CBS’ New Comedy Show ‘Angel from Hell’ Mocks Christianity, Pro-Family Group Complains

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CBS’ New Comedy Show ‘Angel from Hell’ Mocks Christianity, Pro-Family Group Complains
Christian Post Report – CBS’ new series “Angel from Hell”One Million Moms, a nonprofit family-interest group, has managed to convince the manufacturer Sleep Number to stop funding CBS’ new comedy series, “Angel from Hell,” starring Jane Lynch, which, it says, disrespects Christianity.”The previews alone can make believers sick to their stomachs with the blasphemous content including crude humor, foul language and distasteful dialogue,” says an alert posted on the website of One Million Moms, an organization founded by the American Family Association.

The series, which premiered Jan. 7, airs on Thursday evenings. The show is about an angel named Amy, who acts as a guardian for Allison, forming an unlikely friendship. It focuses on “a holier-than-thou character who is anything but that,” the family interest group says.

“The network also cast children in scenes that are extremely inappropriate, such as the angel using foul language in front of them and then joking that she never promised to be G-rated,” the group adds. “The premiere also included the angel hiding liquor in the children’s clothes and saying, ‘My booze!’ followed by a little boy saying, ‘That’s so cool!’ Almost every scene included the angel drinking alcohol from a flask, even on Sunday, and once at a bar. Not to mention the angel rides on a wrecking ball while busting up a concrete angel statue.”

Networks like CBS portray a false image of religion “once again,” the group says, calling the show “another attempt to distort the truth about people’s faith.”

As a result of the alert, Sleep Number is pulling its sponsorship of “Angel From Hell” immediately, the group’s website says. “Thanks for your feedback. We’ve contacted our Marketing team and confirmed we’re not planning on running any additional ads with this program at this time,” Sleep Number wrote on its Facebook page.

The Media Research Center agrees with One Million Moms’ criticism.

“This is just the latest volley in Hollywood’s war against faith,” Dan Gainor, VP of business and culture for MRC, tells Fox411. “Rather than simply deny the divine, ‘Angel From Hell’ seeks to denigrate it. They picked ‘Glee’ veteran Jane Lynch, who hates conservatives, to portray a disgustingly foul and perverted ‘angel.'”

He compared CBS’ show with the FOX television series called “Lucifer.” “With the arrival of the show ‘Lucifer,’ where the devil is portrayed as suave good guy, this is just the Left Coast’s latest attack on religious faith,” Gainor says.

In “Angle from Hell,” Amy is portrayed as a mysterious and eccentric individual who reveals herself to be an angel. She has a crazy persona and can make unbelievable predictions that come true. It is suggested that Amy has been watching Allison since childhood. Allison is a dermatologist who likes to multi-task and is a perfectionist. She thinks that Amy is nuts, until she discovers that Amy knows everything about her and starts believing her crazy predictions.

Source : Christian Post

Kierra Sheard Tells Women to Seek Scripture First to Save Themselves From Bad Relationships

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Kierra Sheard Tells Women to Seek Scripture First to Save Themselves From Bad Relationships
Christian Post Report – Kierra Sheard recently debuted her fifth studio album “Graceland.”Kierra Sheard has a message for women who seek to satisfy their lustful urges instead of do things God’s way.”If being nasty got you there, being nasty is what will keep you there. Every once in awhile, a woman wants to just be a lady and carry her grace more than her nasty,” Sheard wrote in a new blog titled, “Don’t Lose Your Nasty, But Use It For When It’s Time..” “It’s hard having peace, where there’s an unrealistic responsibility. Love yourself enough to set real life goals.”

The 28-year-old gospel singing daughter of Grammy Award-winning Karen Clark Sheard, of the gospel music group The Clark Sisters, and Bishop J. Drew Sheard, cautioned people about losing their value because of their sexual exploits.

“Love isn’t all fairy tales and pixie dust, but love shouldn’t make you feel alone or without value. Love may chasten you, but even with that part of love you don’t feel alone,” Sheard wrote. “You may lose your nasty, but you won’t necessarily lose your grace. Go where you’re safe enough to just be you with freedom and grace.”

The singer admitted that she has fallen victim to her “nasty” or lustful nature in the past, and focused on Proverbs 26:11 “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly” to inspire others to overcome those moments.

“Had I not tasted what I wasn’t suppose to prematurely, I would have made better decisions. Had we not known what it tasted like, perhaps we wouldn’t even have a struggle,” she wrote. “Had I not tasted it, I may not have been like the dog returning to its vomit. Do we always have to bump our heads so hard to see why we must do things God’s way?”

While Sheard posed the question about people having sexual desires that are no good, she answered that same question by citing 1 Corinthians 7:3, which states: “The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs.”

“Lessons learned,” the singer wrote to conclude her blog post. “I’m doing it God’s way.”

During an interview with The Christian Post last July, Sheard said she was setting standards for herself and only wanted to be involved with a man who was interested in growing and evolving into his best self.

“I always try to make sure I have people around me who are willing to grow and who aren’t wanting or OK with being stagnant. Having said that, there was one guy I was dating for so long but he just has a lot of growing and getting together to do,” the singer revealed to CP. “I loved him, but I was having a hard time letting go, in addition to me being the closest person to him and seeing his potential. That, too, can be very hard.”

Sheard said she once focused on the potential of her former love interest, but realized she couldn’t wait for him to be the person she believed he could be.

“I [could have been] waiting forever, but for nothing. That’s where my heart for my people comes in and it’s attached to my career,” the gospel singer said. “I love to see people do better because I like to do better. It’s so important that we don’t attach ourselves to the wrong thing.”

The singer says she often turns to the Bible for guidance about her personal life, and referenced a passage in Matthew 16:23 where Jesus told his disciple Peter that he had become a stumbling block.

“Jesus talked about a stumbling block when he was talking to Peter. He said, ‘get thee behind me Satan.’ The problem with us is we’re so quick to want to embrace people,” Sheard said. “I read my Bible so I’m able to maintain my personal life.”

Source : Christian Post

Manny Pacquiao Preaches to Pastors in Philippines Ahead of Timothy Brady Fight

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Manny Pacquiao Preaches to Pastors in Philippines Ahead of Timothy Brady Fight
Christian Post Report – Boxer Manny Pacquiao poses for the members of the media upon his arrival at the international airport in Manila May 13, 2015.Before announcing this week that he’ll be fighting Timothy Bradley Jr. for a third time in April, World champion boxer Manny Pacquiao was ministering to pastors in his native country of the Philippines.

“Thank you Lord for the privilege to preach to the pastors today. We are humbled and honored to share Your Word,” Pacquiao wrote after he preached to pastors in Davao city earlier this month. “God Bless everyone. Psalms 96:3 “Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.”

The pugilist, who’s also campaigning to be elected as a senator in the Philippines, asked his social media followers to pray for him before he completed the task of encouraging pastors in his home country.

“Please pray as we preach tomorrow here in Davao city and encourage the pastors and Christians from all over Mindanao. God Bless everyone,” Pacquiao wrote on Instagram.”With Pastor Paul Chase and Major Amir Tsarfati.”

While Pacquiao has spoken about his devout Christian faith for some time, it took a trip to the Israel last November to strengthen that faith. In his fourth visit to the country, Pacquiao sat in an area that had once been frequented by Jesus.

“Sitting in the place where Jesus taught the people everyday. Reminding me that we must be faithful and obedient to Him and enable us to be saved,” Pacquiao wrote on Instagram last year.

“We must follow Him that’s how we can really say we believe God. John 8:47 ‘Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.'”

In another image, Pacquiao is seen visiting Capharnaum, known as “the town of Jesus,” along with the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the sermon on the mount.

“Nice to be in the Mt. of Beatitudes and Capharnaum the town of Jesus, to know more about God …” Pacquiao wrote before quoting scripture. “Luke 8:10 (NIV) He said, ‘The knowledge of the secrets of the Kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.'”

Before his trip to Israel, Pacquiao leaned on his faith to help him heal after tearing his rotator cuff during a fight with Floyd Mayweather last May.

“It’s God’s work,” Pacquiao told The Philippine Star of his recovery process last summer. “I never saw a doctor. I never did rehab. All I did was to swim in the sea as often as I could. The salt water healed my wound.”

The fighter previously spoke to The Christian Post about the importance of Christian athletes using their platforms to share their faith.

“I think every Christian athlete should be open about their relationship with the Lord, as well as every believer. That is what the Bible commands,” Pacquiao told CP. “When I am vocal to others about my faith and my hope of eternal life, it helps those fans of mine and those who watch me to know they can also have a hope.”

Source : Christian Post

Eritrea Urged to Release Orthodox Patriarch Under House Arrest for 10 Years

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Eritrea Urged to Release Orthodox Patriarch Under House Arrest for 10 Years

Robert George (PHOTO: THE CHRISTIAN POST/SONNY HONG)

Christian Post Report – Princeton professor Robert George tells those in attendance at the In Defense of Christians press conference in Washington, Sept. 10, 2014, that more voices need to be heard of American and European Christians to urge their governments to remedy the atrocities facing Middle East Christians.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has urged the authoritarian government of Eritrea to release Patriarch Abune Antonio, who was illegally removed as head of the Eritrean Orthodox Church and remains in detention for 10 years.

USCIRF Chairman Dr. Robert P. George earlier this week called on the Eritrean government to “immediately release” Patriarch Antonios and “allow him to return to his rightful position” that he held at the time of his removal and detention in January 2006.

Antonios, who remains under house arrest incommunicado at an undisclosed location, was detained after he called for the release of political prisoners and refused to excommunicate 3,000 parishioners who opposed the government at the time.

In 2007, the government made Bishop Dioscoros of Mendefera as the head of the Orthodox Church.

“This anniversary should remind us all that the Eritrean people are denied the fundamental, universal human right of religious freedom,” said George in a statement. “The Eritrean government sends those whom they imprison for their religious beliefs to the harshest prisons and subjects them to the cruelest punishments. We must continue to shine the light on these prisoners of conscience until they are free.”

USCIRF has recommended, and the State Department has designated, Eritrea as a “country of particular concern,” for its “systematic, ongoing and egregious” violations of religious freedom since 2004.

Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki, who has ruled Eritrea since 1993, is a member of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church, an Oriental Orthodox church, in the capital city of Asmara – belonging to the largest among only three Christian denominations allowed to function in the country. However, Afewerki is known to be an alcoholic and an autocrat.

Eritrea, one of Africa’s smallest countries, has also jailed, tortured and killed numerous evangelical protestant Christians over the past years.

Afewerki, the leader of the ruling People’s Front for Democracy and Justice party, restricts religious freedom out of his fear that religion will mobilize people, which could be a threat to his hold on power, according to the World Evangelical Alliance’s Religious Liberty Commission.

Particularly after a war with Ethiopia from 1998 to 2000 – which cost Eritrea around 70,000 lives – Afewerki, who led the country to independence from Ethiopia, became over-suspicious and a lot more autocratic.

The government also claims to fear that that religious freedom will lead to evangelism by Christian groups and thereby cause social tensions which can be exploited by “outside forces” to destabilize the nation.

Source : Christian Post

Kevin Sorbo, Alan Powell Take a Stand Against Sex Trafficking in ‘Caged No More’

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Kevin Sorbo, Alan Powell Take a Stand Against Sex Trafficking in ‘Caged No More’

Christian Post Report – Poster art for “Caged No More,” a film to bring awareness to human trafficking.

NEW YORK — Actors Kevin Sorbo and Alan Powell who star in the film “Caged No More” reveal shocking statistics about the world’s the fastest-growing crime, sex trafficking, and how the newly released movie is educating and empowering people to take action and save lives.

“I knew it existed, I didn’t know it was to this level. I always thought, ‘Oh it’s in Asia, it’s in Russia, it’s in some other country.’ [But] not here,” Sorbo said about human trafficking during an interview with The Christian Post.  “It’s always been there, we’re just more aware of it now.”

Much like his co-star, Powell also didn’t realize how prevalent the horrific crime is.  “I read the script and said, there’s no way this really happens,” he revealed. The young actor said it really hit him when he was sent articles of human trafficking incidents that happened in his home town just miles away from where he lives.

“Caged No More” is a thriller that is set out to entertain and educate audiences about the dangers of human trafficking. The film stars Sorbo (“God’s Not Dead”), Powell (“The Song”), Emmy Award-winner Loretta Devine (“Grey’s Anatomy”), and Cassidy Gifford and Anthony Evans with appearances by Kathie Lee Gifford, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Pastor Chad Veach and Natalie Grant.

In a staggering statistic announced on NBC’s “Today” show, it was revealed that every 30 seconds someone falls victim to sex trafficking. According to UNICEF, more than a million children are trafficked each year.

Inspired by real events, “Caged No More” is meant to spread awareness about trafficking victims by telling the real life story of Aggie Prejean, a grandmother on a desperate search to find her two granddaughters, Skye and Elle, who were kidnapped by their father.

As the details behind the girls’ disappearance begins to unravel, it’s discovered their father has taken them overseas to be sold into slavery to settle a drug debt. Prejean enlists the help of the girls’ uncle, a well-respected local philanthropist, and his son, Wil (Powell), who’s a former special forces soldier. A global hunt ensues, and the team stops at nothing to see the girls safely returned home.

Sorbo plays two roles in the film as twin brothers Richard and Jack DuLonde. Jack is the evil brother who sells his two daughters into the sex trade and Jack is the heroic brother who sponsors their rescue and return.

“The script was interesting to me, Sorbo told CP, noting that his friend, writer Lisa Arnold, was involved in this film as well as his last blockbuster hit, “God’s Not Dead.”

The passionate actor went on to explain that among the reasons he chose to take on the two roles is because of how widespread and vicious the crime has become. “Just last year at the Super Bowl they broke up a huge sex trafficking ring,” the Minnesota native explained. “They brought all these boys and girls into the Super Bowl area to advertise for [fans] to have a good time. They advertised it as massage parlors or whatever they may be, but it was happening right there.”

Sorbo prepared for his two roles and shot them consecutively, although throughout the film his two characters were interchanging from scene to scene.

Spealing about his role as Wil, Powell told CP, “It was fun to prepared for this heroic role although it was such a serious subject matter.” The Anthem Lights singer shared that he actually had the opportunity to sit down with the real life hero he portrayed, who’s described as a Green Beret freedom fighter who regularly risks his life and goes undercover to rescue young girls and children who are victims of human trafficking.

“To be able to bring awareness to this particular subject I was willing to do anything,” Powell continued. “To call this particular film fun is difficult but it was certainly a privilege to be apart of.”

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Source : Christian Post

Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Matthew West Set to Host 2016 K-LOVE Fan Awards

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Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Matthew West Set to Host 2016 K-LOVE Fan Awards
Christian Post Report – 2015 K-Love Fan Awards. Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Matthew West will co-host the 2016 K-LOVE Fan Awards TV program together for the first time this summer.

“I’m so excited to be hosting this year’s awards along with Elisabeth,” said West, a four-time Grammy nominee, in a statement shared with The Christian Post. “This event has become such a wonderful celebration of how God uses Christian music to impact culture through K-LOVE’s airwaves every single day.”

Kirk Cameron(Photo: Courtesy of The Media Collective)Kirk Cameron and Elizabeth Hasselbeck co-hosted the K-Love Fan Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 31, 2015.

With a weekly listenership of over 14 million people, K-LOVE radio plans to host a weekend full of concerts and family activities June 3-5 in Nashville, Tennessee, that will be capped of by the annual awards show. Fans have already started voting for their favorite artists at KLOVEFanAwards.com, the only fan-voted awards show in the Christian music industry.

Fans’ votes will determine the official nominees in each of the seven categories, including Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, and Female Artist of the Year, among others.

“What a thrill and blessing it is to co-host the 2016  K-LOVE Fan Awards with the brilliant Matthew West,” added Hasselbeck. “To all my K-LOVE friends: get ready to praise and party with us because #GodIsGood!”

The New York Times best-selling author and long-time supporter of Christian music first announced her return as host live on “FOX & Friends” during her final day on the show.

Last year, while on the red carpet of the awards show, Hasselbeck said she is just doing what she is called to do, and is enjoying every moment of it, albeit a little star struck.

“When the spirit moves you, it’s not like you can say no. However, God wants to use me for His glory, I have surrendered that to Him and His plan. I am thankful to be here with my family and let the kids see a big party for God, and meet all my favorite artists,” she told BREATHEcast. “I’m just gonna have trouble focusing because I’m gonna be up there saying something and then spot TobyMac or Mac Powell. It’s hard to be a major fan of K-LOVE and host I think, so we’ll see.”

Offering a weekend of full access for music fans, packages are now available for purchase. For more  information about the 2016 K-LOVE Fan Awards, visit KLOVEFanAwards.com.

Source : Christian Post

Pope Offers Free Housing to Homeless Woman Who Gave Birth Near St. Peter’s Square

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Pope Offers Free Housing to Homeless Woman Who Gave Birth Near St. Peter’s Square

Christian Post Report – Pope Francis waves as he arrives to lead his Wednesday general audience in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican, September 9, 2015.

Vatican officials have offered a homeless woman one year of free housing after she gave birth near St. Peter’s Square this week in the freezing cold.

The homeless woman, whose name has not been revealed to the public, gave birth on a piece of cardboard near St. Peter’s Square at around 2 a.m. Wednesday in zero-degree weather. She was noticed and offered help by a Vatican patrol car shortly after giving birth.

“When I got close I saw that the baby was already born and was still attached by the umbilical cord to the mother,” Maria Capone, one of the officers who noticed the woman in the cold, told The Associated Press. “With my colleagues we tried to warm them up. We covered them with our uniform jackets.”

The woman, who is of Romanian descent, was then admitted to the nearby Santo Spirito hospital with her newborn baby girl, where she is reported to be in healthy condition.

Vatican Radio reported Wednesday that the new mother was then visited by Vatican official Monsignor Konrad Krajewski while at the hospital.

Krajewski, who is head of the Vatican’s charitable services branch, offered the woman one year of free housing in facilities that provide help for women and children in need. The facilities are owned and operated by the Blessed Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity..

Local media outlets report that the woman is “thinking about” the Vatican’s offer.

Krajewski was already familiar with the mother, as she and her partner have visited Vatican facilities provided to the homeless.

The Vatican reports that the woman had been offered resources during her pregnancy, and the recent offer of housing is an extension of these services.

Pope Francis has been a major proponent of offering help to people living in poverty throughout the world, repeatedly visiting homeless shelters in different countries and voicing the importance of helping those who have less.

In October 2015, the pontiff made a surprise visit to 30 homeless men staying at the newly-built Gift of Mercy facility located on the outskirts of Rome.

Francis also spoke on the homeless problem in the U.S. when he visited in late 2015, saying there is “no justification whatsoever” for the lack of housing in Washington D.C. and elsewhere in the country.

During a speech in the House chamber to members of Congress, the pontiff called on lawmakers to help those who are most vulnerable. “Each son or daughter of a given country has a mission, a personal and social responsibility,” the pope said during the event attended by The Christian Post. “A political society endures when it seeks, as a vocation, to satisfy common needs by stimulating the growth of all its members, especially those in situations of greater vulnerability or risk. Legislative activity is always based on care for the people. To this you have been invited, called and convened by those who elected you.”

Source : Christian Post