Free Republic

Title shortened because of space limitation. Complete title: Christian Colleges' Right to Deny Married Housing for Gay Couples Is 'on the Edge of the Indefensible,' Barry Lynn Asserts WASHINGTON — Americans United for Separation of Church and State announced Monday the launch of an "aggressive" initiative to combat any state or federal legislation, or court ruling seeking to protect religious objectors of same-sex marriage from government consequence for living according to their religious convictions. The organization, which advocates a strict separation view of the religious freedom clauses of the First Amendment, has started the "Protect Thy Neighbor" project, which will...

This is definitely one of my favorite videos from ZoNation in some time. Zo tackles the combination of liberalism and Christianity and whether or not they can mix:

Men can and do make a difference — just ask former abortion workers. In particular, they’ve noticed that no-shows and cancellations go way up when a it’s a man in a Roman collar who’s joined the vigil. The staff knows right away it’s going to be a bad day for business. We are thankful for all the priests and ministers who have helped make more “bad days” possible! Many members of the clergy have led by example by praying at 40 Days for Life vigil sites these past three weeks. It takes courage … so thank them when you see...

The way anti-gunners have handled of the Connecticut shooting has been one of the most disturbing things ever. Within hours of the tragedy they turned it into what they hope is their opportunity to finally pass another gun control law. The tweets of Michael Moore, the press releases of Mayors Bloomberg, Menino, and public statements of Democrat Reps bear witness to this. But perverted attempt to make gains from the Connecticut shooting became even more pronounced when Westboro Baptist Church announced they will picket the funerals of those killed on Friday. Why? -- because doing so gives them the opportunity...

The USA’s first openly gay Episcopal bishop, Gene Robinson, has responded to presidential hopeful Rick Perry's anti-gay TV promotion suggesting that "it must break God's heart to see religion used in a political campaign like this." Bishop Robinson of the Episcopal Church showed his distaste in a TV interview with MSNBC and also by writing an opinion piece in the Washington Post newspaper. Perry had stated in his commercial that “You don’t need to be in the pew every Sunday to know there’s something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can’t...

ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to Members in Third 'Town Hall' of 2010 10-292-JB CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In his third online "Town Hall Forum" with members this year, the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) addressed a variety of ELCA topics and concerns, such as outdoor and campus ministry, immigration reform, contemporary worship, the place of people who are gay and lesbian in the church and interfaith relationships. The Rev. Mark S. Hanson answered 21 questions in the hour-long forum Nov. 21, which was broadcast live on the ELCA website. Questions were posed by online viewers, many...

Richard Montgomery High School officials and Rockville police are preparing for a demonstration Saturday afternoon by Westboro Baptist Church in protest of the school's drama production of "The Laramie Project," a played surrounding the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student. Westboro announced on its website, www.godhatesfags.com, on Oct. 30 that members would protest at the Rockville school between 1:15 and 2 p.m. Saturday. Founded by Fred Phelps and based in Topeka, Kan., the church is known for picketing the funerals of American soldiers and other anti-homosexual protests. Attempts to reach the church for confirmation and comment on...

ELCA Presiding Bishop Tells ELCA Leaders it's Time to Move Forward 10-261-JB CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In a report to leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, said it is time for the church to move forward and get over being "timid" about mission and ministry. "In the name of Jesus Christ our days of timidity are over," Hanson told the ELCA Conference of Bishops, ELCA synod vice presidents and ELCA seminary presidents Oct. 2. "I just think we have to say it. And we have to say it with the...

On Wednesday, Arturo Lopez, 18, was convicted of abducting and raping his foster mother in Henrico County, last April. The 55-year-old victim told the jury of her pain, and how she can longer trust anyone, ending her long service as a foster mother...The jury recommended a 20-year sentence for the abduction and 10 years for the rape. Lopez will be sentenced in November. On April 9, the woman called police to report that her foster son had just raped her at knife point. The victim was able to leave the house and call 911, after telling Lopez that she had...

Dear Diocesan Family, A panel of the Virginia Supreme Court will hear our petition for appeal on October 21 and, while it is unfortunate that these legal proceedings were necessary, I trust that this hearing will bring us one step closer to resolution. I am proud that the Diocese of Virginia and the Episcopal Church have chosen the path consistently to defend loyal Episcopalians, and to safeguard and to protect the Church's legacy and the Church from unwarranted governmental and legislative interference. It is with the same determination to stand by the people, traditions and legacy of our diocese that...

This time it may be the Democrats who are getting religion. Former Sen. John Edwards invoked "My Lord" when asked about moral influences on his life in the first Democratic presidential debate. At a campaign event on the day of the Virginia Tech massacre, he offered a prayer and — in a pointed break from Democratic candidates' usual wariness of offending religious minorities — closed with the words "in Christ's name." Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. comfortably works in references to his faith at public appearances. Even before his presidential candidacy, he gave a well-received speech arguing for a greater role...

Watching the ball drop, twirling a noisemaker, kissing your sweetheart, and making a resolution that rarely comes to pass -- everyone looks forward to the memory of a new year. But one group will be ringing in the New Year a little differently…through a children’s jihad retreat, with a guest speaker who exalts terrorists and another who is linked to al-Qaeda. The majority of Islamic organizations within the United States have, at one time or another, been cited for their connections to terrorism, whether by support of terror groups or through actual terrorist activity carried out by its members. Two...

Pinellas Park, FL (LifeNews.com) -- Terri Schiavo was able to receive part of communion on Easter Sunday and hospice workers have provided Terri morphine to be able to ease the tremendous pain associated with the dehydration and starvation she's endured for 10 days. Barbara Weller, an attorney for Terri's parents Bob and Mary Schindler, said hospice workers are giving Terri morphine to ease the pain brought on by failure of her internal organs. Weller said Terri cried when she hugged her mother on Saturday night and tried to tell her something, but couldn't. "She knows what's going on,” Weller told...