Denmark Passes Law That Forces Church to Perform Same-Sex Marriages
Denmark’s Parliament voted by a large margin to force State churches to conduct same-sex marriage ceremonies inside their sanctuaries.
Christian
Joel Osteen, in the Spirit of Ecumenism, meets Pope Francis (Video)
The International Foundation arranged for a 15-member delegation to visit the Vatican in the spirit of Ecumenism, which included mega-church speaker and author Joel Osteen, to meet with Pope Francis last Thursday.
Christians Hopeful After Egyptian Election
Egyptian Christians have welcomed the election of President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi in the hopes that the former field marshal will protect them from Islamic extremism, according to Barnabas Aid.
Ariz. Closes Church for Unpaid Taxes Despite Exemption
La Paz County is forcing a small church that helps the homeless to close its doors by June 15 unless it pays $68,000 in back-taxes and penalties that both state law and the Arizona Department of Revenue say the church doesn’t even owe, according to International Christian Concern.
Three in Four in U.S. Still See the Bible as Word of God…but…
Twenty-eight percent of Americans believe the Bible is the actual word of God and that it should be taken literally. This is somewhat below the 38% to 40% seen in the late 1970s, and near the all-time low of 27% reached in 2001 and 2009. But about half of Americans continue to say the Bible is the inspired word of God, not to be taken literally — meaning a combined 75% believe the Bible is in some way connected to God. About one in five Americans view the Bible in purely secular terms — as ancient fables, legends, history, and precepts written by man — which is up from 13% in 1976.
Hundreds of Thousands of Evangelicals March in Brazil
An estimated 600,000 evangelical Christians held a “March for Jesus” Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, an annual event that routinely draws hundreds of thousands throughout Brazil.
Will the United Methodist Church soon have to drop the “United” part of its name?
A group of 80 pastors is suggesting that the nation’s second-largest Protestant denomination is facing an imminent split because of an inability to resolve long-standing theological disputes about sexuality and church doctrine.
Church pulls ‘hell’ sign after police probe
A Baptist church agreed to take down a sign about hell after police investigated the message as a “hate incident,” reports the Daily Mail.
Church of Scotland to debate ordination of gay people
Last year, the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly decided that it couldn’t condone same-sex marriages or civil partnerships, yet its commissioners approved a proposal that allowed individual congregations to hire gay ministers while the assembly continues to debate their ordination.
Rev. Graham: ‘Christians Are Under Attack by Islam’
Rev. Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham and head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, said “Christians are under attack by Islam” and that “radical” Islam has nothing to do with it because “it’s just what it is.”
Duck Dynasty Star: Media ‘Blurring Lines’ on Sin (Video)
Phil Robertson, star of the popular “Duck Dynasty” television show, defended his controversial comments on homosexuality, giving a church sermon in which he ridiculed media coverage and others “blurring” the lines between “sinners” and homosexuals.
Vatican: Atheists still going to Hell
A Vatican spokesman explained Thursday that atheists are still going to perdition despite Pope Francis’ homily last week that proclaimed all of us, even atheists, were capable of doing good.
Pope Francis Promises Redemption for Do Gooders?
As part of his homily Wednesday, Pope Francis said that the Blood of Christ promised redemption for everyone engaged in doing good works, including atheists, according to Vatican Radio.
Wolves in sheep’s clothing foiled in plot to kill Shepherd
Two wolves who infiltrated a Turkish congregation were among more than a dozen suspects arrested as police foiled a plot to assassinate the pastor.
What People Experienced in Church
The Barna Group recently surveyed Americans who attended church and reported on their worship experiences.
Pew Report Shows Rise in Restrictions on Religion
A recent Pew Report examined government restrictions on religious beliefs and practices; it also revealed that social hostilities involving religion have risen in Sweden, Denmark and the U.K.
Franklin Graham’s ‘Festival de Esperanza’ Draws Thousands in Los Angeles
Franklin Graham this past weekend held Spanish speaking meetings (Festival De Esperanza) – Festival of Hope – at The Home Depot Center, in Carson, California, where the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s Trevor Freeze says hundreds of Hispanic hearts were warmed and changed forever by the saving power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
American Evangelist David Wilkerson Dies at 79
World famous evangelist David Wilkerson, who founded Times Square Church in New York City and authored the best-selling book, “The Cross and the Switchblade,” has died, Worthy News learned Friday, April 29. He was 79.
Saudi Arabia Jails House Church Christians (Exclusive)
Two Indian Christians of a thriving Pentecostal house church in Saudi Arabia have been moved from pre-trial detention to a prison in the Saudi capital Ryadh where they are “forbidden to pray or read the Bible” and “suffer of a lack of food and medical attention,” an elder of the church has told Worthy News and its news partner BosNewsLife.
BREAKING NEWS: Vietnam Delays Preach Permission For Evangelist Palau
There was uncertainty in Vietnam’s capital Hanoi Thursday, April 14, over where American evangelist Luis Palau would preach as authorities delayed permissions for a massive evangelistic festival planned this weekend.