Ex-Transgender Warns Caitlyn Jenner ‘Suicide Is Always a Risk’ When Changing Gender Identity: ‘I Felt Like I Had Been Duped, Tricked … I Wasn’t Really a Woman’

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Ex-Transgender Warns Caitlyn Jenner ‘Suicide Is Always a Risk’ When Changing Gender Identity: ‘I Felt Like I Had Been Duped, Tricked … I Wasn’t Really a Woman’
  • Caitlyn Jenner
    (Photo: Reuters/Annie Leibovitz/Vanity Fair)
    Caitlyn Jenner, formerly known as reality television star and former Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner, poses in an exclusive photograph made by Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair magazine and released by Vanity Fair on June 1, 2015.

Christian Post Report – A man who identifies as ex-transgender has expressed “caution” regarding former Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner’s decision to change his gender identity to become “Caitlyn.”

Walt Heyer, author and blogger with The Federalist, stated in an interview Tuesday with CNN that while Caitlyn Jenner may feel great at present “this doesn’t always last.”

“The surgeons can make it look like you changed genders but the fact of the matter is it’s all cosmetic surgery. There’s really no actual gender change,” Heyer asserted during an interview with CNN’s Carol Costello.

“I felt like I had been duped, tricked, and it wasn’t really real. I wasn’t really a woman. I looked like one.”

In an interview with The Christian Post, Heyer emphasized that he “never declared Jenner was wrong to change his gender.”

“I did suggest caution because I have received hundreds of emails from transgenders over the years who regret making the transition. The long-term outcomes are not always the best and suicide is always a risk,” Heyer emphasized.

  • A Compassionate Christian Response to Bruce Jenner

Heyer was born a man and underwent gender reassignment surgery to become a woman only to eventually become a man once more.

An author of multiple books, Heyer has become a critic of gender reassignment surgery and believes that transgendered identity carries with it emotional wounds.

“Transgenders undergo hormone injections and irreversible surgeries in a desperate effort to feel better, yet they attempt and commit suicide at an alarming rate, even after treatment,” reads the description of one of his books.

According to a 2003 study conducted in Sweden, transsexuals who change their gender through body mutilation or hormone therapy have a higher suicide rate than the general population.

The study, which followed 191 male-to-female gender reassignments and 133 female-to-male gender reassignments from 1973-2003, found that suicide attempts and in-patient psychiatric treatment actually increased in Sweden among those who had a sex change.

Heyer’s comments come as the July issue of Vanity Fair magazine has Caitlyn Jenner on its front cover.

Jenner has received much support and admiration from social media, major media outlets, and fellow high profile celebrities and public figures.

“Bruce always had to tell a lie, he was always living that lie. Every day he always had a secret. From morning until night. Caitlyn doesn’t have any secrets. As soon as the Vanity Fair cover comes out, I’m free,” Jenner said in a promo video for the magazine.

Many social conservatives have taken issue with the gender identity change and assumption that Jenner has improved by now being Caitlyn, including the Rev. Franklin Graham.

“I have news for them — changing the outside doesn’t change the inside. No man-made modification can fix what’s wrong with the heart,” posted Rev. Graham on Facebook.

“Only God can fix the human heart. If we ask for His forgiveness and accept by faith His Son, Jesus Christ, He will wipe the slate clean.”

When asked by CP about Americans’ acceptance of transgender identity, Heyer said he believed “it is important to have compassion for anyone struggling with their gender identity.”

“After living eight years in a different gender, I do not think the long-term solution to resolving gender confusion is hormones, surgery and a change of clothing. It is a deeper issue,” Heyer explained.

Source : Christian Post

Is Gospel Singer Erica Campbell Defending Possible Collaboration With K.Michelle Amid Backlash?

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Is Gospel Singer Erica Campbell Defending Possible Collaboration With K.Michelle Amid Backlash?

Erica Campbell and K. Michelle (Photo: K. Michelle/Instagram)

Christian Post Report – K. Michelle took to Instagram to announce that she would possibly be working on a remix to a song with Erica Campbell.

Gospel singer Erica Campbell made it clear that money is not her motivation for trying new things after she received some backlash about the news that she may be working with boisterous R&B singer and reality television star K. Michelle.

Campbell, 43, who recently won a Grammy as a solo singer, posted a cryptic message following questions from her fans about the news that she could be working with 31-year-old Michelle whose real name is Kimberly Pate.

“I chase purpose not paper,” noted Campbell in an Instagram post in which she talked about glorifying God in unorthodox ways.

“I’m always looking for an opportunity to let God shine! I’m always gonna step outside the box people try and put me in,” Campbell wrote in the cryptic Instagram caption. “Everybody isn’t gonna come to church we have to go get them! And I take the Lord with me everywhere I go… #purpose #ItakecareofGodsbusiness #Godtakescareofmine.”

K. Michelle suggested the possibility of the pair working together when she posted an Instagram image of herself with Campbell who is one half of the gospel music duo Mary Mary.

“Guess who’s about to do a remix song together @iamericacampbell,” K. Michelle wrote on Instagram to which Campbell responded, “So great seeing you tonight lady!”

While the post was met with mixed reactions, some fans questioned the suggestion of a collaboration between the two singers.

“I pray K is nothing like what’s portrayed on TV. I’m all for good music, but the way she talks, fights, cusses, and treats ppl on TV blows me,” one person commented on the Instagram image on Campbell’s page. “I’m not a fan of K. Michelle at all. But, if great ANOINTED music, glorifying God is the outcome, I will have an open mind & heart… #prayaboutitfirst.”

K. Michelle engaged in both verbal and physical altercations when she got her big break on the reality show “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta.” Since then, she has released two albums, where she uses colorful language to illustrate her relationship woes in her music.

Although she is a secular artist has been outspoken about her faith in the past and how it was helping her overcome her negative reputation.

“I just feel like God’s just really blessing me,” K. Michelle told the Atlanta radio station 94.5 FM in 2013. “I just feel like I can’t keep putting myself in negative situations that’s going to make me want to slap somebody.”

follow me on Twitter @CAThomasos

Source : Christian Post

Two Sudanese Pastors Facing Possible Execution for ‘Offending Islam;’ Pastor Says God Chose Him to Suffer

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Two Sudanese Pastors Facing Possible Execution for ‘Offending Islam;’ Pastor Says God Chose Him to Suffer
  • Sudanese Pastors Yat Michael and David Yein
    (Photo: Screengrab/ CBN)
    Sudanese pastors Yat Michael and David Yein are being held in a Khartoum prison and could be facing the death penalty for sharing their faith.

Christian Post Report – Two South Sudanese pastors are facing possible execution after being imprisoned for two months after authorities arrested them for various offenses including “offending Islamic beliefs” and “inciting organized groups.”

Pastors Yat Michael and David Yein are currently being held in a jail in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan where a number of Catholic and Protestant churches have been destroyed recently and told CBN via telephone that they are prepared for whatever punishment lies ahead for preaching the Gospel in the region.

Michael says he hasn’t spoken with his family for two months and he was accused of spying when he was arrested in January.

“When they interviewed me, they asked me why I’m preaching here. I say, ‘I am preaching because this is my call. I am a pastor. I must speak the Word of God,” Michael said to CBN.

“They say ‘No, you don’t need to preach the Word of God with a hidden agenda. I said, ‘No, I don’t have any hidden agenda.’ They accused me because I’m a spy here.”

Yein said he’s not afraid to die and he believes God chose him to suffer. He asked that Christians pray that their imprisonment be used for God’s glory and to bring peace between the pastors and those that are holding them prisoner.

Michael is pastor for the South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church and the organization recently said this type of persecution is common in Sudan.

“This is not ‘something new’ for our church,” said Rev. Tut Kony, pastor of the South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church. “Almost all pastors have gone to jail under the government of Sudan. We have been stoned and beaten. This is their habit to pull down the church. We are not surprised. This is the way they deal with the church.”

Open Doors USA, a Christian non-profit that aids persecuted believers throughout the world ranks Sudan sixth on its World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most persecution for their faith.

The organization’s CEO David Curry spoke to Fox News about Michael’s case last month.

“This case in particular, we feel the charges are trumped up. These are just good citizens practicing their Christian faith, but the Sudanese government is using any tactic they can to push Christianity out of the market place and out of daily life, and unfortunately they are having some success,” said Curry.

The nation’s Islamic government made headlines when Christian mother Meriam Ibrahim was sentenced to death for marrying an American Christian citizen in 2014. The sentence was dropped after international pressure. She has since relocated to the U.S.

Contact: [email protected]; follow me on Twitter @vinfunaro

Source : Christian Post

Bruce Jenner’s Pastor Refuses to Discuss Parishioner’s Transition to ‘Caitlyn’ Following Vanity Fair Reveal

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Bruce Jenner’s Pastor Refuses to Discuss Parishioner’s Transition to ‘Caitlyn’ Following Vanity Fair Reveal
  • Caitlyn Jenner
    (Photo: Reuters/Annie Leibovitz/Vanity Fair)
    Caitlyn Jenner, formerly known as reality television star and former Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner, poses in an exclusive photograph made by Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair magazine and released by Vanity Fair on June 1, 2015.

Christian Post Report – The pastor of Bruce Jenner, who debuted his new female identity known as Caitlyn on the cover of Vanity Fair on Monday, refused to publicly comment on the 1976 Olympic gold medalist’s recent transition.

The Christian Post reached out to California pastor Brad Johnson of the Life Change Community Church (which was recently renamed California Community Church), in Agoura Hills on Wednesday and he said, like all members of his church, he respects Jenner’s privacy.

“I don’t comment on the lives of those who call California Community Church their home,” Johnson told CP.

The non-denominational church is led by Johnson and was co-founded by Jenner’s ex-wife, Kris Jenner. In the past, Jenner has been photographed attending services at the church both alone and with his family.

The 65-year-old self-proclaimed Christian and Republican made global headlines in April when he revealed his decision to transition from male to female in an interview with Diane Sawyer for ABC’s “20/20.”

Earlier this week, the Vanity Fair cover, which featured the former athlete wearing a full face of makeup and a revealing corset, immediately went viral and set tongues wagging.

“I’ve tried to explain it this way [to my kids]: God’s looking down, making little Bruce. … He says, ‘Okay, what are we gonna do with this one? Make him a smart kid, very determined. … And then when He’s just finishing He says, ‘Let’s wait a second,'” he told Sawyer.

“God looks down and chuckles a little bit and says, ‘Hey, let’s give him the soul of a female and see how he does with that. … Maybe this is my cause in life. This is why God put me on this Earth — to deal with this issue.”

The E! star has since launched his very own docu-series “I am Cait,” which will chronicle his new life as a transgender woman. It is set to debut on the E! network beginning July 26.

“I’ve always been confused with my gender identity since I was [a child],” said Jenner also telling Vanity Fair that “If I was lying on my death bed and I had kept this secret and never did anything about it, I would be lying there saying, ‘You just blew your entire life.'”

The father of six has received overwhelming support from loved ones, including his mother, Esther, although she will continue to call him Bruce and not Caitlyn.

“I still have to call him Bruce. His father and I named him that,” she recently told Access Hollywood. “It’s going to be a struggle for me to get used to the change, but happily so. … I’m very happy for him — or her!”

Email me: [email protected]
Connect with me on Twitter: @MzBenge

Source : Christian Post

Christian Family Defending 2,700-Year-Old Tomb of Jewish Prophet as ISIS Army Advances on Nineveh

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Christian Family Defending 2,700-Year-Old Tomb of Jewish Prophet as ISIS Army Advances on Nineveh

Iraq (Photo: Reuters/Stringer)

Christian Post Report – A displaced Sunni man fleeing the violence in Ramadi carries a crying child on his shoulders, on the outskirts of Baghdad, May 24, 2015. Iraqi forces recaptured territory from advancing Islamic State militants near the recently-fallen city of Ramadi on Sunday, while in Syria the government said the Islamists had killed hundreds of people since capturing the town of Palmyra.

A Christian family in the ancient city of Nineveh is reportedly defending the 2,700 year-old tomb of the Jewish prophet Nahum, as the armies of terror group ISIS advance in the region and are now only 10 miles outside.

“When the last Jewish people in Al Qosh left, they asked my grandfather to watch over the tomb, to keep it safe. I don’t know much more than that,” said Asir Salaam Shajaa, an Assyrian Christian.

“Nahum is not our prophet, but he is a prophet, so we must respect that. He’s a prophet, it is simple.”

Haaretz reported that Al Qosh, the city built over the ancient Nineveh, is a treasure trove of history, containing both the early beginnings of Christianity and the Assyrian empire, along with its Hebrew heritage.

Nahum the prophet is known for predicting the fall of Nineveh in the seventh century BCE, and his remains are believed to be kept at the tomb of “Nahum the Elkoshite” in the city.

Shajaa revealed that generations of his family have been taking care of the tomb, located in one of the last synagogues still standing in Iraq. His family had promised the Jewish residents of Al Qosh more than 60 years ago that they would protect and preserve the Hebrew site. The Jewish people were forced to flee in the early 1950s after government policies sought to purge Iraq from their presence.

Baghdad, Iraq (Photo: Reuters/Stringer)

An Iraqi Christian fighter, a member of Babylon Christian Battalion, stands guard near the site of car bomb attack in Baghdad, May 5, 2015.

The ancient tomb was reportedly visited by thousands of worshipers each year before the exodus.

Shajaa noted that the beige hand-laid walls of the old synagogue are crumbling, but he continues to take care of the tomb with his family, and allows visitor to come pay their respects.

“No one can decide what to do with the place. There were people who came a few years ago, some wealthy Jewish people who wanted to rebuild the fallen walls with the same stones,” the Christian man said.

“The government didn’t like that though, they didn’t want them to use the same materials because they think it isn’t safe. But then Islamic State came and we are close to the fighting here, so nothing will happen now.”

Shajaa said he’s confident that ISIS will not conquer the city, despite its recent conquests of other Iraqi cities. Still, he noted that the crisis has affected pilgrimages, with very few Jewish pilgrims daring to venture to the tomb.

“I’m not sure how long my family will continue to stay in Iraq, we want to leave, most of the Christians want to leave,” he added. “My brother says he will stay though, if my family gets to leave Iraq my brother and his children will look after the tomb. It will stay in the family, God willing.”

ISIS’ conquest of Ramadi back in May was its most significant territorial victory in Iraq since the U.S. and a broad coalition of international forces began launching airstrikes against the terror group last year.

The fall of the city prompted questions about whether the U.S. is losing the war in Iraq and Syria, though President Barack Obama has denied those claims.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said earlier this week that over 10,000 ISIS fighters have been killed since the military campaign began nine months ago.

“We have seen a lot of losses within Daesh [ISIS] since the start of this campaign, more than 10,000,” Blinken said. “It will end up having an impact.”

Angelina Jolie with displaced Iraqi Christians (Photo: Reuters/UNHCR/Andrew McConnell/Handout)

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Special Envoy Angelina Jolie (2nd L) meets displaced Iraqis who are members of the minority Christian community, living in an abandoned school in Al Qosh, northern Iraq, January 26, 2015.

Source : Christian Post

Couple Gets Vision to Use People’s Relationships With Pets to Show God’s Love for Mankind; Now Hosts Dog-Friendly Worship Service

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Couple Gets Vision to Use People’s Relationships With Pets to Show God’s Love for Mankind; Now Hosts Dog-Friendly Worship Service

The Man and the Dog (Photo: YouTube Screenshot/DDB Worldwide)

Christian Post Report – A screenshot capture of a dog waiting on its owner.

In a novel method of attracting worshipers, Unleashed Community Church in Oregon, started by a couple who got a vision from God to use people’s relationships with their pets to show His love for mankind, is now encouraging parishioners to bring their dogs along for Sunday Service.

Ruth Rini and her husband Ron who run the church started last September, reveal on the church’s Facebook page that Unleashed Community Church is the “first dog-friendly church in the Eugene/Springfield area” and that “we are here to share God’s unconditional love for people and pets.”

“We realized there was no church community for those who needed pastoral care and a community of support and friendship during all the various circumstances people experience with their beloved pets, who are members of their family,” explained the couple. “We also realized that dogs and other pets are a perfect example of God’s unconditional love for us, the relationship between humans and animals could be used to demonstrate how much God cares for us and for all of creation.”

At a recent service held by the church some 20 people showed up with 9 dogs. During the hour-long service, parishioners and their dogs were shown Christian music videos which were followed by short sermons. Stories about dogs and a few Bible verses were also a part of the service.

Unleashed Community Church is starting Prayer Paws soon, a way to pray for one another and our pets and other people and…

Posted by Unleashed Community Church on Friday, April 17, 2015

Its primary theme centered on veterans and dogs that serve in war and one of the videos shown during the service was a Fox News clip about a service dog that is helping a veteran recover mentally and physically from war.

Unleashed Community Church wants people to find comfort through their relationships with dogs and the church welcomes dog owners of all faiths to experience Jesus Christ there.

“We proclaim Jesus Christ, who welcomes all into the family of God, and is a friend above all others. We don’t know where you are in your spiritual journey, perhaps you are brand new to exploring spiritual issues or you are comfortable in the faith you’ve acquired at this point,” explains the church on the Facebook page. “No matter where you are in your journey, we welcome you wholeheartedly and with the unconditional love of God as you join us in our dog-friendly services.”

While the church loves dogs, the community will only accept dogs that are well-mannered, current on all vaccines, flea treatment and are non-aggressive towards people and other dogs.

Ruth Rini and her husband Ron founded Double “R” Country Inn Kennels in Springfield, Oregon and have been working with dogs since the 1990s. Ruth also graduated from George Fox Evangelical Seminary in 2014.

Contact: [email protected]; follow me on Twitter @vinfunaro

Source : Christian Post

‘Bringing Up Bates’ Exclusive Sneak Peek at Season 2 Premiere: Bates Family Holds Special ‘I Love You Day’ Celebration

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‘Bringing Up Bates’ Exclusive Sneak Peek at Season 2 Premiere: Bates Family Holds Special ‘I Love You Day’ Celebration

Bates Family (Photo: Courtesy UP TV)

Christian Post Report – The entire Bates family at their home.

A sneak peek at tonight’s season two premiere of UPtv’s original series “Bringing Up Bates” reveals a fresh look at the charming dynamics between Gil and Kelly Jo Bates and their 19 kids as they celebrate a special tradition, “I Love You Day.”

The hit reality series returns with 14 all-new episodes beginning on Thursday, and during the highly-anticipated season premiere, the Bates family gathers to celebrate “I Love You Day” with surprise gifts as well as surprise guests for the whole clan. While the unique celebration is underway, Gil is tasked with watching his rambunctious young son, Jeb, in what was thought to be an easy job. Gil struggles however, to keep an eye on Jeb who is constantly on the move.

“I only had one job, it was watching Jeb, and it was the hardest job there,” Gil explains in a clip from season two.

Other Bates family members also weigh in on the impossible chore of keeping an eye on the active three-year-old before Gil laughingly laments the demands of parenthood.

“I’ll tell you, training children is not something you do just one time and they get it, it’s every time we go anywhere, every day, multiple times a day,” said the father of 19.

“Bringing Up Bates” became the highest-rated series in UPtv’s history after its premiere on New Year’s Day last year. The Tennessee family has captured the hearts of people everywhere with their joyful chaos as well as poignant moments in their lives. The second season of the reality series will reveal major milestones for the Bates family, including Michaella and Brandon’s engagement in Washington, D.C. and the couple’s plans leading into their just-announced August 15th wedding in Knoxville, Tennessee.

It will also highlight Erin’s challenging first pregnancy as well as the joyful birth of baby Carson. The Bates will also head to Dolly Parton’s theme park, Dollywood, where they will make their singing debut during the season finale.

‘Bringing Up Bates’ Exclusive Sneak Peek at Season Premiere Tonight: Bates Family Holds Special Celebration ‘I Love You Day’

‘Bringing Up Bates’ Exclusive Sneak Peek at Season Premiere Tonight: Bates Family Holds Special Celebration ‘I Love You Day’

The season two premiere of “Bringing Up Bates” will air on UP on Thursday, June 4 at 9 p.m. ET. Watch the sneak peek here.

follow me on Twitter @emmakoonse

Source : Christian Post

Duggar Parents Call Josh’s Actions ‘Child Preying on Child,’ Aggressively Defend Son: ‘This Was Not Rape or Anything Like That’

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Duggar Parents Call Josh’s Actions ‘Child Preying on Child,’ Aggressively Defend Son: ‘This Was Not Rape or Anything Like That’

Duggars (Photo: FRC/Carrie Russell)

Christian Post Report – Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, stars of the TLC reality TV series “19 Kids and Counting,” speak at the Family Research Council’s annual Values Voter Summit in Washington, Friday, September 26, 2014.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News’ Megyn Kelly on Wednesday, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar defended their son Josh’s molestation of four daughters and one babysitter, declaring, “This was not rape or anything like that.”

“There were a couple of instances where he touched them under their clothes, but it was like a few seconds. And then he came to us and was crying and told us what happened,” Jim Bob explained.

One of the sisters Josh inappropriately touched was believed to be 5 years old at the time, according to the police report that was illegally released.

During the interview, Jim Bob and Michelle stayed away from the word molestation. When asked by Megyn Kelly if Josh was a child molester, the Duggars denied that allegation.

“He was still a kid. He was a child preying on a child,” Jim Bob asserted, noting that Josh was 14 and 15 during the time of the incidents at the Duggar home.

Michelle said that when they learned about Josh’s behavior, “There was so much grief in our hearts.”

“I think, as parents, we felt we we’re failures,” she added.

Jim Bob answered Megyn’s questions about the timeline of the incidents within the household. Initially, they sought to deal with Josh’s behavior within the family and pointed out that, as parents, they weren’t mandatory reporters of Josh’s actions to law enforcement.

When Josh came crying to them after a third confession, that is when Jim Bob admitted: “We felt we had to get help.”

Josh was subsequently sent to a counselor in Little Rock, Arkansas, and that is when his father said he witnessed a “turning point in his life.”

When Josh returned home from Little Rock, Jim Bob then took his son to the nearest police department so he could confess his criminal actions to an Arkansas State Trooper, and his four sisters were taken by their parents to the state’s Children’s Safety Center.

“We felt it was an important step for Josh to confess to the police,” he said.

Although the officer Josh confessed to is now serving a 56 year sentence on child pornography charges, Jim Bob emphasized that he and Michelle “had no idea that the officer was involved in anything wrong.”

In a question from Kelly about whether they were facing a more severe backlash because of their very public Christian faith, the Duggars did not respond directly but said, “I think, you know what, Christianity is not about being perfect or about being a perfect family, but it’s actually about being forgiven.”

“People on the outside think, ‘Well, Christians are supposed to be perfect,'” Jim Bob asserted. “No, you know what, all of us, as Christians, we struggle every day.”

“Looking back, we did the best we could under the circumstances,” he continued.

When asked about whether they, as parents, thought about these incidents before they agreed to do a reality show, Jim Bob responded: “We had nothing to hide.”

Since Josh was a minor at the time of the molestations, the Duggars are seeking legal counsel about the leaked police report.

“19 Kids and Counting” has been pulled from the air by TLC. General Mills, Payless, and Walgreens are just a few of the companies that have said they plan to remove their ads from the popular reality TV show.

In a Friday Fox News exclusive, Jilla Dillard and Jessa Seewald, two of the Duggar daughters, will tell their side of the story to Kelly. Both women have forgiven their brother for his actions.

Source : Christian Post

Benjamin Watson Exclusive: Christian New Orleans Saints Player Defends NFL Players Amid Year Rife With Scandals

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Benjamin Watson Exclusive: Christian New Orleans Saints Player Defends NFL Players Amid Year Rife With Scandals

Benjamin Watson (Photo: benjaminwatson.com)

Christian Post Report – New Orleans Saints tight end Benjamin Watson.

Sports reporters have had a field day writing about the countless NFL scandals that played out in media headlines over the past year but Benjamin Watson, the Christian New Orleans Saints tight end, believes some may be unfairly scrutinizing the league.

Watson,34, acknowledges the scandalous stories that have been written about the NFL, but insists the negative reports are not an accurate representation of the league as a whole.

“You’ve got a league with a couple thousand players or so depending on the time of year. Then you have 10 or more very high profile stories that are terrible stories and things that have happened,” he told The Christian Post. “The majority of the guys are not in the news, they’re doing great things in the community, they’re doing great things at home, playing well and abiding by the rules. There’s probably more than the general population to be honest with you.”

Still, it is hard to ignore the negative stories on NFL players that have surfaced in the past six months alone. In May, former San Francisco 49ers lineman Ray McDonald was arrested twice in one week for charges stemming from restraining order violations, misdemeanor domestic violence and child endangerment charges.

The Chicago Bears picked McDonald up after the 49ers let him go last December, when it was announced that the lineman was being investigated for sexual assault. The Bears have since parted ways with McDonald.

Last April, former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was found guilty of the first-degree murder of semi-professional football player Odin Lloyd,a case that has been playing out in headlines since the former NFL player was indicted in 2013.

In March, former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, was arrested and indicted for third-degree aggravated assault after a video of him knocking out his now wife went viral. The year started off with a scandal called “Deflategate” which made headlines the Patriots were first accused of using underinflated footballs in the AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts in January.

Watson insists however that these high profile examples of NFL players making mistakes are just unfortunate events being used to paint the league.

“It’s unfortunate that so many of the guys who are doing right are painted with the broad brush by the guys who aren’t. Then when you have these situations like Ray Rice’s, they are things that are unfortunate and they’re bad,” the tight end explained to CP. “Most of the guys in the NFL would sit here and tell you we don’t condone the abuse of a child, any sort of abuse of a woman, breaking rules, failing drug tests or doing any of those things. We hold ourselves to a very high standard.”

Watson believes that many of the NFL players who made mistakes will admit their wrongdoing and be remorseful about their bad decisions. He noted however that they will also have to face the consequences of their actions.

“When things like this happen, you have to take the punishment whatever it is,” he said. “The NFL has had our fair share this year and that’s why it’s in the news, that’s the sad part about it.”

One of the biggest headlines that has been circulating centers around his former team, the Patriots. Watson played on the team alongside Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady from 2004 to 2009 and believes “the jury may still be out” due to a lack of proof of the QB’s involvement in deflating footballs to gain an unfair advantage for the team.

Still, the tight end was present for the 2007 scandal that rocked the Patriots which has been dubbed, “spygate” since the team was penalized for videotaping signals from their opposing New York Jets’ defensive coach. While the team’s integrity has been brought into question by some sports fans and pundits, Watson is disappointed that the entire team may have to suffer as a result.

“My overall feeling is that you have an organization that has violated some rules in the past, so there is a sort of suspicion when it comes to the Patriots. When I look at guys on the team I see that are upstanding, give their all to the game and do it the right way…now they’re all in question,” he explained. “That’s what is disappointing to me, but I do think that this too shall pass and next year we won’t even be talking about it. If you’re winning football games there’s a lot that people can kind of sweep under the rug.”

Watson is a football player that not only commands attention for his on field performance, but for the opinions that he has shared publicly in social media posts that have gone viral about topics like Christian persecution, and the issue of racial tensions stemming from cases that took place in Ferguson, Missouri and Baltimore, Maryland.

The husband and father of four recently won the Sports Impact Award at the 2015 K-LOVE Fan Awards which he calls an amazing, humbling and encouraging experience that he never would have dreamed of last year. Beyond the accolades and notoriety that come along with being a professional athlete however, the tight end who got his start as a young believer in a Christian household keeps his faith at the forefront of his NFL career.

“I would say that one of the hardest things for an athlete and really anybody of any profession is that we create our identity in what we do,” Watson said. “It’s been a constant struggle with my athletic career to identify myself as a child of God and understand that His love is unconditional for us, it’s not conditional like fans, or coaches, or even myself. Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly for the Lord and not for man because our true identity is in Him. “

follow me on Twitter @CAThomasos

Source : Christian Post

Atlanta Megachurch’s Singles Descend on Target to Get Their Hands on Men’s Underwear — For a Good Cause; ‘We Are Finding Some Drawers for Tonight,’ One Determined Woman Declares

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Atlanta Megachurch’s Singles Descend on Target to Get Their Hands on Men’s Underwear — For a Good Cause; ‘We Are Finding Some Drawers for Tonight,’ One Determined Woman Declares

<b>Christian Post Report</b> – Participants are seen riding a train on No Pants Subway Ride day in this file photo.” title=”<b>Christian Post Report</b> – Participants are seen riding a train on No Pants Subway Ride day in this file photo.” name=”jpg” src=”http://images.christianpost.com/full/84120/participants-are-seen-riding-a-train-on-no-pants-subway-ride-day-in-this-file-photo.jpg” class=”imgPhoto” width=”550″ height=”450″ /> <small class=(Photo: Reuters)

Christian Post Report – Participants are seen riding a train on No Pants Subway Ride day in this file photo.

It was a simple enough request: drop off your drawers. That was the tongue-in-cheek promo a Buckhead, Atlanta, church used to encourage members attending its special “Single Series” to purchase packages of men’s briefs to donate to a local shelter. Based on photos shared online, members of the North Point Ministries church, founded by pastor Andy Stanley, went above and beyond with their donations.

“This series, as part of our do.justice initiative, we are partnering with Atlanta Mission to supply them with fresh clean underwear for their clients. On night 2 and night 3 we are asking all of our singles to bring BRAND NEW Men’s briefs, size L and up,” reads the online instructions for those attending the “Singles Series” at Buckhead Church.

The church explains that the yearly “Singles Series” gatherings, most recently held on May 19 and 26 and on June 2, are a way for unattached adults from all six North Point Ministries campuses to get together for worship and teaching, and of course, to mingle.

Buckhead Church in Atlanta, Georgia, belonging to Andy Stanley's North Point Ministries, encouraged "Singles Series" attendees to buy men's underwear to donate to a shelter for the homeless. (Photo: The Christian Post courtesy of Buckhead Church)

Buckhead Church in Atlanta, Georgia, belonging to Andy Stanley’s North Point Ministries, encouraged “Singles Series” attendees to buy men’s underwear to donate to a shelter for the homeless.

As asked, members hit up stores to make sure they did not show up empty handed at the event this week. Their store of choice, based on photos published online, was Target — and the rush to scoop up packages of whitey tighties for a good cause left some members in a bind.

One user of the popular social network and news site Reddit posted a photo illustrating what happened when he or she (or perhaps someone else) tried to find a Target location to purchase a pack of extra-large men’s briefs on a smartphone.

A screenshot of someone's smartphone shows the "out of stock" statuses at various Target stores in Atalanta, Georgia. (Photo: Imgur via Facebook)

A screenshot of someone’s smartphone shows the “out of stock” statuses at various Target stores in Atalanta, Georgia.

One “Singles Series” attendee, Recha Reid, shared Tuesday with the Buckhead Singles Facebook page that she was having trouble finding just one package of men’s underwear. But she would not be deterred.

“Yep. Officially out of drawers!! Running around town trying to find drawers for tonight. I think Buckhead Singles lovelies have bought out the lot! I will not be beat,” Reid wrote, before tagging two female friends with the message: “we are finding some drawers for tonight.”

The Buckhead Church Facebook moderator shared Reid’s photo on the page with the caption on Tuesday: “Singles … looks like you’re on a roll — Target is running low on drawers, but don’t let that stop you! Let’s fill up those bins tonight and overload Atlanta Mission with so much underwear they don’t know what to do!”

The Christian Post contacted Buckhead Church for comment but did not speak with a representative by press time. The Buckhead Singles ministry reported on Twitter, however, that it had collected 3,300 pairs of men’s underwear.

CP also contacted a member of Target’s public relations team to get confirmation on any Atlanta-area stores that might have experienced a jump in sales of men’s underwear this week, but did not receive the requested information by press time. As of Wednesday afternoon, several Atlanta-area Target stores were still showing “out of stock” or “limited quantities” for certain packages of men’s underwear.

North Point Ministries’ do justice initiative is described by the church as “an opportunity for the singles of Atlanta to come together and be a part of a hands-on serving experience that brings change to our city in a real and tangible way.” Every year for one day, church members partner with Atlanta’s “most strategic non-profit organizations” to do good works around the city.

Pastor Stanley’s Buckhead Church is one of six North Point Ministries churches located in the Metro Atlanta area. The multi-campus megachurch, whose main location is in Alpharetta, Georgia, is home to more than 30,000 members and was named the largest church in America in 2014 by Outreach Magazine. Stanley, son of the elder Atlanta pastor Charles Stanley, founded North Point Ministries in 1995.

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Source : Christian Post

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