Oprah's big hug of spirituality will outlive her show

USA TODAY [Gannett] - By Cathy Lynn Grossman - May 25, 2011
Oprah, the prophetess of post-Judeo-Christian America who brought us big hug spirituality -- love yourself, save yourself -- leaves the daily stage today to run her media empire.
To whom will we turn? God?
Not likely. Many Americans no longer believe in a mighty judge who sets the rules for life now and forever. Instead, many of us sing Oprah's song of self-redemption.
She told over-his-head Piers Morgan on the CNN host's opening show:

I am the messenger to deliver the message of hope and redemption.

And to a vast extent, our culture has bought the message: We're all good, we should not judge each other and morality is relative.
When the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life's U.S. Religious Landscape Survey of 35,000 Americans documented in detail the splintered spirituality of today's believers, Rice University sociologist Michael Lindsay pointed straight to Oprah to explain our salad bar-style spirituality.
Lindsay pointed out:

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the national memorial service was at Washington's National Cathedral, conducted by Episcopal clergy. After the 9/11 attack, Oprah organized the official memorial service at Yankee Stadium, and while clergy participated, she was the master of ceremonies.

Oprah, he said draws on multiple religious traditions to "create a hodgepodge personalized faith."
This is, of course, a message that horrifies traditional believers who decry it, like Josh McDowell and Dave Sterrett in their book, 'O' God: A Dialogue on Truth and Oprah's Spirituality,"

The danger is that while appearing to use Christian and inclusive language that at first seems similar to that of Christianity, Oprah teaches a message that is radically different and absolutely contrary to the true teaching of Scripture and historic Christianity.

But she has been right on the money on spirituality, bringing to the fore spiritual thinkers such as Eckhart Tolle of The Power of Now and A New Earth. She was so impressed by Tolle's let-go-and-breathe counseling on peace through silence and stillness, she co-hosted a 10-week set of Internet seminars on how to simply be.

Oprah described how she reconciled her Baptist upbringing with Tolle teachings, saying:

What I believe is that Jesus came to show us Christ consciousness. That Jesus came to show us the way of the heart and that what Jesus was saying that to show us the higher consciousness that we're all talking about here..."

Tolle writes in A New Earth that everyone carries ""The Truth" inside -- all the joy, creativity, energy, love they seek.

Was Jesus the son of God?" he asks rhetorically. "Yes. But so are you. You just haven't realized it yet." ...

Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2011/05/oprah-spirituality-god-eckhart-tolle/1


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TBN and Jack Van Impe in a Rift

APOSTASY ALERT [www.apostasyalert.org] - By Jackie Alnor - June 14, 2011
Bible Prophecy pundit, Jack Van Impe, has just announced that he will be canceling his TV program, “Jack Van Impe Presents’’ from the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) after a recent episode was replaced with a program promoting unity between Christianity and Islam.

According to a news release on Van Impe’s web site, “On Wednesday afternoon we received a call from Matt Crouch of TBN informing us that they would not run that program, despite having aired it Monday evening. The reason he gave was that we specifically mentioned Rick Warren and Robert Schuller and that it is TBN’s policy that broadcasters are not allowed to rebuke other ministries. This is a rather hypocritical statement in light of the fact that they have never said anything in the past when we have rebuked others such as Bishop Spong, Bishop Pike, and in the past few months Harold Camping and Rob Bell.”

Van Impe has recently veered from his own policy of not criticizing other ministries. He is infamous for ragging on anyone who dares to refute the false teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. He is receiving a taste of his own medicine.

It comes at no surprise that it was Matt Crouch, the younger son of TBN founders Paul and Jan Crouch, that flexed his muscles in Van Impe’s direction. Several years ago while was hosting the Praise the Lord program, Matt expressed his fury at Van Impe by name in response to Van Impe’s promotional tape on Y2K. Matt accused Van Impe of trying to raise money by planting fear in people’s minds, something TBN does on a regular basis during every Praise-a-Thon fund raiser.

To read the news release go to link: http://www.jvim.com/update/display.php?ITEM=11137

Unedited :: Link to Original Posting
http://moriel.org/MorielArchive/index.php/discernment/church-issues/aberrational-theology/tbn-and-jack-van-impe-in-a-rift


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Another Southern Baptist Christian Leader Falls prey to the Doctrines of Demons

SAINTS ALIVE IN JESUS - By Ed Decker - May 10, 2011
Pastor Steven G. Tiner, Senior Pastor of Levy Baptist Church http://www.levybaptist.com/  in North Little Rock, AR  now boasts his calling as Most Excellent Grand High Priest Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons Of Arkansas.
In his acceptance remarks following his Masonic ordination, Pastor Tiner proclaimed I want to thank the Grand Chapter of Arkansas for the incredible privilege of serving as your Grand High Priest. I love Royal Arch Masonry with all of my heart. Therefore, to be honored to serve as your Grand High Priest is a joy beyond what I can ever express with words. I pray that the Great Architect of the Universe will bless this year as we work together for the advancement of the Craft. http://www.yorkrite.org/ar/ARRAinsert.pdf

Levy Baptist Church is associated with the Southern Baptist Convention, The Arkansas Baptist State Convention and The North Pulaski Baptist Association, where  Pastor Tiner is sits as Moderator, heading up its associational leadership.  http://www.northpulaskibaptist.com/
Pastor Tiner has also bowed his knee at the altar of a false god and has given himself over to the doctrines of demons. These are the doctrines he pledges to advance for the cause of the craft.  

Let me tell you about a few things he brags about above.
First, there is only one high priest. That is Jesus Christ. Pastor Tiner and his Masonic friends have usurped the holy priesthood of  our Lord.
Second,  He speaks of Prayers to and for The Grand Architect of the Universe.  In this Royal Arch Degree, the true nature of this Grand architect is revealed, so this demonic deity of theirs can be fully worshipped. As their Most Excellent High Priest, Pastor Tiner presides over such worship.

Masonic ritual is concerned with the recovery of the “Lost Word,” presumed to be the name of God- supposedly lost through the murder of the architect,
Hiram Abiff, during the building of Solomon’s Temple.This quest is attained during the ritual of the ROYALARCH DEGREE. ...

Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://saintsalive.com/eds-blog/another-sb-leader-falls-prey-to-doctrines-of-demons


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Christians, Jews, Muslims plan shared worship - Churches Agree to Hold Koran Readings!!

Pulpit pals: Christians, Jews, Muslims plan shared worship

RELIGION NEWS SERVICE [Advance/Newhouse] - By Adelle M. Banks - May 17, 2011
Religious and human rights activists are asking U.S. churches to invite Jewish and Muslim clergy to their sanctuaries to read from sacred texts next month in an initiative designed to counter anti-Muslim bigotry.
The June 26 initiative, called “Faith Shared: Uniting in Prayer and Understanding,” is co-sponsored by the Interfaith Alliance and Human Rights First. Leaders of the two Washington-based groups said the event hopes to demonstrate respect for Islam in the wake of Quran burnings in recent months.
“As a Christian minister who is a pastor in a local congregation, it is important to me for our nation and our world to know that not all Christians promote hate, attack religions different from their own and seek to desecrate the scripture of others,” the Rev. Welton Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance, said Tuesday.
More than 50 churches in 26 states already have committed to the initiative, including the Washington National Cathedral.
Tad Stahnke, director of policy and programs for Human Rights First, said he hopes the initiative will draw attention to religious freedom and counter negative stereotypes of Christian leaders making anti-Muslim statements.
“We want to send a message to the world,” he said, “that Americans do respect religious differences and reject religious bigotry and the demonization of Islam or any other religion.”

Unedited :: Link to Original Posting
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/lifestyle/51832311-80/initiative-religious-christians-human.html.csp

More Than 50 U.S. Churches Agree to Hold Koran Readings!!

LOGAN'S WARNING - By Admin - May 17, 2011
In the past I have stated I am not religious, but my goal is to help educate and unite Atheists and members of non-Islamic religions against a common enemy. That enemy is Islam. The good news is that our voice against Islam is clearly getting louder, the bad news is that far too many Americans who identify themselves as “Christians” are taking the easy way out and bowing down to Islam, in an effort to avoid a conflict that has been raging for 1400 years.

Muslim Hadith Book 019, Number 4366:

It has been narrated by ‘Umar b. al-Khattib that he heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) say: I will expel the Jews and Christians from the Arabian Peninsula and will not leave any but Muslim.

A conflict in which Christians are clearly losing! ...

Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://loganswarning.com/2011/05/17/more-than-50-u-s-churches-agree-to-hold-koran-readings/


FAIR USE NOTICE: This blog contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of religious, environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

Evangelicals, Mormon Search for Common Ground in Utah

THE CHRISTIAN POST - By Michelle A. Vu - March 10, 2011
A group of prominent evangelicals will meet with a Mormon leader Thursday in Salt Lake City, Utah, for dialogue to better understand each other's faith.
Some of the evangelical leaders involved in the dialogue are: Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals; Richard Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary; Craig Williford, president of Trinity International University; and David Neff, editor-in-chief of Christianity Today; among others.
"We hope this time of dialogue with LDS leaders will deepen our understanding of the Mormon faith and contribute to the ongoing work of evangelicals in Utah," said Leith Anderson, NAE President. "For the sake of Christ and his kingdom, we seek to represent biblical evangelicalism to those who wouldn't hear or know. We also look for common ground on issues where we can work together." ...

This is the first time a NAE board meeting is held in Utah, where about 60 percent of the population are members of the LDS church.
But this is not the first time for at least one of the NAE board members to dialogue with Mormons. Fuller President Richard Mouw had address a Mormon crowd at the flagship Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City in 2004.
Mouw was quoted as saying during that address that evangelicals have often "seriously misrepresented the beliefs and practices of members of the LDS faith." ...

Many evangelical Christians do not consider Mormons to be Christians. In 2007, Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, wrote that Mormons believe in a false gospel and therefore cannot be considered Christians.
"Here is the bottom line. As an Evangelical Christian - a Christian who holds to the 'traditional Christian orthodoxy' of the Church - I do not believe that Mormonism leads to salvation," the influential theologian wrote in a blog debate hosted by Beliefnet.com. ...

In the debate with Mormon science-fiction writer Orson Scott Card, Mohler had said that whether Mormons share many of the same values as evangelical Christians is beside the point in considering if they are Christians. To be considered a Christian, the theologian stated, is based on whether somoene accepts traditional Christian orthodox beliefs.
Mohler pointed out that Mormonism from its beginning rejected traditional Christian orthodoxy. The subtitle of The Book of Mormon is "Another Testament of Jesus Christ." Mormons also reject one of Christianity's central tenets - the Trinity. Instead of believing in one God in three Persons, Mormons believe in many gods.
Moreover, followers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints believe Joseph Smith Jr. is the first latter-day prophet who restored the original Christian church in the 19th century in America. They believe the entire structure of Christian orthodoxy affirmed by the post-apostolic church is corrupt and false.
Therefore, Mormons reject the Apostles Creed and Nicene Creed - which are based on the Bible and were agreed upon by the ancient Christian churches as statements that true believers should affirm.
"Without doubt, Mormonism borrows Christian themes, personalities, and narratives," the evangelical theologian said.
"Nevertheless, it rejects what orthodox Christianity affirms and it affirms what orthodox Christianity rejects. It is not Christianity in a new form or another branch of the Christian tradition. By its own teachings and claims, it rejects that very tradition."

Standing Together, an evangelical organization that seeks to unite Utah Christians through prayer, worship and outreach, is organizing the talk between evangelical and the LDS leaders. The ministry, which is also the host of the NAE board events, is known for building a relationship of understanding between evangelicals and Mormons and promoting positive theological dialogue between the two faiths. ...

Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.christianpost.com/news/evangelicals-mormon-search-for-common-ground-in-utah-49351/


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Christian author: Glenn Beck a "false teacher" ... "proclaiming another Jesus and another gospel"

But defenders says Fox host clearly championing Gospel

WORLDNETDAILY - By Joe Kovacs - March 9, 2011

A Christian author and national speaker has just released a video in which he flays radio and TV commentator Glenn Beck as a pagan, New Age "anti-Christ" who is deluding many believers away from the Bible's teachings and leading them toward Eastern mysticism.

Brannon Howse of Worldview Weekend in Collierville, Tenn., who was once a defender of Beck, is now blasting the popular Fox News host based on content of Beck's new book, "Seven Wonders That Will Change Your Life," co-authored by psychiatrist Dr. Keith Ablow [also see here] .

"Back in August of 2010, I tried warning folks that Glenn Beck was a pagan, New Age, universalistic Mormon, and indeed, he now has revealed his hand," Howse says in the

video, which is based on a column he wrote earlier this year. "Beck's book is nothing less than a promotion of universalism, postmodernism and pagan spirituality, also known as the New Age movement."

He continued: "I hate to say it, but through testing Glenn's doctrinal fruit, he is not a Christian. In fact indeed, he is a false teacher. He is proclaiming another Jesus and another gospel. ... Nowhere in Beck's new book does he mention the biblical Gospel. In fact, what he mentions is anti-Christ. He's denying the exclusivity of Jesus Christ. What Glenn is promoting is the same lie promoted by Satan in Genesis 3, verses 1-5. And I'm fearful that the spiritual poison Beck is promoting is not seven wonders that will change your life, but in fact lies that will condemn the souls of millions for eternity."

He says Beck is a very committed and knowledgeable Mormon, which is the common term for a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Beck himself writes in his book, "I questioned everything I could think to question about the faith. I went over my doubts again and again with the church bishop. I read everything there was to read on their website and every word of Mormon Doctrine ... I went to anti-Mormon literature for hints, but I found most of it to be unfair or just plain wrong. I tried every trick I could think of to find a contradiction. The problem was that I couldn't. Mormonism seemed to explain the world and my place in it better than any other faith I had looked at." (page 149-150)

In his new video, Howse, who has authored nine books, most of which deal with a Christian worldview, methodically goes through a series of pages from Beck's book, quoting the media giant on points he thinks don't agree with the Bible.

According to Howse, "Beck does not believe in hell, original sin or that Jesus is the only way [to salvation]:

• Latter-day Saints do not believe that your chances ever cease, even with death. They end only with the full understanding and denial of truth by your own exercise of real free will. And even then there is no 'lake of fire.' (page 149)
• As Keith likes to say, 'There's no original sin left in the world. Everyone's just recycling pain now.' (page 154)
• There is no infant delivered evil, out of the womb. There never has been. Not even one ... Charles Manson was not born evil. Ted Bundy wasn't. The BTK killer wasn't. Hitler wasn't. (page 162)

Howse continued: "The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible says that even babies are born with a sin nature and that we are all conceived in sin. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Psalm 51:5) ... ...

Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=272953


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Rick Warren hosts 'cult' celebrity docs

Features promoters of Eastern mysticism, universalism
WORLDNETDAILY -  January 15, 2011
When megachurch pastor Rick Warren decided he needed to take his health seriously, he responded in typically ambitious fashion, launching a year-long health program for his church, "The Daniel Plan," written with the help of three celebrity doctors who will appear at a kickoff seminar today. 

But critics point out the physicians who crafted the program apparently don't share the church's professed evangelical beliefs, espousing instead various forms of Eastern mysticism and the tenets of a Christian cult, Swedenborgism. 

Vowing to lose 90 pounds, Warren said he placed himself under the care of Drs. Mehmet Oz, Daniel Amen and Mark Hyman last fall and worked with each to develop "The Daniel Plan." 

Oz, host of the Emmy-winning "Dr. Oz Show" and professor of surgery at Columbia University, says he is inspired by Emanuel Swedenborg, an 18th century cult founder who taught that all religions lead to God and denied orthodox Christian beliefs such at the atonement of Christ for sin, the trinity and the deity of the Holy Spirit.

Best-selling author Amen, a professor of psychiatry at the University of California at Irvine, teaches Eastern religious meditation and the New Age energy-based practice of Reiki.

Hyman, a four-time New York Times best-selling author, promotes mystical meditation based on Buddhist principles.

Steve McConkey, who directs a website called Christian Investigator, called it "troubling for a top pastor in the United States to promote false teachers." 

"We are living at an all-time low spiritually in the United States with weak leaders," he said. 

Saddleback's staff did not respond to a WND request for comment. 

McConkey pointed out the followers of what is called Swedenborgianism believe all religions lead to God and that Christianity must go through a rebirth. The group also denies the existence of a personal devil and believes the Bible is not inspired. When people die, the followers believe, they become an angel or an evil spirit. 

Emanuel Swedenborg said he had a vision in 1745 in which he saw creatures crawling on walls. He asserted God then appeared to him as a man and told him to promote the new teachings to the world. 

Warren plans to have one-on-one discussions with Amen and Hymen at the summit today, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. Oz will appear via a video message. 

The summit also will be live-streamed on Saddleback's website. 

The church says all of its more than 5,000 small groups will go through "The Daniel Plan," which is part of Saddleback's "Decade of Destiny," a 10-year plan launching this month "to help individuals succeed and be who God designed them to be in every aspect in life." 

Warren, author of the best-selling "The Purpose Driven Life," said he is "honored to be partnering with these internationally distinguished health experts." 

"God says that health is important, and that is what we want to explore," Warren said. 

He said that the many Americans who resolve each year to lose weight and get fit need to have the right motivation if they want to succeed. 

"We hope to provide encouragement, based on biblical principles, to help people make a real lifestyle change toward better health," Warren said. 

The 52-week "Daniel Plan," according to Saddleback, is based upon the biblical account of Daniel and his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who refused to take part in the Babylonian king's rich foods and wine and challenged the king's chief-of-staff to a test of meal plans. 

Daniel and his three colleagues ate a 10-day diet of vegetables and water that made them healthier and better nourished than the others. 

"I grew up in a home where the dinner table was the centerpiece of our existence," Warren said. "I have never paid much attention to my health, as it was just never important to me. But earlier this year I had a moment of clarity and realized we all need to make a change, and that I can't help anyone if I don't first start with me."

Warren cited statistics indicating 7 out of 10 Americans are overweight and that diabetes and heart disease is on the rise. 

"America is getting fatter and fatter, and we must do something about it," he said. 

Following the health seminar, medical professionals and volunteers will be available on the Saddleback campus to record health numbers so individuals can begin "The Daniel Plan," Saddleback said. Participants will be able to set up their own interactive online profile via the church's website to guide them through the plan and keep a record of health improvements and accomplishments. 

Warren founded Saddleback in 1980 with his wife, Kay. The church has a total average weekly attendance of 22,000 at its main Lake Forest campus and nine other locations in the cities of Anaheim, Corona, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Woods, Orange, San Clemente and Rancho Capistrano. ...

Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=251133

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Self-Realization Fellowship elects Sri Mrinalini Mata as new leader

LOS ANGELES TIMES [Tribune Company] - By Mitchell Landsberg - January 12, 2011
The Self-Realization Fellowship, a Los Angeles-based organization that follows a spiritual path rooted in both Hinduism and Christianity, has elected a new leader, the fourth since it was established in 1920.
The fellowship announced Tuesday that Sri Mrinalini Mata, who became a Self-Realization nun at the age of 15, was elected president last week by its eight-member board of directors. She succeeds Sri Daya Mata, the group's longtime leader, who died in November.
The selection of Mrinalini Mata, 79, means that the fellowship will continue to be led by a woman, and by a direct disciple of its founder, Paramahansa Yogananda, an Indian yogi who is credited with helping to popularize yoga and meditation in the West. Mrinalini Mata has been vice president of the organization since 1966.

"It shows that they're very traditional - that they're holding on to a tradition," said Lola Williamson, a professor of religion at Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss., and the author of "Transcendent in America: Hindu-Inspired Meditation Movements as New Religion," which examines the Self-Realization Fellowship and two other movements.
The fellowship is perhaps best known in Los Angeles for the tranquility of its temple gardens at sites that include Hollywood and Pacific Palisades. They are among more than 600 temples, meditation centers and retreat sites operated by the organization around the world.
Born Merna Brown in Wichita, Kan., Mrinalini Mata moved to Southern California as a child. In 1945, when she was a teenager, her mother took her to see Yogananda. The girl, who was clutching a Bible, according to Williamson, was initially reluctant to meet the religious leader but found herself electrified by his presence and almost immediately dedicated her life to his cause. ...
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-self-realization-20110112,0,5416573.story

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Greater Abominations: Critics Slam ABC Pilot 'Good Christian B**ches' for 'Inappropriate,' 'Damaging' Title

Prince of the Power of the Air [Waves]

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. - Ephesians 2:1-7

“The strongest appeal you can make is emotionally. If you can get their emotions going, make them forget their logic, you’ve got ‘em”.
- Bob Pitman, founder and former president of MTV.

“At MTV we don’t shoot for the 14-year-olds. We own them.”
- Bob Pitman, founder and former president of MTV.

“They digest it on a lot of levels. Some people will see it and be disgusted by it, but maybe they’ll be unconsciously aroused by it. If people keep seeing it, and seeing it, and seeing it, eventually it’s not going to be such a strange thing.”
- Entertainer, Madonna, to a Homosexual Magazine concerning Homosexual “acts” during her performances. (She also mentioned to the LA Times that she is “Very tormented” and “possessed by many demons”)

"ABC's core viewership is Christian, so the goal of the show won't be to attack Christianity. Just like the book, this is a show by Christians, for (mostly) Christians, to enjoy a little prime-time self-deprecation," 
- Los Angeles-based entertainment expert, Jenn Hoffman regarding ABC Network pilot called "Good Christian B**ches."

FOX NEWS [News Corporation/Murdoch] - By Hollie McKay - March 4, 2011
An ABC pilot called "Good Christian B**ches" has religious and women's groups up in arms over what they describe as an extremely offensive and distasteful show title.
The dramedy, based on Kim Gatlin's novel of the same name, will be brought to life by famed "Sex and the City" and "90210" executive producer Darren Star. The plot centers on the life of reformed "mean girl" Amanda, played by "Talladega Nights" actress Leslie Bibb, who returns to her hometown of Dallas to find herself fodder for malicious gossip from the women in the Christian community.
Still in the early stages, the pilot has not been guaranteed a spot on ABC's lineup. And though the show's title may change before it goes to broadcast, "Good Christian B**ches" is already causing uproar.


Christian publisher Tessie DeVore told FOX411's Pop Tarts column that the show, which features the tagline "For Heaven's sake, don't let God get in the way of a good story!" could put Christians in an unfairly bad light.
"I find the title offensive. I don't think those two words should be combined," she said. "A show like this can damage perceptions [of Christians in this country]."
It also could be a slippery slope for future shows, said Melissa Henson, director of communications and public education for the Parents' Television Council tells Tarts.
"In the past, we've raised concerns about changing language standards for television," Henson said. "Once a particular profanity or obscenity has been embraced by a particular show, it quickly becomes mainstream."
And Yana Walton from the Women's Media Center said Christians aren't the only ones who should be upset.
"It is not an appropriate term to use to describe any woman, regardless of their faith," Walton said. "Entertainment media, especially music and films, have been normalizing misogynistic language for years."

But despite the seemingly outrageous title, Dan Gainor, head of the Culture and Media Institute, is not surprised that the pilot has gone this far already.
"ABC is doubling down on the offensive by also approving 'Don't Trust the B***ch in Apartment 23,' following up on the CBS show '$#*! My Dad Says.' And this continued decline is unsurprising," he said.
"The media keeps trying to redefine words and morality to mean what they say, not what they really do mean," Gainor added. "One wonders which network will be the first to drop the F-bomb in a TV title and whether the FCC will even intervene."

Even if the title holds up, some are looking forward to the show.
"ABC's core viewership is Christian, so the goal of the show won't be to attack Christianity. Just like the book, this is a show by Christians, for (mostly) Christians, to enjoy a little prime-time self-deprecation," Los Angeles-based entertainment expert, Jenn Hoffman said.
A representative for ABC declined to comment on the story.

Deidre Behar contributed to this report

Unedited :: Link to Original Posting
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2011/03/04/critics-slam-abc-pilot-good-christian-bitches-inappropriate-damaging-title/print#


FAIR USE NOTICE: This blog contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of religious, environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

Greater Abominations: Pole-dancers for Jesus

WORLD MAGAZINE - By Tony Woodlief - March 25, 2011
This is the kind of story you have to double-check to be sure it isn't parody: pole-dancers for Jesus. The owner of a dance studio outside Houston has started classes for women based on increasingly popular pole-dancing classes, only these classes use modern Christian music, and incorporate presumably less provocative moves.

The logic, as I understand it, runs like this: The body is a temple, you're supposed to keep your temple in shape, poles are good for keeping said temples in tippy-top fitness, it's not sin if you add some Christian music and don't look too strippery, and anyone who wants to judge isn't being very Christian about the whole thing. ...

And perhaps that's a good rule for all of us to follow, to cultivate the habit of asking what is motivating our desire to do this, that, or the other. When it comes to pole-dancing, it seems the whole thing is motivated more by a desire to emulate a particularly unsavory part of popular culture than the desire to stay fit. Which is all well and good, this being a free society and all.

But how about we not call it "Pole Fitness for Jesus"? Because it's not really for Jesus, I don't think.

Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://online.worldmag.com/2011/03/25/pole-dancers-for-jesus/


Hallelujah! Christians Pole Dance for Jesus in Texas
Student Says Pole Dancing Class Brings Her Closer to God
ABC NEWS [American Broadcasting Companies, Inc./The Walt Disney Company] - BY Sherisse Pham - March 22, 2011
A new exercise class, Pole Fitness for Jesus, is inviting Christian women in a small Texas town to spin without sin for the Lord.
"God gives us these bodies, and they are supposed to be our temples and we are supposed to take care of them," instructor Crystal Dean told ABC affiliate KTRK-TV. "And that's what we are doing."
For one Sunday each month, Dean teaches free classes to Christian women who bring in their church programs.
There is biblical approval of mixing religion with song and dance, namely, Psalm 149:3: "Let them praise His name with dancing; Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre."

For critics and skeptics who find it difficult to merge churchgoing Christians with limber pole dancers, religious scholars point out that Christians have been adjusting their moral obligations to the modern world for the last half century. There are Christian tattoo parlors, books about Christian dieting (Thin for Him, Fit for My King), and even Christian sex manuals. On the scale of shocking modern activities for Christians, Thomas Tweed, a professor with the University of Texas, rates the pole dancing classes as "mildly surprising."
"This is just another attempt to think through how to live a full Christian life," said Tweed. ...
Student Says Pole Dancing Class Brings Her Closer to God ...

Churches throughout the United States already host contemporary, even sexy workout classes. You can take jazzercise classes at the First Church of Lombard in Indianapolis, Zumba at Amazing Grace Church in Memphis, or belly dancing lessons at Trinity Presbyterian in Richmond, Va.
Pole dancing, however, maintains a stronger relationship to vices frowned upon by the Christian community.
"It does have a history of being used for unhealthy practices, for things that are not good for portrayal of women," said Rev. Ron Krueger, pastor of the Immanuel United Church of Christ, located less than 400 feet from Dean's class. ...
If the class reaches people who would otherwise be turned away from Christianity, Krueger said, that would be a positive outcome.
But as to Dean's claim that it helps Christian women maintain healthy bodies, the pastor had a list of alternative exercises with less salacious histories: yoga, aerobics, running and walking.

Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=13194891


FAIR USE NOTICE: This blog contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of religious, environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

Hindu Group Stirs a Debate Over Yoga’s Soul

Who Owns Yoga? It surely is not just a physical exercise although many Americans and Christians would like to believe that.


For You have abandoned Your people, the house of Jacob,
Because they are filled with influences from the east,
-Isaiah 2:6a


Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law. - Proverbs 29:18 (ESV) [Prophetic vision comes from the Word of God, i.e. the Scriptures]


My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge...
- Hosea 4:6a


"At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. "Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. "But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.`
-Matthew 24:10-13


NEW YORK TIMES [NYTimes Group/Sulzberger] - By Paul Vitello - November 27, 2010
Yoga is practiced by about 15 million people in the United States, for reasons almost as numerous - from the physical benefits mapped in brain scans to the less tangible rewards that New Age journals call spiritual centering. Religion, for the most part, has nothing to do with it.
But a group of Indian-Americans has ignited a surprisingly fierce debate in the gentle world of yoga by mounting a campaign to acquaint Westerners with the faith that it says underlies every single yoga style followed in gyms, ashrams and spas: Hinduism.
The campaign, labeled “Take Back Yoga,” does not ask yoga devotees to become Hindu, or instructors to teach more about Hinduism. The small but increasingly influential group behind it, the Hindu American Foundation, suggests only that people become more aware of yoga’s debt to the faith’s ancient traditions.
That suggestion, modest though it may seem, has drawn a flurry of strong reactions from figures far apart on the religious spectrum. Dr. Deepak Chopra, the New Age writer, has dismissed the campaign as a jumble of faulty history and Hindu nationalism. R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has said he agrees that yoga is Hindu - and cited that as evidence that the practice imperiled the souls of Christians who engage in it.
The question at the core of the debate - who owns yoga? - has become an enduring topic of chatter in yoga Web forums, Hindu American newspapers and journals catering to the many consumers of what is now a multibillion-dollar yoga industry.
In June, it even prompted the Indian government to begin making digital copies of ancient drawings showing the provenance of more than 4,000 yoga poses, to discourage further claims by entrepreneurs like Bikram Choudhury, an Indian-born yoga instructor to the stars who is based in Los Angeles. Mr. Choudhury nettled Indian officials in 2007 when he copyrighted his personal style of 26 yoga poses as “Bikram Yoga.”
Organizers of the Take Back Yoga effort point out that the philosophy of yoga was first described in Hinduism’s seminal texts and remains at the core of Hindu teaching. Yet, because the religion has been stereotyped in the West as a polytheistic faith of “castes, cows and curry,” they say, most Americans prefer to see yoga as the legacy of a more timeless, spiritual “Indian wisdom.”
“In a way,” said Dr. Aseem Shukla, the foundation’s co-founder, “our issue is that yoga has thrived, but Hinduism has lost control of the brand.” ...
Like Dr. Chopra and some religious historians, Ms. Desmond believes that yoga originated in the Vedic culture of Indo-Europeans who settled in India in the third millennium B.C., long before the tradition now called Hinduism emerged. Other historians trace the first written description of yoga to the Bhagavad Gita, the sacred Hindu scripture believed to have been written between the fifth and second centuries B.C. ...
Loriliai Biernacki, a professor of Indian religions at the University of Colorado, said the debate had raised important issues about a spectrum of Hindu concepts permeating American culture, including meditation, belief in karma and reincarnation, and even cremation.
“All these ideas are Hindu in origin, and they are spreading,” she said. “But they are doing it in a way that leaves behind the proper name, the box that classifies them as ‘Hinduism.’ ”
The debate has also secured the standing of the Hindu American Foundation as the pre-eminent voice for the country’s two million Hindus, said Diana L. Eck, a professor of comparative religion and Indian studies at Harvard. Other groups represent Indian-Americans’ interests in business and politics, but the foundation has emerged as “the first major national advocacy group looking at Hindu identity,” she said.
Dr. Shukla said reaction to the yoga campaign had far exceeded his expectations.
“We started this, really, for our kids,” said Dr. Shukla, a urologist and a second-generation Indian-American. “When our kids go to school and say they are Hindu, nobody says, ‘Oh, yeah, Hindus gave the world yoga.’ They say, ‘What caste are you?’ Or ‘Do you pray to a monkey god?’ Because that’s all Americans know about Hinduism.” ...
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/28/nyregion/28yoga.html


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As in the Days of Lot: The growing acceptance of Homosexuality in the Church

Church of Scotland moves closer to accepting more gay clergy
ECUMENICAL NEWS INTERNATIONAL - By Martin Revis - May 24, 2011
London --  The church of Scotland, which has been threatened with schism since it confirmed the appointment of an openly homosexual minister two years ago, voted at its general assembly yesterday to move toward the acceptance of gay and lesbian candidates for ordination.
Members of the general assembly, meeting in Edinburgh, voted by 351 to 294 to "consider further the lifting of the moratorium on acceptance for training and ordination of persons in a same sex relationship."
The ban was put in place in 2009 in the wake of the controversy which followed the church's appointment of Scott Rennie, who was living with a male partner in Aberdeen. A special commission was established to explore the issue, and the recommendation for further examination of the matter was contained in the commission's report to assembly yesterday.
The assembly also voted to allow ministers and deacons in same-sex relationships ordained before 2009 to remain in the church and move parishes if they wished.
A statement issued by the church after a lengthy debate on the interpretation of scripture relating to same-sex relationships and the moral implications said: "A theological commission will be set up to bring recommendations to the 2013 general assembly, as well as considering whether ministers should have freedom of conscience to bless civil partnerships and the possible liturgy for such occasions." ...
As seen in live Web coverage of the assembly, The Moderator called for unity despite the contentious issue they faced. "We very much hope that people who disagree with what has been decided will nevertheless remain in the church and work with us as we seek a way forward."
In a spirited debate yesterday, the Rev. Andrew Coghill, said presbyteries would be forced to accept gay ministers and homosexual inductions would multiply the length and breadth of the country. The Rev. Lesley Stewart described such talk as scaremongering, saying she did not expect a rush of openly gay ministers to come forward. Such people had been gracious in maintaining their silence during the two year moratorium.
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=4918


Given Over: Anti Israel Presbyterian Church Now Officially Pro Homosexuality
Presbyterians vote to clear way for 'gay' clergy
ONE NEWS NOW [American Family News Network] - By Jody Brown - May 11, 2011
Prominent pro-homosexual groups are applauding a decision by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that opens the door for churches in that denomination to ordain individuals who identify as lesbian, "gay," bisexual, or transgender.
PC(USA) has struck down a requirement that unmarried clergy remain celibate, removing a key barrier for homosexuals who want to be ordained. Ordination standards under the new policy remove the constitutional requirement that all ministers, elders, and deacons live in "fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness" -- and replace it with "joyful submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life."
Delegates to the PC(USA)'s general assembly endorsed the new policy last year, but the change still required ratification from the majority of its 173 regional districts, known as "presbyteries." The Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area in Minneapolis provided the deciding vote Tuesday night.
Unedited :: Link to Original Posting
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Church/Default.aspx?id=1345032


Tenn. Baptist exec: Belmont abandons Christian roots
BAPTIST PRESS [Southern Baptist Convention] - By Michael Foust - January 27, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Less than two months after facing a controversy over the departure of a lesbian soccer coach, Belmont University's trustees Jan. 26 added "sexual orientation" to the school's nondiscrimination policy, a landmark move that is being criticized as a major departure from its Christian founding.
Located in Nashville, Belmont had ties to the Tennessee Baptist Convention (TBC) for more than 50 years until the university's board, in 2005, voted to move away from a TBC-elected board to a self-perpetuating board. Two years later, the two sides reached a settlement in which Belmont would pay the TBC $11 million over 40 years.
"For decades Tennessee Baptists poured themselves into making Belmont what it is," Randy Davis, executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, told Baptist Press. "We did sever ties in 2007, but many of us never dreamed that the school would walk away so rapidly from their Christian heritage and roots. ...
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=34527


Gay man leads N.C. church association
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, Charlotte, North Carolina [McClatchy] - By Yonat Shimron - December 27, 2010
RALEIGH As the newly elected president of the N.C. Council of Churches, Stan Kimer is typical of those who served before him: a retired business executive, longtime churchgoer and member of several nonprofit organization boards.
He's also openly gay. And that sets him apart.
Only one other of the country's 33 similar church councils has elected an openly gay leader. In California, a lesbian was elected president in the late 1990s. That makes Kimer's presidency of the N.C. Council - a coalition of 17 Christian denominations and eight individual churches that work on social issues - historic in the South.
It also signals an acceptance among member denominations - Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians and Roman Catholics - that even if they have theological differences about homosexuality, they are OK with a gay man at the helm. Or at least, they don't see it as an issue worth fighting.
"A lot of our member denominations have internal battles about this," said the Rev. George Reed, the council's executive director. "But the governing board felt the fact that he is a gay man was not a disqualifying factor."
As president, Kimer leads a 35-member governing board that sets the council's direction on a host of social issues, including racial equality, health care, immigrant rights and environmental conservation. He was elected to a one-year term and could run for a second one-year term. ...
"I have a strong belief that as a Christian I'm called to make the world a better place," he said. "I like to spend my time with groups where I can see an impact."
He cited the council's efforts to educate churches about immigration, obesity and disease, as well as about the need for diversity in public schools. ...
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/12/27/1936344/gay-man-leads-nc-church-association.html


Open doors await them
HOUSTON CHRONICLE [Hearst Corporation] - By Jeannie Kever - February 19, 2011
Ebie Hussey's first reaction when her son announced that he is gay was to offer unconditional love.
Finding a new church was a close second.
"His first question was, 'Am I going to hell?'" Hussey said of that conversation with her son, Jaxn. "Mainstream Christianity and fundamental Christianity really pushes that homosexuality is a sin, and he had caught on to that."
Jaxn, now 15, knew his parents didn't think that. "But I had always heard people saying that kind of thing," he said.
In an effort to counter the message, almost two dozen Houston-area churches have designated Sunday as Bring Your Gay Teen to Church Day.
"We think it's important for families to know there's a safe place to go to worship," said Jim Bankston, senior minister at St. Paul's United Methodist Church. "Families who have gay members want to make sure they feel welcome in church and aren't bashed in any way." ...
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7435364.html


FAIR USE NOTICE: This blog contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of religious, environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.