Israel Folau settles legal claim after sacking for anti-gay social media post

A joint statement from RA, NSWRU and Folau said the “post reflected Mr Folau’s genuinely held religious beliefs, and Mr Folau did not intend to harm or offend any person when he uploaded the social media post”.

It added: “Mr Folau wants all Australians to know that he does not condone discrimination of any kind against any person on the grounds of their sexuality and that he shares Rugby Australia’s commitment to inclusiveness and diversity. “

The Instagram post from Folau, 30, proclaimed hell awaits “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters”.

 

Rugby Australia said it does “not in any way agree with the content of the social media post”.

“Inclusiveness is one of rugby’s core values and it welcomes all people to the game, including all members of the LGBTI community,” the statement said.

RA said it had not intended to hurt the player’s feelings, but “acknowledges and apologises for any hurt or harm caused to the Folaus”.

The statement added that “Folau did not intend to hurt or harm the game of rugby and acknowledges and apologises for any hurt or harm caused.

“Rugby Australia and Mr Folau wish each other well for the future.

“The parties do not intend to comment further on the terms of their settlement as it is confidential.”

There was widespread condemnation of Folau’s remarks when he made them, including from former…

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Christmas celebrations cancelled for Iraqi Christians

The head of the Church, Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako, said the decision was made out of respect for those killed and wounded in recent anti-government protests, which have now been going on for three months.

“There will be no decorated Christmas trees in the churches or streets, no celebrations and no reception at the patriarchate,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

 

Almost 430 people have died and 20,000 wounded in mass rallies that have been met with retaliation by security forces.

The protests have mostly being taking place in Shia Muslim-majority areas, but the Church said it would take part in an act of solidarity “out of respect for the dead and wounded among protesters and security forces, and in solidarity with the pains of their families”.

Iraq’s parliament formally accepted the prime minister’s resignation on Sunday,

Protesters are calling for a complete overhaul of the sectarian political system.

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Israel Folau settles legal claim settles legal claim after sacking for anti-gay social media post

A joint statement from RA, NSWRU and Folau said the “post reflected Mr Folau’s genuinely held religious beliefs, and Mr Folau did not intend to harm or offend any person when he uploaded the social media post”.

It added: “Mr Folau wants all Australians to know that he does not condone discrimination of any kind against any person on the grounds of their sexuality and that he shares Rugby Australia’s commitment to inclusiveness and diversity. “

The Instagram post from Folau, 30, proclaimed hell awaits “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters”.

 

Rugby Australia said it does “not in any way agree with the content of the social media post”.

“Inclusiveness is one of rugby’s core values and it welcomes all people to the game, including all members of the LGBTI community,” the statement said.

RA said it had not intended to hurt the player’s feelings, but “acknowledges and apologises for any hurt or harm caused to the Folaus”.

The statement added that “Folau did not intend to hurt or harm the game of rugby and acknowledges and apologises for any hurt or harm caused.

“Rugby Australia and Mr Folau wish each other well for the future.

“The parties do not intend to comment further on the terms of their settlement as it is confidential.”

There was widespread condemnation of Folau’s remarks when he made them, including from former…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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What to Expect if You’re a Church’s First Millennial Pastor ThomRainer.com

By Sam Rainer

 A big wave is coming towards the church. It’s the swell of retiring Boomer pastors. Most Boomer pastors are currently between the ages of 50 and 68. They won’t all retire at once, so this wave won’t crash into the church like a tsunami. However, I don’t believe the North American church is prepared to replace these pastors. Here are a few implications of retiring Boomer pastors:

  •       There will be more pastoral vacancies than qualified candidates.
  •       Few churches are giving any thought to pastoral succession.
  •       There will be an abundance of qualified pastors for interim and bi-vocational positions.
  •       Some Boomer pastors will stay at their current positions into their late 60s and 70s.
  •       Some Boomer pastors will lead their churches to merge with another congregation.

I want to focus on what will happen when these pastors are inevitably replaced—more importantly, who will replace them. A new generation of leaders—Millennials—will inherit these church positions. I’m the oldest of the Millennial generation. Most date the birth of Millennials between 1980 and 2000. I barely make the cut as a February 1980 baby, but I connect with Millennials more than any other generation.

As Millennials begin to become senior pastors, their churches will have many Gen Xers, Boomers, and Builders. Of course, the percentages will eventually shift to churches full of older Millennials, but such a shift will take decades.

 I’ve been the first

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Kanye West Releases New ‘Closed on Sunday’ Music Video Featuring His Family

Kanye West Releases New ‘Closed on Sunday’ Music Video Featuring His Family



Over the holiday weekend, rapper Kanye West released his latest music video for “Closed on Sunday,” his pro-family song from his recent album Jesus is King


The video opens with Kanye and his wife, Kim Kardashian West, holding their four children—6-year-old North, 3-year-old Saint, 1-year-old Chicago, and 6-month-old Psalm—nestled into a rock crevice. The two-and-a-half-minute video, recorded on West’s ranch in Wyoming, continues with the lyrics: 


When you got daughters, always keep ‘em safe


Watch out for vipers, don’t let them indoctrinate


Closed on Sunday, you my Chick-fil-A


You’re my number one, with the lemonade


Raise our sons, train them in the faith


Through temptations, make sure they’re wide awake


Follow Jesus, listen and obey


No more livin’ for the culture, we nobody’s slave


Towards the end of the video, a smiling Kanye stands in the middle of the whole West-Kardashian family as the camera pans outward. The Sunday Choir then steps in to finish out the song, repeating the refrain: “Jezebel don’t have a chance.” A shot also shows Kanye on his knees in prayer. 


Also featured in the video is West’s father, Ray West. The rapper and his father also appeared together in the “Follow God” music video.


Ray gave fatherly wisdom in the introduction of that video: “What does it mean to follow…

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It’s Giving Tuesday—Here’s How You Can Help Make a Difference

It’s Giving Tuesday—Here’s How You Can Help Make a Difference



For big companies like Amazon, Walmart, and Target, the Black Friday holiday weekend was a success, garnering $7.4 billion in online sales and hoping for $2 billion more after Cyber Monday. But today—on Giving Tuesday—thousands of nonprofits hope to find similar success.


“Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to give,” the Giving Tuesday website reads.


Giving Tuesday started in 2012 to remind people in the midst of the Christmas hustle to do good. Last year, over three million donations were made with a total of $400 million raised for nonprofits trying to make the world a better place.


Even nonprofits are giving back. Compassion International’s president, Santiago “Jimmy” Mellado, and President Emeritus, Wess Stafford, came together to serve their local food pantry in Colorado Springs with a rice and bean challenge.



There are thousands of nonprofits seeking funds to continue their faithful work. A few of these organizations include, Helping the Homefront, which assists military families and blesses them with special Merry Christmas boxes; Operation Blessing, which feeds families and assists during natural disasters and Samaritan’s Purse, which…

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Bloomberg’s Foundation Gave More than $13 Million to Planned Parenthood

Bloomberg’s Foundation Gave More than $13 Million to Planned Parenthood



New Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg is well-known for his advocacy of abortion rights, and a new report says he often opens his wallet for pro-choice causes.


Bloomberg’s nonprofit, the Bloomberg Family Foundation, donated $13,962,000 to Planned Parenthood Federation of America between 2014-2017, according to research by Newsbusters.


Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider of abortions. In its latest report (2017-18), the organization said its clinics had provided 332,757 abortions over the span of 12 months.


Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City, has a net worth of $56 billion. 


He entered the race in November and immediately jumped into the top five of Real Clear Politics’ average of polls with 4 percent in the nationwide Democratic race. He is in fifth place and trails only Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg.


It’s not the first time Bloomberg has used his wealth to support legal abortion. In 2014, he launched a $50 million reproductive health program to help women in Nicaragua, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Uganda “freely and safely make decisions about when to have children,” according to a press release. He also has donated to Emily’s List, an organization that supports pro-choice Democratic female candidates. 


“To me, it’s very simple: A woman’s right to choose is…

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Early Rain Church Elder Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Having Christian Literature

Early Rain Church Elder Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Having Christian Literature



An elder who was arrested nearly a year ago as part of the Chinese government’s raid on Early Rain Covenant Church has been sentenced to four years in prison after being charged with “illegal business operations.”


China Aid, a persecution watchdog group, said Qin Defu’s sentence is tied to the church’s possession of 20,000 Christian books, many of them small gospel tracts. Qin was arrested along with Early Rain’s pastor, Wang Yi, and more than 100 other church members.


A Facebook post by a group supporting the church, and attributed to Pastor Wang’s former attorney, said the sentencing was unexpected.


“Police reneged on their earlier promise to his family that if they accepted a government-appointed attorney, they would ‘go through the formalities then release him,’” the post read.


Most of the others who were detained were quickly released after signing documents they would no longer attend the church, according to the Christian Post. Wang, who has publicly denounced the Communist government and encouraged civil disobedience, is awaiting trial at an undisclosed location. According to Qin’s attorney, Pastor Wang admitted his connection to the books and is likely facing at least 10 years in prison. He is charged with “inciting to subvert state power.”


“At brother Qin’s trial, we learned that the charge of ‘illegal…

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Atheist Group: Football Coach’s Prayer Is ‘Serious Violation’ of Constitution

Atheist Group: Football Coach’s Prayer Is ‘Serious Violation’ of Constitution



An atheist group is urging an Ohio school district to stop its football coaches from praying with the players.


The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to the East Knox Local School District Nov. 27, alleging that the head coach and assistant coaches of East Knox High School in Howard, Ohio, are “participating in prayer circles during football games.”  


Prayer circles involve players kneeling (or standing) and praying together, and often take place before or after games. Sometimes, players from opposing teams join. 


The U.S. Supreme Court, the Foundation said, has struck down “school-sponsored prayer.” 


“The East Knox High School football coaches’ conduct is unconstitutional because they endorse and promote their religion when acting in their official capacities as school district employees,” Foundation legal fellow Dante Harootunian wrote in the letter. “Certainly, they represent the school and the team when they act in their official roles as coaches of the football team. Therefore, they cannot lead their team in prayer and cannot participate in their student’s prayers.”


The Freedom From Religion Foundation – which represents atheists, agnostics and skeptics – is asking the school district to stop coaches within all athletic programs from praying with players. The Foundation calls the prayers a “serious…

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Florida Church Pays Off $1.62 Million in Outstanding Medical Debt

Florida Church Pays Off $1.62 Million in Outstanding Medical Debt



A Florida church has paid off $1.62 million in outstanding medical debt for some 1,300 Lakeland residents.


According to the Associated Press, Access Church is mailing letters about the Thanksgiving gift to the residents. The letter will notify the resident that their medical debt has been paid off and will include the message, “Access Church loves you.”


Ryan Jordon, the executive pastor at Access Church, said a member of the congregation suggested the idea earlier in the year. The church used it’s 2018 annual Christmas Offering to pay off the medical bills. Each year, the offering is used for the community.


“Sometimes it’s local with our church fixing roofs torn by hurricanes or fixing air conditioners,” said lead pastor Jason Burns. “Other times it’s to build houses, orphanages and churches in Third World countries.”


Access Church worked with RIP Medical Debt, a nonprofit organization, to find residents eligible for help. The past-due medical debts were owed by Lakeland city resident with incomes at or below 50 percent of the federal poverty line, which is about $8,500 for a couple and $13,00 for a family of four.


There was more than $3 million in medical debt.


“I was absolutely blown away, blown away,” Jordan said. “Everyone falls on hard times and health care is a need.”


Because of federal privacy laws, Burns said the identity of the…

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