Missouri Satanist Challenges Pro-Life Laws as ‘Religious Tenets’
Pro-abortion activists have adopted a new legal strategy against pro-life laws in Missouri, challenging them as violations of religious liberty protections. In 2016, a self-avowed Satanist sued the state, claiming its abortion regulations are “religious tenets” and therefore a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Missouri’s Religious Freedom and Restoration Act (RFRA). The case now heads to the state’s Supreme Court for what could be a final decision.
A county court twice last year dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that the plaintiff, identified as “Mary Doe,” did not have standing and failed to state an actionable claim. The woman was not pregnant when she filed the lawsuit, so the law did not apply to her and did not prevent her from having an abortion. But in a 3-0 decision, the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Western District found some redeeming value in the plaintiff’s twisted view of the law and ruled Oct. 3 that the case “raises real and substantial constitutional claims” only the high court can address.
The original complaint, filed last year in Cole County Circuit Court, challenged the state’s informed consent law and is rife with religious language illuminating the plaintiff’s claim that the statute amounts to religious canon. The law’s declarations that life “begins at conception” and abortion…
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Nearly every woman has had that moment—the one where she’s hunched over in the dressing room and catches sight of her body. She can immediately pinpoint exactly what’s wrong with it or what she would change. Rarely does she use that moment to reflect on how…
Port Authorities in Sudan Detain Bible Shipment without Explanation
Authorities in Sudan have detained a container of Bibles in Port Sudan without explanation for more than two years, a source said.
A Bible Society in Sudan representative told Morning Star News the container was one of two containing Arabic Bibles detained more than two years ago. The other container was released shortly after appeals to port authorities.
The detained shipments were destined for Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, said the source, who asked to remain unnamed for security reasons. At present the Bible Society in Sudan does not have a single copy of an Arabic Bible available in Khartoum, he said.
Other shipments of Bibles at Port Sudan, on the Red Sea, have also been detained over the past two years, he added.
A church leader said availability of Bibles and Christian literature in the country is increasingly limited.
“There is difficulty in getting Bibles in the country,” he said.
The Bible Society in Sudan representative said a port official in the past week has been more willing to consider releasing the shipment. Sudan links Christianity with the West, and Christian leaders speculated that Sudan may be opening to releasing the shipment as the U.S. administration lifted sanctions on Oct. 12. The sanctions had been in place since 1997 for Sudan’s terrorist ties and human rights violations.
FBI Director Christopher Wray made a statement on the recent crackdown and rescue, applauding the rescue of the children, but also reinforcing the continued need to find and prosecute perpetrators of human trafficking.
“We at the FBI have no greater mission than to protect our nation’s children from harm,” said Wray. “Unfortunately, the number of traffickers arrested—and the number of children recovered—reinforces why we need to continue to do this important work.”
“This operation isn’t just about taking traffickers off the street,” Wray continued. “It’s about making sure we offer help and a way out to these young victims who find themselves caught in a vicious cycle of abuse.”
Among the minors rescued were children as young as a five-year-old girl and her three-month-old sister.
The recent crackdown was part of a major FBI operation to combat human trafficking called Innocence Lost National Initiative, which was begun in 2003. It reportedly included 55 field offices, 78 Child Exploitation Task Forces, along with 500 other law enforcement agencies, according to NBC News.
The Church said it has been given government accreditation for its national programme for developing school leaders.
Some 300 school leaders are expected to take the qualification over a three-year period starting in January, with training including school placements and visits, seminars, online learning and mentoring.
The Church of England Professional Qualification for Headship (CofEPQH) has already been running for a year in the South East, South West and North of England and was previously accredited by Liverpool Hope University.
It has now been awarded National Professional Qualification status by the Department for Education (DfE).
Reverend Nigel Genders, the Church’s chief education officer, said: “We believe that the leadership of a school is critical to the academic performance of pupils and how they flourish as individuals.
“To work with the Department for Education to empower and inspire school leaders in their vital roles is a privilege.
“We look forward to sharing our skills and expertise as well as our vision for education with school leaders from across the country.”
The Church of England has 4,700 schools, collectively teaching a million pupils, making it the largest single provider of education in the country.
A law allowing so-called ‘justifiable assault’ in some cases will be amended – to give youngsters the same rights as adults.
The Scottish Government think physical punishment has long-term negative effects.
However some campaign groups aren’t happy, claiming parents risk being unfairly criminalised.
Trevor Single, Chief Executive of the Family Matters Institute told Premier a number of issues will be raised by the policy change.
Speaking during News Hour he explained: “The parents should be allowed some discretion in terms of the way in which they discipline their children.
“Quite often – depending on the circumstances – a light smack can be an appropriate response to an incidence that has occurred.
Ministers have said they will ensure that a Bill brought forward by Green MSP John Finnie would become law.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Mr Finnie’s proposals are not a Scottish Government Bill, however we will ensure the proposals become law.
“We believe physical punishment can have negative effects on children which can last long after the physical pain has died away.
“We support positive parenting through, for example, funding for family support services.”
Christians have lobbied on both sides of the smacking debate with some referencing biblical scripture to defend their views.
Referring to Proverbs 13:24 which reads ‘Whoever spares the rod hates their children’, Single told Premier: “We should love our children and we should nurture them.
“But we should also bring them up in a way that makes them into good, honest citizens within the society that there in and I think that can be through different forms of discipline.”
The law in England, Wales and Northern Ireland currently allows what’s described as ‘reasonable chastisement’.
Today’s Scripture:“Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.” –(Isaiah 60:1, NKJV)
Topic: Heavy with Favor [Friday October 20, 2017]
Notice that today’s verse doesn’t say that the glory of the Lord is going to come on you one day. It doesn’t say, “Maybe when the economy gets better, when you graduate from college, or when you get that good break.” No, it says God’s glory is already on you!
The word “glory” in the original language indicates that God’s favor, blessing and splendor is on you in a heavy way. It’s something that is tangible and has weight. Think about it this way: You are not less than, intimidated or weak; you are heavy with God’s favor. You are dripping with God’s goodness. Your attitude should be, “There’s no telling what’s in my future! I am weighted down, not with burdens, not with problems. I am weighted down with the favor of God.” When you really understand that you are heavy with favor, then it’s easy to be heavy with expectation. It’s easy to believe for big things when you know God has favored you in a big way. It’s time for you to arise. It’s time for you to shine. Let that sink down into your spirit today because it’s time for you to arise and shine because His glory, His favor is heavy upon you! A Prayer for Today: “Heavenly Father, I come to You today with an open and humble heart. I know that Your glory is upon me. I thank You for Your favor upon me, and I thank You for Your anointing power which breaks every yoke and moves me into freedom and blessing in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Author’s note: This is a guest post by my daughter, Melanie Tomczak, in response to the heart-wrenching #MeToo posts that show just how prevalent sexual aggression is in our world today.
On Oct. 15, actress Alysssa Milano asked her twitter followers to reply, “Me too” and share their personal experiences of being sexually harassed or assaulted. This came as a response to the surge of devastating sexual harassment claims against Hollywood mogul, Harvey Weinstein.
I don’t think anyone could have anticipated what came next.
It went viral.
Two words turned into a worldwide movement of gut-wrenching honesty and transparency.
Monday morning, I awoke to find my social media feed inundated with posts with the same #Me too hashtag. It was unavoidable. I read the accounts of those I love and how their lives have been affected by the actions of others.
This isn’t something you can just ignore and keep “scrolling”. My heart has been heavy since I saw the very first “Me too” account on my Facebook wall.
As I took this heaviness to God, and asked Him, “Why?” He reminded me of these words:
“You have heard that it was said by the ancients, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matt. 5:27-28).
These are some pretty bold words from Jesus. He’s addressing one aspect of sexual activity that has the potential to cause emotional and relational destruction.
In today’s modern language, I’d like to re-phrase what he said, like this:
“Don’t go taking that which doesn’t belong to you sexually. Beyond something physical, I’m gonna raise the bar even further. You’re responsible for what you see, and how you think about it. You get to choose what you think on. I’m raising the bar on your private thought-life, because thoughts precede actions. And actions (good or bad) have the possibility to change lives forever.”
On Sept. 27, my news feed was filled with pictures and personal tributes to Hugh Hefner.
Now, three and a half weeks later, my feed is filled with posts from women (and men) who have been used, abused, assaulted and sexually objectified by (mostly) men.
I can’t help but wonder if there’s a correlation.
One man, produced images and taught a generation of men and boys worldwide how to view women and sexuality.
As a means to an end—instant gratification—it took that which was sacred, special and intimate and put it before the eyes of millions of strangers. Forget about commitment, emotional investment and unconditional love. None of that matters with an image that can’t even look back at you.
What’s happening today with the brave women and men who are willing to say, “Me too …” is that they have been on the receiving end of someone else’s sexual selfishness.
What would it look like if we broke the cycle?
The cycle of sexual selfishness. The cycle of abuse. The cycle of internal pain. The cycle of shame that whispers the lie of, “It probably was my fault …” The reality is: there’s nothing more beautiful than the gift of sex.
It literally has the capacity to create human life. Nothing else on earth can do that. But when used without boundaries, for selfish means, it can cause mass emotional, mental and physical destruction. I think we are seeing that played out before our eyes today.
This generation is ready for a change.
For myself, in line with Jesus’ words, I need to raise the bar in my own life. (It’s not just about dudes.) I need to commit to never using another person as a selfish means to an end. I need to take a fresh look at the things I choose to look at and watch. I need to reevaluate the things that I think on. I’m crying out to God and asking Him to break the cycle of sexual brokenness that has wreaked havoc on my generation.
In the end, it all matters
What’s happening today with the brave women and men who are willing to say, “Me too” is that they have been on the receiving end of someone else’s sexual selfishness.
Even my private thought-life. I’ve got Jesus’ words on it. And the enemy’s attack on even one of us, made in the image of God, is an attack on all of us.
Larry Tomczakis a cultural commentator of 45 yrs, Intercessors for America board member, best-selling author and a public policy advisor with Liberty Counsel. His new, innovative video/book, BULLSEYE, develops informed influencers in 30 days (see www.bullseyechallenge.com). Click (here) for his “Here’s the Deal” weekly podcast.
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President Trump Asks Supporters to Sign ‘Stand for the National Anthem’ Petition
President Trump has started a petition in support of standing for the National Anthem, and is urging Americans to sign it.
According to TheBlaze.com, the petition is featured on the GOP’s website and sponsored by the Trump Make America Great Again Committee. The petition is called the “Official Stand for the National Anthem Petition.”
A note about the petition reads, “The President has asked for a list of supporters who stand for the National Anthem. Add your name below to show your patriotism and support.”
Trump has been vocal in his criticism of the NFL players who knelt or sat during the National Anthem. In a tweet, he wrote, “The NFL has decided that it will not force players to stand for the playing of our National Anthem. Total disrespect for our great country!”
The President also tweeted that he supports the NFL instituting a rule that players have to stand during the National Anthem.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has also recently issued a statement on the NFL protests: “Like many of our fans, we believe that everyone should stand for the national anthem. It is an important moment in our game. We want to honor our flag and our country, and our fans expect that of us.”
No formal action has been taken against protesters, however.
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