Kevin Thomas, 51, plead guilty to five felonies for communications fraud, theft and unlawful activity, as well as three misdemeanors for theft and vehicle burglary. Thomas originally faced 20 charges spread across three separate cases, but those charges were reduced as part of a plea bargain with prosecutors.
Thomas's largest group of charges stemmed from allegations that, among other things, he used his one-time position as an LDS bishop to con an elderly man out of his life savings. According to a police affidavit, Thomas used his leadership position in and knowledge of the LDS Church to earn the man's friendship. The man reportedly had saved more than $400,000 throughout the course of his life, and he turned it over to Thomas believing it was secured with property and promissory notes.
Read more: Kevin Thomas
Thomas made token payments to the man to convince him that he was making a great return on his investment, the affidavit reveals. However, the payments eventually stopped and the man learned of his losses.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Fertility Treatments Get Indiana Teacher Fired
In a federal lawsuit filed in a Fort Wayne, Ind., teacher Emily Herx claimed that she was fired and told by a senior church official that her attempt to become pregnant through in-vitro fertilization made her a "grave, immoral sinner."
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Priest Arrested For Drug Trafficking
The Orthodox Christian Church of Cyprus said Friday that it is "deeply distressed" over the arrest of a parish priest on suspicion of trafficking drugs to the island from abroad.
Police arrested 38-year-old Father Panayiotis Triantafyllou at Cyprus' main Larnaca airport late Wednesday after discovering three kilograms of marijuana in his luggage. Triantafyllou had arrived on a flight from Greece.
Read More: Priest Arrested
Local media reports said the priest told the court he was only transporting the drugs for others and that he needed the money because of financial problems he was having. He also told the court that he was remorseful and offered to assist police in their investigation.
Police arrested 38-year-old Father Panayiotis Triantafyllou at Cyprus' main Larnaca airport late Wednesday after discovering three kilograms of marijuana in his luggage. Triantafyllou had arrived on a flight from Greece.
Read More: Priest Arrested
Local media reports said the priest told the court he was only transporting the drugs for others and that he needed the money because of financial problems he was having. He also told the court that he was remorseful and offered to assist police in their investigation.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Parents Seek Prayer Instead Of Medical Treatment
After 16-year-old Austin Sprout lost his life when his parents, Brandi and Russel Bellew, opted for prayer instead of medical treatment, their remaining six children are now wards of the state. Brian Sprout, Austin Sprout's father and Brandi Bellew's first husband, died in 2007 of sepsis after failing to seek medical treatment for a leg injury.
Blasphemy Charges For Revealing Secret Behind "Miracle"
Sanal Edamaruku, an Indian skeptic, went to Mumbai and revealed that a "miraculous" weeping cross was really just a leaky drain. The local Catholic Church demanded that he retract his statements, and when he refused, they had him arrested for blasphemy.
On 10th March, Sanal Edamaruku, President of the Rationalist International, flew to Mumbai. The TV channel TV-9 had invited him to investigate a “miracle” that caused local excitement. He went with the TV team to Irla in Vile Parle to inspect the crucifix standing there in front of the Church of Our Lady of Velankanni. This crucifix had become the centre of attraction for an ever growing crowd of believers coming from far and wide. The news of the miracle spread like wild fire. For some days, there were little droplets of water trickling from Jesus’ feet. Hundreds of people came every day to pray and collect some of the “holy water” in bottles and vessels. Sanal Edamaruku identified the source of the water (a drainage near a washing room) and the mechanism how it reached Jesus feet (capillary action).
The local church leaders, present during his investigation, appeared to be displeased. Some hours later, in a live program on TV-9, Sanal explained his findings and accused the concerned Catholic Church officials of miracle mongering, as they were beating the big drum for the drippling Jesus statue with aggressive PR measures and by distributing photographs certifying the “miracle”. A heated debate began, in which the five church people, among them Fr. Augustine Palett, the priest of Our Lady of Velankanni church, and representatives of the Association of Concerned Catholics (AOCC) demanded that Sanal apologize. But Sanal refused and argued against them.
Read More: Weeping Cross
When they saw Sanal refused to bow to their demands, they threatened to file a blasphemy case against him. And they did. Yesterday (10th April,2012) Sanal received a phone call from a Police official of Juhu Police Station in Mumbai directing him to come to the said police station to face the charges and get arrested.
On 10th March, Sanal Edamaruku, President of the Rationalist International, flew to Mumbai. The TV channel TV-9 had invited him to investigate a “miracle” that caused local excitement. He went with the TV team to Irla in Vile Parle to inspect the crucifix standing there in front of the Church of Our Lady of Velankanni. This crucifix had become the centre of attraction for an ever growing crowd of believers coming from far and wide. The news of the miracle spread like wild fire. For some days, there were little droplets of water trickling from Jesus’ feet. Hundreds of people came every day to pray and collect some of the “holy water” in bottles and vessels. Sanal Edamaruku identified the source of the water (a drainage near a washing room) and the mechanism how it reached Jesus feet (capillary action).
The local church leaders, present during his investigation, appeared to be displeased. Some hours later, in a live program on TV-9, Sanal explained his findings and accused the concerned Catholic Church officials of miracle mongering, as they were beating the big drum for the drippling Jesus statue with aggressive PR measures and by distributing photographs certifying the “miracle”. A heated debate began, in which the five church people, among them Fr. Augustine Palett, the priest of Our Lady of Velankanni church, and representatives of the Association of Concerned Catholics (AOCC) demanded that Sanal apologize. But Sanal refused and argued against them.
Read More: Weeping Cross
When they saw Sanal refused to bow to their demands, they threatened to file a blasphemy case against him. And they did. Yesterday (10th April,2012) Sanal received a phone call from a Police official of Juhu Police Station in Mumbai directing him to come to the said police station to face the charges and get arrested.
Advocate Group Protests Former Atlanta Priest
Father Robert Poandl is a longtime Catholic Priest - but our friend Judy Jones says he's also a child predator.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Human Empanadas
SAO PAULO -- Police have arrested three people for allegedly killing at least two women, eating parts of their bodies and using their flesh to make stuffed pastries that they sold to neighbors. The three suspects – a man, his wife and his mistress – belonged to a sect that preached "the purification of the world and the reduction of its population".
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Fired For Out-Of-Wedlock Pregnancy
A spokesman for the private school where the woman formerly taught says the woman violated a morals clause.
Tennessee’s Anti-Science Bill Becomes Law
After the US Supreme Court’s 1987 decision forbidding the teaching of creationism in science classes, those who objected to the teaching of evolution modified their ideas slightly. They relabeled these ideas “Intelligent Design.” In the wake of that tactic’s defeat in the courts, the opponents of science education retooled again.
This time, they targeted a number of state legislatures with two categories of bills that shared nearly identical wording. This tactic saw success in Louisiana, although a number of similar bills were considered in other states. They’ve now achieved their second success — the passage of a law in Tennessee.
The state’s governor, saying the bill doesn’t “bring clarity,” has decided not to sign it. But he’s decided not to veto it either, which will allow it to become law.
Read More: tennessees-antiscience-law
Next up for discussion - Stork Theory vs Sexual Reproduction?
This time, they targeted a number of state legislatures with two categories of bills that shared nearly identical wording. This tactic saw success in Louisiana, although a number of similar bills were considered in other states. They’ve now achieved their second success — the passage of a law in Tennessee.
The state’s governor, saying the bill doesn’t “bring clarity,” has decided not to sign it. But he’s decided not to veto it either, which will allow it to become law.
Read More: tennessees-antiscience-law
Next up for discussion - Stork Theory vs Sexual Reproduction?
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Abuse Accusations At Christian School
AC360's Gary Tuchman investigates accusations of abuse at the Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch in western Montana.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Pastor Arrested For Killing His Children
South Korea: South Korean police have arrested a Christian pastor and his wife over
the deaths of their three children. The parents are accused of whipping
and starving the children in an attempt to cast out demons.
Police said Monday that the couple was arrested Saturday after their
10-year daughter and two sons aged eight and five were found dead at
their home in the southern county of Boseong.
Authorities say the couple told investigators they stopped feeding
their children and beat them with a belt and a fly swatter to drive away
evil spirits.
Read More: Cast Out Demons
Investigators say the couple cited a Biblical proverb that reads "Do not withhold discipline from a child."
Pastor David Thompson Sentenced
Ohio: A pastor convicted of embezzling more than $1 million from his former church was sentenced
to five years in prison on Wednesday. A judge found David Thompson guilty in September on several charges, including theft, money
laundering and tampering with records.
Thompson was convicted of embezzling from The World of Pentecost Church, located at 3431 East
Main Street, between 1998 and 2007. Prosecutors said Thompson spent church funds on luxury cars, a pool, a boat and hair
treatments.
Read More: David Thompson
He faced a possible sentence of up to 90 years in prison.
Jury Convicts Sect Leader
Utah: A jury
Thursday found a leader of a religious sect guilty of raping his
daughter and allowing his friend to rape her as well. Terrill Dalton, 45, who used the name the "Holy Ghost," was convicted of two counts of rape, a first-degree felony.
Prosecutors say Dalton condoned an
"impression" that Geody Harman, 38, said he had received indicating that
he needed to have sex with the then-15-year-old girl. Both Dalton and
Harman were leaders of a small religious group called the Church of the
First Born and the General Assembly of Heaven.
Read More: Terrill Dalton
Dalton called himself the "Holy Ghost" while Harman was often
referred to as "God in the flesh." In a prior hearing, Dalton's daughter
testified that she was promised she would receive blessings if she had
sex with the two men and felt extreme pressure from her father and those
in his church to comply. Dalton will be sentenced May 11.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Church Accused Of Castrating Boys
From our friends @ Christian Nightmares
Up to 11 boys were castrated while in the care of the Dutch Roman Catholic church in the 1950s to rid them of homosexuality, a newspaper investigation has said. A young man was castrated in 1956 after telling police he was being abused by priests, the newspaper reported.
Henk Hethuis, a pupil at a Catholic boarding school, was 18 when he told police in 1956 he was being abused by a Dutch monk. He was castrated on the instructions of Catholic priests, NRC Handelsblad said, and told this would "cure" him of his homosexuality. The same happened to at least 10 of his schoolmates, the newspaper said.
Read More: Castrate Away The Gay
Dutch MPs called for an inquiry after the report was published.
Up to 11 boys were castrated while in the care of the Dutch Roman Catholic church in the 1950s to rid them of homosexuality, a newspaper investigation has said. A young man was castrated in 1956 after telling police he was being abused by priests, the newspaper reported.
Henk Hethuis, a pupil at a Catholic boarding school, was 18 when he told police in 1956 he was being abused by a Dutch monk. He was castrated on the instructions of Catholic priests, NRC Handelsblad said, and told this would "cure" him of his homosexuality. The same happened to at least 10 of his schoolmates, the newspaper said.
Read More: Castrate Away The Gay
Dutch MPs called for an inquiry after the report was published.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Dennis Terry Introduces Rick Santorum
Greenwell Springs Baptist Church pastor Dennis Terry introduces Rick Santorum at a campaign rally by calling on Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and all who don't worship Jesus to "get out" of the United States.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Jesus Appears On Another Tortilla
Annette Escamilla talks about how the face of Jesus appeared on a flour tortilla she made.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Anti-Gay High School Assembly
Students and staff at a high school in Dunkerton, Ia., were shocked when an assembly intended to address drug and bullying issues instead featured anti-gay messages that offended many students, staff and parents.
Junkyard Prophet, Bradlee Dean's Minnesota-based traveling band that was brought to Dunkerton High School to discuss practices for good decision making, is part of the You Can Run But You Cannot Hide Christian youth ministry that holds assemblies in public schools.
Mike Cooper, principal of the school, has since announced that he will tender his resignation Monday and remain on the job through the end of the school year.
Junkyard Prophet, Bradlee Dean's Minnesota-based traveling band that was brought to Dunkerton High School to discuss practices for good decision making, is part of the You Can Run But You Cannot Hide Christian youth ministry that holds assemblies in public schools.
Mike Cooper, principal of the school, has since announced that he will tender his resignation Monday and remain on the job through the end of the school year.
Church CFO Steals $900,000
Pennsylvania: The Archdiocese of Philadelphia made Anita Guzzardi their chief financial officer last July.
Before that month was over, however, Guzzardi was found allegedly to have looted more than $900,000 from church coffers while in lower-level financial positions, and she was fired.
Read More: Anita Guzzardi
Yesterday, the Camden County woman turned herself in to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, which charged her with theft, forgery, unlawful use of a computer and related crimes. Officials said that her theft of church funds began in 2005 and continued through last summer.
Before that month was over, however, Guzzardi was found allegedly to have looted more than $900,000 from church coffers while in lower-level financial positions, and she was fired.
Read More: Anita Guzzardi
Yesterday, the Camden County woman turned herself in to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, which charged her with theft, forgery, unlawful use of a computer and related crimes. Officials said that her theft of church funds began in 2005 and continued through last summer.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Lesbian Denied Communion At Mother’s Funeral
At her mother’s funeral mass at the St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Gaithersburg, Md., a grieving Barbara Johnson was the first in line to receive communion. What happened next stunned her. The priest refused Johnson, who is gay, the sacramental bread and wine.
Anderson Cooper Interviews Teen Exorcists
Brynne, Tess and Savannah discuss how they first became involved in performing exorcisms.
Bible Says Global Warming Is A Hoax
In a radio interview with Voice of Christian Youth America, Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) argued that his belief that global warming is a hoax is biblically inspired. Promoting his book "The Greatest Hoax: How the Global Warming Conspiracy Threatens Your Future", Inhofe said that only God can change the climate, and the idea that manmade pollution could affect the seasons is “arrogance“.
In the interview, Inhofe did not mention he has received $1,352,523 in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry.
In the interview, Inhofe did not mention he has received $1,352,523 in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Utah's Abstinence Only Sex-Ed Bill
A bill that would require abstinence-only sex education in Utah public schools passed both houses of the legislature and is waiting for Governor Herbert to sign it into law.
HB363 defines sex education in Utah schools as abstinence-only, banning instruction about sexual intercourse, contraceptive methods, homosexuality and sexual activity outside of marriage. It moved through the Utah legislature with ease, and enjoys the support of some of Utah's conservative organizations, like the Utah Eagle Forum.
"It's a great bill," said Gayle Ruzicka, president of the Utah Eagle Forum, "(a) law that will teach children the skills that the need in order to remain pure and clean and chaste."
Our children need to be given enough information about sex so they are able to make good, informed decisions. Please help convince Governor Gary Herbert to veto HB363 by signing the petition. http://signon.org/sign/gov-herbert-veto-hb363.fb1?source=s.fb&r_by=3109014
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Cheesus Christ
A New Mexico man's dinner was downright divine after he discovered an image of Jesus on his tortilla.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Rush Limbaugh Calls Student 'Slut' And 'Prostitute'
Rush Limbaugh called the woman who was denied the right to speak at a controversial contraception hearing a "slut" on Wednesday.
Sandra Fluke, a student at Georgetown Law School, was supposed to be the Democratic witness at a Congressional hearing about the Obama administration's contraception policy. However, Darrell Issa, the committee chair at the hearing, prevented her from speaking, while only allowing a series of men to testify about the policy.
"Can you imagine if you were her parents how proud...you would be?" he said. "Your daughter ... testifies she's having so much sex she can't afford her own birth control pills and she wants President Obama to provide them, or the Pope."
"What does it say about the college co-ed Susan Fluke who goes before a congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex -- what does that make her? It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute. She wants to be paid to have sex. She's having so much sex she can't afford the contraception. She wants you and me and the taxpayers to pay her to have sex."
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
College: Liberal Indoctrination Camps
Rick Santorum‘s latest line of attack against President Obama is that he has a vested interest in getting everyone to go to college, which makes him a “snob” who wants young people to be indoctrinated by liberal professors.
Santorum attended Pennsylvania State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 1980. He then completed a one-year Master of Business Administration program at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, graduating in 1981. In 1986, Santorum received a law degree from the Dickinson School of Law.
Santorum defended his remarks to George Stephanopoulos.
Santorum attended Pennsylvania State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 1980. He then completed a one-year Master of Business Administration program at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, graduating in 1981. In 1986, Santorum received a law degree from the Dickinson School of Law.
Santorum defended his remarks to George Stephanopoulos.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
List Of Abusive Priests Destroyed
Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua ordered aides to shred a 1994 memo that identified 35 Archdiocese of Philadelphia priests suspected of sexually abusing children, according to a new court filing.
The order, outlined in a handwritten note locked away for years at the archdiocese's Center City offices, was disclosed Friday by lawyers for Msgr. William J. Lynn, the former church administrator facing trial next month.
They say the shredding directive proves what Lynn has long claimed: that a church conspiracy to conceal clergy sex abuse was orchestrated at levels far above him. After becoming secretary for clergy in 1992, they say, Lynn began combing the secret personnel files of hundreds of priests to gauge the scope of misconduct involving children. He did it, his lawyers said, because he "felt it was the right thing to do."
Read More: Anthony J. Bevilacqua
The result was his February 1994 memo that identified 35 priests suspected of abuse or pedophilia. Lynn allegedly gave it to his superior, Msgr. James Molloy, the assistant vicar for administration, who shared his duties documenting abuse complaints. Bevilacqua discussed the memo in a March 15, 1994, meeting with Molloy and Bishop Edward P. Cullen, then the cardinal's top aide, the filing says. After the meeting, Bevilacqua allegedly ordered Molloy to shred the memo.
The order, outlined in a handwritten note locked away for years at the archdiocese's Center City offices, was disclosed Friday by lawyers for Msgr. William J. Lynn, the former church administrator facing trial next month.
They say the shredding directive proves what Lynn has long claimed: that a church conspiracy to conceal clergy sex abuse was orchestrated at levels far above him. After becoming secretary for clergy in 1992, they say, Lynn began combing the secret personnel files of hundreds of priests to gauge the scope of misconduct involving children. He did it, his lawyers said, because he "felt it was the right thing to do."
Read More: Anthony J. Bevilacqua
The result was his February 1994 memo that identified 35 priests suspected of abuse or pedophilia. Lynn allegedly gave it to his superior, Msgr. James Molloy, the assistant vicar for administration, who shared his duties documenting abuse complaints. Bevilacqua discussed the memo in a March 15, 1994, meeting with Molloy and Bishop Edward P. Cullen, then the cardinal's top aide, the filing says. After the meeting, Bevilacqua allegedly ordered Molloy to shred the memo.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Franklin Graham Questions Obama's Faith
Rev. Franklin Graham, son of Rev. Billy Graham, just can't seem to accept that President Obama is a Christian. During an interview this morning on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," Graham said that he accepts statements presidential candidates Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich have made about their faith. But he implies that President Obama is lying when it comes to the topic of his religion.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
More Accusations Against Father Bob Poandl
Father Bob Poandl, 70, returned to Cincinnati Monday after an anonymous person came forward and charged Poandl with abuse nearly 30 years ago. Poandl had been serving in the Diocese of Savannah on and off since 2007, leaving in June 2009 after other abuse charges were levied against him in West Virginia. A judge dismissed those charges against the priest, and he returned to St. Christopher Church in Claxton with his record expunged in September 2010.
Poandl is not allowed to publicly function as a Catholic priest during the investigation process. Civil authorities have been notified of the anonymous allegation, as have bishops in the dioceses affected by the investigation, including the Diocese of Savannah where Father Poandl was serving.
Poandl is not allowed to publicly function as a Catholic priest during the investigation process. Civil authorities have been notified of the anonymous allegation, as have bishops in the dioceses affected by the investigation, including the Diocese of Savannah where Father Poandl was serving.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Satan Is Destroying America
Back in 2008, Rick Santorum traveled to Ave Maria University in Florida to deliver an address to students attending the Catholic university. Santorum told the students at Ave Maria how lucky they were to be living in a time when God's Army is more needed than ever because all of the major institutions in society were under attack by Satan. Santorum began his remarks by explaining to the students in attendance how every institution in America has been destroyed by Satan.
Mormons Baptize Anne Frank, Again
Anne Frank was allegedly baptized posthumously Saturday by a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to whistleblower Helen Radkey, a former member of the church.
The ritual was conducted in a Mormon temple in the Dominican Republic, according to Radkey, a Salt Lake City researcher who investigates such incidents, which violates a pact between the Mormon Church and Jewish leaders.
Radkey said she discovered that Annelies Marie "Anne" Frank, who died at Bergen Belsen death camp in 1945 at age 15, was baptized by proxy on Saturday. Mormons have submitted versions of her name at least a dozen times for proxy rites and carried out the ritual at least nine times from 1989 to 1999, according to Radkey.
Read More: Baptism for the dead
Negotiations between Mormon and Jewish leaders led to a 1995 agreement for the church to stop the posthumous baptism of all Jews, except in the case of direct ancestors of Mormons. And in related news, all dead mormons are now gay.
The ritual was conducted in a Mormon temple in the Dominican Republic, according to Radkey, a Salt Lake City researcher who investigates such incidents, which violates a pact between the Mormon Church and Jewish leaders.
Radkey said she discovered that Annelies Marie "Anne" Frank, who died at Bergen Belsen death camp in 1945 at age 15, was baptized by proxy on Saturday. Mormons have submitted versions of her name at least a dozen times for proxy rites and carried out the ritual at least nine times from 1989 to 1999, according to Radkey.
Read More: Baptism for the dead
Negotiations between Mormon and Jewish leaders led to a 1995 agreement for the church to stop the posthumous baptism of all Jews, except in the case of direct ancestors of Mormons. And in related news, all dead mormons are now gay.
Girl Scouts Destroy Family Values
Rep. Bob Morris, a Republican representing Fort Wayne, insists he won't go along with a resolution meant to honor the Girls Scouts on the organization's 100th anniversary.
"After talking to some well-informed constituents, I did a small amount of Web-based research, and what I found is disturbing," Morris wrote Saturday to Republican House colleagues in a letter obtained by the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.
Morris alleged that the Girl Scouts of America and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts "have entered into a close strategic affiliation with Planned Parenthood," which he claimed is trying to "sexualize" young girls through the Girl Scouts."
Even worse, he wrote, only three of the 50 role models promoted by the Girl Scouts have even "a briefly-mentioned religious background. All the rest are feminists, lesbians, or Communists," he wrote.
"After talking to some well-informed constituents, I did a small amount of Web-based research, and what I found is disturbing," Morris wrote Saturday to Republican House colleagues in a letter obtained by the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.
Morris alleged that the Girl Scouts of America and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts "have entered into a close strategic affiliation with Planned Parenthood," which he claimed is trying to "sexualize" young girls through the Girl Scouts."
Even worse, he wrote, only three of the 50 role models promoted by the Girl Scouts have even "a briefly-mentioned religious background. All the rest are feminists, lesbians, or Communists," he wrote.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
The Dangers Of Public Schools
Highlights of Truth in Action Ministries' "The Dumbing Down of America"
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Canadian Faces Execution In Iran
A computer programmer from Canada faces imminent execution in Iran for the actions of another person, which he had no control over, a human rights group says.
Saeed Malekpour wrote a program to upload photos to the Internet, an accomplishment that could cost him his life. Authorities in the Islamic Republic claimed his program was used by someone else to upload pornography and charged him with "insulting and desecrating Islam." Malekpour, who is a Toronto resident, was arrested in October 2008 while visiting relatives in Iran. He was convicted in a short trial and was sentenced to death in October 2011.
Read More: Saeed Malekpour
Malekpour sent a letter from prison detailing beatings and other mistreatment at the hands of Iranian prison officials to obtain a confession, said Hadi Ghaemi, executive director of the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. "A large portion of my confession was extracted under pressure, physical and psychological torture, threats to myself and my family, and false promises of immediate release upon giving a false confession to whatever the interrogators dictated," the letter says.
Saeed Malekpour wrote a program to upload photos to the Internet, an accomplishment that could cost him his life. Authorities in the Islamic Republic claimed his program was used by someone else to upload pornography and charged him with "insulting and desecrating Islam." Malekpour, who is a Toronto resident, was arrested in October 2008 while visiting relatives in Iran. He was convicted in a short trial and was sentenced to death in October 2011.
Read More: Saeed Malekpour
Malekpour sent a letter from prison detailing beatings and other mistreatment at the hands of Iranian prison officials to obtain a confession, said Hadi Ghaemi, executive director of the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. "A large portion of my confession was extracted under pressure, physical and psychological torture, threats to myself and my family, and false promises of immediate release upon giving a false confession to whatever the interrogators dictated," the letter says.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
BYU Honor Code
Utah: A student at Brigham Young University received what she thought was a love note Tuesday night, but was actually a letter questioning her compliance with the Brigham Young University Honor Code.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Pastor's Daughter Shot In Church
Florida: Authorities say the daughter of a pastor was accidentally shot in the head at a church in St. Petersburg.
Kirk Cameron's 'Monumental'
On Tuesday, March 27, 2012, in more than 450 major movie theaters, audiences will come together for a live, one-night only theatrical event called Monumental: In search of America's national treasure, hosted by Kirk Cameron. The two-hour show will include special guests, live music, and a showing of Kirk's new documentary film.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Obama Will Execute Religious People
Rick Santorum continued to rail against President Obama’s so-called war
against religion during a town hall in Plano, Texas Wednesday night. The
former Pennsylvania senator — who has spent the last several days
criticizing the government’s requirement that insurers provide
contraception coverage and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal’s decision striking down Proposition 8
— accused the administration of “crushing” religion and setting the
United States on the path towards executing religious people by
decapitation.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Kidnapped For Christ
Kidnapped for Christ follows the stories of several American teenagers who were sent to Escuela Caribe, an American-run Evangelical Christian reform school in The Dominican Republic.
From our friends @ Christian Nightmares
From our friends @ Christian Nightmares
Pete Hoekstra's Racist Ad
The Michigan Republican began taking heat after his ad targeting Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow as "Debbie Spenditnow" ran statewide Sunday during the Super Bowl. Hoekstra defended the ad, calling it a "home run" during an interview with Detroit radio WJR-AM's Paul W. Smith. He said it's only "insensitive" to the spending philosophy of Stabenow and Democratic President Barack Obama.
Pete Hoekstra also thinks that the earth is 6,000 years old and global warming is a liberal conspiracy.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Family Convicted In Honor Killings
A Canadian jury Sunday convicted three members of a family of Afghan immigrants of the "honor" murders of four female relatives whose bodies were found in an Ontario canal.
It’s The Year Of The Bible
In a unanimous vote earlier this week, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a resolution declaring 2012 the "Year of the Bible."
According to H.R. 535, the Penn. House declares "2012 as the 'Year of the Bible' in Pennsylvania in recognition of both the formative influence of the Bible on our Commonwealth and nation and our national need to study and apply the teachings of the holy scriptures."
Read More: Year of the Bible
"Any year or every year would be a good choice to recognize the value of the Bible," said State Representative Jerry Stern, one of the sponsors of the resolution. "Our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian values," Rep. Stern noted. "Because of this foundation all other religions may exercise their beliefs or lack thereof of any belief." H.R. 535 passed 193-0.
According to H.R. 535, the Penn. House declares "2012 as the 'Year of the Bible' in Pennsylvania in recognition of both the formative influence of the Bible on our Commonwealth and nation and our national need to study and apply the teachings of the holy scriptures."
Read More: Year of the Bible
"Any year or every year would be a good choice to recognize the value of the Bible," said State Representative Jerry Stern, one of the sponsors of the resolution. "Our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian values," Rep. Stern noted. "Because of this foundation all other religions may exercise their beliefs or lack thereof of any belief." H.R. 535 passed 193-0.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Ind. Senate Approves 'Creation Science' Bill
An Indiana Senate committee on Wednesday endorsed teaching creationism in public schools, despite pleas from scientists and religious leaders to keep religion out of science classrooms.
Senate Bill 89 allows school corporations to authorize "the teaching of various theories concerning the origin of life" and specifically mentions "creation science" as one such theory.
Email your legislator
State Sen. Scott Schneider, R-Indianapolis, who voted for the measure, said if there are many theories about life's origins, students should be taught all of them. But John Staver, professor of chemistry and science education at Purdue University, said evolution is the only theory of life that relies on empirical evidence from scientific investigations. "Creation science is not science," Staver said. "It is unquestionably a statement of a specific religion."
Read more: Creation Science
The Rev. Charles Allen, head of Grace Unlimited, an Indianapolis campus ministry, said students would be served better by teaching religion comparatively, rather than trying to "smuggle it in" to a science course.
Senate Bill 89 allows school corporations to authorize "the teaching of various theories concerning the origin of life" and specifically mentions "creation science" as one such theory.
Email your legislator
State Sen. Scott Schneider, R-Indianapolis, who voted for the measure, said if there are many theories about life's origins, students should be taught all of them. But John Staver, professor of chemistry and science education at Purdue University, said evolution is the only theory of life that relies on empirical evidence from scientific investigations. "Creation science is not science," Staver said. "It is unquestionably a statement of a specific religion."
Read more: Creation Science
The Rev. Charles Allen, head of Grace Unlimited, an Indianapolis campus ministry, said students would be served better by teaching religion comparatively, rather than trying to "smuggle it in" to a science course.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Gay Rights Lead To God's Judgment
Pam Olsen of the Florida Prayer Network and the International House of Prayer’s Tallahassee branch believes that gay rights cause natural disasters.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Romney Is A Threat To Spiritual Health
Bryan Fischer says that electing a Mormon president like Mitt Romney, a follower of a counterfeit faith and false religion, would be a threat to the "spiritual health" of the United States.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Singer Fined For Bashing The Bible
Poland: A Polish court slapped a fine on a popular singer who bad-mouthed the Bible _ the latest episode in which authorities grapple with religious defamation in a traditionally Catholic country that is growing increasingly secular.
Dorota Rabczewska, a singer who uses the stage name Doda, said in a 2009 interview that she doubted the Bible "because it's hard to believe in something that was written by someone drunk on wine and smoking some herbs."
Read More: Dorota Rabczewska
A Warsaw court ordered her Monday to pay a fine of 5,000 zlotys ($1,450) for offending religious feelings.
Dorota Rabczewska, a singer who uses the stage name Doda, said in a 2009 interview that she doubted the Bible "because it's hard to believe in something that was written by someone drunk on wine and smoking some herbs."
Read More: Dorota Rabczewska
A Warsaw court ordered her Monday to pay a fine of 5,000 zlotys ($1,450) for offending religious feelings.
Friday, January 13, 2012
God Helps Tebow Win
According to a recent survey by Poll Position, 43.3 percent of people believe divine intervention plays a role in Tim Tebow's success with the Denver Broncos.
According to a telephone survey conducted Tuesday by the website Poll Position, 43.3 percent of people believe Tebow's accomplishments on the field can be attributed to divine intervention.
The poll surveyed 1,056 people, and of the 756 who said they were familiar with Tebow, roughly 327 of them said they believe God plays a role in the second-year NFL quarterback's success.
According to a telephone survey conducted Tuesday by the website Poll Position, 43.3 percent of people believe Tebow's accomplishments on the field can be attributed to divine intervention.
The poll surveyed 1,056 people, and of the 756 who said they were familiar with Tebow, roughly 327 of them said they believe God plays a role in the second-year NFL quarterback's success.
Next Service, January 30th?
A customer with a Middle Eastern sounding name gets more than an oil change from the North Georgia Toyota dealship in Dalton, GA.
Isaiah 30:1 from the King James Bible: Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin.
Isaiah 30:1 from the King James Bible: Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin.
Missouri "Intelligent Design" Bill
House Bill 1227, introduced in the Missouri House of Representatives on January 10, 2012, would, if enacted, require "the equal treatment of science instruction regarding evolution and intelligent design," according to the legislature's summary of the bill. The equal treatment provision would apply to both public elementary and secondary schools and to "any introductory science course taught at any public institution of higher education" in Missouri.
Missouri House of Representatives member roster
HB 1227's text is about 3000 words long, beginning with a declaration that the bill is to be known as the Missouri Standard Science Act. Among the provisions of the bill, applying both to public elementary and secondary schools and to introductory science courses in public institutions of higher education: "If scientific theory concerning biological origin is taught in a course of study, biological evolution and biological intelligent design shall be taught. Other scientific theory or theories of origin may be taught."
For public elementary and secondary schools, HB 1227 also provides, "If scientific theory concerning biological origin is taught in a textbook, the textbook shall give equal treatment to biological evolution and biological intelligent design." After the bill is enacted, new textbooks purchased for the public schools will have to conform to the equal treatment requirement.
Rick Brattin (R-District 124) is the main sponsor of HB 1227; its cosponsors are John McCaherty (R-District 90), Charlie Davis (R-District 128), Andrew Koenig (R-District 88), Sue Allen (R-District 92), and Darrell Pollock (R-District 146); Davis, Koenig, and Pollock also cosponsored the antievolution HB 195 in 2011.
Missouri House of Representatives member roster
HB 1227's text is about 3000 words long, beginning with a declaration that the bill is to be known as the Missouri Standard Science Act. Among the provisions of the bill, applying both to public elementary and secondary schools and to introductory science courses in public institutions of higher education: "If scientific theory concerning biological origin is taught in a course of study, biological evolution and biological intelligent design shall be taught. Other scientific theory or theories of origin may be taught."
For public elementary and secondary schools, HB 1227 also provides, "If scientific theory concerning biological origin is taught in a textbook, the textbook shall give equal treatment to biological evolution and biological intelligent design." After the bill is enacted, new textbooks purchased for the public schools will have to conform to the equal treatment requirement.
Rick Brattin (R-District 124) is the main sponsor of HB 1227; its cosponsors are John McCaherty (R-District 90), Charlie Davis (R-District 128), Andrew Koenig (R-District 88), Sue Allen (R-District 92), and Darrell Pollock (R-District 146); Davis, Koenig, and Pollock also cosponsored the antievolution HB 195 in 2011.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Gathering Of Eagles
Highlights from last week’s Gathering of Eagles in Washington, D.C. where the Family Research Council teamed up with “Apostle” Cindy Jacobs to launch a prayer campaign designed to influence the 2012 elections.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Government, Economy, Media Occupied By Satan
On "Prophetic Prospectives with Rick Joyner," leading Seven Mountains dominionist Lance Wallnau used his trademark Magic Marker illustrations to demonstrate the duty of Christians to occupy the “mountains” of government, media and economics.
Vote Jesus, The Chronicles Of Ken Stevenson
Vermin Supreme, a notorious political prankster goes undercover as a presidential candidate, Ken Stevenson to learn American Morals and Values
Monday, January 9, 2012
Islamic Extremist Held In Tampa
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Friday, January 6, 2012
Abortion Clinic Firebombing
Florida: A homeless man made a crude fire bomb from gasoline, a 32-ounce beer bottle and a shirt to torch a Penscaola abortion clinic that has a history of being a target of violence, according to an arrest affidavit.
Bobby Joe Rogers, 41, said he was pushed to action after he saw a young woman enter the clinic for an abortion while he was standing outside the clinic with a group of protesters recently.
Read More: Bobby Joe Rogers
The clinic has been attacked before. It was bombed on Christmas Day in 1984, and in 1994 a doctor and a volunteer were shot to death. The gunman, Paul Hill, was executed in 2003.
American Family Planning has been the site of near-daily protests with anti-abortion activists carrying Bibles, crosses and signs.
Bobby Joe Rogers, 41, said he was pushed to action after he saw a young woman enter the clinic for an abortion while he was standing outside the clinic with a group of protesters recently.
Read More: Bobby Joe Rogers
The clinic has been attacked before. It was bombed on Christmas Day in 1984, and in 1994 a doctor and a volunteer were shot to death. The gunman, Paul Hill, was executed in 2003.
American Family Planning has been the site of near-daily protests with anti-abortion activists carrying Bibles, crosses and signs.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
"God Said, And I Quote..."
Pat Robertson says God told him that President Obama is a radical who will bring on America's economic collapse
Catholic Gays Asked To Not Have Sex
The Archdiocese of Hartford said it's implementing a new program that ministers to people with same-sex attractions.
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