JACKSONVILLE — Parents are suing the St. Johns County School Board saying a teacher made their children learn a religious-themed song for an end-of-the-year program.
The lawsuit, filed last week in federal court, says “In God We Still Trust,” interferes with the parents’ right to raise children according to their own beliefs.
The song was cut before the lawsuit was filed after another parent complained. But the lawsuit says they are still entitled to damages because their children were required to learn the song. They are seeking to bar the district from the “religious instruction” the song represents.
School Board attorney David Marsey says the issue differs from school prayer because public school choirs historically have been permitted to sing religious songs.
Thursday, 26 March 2009
ANOTHER HINDU LEADER MURDERED IN ORISSA; PRAY THAT THIS WOULDN'T RESULT IN ANOTHER WAVE OF PERSECUTION
India ― Suspected Maoist rebels murdered another Hindu leader of the fundamentalist organization, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), last week in Orissa, according to reports .
According to reports ,a group of about 15 attacked 30-year-old Prabbhat Panigrahi in Orissa's Kandhamal district and shot him on Thursday, March 19. Panigrahi was recently released after being arrested in connection with anti-Christian riots; he was one of 14 local RSS leaders targeted on a hit-list released by Maoists.
The RSS is an all-male organization designed to foster nationalism in India's Hindus. To the RSS, Hinduism isn't simply a religion; it's a way of life. Maoists targeted local RSS leaders for their alleged anti-Christian activities during the riots.
As they have in the past, Hindus are accusing Christians of being involved with the Maoists. They accuse believers of working with Maoists to kill their enemies; some hold that Maoists aren't killers but the church's "paid goons."
In August 2008, fundamentalist groups blamed Christians for the murder of Hindu swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. A wave of anti-Christian attacks followed, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries.We asks you to join them in urgent prayer that this recent murder wouldn't result in another wave of persecution.
According to reports ,a group of about 15 attacked 30-year-old Prabbhat Panigrahi in Orissa's Kandhamal district and shot him on Thursday, March 19. Panigrahi was recently released after being arrested in connection with anti-Christian riots; he was one of 14 local RSS leaders targeted on a hit-list released by Maoists.
The RSS is an all-male organization designed to foster nationalism in India's Hindus. To the RSS, Hinduism isn't simply a religion; it's a way of life. Maoists targeted local RSS leaders for their alleged anti-Christian activities during the riots.
As they have in the past, Hindus are accusing Christians of being involved with the Maoists. They accuse believers of working with Maoists to kill their enemies; some hold that Maoists aren't killers but the church's "paid goons."
In August 2008, fundamentalist groups blamed Christians for the murder of Hindu swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. A wave of anti-Christian attacks followed, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries.We asks you to join them in urgent prayer that this recent murder wouldn't result in another wave of persecution.
100,000 AMERICAN CHRISTIANS SIGNED A PETITION EXPRESSING SOLIDARITY WITH ISRAEL
More than 100,000 American Christians have signed a petition expressing solidarity with Israel.
The petition, organized by Pastor John Hagee's group Christians United for Israel, was presented Tuesday to members of Congress.
It states that "there is no excuse for acts of terrorism against Israel and Israel has the same right as every other nation to defend her citizens from such violent attacks.
The petition goes on to say that its signers pledge to speak out on behalf of their "brothers and sisters in Israel" whenever and wherever necessary "until the attacks stop and they are finally living in peace and security with their neighbors."
In a statement, Hagee said, "As our leaders in Washington make decisions about American foreign policy in the Middle East, it is important for them to know that Christians across the country remain solidly committed to a strong US-Israel relationship."
The petition, organized by Pastor John Hagee's group Christians United for Israel, was presented Tuesday to members of Congress.
It states that "there is no excuse for acts of terrorism against Israel and Israel has the same right as every other nation to defend her citizens from such violent attacks.
The petition goes on to say that its signers pledge to speak out on behalf of their "brothers and sisters in Israel" whenever and wherever necessary "until the attacks stop and they are finally living in peace and security with their neighbors."
In a statement, Hagee said, "As our leaders in Washington make decisions about American foreign policy in the Middle East, it is important for them to know that Christians across the country remain solidly committed to a strong US-Israel relationship."
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
ESV STUDY BIBLE NAMED THE ' CHRISTIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR '
The ESV Study Bible has been named the "Christian Book of the Year" by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, marking the first time the honor has been given to a study Bible.
The Bible, which is in the English Standard Version, includes study notes from evangelical Christian scholars and other reference materials. Published by Crossway, it also won in the best Bible category.
The Bible, which is in the English Standard Version, includes study notes from evangelical Christian scholars and other reference materials. Published by Crossway, it also won in the best Bible category.
The honoring of the study Bible follows two previous first-time wins of other products. In 2008, the Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible became the first audio product to win; in 2007, Karen Kingsbury became the first woman and the first novelist to win, for her book, Ever After.
The award was announced March 19 at the kick-off for the 2009 Christian Book Expo in Dallas. The Christian Book Awards, which previously were known as the Gold Medallion Book Awards, were established in 1978 to recognize Christian books for excellent content, design and literary quality.
The award was announced March 19 at the kick-off for the 2009 Christian Book Expo in Dallas. The Christian Book Awards, which previously were known as the Gold Medallion Book Awards, were established in 1978 to recognize Christian books for excellent content, design and literary quality.
MOB BRUTALLY ATTACKS MISSIONARIES IN HIMACHAL PRADESH,INDIA
The mob of about 30 people barged into the place where Murari and Atul were staying. Humiliating the missionaries, the group tore the men's clothes off and beat them. Murari sustained severe injuries to his back after mob members repeatedly kicked him, and Atul suffered acute head trauma. Other members of the mob set fire to everything the missionaries owned. After assaulting the missionaries, their attackers grabbed Murari and Atul, forcing them to go to the police station. Authorities took the two men into custody.
When GFA leaders in the area heard about the attack, they immediately went to the police station to help the missionaries. After much discussion, authorities released Murari and Atul at 11:30 p.m. Even in this difficult situation, the missionaries were praising Jesus and told the GFA leaders that they felt the experience increased their faith in Him. "It was a great privilege to be persecuted for the Gospel of Christ," both missionaries responded when asked about the attacks. The next morning, the two missionaries had to go back to the police station to clear the case. After investigating the situation, the police found no fault in the mob for the unproved beatings, and the missionaries were not charged with any crime. Murari and Atul also received treatment at a local hospital following the attack. They are now home and, through medical care, are recovering quickly.
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