Christian in Lebanon Goes on Trial
The trial of Bruce Balfour, a Canadian missionary seeking to plant cedar trees in Lebanon, began Wednesday in a military tribunal. He is charged with spying for Israel.
Year: 2003
NBC pulls plug on controversial ‘God, the Devil and Bob’ sitcom
HOLLYWOOD (BP)–NBC has canceled “God, the Devil and Bob,” a controversial animated comedy that featured a beer-swilling version of the deity. The series had come under fire from several religious groups, including Donald Wildmon’s American Family Association.
Bali Bombing Brings Unity to Indonesian Churches
Following last October’s bombing of a Bali nightclub, Christians and churches have made an effort to unite in their response to the tragedy.
Life Sentence for Two Christians in Blasphemy Case Upheld
A High Court has upheld the decision of a lower court to sentence two Pakistani Christians to life imprisonment for allegedly burning a Qur’an.
Okla. House pushes for ‘one God as the creator’ in science texts
OKLAHOMA CITY (BP)–The Oklahoma House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill April 4 that includes an amendment requiring state-approved science textbooks to acknowledge “one God as the creator of human life in the universe.”
Where is Christ in Christmas?
The angels’ joyful announcement was worthy of a Heavenly King. But how do we celebrate His majesty?
The world’s preparation for Christmas usually shuts Him out. Christ, the long-awaited Messiah, simply doesn’t fit today’s politically correct views. Nor is He compatible with holiday marketing schemes. Do you wonder what happened to holiday wrapping paper with Biblical themes?
Is Haiti Facing a Voodoo-Christian Showdown?
In late April, Haiti’s President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a former Catholic priest, declared voodoo an officially recognized religion. The decision means, among other things, that marriage ceremonies conducted by voodoo priests now have equal standing with Catholic ones.
Ten Commandments going back to school in Mississippi
ACKSON, Miss. (BP)–Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
At least, that’s what the Mississippi Baptist Convention’s youth ministry team believes when it comes to getting the Ten Commandments into schools across the state.
ACLU suit, federal judge force county to remove Ten Commandments in Indiana
WASHINGTON (BP)–Threatened by fines, residents of a small town in Indiana say they were forced to remove a monument displaying the Ten Commandments from the lawn of the local courthouse after a federal judge ruled on behalf of the state’s civil liberties union.
Is Haiti Facing a Voodoo-Christian Showdown?
Miami (Compass – August 18, 2003) — In late April, Haiti’s President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a former Catholic priest, declared voodoo an officially recognized religion. The decision means, among other things, that marriage ceremonies conducted by voodoo priests now have equal standing with Catholic ones.
Vietnamese Officials Hold Informal Talks with House Church Leaders
HO CHI MINH CITY, March 19 (Compass) — In what may be a small breakthrough for religious liberty, Vietnam’s religion authorities invited five leaders of Protestant house church organizations and non-denominational missions to Hanoi for “informal talks†in early March.
Thousands of Christians Petition President Bush
Washington, D.C. (Worthy News) – George W. Bush received a petition from Christians from across America encouraging him to stop his involvement in the “land for peace†process in Israel.
Spiritual Warfare Archive Jan 2003 – Aug 2003
Spiritual Warfare Archive – Jan 2003 – Aug 2003
Peru: Mission Leader Requests Prayer in Face of Terrorism
August 1, 2003 (Missions Insider) — Terrorists now pose a serious threat in Peru, and one Peruvian mission leader is asking that Christians everywhere band together in prayer to protect God’s people from violence.
Palestinian Diplomat in Morocco on the War in Iraq, Zionism, and Israel
MEMRI) — On April 26, 2003, the Islamic website Islam Online (1) hosted Wasef Mansour, a diplomat with the Palestinian mission in Morocco, in an online discussion titled “What Israel Gains From the Occupation of Iraq.” (2) During the discussion, Mansour held Israel responsible for the looting of museums and banks in Baghdad, called for Jihad against ‘the occupiers’ of Iraq, Palestine, and three cities under Spanish rule regarded by him as Moroccan, denied Israel’s right to exist, and compared President George W. Bush to Hitler and other tyrannical leaders. The following are excerpts from Mansour’s discussion with visitors to the website:
Israel Honors Her Fallen; PM Pledges to Seek an End to War
Jerusalem (ICEJ) — Israelis stood for two minutes of silence on Tuesday as sirens wailed throughout the nation in memory of more than 21,000 soldiers and civilians who have given their lives for their country over the last 55 years of statehood even as security services braced themselves for further terror attacks.
Iraq’s Revival: Christians Risk Their Lives for Church
BAGHDAD, IRAQ (ANS) — Iraqi Christians who have become targets of attacks by Muslim extremists and bandits are risking their lives to attend church services, ASSIST News Service (ANS) has established.
Christians Jailed for Aiding North Korean Refugees in China
Two South Korean pastors and two laymen, imprisoned in China because of their pastoral and humanitarian work among North Korean refugees, await court decisions on their fate.
Chinese Officials Continue Campaign Against Underground Christians
The spread of the SARS virus has not distracted Chinese officials from their campaign against unregistered churches. At least 52 key house church leaders have been arrested in recent months. Police also arrested and fined hundreds of “ordinary” Christians in the first four months of 2003.
Indonesia: Missionaries Help Tsunami Survivors in Worst-Hit Country
January 7, 2004 (Christian Aid) — Following the disaster of December 26, native missionaries of Indonesia have been helping survivors on the northern tip of Sumatra Island, the single region with the most casualties.