Current Events

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

Franklin Graham Disagrees with Pope Francis on Homosexuality

Dec. 30, 2013 - Pope Francis has said, “If a person is gay and seeks God and has goodwill, who am I to judge them?”

Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham told "Meet the Press" that being gay is a sin in the eyes of God, and that he does not plan to soften his position. He said the Pope is right that he is not the judge. God is.

“God would have to shift — and God doesn’t. “God’s word is the same, yesterday and today and a million years from now. It's a sin. I know the consequences of what will happen one day when they stand before God.”

Source: NewsMax

Prophetic Significance of Homosexuality

A&E; Lifts 'Duck Dynasty' Suspension

Dec. 28, 2013 - The A&E; network responded to the public outcry over the suspension of "Duck Dynasty" patriarch Phil Robertson by re-instating him on the immensely popular family reality show.

Robertson's abrupt suspension triggered an equally fierce backlash from "Duck Dynasty" fans — and conservative politicians such as Sarah Palin — who pointed out Robertson's beliefs were consistent with the Bible and shared by many Americans.

A&E; said they will also use this incident to "launch a national public service campaign (PSA) promoting unity, tolerance and acceptance among all people."

Warning: Rose Parade 2014 not so rosy for family viewing

Dec. 27, 2013 - During the Rose Parade two men will be married aboard a float sponsored by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Randy Thomasson of SaveCalifornia.com says that the New Year's Day parade has abandoned its original intent.

"[At the beginning] it was pro-family and it was about God's creation of flowers and fauna," he says, "and now look what it's become: against family values and against God's natural design of sex and family."

Source: OneNewsNow

‘Duck Dynasty’ Phil Robertson suspended ‘indefinitely’ for gay quip

Dec. 19, 2013 - Phil Robertson, patriarch of the very popular "Duck Dynasty" is quoted in the January issue of GQ magazine saying that homosexuality is a sin. He paraphrased a biblical passage [1 Corinthians 6:9],

“Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers — they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.”

In response, A&E; Network, supporters and champions of the LGBY community restricted Phil from filming indefinitely.

Source: Washington Times

Robertson's Statement about the Controversy

"I myself am a product of the Sixties. I centred my life around sex, drugs and rock and roll until I hit rock bottom and accepted Jesus as my Saviour," he said.

"My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the Bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together.

"However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other."

Source: Christian Today

Holy quack! 'Duck Dynasty' star booted over 'gay' flap - WND

'Duck Dynasty' Suspension: Fox News Hosts Defend Phil Robertson - Hollywood Reporter

Palin: Duck Dynasty Firing Endangers Free Speech - NewsMax

EPIC Support for Duck Dynasty Star Phil Robertson Explodes Across Facebook! - Liberty News

'Duck Dynasty's' Phil Robertson: I'm Not Backing Off Comments - NewsMax

Huckabee supports Duck Dynasty patriarch, decries Obama hypocrisy - OneNewsNow

A Duck Dynasty Christmas - Star Parker - OneNewsNow

Matt Staver of Liberty Council - WND

God’s Kind of Success

Dec. 18, 2013 - Noting that one typical mega-church pastor said that Christians have a “branding problem,” meaning that we are seen as “judgmental,” Hal Lindsey writes:

That’s certainly a danger, but the solution is not to suddenly be silent on sin, or to speak out against only those sins that are politically correct to condemn.

This excellent article explains that it is not loving to ignore or condone sin. We need to care enough to tell people that God loves them so much that He sent his Son to die for their sins.

Source: Hal Lindsey

Pope Francis named ‘Person of the Year’ by leading gay rights magazine - Independent U.K.

Limbaugh sees Obama tie in pope's 'gay' award - WND

Hawaii poised to become 15th state to legalize gay marriage

Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie expected to sign a same-sex marriage bill, making it the 16th state to adopt such legislation.

"By giving loving gay and lesbian couples the right to marry if they choose, Hawaii exemplifies the values we hold dear as a nation," President Obama, a native of Hawaii, said in a statement after the vote."

Source: LA Times

Judges order Christians to work for 'gays'

Aug. 23, 013 - The New Mexico Supreme Court has decided that Elane Photography violated the law by refusing to take wedding pictures for a lesbian couple. The studio said it would violate their Christian faith. The court ruled that a business could not "turn away customers on the basis of sexual orientation – photographing a same-sex marriage ceremony – than they could refuse to photograph African-Americans or Muslims.”

Source: WND

Church of England to be Sued for Refusing to Perform Same-Sex Marriages, Just a Month After Prime Minister Promised Protection

Aug. 2, 2013 - A month ago Great Britain's legislature approved a law legalizing same-sex marriages. It included a ...

"Quadruple lock" meant to protect the Church of England and other religious institutions from being forced to perform same-sex marriages against their faith. Under the current law, churches may "opt-in" to perform same-sex marriages, but they cannot be forced to conduct ceremonies.

Now a gay couple plans to pursue legal action against the Church of England for refusing to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies.

Source: Christian Post

For Churches to consider:

'Gays' to sue church to perform 'marriage' ceremonies - WND

Marriage Policy For Churches - Pacific Justice Institute

Pope Francis: Gays Shouldn't Be Marginalized, Ban on Women Priests 'Definitive'

July 29, 2013 - On the return flight from the Pope's week-long visit to Brazil, he said that, gays should not be judged or marginalised, but he reaffirmed Church teaching that homosexual acts are a sin. He referred to the Catholic Church's universal Catechism, which says that while homosexual orientation is not sinful, homosexual acts are.

While in Brazil, the Pope had participated in a world Catholic youth festival on Rio de Janeiro's famed Copacabana beach. Organizers estimated that it attracted some 3 million people.

Source: NewsMax

Catholic League's Donohue: Church 'Will Never' Endorse Gay Marriage - News Max

Tutu: Rather go to hell than 'worship a homophobic God'

July 27, 2013 -

South Africa's Nobel peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu says he will never worship a "homophobic God" and will rather go to hell.
The retired archbishop was speaking at the launch of a UN-backed campaign in South Africa to promote gay rights.

Source: BBC

Campaign puts 'gay rights' behind Constitution

July 25, 2013 - Those who adhere to the biblical definition of marriage are increasingly being forced by “nondiscrimination” laws to endorse and support “alternative lifestyles.” Matt Barber, vice president for Liberty Counsel Action, say that this is being caused by officials ignoring the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Source: WND

U.S. city looks to penalize Bible believers

July 24, 2013 - In August the San Antonio City Council will resume consideration of a proposed change to its nondiscrimination ordinance. Christians in the city are concerned.

That’s because the change creates a penalty for those who ever exhibit a “bias,” which clearly could include adopting the Bible’s condemnation of homosexuality, with a permanent ban on participation in city government, business or employment.

Source: WND

Gay Marriage Opponents Ask High Court to Halt Weddings

Jun. 30, 2013 -

Less than 24 hours after California started issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, lawyers for the sponsors of the state's gay marriage ban filed an emergency motion Saturday asking the U.S. Supreme Court to step in and stop gay marriages until the new ruling is settled.

The petition is based on the fact that the Prop. 8 backers still have 22 days to ask the Supreme Court to reconsider their decision.

Source: NewsMax

Gay marriage opponents file emergency motion asking court to intervene - Fox

Appellate court’s decision to immediately permit gay marriages is challenged - Washington Times

Scalia Dissent: Gay Marriage Decision 'Jaw-Dropping'

Jun. 27, 2013 - Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia wrote a scathing dissent to the court's decision to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act. He said the decision was "jaw-dropping" because it is "assertion of judicial supremacy over the people’s representatives in Congress and the executive." He added,

"This image of the court would have been unrecognizable to those who wrote and ratified our national charter."

Justices Clarence Thomas and Chief Justice John Roberts agreed with Scalia's opinion. Justice Samuel Alito wrote a separate dissent.

Source: Christian Post

Conservative Christians 'Stunned,' 'Disappointed' by DOMA, Prop 8 Decisions - Christian Post

ACLU vows to bring marriage battle to states - WND

Black robes 'delegitimize' Supreme Court - "Marriage-case decision 'a pure invention of a handful of justices" - WND

Limbaugh: 'Looks like doom, unavoidable doom' - WND

Ralph Reed: American Traditional Values Under Assault by 'Activist Court' - NewsMax

Prop. 8 Attorney: 'We Are Not Leaving This Fight' - "There was simply a finding that there was no standing, but when they invalidated — when they vacated the Ninth Circuit’s decision — that leaves Proposition 8 with technically . . . no federal appellate court decision on record." - WND

Santorum: DOMA Ruling an 'Outrageous Abuse of Power' - Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the majority in the DOMA decision, said anyone who doesn't support a changing definition of marriage "is a hater, is irrational, is someone who simply wants to discriminate against somebody else," Santorum said. - NewsMax

Alan Keyes: High court on DOMA: Borderline insane - WND

Pentecostal Leader Disturbed About Supreme Court's Negative Portrayal of Those Opposed to Same-Sex Marriage - Christian Post

Western US states baked by blistering heat wave

Jun. 29, 2013 -

Western US states are baking in an extended heat wave, with temperatures threatening to break the all-time high recorded on Earth.
In Phoenix, Arizona, the mercury hit 47C (116F) on Friday, and in the desert of Death Valley, California, the thermometer approached 51C.

Source:BBC

Record-Breaking Heat Engulfs the West - Weather.com

Ed. Note: Is it a coincidence that this dangerous heat comes right after the Supreme Court strikes down Christian marriage standards? Just wondering...

U.S. Supreme Court wipes out Proposition 8's gay marriage ban

Jun. 26, 2013 - The Supreme Court has decided that backers of Proposition 8 did not have the legal right to defend the ban on gay marriage. This ruling leaves intact a lower-court ruling that struck down the state's voter-approved initiative that prohibited gay marriage.

The Supreme Court ruling, which found it had no legal authority to decide the merits of a challenge to Proposition 8, sends the case back to that original decision -- and the only question now is how quickly same-sex couples can marry and whether that ruling will have immediate statewide effect.

Source: Mercury News

Supreme Court's Refusal to Redefine Marriage Nationwide Allows American People to Consider Consequences of Redefinition - Family Research Council

The Same-Sex Marriage Cases: What Happened and What they Mean - Critically, neither ruling establishes a federal, constitutional right to same-sex marriage... The bottom line? The definition of marriage is reaffirmed as a matter primarily of state law, not federal law. - American Center for Law and Justice

Supreme Court rulings outrageous: Opposing view - But the battle for traditional marriage is not over. - USA Today

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jun/26/traditional-marriage-supporters-courts-doma-ruling/?page=all - Washington Post

Prop. 8 ruling raises fears about effects on other initiatives - Los Angeles Times

Supreme Court Strikes Down Defense of Marriage Act

Jun 26, 2013 - Justice Anthony Kennedy announced the court's 5-4 decision to reverse certain conditions of the federal Defense of Marriage Act. It means that gay couples married in states that have legallized such unions will receive the seme federal benefits that traditional marriage couples enjoy.

Justice Kennedy was joined by the four members of the court's liberal wing—Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan—while Chief Justice John Roberts dissented, joined by Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.

Source: Wall Street Journal

Supreme Court vs. Supreme Law - Liberty Council

High Court Gay Marriage Decisions

Jun. 26, 2013 - The Supreme Court will announce its decision on California's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage (Prop 8) and the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

The broadest possible ruling would give gay Americans the same constitutional right to marry as heterosexuals. But several narrower paths also are available, including technical legal outcomes in which the court could end up saying very little about same-sex marriage.

Source: NewsMax

Exodus International to Shut Down; Ministry President Apologizes to Gay Community

June 21, 2013 - After 37 years Exodus International, known for helping people deal with unwanted same-sex attraction, is shutting down its ministry and launching a new one. Alan Chambers, the ministry's president, apologized to the LGBT community for unloving attitudes and practices, but not for their core biblical beliefs. He said,

"I cannot apologize for my deeply held biblical beliefs about the boundaries I see in scripture surrounding sex, but I will exercise my beliefs with great care and respect for those who do not share them."

The goal of the new organization will be to reduce fear (reducefear.org), and come alongside churches to become safe, welcoming, and mutually transforming communities."

Source: Christian Post

The Exodus of Exodus International - Jamie Dean - World Magazine

Interview: Alan Chambers on Closing Exodus Int'l and Starting a New Ministry - Christian Post

Update 6/25/13 - After Exodus: Evangelicals React as Ex-Gay Ministry Starts Over - Christianity Today

Rev. Mark Creech on the Problem with ‘Sexual Orientation’: Exodus International Flees the Promised Land - Americans for Truth

First Gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson Talks About Jesus' 'Alternative Lifestyle'

May 29, 2013 -

The first openly gay Episcopal bishop, Gene Robinson, made controversial remarks on ABC Australia's popular "Q&A;" show on Monday, noting that Jesus lived an "alternative lifestyle" while highlighting how Jesus spent time with male disciples and that he loved them.

In addition to hinting at a possible sexual orientation for the Savior of the world, he claimed that Jesus said nothing about homosexuality.

Fred Nile, president of the Fellowship of Congregational Churches responded that Jesus did say, "A man shall leave his mother and father and shall cling to his wife. The two shall become one." Jesus also spoke negatively about Sodom, which every Jewish listener knew was destroyed because of its homosexuality.

Source: Christian Post

The Homosexual Assault on Religious Freedom - Christian Post

Both Sides See Gay Marriage as 'Inevitable' - Religion Today

Emergent Church Star Rob Bell On Homosexuality

May 18, 2013 - Rob Bell, popular spokesman for emergent church concepts, was forced out of his Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville, Mich., after writing the controversial book "Love Wins." He has now endorsed homosexual marriage, and told a British radio host...

"... it’s time the church catch up with the 'modern world' in accepting same-sex marriage and that questioning the orthodoxy of those who do amounts to 'the sort of [expletive] that really, really, really pushes people away' [from Christianity]."

Carl Gallups, author of “The Magic Man in the Sky: Effectively Defending the Christian Faith,” says that Bell thinks that the church should "ebb and flow with whatever culture it is in.” In reality, Gallups counters, the church should never compromise with the culture.

Source: WND

- Christian Post, May 6, 2013

The Emerging Church - Commentary by Roger Oakland - Understanding the Times

France gay marriage: Hollande signs bill into law

May 18, 2013 - France's president Francois Hollande has signed a bill supported by his Socialist Party to allow homosexuals to marry. This makes France the ninth country in Europe, and 14th globally, to legalise gay marriage.

Scores of protesters took to the streets of Paris to voice their opposition to the ruling on Friday: previous, occasionally violent, demonstrations against the bill have drawn hundreds of thousands onto the streets.

Source: BBC

Greg Laurie to Gay Activists: 'I Won't Back Down'

May 2, 2013 - Greg Laurie, pastor of a California megachurch and honorary chairman of the task force for the National Day of Prayer, has been severely criticized for his views on homosexuality. He told reporters, "I won't back down... because I believe what the Bible teaches."

Laurie paralleled the efforts of gay rights activists to that of the palace officials who sought to stop Daniel (in the Old Testament) from praying and passed a law that resulted in him being thrown into the Lion's Den.

Source: Christian Post

Gay rights groups want Pastor Greg Laurie disinvited from Capitol, Pentagon events - WJLA

Pentagon welcomes Laurie despite gay protests - 10TV

Defense of Marriage Law on Trial

Mar. 27, 2013 -

The justices will consider a provision that defines marriage as between a man and a woman for the purpose of deciding who can receive a range of federal benefits, as part of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

Source: Fox

If the Supreme Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage, What Next? - Christianity Today\

Shall marriage mean anything? - Cleaveland.com

Supreme Court Searches for Way Around Gay Marriage - Religion Today

Supreme Court Could Redefine Marriage in Landmark Case

Mar. 25, 2013 - The Supreme Court will hear arguments this week that relate to gay marriage. The High Court will consider California's Prop. 8 law on Tuesday and the federal DOMA law on Wednesday.

Beyond the public drama, and central to the justices' regard for their own role, the marriage dispute offers a classic test of when courts should intervene in social dilemmas that have traditionally been the province of the states.

Source: NewsMax

Update: Mar. 26, 2013 - Supreme Court prepares for landmark gay marriage arguments - Fox

Opponents of Gay Marriage Say They're No Bigots - Religion Today

Unelected Supreme Court Shouldn't Impose Gay Marriage by Fiat - Penny Nance, President and CEO of Concerned Women for America - US News

Supreme Court Legal Filings about ProtectMarriage.com's petition

Religious Liberty in Peril If Prop 8 Isn't Upheld by Supreme Court? - Christian Post

Scalia in Court: ‘When Did it Become Unconstitutional to Exclude Homosexual Couples From Marriage?’ - Newsmax

The Supreme Court and Same-Sex Marriage (Part 1)

Mar. 18, 2013 - The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on two same-sex marriage issues at the end of this month. First they will consider California's Proposition 8 (Hollingsworth v. Perry) law and then the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) (U.S. v. Windsor). Dr. Richard D Land, Exec. Editor of the Christian Post discusses the high-stakes outcome for American society and for the Court itself.

Just like in Roe v Wade, a case widely discredited by legal scholars as poor law and credited by conservatives as the spark that ignited Christian activism, the court has a massive challenge ahead of it – threading the needle between state's rights and the press of coastal public opinion

The Obama Administration has weighed-in on the Prop. 8 issue. They filed a friend of the court brief advocating that same-sex marriage to be declared legal. They argue that it is a civil rights case.

Dr. Land writes that the court has three options: 1- Uphold Prop. 8, validating the right of the people of California to define and regulate marriage in their state; 2- Allow same-sex marriage in California alone; or 3 - Invalidate the laws against same-sex marriage in the more than 30 states that have voted in favor of such prohibitions.

Source: Richard D Land, Exec. Editor - Christian Post

Scott Walker: Gay Marriage Accepted by Young Conservatives - Newsfront

Mar. 20, 2013 - Part 2 of this article - About DOMA - Christian Post

Obama Props Up Calls to End Prop 8

Mar. 2, 2013 - President Obama's administration has filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court opposing California's Prop. 8 law that defines marriage as between one man and one woman.

The administration’s controversial move marks the first time a U.S. president has called on the high court to redefine marriage as we know it: a legal union between one man and one woman.

Source: Religion Today

What’s Behind Obama’s Latest Evolution on Gay Marriage - Time

Obama on Gay Marriage: America's Gone Through ‘Same Evolution I’ve Gone Through' - CNS

Gay Marriage Opponents Make Their Case to Supreme Court

Feb. 20, 2012 - The Supreme Court is considering cases involved with same-sex marriages this term, including California's Proposition 8 and the federal DOMA laws that were overturned by lower courts. Opponents have filed about three dozen briefs, complaining that upholding gay marriage could lead to penalties against objecting employers, military officials and others.

The case getting the most attention from opponents focuses on California voters' 2008 ban on gay marriage, known as Proposition 8, which was declared unconstitutional by two lower courts.

Supporters of gay marriage must file their briefs by early March.

Source: Religion Today

Obama admits Defense of Marriage Act constitutional - WND

French Lawmakers Approve Gay Marriage

Feb. 17, 2013 - The French National Assembly has approved a bill that legalizes gay marriage. It still needs to be approved by their Senate, but the Socialist majority likely will confirm the vote. The measure was opposed by religious groups and the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) party, which led a parade of more than 1.3 million protestors through the streets of Paris.

The country’s Roman Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist leaders also joined together to testify against the proposed law before a parliamentary commission in late November.

Source: Religion Today

My Train Wreck Conversion

Feb. 8, 2013 - This is an inspiring article by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield, who was a leftist lesbian professor and despised Christians. Then somehow she became a Christian herself! It shows the power of the Bible to change lives and it illustrates the right way for Christians to interact with those who disagree with them.

Source: Christianity Today

Softening Rhetoric on Homosexuality - Religion Today

Morally Straight? The Transformation of the Boy Scouts of America

Jan. 29, 2013 - A decision by the Boy Scouts of America may come next week to drop their national policy prohibiting openly gay leaders and scouts.

The BSA will offer what amounts to a local option. Each governing council and troop would come up with its own policy, in consultation with the more than 100,000 sponsoring bodies.

This move will probably shock many people who have not realized the pace of the revolution in morality in America.

The decision comes just six month after BSA board unanimously recommended keeping the policy.

Source: Religion Today