Wednesday, August 31, 2011

31 August 2011


Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1]
Christian Observer “Off the Air” Since 20 August 2011

[2]
National Conservative Presbyterian Church of Mexico Severs Ties with PCUSA over May 2011 PCUSA Vote to Ease Fidelity and Chastity Requirements for Ordination of Homosexuals

[3] Church of Scotland Minister Admits Homosexual Relationship, Putting Congregation into Turmoil

[4] A New Presbyterian [PCUSA] Order?

[5] Military Chaplains Told Conform to DADT or Resign Commission

[6] Nigerian Army Said to Help in Slaughter of Christians


[7] Christian Convert Attacked with Boiling Water by Muslim Asylum Seekers in Norway

[8] New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg Excludes Clergy from Commemoration of the 11 September 2001 Muslim Jihad Attacks

[9] New Report Maps the Roots of “Islamophobia”

---

[1]
Christian Observer “Off the Air” Since 20 August 2011

The Christian Observer has been “off the air” since 20 August 2011 due to a web server address change and the unannounced demise of the Internet service provider that managed the domain registration and domain name services of the christianobserver.org domain.

Deo volente (D.V.), the Christian Observer website, under new domain registration and domain name services management, will again become available sometime during the first few days of September 2011.


+ Christian Observer, Post Office Box 1371, Lexington, Virginia 20110, christianobserver@christianobserver.org


[2] National Conservative Presbyterian Church of Mexico Severs Ties with PCUSA over May 2011 PCUSA Vote to Ease Fidelity and Chastity Requirements for Ordination of Homosexuals

A 27 August 2011 BCNN1.com article titled “Presbyterians in Mexico Break with U.S. Presbyterian Church Over Homosexuality” reports that the National Conservative Presbyterian Church of Mexico (INPM) has voted to stop working with the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) because of the May 2011 decision of the PCUSA to relax fidelity and chastity requirements for ordaining homosexuals.

The INPM and the PCUSA had previously worked together since 1873.


+ BCNN1.com, 8528 N. Davis Boulevard, Suite 134, Dallas, Texas 76180, Contact Form

+ National Conservative Presbyterian Church of Mexico, Calle del Parque no. 85, Del Parque, Mexico D.F., 52-5-523-6138

+ Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228
, Fax: 502-569-8005


[3] Church of Scotland Minister Admits Homosexual Relationship, Putting Congregation into Turmoil

A 29 August 2011 article by Claire Gardner in The Scotsman titled “Female Minister Who Wants to Marry Her Girlfriend Goes AWOL” reports that the Rev. Lynn Brady, pastor of the Newburgh Parish Church (Church of Scotland (COS)), has told her congregation that she is in a homosexual relationship and that she wants to marry her girlfriend.

One Newburgh elder has resigned and the other elders are considering their church offices. An emergency session meeting has been called for the week of 4 September 2011.


+ The Scotsman, Barclay House, 108 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AS, Scotland, 131-620-8620

+ Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN, Scotland, 0131-225-5722


[4] A New Presbyterian [PCUSA] Order?

by Jerry L. Van Marter - Presbyterian News Service

Minneapolis, Minnesota - Presbyterians committed to theological orthodoxy should consider a special vow, akin to special vows taken by members of various Catholic orders, Fuller Theological Seminary President Richard Mouw told the Fellowship of Presbyterians at its Aug. 25-26 gathering here.

In a wide-ranging and free-wheeling address and question-and-answer session, Mouw said, “Historically, when Catholics felt the church had gone astray, they didn’t leave, they formed special orders who took special vows according to their commitments. The commitment to theological orthodoxy for many of us should take the form of a special vow, to witness to the essential tenets and the power of the Reformed faith.”

Mouw commended to the 2,000 Presbyterians gathered here the essential tenets and “Reformed distinctives” developed by San Diego Presbytery, but cautioned against “word-for-word subscriptionism.”

Some statements in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Book of Confessions ― such as the declaration in the Westminster Confession that the pope is the anti-Christ ― “are historical statements we don’t want to subscribe to,” Mouw said, “but we don’t want holes big enough to drive a truck through. There are essentials.”

For instance, he continued, “We have to make a choice about the authority of Scripture, the inherent lostness of human beings and the need for the atoning salvation of Jesus Christ as our only savior.”

Also central, he said, “is our Reformed conviction that election [by God] is for both salvation and service ― to involvement in a covenant community that demonstrates the sovereign rule of God over all of human life … that covenant community is central ― gathering in (worship) and sending out (service).”

Essential tenets make us missional, Mouw said. “We’re elected to participate in the life of a community that seeks to perfect God’s plan here and now, bearing witness to God’s mission in the world.”

It’s not easy “to get a good grasp on what God is doing in the world and our place in it,” Mouw conceded. “We need a lot of dialogue, because it’s very hard to learn from each other when all of our speeches and conversations are geared to winning votes. It’s important for us to discern together what it means that we have received this Reformed tradition and what it means to apply it in our new context.”

Presbyterian officers, when they affirm that they will “be guided by the confessions,” often get caught up in a “Catch-22,” Mouw said. “We don’t want a line-by-line subscriptionism, but attention to whole body of confessions,” he said.

“We need guidelines on how to read the confessions ― we’ve slipped into a historical museum approach to the confessions,” Mouw said. “ What does it mean to be ‘guided by’ the confessions? Those who have developed essential tenets at presbytery levels are rightly concerned with putting flesh on the bones of [that question].”

Asked about seemingly intractable debates in the PC(USA) about what the authority of scripture means, Mouw responded: “If we can have honest conversations about the authority of Scripture rather than all the acrimony of debate and voting, our conversations would be much more productive.

“The Bible trumps everything else,” he said, “but we need solid agreed upon hermeneutical principles for interpreting Scripture.”


+ Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228, Fax: 502-569-8005

+ The Fellowship of Presbyterians, email@fellowship-pres.org


[5] Military Chaplains Told Conform to DADT or Resign Commission

A 24 August 2011 article by Chad Groening of OneNewsNow.com titled “Report: Military to Chaplains -- Resign or Conform” reports that Col. Ron Crews (U.S. Army - Retired), chaplain endorser for Grace Churches International, said that one of his chaplains reported that the he had attended a briefing by U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Admiral Mike Mullen, where the chaplain asked:

“Will those of us who hold biblical orthodox views concerning homosexuality be protected in this new environment to speak about those views?"

Mullen responded: “Chaplain, if you can't get in line with this policy, resign your commission.”


+ American Family Association, Post Office Drawer 2440, Tupelo, Mississippi 38803, 662-844-5036

+
Grace Churches International, 5117 Cliffdale Road, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28314, 910-867-6116, Contact Form


[6] Nigerian Army Said to Help in Slaughter of Christians

A 28 August 2011 report from Compass Direct News Service reports that Nigerian army personnel are alleged to have joined Muslim extremists in attacks on Christians between 11- 23 August 2011 in Nigeria’s Plateau State that left twenty-four Christians dead including a family of nine in Heipang village.


+ Compass Direct News Service, Post Office Box 27250, Santa Ana,
California 92799, 949-862-0304, Fax: 949-752-6536, info@compassdirect.org


[7] Christian Convert Attacked with Boiling Water by Muslim Asylum Seekers in Norway

A 29 August 2011 article by Michael Ireland of Assist News Service reports that a former Muslim who converted to Christianity has been attacked with boiling water and acid by Muslims at an Asylum Reception Center in Jaeren, Norway, after the Christian declined to comply with Ramadan fasting rules.

The attackers told the Christian: “If you do not return to Islam, we will kill you.”


+ Assist USA, Post Office Box 609, Lake Forest, California 92609, 949-380-1558, danjuma1@aol.com


[8] New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg Excludes Clergy from Commemoration of the 11 September 2001 Muslim Jihad Attacks

A 24 August 2011 Conservative Action Alerts article titled “Bloomberg’s 9/11 Exclusion Spurs Outrage” reports that New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg has excluded clergy from the tenth anniversary commemoration of the 11 September 2001 Muslim Jihad attacks on the World Trade Center.


+ Conservative Action Alerts, 17388 Nature Walk Trail #301, Parker,
Colorado 80134, 866-903-1747, Contact Form


[9] New Report Maps the Roots of “Islamophobia”

A 27 August 2011 Salon article by Justin Elliott reports that researchers at the Center for American Progress on 26 August 2011 released a 140-page report tracing the origins of what the report calls “rising Islamophobia in the United States.” The report describes those that originated the incitement of Islamophobia as a “small, tightly networked group of misinformation experts guiding an effort that reaches millions of Americans through effective advocates, media partners, and grassroots organizing,” specifically naming American Freedom Defense Initiative and Stop Islamization of America director Pamela Geller, and Center for Security Policy leader Frank Gaffney.


+ Salon Media Group, Inc., 101 Spear Street, Suite 203,
San Francisco, California 94105, 415-645-9200, Fax: 415-645-9204, pr@salon.com




Tuesday, August 23, 2011

24 August 2011


Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] 17 August 2011 Death of Mrs. Ellen Lee Bridewell Elliott

[2] Fremont Presbyterian Church of Sacramento, California, Discusses Leaving PCUSA for the EPC

[3] United Reformed Church Minister Angry at Minority in Church of Scotland Opposed to Homosexual Ordination

[4] American Psychiatric Association Working to Legitimize Pedophilia

[5] Failed 21 August 2011 Bombing Attempt on Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Kirkuk, Iraq

[6] None Dare Call It Obamanation

[7] Jihadists Urged to Bomb Military Funerals as New Way to Bring Terror to America

[8] Religion Communicators Council Calls for Civil Discourse Regarding the Tenth Anniversary of the 11 September 2001 Attacks

[9] First Congregational Church of Webster Groves [Missouri] (UCC) to Host Muslim Speaker on Sunday 11 September 2011

[10] Reformed Family Worship Book Available for Free Download

[11] August 2011 Reformation Voice Available for Download

[12] Free Preview of July/August 2011 “The Outlook” Available Online

---

[1] 17 August 2011 Death of Mrs. Ellen Lee Bridewell Elliott

Mrs. Ellen Lee Bridewell Elliott went to be with the Lord on 17 August 2011. Mrs. Elliott was born in Beauregard, Mississippi, on 18 April 1917. Her father was Mr. Nathaniel Weeks Bridewell and her mother was Mrs. Bettie Duncan Bridewell.

Mrs. Elliott had six brothers and sisters. Her brothers are Lt. Francis Bridewell, killed in World War II; Nat Bridewell, deceased; Dr. Ross Bridewell; and Major Joseph Bridewell. Her sisters are Charlotte Swain and Clarissa Cordre.

Mrs. Elliott's education included an AA degree from Montreat Anderson College in Black Mountain, North Carolina; a BA from North Western State University in Louisiana; and a Masters in Religious Education from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia. Following that, she took extensive post-graduate work.

She was married to the Rev. Mr. Edwin Powers Elliott, Sr., in 1946 at Clifton Forge Presbyterian Church. Rev. Elliott, founding pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Manassas, died in 1998. Rev. and Mrs. Elliott moved to Manassas in 1962 when he was called to be pastor of the Manassas Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Elliott was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

Mrs. Elliott's children are the Rev. Dr. Edwin Powers Elliott, Jr., died 11 October 2009, and Francis Moxom Elliott.

Mrs. Elliott worked in churches in four states along with her husband and taught in the public schools in Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. She was Guidance Counselor at Parkside Junior High School for many years until her retirement.

Following her formal retirement, she worked as editor and circulation manager for the Christian Observer Magazine, founded 1813, until her second retirement in 2007.

Mrs. Elliott is survived by her second son, Francis; his wife, Grace D. Arnold Elliott; and their four sons: Benjamin Elliott and his wife, Lisa E. Elliott; Adam Elliott; James Elliott; and Lee Elliott. Also surviving are Edwin P. Elliott, Jr.’s widow, Anne B. Elliott, and their three daughters: Laura Elliott, Rebecca Zadell and her husband Jerome, and Dr. Elizabeth Elliott.

The funeral will be at Reformed Presbyterian Church on 27 August 2011 at 10 a.m. Donations may be made to the Reformed Presbyterian Church at 9400 Fairview Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110. The phone number is 703-361-2300.


+
Christian Observer, Post Office Box 1371, Lexington, Virginia 20110, christianobserver@christianobserver.org


[2] Fremont Presbyterian Church of Sacramento, California, Discusses Leaving PCUSA for the EPC

A 22 August 2011 article by Jennifer Garza in The Sacramento Bee titled “Fremont Presbyterian Members Begin Meetings on Possible Split from National Body” reports that the congregation of Fremont Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)) met 21 August 2011 to begin discussions on whether the church should leave the PCUSA and join the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC). Three additional congregational meetings will be held before a final vote is expected to be taken in October 2011.

In a July 2011 non-binding vote, the Fremont session unanimously voted to leave the PCUSA because of the denomination’s non-adherence to biblical standards including the 2010-2011 vote of PCUSA presbyteries to remove the Fidelity and Chastity Standards for ministers and elders.

If the Freemont church, which averages 1300 weekly worshipers, votes to leave the PCUSA , Freemont will be the sixth church in the PCUSA 's Presbytery of Sacramento to leave the PCUSA and join the EPC.


+
The Sacramento Bee, 2100 Q Street, Sacramento, California 95816, 916-321-1000, Contact Page

+
Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228, Fax: 502-569-8005


+ Presbytery of Sacramento, 9983 Folsom Boulevard, Sacramento, California 95827, 916-414-2080, jwilkins@sacpresby.org

+
Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 17197 North Laurel Park Drive Suite 567, Livonia, Michigan 48152, 734-742-2020, Fax: 734-742-2033, webmaster@epc.org


[3] United Reformed Church Minister Angry at Minority in Church of Scotland Opposed to Homosexual Ordination

A 12 August 2011 article by Lorraine Waddell in the Lennox Herald titled “Dumbarton Minister’s Anger in Gay Ordination Row” reports that United Reformed Church minister the Rev. Daniel Cheyne of Dumbarton, Scotland, is angry with what the minister terms a “minority” within the Church of Scotland who follow the Bible too closely in regard to the minority’s opposition to the ordination of homosexual ministers.

Cheyne attributes the minority opposition to a “misunderstanding of the word of God. They have used ancient texts in the Bible and have taken them out of context….You can’t use them in the 21st century.”

Cheyne cites several Old Testament texts including:

“Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you beat him with a rod he will not die.” (proverbs 23:13)

“Behold I have two daughters who have not known man; let me bring them out to you and do them as you please.” (genesis 19:8)

“Happy shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock!” (Psalm 139)

Cheyne concludes: “We are citizens of the 21st century and we can no longer accept the words of ancient writings. If we are to accept the Biblical imperative we could easily find ourselves either in trouble with the local social work department or facing long prisons sentences….I think the church has got to be inclusive, not an exclusive club…The church must accept everyone, irrespective of their gender. I think everyone’s got gifts they can use for good. We should recognise that….It is a medical fact that people do not choose their sexuality. In the same way they are born with 10 fingers and toes they are born with their sexuality….There are many people who are gay and exercise a loving and pastoral ministry within the church. And we thank God for their gifts, dedication, care and commitment. Let’s move away from those ancient texts that cause nothing but misunderstanding and deeply rooted prejudice.”


+ Lennox Herald, 53 High Street, Dumbarton, G82 1LS
Scotland, 01389-742-299, marcmclean@s-un.co.uk

+
United Reformed Church, Church House, 86 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9RT, England, 020-7916-2020, Fax: 020-7916-2021, urc@urc.org.uk

+ Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN, Scotland, 0131-225-5722


[4] American Psychiatric Association Working to Legitimize Pedophilia

A 15 August 2011 article by John Rossomando in The Daily Caller titled “Conference Aims to Normalize Pedophilia” reports that a 17 August 2011 American Psychiatric Association (APA) meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, explored “ways in which minor-attracted persons [pedophiles] can be involved in the DSM 5 revision process” and how to change society’s view of pedophiles to one of tolerance.

The DSM is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The manual is scheduled to be updated in 2013, and is characterized by Rossomando as the APA’s “bible of mental illnesses”.


+ The Daily Caller, 1050 17th Street Northwest # 900,
Washington DC 20036, 202-466-3004, media@dailycaller.com

+ American Psychiatric Association, 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1825,
Arlington, Virginia 22209, 703-907-7300, apa@psych.org


[5] Failed 21 August 2011 Bombing Attempt on Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Kirkuk, Iraq

A 21 August 2011 article on Ankawa.com titled “Failed Attempt to Bombing the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Kirkuk” reports that police in Kirkuk, Iraq, on 21 August 2011 disarmed a bomb placed against a wall of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. The bomb contained petrol, Curtin explosive [possibly ammonium nitrate fertilizer – ed.], and detonators.

The article notes that attacks against churches in Kirkuk,
Iraq, have increased in recent weeks, and have included two successful and two unsuccessful bombings.

The Banner of Truth Trust notes that the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Iraq consists of five congregations in the cities of Baghdad, Kirkuk, and Mosul, the latter city having a church founded in 1840.


+ Ankawa.com, english@ankawa.com

+ The Banner of Truth Trust, P.O. Box 621, Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013, 717-249-5747, info@banneroftruth.org


[6] None Dare Call It Obamanation

Pamela Geller, executive director of the American Freedom Defense Initiative and Stop Islamization of America, publishes a blog called Atlas Shrugs where in recent days she has featured several articles about the 2011 White House Ramadan “Iftar” Dinner hosted by U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama:

In ‘WH Ramadan Dinner: Obama Honored the Sacrifices that Muslim Americans Made on 911’ of 12 August 2011, Geller states:

“The idea of [Obama] talking only of the Muslim who died on 911 or the Muslim first responder that died on 911 (if there were more, you'd have heard about it) is classic Islamic supremacism. Every death was an incalculable loss, every death an attack on this country.”

“If Obama and the Islamic supremacist machine is so insistent on pointing that out, why not point out that, according to Islam, they died as martyrs in an act of jihad? Further, why is the motive behind these acts of war, jihad, prohibited from the national conversation or more specifically, this dinner?”

“This is sedition. This speech by the President of the United States in the wake of the single largest loss of life in one day by devout Muslims in the act of jihad is treason.”

In ‘Obama's Ramadan Dinner Guest List Hides Attendance of Stealth Jihadists Tied to Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood’:

Geller references the Jihad Watch article ‘
Obama's Iftar guest list omitted attendees with links to Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood’, then quotes Neil Munro in The Daily Caller of 11 August 2011:

“The White House’s published guest list for this year’s Ramadan Iftar dinner…. excluded the names of several controversial advocates who have attended the event in the past, including some who…did attend...”

“…Haris Tarin, the Washington director of the
Muslim Public Affairs Council, whose invitation was kept off the published list.

“Mohamed Magid also attended but did not appear on the White House’s publish list. Magid is imam of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society mosque in Northern Virginia and the current president of the Islamic Society of North America [ISNA].”

“…court records…show that the federal government designated ISNA an unindicted co-conspirator during the 2008 trial of Texas Muslims who smuggled money to the Hamas terror group....”


+ Atlas Shrugs, writeatlas@aol.com

+
Jihad Watch and Dhimmi Watch

+ The Daily Caller, 1050 17th Street Northwest # 900,
Washington DC 20036, 202-466-3004, media@dailycaller.com

+
Muslim Public Affairs Council, 110 Maryland Avenue Northeast, Suite 210, Washington DC 20002, 202-547-7701, Fax: 202-547-7704, contact@mpac.org




[7] Jihadists Urged to Bomb Military Funerals as New Way to Bring Terror to America

A 19 August 2011 The Daily Mail article titled “Jihadists Urged to Bomb Military Funerals as New Way to Bring Terror to America” reports that the Ansar al-Mujahedeen web forum is hailing the 2009 Fort Hood massacre as a triumph, is urging jihadists using suicide vest bombs to strike America by bombing the funerals of U.S. service members killed in action, and to instructing prospective suicide bombers to hide the vest bombs under fake military uniforms to more easily get close to funeral dignitaries such as military officers and state officials.


+
The Daily Mail, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT, England, 020-7938-6000, news@dailymail.co.uk


[8] Religion Communicators Council Calls for Civil Discourse Regarding the Tenth Anniversary of the 11 September 2001 Attacks

In a 7 August 2011 statement, the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) urged journalists and bloggers to “pursue accuracy, respect and understanding of people of all faiths and faith communities…” in news coverage of the tenth anniversary of the 11 September 2011 attacks.

The RCC called “for responsible discussion of religion and of all faith groups, seeking the understanding and acceptance of religious communities…” because the anniversary of the 2001 attacks could “bring about painful recollections of terrorism and its effects," and that reports about the attacks “could become heated and distorted as it intermingles the religious identity of participants in those heinous acts.”


+ National Council of Churches, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 880,
New York, New York 10115

+ Religion Communicators Council, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 1355, New York, New York 10115, 212-870-2985, Fax: 212-870-2171, rccrprc@rcn.com


[9] First Congregational Church of Webster Groves [Missouri] (UCC) to Host Muslim Speaker on Sunday 11 September 2011

The First Congregational Church of Webster Groves [Missouri] (United Church of Christ) is commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 11 September 2001terrorist attacks on the United States by a Sunday 11 September 2011 program titled “Peace Be Upon You!”, described as “an interface exploration of common purpose and collaboration designed to move us from tolerance to empathy.”

The keynote speaker will be Khaled Abdul Hamid, creator of the blog
Khaled Hamid Forum: Just Some Thoughts of an American Muslim on
Politics, Religion, and Muslim Community Issues
.


+
National Council of Churches, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 880,
New York, New York 10115

+
United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, 216-736-2100, ogm@ucc.org


[10] Reformed Family Worship Book Available for Free Download

Christian Observer editor Ginny Youmans has updated her Reformed Family Worship Book to optionally include a planner section for the 2011-2012 school year, and is making PDF versions of both available for free download at:

http://thousandhillsfarm.com/rfwb/index.html


+
Christian Observer, Post Office Box 1371, Lexington, Virginia 20110, christianobserver@christianobserver.org


[11] August 2011 Reformation Voice Available for Download

The August 2011 Reformation Voice is available for download at the Heidelberg Reformation Association website.


+ Heidelberg Reformation Association, Rev. Howard Sloan, Secretary, 5543 Business 220, Bedford, Pennsylvania 15522


[12] Free Preview of July/August 2011 “The Outlook” Available Online

The July/August 2011 issue of The Outlook is available for free preview at:

http://issuu.com/reformedfellowship/docs/outlook_july_august_2011-6-200?viewMode=magazine&mode=embed


+ Reformed Fellowship, Inc., 3363 Hickory Ridge Court Southwest,
Wyoming, Michigan 49418, 616-532-8510, editor@reformedfellowship.net




Wednesday, August 17, 2011

17 August 2011

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1]
Christian Observer Article – “Did the Presbyterian Church in America Stated Clerk And Administrative Committee Have A Role in the Establishment of the Presbyterian Investors Fund /Cornerstone Ministries Investments and It’s Eventual Bankruptcy?”

[2] Court of Session in Edinburg, Scotland, Rules that Isle of Skye’s Broadford Church Belongs to the Free Church of Scotland

[3] Kolomna, Russia, Police Break Up Youth Worship Service

---

[1]
Christian Observer Article – “Did the Presbyterian Church in America Stated Clerk And Administrative Committee Have A Role in the Establishment of the Presbyterian Investors Fund /Cornerstone Ministries Investments and It’s Eventual Bankruptcy?”

In a new Christian Observer article for August 2011, Bob Wildrick, a Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) member and one of 3500 investors who lost the majority of their savings in the US$142 million February 2008 Chapter 11 Bankruptcy of Cornerstone Ministries Investments (CMI), uses PCA General Assembly Minutes from 1985 to 1994 to review the founding of the Investors Fund for Building and Development, which later became the Presbyterian Investors Fund, then CMI, to answer the article title’s question.


+ Christian Observer, Post Office Box 1371, Lexington, Virginia 20110, christianobserver@christianobserver.org

+ Presbyterian Church in America, 1700 North Brown Road, Suite 105, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043, 678-825-1000, Fax: 678-825-1001, ac@pcanet.org


[2] Court of Session in Edinburg, Scotland, Rules that Isle of Skye’s Broadford Church Belongs to the Free Church of Scotland

A 12 August 2011 BBC article titled “Judge Asks Free Church Groups to End Skye Dispute” reports that the Court of Session in Edinburg, Scotland, has upheld a 2009 lower court decision giving ownership of the Broadford Church on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, to the Free Church of Scotland, thus taking the church from the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) congregation that has worshiped there since 2007.

The Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) separated from the Free Church of Scotland in 2000 after the majority declined to pursue church discipline against Free Church College Professor Donald Macleod, who was alleged to have committed six charges of indecent assault involving five women between 1985 and 1992, and was acquitted of the charges after a trial in the Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Lord Drummond Young, one of three appeals court judges, concluded the court’s written opinion with a recommendation to both parties:

“May I, in conclusion, respectfully suggest that this is a case where such an arrangement might be reached? It is true that the right to the Broadford property belongs to the congregation who adhere to the structures of the pre-2000 Free Church, and that the minister and communicants of that congregation must be members of the Free Church as governed by those structures. Nevertheless, I can find nothing in the trust that prevents the congregation so determined from permitting the use of the church to other bodies of Christians who follow similar doctrines and forms of worship. The defenders appear to me to be such a body. In this respect, the exhortation to longsuffering, forbearance and unity of the spirit within a congregation may be as relevant to Broadford and other communities in Scotland in the twenty first century as it was to Ephesus in the first century.”


+ BBC, 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TS, England, Fax: 020-8008-2398

+ Free Church of Scotland, 15 North Bank Street, The Mound, Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 2LS, 0131-226-5286, Fax: 0131-220-0597, catherine@freechurchofscotland.org.uk

+ Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), Rev. John MacLeod, Free Church Manse, Portmahomack, Ross-shire, Scotland, principalclerk@fccontinuing.org


[3] Kolomna, Russia, Police Break Up Youth Worship Service

Alfred McCroskey of Bibles for Russia, Inc. (BRI) reports that on 9 August 2011, police in Kolomna, Russia, located approx. sixty miles southeast of Moscow, came into a church during a youth service, broke up the service, and took the youth pastor conducting the service to a police station where the pastor was threatened and ordered to leave the town because the pastor was from Moscow.

Mr. McCroskey says that the police action did not reflect a national policy for Russia, but that there are increasing instances of this type of police harassment depending upon local leadership.

BRI is sending a team to
Russia at the end of September 2011, and is looking for others who may be interested in being a part of the team. If so, please contact BRI immediately.


+ Bibles for Russia, Inc., Post Office Box 69, Florence,
Alabama 35631, 256-718-3660, Fax: 256-718-3662, info@biblesforrussia.org




Wednesday, August 10, 2011

10 August 2011


Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Christian Observer Highlights for August 2011

[2] Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s Bankrupt Presbyterian Mutual Society after Three Years Pays Investors Majority of Claims

[3] Canadian Reformed Church Delegation Visits General Synod 2011 of the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands

[4] Presbyterian and Reformed Churches in “Unholy Alliance” with World Evangelical Alliance

[5] Presbyterian Church of Ghana To Establish Counseling Centers for Homosexuals

---

[1] Christian Observer Highlights for August 2011

New articles in the
Christian Observer for August 2011 include:

Protecting What God Has Given You From Those Who Use His Name – by Pat Huddleston, CEO of Investor’s Watchdog, an investor protection company – former Enforcement Branch Chief at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and court appointed Chapter 11 bankruptcy investigator for the Presbyterian Church in America-affiliated Cornerstone Ministries Investments (CMI) Ponzi scheme debacle, Pat Huddleston, discusses how now-bankrupt investment firms CMI and Alanar used the religious background of both companies’ officers and directors to sell an image of safe investment and Godly stewardship to potential investors, then later shifted the companies into various types of fraud and fiduciary misconduct. One of Huddleston’s conclusions is “…never invest in anything pitched by even a subtle appeal to your faith;” and,

The Energy Problem In Education” – by Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro – discusses how the humanist morality of today’s public schools demonstrate II Timothy 3:5’s description of the perilous times in the last days where men are described as “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:”;

Plus, regular features including weekly Sabbath School Lessons and Westminster Shorter Catechism lessons by Christian Observer Assistant Editor Dr. Robert LaMay, and Daily Devotionals by T.M. Moore, dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe.

.
+ Christian Observer, Post Office Box 1371, Lexington, Virginia 24450, christianobserver@christianobserver.org

+ Investor’s Watchdog, LLC, 1300 Ridenour Boulevard, Suite 200, Kennesaw,
Georgia 30152, 770-874-0007, Contact Page

+
Presbyterian Church in America, 1700 North Brown Road, Suite 105, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043, 678-825-1000, Fax: 678-825-1001, ac@pcanet.org


[2] Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s Bankrupt Presbyterian Mutual Society after Three Years Pays Investors Majority of Claims

A 3 August 2011 News Letter article titled “Savers Tell of Dismay at Losing Trust in Church” reports that checks totaling UK£232 million have been mailed to 9500 investors all over
Northern Ireland to settle claims arising from the 2008 bankruptcy of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI)’s Presbyterian Mutual Society (PMS). The funds returned to investors represent the majority of the investor’s assets, with one interviewed investor couple receiving seventy-nine percent of their PMS savings.

After the 2008 PMS bankruptcy, investors saw their savings tied up for three years before receiving the settlement funds, and some of the disaffected investors have left the PCI, one claiming that the PCI “disowned” its flock and refused to intervene when the PMS declared bankruptcy in 2008.

Another PMS investor said “The [PCI] disowned us from the start and it just didn’t want to know….They deceived us and we were told lies by members of the [PCI], and we have been so hurt that we can no longer call ourselves Presbyterian….I’ve never given up my faith or Christianity, but I don’t belong to a church any more.”

The investor did though pay tribute to former PCI moderator, the Rev. Dr. Stafford Carson, who the investor said “worked tirelessly” in the campaign to return savers’ money with government money. The investor continued: “Dr Carson never turned his back on us at any stage….There were times when he was wearing two coats - he had to be on the church’s side and he had to be on our side. He was in a very awkward position on our behalf.”


+ News Letter, Ground floor, Metro Building, 6-9 Donegall Square South,
Belfast, BT1 5JA, Northern Ireland, 028 3839 5577, newsdesk@newsletter.co.uk

+
Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Church House, Belfast BT1 6DW, Northern Ireland, 028-9032-2284, Fax: 028-9041-7301, Info@PresbyterianIreland.org

+ Presbyterian Mutual Society, Glengall Exchange, Glengall Street, Belfast BT12 5AB, Northern Ireland, 028-9031-1232, Fax: 028-9031-1441, pms@arthurboyd.co.uk


[3] Canadian Reformed Church Delegation Visits General Synod 2011 of the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands

The 29 July 2011 issue of Clarion, the Canadian Reformed Magazine, features two articles related to the visit by a delegation from the Canadian Reformed Churches (CRC) to General Synod Harderwijk (2011) of the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Liberated) (GKV) 28 March – 2 April 2011.

The first article, “Visit to General Synod Harderwijk of the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands,” by G.J. Nordeman and J. DeGelder, reported that the CRC delegates met 28 March 2011 with a section of Deputies BBK (GKV Relations with Churches Abroad committee), where the CRC delegates shared concerns about developments in their Dutch sister churches. The concerns expressed were “…that the developments in the Dutch churches seem to move the churches away from the reliability and authority of God’s Word, by putting more and more man and his ideas and expectations in the centre rather than God’s revealed will…” The Deputies BBK took issue with the characterization and assured the CRC delegates “…that, with everything that is going on and shifting in the Dutch churches, the churches want to remain faithful to the Scriptures as the full Word of God.” The Deputies BBK “…insisted on the biblical and confessional integrity of the [GKV Churches] as they seek to give relevant answers to the questions believers are confronted with in this secular, post-Christian society.”

Addressing the GKV’s drive to be culturally relevant in a secular society, the article stated “…we also want to reach out to unbelievers in a way that speaks to them and that is relevant in their context. But this should not mean that our post-modern culture and context is going to determine how to read Scripture and what in the Bible is relevant for today and what is not. This would put (modern) man with his ideas and expectations in the centre, rather than God, who reveals himself….We are afraid that here things are going off the rails in the Dutch churches. The arguments that Paul’s writings reflect the culture of his day to the point that the clear teachings and instruction in his letters can no longer be valid for the time in which we live today undermines the confession that it is God’s Word in which the Lord reveals his will. When we are encouraged to listen to the voice of the living God beyond what is written, we cross an important line….In the eagerness to be culturally relevant it is easily forgotten that God’s Word is often also counter-cultural. As a matter of fact, it has always been counter-cultural since the days of the New Testament, and it will always be counter-cultural.”

The article expresses concern with the changing focus at the Theologische Universiteit Kampen (TUK) toward research and “…the need to be academically relevant among the other theological facilities and institutions…” to the point where a smaller number of graduates are becoming ministers, and those students that want to become ministers are choosing other institutions for their theological education.

Other concerns about GKV Churches include a changing hermeneutic toward ethical issues called the “style-of-the-kingdom” approach, which lessens the supremacy of God’s Word in favor of relativistic, man-made ethics. Concerns too were expressed about how the changing hermeneutics in the GKV are leading toward “liturgical confusion and fragmentation in and among the churches,” to where charismatic thinking, making infant baptism optional, and churches holding ““Taize-services,” with no preaching, just personal meditation,” are accepted in some of the churches.

The article additionally noted “…that the GKV has withdrawn its offer of ecclesiastical fellowship to [
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church)(OPC)]”, which has been under consideration by the OPC for several years, due to the fact that: “The 77th [General Assembly] of the OPC concluded that “the assembly finds itself unable to affirm, without reservation, that the [GKV Churches] are fully Reformed.””

The magazine’s second article titled “Report of Subcommittee The Netherlands of the Committee for Relations Churches Abroad,” by the Rev. J. DeGelder, Brother G.J. Nordeman, the Rev. J. Moesker, and Dr. C. Van Dam, contains the text of Article 86 of CRC Synod Burlington 2010 dealing with concerns with the GKV, and a detailed report of the subcommittee on the issues discussed in the first article, plus several more concerns.


+
Canadian Reformed Churches, comments@canrc.org

+
Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Liberated) (GKV), Postbus 770, 3800 AT Amersfoort, Netherlands, info@gkv.nl

+
Reformed Churches in the Netherlands

+
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 607 North Easton Road, Building E, Box P, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania 19090, 215-830-0900, Fax: 215-830-0350


[4] Presbyterian and Reformed Churches in “Unholy Alliance” with World Evangelical Alliance

The Summer 2011 issue of Redeeming the Time includes an article titled “What Fellowship….” by Brad K. Gsell, which reports that after five years of collaboration, the
World Council of Churches, the Roman Catholic Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialog, and the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) held a public meeting 28 June 2011 in Geneva, Switzerland to release a joint declaration titled “Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious World: Recommendations for Conduct.”

The declaration’s recommendations include a statement that the three organizations “…acted in a spirit of ecumenical cooperation,” that Christian witness when “…possible …should be done ecumenically, and in consultation with representatives of other religions,” that Christians should “[c]ooperate with other religious communities engaging in interreligious advocacy,” and that, “…while everyone has a right to invite others to an understanding of their faith, it should not be exercised by violating others’…religious sensibilities.”

Gsell points out that the
Presbyterian Church in America and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church are WEA members “and thus are part of this unholy alliance.” The WEA website additionally shows that the Evangelical Assembly of Presbyterian Churches and The World Reformed Fellowship are members of the WEA.

Gsell writes of the effusions of ecumenism contained in the joint declaration:

“Yet, there is no recognition given of the terrible apostasy and heresy both in the Roman Catholic Church and the
World Council of Churches [WCC]. The WCC has had many leaders of false religions on its Assembly platform and has cooperated with them in many ways. The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialog likewise shows itself to be syncretistic and universalistic in its many letters of greetings and congratulations on the occasion of false religious celebrations….

“However, the message could not end without pointing out the true dangers “in today’s world” — “secularism and fundamentalism that are often inimical to true freedom and spiritual values, interreligious dialog can be the alternative choice by which we find the ‘golden way’ to live in peace and work together for the good of all.” It should not surprise us that those who choose to willfully disobey God’s Word should want “peace” and “love” with nearly everyone but the Bible-believer!”


+ Redeeming the Time, PO Box 26281,
Charlotte, North Carolina 28221, redeemingthetime@bellsouth.net

+
Bible Presbyterian Church

+
Presbyterian Church in America, 1700 North Brown Road, Suite 105, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043, 678-825-1000, Fax: 678-825-1001, ac@pcanet.org

+ Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 17197 North Laurel Park Drive Suite 567, Livonia, Michigan 48152, 734-742-2020, Fax: 734-742-2033, webmaster@epc.org

+ World Council of Churches, 150 route de Ferney, CH-1211, Geneva 2, Switzerland, 41-22-791-6111, Fax: 41-22-791-0361

+ World Evangelical Alliance, 74 Trinity Place, Suite 1400, New York, New York 10006, 212-233-3046, Fax: 646-957-9218, Contact Form

+
The Vatican, Città del Vaticano, Rome, Italy, 39-6-69-88-35-11, Fax: 39-6-69-88-54-47, Contact Page

+
Evangelical Assembly of Presbyterian Churches, 6 Barclay Street, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10279, 212-233-3055, Contact Form

+
The World Reformed Fellowship, c/o 430 Montier Road, Glenside, Pennsylvania 19038, 267-243-2574, Contact Form


[5] Presbyterian Church of Ghana To Establish Counseling Centers for Homosexuals

A 9 August 2011 Joy Online article titled “Presby Church to Set Up Counseling Centres for Homosexuals” reports that the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) is establishing counseling centers in Accra, Kumasi, and Akropong, Ghana, to provide counseling and therapy for homosexual PCG members.

PCG moderator the Rt. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey recently strongly condemned homosexuality, describing it as filthy, unbiblical, and un-African, but told Joy Online that PCG plans to offer counseling services to homosexuals does not mean the PCG is softening its position on homosexuality.

Martey commented: “I have been a minister for over 33 years and I’ve ministered to homosexuals, some of my students who are now ministers have ministered to homosexuals and they have come out of it so when I am talking I know what I am talking about.” Martey said that homosexuality is the result of demonic spirits, and that the counseling center staff will pray for the clients, “and we will let them go through a vigorous spiritual exercise and if it is spiritual, it will come out, they will be free.” Martey said that the PCG will not excommunicate anyone because they are homosexual.


+ Joy Online, Post Office Box GP 17202, Accra,
Ghana, 233-302-226151, Fax: 233-302-233697, info@myjoyonline.com

+
Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Post Office Box GP 1800, Accra, Ghana, 233-21-662511, Fax: 233-21-665594, pcghg@yahoo.com


Wednesday, August 3, 2011

3 August 2011


Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] ARPTalk 49 Laments “A Vision for Erskine as Articulated by the Erskine Facebook Participants”

[2] Crystal Cathedral Founder Robert Schuller Reinstated to Church Board after Recent Ouster

[3] Reformation Bible College Offers Fall Semester 2011 Free On-Campus Course in Ancient Classics for High School Students

[4] British “Palm Cross” Electrician Continually Harassed and Suspended from Work after Employer Agreed to Stop Harassment

[5] Presbyterian Church of Nigeria Leader Tells Muslim Leaders to Stop Threatening War Unless Islamic Banking System Introduced

[6] Muslims Seize Christian Burial Sites in Tanzania’s Archipelago

[7] Muslims Burn Down Two Christian Churches in Zanzibar, Tanzania

[8] Counterterrorism Official Says Al-Qaida Still Likely to Use Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD)

[9] U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama to Approve Al-Qaeda Embassy in Washington DC

[10] Los Angeles Sheriff Baca Praises Organizations with Ties to Terrorism

[11] U.S. Presidential Candidate Herman Cain Apologizes to the Muslim Brotherhood

[12] People for the American Way Denounces “Anti-Muslim Extremism”

[13] U.S. Vice President Joe Biden Describes Tea Party Members as “Terrorists”

[14] U.S. Department of Homeland Security Video Characterizes White Americans as Most Likely Terrorists

---

[1] ARPTalk 49 Laments “A Vision for Erskine as Articulated by the Erskine Facebook Participants”

In the ARPTalk 49 article “A Vision for Erskine as Articulated by the Erskine Facebook Participants” dated 28 July 2011, the Rev. Dr. Charles W. Wilson laments the further deterioration of
Erskine College and Theological Seminary into secularism and neo-Barthianism respectively, and collectively into irrelevancy, by citing the postings of various members of Facebook’s “Alumni for Erskine” group.

Dr. Wilson reviews the history of the founding of Erskine, the rantings of “Alumni for Erskine” Facebook posters with the same mindset of the early 19th-century secularists and anti-Christians for which Erskine was founded as an alternative, and the forty years of double-mindedness from Erskine leaders who have continually mollified the ARP General Synod while doing nothing to reverse the continual slide of Erskine into the secular and Neo-Orthodox mire. Wilson then concludes: “It is time for the ARP Church to get on with the business of the Church and let Erskine College and Seminary go…without asking for any sort of financial reimbursement to the General Synod….The ARP Church does not need the proceeds of infidelity and heresy!”

Wilson continues:

“It is time to give Erskine College to the Facebook alums who have been characterized as “a bunch of idiots” (BOIs). It is time to give Erskine College to Dr. Bill Crenshaw and to his Crenshawites whom he has taught spelling, grammar, critical thinking, and infidelity. In truth, this inept group of BOIs could not successfully run an overstocked Food Bank in the middle of a concentration camp packed with starving people. Let them kill Erskine and weep their crocodile tears for the memory!

“It is time to give Erskine Seminary to Dr. Richard Burnett and all the neo-Barthians he can salvage out of the apostate and shipwrecked PCUSA who
have made the PCUSA the whore of the Antichrist. Free rein can then be given to theological strangeness and deviation and Erskine Seminary can go the way of nonexistence. At that point, thankfully, the ARP Church will be free of the cancer that is Erskine Seminary.”


+
ARPTalk Blog, 864-882-6337, wilson6114@bellsouth.net

+ Erskine College, 2 Washington Street, Due West, South Carolina 29639, 864-379-2131, 864-379-2167, norman@erskine.edu

+ Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 1 Cleveland Street Suite 110, Greenville, South Carolina, 29601, 864-232-8297, Fax: 864-271-3729

+
Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228
, Fax: 502-569-8005


[2] Crystal Cathedral Founder Robert Schuller Reinstated to Church Board after Recent Ouster

A 27 July 2011 article by Deepa Bharath in the Orange County Register titled “Schuller Back Voting on Crystal Cathedral Board” reports that Crystal Cathedral founder the Rev. Robert H. Schuller on 22 July 2011was reinstated to the church board after recently being ousted from the same. Additionally, the board voted to increase the number of board members from five to eight, and voted to fire two board members who has recently voted for Schuller’s ouster.


+ Orange County Register, 625 North Grand Avenue,
Santa Ana, California 92701, 877-469-7344, thorne@ocregister.com

+
Reformed Church in America, 4500 60th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512, 800-968-6065, questions@rca.org


[3] Reformation Bible College Offers Fall Semester 2011 Free On-Campus Course in Ancient Classics for High School Students

Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Florida, during fall semester 2011is offering high school students a free for-credit course from the college’s Great Works curriculum called the “Ancient Classics”. The classes are taught by Associate Professor of Philosophy and Apologetics Dr. R.C. Sproul, Jr., and will be held on the college campus Tuesday nights from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. from 23 August through early December, with a final exam sometime the week of 12-16 December.

High school students can choose to audit the course for free, and parents can audit the course for US$300.

A dual enrollment form is available at:

http://reformationbiblecollege.org/RBC_DualEnrollApp_Fall2011.pdf


+
Ligonier Ministries, 400 Technology Park, Lake Mary, Florida 32746, 407-333-4244, Fax: 407-333-4233


[4] British “Palm Cross” Electrician Continually Harassed and Suspended from Work after Employer Agreed to Stop Harassment

A 1 August 2011 article by Peter Wooding, Europe Bureau Chief for ASSIST News Service, titled “Palm Cross Christian Suspended from Work” reports that British Christian electrician Colin Atkinson, who won the right to keep displaying a palm cross in his work van in April, has now been suspended from work after being continually harassed since his return from an earlier suspension after Atkinson would not remove a Christian cross made from palm leaves that he had previously displayed in his work vehicle for many years. An anonymous complaint about the cross led to Atkinson’s employer Wakefield District Housing Association (WDH) ordering him to remove the cross from his work vehicle.

After a public outcry, WDH agreed to let Atkinson continue to display the cross in his work vehicle, but reneged on the agreement once the public outcry had waned. Atkinson’s work vehicle was taken from him, he was told to travel in to work by bus, and Atkinson’s was moved to an office sixteen miles away. Atkinson then filed a grievance, and was asked to stay at home pending further investigations.

Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of the Christian Legal Centre, which is representing Atkinson said: “…we will be doing all we can to ensure that WDH is held to account and that Colin is free to express his Christian faith in the workplace.”

For further background information, please see the 27 April 2011 Presbyterians Week article “[3] Yorkshire, England, Christian Driver Exonerated and Allowed to Continue Displaying Palm Cross in Work Van” and the 20 April 2011 Presbyterians Week article “[6] Wakefield, England, Electrician under Investigation for Now-Eight Year Display of Eight-Inch Palm Cross in Work Van”.


+
Assist USA, Post Office Box 609, Lake Forest, California 92609, 949-380-1558, danjuma1@aol.com

+
Christian Legal Centre Limited, Post Office Box 655, Hayward Heath, West Sussex RH16 9AT, England, 07712 591164, info@christianlegalcentre.com


[5] Presbyterian Church of Nigeria Leader Tells Muslim Leaders to Stop Threatening War Unless Islamic Banking System Introduced

A 1 August 2011 article by Baba Negedu in the Daily Independent titled “Threats Won’t Solve Islamic Banking Issue – Prelate” reports that the Most Rev. Emele Mba Uka, Prelate of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN) and Moderator of the 16th Synod of the PCN in the North, in a post-synod news conference said that the Islamic leaders in Nigeria should stop attempting to impose their religious views on the followers of other religions, but instead work for peace in the land.

Uka stated that plans by the Central Bank Governor, Lamido Sanusi Lamido, to introduce the Islamic banking system into
Nigeria would violate the fundamental rights of the different religious groups in the country. Referring to a statement credited to the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, that the Islamic banking system had come to stay and that nobody could do anything to stop its operation and a previous statement by the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria stating that Nigerian Muslims would rather go to war than give up their agitation for Islamic banking, Uka said such provocative utterances could jeopardize the continued corporate existence of the country.

Uka urged those in positions of leadership in the country to strive to always encourage the people to live in peace with one another, saying “…the [PCN] is saying to the nation, please let us live in peace. Please, let us respect one another’s religious views; please let us do our best to overcome violence that is caused by religious sects in this country. The church is saying, please let us not [introduce] Islamic bank[ing].”


+ Daily Independent, Block5, Plot7D, Wempco Road, Ogba,
Lagos, Nigeria, 01- 4962136, newseditor@independentngonline.com

+ Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, 26 Ehere Road, Post Office Box 2635, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria, 082-234-780


[6] Muslims Seize Christian Burial Sites in Tanzania’s Archipelago

In a 28 July 2011 report, Compass Direct News Service reports that Muslims on the island of Zanzibar, Tanzania, have seized a 100 year-old cemetery belonging to
an Anglican church, and have begun building a hotel on the burial site.

The article additionally reports that Muslims on the Zanzibar archipelago island of Pemba, Tanzania, in 2010 seized another Anglican church cemetery that had been purchased by the church in 2007.

In neither situation are the police helping the Christians to recover their stolen lands.


+ Compass Direct News Service, Post Office Box 27250, Santa Ana, California 92799, 949-862-0304, Fax: 949-752-6536, info@compassdirect.org

+
Anglican Communion, St. Andrew's House, 16 Tavistock Crescent, London W11 1AP, England, 20-7313-3900, Fax: 20-7313-3999, aco@anglicancommunion.org


[7] Muslims Burn Down Two Christian Churches in Zanzibar, Tanzania

In a 1 August 2011 article titled “Muslim Extremists Torch Churches in Zanzibar, Tanzania,” Compass Direct News Service reports that Muslims on Zanzibar island in Tanzania on 30 July 2011 burned down the church building of an Evangelical Assemblies of God-Tanzania congregation while shouting: “Away with the church – we do not want infidels to spoil our community, especially our children.”

In another town on the island on 27 July 2011, Muslims burned down a church of the Free Evangelical Pentecostal Church in Africa.

+
Compass Direct News Service, Post Office Box 27250, Santa Ana, California 92799, 949-862-0304, Fax: 949-752-6536, info@compassdirect.org

+ Evangelical Assemblies of God-Tanzania, 2807 Zanzibar, Pangawe, Unguja, Zanzibar, Tanzania, 0754-496253, Leonard@yahoo.com


[8] Counterterrorism Official Says Al-Qaida Still Likely to Use Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD)

A 29 July 2011 Newsmax article titled “Al-Qaida Still Likely to Use WMD” reports that at a recent meeting of the Aspen Security Forum, recently retired director of the National Counterterrorism Center Mike Leiter said that a chemical or biological attack by al-Qaida and its offshoots remains a threat, despite the killing of terror leader Osama bin Laden.

Leiter says that the al-Qaida is likely to use a simple form of a chemical or biological weapon rather that a nuclear weapon, and that killing just a few Americans causes the same fear as do the massive attacks planned by bin Laden.


+
Newsmax, Post Office Box 20989, West Palm Beach, Florida 33416, 561-686-1165, Fax: 561-686-3350

+ The Aspen Institute, 1000 North Third Street, Aspen,
Colorado 81611, 970-925-7010, Fax: 970-925-4188, info@aspeninstitute.org


[9] U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama to Approve Al-Qaeda Embassy in Washington DC

A 28 July 2011 article by Paul Joseph Watson on PrisonPlanet.com titled “Obama to Approve ‘Al-Qaeda Embassy’ in Washington” reports that U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama is preparing to recognize the Al-Qaeda led rebel National Transitional Council as the official government of Libya by approving an embassy in Washington DC.


+
Infowars.com, Post Office Box 19549, Austin, Texas 78760, 512-291-5750,
writers@infowars.com


[10] Los Angeles Sheriff Baca Praises Organizations with Ties to Terrorism

From a 7 July 2011 statement by the
Christian Anti-Defamation Commission:

“Christian leaders in Southern California are calling on the L.A. County Board of Supervisors to fire Sheriff L. D. Baca for comments he made praising the Council on American Islamic Relations, a group with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, both have been linked to terrorist activities.

“The motto of The Muslim Brotherhood is:

  • Allah is our objective.
  • The Prophet is our leader.
  • Qur'an is our law.
  • Jihad is our way.
  • Dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope.

“The Logo of the Muslim Brotherhood has at the top the Koran with two crossed swords, and at the bottom the Arabic verse from the Qur’an, Sura 8:60, “And make ready against them all you can of power, including steeds of war to terrorize the enemy of Allah and your enemy.” The direct meaning of this to Muslims is be prepared to terrorize non-Muslims. Translated by Abdullah al-Araby.

“Many have United States citizens have fled to America after violence was directed at them for their Christian faith. Sheriff Baca’s praise for an organization with known ties to Islamic terrorism is outrageous and is an affront to all the victims of Islamic terror. This infiltration of law enforcement by those with sympathies for organizations that support Muslim violence is terrifying for Christians who have fled to the U.S. because of Muslim violence. Sheriff Baca must go!

“….

“Join us as we work with other ministries and organizations to stop the infiltration of law enforcement by the Muslim Brotherhood.”


+
Christian Anti-Defamation Commission, Post Office Box 1115, Vista, California 92085, 866-508-2232, Fax: 760-630-2232, contact@christianadc.org


[11] U.S. Presidential Candidate Herman Cain Apologizes to the Muslim Brotherhood

A 30 July 2011 article by Ryan Mauro on Pajamas Media titled “Herman Cain Apologizes … to the Muslim Brotherhood” reports that following a 27 July 2011 tour of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) of Sterling, Virginia, hosted by Imam Mohamed Magid, president of Muslim Brotherhood branch the Islamic Society of North America, U.S Presidential candidate Herman Cain apologized for previously stating that communities should be able to stop the construction of mosques.

Cain stated:

“While I stand by my opposition to the interference of Sharia law into the American legal system … I am truly sorry for any comments that may have betrayed my commitment to the U.S. Constitution and the freedom of religion guaranteed by it. Muslims, like all Americans, have the right to practice their faith freely and peacefully.”

If Cain opposes Sharia-based governance, then he picked the wrong group to reach out to.

Ryan Mauro writes:

“As noted above, Mohamed Magid is also president of the Islamic Society of America (ISNA). The group says it “rejects all acts of terrorism, including those perpetrated by Hamas, Hizbullah and any other group that claims Islam as their inspiration.” However, ISNA was listed as an “unindicted co-conspirator” in the Holy Land Foundation trial. The HLF had been found guilty of being a front for Hamas set up by the Muslim Brotherhood.”

Mauro continues:

“ADAMS itself is not free of terror ties. In March 2002, ADAMS had its offices raided as part of a terrorism investigation.

“Magid previously served as an advisor to the Sterling Charitable Gift Fund, which also had its offices raided.”



+ Pajamas Media, 100 North Sepulveda Boulevard # 250, El Segundo, California 90245, 310-726-9133, Contact Page


[12] People for the American Way Denounces “Anti-Muslim Extremism”

A 25 July 2011 report by People for the American Way titled “PFAW Report: The Right Wing Playbook on Anti-Muslim Extremism,” reports that “Right-Wing extremists are leading a sustained attack against American Muslims, attempting to prevent them from freely practicing their religion, curtail their political rights, and in some cases, compel their deportation…”

The report discusses “…eight strategies employed by anti-Muslim activists to cast doubt on the validity of Islam as a religion and the integrity of American Muslims in order to justify prejudice and illegal discrimination:

-- Framing American Muslims as dangerous to America

-- Twisting statistics and using fake research to “prove” the Muslim threat

--
Inventing the danger of “creeping Sharia”

--
Justifying taking away freedoms and liberties from Muslims in order to “defend liberty”

-- Denying the validity of Islam as a religion

-- Arguing that Muslims have no First Amendment rights under the Constitution

-- Linking anti-Muslim prejudice to anti-Obama rhetoric

-- Slandering progressives and non-Christians as unholy and anti-American”



+ People for the American Way, 2000 M Street Northwest, Suite 400 Washington DC 20036, 202-467-4999, Contact Page


[13] U.S. Vice President Joe Biden Describes Tea Party Members as “Terrorists”


+ Godfather Politics


[14] U.S. Department of Homeland Security Video Characterizes White Americans as Most Likely Terrorists

A 21 July 2011 article by Paul Joseph Watson on Infowars.com titled “DHS Video Characterizes White Americans as Most Likely Terrorists” reports that a new U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) promotional video characterizes white middle class Americans as the most likely terrorists.

The video is part of DHS’s US$10 million “See Something, Say Something” program that encourages Americans to report “suspicious activity,” which in every instance throughout history has been a characteristic of dictatorial regimes.

In the video, almost all of the scenarios portray white people as the most likely terrorists, while nearly every one of the “patriotic” Americans who report on their fellow citizens is either black, Asian, or Arab.

A report by Ohio University’s John Mueller documents that the likelihood of actually being a victim of terrorism is infinitesimally small, and only highlights how such threats are hyperbolically exaggerated for political purposes.

Figures collected by Mueller clearly show that Americans are just as likely to be killed by lightning strikes, accident-causing deer, or severe allergic reactions to peanuts.

Simon Black of Sovereignman.com writes:

“At its core, the video is filled with scenes of ordinary citizens spying on each other and alerting the authorities to their compatriots’ suspicious deeds,” writes Simon Black. In my favorite scene, a woman calls the police after snooping over the shoulder of a young man typing away on his smartphone.”

Black notes that such videos are solely aimed at reinforcing ignorance, hate and fear for those who still live in darkness and are completely unaware of the real agenda behind DHS’s “see something, say something” charade.

Syndicated radio talk show host Alex Jones writes:

“This DHS video is purposefully designed to transmit fear and hatred of Muslims over to white Americans. Look at the part of the clip where an image of “Jihad Jane” is displayed, the blue eyes are artificially intensified in order to get the message across.

“This is about playing minorities off against whites, creating further resentment and suspicion, getting us at each other’s throats just as how different racial groups were set upon each other in Hitler’s Germany to create an environment of fear and distrust, motivating people to inform on each other for the state.”


+
Infowars.com, Post Office Box 19549, Austin, Texas 78760, 512-291-5750,
writers@infowars.com

+ U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington DC 20528, 202-282-8000, Contact Form