26 November 2014

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Sermons Available from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Johnson City, Tennessee’s 2014 Bible Conference  - "Psalms - The Prayer Book of the Bible"

[2] PCUSA and Presbyterian Mission Agency Call for Prayer for Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church

[3] Church of Scotland Looks to Move General Assembly Away from the Mound in Edinburgh

[4] Girls’ Brigade Leaders at (Subscribing) Killinchy (Northern Ireland) Presbyterian Church Say They Are Being Threatened with Removal Because They Attend Killinchy Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church

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[1] Sermons Available from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Johnson City, Tennessee’s 2014 Bible Conference  - "Psalms - The Prayer Book of the Bible"

Sermons from the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Johnson City, Tennessee 2014 Bible Conference – "Psalms - The Prayer Book of the Bible” are available here:

          http://westminjc.org/series/2014-bible-conference/

The featured speaker was the Rev. Dr. Michael Milton.


+ Faith for Living, 3122 Fincher Farm Road, Suite 100, Box 552, Matthews, North Carolina 28105


[2] PCUSA and Presbyterian Mission Agency Call for Prayer for Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church

From Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) General Assembly, and Linda Valentine, executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency:

We call Presbyterians to stand with our partners in the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church in deep concern and prayer for their people and for their property. Our partners report that the government of Sudan has destroyed the house of the pastor of the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church in Khartoum North. They note that church members thwarted efforts to destroy the pastor’s office.

The church is the people. But such attacks on church property represent an effort to intimidate the community and to suppress religious freedom. Our partners ask us for solidarity and action, including prayer.

The partnership between Presbyterians in the United States and the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church dates to 1901. Our long partnership remains vibrant, in spite of continual challenges that the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church faces because of decades of civil war. Such challenges have increased since South Sudan became an independent country in 2011, resulting in Christians in Sudan becoming a tiny minority of the population. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) joins our partners in Sudan in a holistic approach to ministry that includes prayer, evangelism, education, leadership development, and community development.

Please call on the president and Congress to urge the government of Sudan to respect diversity and to protect religious freedom for all the people of Sudan.

Please join our partners in prayer:

God of the ages, we pray for our brothers and sisters in the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church. We give thanks for their witness, ministry, and mission following Jesus. We give thanks for our partnership. We ask your blessing for our brothers and sisters during these troubling days. Protect them as assaults are made on church property. Keep them safe as they stand against those who would destroy their buildings and intimidate the community. Touch the leaders of the government of Sudan, that they may not only turn from policies of destruction and oppression, but also honor all people and provide religious freedom for all faiths. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.


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

+ Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church, Post Office Box 57, Khartoum, Sudan, 249-11-776 807

[3] Church of Scotland Looks to Move General Assembly Away from the Mound in Edinburgh

A 25 November 2014 The Scotsman article by Tom Peterkin titled “Church Plans Exodus from Historic Edinburgh Home” reports that the Church of Scotland plan to move its general assembly headquarters from the Mound in Edinburgh where it has been since the 19^th century to more modern facilities with larger meeting capacity.


+ 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] Girls’ Brigade Leaders at (Subscribing) Killinchy (Northern Ireland) Presbyterian Church Say They Are Being Threatened with Removal Because They Attend Killinchy Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church

A 22 November 2014 Belfast Telegraph article by Joanne Sweeney titled “Girls' Brigade Row at Killinchy Church: 'I've Been in This Brigade All My Life... But I Feel Unwelcome Now'” reports that two leaders of the 74th Killinchy Girls’ Brigade based in the (Subscribing) Killinchy Presbyterian Church report that they are being threatened with removal from office by the session of the church because the two women attend the Killinchy Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church.

The Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland describes their faith as follows:

What Does “Non-Subscribing” mean?

It means that we are not bound by compulsory subscription to man-made creeds and doctrines of Faith.

We declare allegiance to the principle that:

the teaching of Christ must take precedence over the doctrines of a later time, and

Christian unity is to be sought, not in the uniformity of creed but in a common standard of duty and adherence to the commandments set out in the Holy Bible.

Our Faith

is governed by the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible

asserts and upholds the right of each and every individual to search these scriptural records for themselves and to use reason and personal conscience to discover God’s Divine Truth

removes Human Tests and Confessions of Faith that restrict private judgement and prevent free enquiry

upholds the beautiful simplicity of the great commandments as defined by Jesus Christ: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and all your mind” and “You must love your neighbour as yourself”

The Mission Statement of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, received by the General Assembly in June 1992, is located here:

https://www.presbyterianireland.org/about-us/statements/mission-statement

The Coleraine Declaration of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, adopted by the 1988 General Assembly, is located here:

https://www.presbyterianireland.org/About-Us/Statements/Coleraine-Declaration


+ Belfast Telegraph, 124-144 Royal Avenue, Belfast BT1 1EB, Northern Ireland, 028-9026-4000, writeback@belfasttelegraph.co.uk

+ The Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland, c/o Clerk of Synod, Rev. Chris Wilson, 48 Church Road, Moneyreagh BT23 6BA, Northern Ireland, 07729178093, info@nspresbyterian.org

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

19 November 2014

D.V., Presbyterians Week will return on 26 November 2014.

12 November 2014

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Presbyterian Church in Northern Ireland (PCI) Spray Painted with Irish Republican Army Graffiti Prior to Remembrance Day

[2] Free Church of Scotland Moderator Elect the Rev. David Robertson Condemns Scottish Secular Society Efforts to Forbid Teaching of Creationism in Publically Funded Schools and Colleges

[3] Thoughts on Logos 6 – and a Fifteen Percent Discount

[4] Easton, Pennsylvania Area Teacher Pleads Guilty to Stealing Nearly US$318,000 from First Presbyterian Church of Easton

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[1] Presbyterian Church in Northern Ireland (PCI) Spray Painted with Irish Republican Army Graffiti Prior to Remembrance Day

A 9 November 2014 BBC article titled “Greystone Presbyterian Church graffiti Attack 'Absolute Disgrace'” reports that just prior to Remembrance Day, Irish Republican Army graffiti reading “Free Colin Duffy – IRA” was spray painted on the Greystone Presbyterian Church in Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Representatives of the Progressive Unionist Party, the Roman Catholic Church, and Sinn Féin all condemned the action, with the MP for South Antrim, the Democratic Unionist Party's William McCrea saying:

"Those behind this only want to heighten tension and cause maximum division."


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

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

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


[2] Free Church of Scotland Moderator Elect the Rev. David Robertson Condemns Scottish Secular Society Efforts to Forbid Teaching of Creationism in Publically Funded Schools and Colleges

An 8 November 2014 The Herald article titled “Free Kirk Leader Attacks 'Militant Atheists' over Creationism Ban” reports that Free Church of Scotland Moderator Elect the Rev. David Robertson has condemned efforts by the Scottish Secular Society to forbid the teaching of creationism in publically funded schools and colleges.

Ahead of this week’s Scottish Parliament's Public Petitions Committee hearings on this measure where the SSS will make its case, Robertson said the SSS was seeking to "impose an atheistic philosophy on children":

"Since when was science ­determined by MSPs? Once we have politicians telling science teachers what to teach, on the advice of one particular faith belief, then we are in real trouble.

"Could we not have a more tolerant and Christian view of science? And could we not ­encourage children to think about the issues for themselves, rather than just tell them what to think?

“The ­secularist faith tells them that there can be no intelligent design, because of course they do not want to believe even in the possibility of a designer.

"However in this they are not being scientific - they are just seeking to impose their religious view upon the whole of society.

"It is desperately disappointing that secularists believe the key danger in 21st-century Scotland is apparently creationism, not the twenty per cent of Scottish children who live in poverty, nor the many thousands who have faced the ravages of sexual abuse and drug addiction."


+ The Herald, 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow, Scotland G2 3QB, 0141- 302-7000, Fax: 0141-302-7117, On-lineEditor@theherald.co.uk

+ 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


[3] Thoughts on Logos 6 – and a Fifteen Percent Discount

By the Rev. Dr. Michael Milton

There are a number of very good Bible reference programs available to the public. Logos 6, which has just been released, may have just surpassed them all. Innovative design, tradition-specific reference libraries (e.g., Anglican, Reformed, Pentecostal), and a robust engine “under the hood” converge to bring about this remarkable product. But no single feature of Logos 6 is as amazing as the total: a fully searchable collection that seems to make the Royal Library at Alexander diminutive. That the vicar in a small, rural parish church or an assistant pastor in an urban congregation can, now, access a theological library that an Archbishop of Canterbury would have given his best miter to own is not only mind-boggling thought, but an incredibly satisfying reality.

I would like to see the development of an English literature-based library integrated with the theological library (for as Western culture continues its unabated erosion the repository of English Literature offers the pastor, professor, student, and scholar the nourishment of the mind; and our people will need to see how faith and life can, in fact, work together in the mysteries of life “under the sun”). Such a collection will be needed. Let’s hope that the seemingly unending aisles of digital books will soon include the Great Books.

One more thing: I might, personally, prefer the inexpressible joys of reading one old book, feeling its fragile page in my fingers, reading the notes of previous owners, now with the Lord, and smelling the binding. Nothing will ever completely replace a single good book. But I admit that having access to other books via a program like Logos 6 is a powerful tool.

Of course none of this is as important as the fire of holy burden burning inside of the preacher’s bones, but having a collection like Logos 6 to stoke that fire is pretty nice.

+ + +

I commend Logos 6 with joy. There is a URL that has been created for our readers. While I think the product is a good one I want to say that I have received no incentive for this review and have no financial interest with sales related to the Logos 6 site. It is provided only to help our readers save on any purchases they might want to make. Thus, if you click on http://www.logos.com/michaelmilton and decide to purchase anything, you will receive fifteen percent off of any of your purchases there (as of this writing).


+ Faith for Living, 3122 Fincher Farm Road, Suite 100, Box 552, Matthews, North Carolina 28105

+ Logos Bible Software, 1313 Commercial Street, Bellingham, Washington 98225, 360) 527-1700, Fax: 360) 527-1707, customerservice@logos.com


[4] Easton, Pennsylvania Area Teacher Pleads Guilty to Stealing Nearly US$318,000 from First Presbyterian Church of Easton

A 29 October 2014 Lehigh Valley Live article by Kurt Bresswein titled “Easton Area Teacher on Leave Admits Stealing Nearly $318,000 from Church” reports that Easton Area Middle School of Easton, Pennsylvania teacher Ann Marie Ballentine pleaded guilty 29 October 2014 to the theft of $317,937 from First Presbyterian Church of Easton (Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)).

Ms. Ballentine has been free on US$15,000 bail since 30 January 2014 when she was arraigned. Officials at First Presbyterian Church lobbied for her release.

Ballentine has been on unpaid leave from her job as a special education instructor. Her attorney said that Ms. Ballentine's focus is on paying back the church the money she took and protecting her teaching job.


+ Lehigh Valley Live, 30 North 4th Street, Easton, Pennsylvania 18042, 610-258-7171, Contact Page

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

5 November 2014

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] New Christian Observer Articles for November 2014

[2] ARPTalk Editor Chuck Wilson Reports on the October 2014 Erskine College and Theological Seminary Board of Directors Meeting

[3] Reformed Church in Zambia Schools Disallow Reentry to Girls That Become Pregnant

[4] 2014 Christian Worldview Essay Contest Winners Announced

[5] Former Christian Observer News Editor and ARP Leader Tom Patterson Sentenced to Life in Prison on 127 Counts of Child Molestation

[6] Former Vision Forum President Doug Phillips Sued by Young Woman Phillips Alleged to Have Used as a “Personal Sex Object”

[7] Williston, North Dakota, Police Censor Pro-Life 'Truth Truck,' in Free Speech Violation

[8] News from the Deepest Recesses of Hell

[9] Articles from LifesiteNews.com

[10] The Thinning Blue Line

[11] Raging Heathen and Vain Imagining

[12] The Religion of Peace

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[1] New Christian Observer Articles for November 2014

New Christian Observer articles for November 2014 include:

-- “My Lord, What a Morning!” - By Christian Observer Contributing Editor David Brand – Recent scientific discoveries about the expanding universe, the earth’s gigantic sub-magma water reserve, literal six-day creation, and where the theories of Henry Morris and Vern Poythress fit into the equation;

-- 95 Theses against the Claims of the Mormon Church - a Reformation Day plus 497 years figurative posting on the doors of the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah by the session of Christ Presbyterian Church (Orthodox Presbyterian Church) of Magna, Utah;

-- Learning and Gender Identity - By Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro – The importance of biblical sexual identity vs. the gender confusion being sown into the minds of today’s public school students;

Plus, Daily Devotionals by Christian Observer Contributing Editor 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


[2] ARPTalk Editor Chuck Wilson Reports on the October 2014 Erskine College and Theological Seminary Board of Directors Meeting

ARPTalk 106 dated 30 October 2014 reported on the October 2014 meeting of the Erskine College and Theological Seminary Board of Directors.

Several interesting items from the article include:

-- After SACS’ rejection of the Board’s August 2014 three-year budget plan and a subsequent two-year plan,

“[I]n a recent Atlanta meeting, SACS’ auditors had a “come-to-Jesus” meeting with Erskine’s administrators. According to President Kooistra, at the Town Hall meeting in Due West on Tuesday afternoon, October 28, the officials of SACS stated unequivocally there will be a balanced budget in 2014-15 with no more than a five percent draw on the endowment, and there will be a balanced budget in 2015-16 with no more than a five percent draw. At the sound of this trumpet, the budget reduction plan goes back to the drawing board for a second time, for further cuts of somewhere between $300,000 and $400,000.

“As most of us are aware, Erskine College and Seminary will be placed on “probation” by SACS in December. Failure to comply with these new demands by SACS will result in a much stronger sanction — a loss of accreditation by SACS.”

-- “[I]n the meeting of the Seminary Committee, the presence of non-Christians in the MEDCOM DMin program for [U.S.] Army chaplains continues to be a contentious issue. A motion was made that would have required all applicants to all programs to give testimony of faith in Christ. The motion failed. It was noted that all the new candidates for the MEDCOM program this year are from Christian denominations. Members of the committee wanted to give new Vice-President of the Seminary, Dr. Chris Wisdom, time to get his feet on the ground (since he has been at his post for only a month). Furthermore, it was clear that this topic will be revisited in February [2015].”

-- “[T]here is still no policy on sexuality. If gay and lesbian students get together and ask the administration for permission to form a LGBTQ chapter on campus, there is nothing the administration can do to disallow it.”

-- On a more optimistic note, Dr. Wilson concluded the article thusly:

“The task before President Kooistra and Vice-President of the Seminary Chris Wisdom is formidable. Perhaps the only way to save Erskine College and Seminary is to recharter. I do not know. This, however, I do know: these good men are courageous and worthy of our support. I think they are Erskine’s last best chance.”


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

+ Erskine College and Theological Seminary, 2 Washington Street, Due West, South Carolina 29639, 864-379-2131, Fax: 864-379-2167, jguyette@erskine.edu


[3] Reformed Church in Zambia Schools Disallow Reentry to Girls That Become Pregnant

A 3 November 2014 Post Zambia article by Richard Luo titled “RCZ Schools Shall Never Use Re-Entry Policy – Jere” reports that Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) Eastern Province education secretary Joshua Jere has expressed disappointment with the high pregnancy rates among girls in RCZ schools, and stated that RCZ school students that become pregnant will be expelled and are not eligible to reenter RCZ schools.

Jere stated:

“Government really wants children to get educated, especially girls and it’s because of this that it introduced a re-entry policy in order for a girl child to be educated and be independent rather than depending on someone in future. We respect this government policy, but as for the policy of RCZ, whoever falls pregnant has to be expelled and restart at a regular school and not at any of the RCZ schools. I want to tell you parents that since Nyanje Day is under RCZ, it shall never use the re-entry policy.”

Saying that it is unfortunate that adults are impregnating the mostly-teenage schoolgirls, Jere added:

“I am deeply saddened that you parents, you tend to hide the perpetrators in your communities just because they tell you ‘Don’t reveal because muzadyamo bwino’ (you will be paid handsomely). Once they give you a goat, you are silenced, forgetting that you have ruined the future of the children. Mwadyamo bwino (you have been paid) but who knows, maybe the girl has been infected with the [HIV] virus”


+ Post Zambia, Contact Page

+ Reformed Church in Zambia, Post Office Box 38255, Olympia Park, Lusaka, Zambia, 260-211-295369, info@rczsynod.co.zm


[4] 2014 Christian Worldview Essay Contest Winners Announced

The Trinity Foundation on Reformation Day 2014 announced the winners of the 2014 Christian Worldview Essay Contest.

The First Prize of US$3,000 plus fifteen books are awarded to Ammi Burke of Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland for her essay "Gordon H. Clark on the Christian Life".

There was no Second Prize awarded this year.

The Third Prize of US$1,000 plus five books are awarded to Luke Cummings of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for his essay "What Is the Christian Life?”

All entrants had to read the book What Is the Christian Life? by Dr. Gordon H. Clark and write an essay about the book.


+ The Trinity Foundation, Post Office Box 68, Unicoi, Tennessee 37692, 423-743-0199, Fax: 423-743-2005, tjtrinityfound@aol.com


[5] Former Christian Observer News Editor and ARP Leader Tom Patterson Sentenced to Life in Prison on 127 Counts of Child Molestation

A 12 July 2014 Fox8 article titled “Retired NC Elementary Teacher Guilty of 173 Counts of Sex Offenses; Gets Life in Prison” reports that Tom Patterson, a teacher in Iredell County, North Carolina schools from 1971 until he resigned in 1987, on 11 July 2014 was sentenced to life in prison on 173 counts related to Patterson’s fondling of ten-year-old students when he was a fourth-grade teacher in Mooresville.

Patterson was the News Editor of the Christian Observer from 1988-2007, long-time ruling elder and organist at Coddle Creek ARP Church in Mooresville, North Carolina, Stated Clerk of the ARP First Presbytery 2006-2012, editor of the Alliance of Loyal Laity publication The Highroad for All, long-time ARP Synod liaison to the ARP Synod Lay Committee and the Alliance of Loyal Laity, former Moderator of the ARP Synod, and held several other roles with the ARP Church.


+ Fox8, 2005 Francis Street, High Point, North Carolina 27263, 336-841-8888, news@wghp.com

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

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

+ ARP First Presbytery, c/o 4784 Styers Ferry Road, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27104, 336-624-9529, jerry.hallman1048@comcast.net


[6] Former Vision Forum President Doug Phillips Sued by Young Woman Phillips Alleged to Have Used as a “Personal Sex Object”

Former Vision Forum President Doug Phillips, Vision Forum Inc., and Vision Forum Ministries Inc. were sued 15 April 2014 by Ms. Lourdes Torres-Manteufal, who alleges that Phillips used her as a “personal sex object”.

In Part V. Facts, Ms. Torres describes Phillips and his circle in these excerpts as follows:

“Phillips espoused avoiding interaction with authorities at all costs. There is a pervasive sense within Phillips’s tight circle of people that they are engaged in a cosmic war, and that they avoid contact with the government and other outside groups that might hold them accountable or ask questions. Phillips used his training as a lawyer to help foster an unregulated community that operated as a “total institution” where Ms. Torres would have limited access to outside support as she came to see her situation as abusive.”

“Douglas Phillips created a sociological environment that operated as a “total institution.” The total institution concept is used to describe an environment where a person is exclusively surrounded by a large number of similarly situated people. In other words, people within a total institution work together, worship together, spend leisure and recreational time together, and even dwell together. Thus, a person within a total institution is cut off from the normal world entirely. As a closed and tightly knit unit of people, total institutions lead an enclosed and uniquely administered round of life that is peculiar to its own characteristics and beliefs.”

“As one component of the “total institution,” Douglas Phillips’s community had its own church-court system. Disputes were brought before a board of all male elders in what resembled a legal proceeding without any of the rights of the accused in secular courts.

“For Ms. Torres, this system would force her to go up against Phillips—the most powerful man in the extended community—who is a trained attorney known for his skills at argument and intimidation. If Ms. Torres were to lose, she likely would be excommunicated from her church and all other churches that are legitimate in the eyes of her community. Seeking advice from others would have been labeled as gossip and treated as a very serious sin. One could be excommunicated for this, a practice that very much protects the men in power. Ms. Torres had watched others be abused under this one-sided dispute resolution process.”

“Phillips was the dominant authority figure in Ms. Torres’s life and family. He made himself her spiritual father. He was her authority figure with regard to where she lived, where she worked, where and how she worshipped, her education, her interpersonal relationships, her time and schedule, and even acted as her counselor. In other words, Phillips was the pastor of her church, her boss, her landlord, and the controller of all aspects of her life—obedience to Phillips was as obedience to God in this total institution.”

“Prior to the fall of 2013, Douglas Phillips was the self-promoted leader of what is commonly known as the “patriarchal” or “quiverfull” movement. Phillips’s teachings were generally critical of the traditional local-church as he advocated a “home-church” model that created division within evangelical circles. Phillips travelled extensively as a presenter attempting to advance his teachings.”

“Phillips was also the primary leader of a patriarchal church in Boerne, Texas. Phillips used these positions of leadership to manipulate and coerce Ms. Torres.”

“Phillips’s patriarchal movement teaches that men are, and should be, in the absolute control of women. Patriarchy considers women to primarily exist for the purposes of producing children, caring for the men, and rearing the children. Females in the patriarchal movement are discouraged from attaining higher education of any kind and are told that their sole purpose is to marry a man within the movement to meet the purposes described above. In other words, women within this movement are perceived to exist only for the end-goals communicated by the male leaders that perceive themselves as the “patriarchs” of this world.”

“Families within patriarchal and quiverfull communities place extreme importance on maintaining their daughters’ sexual and emotional purity. Sex before marriage is held to be sin, and sex before marriage also damages a daughter’s marriage prospects. Most couples in Christian patriarchy and quiverfull circles don’t kiss before marriage, and some don’t even hold hands or embrace. Furthermore, this virginity is more than just physical; it is emotional as well. Girls are urged not to “give away pieces of their hearts” by becoming emotionally entangled with boys their age. Every teenage crush becomes suspect and dangerous. Dating is out of the question, as it is considered to be “practice for divorce.” Instead, females within these environments find husbands through parent-guided courtships, trusting their father’s guidance and obeying his leadership. Marriage is seen as a transfer of authority from the daughter’s father to her husband.”

“While Ms. Torres would have felt compelled to submit to Douglas Phillips, the purity culture would have meant at the same time, her submission made her “damaged goods” in her eyes, the eyes of her family, and her community-raising the cost for her to come forward to call him to account. She was, in fact, in a “no-win” situation.”

“As a result of the manipulation of this movement, Ms. Torres’s thinking was altered. As described herein, Douglas Phillips—standing in a position of influence and prominence within patriarchy—methodically groomed Ms. Torres so that she would eventually participate in illicit sexual rendezvous with him promising that she could one day marry him. This grooming began when Ms. Torres was a fifteen-year-old child. Due to the years of continued conditioning and indoctrination by Phillips and the patriarchal leaders, Ms. Torres was incapable of giving consent to Phillips’s sexual advances.”

“Phillips promised Ms. Torres that he would marry her and that she would be the person who would have the great privilege of being his wife. In Ms. Torres’s eyes he was the primary leader of this movement and the most powerful male figure in her universe. Phillips repeatedly told Torres that this was possible because his wife, Beall Phillips, was going to die soon.”

In Part VI. CAUSES OF ACTION, Ms. Torres alleges the following counts:

-- COUNT 1—BATTERY (Against Douglas Phillips)

-- COUNT 2—ASSAULT (Against Douglas Phillips)

-- COUNT 3—SEXUAL BATTERY (Against Douglas Phillips)

-- COUNT 4—FRAUD (Against Douglas Phillips)

-- COUNT 5—INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS (Against Douglas Phillips)

-- COUNT 6—NEGLIGENT INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS (Against All Defendants)

-- COUNT 7—SEXUAL EXPLOITATION ( Against All Defendants)

-- COUNT 8—NEGLIGENT SUPERVISION (Against Vision Forum Ministries and Vision Forum, Inc.)

-- COUNT 9—NEGLIGENT RETENTION (Against Vision Forum Ministries and Vision Forum, Inc.)

In Part XI. PRAYER, Ms. Torres prays for judgment against Defendant as follows:
(a) For trial by jury;

(b) For judgment in Ms. Torres’s favor for damages outlined herein:
i. General damages;
ii. Special damages; and
iii. Exemplary damages;

(c) That all costs be taxed against the Defendants, including attorneys’ fees; and

(d) For any and all further relief from Defendant as this Honorable Court deems just.


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


[7] Williston, North Dakota, Police Censor Pro-Life 'Truth Truck,' in Free Speech Violation

The human life amendment on the North Dakota ballot for Tuesday's election remains hotly contested, but the right to free speech has long been guaranteed by the First Amendment [to the U.S. Constitution]. In Williston, North Dakota, police officers have silenced that free speech for pro-life advocates, who are being defended in court by the Thomas More Society.

Matt Trewhella, of Missionaries to the Preborn, and Rob Rudnick are supporters of the proposed human life amendment. They are also drivers of "truth trucks," vehicles adorned with large, graphic images of babies, both preborn and aborted. These "truth trucks" are intended to show the reality of abortion and influence North Dakota voters to uphold the human dignity of the unborn.

In August, just a little over two months before this election, Williston police officers ordered the pro-life advocates to remove the images. When Rudnick did not comply, he was arrested and the truck was confiscated. The case is set for pretrial hearing in district court in Williston on November 5, the day after the election. The Thomas More Society is defending Rudnick and is working with Trewhella and Missionaries to the Preborn, to pursue any redress that may be available to them in court.

"It's regrettable that Mr. Trewhella's and Mr. Rudnick's free speech was suppressed during this critical time before the election," said Tom Brejcha, Thomas More Society president and chief counsel. "Williston authorities have prohibited these pro-life advocates from proclaiming their pro-life message based on the content of that message, which is a patent violation of their First Amendment rights."

The images on Trewhella and Rudnick's "truth trucks" support North Dakota's proposed state constitutional human life amendment: "This constitutional measure would create and enact a new section to Article I of the North Dakota Constitution stating, 'The inalienable right to life of every human being at any stage of development must be recognized and protected.'"

The police report in the case explicitly states that it was the content of the signs on the trucks that prompted the police to suppress them. Trewhella was given a cease and desist directive to take his signs out of town and stay out of the city until after the election. Rudnick was likewise warned, but did not comply and was arrested, and his truck and signs were impounded.

"If someone disagrees with another's speech, the proper legal recourse is not suppression of speech but free speech in response," added Brejcha. "Our First Amendment does not permit silencing others just because you dislike their message."

Read the Williston, North Dakota, police report in the case against Robert Rudnick here:

https://www.thomasmoresociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Robert-Rudnick-police-report.pdf

 See a photo of the "truth truck" here:

https://www.thomasmoresociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Robert-Rudnick-Truth-Truck-.jpg

About the Thomas More Society

The Thomas More Society is a not-for-profit, national public interest law firm dedicated to restoring respect in law for life, family, and religious liberty. Based in Chicago, the Thomas More Society defends and fosters support for these causes by providing high quality pro bono legal services from local trial courts all the way to the United States Supreme Court.www.thomasmoresociety.org


+ Thomas More Law Center, 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106, 734-827-2001, Fax: 734-930-7160, info@thomasmore.org

+ Missionaries to the Preborn, Post Office Box 26931, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, 414-462-3399, defendbabies@missionariestopreborn.com

+ Interposition Society of North Dakota, Robert Rudnick - psa13913@hotmail.com - 651-238-3064 and Jonathan O'Toole -
help@ProjectSEE.com – SMS 816-337-2614


[8] News from the Deepest Recesses of Hell

-- 'They Will Kill Your Baby in Your Face' -- Chinese Activist Chen Guangcheng

-- New York Court Redefines Marriage to Include Incest

-- British Ethicists Seriously Argue for Four-Plus-Parent Embryos, Self-Reproduction

-- Terminally Ill 'Death with Dignity' Advocate Brittany Maynard Takes Her Life

-- The Beginning of Death Panels?


+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com

+ World Magazine, 85 Tunnel Road, Suite 12, Asheville, North Carolina 28805, 828-232-5415, Fax: 828-253-1556, mailbag@worldmag.com

+ LifeSiteNews.com, Incorporated, 4 Family Life Lane, Front Royal, Virginia 22630, 888-678-6008, Contact Page

+ American Vision, Post Office Box 220, Powder Springs, Georgia 30127, 770-222-7266, Fax: 770-222-7269, mail@AmericanVision.org

+ GOPUSA, Contact Page


[9] Articles from LifesiteNews.com

Articles from the past week from LifesiteNews.com:

-- British Columbia Law Society Rescinds Approval of Christian Law School


+ LifeSiteNews.com, Incorporated, 4 Family Life Lane, Front Royal, Virginia 22630, 888-678-6008, Contact Page


[10] The Thinning Blue Line

-- Fort Lauderdale, Florida Police Cite, Threaten Arrest of Ninety-Year-Old Volunteer for Feeding the Homeless

-- Graphic Video Shows SWAT Team Kill a Small Dog as It Walked Away from Racine, Wisconsin Police

-- New York City Pays US$7500 Fine for Falsely Arresting Man Carrying a Legal Knife

-- ‘They Can’t Un-Rape You': Dash Cam Records Austin, Texas Police Officers Joking about Raping a Woman Walking by Their Car

-- Amarillo, Texas Middle School Student, Assaulted by Police, Arrested, Currently in Jail, for Wearing a Rosary to Football Game


+ The D.C. Clothesline, dean.garrison.99@gmail.com

+ Girls Just Wanna Have Guns, Contact Page


[11] Raging Heathen and Vain Imagining

Articles from the past week regarding kings and rulers setting themselves against the LORD and against his anointed:

-- Election Night Bombshell: Obama Executive Order Amnesty by Christmas

-- Obama Administration to Penalize 2,600 Hospitals Who Treat the Poor and Minorities

-- Harvard Sex Week Offers "What What in the Butt: Anal Sex 101" Workshop

-- Three U.S. Citizens Found Dead on Mexican Side of Texas Border

-- FBI Borrows a Page from Obama’s EPA by Seeking Power Expansion through a Rules Change


+ Godfather Politics, 457 Nathan Dean Boulevard, Dallas, Georgia 30132

+ Now the End Begins, Contact Page

+ Chicks on the Right, chicks@wibc.com

+ Right Wing News, Contact Page

+ Personal Liberty Digest, Post Office Box 1105, Cullman, Alabama 35056, 256-727-5353, Fax: 800-941-6987, eletter@personalliberty.com


[12] The Religion of Peace

Articles from the past week about the religion of peace:

-- Florida Muslim Teacher Raped Kids So Badly That One Needed Surgery to Repair Her Genitals

-- Islamic Terrorists Foster Jihad with over Ninety Tweets per Minute on Twitter

-- Second Turkish Trial Implicates Authorities in Planned Attack on Church Leaders

-- Christian Couple Brutally Beaten by Muslim Mob, Then Burnt Alive in Oven

-- ISIS Jihadists Tortured Kobani Child Hostages

-- Massacre of the Tribes: 228 Found Murdered in Just Two Days as ISIS Militants Exact Bloody Revenge on Sunni Leaders Who Sided with Iraqi Government against Them

-- Muslim Blow Torches Fifteen-Year-Old U.K. Army Cadet

-- UK Islamist Wants Sharia Law In America And Every Woman Covered “Head To Toe”

-- Muslims in Kosovo Capture Christians, Dissect Them Alive, Sell their Organs

-- Islamic State Calls for the Invasion of Jerusalem

-- ISIS Beheads Eight Syrian Rebels Who Surrendered

-- After Jihadists Kill 322 Kurdish Fighters, Bodies to Be Burnt to Confirm They Are Dead

-- Seventy-Five-Year-Old in London Faces Racism Charges over Sarcastic Remark about Muslims

-- Pentagon Bows Down to Sharia Law in America

-- Escape from Iran: Mother of Imprisoned Pastor Saeed Abedini Flees after Repeated Threats

-- Asia Bibi Will Appeal Execution Sentence for Her Faith to Pakistan Supreme Court

-- Marines Investigate Islamic State Leaflets Found at Quantico Base

-- New U.K. Law: “Extremism Disruption Orders” to Criminalize Sharia, Prohibiting Critics of Islam from Broadcasting, Protesting and Posting Messages on Facebook

-- ISIS Line Up, Kill another Fifty Men and Women in Iraq Town

-- Video: Islamic State Jihadis Happily Discuss Buying and Selling Sex Slaves

-- Bangladesh Islamic Leader Sentenced to Death for War Crimes


+ Girls Just Wanna Have Guns, Contact Page

+ Now the End Begins, Contact Page

+ World Watch Monitor, Contact Page

+ Atlas Shrugs, writeatlas@aol.com

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

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

+ FrontPage Magazine, Post Office Box 55089, Sherman Oaks, California 91499, Contact Page

+ Western Center for Journalism, 42104 North Venture Drive, Suite B-122, Anthem, Arizona 85086, 202-370-6366, Contact Page

+ Right Side News

+ Assyrian International News Agency (Nineveh Software Corporation, 2317 West Farwell, Chicago, Illinois 60645, 773-575-5863, Fax: 773-761-8534)

+ Clash Daily

+ Fox News, 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036, 888-369-4762, Fax: 212-462-6127, yourquestions@foxnews.com

+ The Christian Post, National Press Building, 529 14th Street Northwest, Suite 420, Washington DC 20045, 202-347-7734, info@christianpost.com

+ Jihad Watch and Dhimmi Watch