27 November 2013
Presbyterians Week Headlines
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[1] Hundreds Join Nationwide Campaign to ‘Leave a Thanksgiving Place Setting for Pastor Saeed’
[3] South African Missionary Cautions against New Film Praising Life of Nelson Mandela
[9] News from the Deepest Recesses of Hell
[10] Headlines from Christian Concern
[11] Headlines from The Christian Institute
[13] Articles from LifesiteNews.com
[14] Raging Heathen and Vain Imagining
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[1] Hundreds Join Nationwide Campaign to ‘Leave a Thanksgiving Place Setting for Pastor Saeed’
The Christian Defense Coalition has launched a Facebook effort inviting Americans to leave an empty place setting on Thanksgiving to stand in solidarity and pray with Pastor Saeed and the persecuted church around the world.
Here is the Facebook event page for “Leave a Thanksgiving Place Setting for Pastor Saeed.”
www.facebook.com/events/462402373870696
Pastor Saeed Abedini, an American citizen, has been in Iranian prison for over a year because of his Christian faith. He is serving an eight year sentence in one of the worst prisons in the world.
The group will also set up a Thanksgiving place setting in front of the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue at 10:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. It will be across from LafayettePark.
Reformed Presbyterian pastor and Director of the Christian Defense Coalition the Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney states:
“While Americans enjoy the blessings of spending Thanksgiving Day with family and friends, it is important to remember that millions around the world are being brutalized, persecuted and attacked for their Christian faith. Thousands are in prison.
“Pastor Saeed will not be able to spend this special day with his wife and two young children, but instead will be spending it in a cramped prison facing constant violence and persecution.
“We can never be silent when it comes to issues of human rights justice and religious freedom. We must always be a loud prophetic voice in the public square calling for an end to the persecution and violence directed toward people because of their faith beliefs.
“‘Leave a Thanksgiving Place Setting for Pastor Saeed,’ is a powerful way for Americans to stand in solidarity with the persecuted church around the world and teach their families about the important issues of human rights and religious freedom.
“We are asking that people post pictures on the Facebook Event Page so an album can be created for Pastor Saeed when he is released from prison.
“We will also be setting a Thanksgiving place setting in front of the White House to remind President Obama to be a much stronger voice for religious freedom around the world and the release of Pastor Saeed.”
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+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com
+ Christian Defense Coalition, Post Office Box 77168, Washington DC 20013, 202-547-1735, ChristianDefense@gmail.com
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The Hungarian Foreign Ministry was shocked to learn of the verdict reached by the Ethics Committee of the Order “Star of Romania” on November 20, 2013 in which they found László T?kés to be unsuited for holding on to the award.
We acknowledge Romania’s sovereign right to decide who to award state decorations to, as well as its right to decide who to revoke it from. The revocation of the Star of Romania from László T?kés nonetheless raises concerns. The hero of the Romanian revolution, respected European politician, and iconic figure of Transylvania’s Hungarian community is being stripped of his decoration based on a deliberate misinterpretation of his political beliefs.
Twenty-five years ago László T?kés fought for democracy and freedom, not only for the Hungarian community, but for all of Romania and has since consistently stood up in defense of human rights. By revoking decoration of László T?kés Romania humiliates the entire Hungarian community of Romania, and aims to deter those who talk of autonomy, a rightful claim of the Hungarian community of Romania.
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+ Hungarian Ministry Of Foreign Affairs, 027 Budapest, Bem rakpart 47, Hungary, 36-1-458-1000, Fax: 36-1-212-5918
+ Romanian Reformed Church, 410210 Nagyvárad(Oradea), Kálvin János utca 1. Szám, Romania, 259-453-286, partium@rdsor.ro
+ Reformed Church in Hungary, MRE Zsinata1146 Budapest, Abonyi u. 21., Hungary, 30-3361-666, info@reformatus.hu
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[3] South African Missionary Cautions against New Film Praising Life of Nelson Mandela
A 26 November 2013 Christian News Network article by Heather Clark titled “South African Missionary Cautions against New Film Praising Life of Nelson Mandela” reports that missionary Dr. Peter Hammond of Frontline Fellowship of Newlands, South Africa, is cautioning against the new biopic of former South Africa President Nelson Mandela Wretched because Mandela was deeply involved in terrorist activity and is responsible for promoting wickedness in the land.
Dr. Hammond comments:
“I wouldn’t generally want to celebrate somebody who made his position in life by blowing people up. [Mandela] plead guilty to 156 acts of public violence and terrorism.”
Hammond said Mandela was the head of the military wing of the African National Committee (ANC), which Hammond also referred to as “the abortion, necklacing and corruption party.” He said that 1,000 Africans were killed by necklacing in the country through the ANC, an act where terrorists would “put an automobile tire over someone, pour petrol over them [and] set them alight.”
Hammond also described numerous other acts of violence that he alleges were committed by the ANC under the order or oversight of Mandela:
“Missionaries and their kids [were] murdered, bayoneted on the fields—whole families killed by landmines planted in the roads.”
The South African missionary stated that Mandela’s wife Winnie also participated in violent acts.
“Winnie Mandela actually was found guilty in court of the murder of a twelve-year-old boy. And it was upheld on appeal. She was sentenced to five years in prison, [but] she hasn’t served a day.”
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+ Christian News Network, Post Office Box 30000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, Contact Page
+ Frontline Fellowship, Post Office Box 74, Newlands 7725, South Africa, 27-21-689-4480, Fax: 27-21-685-5884, admin@frontline.org.za
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A 20 November 2013 The Ottumwa Courier article by Matt Milner titled “Edouard Granted New Trial” reports that former pastor of Covenant Reformed Church (United Reformed Churches in North America) in Pella, Iowa, Patrick Edouard has been granted a new trial by Iowa’s Court of Appeals. Edouard was originally put on trial for three counts of third-degree sexual abuse, four counts of sexual exploitation by a counselor, and one count of engaging in a pattern, practice, or scheme to engage in sexual exploitation, and was convicted of only the exploitation charges.
The Iowa Court of Appeals cited an Iowa Supreme Court opinion holding that “strictly personal relationships involving the informal exchange of advice” do not constitute the counseling role needed for the exploitation charges, and ruled that because the district court did not include the Iowa Supreme Court definition of counseling in the jury instructions, that a mistake was made that abused the district court’s discretion.
The Iowa Court of Appeals further ruled that the district court erred in barring one of Edouard’s expert witnesses from testifying at the original trial, making it likely that an additional defense witness will testify in the retrial.
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+ The Ottumwa Courier, 213 East Second Street, Ottumwa, Iowa 52501, 641-683-5372, mcody@cnhi.com
+ United Reformed Churches in North America, c/o the Rev. Bradd Nymeyer, 227 1st Avenue Southeast, Sioux Center, Iowa 51250, 712-722-1965, statedclerk@urcna.org
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A 25 November 2013 article by Lauren Hensley of WVNSTV.com titled “State Police Confirm Sex Abuse Investigation involving Bluefield Church Volunteer” reports that the West Virginia State Police are investigating allegations of sexual abuse by a long-time volunteer youth leader at Westminster Presbyterian Church (Evangelical Presbyterian Church) in Bluefield, West Virginia.
A dozen or so males have come forward saying that the youth volunteer molested them when they were pre-teens or teenagers. The allegations date back to 1986.
Westminster Presbyterian Church Pastor Jonathan Rockness in a statement released by the church said:
“We have been fully cooperative with the authorities and will continue to be, as we are committed to uncovering the truth and seeing justice met. We also hope and pray for the healing and wholeness for potential victims in this situation. We are devastated for them and their families.”
The alleged perpetrator could face charges of sexual abuse, sexual assault and sexual abuse by a custodian.
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+ WVNSTV.com, 141 Old Cline Road, Ghent, West Virginia 25843, 304-787-5959, Fax: 304-787-2440, news@wvnstv.com
+ Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 17197 North Laurel Park Drive Suite 567, Livonia, Michigan 48152, 734-742-2020, Fax: 734-742-2033, webmaster@epc.org
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Forward Together, a group for evangelical Christians within the Church of Scotland, deeply regrets the decision taken by the Scottish Parliament to approve, in principle, same sex marriage in Scotland.
In making this decision, the Scottish Parliament has taken to itself the right to redefine marriage, which is a gift from God to human society for the well-being of men and women and for the upbringing of children. The Parliament has in effect said that God is wrong, that his gift is inadequate, and that the divine pattern of gender complementarity, seen to be God’s will in both Old and New Testaments, is a mistake. The Scottish Parliament has arrogantly elevated its own wisdom over that of the living God.
Forward Together is not by any means convinced that the Scottish Parliament can guarantee legal protections for those whose conscience will not permit them to support the Parliament’s decision in principle.
Forward Together laments the haste with which the Scottish Parliament has pressed ahead. The implications of this legislation are of such magnitude that a much longer period of reflection and careful thought was called for.
In choosing to press on with this legislation, legislation for which the Scottish Government has no electoral mandate, the Scottish Parliament has chosen to ignore the wishes of a majority of those who responded to the public consultation, and has shown that the consultation was nothing more than a waste of time and public money.
Forward Together believes that most of our elected representatives are now leading the electorate into a wilderness of moral relativity in which not only marriage, as human society has always understood it, is emptied of meaningful content, but so are the very notions of what it is to be male or female. Same sex marriage brings confusion into these elemental distinctions.
Forward Together applauds the courage and the conscientious stand of those MSPs who resisted the legislation and who voted accordingly. They demonstrated that quality of political leadership which was called for, but which could not, sadly, win the day. We urge other MSPs to follow their example when the bill next comes before Parliament.
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+ Forward Together, 2 Lanark Road, Kirkmuirhill, Scotland ML11 9RB, 01555-892409, office@forwardtogether.org.uk
+ Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN, Scotland, 0131-225-5722
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A 27 November 2013 The Scotsman article by Scott Macnab titled “Church Raises Concerns over White Paper Omission” reports that the Free Church of Scotland (FCS) has raised concerns that the Scottish Independence White Paper (SIWP) does not mention the historic compact between the Church and the State to work for the Christian good of Scotland.
An FCS spokesman stated:
“We hope that this is because the Scottish Government does not propose any alteration to the current arrangements. However, we are slightly disappointed that the role of the Church in society was not properly recognised – particularly as many churches are involved in key support and caring ministries at the heart of vulnerable communities, as well as providing moral and spiritual guidance…. Ultimately, we believe that the best foundation for the nation is the Christian faith, and we cannot approve a secular constitution.”
The FCS additionally announced support for other SIWP provisions including thirty hours of childcare per week in term time for all three and four-year-olds and vulnerable two-year-olds, as well as the abolishment of the ‘bedroom tax’.
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+ The Scotsman, Barclay House, 108 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AS, Scotland, 131-620-8620
+ 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
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A 25 November 2013 STV article titled “Church Elder Suspended from Parish for Transporting Rams on a Sunday” reports that Elder Calum Macleod of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)’s Knock and Point congregation on the Isle of Lewis was suspended for one month from office and church membership for Sabbath breaking after returning by ferry with his rams on Sunday after missing the Saturday ferry when he attended a market in Ullapool, Scotland.
The kirk session considered the unnecessary collection of animals to be of greater concern than riding the ferry on the Sabbath. Mr. Macloed reported himself to the kirk session, accepted the resolution of the matter to have been done through proper ecclesiastical process, and considers the matter “…closed and completely in the past.”
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+ STV, Pacific Quay, Glasgow G51 1PQ, Scotland, 0141-300-3704, yourview@stv.tv
+ Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), Rev. John MacLeod, Free Church Manse, Portmahomack, Ross-shire, Scotland, principalclerk@fccontinuing.org
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[9] News from the Deepest Recesses of Hell
— Fifty-Six Women Killed for Giving Birth to Girls This Year in Pakistan
— Beautiful Women Sell Their Eggs to the Highest Bidder, No Uglies Allowed
— Irish Government Will Not Oppose Tabling Bill Allowing Abortions on Disabled Babies
— Tasmania’s Legalization of Abortion Up to Birth a Warning for New Zealand
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+ LifeSiteNews.com, Incorporated, 4 Family Life Lane, Front Royal, Virginia 22630, 888-678-6008, Contact Page
+ LifeNews.com, Post Office Box 270841, Fort Collins, Colorado 80527, news@lifenews.com
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[10] Headlines from Christian Concern
Headlines of the past week from Christian Concern:
— Sham Debate Seeks Ban on Therapy for Unwanted Same Sex Attraction
— Court of Appeal Bans Christian Radio Advertisement
— Survey Reveals “Vicious Bullying” against Christians in Entertainment Industry
— British Medical Association Opposes Scottish Assisted Suicide Bill
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+ Christian Concern, 70 Wimpole Street, London W1G 8AX, England, 020 7935 1488, Contact Page
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[11] Headlines from The Christian Institute
Headlines of the past week from The Christian Institute:
— Couples Fear ‘Faith Barrier’ in Adoption System
— Pupils in Scotland, Age Thirteen, Offered STI Tests during Lunch Break at School
— Professor Calls for Lowering Age of Consent to Fifteen, U.K. Prime Minister Says No
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+ The Christian Institute, Wilberforce House, 4 Park Road, Gosforth Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 8DG, England, 44-0-191-281-5664, Fax: 44-0-191-281-4272, info@christian.org.uk
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[12] Articles from LifesiteNews.com
Articles from the past week from LifesiteNews.com:
— U.S. Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Hobby Lobby Challenge to HHS Mandate
— Rome’s New Mayor Creates ‘Civil Registry’ For Same-Sex Partners in Contravention of Italian Law
— Homosexual Teen Activist Honored by Obama Charged with Sex Crimes against a Fourteen-Year-Old Boy
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+ LifeSiteNews.com, Incorporated, 4 Family Life Lane, Front Royal, Virginia 22630, 888-678-6008, Contact Page
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— Cedar Creek (Texas) High School Student in Coma after Being Tased on Campus
— Dashcam Shows How Close a Veteran Came to Losing His Life for Lawfully Open Carrying
— Bernalillo County, New Mexico Cops Spray Woman’s Vagina with Mace to “Punish” Her after Drug Arrest
— Woman Threatened by Police for Pursuing Rape Charges against Florida State’s Quarterback
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+ Personal Liberty Digest, Post Office Box 1105, Cullman, Alabama 35056, 800-319-3487, 800-941-6987, eletter@personalliberty.com
+ The Free Thought Project, contact@thefreethoughtproject.com
+ All Christian News, Contact Page
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[14] Raging Heathen and Vain Imagining
Articles from the past week regarding kings and rulers setting themselves against the LORD and against his anointed:
— U.S. Government Documents Show Obama’s Plan to Bankrupt America with Never Ending War
— New York City Sending Out Gun Confiscation Notices
— Evangelizing in El Salvador Can Mean Getting Killed by Gangs
— Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia May Start Hiring Homosexual Faculty
— White House Silent on Obama’s 2007 Photo Session with Pornographer
— Police Torture Reported by Seventy-Five Percent of United Arab Emirates Prisoners
— Boston Hospital Rips Custody from Parents of 15 Year Old Over Diagnosis Dispute
— Obama FBI Partners with Left-Wing Extremist Group Southern Poverty Law Center
— Seven-Year-Old Boy in India Tortured, Murdered for Christian Faith
— Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Will Not Cancel Pornographic Play Mocking Bible
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+ Now the End Begins, Contact Page
+ All Christian News, Contact Page
+ Girls Just Wanna Have Guns, Contact Page
+ CNSNews.com, 325 South Patrick Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, 877-267-6397, newsdesk@cnsnews.com
+ Ekklesia, 2nd Floor, 145-157 St. John Street, London EC1V 4PY, England, 0845 056 5445, press@ekklesia.co.uk
+ Godfather Politics, 457 Nathan Dean Boulevard, Dallas, Georgia 30132
+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com
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Articles from the past week about the religion of peace:
— Obama Administration Accused of Abandoning Pastor in Iranian Prison
— Ethiopian Maid Abused in Saudi Arabia Hangs Herself
— Afghani Mother Has Acid Thrown on Her Face after Her Husband Was Killed
— Nigeria: Muslim Mobs Murder at Least Seventy-One Christians
— Coptic Solidarity Opposes Inclusion of Sharia in New Egyptian Constitution
— Iraq: Thirty-Four Murdered in Jihad Attacks, France Offers Help
— Sharia: Afghanistan Reintroduces Public Stoning as a Punishment
— ‘Largest Massacre of Christians in Syria’ Ignored
— Afghanistan: Taliban Murder 800 Muslim Clerics Who Disagreed with Their Tactics and Ideology
— Pedophiles Converting to Islam to Evade Prosecution- Abuses Protected by Sharia Law
— Sharia in Action in Somalia: Somali Woman and Journalist Arrested for Reporting Rape
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+ All Christian News, Contact Page
+ The Muslim Issue Worldwide, Contact Page
+ Girls Just Wanna Have Guns, Contact Page
+ Jihad Watch and Dhimmi Watch
+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com
+ Atlas Shrugs, writeatlas@aol.com
+ The Daily Mail, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT, England, 020-7938-6000, news@dailymail.co.uk
+ Human Events, One Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20001, 202-216-0600, Editors@HumanEventsOnline.com
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