That's just one of many changes the megachurch is implementing after a churchwide study showed long-time and fully devoted attendees weren't as satisfied as those new to the Christian faith and were stalled in their spiritual growth. While many were participating in church programs and activities, attendees were not necessarily growing more as disciples of Christ, the study found.
Read moreThe original answer to Question 87 read as follows: "Certainly not! Scripture says, 'Surely you know that the unjust will never come into possession of the kingdom of God.
Read moreAlthough attitudes toward same-sex marriage will vary among individuals, the Pew Forum assessed the positions of various denominations and religious groups.
The following, which includes just some of the entities the Pew Forum surveyed, is based on the forum's research with additional Times reporting.
American Baptist
Read moreThe media circus began at approximately 5:01 PM on Monday, the minute after the California Supreme Court's ruling took effect.
Gavin Newsom, the mayor of San Francisco who led the charge to persuade the high court to tear down the most fundamental institution behind the family, "married" lesbian activists Phyllis Lyon, 84, and her partner Del Martin, 87, in a special ceremony at City Hall. Lyon and Martin were the first same-sex couple "wed" under the court-mandated law.
Read moreThe initiative is simple: adding to the state Constitution the traditional man/woman definition of marriage that exists in virtually every state - and that the people approved in statutory form by more than 61 percent in 2000.
Read morePhillip Longman is Bernard L Schwartz Senior Fellow at the New America Foundation. He is a well-respected author and researcher, whose books have included The Empty Cradle: How Falling Birthrates Threaten World Prosperity and What to Do about It (2004). In his previous works, Longman has projected how falling birthrates throughout advanced societies will lead to financial, political, social, and demographic decline.
Read moreBill Ritter
As WND reported, Ritter, a Democrat, struck gender-specific restrooms and locker rooms statewide when he signed the plan into law in May.
The law makes it illegal to deny a person access to public accommodations, including restrooms and locker rooms, based on gender identity or the "perception" of gender identity.
Read moreFr. Chaplin's comments are backed by research, widely accepted by the homosexual community, showing that homosexuals suffer from higher than average rates, not only of sexually transmitted diseases, but of psychological disorders, drug addiction and suicide.
Read moreThe remedy order demands the pastor to pay $5,000 to Lund personally for the "time and energy" he has expended and for the "ridicule and harassment" he has faced. Combined with that financial burden, Boissoin must also pay up to $2,000 in expenses to one of Lund's witness, provided she produces records of such costs.
Read moreUnfortunately, these government-enforced changes conflict with a wide array of ordinary liberties, including religious freedom and ordinary private property rights.
It began with the persecution of Catholic Charities in Boston. The archdiocese eventually closed down its adoption program, because the state of Massachusetts insisted that every adoption agency in the state must allow same-sex couples to adopt.
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