(Editor's Note: In our New & Views column we quote from many different sources. Please understand that this does not necessarily mean that we approve of all of the publications from which we quote. We will give the name of the source in the first quote and thereafter we will give the abbreviation of that name.)
No Proof of "Gay Gene" Theory. Tuesday, August 1, "The Washington Times" reported Edward Stein, a homosexual law professor from New York, is initiating a movement that would call for homosexuals to abandon the "gay gene" theory. Stein argues that homosexuality is a decision rather than a matter of sexual origins, "linking human rights to some scientific theory as yet completely unproven is risky. All that you'll get with the gene theory is the right with things you don't choose, but homosexuals want things they do choose: to be openly gay and hold a job and have same-sex marriages." An April 1999 article in the New York Times cites a study that cast doubt on the existence of a homosexual gene because numerous studies could not be replicated. Tradition Values Coalition
Law to Punish Proselytizers. A law proposed by France's National Assembly would make it a crime punishable by up to two years in prison for "proselytizers." The bill allegedly aims to restrict the growth of "sects," but among the 173 blacklisted groups is the Southern Baptist Convention. "Should the bill become law, evangelism by the groups could be criminalized as an `exercise [in] serious and repeated pressure on a person in order to create or exploit a state of dependence.' The socialist French government would be allowed to shut-down a religious group when two representatives are found guilty of at least one legal infraction, including `mental manipulation'" (WorldNetDaily, July 2, 2000). (ELB: Mark my words, this will also come in the USA. The seeds, thoughts, and background for this are already being planted in our society.)
Does public prayer for the sick sometimes invade people's privacy? Such prayers have become a legal concern in some situations, according to The Dallas Morning News. Pastors who once freely prayed for the sick by name in a service, or printed information in the church bulletin, have reluctantly stopped, or offer only a general prayer. ...Americans are more worried these days about their privacy being compromised, according to the newspaper. Pastors say information about a person's illness or personal problem, sometimes given without their knowledge, can spread on an email prayer chain list or chat room, sometimes with erroneous details. ...Also, congregants may not want information about their illnesses being mentioned in church because their employer, an estranged family member, or an insurance agent may be in the congregation. That is true in large, more impersonal churches more often than in small congregations, pastors say. ...United Methodist Bishop William Oden of Texas told the Morning News that naming illness in worship services or bulletins is so common that pastors sometimes are criticized if they fail to do it. Listing only the names of the sick in a church bulletin "whets the appetite for wanting more information." Religion Today
Palau's Ecumenical Evangelism Promotes Rock. September 22, 1999 More than 150 preachers, missionaries, Christian rock musicians, and drama, mime, and dance groups from 15 nations converged on Latvia Sept. 12-19. They took part in Hope `99, a nationwide outreach involving more than 300 evangelistic services around the nation, the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association told Religion Today. ...Thousands of people became Christians through the outreach, Chuck Kelley of Bridge Builders International said. The Oregon-based ministry spearheaded the outreach in cooperation with LPEA and other ministries. Several Oregon pastors preached in smaller cities, and a Gospel choir from Chicago performed. ...Palau preached several nights in Riga, the capital. At the final service 500 people, one-sixth of the crowd, came to the altars to pray and talk with counselors, Kelley said. "I was seated behind [former Latvian President] Ulmanis on the platform. He was simply amazed. As I looked to the left I saw a Baptist preacher weeping. In a special sense, amid the chaos and confusion of Latvia, God showed up with strong peace." Religion Today
ACLU To Challenge Trust In God - The Colorado State Board of Education passed a resolution encouraging schools to display the national motto "In God we trust," which Congress approved in 1864. ACLU's Sue Armstrong says they will wait until schools post the motto before challenging it. (The Federalist, 7/14/00) God approved all nations trust in God many centuries before 1864. If America is to have blessings from above, our trust must be in God. "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." (Psa. 18:2) This has already been posted and out of reach of the ACLU. - (W. W. Mosley, hereafter WWM)
President Clinton's Legacy? - Mona Charen, columnist for Jewish World Review, 7/11/00 said, "By the standards applied to everyone, Mr. Clinton deserves disbarment. His dishonesty has been chronic and egregious. ...Bill Clinton is now the most famous liar and perjurer in the whole world...maybe the most famous liar in history." Mr. Clinton may well escape disbarment by the world's system but not before God's judgment bar. The president walks on shaky ground when it comes to Scripture. Jesus said the devil is the father of all lies (John 8:11). The president has been fertile ground for this evil sower. It is clear God's law was made to expose liars and perjured persons. (1 Tim. 1:10) The worse fate of an habitual liar is not disbarment from earthly law practice. God's Word announces the most sever judgment upon liars. "...all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Rev. 21:8) This is not a desirable legacy. Pray for the salvation of our president. - WWM
Pentecostal Bishop Speaks At Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship - Pentecostal Bishop Paul S. Morton called on fellow Pentecostals to ensure their churches' leadership roles remain open to women. He also suggested the Southern Baptists might one day have to apologize for their defense of an all-male clergy, as they did for racial segregation of their congregations. (Religion News Service, 7/14/00). Morton spoke 7/10/00 before members of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship in New Orleans on the subject of hospitality to women. Mr. Morton and this Baptist(?) group must have missed reading the qualification for the office of bishop or pastor. (1 Tim. 3:2) This is not refusing "hospitality" to women. (Read 1 Tim. 5:2-5; Titus 2:3-5) It is God's criterion for the highest office in the Lord's church. However, if the Lord did not institute the church Mr. Morton (or these Baptist[?]) are members of, they may set any rules they care too. Just don't tell the Lord what to do about `His' church. - WWM
Intolerant Of False Religion? - The City Council of a south Chicago suburb of about 12,000 opted to buy the property of a Muslim group for $200,000. The mayor vetoed the council's action calling it "embarrassing" and an insult to Muslims. (Associated Press, Martha Irvine, AP) "Rev." Edward Cronin, local Catholic priest said it made the town "appear bigoted and intolerant of non- Christian religions." How would the "good" priest react to the Lord's attitude toward false religion of His day. "...He bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees." (Matt. 16:12) Those who abide not in the doctrine of Christ are not to be entertained. "For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." (2 John 11) - WWM
Is The Devil Real? - Although the Muslim may refer to Satan by a different name they claim to believe he is a real force. They believe the only way to prevent falling into Satan's trap is to believe in their "Allah." From the Hindu point of view, the devil is not real but only exists in "our own mind." In the same manner as `goodness' exist only in our mind. (Kansas City Star, 7/14/00) It is little wonder why these two religions despise true Christianity. The Muslims seek to destroy Christians in the Philippines and the Hindu's are doing the same in India. The devil is real and alive and walking about seeking who he may devour. (1 Pet. 5:8) Since the acceptance of both of these religions is promoted in Christian America, how long will it be until we face the same situation? Or is there enough Christian conviction in America to be recognizable? Judging from actions and attire we wonder. - WWM
Episcopalians & Homosexuals - Many religions have openly accepted homosexual relationships. It is no wonder since Pres. Clinton declared June to be gay/lesbian pride month. At their 73rd General Convention recently some 200 Episcopal bishops overwhelmingly approved several compromise measures making it clear that the U.S. Episcopal Church was moving toward full acceptance of homosexual relationships. (Reuters, 7/13/00) The bishops denounced promiscuity and other debauched relationships. Hence, the push for acceptance of same sex marriage. How long will God withhold judgment on a nation with such corrupt standards. - WWM
NAE Veers Leftward - The National Association of Evangelicals recently dropped its by-law prohibiting member denominations from joint membership in the liberal NCC (4/15 CC). Now the Reformed Church in America, an NCC affiliate, has requested NAE membership (6/00 Review). The NAE's newest member is the charismatic Association of Vineyard Churches. NAE's new president, Bishop Kevin Mannoia, said the NAE's reason for existence has changed from providing an alternative to liberalism to calling the church to transform communities (6/00 Bapt. Bulletin). Christian News Editor Herman Otten advises: "True Christians in the NAE should now vigorously protest that the NAE now admits NCC churches. If [it] refuses to change its policy, they should leave the NAE." Moody Bible Institute President Joseph Stowell joined the NAE a few years ago. (Calvary Contender hereafter CC)
Robertson, Ecumenical Icon - Pat Robertson has become an icon for the ecumenical movement through a variety of venues. He endorsed the Evangelicals & Catholics Together (ECT). He founded the now defunct Catholic Alliance. During the Pope's 1995 visit to New York Robertson led an ecumenical procession including five Muslim leaders and 27 Protestant and Orthodox reps to participate in the Mass. He is quoted as praising the Pope and saying "We all want to build bridges with the Catholic Church." At Regent University where Robertson is chancellor and its president is a Roman Catholic, mass is said on campus each week. [Dr. Rod Bell, May/June Frontline, adapted. Dr. Bell also said the president and the football coach at Dr. Jerry Falwell's Liberty University are Roman Catholics see 1/1/99 CC.] -CC
Catholics Are Still Wrong On Salvation - Last Oct., representatives of the Lutheran World Federation and of the Roman Catholic Church signed a Joint Declaration on Justification, disclaiming previous differences (12/1/99 CC). But Catholics still pray to Mary for salvation, and still believe that the "merits and graces Christ won on the cross" can only be received in small installments which never fully save and which come only through the sacraments of the Church. They still flagellate themselves and offer good works and suffering to earn salvation (6/00 Berean Call). Be warned, be wise, beware! - CC
NCC Near Death, But Wants Resurrection - The proud ecumenical National Council of Churches is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. But its board has adopted a resolution to develop a new ecumenical body that by 2003, it hopes, will include Catholics, evangelicals and Pentecostals (6/17 World). The NCC has a long history of being a hotbed of liberalism, communist sympathizers, abortion supporters, homosexuality supporters, radical theology promoters, and being more political than religious or spiritual (6/00 Maranatha Bapt. Watchman). Bob Edgar is its new Gen. Sec'y; Andrew Young is president. - CC
Homeschooler National Spelling Bee Winner - The top three finishers in last month's National Spelling Bee are educated at home, as are 1.5 million. President Clinton thinks homeschoolers should be made to "prove they are learning on a regular basis" or be forced to go to government schools. Yet home schooled kids consistently score higher on standardized tests (Cal Thomas, 6/17 World). Homeschoolers forge a special parent-child bond. As for socialization, one said he is happy to avoid school shootings and competition over clothes and cliques. Home schooled children have plenty of time to socialize. - CC
Sinead O'Connor A `Gay' Priest? - Irish singer Sinead O'Connor has apologized for ripping up a picture of the Pope on Sat. Night Live in 1992 and last year was ordained a priest by the Latin Tridentine Church, a splinter group of the Roman Catholic Church (per her Web page & 6/13 USA Today). She now claims to be a lesbian. - CC
Pope Promotes Hoax As Truth - The Vatican May 13 disclosed that the so-called secret of Fatima, which the Virgin Mary is claimed to have told three children over 80 years ago, was a foretelling of the shooting of the Pope and the persecution of Christianity under communism. But the Pope is not telling the truth when he claims Mary appeared at Fatima in 1917 and predicted his shooting in 1981 (5/29 Christian News). Billy Graham and other evangelical leaders praise the Pope and trust his truthfulness, but he is not to be trusted in this and other false claims of Catholicism nor when he claims that Jews, Muslims, and other non-Christians worship the same God Christians worship. - CC
Vermont First To Recognize Homosexual Unions - Vermont's civil union law won't affect just Vermont (6/17 World). "Gay" activists' legal strategy is to legalize "marriage" in one state, then attack traditional marriage laws in all others. Homosexual activists will now go to Vermont, get "married," return to their home states, and sue for legal recognition of their marital unions. - CC
Harry Potter's World Of The Occult - The fourth book of the Harry Potter series is due July 8. This popular series glamorizes witchcraft, disobedience and magic. It has frightening dark tales of witches (6/15 USA Today). Among the terrifying images: a disembodied voice repeatedly hissing "kill"; monstrous flesh-eating spiders; children being attacked and paralyzed; an apparently dead cat hung upside down by its tail. And there are creatures that "suck out people's souls." It gives children an appetite for the occult (see 12/1/99 CC). - CC
PK Meets At Liberty - Promise Keepers still draw crowds but the numbers are smaller. Their first U.S. rally this year was at Jerry Falwell's Liberty University, June 3-4 (6/23 Religion Today). Dr. Falwell seems to be increasing his links with charismatics. Charismatic pastor Jack Hayford is listed as an advisory board member of his Liberty University Worship Institute. - CC