Lionox News Blog » Christianity

Comedy Central developing Jesus Christ cartoon

Leo — Thu, 06 May 2010 22:22:27 +0000

Comedy Central might censor every image of the Prophet Muhammad on “South Park,” yet the network is developing a whole animated series around Jesus Christ. As part of the network’s upfront presentation to advertisers (full slate here), Comedy Central is set to announce “JC,” a half-hour show about Christ wanting to escape the shadow of his “powerful but apathetic father” and live a regular life in New York City. In the show, God is preoccupied with playing video games while Christ, “the ultimate fish out of water,” tries to adjust to life in the big city. “In general, comedy in purist form always makes some people uncomfortable,” said Comedy Central’s head of original programming Kent Alterman. When asked if the show might draw some fire, especially coming on the heels of the network’s decision to censor the Muslim faith’s religious figure on “South Park,” Alterman said its too early in the show’s development to be concerned about such matters. “We don’t even know what the show is yet,” he said. Like all Comedy Central executives, Alterman declined to address the recent controversy over “South Park,” where the network aired a heavily redacted episode after the show’s creators were threatened by an extremist Islamic Web site. “JC” is produced by Reveille (”The Office”), Henrik Basin, Brian Boyle (”American Dad”), Jonathan Sjoberg and Andreas Ohman.

Chaplains Warn Against ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Repeal

Leo — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 06:09:09 +0000

A group of former U.S. military chaplains say the Obama administration’s plan to repeal “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” could have a major impact on spiritual life in the armed forces. In a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates and at a Washington, D.C., press conference, the chaplains warned against ditching the policy that prevents homosexuals from serving openly in the military. The policy has been in place for nearly 20 years. Despite some polls showing 75 percent public approval “Don’t ask, Don’t tell,” the chaplains say there is still widespread opposition from those in uniform. “Do not misinterpret the silence from the rank and file as approval of this policy,” Family Research Council President Tony Perkins said. ‘That is why you will repeatedly see those who have retired and are free to speak, speaking out for those who are not.” Some legal experts claim that if the law is changed, the military will be at odds with tenets of the major religions in the country.

The Wealth Gospel of Modern Evangelists

Leo — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 23:03:00 +0000

Creflo Dollar’s ministry demonstrates the emerging wealth gospel increasingly preached in modern evangelical churches.

Gay Jesus Play Headed to Fort Worth Stage

Leo — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:52:59 +0000

After drawing much scrutinty when it was set to play at Tarleton State University, where it was eventually canceled, the play has found a new home at a theater in Fort Worth, the Dallas Morning News reports. Though a specific date for the show has not been finalized, John Jordan Otte’s production of Corpus Christi is expected to debut at the 250-seat Rose Marine Theater in May. Adam Adolfo, executive director of the theater, is offering the theater to the students free of charge, and told the Morning News that it was important to him to give the Tarleton students “a place that is safe and supportive” to present their work. Critics, who said the play was blasphemous, caused such a stir that the university became concerned for the well-being of those in attendance. First, they blocked access to the show by making it invitation only and then canceled the production outright just hours before it was to debut. Otte said he is a gay Christian and chose the play to help other gay youths who may be struggling with their faith.

What’s Wrong with Christian Rock…

Leo — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 01:06:06 +0000

A detailed exposition, with countless examples, of blasphemy in Christian rock music.

Iowa Town Tries to Rename Good Friday to ‘Spring Holiday’

Leo — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 21:14:27 +0000

One week before the most solemn day in the Christian year, the city of Davenport, Iowa decided to officially axe Good Friday from its municipal calendar, setting off a storm of complaints from Christians and union members whose contracts give them that day off. Taking a recommendation by the Davenport Civil Rights Commission to change the holiday’s name to something more ecumenical, City Administrator Craig Malin sent a memo to municipal employees announcing Good Friday would officially be known as “Spring Holiday.” “My phone has been ringing off the hook since Saturday,” said city council alderman Bill Edmond. “People are genuinely upset because this is nothing but political correctness run amok.” Edmond said the city administrator made the change unilaterally and did not bring it to the council for a vote, a requirement for a change in policy. “The city council didn’t know anything about the change. We were blind sided and now we’ve got to clean this mess up. How do you tell people the city renamed a 2,000 year old holiday?” said Edmond. It didn’t take long for the city the resurrect the name Good Friday. Malin was overruled today and the words “Spring Holiday” disappeared.

Raids target Christian militia in Midwest

Leo — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 01:19:44 +0000

Federal agents arrested at least seven members of a self-proclaimed Christian militia group in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio over the weekend, according to the FBI and a leader of another militia organization. The target of the raid was a group called the Hutaree, which proclaims on a Web site that it is “Preparing for the end time battles to keep the testimony of Jesus Christ alive.” As many as six members of the group were arrested at a wake for one of its members, and the property of its leader was searched by federal agents, said Mike Lackomar, a county leader for the Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia, who cited the FBI for his information. No details of the charges against any of those taken into custody were immediately available. The arrest warrants remain under court-ordered seal, FBI spokesman Jason Pack said Sunday. At least two of the arrests were in the Ohio towns of Huron and Sandusky, but the case is being handled out of Detroit, said Scott Wilson, an FBI spokesman in Cleveland. Lackomar, who told CNN his own group is aimed at “aiding the community in times of emergency,” called the Hutaree a “religious militant group” with about a dozen members. He said Hutaree members trained with his organization “on a couple of occasions in years past” but stopped about a year ago, after having an issue with federal firearms regulators. He did not elaborate.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews accused of fight to keep ‘Jews for Jesus’ out

Leo — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 05:49:13 +0000

Israel is using an ultra-Orthodox group to crack down on Messianic Jews – who believe that Jesus is the Messiah – and prevent them from staying in the country, officials have told The Times. The Messianic Jews have been accused of Christian missionary activities and complain of harassment and intimidation by the state. An official at the Interior Ministry said that an anti-assimilation group called Yad L’Achim was working with the ministry to prevent Messianic Jews – known as Jews for Jesus – from being allowed to live in Israel, which they consider their spiritual home. “There is a known history of Yad L’Achim working directly with the ministry. They play a distinct role in the ministry’s decision about citizenry,” the official said.

Obama to Turkey: We are not a Christian or Jewish or Muslim nation

Leo — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:13:31 +0000

President Obama told reporters in Turkey that America is not defined by any one religion. “I’ve said before that one of the great strengths of the United States is, although as I mentioned we have a very large Christian population, we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values,” said the president.

Cheerleaders’ religious signs draw fire

Leo — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:11:52 +0000

Community members are rallying around Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School cheerleaders after they were banned from displaying signs with Bible verses urging fans and players to “commit to the Lord” and “take courage and do it.” Catoosa County Schools spokeswoman Marissa Brower said a Fort Oglethorpe resident lodged a verbal complaint to Superintendent Denia Reese last week, saying that the display of a Bible verse on the football field is a violation of federal law. The mayor said football coach John Allen made the signs a tradition around 2003 and it has continued ever since. “If it’s offensive to anyone, let them go watch another football game,” he said. “Nobody’s forced to come there and nobody’s forced to read the signs.”

Christian Missionaries attacked in India and accused of bribery

Leo — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:25:00 +0000

An anti-Christian extremist group attacked two Gospel for Asia missionaries after the missionaries showed a film about Jesus. The missionaries, Jayant Mehta and Dayanand Tambe, were attacked late on the night of August 8 as they packed up their film and audio equipment after they showed the “Man of Mercy” movie in Maharashtra, India. The screening, which was held at a believer’s home, was deemed successful by GFA as many of the villagers came to watch the film.

Profile: US Pastor Council

Leo — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:13:44 +0000

Founded by Dave Welch (who remains Executive Director), Houston Area Pastor Council was founded in 2003 as a trans-denominational, inter-racial coalition of senior pastors who came together to bring a united, Biblical voice to the city, state and even nation. They have grown to nearly 200 senior pastors in the greater Houston area as well as assisted in developing Pastor Councils in Austin, Beaumont and other cities around the country, birthing the identity of U.S. Pastor Council to connect those teams of pastors.

When The Godly Govern

Leo — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 05:58:55 +0000

What we do know is that when men are governed by the God recognized by the ancestors of Western Civilization as Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Holy Trinity of Christianity – love, self-sacrifice, sharing, good works, peace, cultural transformation and political liberty are the fruits. In spite of numerous periods where those claiming the name of Christ violated much if not all He taught either ecclesiastically or politically, the historical evidence is that when followers of Jesus Christ live out “all He commanded them” (Matthew 28:22), they brought life, light, hope and bottom-up transformation to the nations.

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.” (Proverbs 29:2)

Candidly Speaking: Evangelicals: An appreciation

Leo — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 05:46:47 +0000

A prominent American Jewish leader recently told me that the passionate standing ovation he received after addressing 4,000 participants at John Hagee’s Christians United for Israel rally in Washington was reminiscent of the fervent Zionist gatherings he attended as a youngster. The two-day Evangelical Christian parley was designed to express support for Israel, receive updates on the current challenges facing the Jewish state and lobby congressmen in support of Israel. They heard addresses from Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu via satellite, Sen. Joe Lieberman, Ambassador Michael Oren, Malcolm Hoenlein of the Presidents’ Conference and others.

Entering an anti-Christian era

Leo — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 05:43:31 +0000

Biblical and secular history reveals that true followers of God have always been in the minority. The Bible itself confirms that fact. Yet, their influence and moral standards have penetrated deeply into all the world. They have steered many other religions toward less superstition and less radical activities such as human sacrifices, immorality, etc. Although over one-third of the world’s population characterize themselves as “Christian”, there is a very small percentage who live the devout and dedicated life as required by the Holy Scriptures.

Lutherans to Vote on Sexually Active Gay Clergy

Leo — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:36:58 +0000

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, one of the largest Christian denominations in the country, will decide this week whether to allow gay people in relationships to serve as clergy. Currently, sexually active gay people are not permitted to serve in the clergy, but celibate gay people are. By Friday, church delegates meeting in Minneapolis are expected to vote on a proposal that would permit congregations to let gay men and lesbians in committed, monogamous relationships serve as clergy.

US religious left wades into healthcare fight

Leo — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:27:58 +0000

Liberal religious groups announced on Monday they are teaming up with President Barack Obama in a national campaign to counter the surprisingly vehement conservative opposition to his plan for overhaul of the U.S. healthcare industry this year. Organized by liberal-leaning evangelicals, some mainline Protestant clergy, and some Catholic groups, it will include Obama participating in a call-in program with religious leaders streamed on the Internet on August 19, prayer meetings and nationwide television ads.

Thousands of Muslims raid a Christian village in Pakistan

Leo — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:04:06 +0000

Thousands of Muslims raided a Christian village in the Punjab province of Pakistan Thursday, destroying around 60 houses and two churches, according to local sources. The village of Korian was attacked Thursday night after pages containing Islamic inscriptions were found in front of a Christian home on July 26 following a wedding, confirmed the Union of Catholic Asian News in a report that was also posted on the Indian Catholic, a website owned and maintained by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in India.

Why Obama Is Not A Christian: Reason #1

Leo — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:04:43 +0000

Part of a 7 part series, entitled “7 Reasons Why Obama Is Not A Christian,” done by the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission.
All 7 parts: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=ChristianADC&view=videos