The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution Tuesday calling the Ottoman Empire’s World War I-era slaughter of 1.5 million Armenian Christians a “genocide” – a historic vote that marked the first time in more than three decades that either body of Congress has used the term.

Turkey, which was formed out of the fall of the Ottoman Empire, acknowledges atrocities took place but has pushed back on the use of the word “genocide,” arguing they weren’t systematic. Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire either were killed or forced to flee. 

Although the mass killings took place a century ago, leaders from both parties – including former Secretaries of State Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton – often have blocked Congress from using the term because of the historically close relationship between the U.S. and Turkey.

But that tight relationship ended when Turkey invaded Syria in recent weeks. 

It is sometimes called the “forgotten Holocaust” and was depicted in the film The Promise. 

The resolution passed, 405-11. It says the genocide involved the “killing of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923” and that the U.S. provided relief to the “Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Syriacs, Arameans, Maronites, and other Christians.” 

Further, the resolution says, Congress rejects…

In the wake of his 21-year-old son’s death, recording artist TobyMac has created the Truett Foster Foundation to help other aspiring creatives pursue their dreams.

“Truett Foster Mckeehan had an untamable grand personality and dreams to match. Since the age of 12, he knew he wanted to make music. Dreams are so important to kids growing up. Too many kids do not have the financial ability to pursue their dreams. We want to use this fund to help kids do just that. Get an education, to pursue music, to get the chance to live their dream. Truett would have loved that,” the foundation’s website explains.

Scholarship recipients will come from The Global Orphan Project with the help of TobyMac and his wife, Amanda.

Earlier this month, the Grammy-award winning artist announced the unexpected death of his son in their home. TobyMac was on tour in Canada when he heard the news and traveled back home to be with his wife and four other children. The remainder of the tour has been canceled.

Similar to his father, Mckeehan was a musician and had released songs and videos under his stage names of Shiloh, truDog, and TRU. Though not a Christian artist, he also collaborated with his dad on a few songs as well. A few days prior to his death, the aspiring artist performed his first live show at the Factory in Franklin, Tennessee.

“As I stood in the audience and watch my son bring joy to a…

Earlier this week in Texas, the Austin Independent School District unanimously agreed to introduce a new, controversial sex education curriculum that discusses gender identity and sexual orientation, according to KXAN.

Students in grades three through eight will receive the new curriculum as early as May 2020 that discusses how kids can find an adult they trust, options if they get pregnant, and healthy dating boundaries. Seventh graders will also learn how to use a condom.

“Some say that since the age of consent is 17, kids should only learn about abstinence until sex is legal,” said Susanne Kerns of Informed Parents of Austin, a group advocating for inclusive policies. “I would argue that we can warn kids about the risks of driving before the legal age while still teaching them to wear their seatbelt.”

The curriculum ran through many revisions and allowed parents to give feedback throughout the year. But the final version has still given many parents concern.

“(The curriculum) encourages minor children to engage in vaginal, oral, and anal sexual activity through the comprehensive sex ed they’re voting on,” said Carol Ayala, the director of Concerned Parents of Texas.

Parent MJ Alvarado isn’t opposed to sex education but wishes the curriculum wasn’t as specific.

“I’m concerned because the curriculum is very…

Former NFL player Tommie Harris says his faith has helped him cope with the loss of his wife and child.

Harris told Fox and Friends that it is a “miracle” that he was able to continue his life after losing his wife, Ashley and later, losing his child. 

“I look at a miracle every day when I look in the mirror and see that I’m not in a straitjacket or [have] lost my mind for what I’ve been through,” he said in the interview. “I’m a walking testimony. God moves every day through me, encourages me, inspires me to help someone else beyond myself.”

His wife, Ashley, was 28 when she suffered a brain aneurysm in 2012, Faithwire reports.

“We [were] married for 41 days,” Harris said. “I was on a plane … never knowing that when we land, I would get a phone call that said my wife stopped breathing on the table and I needed to hurry up and get to Oklahoma.”

“I had to pull a cord at 28 [years old], having millions of dollars, and nothing could help me at that moment. I lost all purpose for finances, for everything,” he said, referring to the decision to take her off life support. “That was the biggest time I believe my faith was tested, and I remember pulling the cord and I told God to let His will be done in my life.”

Four years after his wife’s death, Harris had a child with another woman, who died at 4 months old…

Attorneys representing a Christian website designer and graphic artist filed an appeal Friday against a Colorado law that could force her to promote messages about same-sex marriage that conflict with her religious beliefs.

The case dates back to 2016 when Alliance Defending Freedom sued the state over its application of an anti-discrimination law – the same law involving Masterpiece Cakeshop owner Jack Phillips, whose case made it to the U.S. Supreme Court, where Phillips won. 

The latest case involves web designer and graphic artist Lorie Smith and her studio, 303 Creative. Although Smith serves all customers, including LGBT ones, she says her faith prevents her from designing websites or graphics promoting same-sex marriage. 

A district court ruled against Smith. ADF appealed Friday to the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. 

“Creative professionals should be free to peacefully live and work according to their faith without fear of coercion, discrimination, or intimidation by the state,” said ADF senior counsel Kate Anderson. “Just because a multimedia artist creates expression that communicates one viewpoint doesn’t mean the government can require her to express all viewpoints, especially when that forced expression violates her religious convictions.”

Smith’s business website acknowledges her faith.

“As a Christian who believes…

In a heartbreaking Instagram post earlier this week, Dr. Tony Evans shared that chemotherapy is no longer working for his wife’s cancer.

“Even though chemotherapy and radiation are no longer options, we still have total confidence in God’s ability to supernaturally intervene and do what man is unable to do,” Evans said in a letter posted to Instagram. “Our prayers are full of faith, hope, and expectancy. We would appreciate you praying with that same spirit. While we wait on our miracle, Lois is continuing with natural therapies, supplemental treatments and is surrounded 24/7 with the love of her nuclear and extended family as well as the support of our church and national ministry.”

Lois spent all of last week in the hospital with intense pain. Thankfully, the doctors were able to manage it and released her for home care.

Church members have surrounded their family’s home with prayer, setting up a 24-hour rotation to constantly pray for healing.

Despite the uncertainty, Evans and his family are clinging to hope and God’s sovereignty. “When you allow God to lead you through a trial, you get to see Him for yourself,” the pastor and speaker said.

“We know God is still on the throne, and our faith is in Him and in His Word, and His love for us has not wavered in the least.”

As Christian Headlines previously reported, the…