Article VI of the US Constitution states: ‘no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.’ However, a religious test appears to be facing Mitt Romney.
Pastor Calls Romney’s Church a Cult
Posted in Current Events
Tagged America, Christian, Constitution, First Amendment, religion, Republican
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Conscience Quotes
Let Christians all understand that conscience is between themselves and God alone. They are not at liberty to impose even their freedom of conscience upon another; but by the laws of the kingdom of Christ, they are obliged even to refrain at times from exercising their own freedom, out of consideration for others.
- E. J. Waggoner
Rise of Strict Islam in Malaysia Exposes Tensions
While Malaysia prides itself in being a moderate Muslim nation where each person’s religious conscience is respected, tensions between different faith groups are rising along with rising tensions within Islam itself. More Muslim women feel pressure to wear head coverings and there are more calls that Islamic codes of conduct be enforced. Muslims are discouraged from attending events sponsored by other religions. A fundraising dinner sponsored by Methodists and attended by Muslims was broken up without a warrant. Bibles in the Malay language have been seized because the word “Allah” is used to refer to the Christian God, a term Christians claim they have used for centuries. A committee comprised of various religions has met sporadically to resolve use of the word “Allah”. While Islamic government officials claim that minority religions have nothing to fear, many are questioning the government’s sincerity.
Posted in Current Events
Tagged Bible, Christian, Headscarf, Islam, Malaysia, Muslim
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Egypt: No More Bikinis, Alcohol, Mixed Beaches, Pyramids and Sphinxes
The Muslim Brotherhood wants to ban bikinis, alcohol and mixed beaches in Egypt but others fear that these measures would have a serious negative impact on Egyptian tourism. Modern lifestyles are not only at risk but also ancient Egyptian antiquities as some Muslims claim that ‘pharaonic culture is a rotten culture’ and want all sphinxes and other ancient statuary faces covered in wax.
US Exceptionalism, Military Force and Torture
A new survey reveals that Americans who believe God has given the US a special role in world history also tend to favour military force over diplomacy and believe that torture is warranted under certain conditions. White Evangelicals were more likely than other groups to believe in US exceptionalism. The comprehensive survey also looked at other issues including the correlation between perceptions of President Obama’s faith and individual’s views towards him; the charitable role of government and churches; whether or not Islam is compatible with American values; whether or not whites face discrimination as much as blacks and other minorities.
Posted in Current Events
Tagged America, American exceptionalism, Christian, diplomacy, Obama, religion, torture, war
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Is America’s Religious Faith Waning?
A Duke University professor claims statistics show America’s religious faith is declining. He states that “shrinking congregations, growing dissatisfaction with religious leaders and rising numbers of people who do not think about faith” provides evidence of America’s waning faith. Also indicative is the increase in the number of Americans who claim not to belong to any denomination. Yet, statistics show that the majority of Americans believe in God. Others view these statistics in a different light, stating that they indicate US society is becoming more polarized as ‘hard-core’ believers tend to regularly attend church, while those who subscribe to a belief in God but not religiosity leave denominations.
Protestant Church Urged West Germany to Assist Nazi Eichmann
Der Spiegel reports that Austrian and German Protestant church officials urged the West German government to support Adolf Eichmann after his arrest in 1960. According to a letter sent to West German officials, Eichmann was ‘fundamentally decent’ and ‘kind-hearted’. Eichmann’s family wanted the church’s involvement in the hopes of having his trial in an international court rather than in Israel.
Posted in Current Events
Tagged Austria, Christian, Germany, Israel, Nazi, Protestant
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Pastor Takes on Deep-South Diet
Health statistics for the Mississippi Delta are among the worst in the United States. It has among the highest rates of adult and child obesity, diabetes and heart disease. While this article does not mention the apostle Paul’s statement that Christians are the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16), it follows one pastor who, noting that ill parishioners don’t pay tithe, has preached a healthy diet for years and is finally beginning to see results.
Iran Seizes Bibles
Bibles Seized in Iran, Conversions to Christianity Up
The Shaping of Michele Bachmann
Journalist granted access to Michele Bachmann reports on the books and other influences on her life.