at roughly equal rates in regions where it is broadly legal and in regions where it is highly restricted. The key difference is safety—illegal, clandestine abortions cause significant harm to women, especially in developing countries.

Nevertheless, pro-life advocates remark that the Guttmacher Institute report states that in 2003 approximately 41.6 million abortions were committed worldwide.  On average, this works out to more than one death by abortion for each second of the year.  Since abortion has been available since before 1970 and very widely available since 1980, pro-life advocates are saying that, even by a conservative estimate, the total number of preborn children to have been killed by abortion is likely in excess of one billion.  If 40 million children per year were aborted since 1980 that would already make for 1.12 billion preborn babies killed.

“There simply isn’t anything close,” said Stephen Phelan of Human Life International.  “Over the many years since this has become a practice, even legalized in many countries, you’re over a billion.”

“There’s definitely nothing to compare. The closest thing you’d get to it would be the atheist, socialist dictators of the 20th century; and even they, in their gruesome efficiency, were only able to kill somewhere between a hundred and a hundred-seventy million people. … There’s no comparison.”

(Source: LifeSiteNews and the Guttmacher Institute)