UAE Bans ‘Exodus’ Movie for Portraying God as a Child

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UAE Bans ‘Exodus’ Movie for Portraying God as a Child

The United Arab Emirates became on Tuesday the latest Muslim nation to ban the “Exodus: Gods and Kings” movie for what Islamic critics say is a series of historical mistakes, including depicting God as a child. The criticism from the Muslim world has partly echoed concerns voiced by Christian reviewers.

“The film shows Moses not as a prophet but as just a preacher of peace,” said Juma Obaid al-Leem, UAE’s National Media Council director of media content tracking. He told AFP that the film, starring Christian Bale as Moses, contradicts the holy books.

“We do not allow the distortion of religions. … When it comes to religious and historical movies, we care about having a correct narrative and avoiding hurting the feelings of others,” Leem added.

Among the historical mistakes Islamic critics have pointed out is that God is depicted in the film as a young boy who sometimes speaks to Moses.

Egypt and Morocco also banned the movie from theatres last week for similar reasons, with Egypt’s censorship board head Abdul Sattar Fathy arguing that it “contains historical fallacies.”

Director Ridley Scott’s representation of Moses’ story, the biblical figure highly revered in Islam, Judaism and Christianity, has come under fire by Christian groups as well, such as entertainment-review website Faith Driven Consumer.

The website wrote in its review of the movie that “all sorts of liberties are taken with the biblical text to propel the story and the supernatural events surrounding the plagues and parting of the Red Sea are largely portrayed as coincidental or are given naturalistic explanations.”

Faith Driven Consumer, which asked Christians to boycott the movie, pointed out that God is never portrayed as “a sovereign God of magnificent and overwhelming glory,” but as a “somewhat dirty young boy who chats with Moses while serving tea.”

In the Muslim world, representations of biblical figures in movies are forbidden, and Islamic nations have banned other Hollywood movies for such reasons before. Darren Aronofsky’s epic “Noah” was banned in several Arab countries in March, including the UAE, for depicting Noah and several other Genesis figures on screen.

Leem insisted, however, that the UAE very rarely bans films, and most movies receive approval for release.

“It is normal if we express reservations about one movie out of 1,000,” he said.

“Exodus: Gods and Kings” received mixed reviews from secular critics, and was given a B- score by moviegoers on opening night, as reported by the Cinemascore website.

It has earned $52 million in the U.S. and $148 million in total worldwide based on a $140 million production budget since its release domestically on Dec. 12.

Source and Original Content by CP

Movie ‘Unbroken’ Exceeds Expectations at Box Office

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Movie ‘Unbroken’ Exceeds Expectations at Box Office

Angelina Jolie’s “Unbroken” blew away industry estimates during its opening over the Christmas weekend, earning an astounding $47.3 million.

The World War II epic is Jolie’s second directorial effort starring Jack O’Connell as Louis Zamperini, an American Olympic athlete who went on to become a soldier and survived 47 days adrift at sea and two years at a POW camp.

“Unbroken” beat out other new releases at the box office this weekend including “The Gambler” and “Into the Woods.” However, the film did not topple the newly released “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,” which earned $41.4 million over the holiday weekend.

“At this time of year stories about faith and how strong the human spirit is do huge numbers,” Jeff Bock, an analyst for Exhibitor Relations, said of “Unbroken,” according to Variety.

“Unbroken” is based on Laura Hillenbrand’s book of the same name, and the film reveals Zamperini’s grit and determination through epic challenges. The movie grossed more than any other film in U.S. theaters on Christmas Day, earning $15.6 million. The number ranks “Unbroken” the third highest-grossing film ever on Christmas Day, behind only “Sherlock Holmes” and “Les Miserables.”

“It’s an inspirational film that played to all the quadrants,” Universal Studio’s distribution chief Nikki Rocco explained to Variety. “The studio did an incredible marketing job telling the story of this hero.”

Also in theaters during the four-day Christmas weekend was “The Imitation Game,” the story of British math genius Alan Turing who, like Zamperini, was also an Olympic runner. The film, which stars Benedict Cumberbatch, also outperformed at the box office, earning $3.1 million in its third week in theaters.

Both “Unbroken” and “The Imitation Game” are creating Oscars buzz, and the ladder has already grabbed five Golden Globes nominations. As for reviews, “Unbroken” has a 51 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes while “The Imitation Game” is very well-liked at 89 percent. Watch the trailer for both films below.

Watch the Trailer:

Source and Original Content by CP

$20,000 Stolen From a New York Church During Service

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$20,000 Stolen From a New York Church During Service

The staff and congregation at the Church of the Magdalene in New York’s Pocantico Hills are stunned following the Christmas day robbery of $20,000 in offerings.

Rev. Joseph Dietz told the Journal News “I was shocked and our parishioners were shocked. We’ve never had anything like this happen here.”

According to Mount Pleasant police, the thief struck during the church’s Christmas morning mass. The person reportedly pried open a back door, broke in into the church office and stole the money from a desk drawer. The $20,000 was collected from attendees of its two Christmas Eve mass.

Mount Pleasant Police Chief Paul Oliva told the Christian Post the church depends on the holidays for part of its income. Other news reports state the money taken would have covered one-fifth of the church’s annual operating budget.

According to the parish website, the church services nearly 400 families from more than 15 towns and villages in Wetchester County. Although Dietz’s said his church has never experienced a crime of this manner, Chief Oliva said he has seen incidents of money being taken from churches during his 26-year career and noted that many area houses of worship are taking extra precautions to prevent theft.

Though astonished by the burglary, Dietz said members continue to give and in some cases are writing new checks after canceling the stolen ones. “People are responding and it’s very gratifying to see,” he said of church’s generosity.

As for the thief, Dietz expressed a desire to meet with the person, noting that it is “sad” that someone would chose to exhibit such behavior on a day set aside for faith and family.

Oliva said he could not comment on whether or not the police department has any suspects for the crime. However he said he is working closely the clergy to get to the bottom of it. Oliva alsod expressed optimism that the case would be solved soon. “What happens in the dark, comes out in the light,” he said of the crime.

Source and Original Content by CP

Pastor Shoots Assailant in Gun Battle

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Pastor Shoots Assailant in Gun Battle

A Florida church was the scene of a gun battle between the pastor and a former employee.
Pastor Terry Howell, minister of Living Water Fellowship in Osceola County, met with Benjamin Parangan, a maintenance worker at the church, at around 8 am on Tuesday to terminate his employment there.

However, the disgruntled Parangan pulled out a gun and fired several shots at Howell, who had also gone armed to the meeting and returned fire, badly wounding his assailant.

Parangan is believed to be in a stable condition in hospital and will be charged with aggravated assault with intent to kill. Pastor Howell’s actions will be treated as shooting in self-defence.

Living Water Church issued a statement saying: “We are in full support of the on-going Osceola County Sheriff’s Office investigation into the traumatic incident that occurred at our church this morning. We will continue to cooperate with the investigators in every way that we can. Until the investigation is complete, we will not be making any public statements.

Thank you for understanding. The members of our church will continue to pray for all those involved in this morning’s incident. We would ask all who read this release to do the same…Read More

Source and Original Content by CT

SCOAN Pastor, TB Joshua Set To Host Families Of Building Collapse Victims

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SCOAN Pastor, TB Joshua Set To Host Families Of Building Collapse Victims

Latest reports informed that the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, Prophet TB Joshua will host a New Year’s memorial service for the families of those killed in a building collapse at his Lagos mega church.

According to Vanguard newspaper report online, the spokesman of SCOAN, Patrick Iwelumor, informed that no fewer than 44 South Africans have arrived Lagos to attend the ceremony.

It would be recalled that about 116 people were reported to have lost their lives in the Synagogue guest house that collapsed in September in Ikotun area of Lagos.

About 81 South Africans reportedly died in the disaster.

TB Joshua “is going to lead the service to commiserate and offer spiritual support,” said SCOAN spokesman Patrick Iwelumor.
“As the chief mourner, there is a need for (Joshua) to connect with these people,” he added.

Joshua is one Nigeria’s most influential and wealthiest pastors whose followers include prominent politicians and business leaders across Africa and around the world.

The Lagos state coroner is carrying out an inquest into the causes of the guest house collapse within the church’s compound.
While Experts have said that the structure was unsound and lacked proper permits, followers of Joshua have insisted the building came down as a result of foul play to destroy the powerful religious leader.

Among the theories advanced by Joshua loyalists is that a plane flying in the area at the time of the collapse dropped an explosive device on the building.

It would be recalled that an expert called by SCOAN lawyers, Beidomu Iguniwei, has testified that the collapse could have been caused by an “infrasonic weapon,” although there appears to be no credible evidence to support that claim.
Testimony at the inquest has dismissed sabotage as a cause, including evidence from aviation officials who said that the air force plane in question was on a routine training mission and had in fact landed before the building collapsed.

Source and Original Content by Naij.com

Fellowship of Christian Athletes Celebrates 60 Years

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Fellowship of Christian Athletes Celebrates 60 Years

Sixty years ago, a young basketball coach wondered why athletes endorsed products like shaving cream and cigarettes, but not a Christian lifestyle. That insight became the backbone for one of the largest organizations in the world that seeks to serve athletes and coaches, all while bringing glory to Jesus Christ.

Now, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is celebrating six decades of touching lives—one heart at a time.

“To look back over 60 years and realize the athletes and coaches who have been shaped by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes is remarkable,” said Les Steckel, FCA President and CEO. “We are so thankful for all who have helped FCA grow to where it is today and have encouraged young athletes to lead lives that are dedicated to Christ, both on and off the playing field. Athletics offers continual opportunity either to portray Christ or to elevate the world’s standards.

By choosing to honor Christ, players and coaches impact not only their own teams but also all who interact with them, look up to them and even oppose them on the playing fields.”

That young basketball coach with a vision was Don McClanen, who founded the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in 1954. But for seven years before that, he prayed about what the organization would look like and whom it would serve. He joined forces with the other FCA “Founding Fathers”—Dr. Louis H. Evans, Dr. Roe Johnston and Branch Rickey, among others—who made FCA come to life.

Evans had encouraged McClanen to write to other athletic greats who were also strong in their faith—greats like football stars Doak Walker and Otto Graham; baseball players Carl Erskine, Robin Roberts and Alvin Dark; Olympians Bob Mathias and Bob Richards; coaching and front office legends Amos Alonzo Stagg, Bud Wilkinson and Clarence “Biggie” Munn; and even broadcasters Tom Harmon and Red Barber.

In all, 19 letters were mailed, each carefully laying out McClanen’s God-given desire for what would become FCA…Read More

Source and Original Content by BCN

Papuan Natives Celebrate for Receiving the Bible in Their own Language

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Papuan Natives Celebrate for Receiving the Bible in Their own Language

An exciting celebration took place earlier this month, one that called for a feast of over 200 pigs with song and dance and presents.
Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) reports that the Hupla translation of the Bible is now complete, and they recently distributed copies to the Hupla people in Papua, Indonesia.

Mike Brown of MAF says, “We’re here to celebrate the finishing of the complete Bible in the Hupla language. So this is it! This is exciting stuff for us. We’ve been partnering with the missionaries that have been working to translate this thing for years and years and years. So it’s just great to be able to come and join them in the celebration.”

This project has been in the works since 1980, though MAF has been involved in the community even before then.

And if it wasn’t enough to distribute newly-printed Bibles, there were 29 baptism as well.

David Holsten of MAF says, “This is a party! This is a day of celebration. And, man, it’s fun to be a part of that.”

He explains that the Hupla have had the New Testament for a while now: “What really makes this dedication today unique is that it completes the story: it’s the Old Testament. I get excited thinking about what it’s going to be like for them to see God’s story of salvation that begins in Genesis…Read More

Watch the Celebration:

Source and Original Content by BCN

Two Iranian Pastors Regain Freedom

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Two Iranian Pastors Regain Freedom

An appeals court in Iran has thrown out the convictions of three pastors accused of committing crimes against national security, according to the Christian News Network.

The church leaders had been sentenced to six years in prison for “creating a network to overthrow the system.”

Two of the men, Abdolreza Ali-Haghnejad and Reza Rabbani, have been released. The third, Pastor Benham Irani, still has two years remaining on an earlier sentence.

Irani leads a 300-member church in Karaj and was detained in 2006 for holding a Bible study.

He was convicted of action against the state and sentenced to five years in prison. An additional charge added more time to his sentence.

International Christian Concern rejoiced after learning that the men had been vindicated…Read More

Source and Original Content by BCNN1

“The Bible Challenge”, Over 500,000 Resolve to Read God’s Word In 2015

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“The Bible Challenge”, Over 500,000 Resolve to Read God’s Word In 2015

It’s the way to exercise your spiritual muscles.

Fox News is reporting that people have chosen to read the entire bible in one year as a New Year’s resolution. The practice is growing quickly. The movement was started by Marek Zabriskie in 2011. Zabriskie urged the Episcopal congregation to read the bible from cover to cover in one year. The movement now has over 500,000 participants from over 2,500 churches in 40 countries taking what Zabriskie calls “The Bible Challenge.”

Zabriskie gives us practical applications for this. The second United States President, John Adams, read the entire bible every year. Adams studied scripture on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning, in a time when he was in the process of helping to shape and form a nation. According to Zabriskie, the bible reading gave Adams the ability to do so.

Dwight D. Eisenhower and family read the bible daily, taking turns reading passages. Jimmy Carter read his bible daily, as well as taught Sunday school class for over 40 years. Zabriskie considers the bible a launching point for self-improvement and stepping stone for helping others.

Zabriskie gives many different reasons for making this a New Year’s resolution. For example, the bible is the best-selling book of all time, you’ll find new things everyday, it teaches that other people will have different interpretations, showing us to be more tolerant. Zabriskie’s treaty essentially tells us that reading the bible will make us better, stronger people, not just Christians…Read More

Source and Original Content by BCNN1

Poverty, Church’s Biggest Enemy in Zimbabwe

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Poverty, Church’s Biggest Enemy in Zimbabwe

Father Felix Tachiona Mukaro is disappointed in his country’s politicians, as many Zimbabweans are, saying they are more concerned with power than the peoples’ poverty.

“All they care about is influence and power, not the country itself or the fact that the economy is in shambles and people don’t know how they are supposed to make it through the day,” he said in a recent interview with international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need.

Fr. Mukaro was ordained in 2007, and now works as a development expert in the Diocese of Chinhoyi, in the north of the country. He is confronted with daily evidence of the country’s political stagnation and the ongoing fight to succeed Robert Mugabe, who has ruled the country with an iron fist.

“While administering pastoral care we clearly see just how deeply the majority of the people are suffering,” the priest said.

Millions have in the meantime left Zimbabwe, resettling in neighboring Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia and South Africa or starting new lives in the United States or Europe. People no longer trust the local currency, the Zimbabwe dollar, so those who can afford to, use the US dollar, the Euro, British pound or South African rand.

Many Zimbabweans who live abroad send money back home. However, “not everyone is so fortunate as to have family living abroad who can help,” Father Mukaro stressed.

“Many don’t even have a dollar a day in order to survive. And when priests speak out about the widespread injustice, they are threatened or even physically attacked,” he added.

Zimbabwe’s economic malaise is particularly palpable in the Chinhoyi diocese, which covers a vast, predominantly rural territory: mines have been closed, and farms that were once thriving have been expropriated and taken over by supporters of the governing party. Most of the land lies fallow. The priest does not expect rapid political change – he believes any real transformation must be preceded by a change in mentality. He puts great stock in the arduous, day-to-day pastoral work carried out by 48 priests in the 19 parishes of the diocese.

However, the local Church has scant resources. Distances are enormous and reliable means of transportation, such as cars, are often not available.

“Our diocese is dependent on aid” from Catholic agencies abroad, he said; “our priests really are destitute – they have no way to make a living.” And the people themselves cannot help the Church, because they are scrambling for basic necessities themselves.

The diocese is grateful support from abroad. It ensures the livelihood of its priests and thus the continuation of pastoral care in rural areas. Fr. Mukaro concluded: “Our work is based solely on the Gospel and we defend its values. If we were to accept contributions from politicians, this would undermine our pastoral care because we would then have to defend their actions.”

Source and Original Content by CNA

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