India: ‘Freedom of Religion’ Law Fails
The failure of Hindu nationalists to pass a so-called freedom of religion law has been hailed as a victory for Christians and other religious minorities in India.
Month: April 2015
U.S. Economy Stalls with just 0.2% Growth in Q1
U.S. economic growth braked more sharply than expected in the first quarter as harsh weather dampened consumer spending and energy companies struggling with low prices slashed spending, CNBC reported.
Iran fires at, boards Marshall Islands cargo ship; U.S. sending defense
Members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, similar to an Iranian coast guard, boarded a Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel Tuesday morning after firing shots at the ship, prompting the U.S. military to send a ship and plane to the vessel’s defense.
Huckabee: ‘We Are Moving Rapidly Toward the Criminalization of Christianity’
The persecution of Christians because of their moral opposition to homosexual behavior and so-called gay marriage is on the rise in America, to the point where “Christian convictions are under attack as never before” and “we are moving rapidly toward the criminalization of Christianity,” said former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who is also an ordained Southern Baptist minister.
‘We will not obey’: Christian leaders threaten civil disobedience if Supreme Court legalizes gay marriage
“We will not obey.” That’s the blunt warning a group of prominent religious leaders is sending to the Supreme Court of the United States as they consider same-sex marriage.
Negative interest rates put world on course for biggest mass default in history
With the advent of European Central Bank quantitative easing, what began four months ago when 10-year Swiss yields turned negative for the first time has snowballed into a veritable avalanche of negative rates across European government bond markets. In the hunt for apparently “safe assets”, investors have thrown caution to the wind, and collectively determined to pay governments for the privilege of lending to them.
Tanzania: Churches and Religious Organizations to be closed
The Tanzanian Minister of Home Affairs threatened that churches and other religious organizations that publicly oppose the country’s new constitution will be unregistered beginning on April 20.
Supreme Court to hear gay marriage arguments Tuesday
The nine justices and five lawyers who will argue the gay marriage cases at the Supreme Court on Tuesday morning will center their debate on a simple question: “Who decides” state marriage policy?
Baltimore Burns as Riots Erupt Across City; State of Emergency Declared (Video)
A state of emergency was issued and National Guard troops were deployed following a violent gathering in Baltimore, where people threw objects at police, set cars on fire and looted businesses.
Cleric accuses India PM of inaction after Church attack
A priest in India has accused its government of inaction after an April attack on a church in the town of Agra.
Christian Leaders Affirm Support for Traditional Marriage Ahead of Supreme Court Case
Religious leaders from a wide array of denominations have released a joint statement reaffirming their support for traditional marriage ahead of the Supreme Court’s hearing of oral arguments on Tuesday. The Christian leaders have said that reaffirming marriage as being between one man and one woman is vital for protecting children and offering them both a father and a mother.
Israel Reportedly Launch Strikes within Syria
Hours after an Israeli air strike on militants along the Syrian border, Arab news networks al-Jazeera and al-Arabiya reported a new Israeli attack in Syrian territory early Monday morning, targeting missile launchers held by Hezbollah and forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Massive Earthquake Hits Nepal
Nearly 1,000 are known to have died in a powerful earthquake in Nepal, with many more feared trapped under rubble.
Christians in Niger still recovering from attacks on churches after Charlie Hebdo massacre
Christians in Niger are still recovering from violent attacks in January carried out in the aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo massacre that resulted in the destruction of dozens churches throughout the country.
Messianic Judaism Flourishes in Holocaust Towns
An estimated 10,000 to 15,000 Ukrainian Jews worship Jesus as Messiah. This makes Ukraine, a nation of 45 million, the region’s fulcrum of the Messianic Jewish movement.
Israel’s Air Force Chief States ‘Can Get Job Done’ If Order Comes to Strike Iran
The use of Israeli military force against Iran’s nuclear facilities would be an act of “last resort,” Israel’s air force commander said Thursday, but part of his role is to ensure that the air force has “the genuine capacity to get the job done” if ordered to do so.
Obama Rekindles Relationship with Netanyahu to Limit Damage to Democrats
President Barack Obama is making overtures to repair his long-strained relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but the efforts have more to do with currying favor with pro-Israel members of Congress and American Jews than with the Jewish State, according to The New York Times.
Syria’s Civil War Is Reaching Tipping Point
Rebels led by the Al-Nusra Front have launched a blistering three-pronged offensive aimed at consolidating their Idlib victory and rolling back the regime in northwest Syria.
US Official: Iranian Ships Moving Away from Yemen
A U.S. military official said Thursday Iranian cargo ships which may be carrying weapons for Houthi rebels in war-torn Yemen are moving away from that country, VOA News reported.
IRS Surveillance of Churches After Secret Agreement With Atheists May Go to Court
An Arizona-based legal group has filed a lawsuit in federal court demanding that the Internal Revenue Service divulge information about an agreement it made with an atheist organization regarding the monitoring of churches.