Current Events

See also:
Preserving Marriage
California Homosexual Agenda
Moral Issues and The Presidential Campaign 2012

Pope Emphasizes 'Natural Structure' of Marriage as Between One Man and One Woman

Dec. 17 - On Friday Pope Benedict XVI made an official statement made annually by the pope for the World Day of Peace 2013. In the statement he reaffirmed the traditional definition of marriage.

"There is…a need to acknowledge and promote the natural structure of marriage as the union of a man and a woman in the face of attempts to make it judicially equivalent to radically different types of union."

Source: Christian Post

Prophetic Significance of Homosexuality

Supreme Court will take up gay marriage cases

Dec. 7, 2012 - The Supreme Court has decided to consider two same-sex marriage issues this year. One of these is the California State Initiative, Prop. 8, that defined a marriage as only between one man and one woman. It was struck down by a federal appeals court ruling.

The court also will decide whether Congress can deprive legally married gay couples of federal benefits otherwise available to married people. A provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act limits a range of health and pension benefits.

Nine states have decided to allow same-sex marriage. They are: Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Washington. The District of Columbia has also made that decision. On the other hand, 31 states have amended their constitutions to prohibit same-sex marriage.

Arguments for the cases probably will be heard in March, but decisions will be announced in late June.

Source: Fox

Supreme Court Unlikely To Deliver Gay-Marriage Mandate - Forbes

'Gay conversion' ban put on hold

Dec. 4, 2012 - The State of California has a new law that prohibits "gay conversion therapy." In the case of a student and two mental health providers, U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb issued an injunction against enforcing the law. He said that they "are likely to succeed on the merits of their … claims based on violations of their rights to freedom of speech under the First Amendment." He also said that without the injunction they would be likely to suffer irreparable harm.

Source: Sacramento Bee

Why the “Born This Way” Argument Fails

Dec. 2, 2012 - Homosexuals often use the "God made me this way" argument to deny that they should resist the urge to practice their behavior.

This fact is becoming especially relevant today because we are now beginning to see the argument utilized to justify many other behaviors, with the most recent being pedophilia.

People may be born with the disposition to do many things that are not good, moral, and right in the eyes of God.

The writer says, "Being Born Again Overcomes being 'Born that Way'."

Source: Robin Schumaker - Christian Post

Catholic Bishop: Vote for Gay Marriage Jeopardizes Your Soul

Oct. 28, 2012 - Bishop David Ricken, the Bishop of Green Bay, sent a letter to parishioners with a list of “intrinsically evil” positions that contradict fundamental contents of faith and morals. The list includes abortion, gay marriage, euthanasia, embryonic stem-cell research, and human cloning. The letter said,

"To vote for someone in favor of these positions means that you could be morally ‘complicit’ with these choices which are intrinsically evil. This could put your own soul in jeopardy.”

Source: NewsMax

Federal appeals court strikes down Defense of Marriage Act

Oct. 18, 2012 - The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. The decision was the outcome of a suit by widow Edith Windsor, an 83-year-old lesbian who sued the federal government for charging her more than $363,000 in estate taxes after being denied the benefit of spousal deductions. In the court's opinion the federal law violates the Constitution's equal protection clause.

Source: CNN

Text of the ruling

Gay marriage to Supreme Court? More likely after latest rejection of DOMA. - Christian Science Monitor

See: Franklin Graham: Obama's Endorsement of Same-Sex Marriage a 'Big Problem' in Prophecy Central's Presidential Campaign section.

Marriage Advocates in Four States Gear Up for November Ballot Measures - 32 states have already passed laws defining marriage as between one man and one woman. - Religion Today

Ban on Gay 'Conversion' Therapy to be Challenged

Oct. 2, 2012 - Two Christian defense organizations will challenge California's new law that bans psychological counseling to help impressionable teens change their sexual orientations or reduce their attractions to people of the same-sex

After months of intense lobbying, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill late Saturday that prohibits licensed mental health professionals from using so-called reparative or conversion therapies with clients under age 18.

California-based Pacific Justice Institute and Florida-based Liberty Counsel"s Mat Staver plan to argue that the law infringes on the First Amendment and equal protection rights of individuals to give and receive information that matches their personal and professional beliefs.

Source: NewsMaX

Student who got 'gay cure' sues California over new law - WND

Did Jesus condemn homosexuality?

Aug. 7, 2012 - Today some people say, “Since Jesus never mentions homosexuality nor does He specifically condemn it, homosexuality must be legitimate in Jesus’ eyes.”

Author Carl Galllups shows that Jesus believed that marriage was for one man and one woman, and that perversion of this belief led to Sodom's destruction.

Source: WND

Is it true Jesus never addressed same-sex marriage? - Daniel Akin - OneNewsNow

Huckabee: Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day 'beyond anything I could have imagined'

Aug. 2, 2012 -

Mike Huckabee said Thursday that the success of "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" went beyond "anything I could have imagined," saying stores across the country reported "record, historic sales."

Source: Fox

Americans flock to support Chick-fil-A - WND

Rush on Chick-fil-A: The target is Christianity- WND

Chick-fil-A supporters plan national appreciation day

Aug. 1, 2012 - Supporters of Chick-fil-A plan to visit the restaurants today to show solidarity with Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy, who told reporters, their company was "guilty as charged" for backing "the biblical definition of a family."

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Baptist minister, declared Wednesday national "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day."

Gay rights groups and others have called for boycotts and efforts to block the chain from opening new stores.

Source: Fox

Jesus and Chick-fil-A - Ron's Blog

Firestorm Update: Responding to Readers Questions on Gay Marriage vs. Biblical Marriage - Joel Rosenberg

Eat more chicken - Cal Thomas

Black Pastors Launch Campaign Opposing Gay Marriage, Warn Obama We ‘Will Not Stand With You’ - CNS

Chick-fil-A Supporters Line Up for Appreciation Day - ABC

Chick-fil-A appreciation day brings huge crowds to fast-food chain - The Guardian - UK

Chick-fil-A not alone in touting religion alongside products - Fox

DNC adds marriage redefinition to platform

Aug. 1, 2012 - Even though homosexuals represent maybe 3 percent of the population, their lobby has apparently convinced democratic power-brokers that denying same-sex marriage is equivalent to denying interracial marriage.

For the first time in its history, anonymous sources told Politico, the Democratic National Committee will add homosexual “marriage” to the party platform. The Democrats will present this endorsement at the convention in September in Charlotte, N.C.

The majority of the citizens of North Carolina, where the convention will be held, has already decided in favor of traditional marriage, and recently approved a constitutional amendment that establishes this opinion. A significant number of black voters also approved the amendment.

Meanwhile, the Coalition of African-American Pastors (CAAP) criticized President Obama's support of same-sex marriage. Rev. William Owens, president of the organization, said "The man holding the most powerful position in the world is stooping to lead the country down an immoral path.”

Source: World Magazine

Can Cities Really Block Chick-fil-A?

July 28, 2012 - Mayors of several major cities, including Boston and Chicago, have expressed their desire to block Chick-fil-A fast-food restaurants from opening in their cities. They take exception to the beliefs of Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy [who recently told the Baptist Press that the company was “guilty as charged” for backing the “biblical definition of a family”]. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said in a letter to Cathy, "There is no place for discrimination on Boston's Freedom Trail and no place for your company alongside it."

David Cortman, an attorney with the legal group Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), said a restaurant cannot be blocked from opening because of the restaurant's or the owner's beliefs.

Source: Christianity Today and Newsmax

Outraged Newsmax Readers, Grassroots Conservatives Vow to Eat Chick-fil-A - NewsMax

Classic liberals discover homo-fascism - Scott Lively - WND

Huckabee Sets Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day On August 1, 2012 - Digital Times

Episcopal Church becomes biggest US church to bless gay unions

July 12, 2012 - The U.S. Episcopal Church has approved a same-sex liturgy is called "The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant."

In the proposed rite, each person would make a vow to the other, exchange rings and be declared "bound to one another in a holy covenant, as long as they both shall live."

Other churches have made similar decisions. The United Church of Christ, which voted in 2005 to support full civil and religious marriage equality for same-sex couples. The U.S. Presbyterian Church already allows ministers to bless gay unions but prohibits them from solemnizing gay civil marriages.

Source: MSNBC

United Reformed Church to Allow Gay Civil Partnerships in UK Churches - Christian Post

Southern Baptists: Gay Rights Not Civil Rights

June 21, 2012 - In a nearly unanimous vote, delegates to the Southern Baptist's annual meeting passed a resolution on the subject of same-sex marriage.

It affirms Southern Baptist belief that marriage is "the exclusive union of one man and one woman" and that "all sexual behavior outside of marriage is sinful."

Source: NewsMax

Biola University Clarifies Stance on Human Sexuality

May 22, 2012 - In the wake of President Obama's endorsement of same-sex marriage, a small underground group of students at Biola University posted flyers around campus notifying others of their presence. the flyers were removed and the administration came out the next day with a policy statement.

"In the coming academic year, we will have focused dialogue and campus-wide educational forums on human sexuality," Biola president Barry Corey wrote in a letter to students, faculty and alumni.

The policy says that "acts of sexual intimacy between a man and a woman outside of marriage, and any act of sexual intimacy between two persons of the same sex, [are] illegitimate moral options for the confessing Christian."

On the other hand, the statement affirms that the school is a safe place for those struggling with same sex issues. In essence, the school will be helpful in their effort to overcome this temptation, but if they persist, even after conversations with the faculty, they will be in violation of their signed contract with the University and will be told, "This isn't the place for you."

Source: Religion Today

Obama, touting gay marriage stance, calls for repeal of Defense of Marriage Act

May 15, 2012 - At a fundraiser hosted by the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Leadership Council, President Obama went beyond his recent statement that same-sex couples should have the right to marry. He spoke in favor of repealing the Defense of Marriage Act which was passed in 1996.

Source: Fox

Franklin Graham: Obama Has ‘Shaken His Fist’ at God

May 10, 2012 - Franklin Graham, who had actively supported the successful push to amend North Carolina's constitution to define marriage as a union of a man and a woman, voiced strong disappointment over President Obama's affirmation of same-sex marriage. He said,

“President Obama has, in my view, shaken his fist at the same God who created and defined marriage. It grieves me that our president would now affirm same-sex marriage, though I believe it grieves God even more.”

Source: NewsMax

Gay marriage issue: Who does it hurt most, Obama or Romney? - Christian Science Monitor

Helping Someone Escape Sin Is Not Judgmental - Dan Delzell - Christian Post

How Should the Church Love a Gay Couple?

May 11, 2012 - Advice on how to minister to gay couples who visit your church.

But everyone agreed that at some point, the issue of sin has to be addressed in an appropriate manner, especially if they want to become involved or gain membership within the church.

Source: Jeff Shapiro - Christian Post

Part 2

Obama backs gay marriage, answering speculation on 'evolving' position

May 9, 2012 - President Obama finally clarified what he had earlier called an evolving opinion about same-sex marriage.

"At a certain point, I've just concluded that for me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married," Obama told ABC News.

The President he said his position has changed, "as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors, when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships..."

Source: Fox

Responses to Obama's same-sex marriage announcement - CNN

Obama's spiritual adviser disappointed in stance on gay marriage - MyFox Orlando

Romney reaffirms belief in marriage as between man, woman - Fox

House panel votes to ban same-sex marriages on US military bases - Fox

Christian Leaders Criticize Obama on Gay Marriage Stance - NewsMax

Obama's Marriage Payoff: Hollywood Cash - NewsMax

Responding as President Affirms Same-Sex Marriage - Links to great articles - Manhattan Declaration

North Carolina approves amendment banning gay marriage

May 9, 2012 - North Carolina became the 30th state to adopt a constitutional amendment defining marriage solely as a union between a man and a woman. Final results are not yet in, but with 35 percent of precincts reporting, 58 percent were in favor of the amendment.

In the final days before the vote, members of President Barack Obama's cabinet expressed support for gay marriage and former President Bill Clinton recorded phone messages urging voters to reject the amendment.

Source: Fox

President Obama 'disappointed' with North Carolina ban on gay marriage - Fox

Colorado lawmakers reach impasse on civil unions - Fox

Methodists Uphold Policy that Calls Homosexuality ‘Incompatible with Christian Teaching’

May 7, 2012 - Delegates to the United Methodist Church’s General Conference in Tampa, Florida, stood against approval of homosexuality.

Despite emotional protests and fierce lobbying, United Methodists voted on May 2 to maintain their denomination’s stance that the practice of homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching.”

Source: Christianity Today

Andy Stanley Sermon Illustration on Homosexuality Prompts Backlash

May 4, 2012 - A illustration in a recent message by North Point Senior Pastor Andy Stanley raised more questions than it provided answers. He talked about a man who left his wife for another man. He condemned the adulterous relationship (since the man was married) and called adultery sin, but did not label homosexuality as sin. So far, Stanley has not commented on the issue.

Source: Christianity Today

'Gay' anti-bully activist 'savages' Christians

Homosexual activist Dan Savage, recently invited to be the keynote speaker at a high school anti-bullying conference in Seattle, Wash., promptly used his podium to bash Christians so severely, droves of the students fled the auditorium, some say victims of bullying themselves.

His profanity-laced speech claimed that the Bible was wrong about a lot of things. He called it “a radically pro-slavery document.” And he said it was wrong about sexuality as well.

Source: WND

Kirk Cameron is right

Mar. 14, 2012 - Actor Kirk Cameron was a guest on CNN’s Piers Morgan Tonight last Friday.

The host asked for his comments on homosexuality, and Cameron told the truth: “I think that it’s … unnatural. I think that it’s … detrimental, and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization.”

Source: World

Proposition 8 ruled unconstitutional: On to the Supreme Court?

Feb. 7, 2012

A federal appeals panel in San Francisco ruled Tuesday that California’s Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, a decision that could lead to the Supreme Court’s consideration of the controversial social issue.

Since the court did not address the issue of whether the Constitution protects the rights of same-sex couples to marry, it is likely that their ruling will be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Source: Washington Post

Three GOP Candidates Blast Ruling Overturning Calif. Gay Marriage Ban - Newsmax

Joel Osteen Affirms Homosexuality is a Sin

Jan. 17, 2012 - Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church, the largest church in America, with average attendance of over 43 thousand per week, spoke out about homosexuality.

Osteen made headline news this week, when comments he made to Oprah about homosexuality being a sin, were criticized by a number of secular news agencies. However, Osteen did also receive strong support from conservative Christians across the nation.

He said being gay is a sin and one should ask forgiveness for it, but that God doesn't categorize it as a worse sin than others, like being proud, or not telling the truth.

Source: Christian Post