‘Jesus Candy’ on Military Base Violates Members’ Religious Freedom, Group Says

‘Jesus Candy’ on Military Base Violates Members’ Religious Freedom, Group Says


A progressive advocacy group is complaining about a U.S. Air Force base selling Christmas candy with Jesus’ name on the packaging, calling it a form of “proselytizing.”

Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo., sold the candy in its shop during the Christmas season, according to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF). A member of MRFF saw the candy in the shop and sent the organization a complaint, along with a photo. The red and white candy packaging prominently says “Jesus” on the front of the packaging.  

“Peterson’s selling of for-profit, clearly marked ‘Jesus candy’ at its base exchange (BX) is merely the fundamentalist Christian straw breaking the MRFF clients’ backs,” MRFF founder and president Mikey Weinstein told CrooksandLiars.com. “Any pathetically proffered pretense by the U.S. Air Force at Patterson that Christmas is a mere secular holiday is totally belied and betrayed by this in your face sale of this ‘proselytizing’ candy with the fundamentalist Christian version of its ‘God’s name’ emblazoned on all over the packaging.”

The email from the MRFF member to the organization read, “The base exchange at Peterson Air Force Base is currently selling ‘Jesus’ candy. The exchange at the Air Force Academy was also selling ‘Jesus’ candy at Halloween, although I didn’t get any pictures of that.”

Peterson Air…

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Trump Administration Calls for Immediate Release of Chinese Pastor Wang Yi from Prison

Trump Administration Calls for Immediate Release of Chinese Pastor Wang Yi from Prison


The Trump administration has called on the Chinese government to release a megachurch pastor who has been sentenced to nine years in prison for simply preaching the gospel.

Wang Yi, the founding pastor of Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, Sichuan province, was found guilty on charges of “inciting subversion of state power” and “illegally operating a business,” according to the Guardian.

Pastor Yi was detained in December 2018 along with several other church leaders from the influential, 5000-strong protestant church. While the others have since been released, Wang Yi, who has personally called on President Xi Jinping to “repent of his sins,” has been punished harshly by the Chinese state.

Now, the Trump administration is calling on him to be released with immediate effect.

“We are alarmed that Pastor Wang Yi … was tried in secret and sentenced to nine years in prison in connection to his peaceful advocacy for religious freedom. We call for his immediate and unconditional release,” said U.S. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus wrote in a statement Tuesday.

Ortagus added that this was “yet another example of Beijing’s intensification of repression of Chinese Christians and members of other religious groups” and urged Beijing “to uphold its international commitments and promises made in its own constitution to promote religious freedom for…

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Panel of Ministers Declare Pastor Todd Bentley Biblically Disqualified from Ministry

Panel of Ministers Declare Pastor Todd Bentley Biblically Disqualified from Ministry


A group of evangelical ministers tasked with investigating allegations of misconduct against charismatic pastor Todd Bentley have concluded that he should be biblically disqualified from ministry.

Bentley, who was instrumental in the Florida-based “Lakeland Revival” of 2008, has been accused of sexual misconduct with members of his staff. The man leading the investigative panel, Dr. Michael Brown, said he compiled 60 questions for Bentley, which were answered through his attorney, despite Bentley’s initial agreement to cooperate with the investigation.

The goal of the investigation, Brown shared in a statement on Facebook, was to answer the questions: “Does Todd Bentley, founder of Fresh Fire Ministries, live up to the high standards required of those who serve as representatives of Christ? Is he qualified, according to our understanding of biblical standards, to be a recognized leader in the Church?”

The answer the panel landed on was, “without a doubt, Todd is not qualified to serve in leadership in ministry today.”

According to the statement, the investigation revealed numerous allegations dating back to 2004 and included instances of sexting, adultery, vulgar language and substance abuse. In light of Bentley’s reluctance to engage in a healing process, Brown summarized that the panel saw “no signs of true, lasting repentance,” . reports.

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The death of Qassem Soleimani: What it means, what comes next, and how Christians can respond

The commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps was killed early Friday in a drone strike at Baghdad International Airport authorized by President Trump. An American MQ-9 Reaper drone fired missiles into a convoy leaving the airport, killing Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani and several officials from Iraqi militias backed by Tehran.

US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper explained the action: “General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. General Soleimani and his Quds force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more. 

“He had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months—including the attack on December 27th—culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel. General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad that took place this week.” 

Who was Qassem Soleimani? 

Qassem Soleimani was an Iranian Major General in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Since 1998, he commanded the Quds force responsible for extraterritorial military and clandestine operations. 

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo deemed Soleimani equally as dangerous as Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. In April 2019, the State Department announced that Iran was responsible for killing 608 American troops during the Iraq War. They determined that 17 percent of all US personnel deaths in Iraq from 2003 to 2011 were orchestrated by Soleimani. 

A BBC analyst notes that Soleimani was seen as “the mastermind behind Iran’s vast ambition in the Middle East, and the country’s real foreign minister when it came to matters of war and peace.” Soleimani was “widely considered a principal architect of President Bashar al-Assad’s war in Syria, the ongoing conflict in Iraq, the fight against Islamic State, and…

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Lessons Learned from Churches That Almost Died but Didn’t (Part 1)

Podcast Episode #603

SUBSCRIBE:
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We talk about some really great news today. Thom and Sam discuss lessons learned from churches on the cusp of death who recovered and are now thriving.

Highlights:

  1. There is always hope for churches.
  2. A community desires a healthy church.
  3. Prayer is foundational and essential.

Other highlights:

  • Even when you don’t think it can happen, God can work.
  • If God can save any person, God can save any church.
  • A key element of leadership is inspiring hope in those you are leading.
  • A healthy church is good for the community.
  • If you want your church revived you need a revival in your own soul.

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast:


Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen has been serving churches for nine years, but did you know that Vanderbloemen also serves Christian schools, nonprofits, and Christian businesses? So if you’re listening, and you know a Christian school, nonprofit, or values-based business that is hiring, contact our friends at Vanderbloemen for your staffing needs.

For more information, visit Vanderbloemen.com.


The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour…

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Christianity Today Editor-In-Chief, Author of Controversial Op-Ed Will Retire This Week

Christianity Today Editor-In-Chief, Author of Controversial Op-Ed Will Retire This Week


Mark Galli, the Christianity Today editor-in-chief who generated an evangelical maelstrom over a Dec. 19 editorial labeling President Donald Trump’s actions “profoundly immoral” and calling for his removal from office, will retire tomorrow.

Galli, who served in various capacities during his 30-year tenure at the magazine, quietly announced his retirement plans in an Oct. 7 news release on the Christianity Today website.

“I’ve been EIC for about seven years now, and as it goes with many jobs, I think I finally understand what I should have been doing all along!” Galli said at the time.” It has been quite a ride for the ministry, economically and journalistically. Some definite lows, to be sure, and some wonderful highs. Aside from a strong sense of God’s call, what’s given me most joy is the people I have worked with—men and women who are passionate about their faith and dedicated to their work, and have a sense of humor to boot.”

On New Year’s Eve, Galli tweeted about his pending retirement.

“Well, my retirement is a couple of days away,” Galli, a former Presbyterian pastor, wrote. “Will be posting here more often now that I have more time on my hands. Well, given my last week, maybe not :-)”

In his retirement, the journalist will continue producing The Galli Report, a weekly newsletter discussing recent articles of interest, according to a New…

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Christians in India Spend Christmas in Jail, Accused of Illegally Practicing Medicine

Christians in India Spend Christmas in Jail, Accused of Illegally Practicing Medicine


NEW DELHI, January 2, 2020 (Morning Star News) – Christians arrested in central India after Hindu nationalist tribal villagers disrupted their worship service, spent Christmas in jail before they were released on bail after 11 days – accused of illegally practicing medicine.

 Pastor Mukam Kiraad, 35, along with two members of his church, 40-year-old Lalsingh Tomar and 38-year-old Nanliya Rawat, were shocked to learn that they were charged under a Madhya Pradesh state law prohibiting unregistered medical practice, punishable by up to three years in prison.

Their attorney, Rahul Parihar, said he also was stunned.

“Their next hearing is Jan. 8,” Parihar told Morning Star News. “They will have to come for each hearing, which might fall once every 15 days, and the case may prolong for many years.”

The three Christians were initially arrested after more than a dozen tribal villagers radicalized by Hindu nationalists in Vadi village, near Alirajpur, intruded into their house-church worship service on Dec. 10 wearing blankets that concealed guns and locally-made sharp weapons, Pastor Kiraad said.

“Some of them began to film the worship service while others went out and locked us in from outside so that we would not escape,” Kiraad said. “They disrupted the service and began to search the place while using vulgar language.”

The intruders seized their cell…

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Trump Responds Swiftly after Pro-Iranian Protestors Attack U.S. Embassy in Iraq

Trump Responds Swiftly after Pro-Iranian Protestors Attack U.S. Embassy in Iraq


Marines used tear gas to break up a gathering of pro-Iran protestors who had surrounded the U.S. embassy compound in Iraq.

According to CBN News, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said an American infantry battalion of about 750 soldiers will deploy to the Middle East after hundreds of Shiite militiamen and protesters tried to storm the Iraq embassy on Tuesday.

The protestors destroyed the reception area and smashed windows in the building before Marines arrived.

“I think it’s been handled very well,” President Donald Trump said. “The Marines came in. As soon as we saw there was potential for problem, they got in and there was no problem whatsoever.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) tweeted that he supported Trump’s efforts in Iraq.

“Very proud of President @realDonaldTrump acting decisively in the face of threats to our embassy in Baghdad. He has put the world on notice – there will be no Benghazis on his watch.”

In 2012, an Islamic group attacked the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, killing four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens.

“As you know, this will not be a Benghazi,” Trump added, referring to the most recent attack in Iraq. “Benghazi should never have happened. This will never, ever be a Benghazi.”

Protestors are rallying against U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria where 25 members of an Iranian-backed militia were killed over the weekend. Those…

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New Church of England Archbishop Believes Christian Views on Sexuality Should Be Adapted ‘To Fit Culture’

New Church of England Archbishop Believes Christian Views on Sexuality Should Be Adapted ‘To Fit Culture’


The latest senior appointee in the Church of England has made some startling remarks about the relevance of the Bible in our modern culture. Stephen Cottrell, the incoming Archbishop of York, made the controversial comments back in 2017 after the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, called for a “radical new Christian inclusion” amongst the Anglican communion.

Perhaps the most significant comments Cottrell made were in relation to the issue of sexuality – an issue on which he holds rather progressive views.

“I am not sure the church has ever before had to face the challenge of being seen as immoral by the culture in which it is set,” he said, according to the Christian Institute. On same-sex marriage, Cottrell noted that taking a strictly Biblical view can actually “legitimise homophobia in others.”

“What we can do is recognise that what we know now about human development and human sexuality requires us to look again at those texts to see what they are actually saying to our situation, for what we know now is not what was known then,” he added.

According to the Church Times, Cottrell further asserted his view that the Church of England should be “united in our condemnation of homophobia” and that “it is of little comfort to young gay or lesbian members of our Church to know that while prejudice against them is abhorred, any…

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Former NFL Player Brian Bosworth Apologizes for Being Rude to Cashier 30 Years Ago, Says God Changed His Attitude

Former NFL Player Brian Bosworth Apologizes for Being Rude to Cashier 30 Years Ago, Says God Changed His Attitude


Social media often is a source of division, but two days after Christmas, it allowed a football legend to right an overlooked 30-year wrong. 

The incident began when the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks announced that former player Brian Bosworth – who played for the team for two seasons in the late 1980s prior to a career-ending injury – would be raising the Seahawks’ “12th man flag” in a traditional pregame ceremony prior to the team’s game with San Francisco. 

That sparked pushback from several fans, who remembered Bosworth as a controversial self-centered player. Bosworth was an All-American linebacker at the University of Oklahoma and was drafted in the first round, but made it clear he didn’t want to play for the Seahawks. Still, he eventually signed with the organization. 

“I was a young mother working a job in retail when ‘Boz’ was playing for Seattle,” one woman named Tammy wrote on Twitter. “He came through my check out line one day and was extremely rude. He actually said ‘do you know who I…

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