Ben Johnson HONOLULU, November 13, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Although teeming crowds of thousands, perhaps the largest in the history of state politics, opposed it, the Hawaiian legislature passed a bill redefining marriage. In a signing ceremony today, Governor Neil Abercrombie said the bill furthered “fairness, justice, and human equality” in the state. "Today, we celebrate our diversity defining us rather than dividing us," he said, after calling a special session of the … [Read more...]
ObamaCare’s marriage penalty: Cohabitating couples will pay less for healthcare than married couples
Kirsten Andersen of LifeSiteNews. WASHINGTON, D.C., November 11, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Would you pay $10,000 a year to stay married to your spouse? Some American couples are being faced with exactly that decision as they consider their health insurance options under ObamaCare. One of the most controversial provisions of ObamaCare is that it requires all Americans to purchase health insurance, whether they want it or not, or face hefty fines. To facilitate enrollment, the … [Read more...]
Naghmeh Abedini shares at Annual Meeting
Nagmeh Abedini shares how God has taken the persecution of her husband and turned it into an amazing opportunity to share the gospel in prison and with world leaders. Nagmeh Abedini from MBC on Vimeo. … [Read more...]
Audio interview with Naghmeh Abedini, wife of imprisoned Saeed Abedini
Click here to listen to Harold Hendrick interview Naghmeh Abedini. Naghmeh (pronounced “Nog’ may”) Abedini is being used of God to call attention to persecuted Christians worldwide. She is the wife of an American citizen, and the native Iranian, Pastor Saeed Abedini, persecuted and imprisoned in the notorious Evin Prison in his native Iran for functioning as a Christian. At the time he was developing plans for building an orphanage there on family owned property. And, she will be sharing … [Read more...]
Obama urges Rouhani to release U.S. pastor as prayer vigils continue
BY STAFF WASHINGTON – American Pastor Saeed Abedini is now aware that President Obama urged Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to release him from wrongful imprisonment for his Christian faith in Iran. Early on the morning of Sept. 30 in Tehran, Abedini’s Iranian family was able to sit and visit with him – through a glass partition – during regular visitation hours at Evin Prison, said a spokesman for the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ), which is representing the Abedini … [Read more...]
FDA holds to homosexual blood donor ban
WASHINGTON (BP) – Despite pressure from gay rights groups to lift the ban on homosexual and bisexual men donating blood, the Food and Drug Administration has stood firm, citing the agency’s charge to safeguard American health. The FDA, although weathering a summer of activism against the ban, said it will only consider lifting it “if supported by scientific data showing that a change in the policy would not present a significant and preventable risk to blood recipients.” Today’s U.S. … [Read more...]
Guns in church
Norwood – Pastor Stephen Fugitt believes that churches have the right to arm themselves for the day when a gunman enters their buildings to do harm. Yet no one had time to open fire against a gunman who aimed his .357 magnum revolver at Fugitt as he preached to his congregation at the First Baptist Church of Norwood, July 21. Instead, one church member grabbed the gunman’s arm, causing his first shot to hit the ceiling, while other men helped to wrestle him to the ground. They held him … [Read more...]
San Antonio ordinance may affect conventions
SAN ANTONIO (BP) – A new San Antonio nondiscrimination ordinance likely will prevent the Southern Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention from holding annual meetings in the city’s convention facilities, according to an attorney who represents both conventions, referencing the law’s requirement that contracting parties not discriminate on sexual orientation or gender identity. James Guenther, general counsel for the SBC and SBTC, told the Southern Baptist TEXAN, … [Read more...]
Air Force Sergeant claims he was fired for refusing to endorse gay ‘marriage’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – An Air Force sergeant who filed a discrimination complaint with the U.S. military claiming he was fired by his lesbian commander for refusing to make a statement of support for same-sex “marriage” may now face prosecution for taking his accusations public. Senior Master Sergeant Phillip Monk was relieved of his duties as first sergeant at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio in August after two separate confrontations with an openly homosexual superior officer, Major … [Read more...]
Gay marriage debate ‘very much alive’
NASHVILLE (BP) – The battle over gay marriage in the United States continues unabated, with activists on both sides engaging in the courts, media and government. “The national marriage debate is very much alive,” said Chris Plante, regional coordinator for the National Organization for Marriage, a group that opposes the legalization of same-sex marriage. Plante noted that while this summer’s Supreme Court decision left states the right to choose whether to legalize gay marriage, activists … [Read more...]
Planned Parenthood investigation launched
WASHINGTON (BP) – A congressional watchdog agency has agreed to investigate how Planned Parenthood and other abortion rights organizations spend federal funds, drawing praise from pro-life advocates inside and outside the legislative branch. “The abortion industry is big business of the most sordid sort. They certainly don’t need a taxpayer bailout,” said Russell D. Moore, president, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. Members of Congress announced Aug. 5 the Government … [Read more...]
Senator’s commission: End prohibition on church political speech, activities
Heavy Southern Baptist participation in formulating final recommendations WASHINGTON (BP) – Preachers should be free from Internal Revenue Service (IRS) scrutiny even when speaking about political candidates, a 14-member commission has recommended in a report released Aug. 14. The commission, created by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability at the request of Sen. Charles Grassley, R.-Iowa, proposed a number of tax-related recommendations to Congress and the Treasury … [Read more...]