Christianity

Mar 27 2013

Was not used as an attack or promotion

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A federal appeals panel ruled that an informal citizen-led invocation referring to Jesus that opened Lancaster City Council meetings for years did not endorse Christianity, according to a decision obtained today.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals concluded Tuesday that a local bishop’s single reference to Jesus in an invocation in April 2010 was not unconstitutional because it was not used as an attack or promotion of any one religion or government with a particular faith.

Aug 3 2012

Words 'Tastes like hate' painted on an exterior wall

TORRANCE, Calif.—Vandals plastered graffiti on an exterior wall at a Chick-Fil-A restaurant in Torrance, police said today.

The graffiti was discovered this morning at the Chick-Fil-A at 18200 Hawthorne Blvd., said Torrance police Lt. Martin Vukotic.

Someone painted "Tastes like hate" with a picture of a cow next to it on the front exterior wall of the restaurant.

There are no known suspects, Vukotic said.

Brittney M. Walker  |   OW Staff Writer
Sep 8 2011

Some pooh-pooh it as false, but there are plenty of spiritual references

Church is a wonderful place for Christians, where people are healed, delivered from their past excesses, meet their mates, learn the scriptures and get doused in the Holy Spirit. Often, movies and critics mock such church happenings with exaggerative skits and scenes that demonstrate ladies dancing down isles and people falling to the ground, convulsing as if enduring a holy seizure. But some would credit the jokes to lack of understanding, or even to fear.

Jul 28 2011

New book discusses living with joy and purpose after 50

Paulette Meeks’ eyes light up as she tells of the preschool kids she teaches two days a week. This lively group of 3- and 4-year-olds delight in hearing about God’s love for them. They listen with rapt attention as this 71-year-old childless widow reads Bible stories to them. 

Sixty-five-year-old Marvin Powell hears similar joy in the voices of the Sunday School class of 50-to-93-year-old men and women who sing the Southern Gospel songs he strums on his guitar.

Brittney M. Walker  |   OW Staff Writer
Jun 16 2011

In some traditions he is powerful but not perfect

Father’s Day is almost here and it is time that many around the nation pay homage to those whom we often forget played a part in the creation process.

In many religions, God is the epitome of the father. In fact, he is the first father, according to many traditions. But many religions present an interesting twist on the father.

John Miller, author of “Calling God ‘Father’” compares and contrasts the characteristics of the father in Christianity, Eastern and African traditions.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.