This comes from the left end of the political spectrum and presents what may simply be rhetorical posturing, or a harbinger of the next big issue. Aside from a one-child policy we can expect it to trickle into areas having to do with euthanasia, health care, etc. China has recently been calling for an international…
Category: In the News
Pastor Boissoin’s Lawyer: Case Will Positively Impact Religious Freedom in Canada (LifeSiteNews)
From http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/dec/09120706.html EXCERPT: CALGARY, December 7, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Gerald Chipeur, the lawyer who represented Pastor Stephen Boissoin, has said that the recent ruling in favor of Mr. Boissoin “will have a significant long term positive impact on religious freedom in Canada, there are other lawyers in other aspects of law, like accidents or injuries…
The Manhattan Declaration: Approach with Caution
We have no reason to doubt that those who drafted and are signing the Declaration are sincere and trying to do what they believe is best for America. There are many good reasons why it may seem a good idea, but we should raise a voice of caution regarding the unintended consequences of this approach. Christians tempted to set aside theological differences, which include differences in how grace and salvation are viewed so significant that they led to the battles of the Reformation and Inquisition, and unite on points held in common in order to change society should recall the unholy results of such unions. From a Christian perspective, government and even church edicts cannot change hearts, only God can.
Germany: Rigid Sunday law used against Scientology which is considered “business” by gov’t. (Der Spiegel)
GERMANY – Scientologists have had a particularly difficult time in Europe where many view them as a nuisance for their recruiting activities. When they opened a new 43,000 square foot facility near Berlin, the locals complained. However, the city found a loophole based on a 1995 Federal Labor Court ruling that found that Scientology is “neither a religion nor an…
Interview with Jeff Sharlet: The Secret Political Reach Of ‘The Family’ (National Public Radio)
The Secret Political Reach Of ‘The Family’ This is FRESH AIR. I’m Terry Gross. The fundamentalist group The Family has operated secretively with the help of influential congressmen and senators who are members of the group to promote their anti-gay, anti-abortion, pro-free-market ideas in America and other parts of the world, but two sex scandals…
The Dangerous Idea of Protecting Religions from “Defamation” (USCIRF)
A Threat to Universal Human Rights Standards November 11, 2009 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – In advance of the upcoming vote on this issue in the UN General Assembly, USCIRF today issued the following Policy Focus explaining the problems with the idea that religions should be protected from “defamation.” Executive Summary Over the past decade,…
INTERVIEW: John Marcotte, Author of the 2010 California Protection of Marriage Act
Rob Cockerham is the genius behind the website Cockeyed.com, which answers all kinds of questions. I first became a fan of the site back in 2004 when I was trying to visualize the size of an acre. Since then, I’ve been amazed at Rob’s “High Profile Sculpture Replacement” experiments, and American Idol Judges costume and groundbreaking…
Calif. Initiative Round-up – Outlawing Divorce, Legalizing Pot, and Christmas Music
In California, voters are allowed to promote ballot initiatives on almost any subject, including those that can fundamentally change the state constitution. Here are some initatives that are currently in circulation as of November 18, 2009. Only a few will make it to the ballot, but it is interesting to see what changes some want to…
US court rules against “I Believe” car license plates (APD)
A US federal judge has ordered South Carolina not to issue cross-adorned ”I believe” car number plates, ruling it violates the constitutional separation of church and state. US District Court judge, Cameron Currie, ruled that the state legislature – which voted unanimously last year to approve the number plates that include a cross in front of a stained glass window – had clearly given favoured government treatment to a single faith, and ordered to halt its issue.
UK – Health and safety
Health insurance works by protecting your assets from the high cost of medical care. Without it, your entire life savings could be wiped out by a $300,000 medical bill. It’s very complicated, and many people are overwhelmed and annoyed with the process. Here’s an explanation of health insurance, and how it got to be the…