After a public uproar questioning the way in which The Village Church, a megachurch in Dallas, handled a situation that involved the worst sort of sexual perversion by a TVC missionary, Jordan Root, lead pastor and president of Acts 29, Matt Chandler, apologized from the pulpit for the elder’s “exuding domineering behavior” over Root’s wife. Berean Research has been closely monitoring the situation and has Karen (Root) Hinkley’s side of the story.
Humans will be hybrids by 2030
According to a CNN Money report humans are going to be artificially intelligent in the future. At least that’s what Ray Kurzweil, director of engineering at Google, predicts. Kurzwell believes “humans will become hybrids in the 2030s. That means our brains will be able to connect directly to the cloud, where there will be thousands of computers, and those computers will augment our existing intelligence. He said the brain will connect via nanobots — tiny robots made from DNA strands.”
Once Taboo, Some Behaviors Now More Acceptable in U.S.
According to a recent Gallup poll:
While a select few actions remain deeply taboo for much of the country, there has been an increasing shift to moral acceptability for some of these over time. Such actions include suicide (which 19% of Americans call “morally acceptable”), polygamy (16%) and cloning humans (15%). On the other hand, “married men and women having an affair” has remained at the bottom of a list of 19 moral behaviors Gallup has measured, with only 8% considering it morally acceptable.
Pro-life Idaho law banning 20-week abortions struck down by appeals court
According to Christian Examiner:
Just a few weeks after the House of Representatives passed a bill to ban abortions after 20 weeks, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has struck down an Idaho law that bans abortions after 20 weeks.
The Idaho law was signed into law four years ago — the third of its kind at the time — called the “Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act,” designed to shield an unborn child from pain during an abortion procedure.
The lawsuit was the first of its kind brought against any of those that have been passed, according to Lifenews.com.
Obama drops by Our Lady of Charity, becoming first U.S. president to visit Miami shrine to Cuban saint
According to a Miami Herald report, our president, who says he’s a born again Christian, honored a Roman Catholic saint:
President Barack Obama extended a symbolic olive branch Thursday to Miami’s Cuban Americans by paying his respects to the shrine of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre in Coconut Grove.
Earlier in the day, Obama visited the National Hurricane Center and met privately with the Pinecrest family of Steven Sotloff, the journalist slain last year by the Islamic State, to offer condolences.
The surprise afternoon stop at the shrine by the sea, better known by its Spanish name, La Ermita de la Caridad, comes at a time when many Cuban exiles remain miffed by the president’s decision last December to restore diplomatic relations with the communist island, especially since Obama made no effort to reach out to Miami leaders prior to his announcement.
Feminist Women Priests With Church of England Move for God to Be Called “She”
Christian News Network reports this not so surprising story:
A group of female priests with the Church of England have moved for the denomination to start referring to God as a “she” during the weekly liturgy, stating that to make mention of God solely in the male pronoun is sexist.
According to reports, the group Women and the Church (WATCH), which was behind the push to allow women to serve as bishops in the denomination, is now in talks with the Liturgical Commission for a change in the pronoun used during services when speaking of God. The group says that to refer to God in the masculine devalues women.
“When we used only male language we reinforce the idea that God is like a man and, in doing so, suggest that men are therefore more like God than women,” member Emma Percy, who leads services at Trinity College in Oxford, said in a statement. “If we take seriously the idea that men and women are made in the image of God, both male and female language should be used.”
Radical Feminist Germaine Greer slams Elton John because his “husband” is named as “mother” on birth certificates of their two sons
What is surprising here is not that Elton John is named “father” and David Furnish is named “mother” on their children’s birth certificates. It’s that Germaine Greer, who was a major promoter of women’s liberation in the 70’s, would have a problem with it. Seems she’s a bit worried that the motherhood concept has been deconstructed. According to Daily Mail Greer complained: “Sir Elton John and his ‘wife’ David Furnish have entered on the birth certificate of their two sons that David Furnish is the mother. I’m sorry. That will give you an idea of how the concept of motherhood has emptied out. It’s gone. It’s been deconstructed.”
British Columbia considers removing gender from birth certificates
Berean Research writes,
Oh Canada. Transgender Canadians who have already successfully lobbied provincial and federal governments to make it easier to amend sex designations on key identity documents are now pushing for another change: to abolish gender references altogether from birth certificates.
Christian Bakers Fined for Declining to Print ‘Support Gay Marriage’ On Cake to Appeal Ruling
Christian News Network reports this story from Belfast:
The Christian owners of a bakery in Northern Ireland have decided to appeal a ruling declaring them guilty of discrimination for declining to print the phrase “Support Gay Marriage” on a cake.
As previously reported, in May of last year, Ashers Baking Company in Newtonabbey—named after Genesis 49:20—was approached by a same-sex “marriage” supporter to bake the cake, which also was to feature the logo for the homosexual advocacy group QueerSpace. According to the Belfast Telegraph, the cake was for an event in observance of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.
Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa Pastor, Brian Brodersen, Says Sometimes It’s OK to Attend a Homosexual Wedding
Berean Research reports:
On Friday, a long-time Lighthouse Trails reader contacted our office regarding the following situation. The person who called had attended Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa for several years but has not been attending for some time.
According to an article titled “Can I Attend My LGBT Friend’s Wedding?” written by Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa’s senior pastor Brian Brodersen, it is sometimes OK to attend a LTGB (Lesbian, Transgender, Gay, Bisexual) wedding. He says it’s not OK to attend the wedding if the two people getting “married” proclaim to be believers in Christ, but if they don’t claim to be believers then it may be OK. He says he bases his conclusions on 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, stating:
[If] the person is a rank-and-file unbeliever, perhaps a relative, an old friend, a work colleague, or whatever the case might be, and they invite you, this is where I would say pray about it and be open to the Lord having you there as part of the “bigger picture” work that He’s doing in the lives of those who presently are lost but could one day be found.
Church-State Separation Group Pressures Public School to Cancel Field Trip to Creation Museum
Christian New Network reports:
Approximately 100 third graders from Lincoln Elementary School in Glendive were scheduled to visit the Glendive Dinosaur and Fossil Museum on Thursday as they have done for the past seven years. The museum is stated to be the second largest in the state and contains “more than 23 full-size dinosaurs, numerous individual fossils and artifacts, informative exhibits explaining the origin of the geologic column and fossil record,” as well as a variety of other archaeological and historical displays.
Permission slips had been sent home to parents to allow their children to go on the trip.
Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore calls for Ruth Bader Ginsburg impeachment
Christian Examiner informs us that the very liberal Supreme Court Justice “gave a sly look and emphasized the word ‘Constitution’ when she pronounced the two men married by the powers vested in her by the United States Constitution.” So according to Judge Moore this means she’s “actually commenting on a case that is the same issue that is before her – the constitutionality vel non of same-sex marriage, and she’s pronouncing a marriage by saying under the authority of the Constitution.”
Catholic group exposes Red influence in the Vatican
Berean Research reports:
Doing the research and investigative work that the major U.S. media have all but abandoned, an organization called the American Life League (ALL) has uncovered dramatic evidence of links between the highest levels of the Roman Catholic Church and an international communist group known as the World Social Forum. The evidence suggests overt Marxist influence on the climate change movement that Pope Francis and his top advisers are now embracing.
The ALL report, a 76-page PowerPoint presentation complete with original source material and numerous photographs, documents how Caritas Internationalis, the Vatican’s top social justice organization, is actually “providing leadership” to the communist group.
New Fox TV Drama ‘Lucifer’ to Glamorize Devil as ‘Charming’ Nightclub Owner in ‘City of Angels’
Berean Research reports:
A new television drama to be released by Fox next year will seek to glamorize the devil in a hypothetical story about Satan’s earthly life as the owner of a posh nightclub in America’s City of Angels.
“Bored and unhappy as the Lord of Hell, Lucifer Morningstar has abandoned his throne and retired to L.A., where he owns Lux, an upscale nightclub,” a description of the series reads on the Fox website.
“Charming, charismatic and devilishly handsome, Lucifer is enjoying his retirement, indulging in a few of his favorite things—wine, women and song—when a beautiful pop star is brutally murdered outside of Lux,” it continues. “For the first time in roughly 10 billion years, he feels something awaken deep within him as a result of this murder. Compassion? Sympathy? ”
Ireland will not force churches to wed gays
Berean Research reports:
Ireland on May 22 became the first country to hold a public vote amending its constitution to allow gay marriage, but the change will not force houses of worship to perform the unions.
Instead, gay couples will be able to enter in “civil marriage,” a separate institution from but affording all the legal benefits of “religious marriage,” according to the Yes Equality civil group that spearheaded the drive for the constitutional change.
ERLC to address culture at SBC meeting
According to Baptist Press:
The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission will cosponsor a conversation on church and culture, launch a new equipping initiative for ministry to gays and lesbians, and relaunch a magazine during its participation at the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting June 16-17 in Columbus, Ohio.
The ERLC will partner with 9Marks church health ministry for “Connecting Church and Culture” on the eve of the SBC meeting. Russell Moore, the ERLC’s president, and Mark Dever, president of 9Marks and senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., will discuss cultural engagement by the church and answer questions from the audience. The event will be at 9 p.m. June 15.
“Charlie Charlie” Ouija Board-Like Challenge Has Youth Trying to Summon A Demon
We’re posting this Christian News Network piece to alert parents that their child may be attempting to summon a demon. Doing that sort of thing “just for fun” is dangerous for both children and adults. In the Bible, God makes it clear that Christians are not to attempt to contact the spirit world.
We must also point out that some of the weird and scary experiences kids who have played “Charlie Charlie” claim they’ve had does not line up with the Bible’s teaching on demons.
A new challenge being shared on Twitter has youth across the nation and around the world engaging in an Ouija board-like ritual in an attempt to summon a demon.
According to reports, the “Charlie Charlie” challenge involves a Mexican occultist ritual of writing “yes” and “no” on a sheet of paper and crossing two pencils. The ritual is stated to be a type of “rite” for Mexican children.
“Charlie, Charlie, are you there?” those sitting around the paper chant, and then wait to see if the pencils move to point to either yes or no. If yes, those involved ask the demon questions to see how he will answer.
Catholics Organize to Promote Pope’s Climate Change Message
Associated Press reports:
There will be prayer vigils and pilgrimages, policy briefings and seminars, and sermons in parishes from the U.S. to the Philippines.
When Pope Francis releases his much-anticipated teaching document on the environment and climate change in the coming weeks, a network of Roman Catholics will be ready. These environmental advocates – who work with bishops, religious orders, Catholic universities and lay movements – have been preparing for months to help maximize the effect of the statement, hoping for a transformative impact in the fight against global warming.
Americans Greatly Overestimate Percent Gay, Lesbian in U.S.
Church daycare must pay lesbians a huge fine after couple violates employees’ moral clause
Berean Research reports:
A church daycare must pay a lesbian couple more than $28,000 after the women violated an employee agreement to live in celibacy as long as they taught at the Christian educational facility. As part of the settlement, the church must also meet with homosexual activists.
When Jaclyn Pfeiffer and her partner Kelly Bardier went to work as preschool teachers at Aloma United Methodist Church’s daycare, each of them signed the employee agreement that, as single women, they would live in celibacy.
But when Pfeiffer told the staff that they were in a lesbian relationship, the director of the daycare spoke them about the church’s employee behavioral policy. “The two teachers were counseled about their relationship as a violation of local church policy and out of concern for their spiritual well-being,” church officials explained.
Gay Ireland hails “a new Republic” as same-sex marriage approved
Reuters reports:
Gay couples flocked to central Dublin to celebrate a “historic watershed” on Saturday as a large majority in the traditionally Catholic country voted to allow same-sex marriage, the culmination of a four-decade struggle for gay rights.
Waving rainbow flags, embracing and crying, two thousand people gathered to watch the official results in the courtyard of Dublin Castle after voters, young and old, accounted for one of the highest turnouts in a referendum for decades.
“The amount of people who came out to vote is just such an emotional thing for us,” said Fred Schelbaum, 48, standing with his civil partner Feargal Scott, 43, who he said he intended to marry.
Appeals Court Rules New York May Ban “Choose Life” License Plates for Fear of Road Rage
Christian News Network reports:
A federal appeals court ruled on Friday that the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has a right to decline to make “Choose Life” specialty plates if the commissioner deems the message as being “patently offensive.”
The Children First Foundation, which raises funds to support adoption and safe havens for babies in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and D.C., had first petitioned the DMV for the plates in 2002. However, the request was rejected as the DMV stated that it had a “policy not to promote or display politically sensitive messages” on license plates.
Trail Life USA reacts to Boy Scout president on gay leaders
According to Christian Examiner, the Scouts reaffirms its own commitment to “timeless Christian values”:
Responding to an announcement yesterday that Boy Scouts of America legal position on banning gay Scout leaders has weakened and is “unsustainable,” Trail Life USA board chairman John Stemberger today reaffirmed its own commitment to “timeless Christian values.”
BSA President Robert Gates made the remarks to leaders in the group’s annual meeting yesterday, indicating the organization “cannot ignore growing internal challenges” and even “open defiance” to its membership policy.
“We must deal with the world as it is, not as we might wish it to be. The status quo in our movement’s membership standards cannot be sustained,” Gates, who previously served as director of the Central Intelligence Agency and the Secretary of Defense said.
Ireland’s Gay Marriage Referendum a Sign of Roman Catholic Decline
Berean Research reports:
In Ireland,” says a character in a 1904 George Bernard Shaw play, “the people is the Church, and the Church is the people.”
But not so much anymore.
On Friday (May 22), voters in this once deeply Roman Catholic country will decide whether the country’s constitution should be amended to allow for gay marriage. If the amendment passes, Ireland will become the first country to legalize same-sex civil marriage by popular vote.
VP Biden equates religious belief on sin of homosexuality to ‘violence with impunity’
Christian Examiner reports:
Vice President Joe Biden has issued a statement likening “religious condemnation” of the sin of homosexuality to “violence with impunity,” among other things.
In the statement, issued from the White House on the “International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia,” celebrated widely in Europe and South America on May 17, Biden said the lesbian, gay and transgender (LGBT) community had displayed great bravery in the push for equal rights.
“In the last decade, thanks to the astounding bravery of the LGBT community and those who have championed their cause, the United States has made remarkable progress toward the ultimate goal of equality in law and in life. Our progress remains incomplete, but the momentum has shifted in the right direction.”