WASHINGTON (BP)–The approval of same-sex unions by the Vermont House of Representatives could be the first step in undermining marriage and the family in the United States, said the head of the Southern Baptist Convention’s ethics agency.
MONTPELIER, Vt. (BP)–Vermont’s governor on April 26 signed into law landmark legislation granting the full benefits of marriage to homosexual and lesbian couples in the state, prompting warnings from opponents that it could spawn similar legislation in other states.
WASHINGTON (BP)–The House of Representatives Judiciary Committee approved March 28 a bill to provide legal protection for unborn children who are harmed during federal crimes against their mothers.
WASHINGTON (BP)–The Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders failed to accomplish one of its main objectives in four days of meetings but evidenced widespread opposition to efforts at religious conversion.
NEW YORK (BP)–Under the watchful eye of opponents of world government, heads of state from 150 countries gathered in New York Sept. 6 for the United Nations Millennium Summit, a three-day event organizers say is meant to combat war, poverty and disease.
Religious leaders sign “Commitment to Global Peace”The statement includes 11 promises to work for global peace, education and the abolition of nuclear weapons, among other things.
A Christian leader in western Uzbekistan’s autonomous Karakalpakstan region has been jailed since July 25, accused by local police of illegal drug possession.
After nearly eight months of heated competition in election campaigns by five presidential candidates, by 6:30pm of March 18th the victory of Chen Shui-bian and Liu Hsiu-lian of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was assured.
DEERFIELD, Ill. (BP)–The human embryonic stem cell debate has been at an impasse since the discovery of the unusual properties of unique precursor cells. In 1998 two teams of privately funded researchers were able to isolate and culture stem cells from human embryos. Some scientists believe these cells may be used to treat and cure a number of diseases, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and diabetes.
The director of a Russian drug-rehabilitation ministry assisted by Christian Aid was kidnapped nine days ago and has not been heard from since.
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL (ANS) – Thousands of Jews from the former Soviet Union, who have “returned” to Israel, are being helped by a Christian ministry with food, clothes, medicine and even rent money, to give them a new start in their new homeland.
WASHINGTON (BP)–The federal government has approved the abortion drug RU 486, ending a controversial effort that required nearly all eight years of the Clinton administration to complete.
WASHINGTON (BP)–A bill to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from restricting religious speech on noncommercial educational channels passed the House of Representatives by a 264-159 vote June 20.
WASHINGTON – My wife and I are seriously considering and praying about starting a Christian recovery church in the metro Washington area. Why? Because my heart cries out for people just like me, or who were just like me: 1) Christians new to Twelve Step programs 2) Christians who stay away from Twelve Step programs because they have been badly hurt by some Twelve Steppers who don’t understand Christians, or Christians who resent the fact they can’t use Jesus’ name in meetings 3) Christians who stay away from church because they have been badly hurt by some Christians who do not understand addiction 4) seekers in Twelve Step groups who are not sure if Jesus Christ is the Higher Power, but can’t get past the church’s glaring imperfections to give Jesus a try, and 5) Christians, who are Twelve Steppers, but don’t go to church.
French journalist Claude Vorilhon is known for introducing “Raelism” to the world. Mr. Vorilhon claims he was contacted by UFO’s on December 13, 1973 when his extraterrestrial visitors named him “Rael.” During this time of supposed contact, the alien life forms told “Rael” that mankind was ready to learn the truth of the mysteries of man’s origin. Vorilhon claims his alien contacts gave him a mission to prepare mankind for their return and to establish an embassy to initiate contact with mankind.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (BP)–When Daryl Orman was invited to deliver the March 9 invocation for the Florida House of Representatives, he had no idea the invitation would put him in the middle of a statewide controversy. But that’s exactly what happened when Orman, pastor of First Baptist Church, Stuart, asked Jesus to instill in the lawmakers “the desire to protect the unborn.”
(AgapePress) – A coalition of pro-family groups is staging a demonstration against a national video rental chain, in opposition to the company’s stance on hard-core pornography.
(AgapePress) – A minister has been barred from visiting Oregon students at their school during lunch breaks.
Jason Rhoads is a Nazarene pastor from Portland. Rhoads had been meeting with students in the Molalla River School District for more than a year, until he was asked to stop when a parent complained.
(AgapePress) – Army officers, disappointed with eight years of Bill Clinton, are leaving the service in droves.
According to the Army Times, the Army is losing about 300 more captains per year than the planned 1,125. The exodus means that some captain posts go vacant–and in the long term, the talent pool for future majors and senior officers shrinks.
2 May 2000 (Newsroom) – Americans across the country will meet to pray on Thursday for the 49th National Day of Prayer. Last year there were an estimated 20,000 prayer gatherings across the nation. Prayer events are scheduled in each one of the 50 states, organizers say.