Son of God: Expect More Religious Movies in 2014 | TIME.com

Son of God: Expect More Religious Movies in 2014 | TIME.com: "Son of God, which opens this weekend and stars Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado as Jesus, is just the first in a barrage of religious films coming out in 2014, the Los Angeles Times notes."



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Four common reasons why people reject Christianity

Four common reasons why people reject Christianity: "In the past 20 years or so, I have frequently pondered why so many in contemporary culture reject Christian belief and practice. Fact is, that people in our Western culture seem to be more and more resistant to embrace Christianity.

Why do so many seem so resistant to the claims of Jesus and the good news that he brings? Doubtless there are many factors that could be explored, but I suggest there are at least four common reasons why many of our friends and neighbours are cool toward Christ and his message."



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Anti-gay policies make US 'millennials' quit Christianity in numbers: survey ucanews.com

Anti-gay policies make US 'millennials' quit Christianity in numbers: survey ucanews.com: "It's widely accepted that young people tend to be less religious than their elders. While recent surveys have revealed that one-in-five adults in America claim no religious affiliation, the number reaches around one-in-three for Millennials under 34."



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Does Islam Own the Rights to Words Like "Believer" and "Prayer"?

Does Islam Own the Rights to Words Like "Believer" and "Prayer"?: "A new law in the kingdom of Brunei bars non-Muslims from using these and other words. Is this all just a roundabout way to ban Christianity?"



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Question of the Week

Question of the Week: "Jesus, in response to the Pharisees’ question “Who do you think you are?” said “‘Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.’‘You are not yet fifty years old,’ the Jews said to him, ‘and you have seen Abraham!’ ‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’ At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.”"



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What should we learn from the life of Samson?

What should we learn from the life of Samson?: " Samson’s life is one of contradiction. First, he was to be “a Nazirite, set apart to God from birth” (Judges 13:5), yet he continually broke his vow. The Spirit of God came upon him many times, giving him great strength to fight the Philistines, the oppressors of the Israelites. At the same time, however, Samson was a womanizer and a vengeful man, full of sin. Samson’s life illustrates that giving in to temptation leads to sin, that God will use even a sinful man to enact His will, and that God will not let us escape the consequences of our sin."



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What was the source of Samson's strength?

What was the source of Samson's strength?: " In Judges 13:5 an angel gives a promise and command to Manoah’s wife: “You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” Her son was Samson. As an adult, Samson’s strength allowed him to tear apart a lion with his bare hands and to defeat many Philistines with supernatural acts of strength."



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Pocket : Mississippi Walgreens Won’t Print Scripture Images Christian Woman

Pocket : Mississippi Walgreens Won’t Print Scripture Images Christian Woman: "If you needed any more proof that Christians are being shoved out of just about everywhere in the U.S., just look at what happened when a Christian woman, tried to get Biblical verses and pictures printed at a local Walgreens in Mississippi."



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Anti-Gay Policies Are Chasing Millennials Away From Churches and Religion - Christian Blog - Christian Blog

Anti-Gay Policies Are Chasing Millennials Away From Churches and Religion - Christian Blog - Christian Blog: "According to a new survey by the Public Religion Research Institute (PPRI), opposition from Christians to same-gender marriages and homos*xuality has decreased in just about all groups of Americans over the last 10 years."



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Casting the Devil Out of the Jesus Story | Christianity Today

Casting the Devil Out of the Jesus Story | Christianity Today: "The Bible TV miniseries, created and produced by husband and wife duo Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, was a 2013 sensation, raking in more than 100 million views. It was nominated for three Emmy awards, and a sequel title, A.D.: Beyond the Bible, has been planned for NBC."



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Would Jesus Bake a Cake for a Gay Wedding in Arizona? | Gleanings | ChristianityToday.com

Would Jesus Bake a Cake for a Gay Wedding in Arizona? | Gleanings | ChristianityToday.com: "As Arizona's controversial SB 1062 lands on the desk of Republican Gov. Jan Brewer, the exclamation mark this outgoing politician will leave with her pen underscores whether she believes the bill is a distraction from core issues or a necessary step to protect religious freedom."



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Muslim Nation Bans Christians from Using 19 Religious Words | Gleanings | ChristianityToday.com

Muslim Nation Bans Christians from Using 19 Religious Words | Gleanings | ChristianityToday.com: "Following a decision to implement Shari'ah law in the country, the Brunei government has banned 19 Islamic words from use by non-Muslims.
The words, which include Allah—long used by regional Christians to refer to God—and other words with religious associations, can no longer be used in reference to other religions after the new penal code takes effect in April, according to the Brunei Times."



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Ninth Circus Court Orders Google to Remove Anti-Muslim Movie from YouTube - The Rush Limbaugh Show

Ninth Circus Court Orders Google to Remove Anti-Muslim Movie from YouTube - The Rush Limbaugh Show: "I'm gonna tell you something gonna be interesting to watch out there, folks.  I have this story right here in my formerly nicotine-stained fingers.  It is from the Associated Press.  "A US appeals court..." That would be the US Ninth Circus Court of Appeals. "A US appeals court ordered YouTube," owned by Google, loved by the Regime. Google and Regime are inseparable, except -- except -- the Ninth Circus has ordered Google, through its YouTube subsidiary, "to take down an anti-Muslim film that sparked violence in many parts of the Middle East and death threats to the actors." "



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‘Noah’ Movie’s Bible Controversy Leads Paramount to Embrace ‘Explanatory Message’ | TheBlaze.com

‘Noah’ Movie’s Bible Controversy Leads Paramount to Embrace ‘Explanatory Message’ | TheBlaze.com: "Amid ongoing controversy over the theological themes depicted in Darren Aronofsky’s upcoming film “Noah,” Paramount Pictures has decided to add an “explanatory message” to future marketing materials letting prospective viewers know that “artistic license has been taken.”

An upcoming online trailer, the movie’s official website and all print and radio spots, among other advertisements, will contain the following caveat:"



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Ninth Circus Court Orders Google to Remove Anti-Muslim Movie from YouTube - The Rush Limbaugh Show

Ninth Circus Court Orders Google to Remove Anti-Muslim Movie from YouTube - The Rush Limbaugh Show: " I'm gonna tell you something gonna be interesting to watch out there, folks.  I have this story right here in my formerly nicotine-stained fingers.  It is from the Associated Press.  "A US appeals court..." That would be the US Ninth Circus Court of Appeals. "A US appeals court ordered YouTube," owned by Google, loved by the Regime. Google and Regime are inseparable, except -- except -- the Ninth Circus has ordered Google, through its YouTube subsidiary, "to take down an anti-Muslim film that sparked violence in many parts of the Middle East and death threats to the actors." "



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The Comfort Zone: Words of Comfort: Grass into Milk.

The Comfort Zone: Words of Comfort: Grass into Milk.: "Did you hear that scientists have created a machine that can turn grass cuttings into milk? The green grass goes through a four part process and overnight becomes white full cream milk, and that good-for-you drink can easily be turned into cheese, butter, yogurt, and ice cream. The machine can be dismantled at any time and eaten, and its outer cover used for lifetime-lasting and comfortable clothing."



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VIDEO: As Billy Graham Grows More Ill, His Family Asks For Your Prayers | American Overlook

VIDEO: As Billy Graham Grows More Ill, His Family Asks For Your Prayers | American Overlook: "The son of Reverend Billy Graham is asking for America to pray for his 95-year-old ailing father.
 
The famous clergyman’s son, Rev. Franklin Graham, posted a letter in which he asked Christians to pray for his father."



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Brother of Famed Atheist Gives Life to Christ

Brother of Famed Atheist Gives Life to Christ: "How does an atheist whose brother is the face of New Atheism find God? Watch this report on the remarkable testimony of how Peter Hitchens, brother of the late New Atheism leader Christopher Hitchens, became a Christian. "



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One God or three God's

One God or three God's: "There is But One God” declared Irenaeus of Lyons. Part of the Islamic confession of faith states that; “there is no God but Allah”.

Growing up and living in an Islamic country, I was taught that there is only one God. He is the only God of this universe. I was taught that Christianity is a religion that worships idols and that they worship three gods. They do not believe in one God. "



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Atheist Activist Group Demands Michigan City to Cease Prayer at Council Meetings | Christian News Network

Atheist Activist Group Demands Michigan City to Cease Prayer at Council Meetings | Christian News Network: "SAGINAW, Mich. – An atheist activist group is demanding that officials in a Michigan city cease prayer during their council meetings out of its assertion that the practice is unconstitutional and alienates Godless residents."



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Seven Egyptian Christians Executed on Benghazi Beach | Gleanings | ChristianityToday.com

Seven Egyptian Christians Executed on Benghazi Beach | Gleanings | ChristianityToday.com: "In the latest sign of Coptic Christians' troubles spreading beyond Egypt, seven Christian men have been shot execution-style on a beach outside Benghazi, security officials in Libya announced Monday."



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Founder of World's Largest Megachurch Convicted of Embezzling $12 Million | Gleanings | ChristianityToday.com

Founder of World's Largest Megachurch Convicted of Embezzling $12 Million | Gleanings | ChristianityToday.com: "Update (Feb. 25): On Sunday, David Yonggi Cho told his Yoido congregation that his conviction was the hardest day of his 50 years of ministry, and said, "God forbid, if God calls me back today, I will still be able to go to the Kingdom of God," reports The Gospel Herald.
The outlet, which describes itself as "the world's largest pan-denominational Chinese Christian news provider," notes other details of the 78-year-old's Sunday sermon."



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Fox News' Kirsten Powers Doesn't Understand Sin and Conscience » Eagle Rising

Fox News' Kirsten Powers Doesn't Understand Sin and Conscience » Eagle Rising: "In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul devotes ample space to the discussion of whether Christians should partake in ceremonies they believe to be sinful. His verdict? They shouldn’t. Unfortunately for Kirsten Powers and Jonathan Merritt, that passage appears to be missing from their Bibles."



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The Comfort Zone: Words of Comfort: The Ark.

The Comfort Zone: Words of Comfort: The Ark.: "We know the Ark must have been at least 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. Using a longer cubit, it would have been over 500 feet in length. In the Western world, wooden sailing ships never got much longer than about 330 feet, yet much earlier the ancient Greeks were building vessels at least this size. China built huge wooden ships in the 1400s that may have been as large as the Ark. The biblical Ark is one of the largest wooden ships of all time, a mid-sized cargo ship even by today’s standards."



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Police: Ohio driver's bible booklet stops bullet

Police: Ohio driver's bible booklet stops bullet: "The driver for the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority told Dayton police he was standing outside the bus early Monday morning when the men shot at him three times, with one bullet hitting his leg. He also was stabbed in the arm."



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Arizona Lawmakers Pass Bill Protecting Religious Rights of Business Owners - Crossmap Christian News | U.S.

Arizona Lawmakers Pass Bill Protecting Religious Rights of Business Owners - Crossmap Christian News | U.S.: "HB 2153 cleared the Arizona House of Representatives on Thursday 33-27, amending sections 41‑1493 and 41‑1493.01 of the state code pertaining to the free exercise of religion. The bill broadens the definition of a religious entity to include businesses and associations, and prohibits state officials from burdening the entity's free exercise of religion without the least restrictive means of furthering a compelling government interest."



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Mainstream Media No Longer Interested In Monogamy - Christian Blog - Christian Blog

Mainstream Media No Longer Interested In Monogamy - Christian Blog - Christian Blog: "According to Diana Adams, a self confessed bisεxual and lawyer fighting for the rights of polyamorists, those who believe in having an intimate relationship with more than one partner, polyamoric couples are similar to gays, because they are just another different sεxual orientation from the normal."



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Are You Ready For Some Duck Commander Football? | TheBlaze.com

Are You Ready For Some Duck Commander Football? | TheBlaze.com: "You have heard of the Sugar Bowl. You’ve heard of the Rose Bowl. You’ve even heard of the Orange Bowl.

Now get ready for the Duck Commander Independence Bowl.

The family-owned business at the heart of the hit television show “Duck Dynasty” has reportedly made an offer to purchase the rights to the Independence Bowl, more commonly known as the AdvoCare V100 Bowl, according to Bleacher Report."



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Will ‘Noah’ Film Radically Depart From the Biblical Story? Christian Group Pens Open Letter to Hollywood Amid Big Debate | TheBlaze.com

Will ‘Noah’ Film Radically Depart From the Biblical Story? Christian Group Pens Open Letter to Hollywood Amid Big Debate | TheBlaze.com: "There has been no shortage of controversy surrounding director Darren Aronofsky’s new film “Noah,” with some critics claiming that the movie might not stay true to the Biblical story. Expressing concern over the film’s contents, a Christian group has written an open letter to Hollywood addressing the debate and calling on Tinseltown to better court people of faith."



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How To Deal With Anger... God's Way - Christian Blog - Christian Blog

How To Deal With Anger... God's Way - Christian Blog - Christian Blog: "According to freelance writer for Focus on the Family, Ed Chinn, although Adam and Eve were made in God’s perfect image, the reason they became less than perfect and passed on that imperfection to us was not because God had made a mistake in their design."



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healing - Why do some people get healed, and others don't? - Christianity Stack Exchange

healing - Why do some people get healed, and others don't? - Christianity Stack Exchange: "Most of the Christian friends I have had (and family) have all believed in healing. Especially my grandmother, before she passed away. Why is it that (if it does work that way) God sometimes heals certain people, but not others. I have talked to certain pastors that believe in it thoroughly. They say that they have had MANY situations where they have seen healing, or prayed for healing and have had it happen in front of them."



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More Than 100 Pastors Urge Support for Michigan Marriage Amendment

More Than 100 Pastors Urge Support for Michigan Marriage Amendment: "At a news conference in Detroit on Monday, more than 100 pastors and Christian leaders from the city of Detroit and throughout the state of Michigan will join together at First Baptist World Changers Church in Detroit at 10:30 a.m., in support of the Michigan Marriage Amendment that was passed by voters in 2004."



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Why is America is Going Godless?

Why is America is Going Godless?: "Peter  Foster is the American editor of London’s Daily Telegraph. He reports here on the rising tide of secularism in America.
The decline of mainstream Protestantism in America over recent decades has been well documented, but for much of that period Evangelical Christianity appeared to be immune to that wider trend, as mega-churches continued to grow and George W Bush took the White House."



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What is the story of Joshua and Caleb in the Bible?

What is the story of Joshua and Caleb in the Bible?: " Joshua and Caleb are two Israelite men whose stories offer an example of faithful commitment to the Lord. Both men came out of Egypt with the Israelites through the Red Sea and into the wilderness. Joshua and Caleb were selected along with ten other men to explore the Promised Land and give a report to Moses and the people."



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What does it mean that the Jews are God’s chosen people?

What does it mean that the Jews are God’s chosen people?: "God’s Word affirms that the Jews are God’s chosen people: “You are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession” (Deuteronomy 7:6). From eternity past God knew that He would need to be born into the human race in order to save us from the spiritually dead condition that we were in (Ephesians 1—2; Genesis 3). God had planned from the beginning to be born into a very small nation or race of people called the Jews. The Old Testament tells the story of how God set about creating, distinguishing, and preserving that race."



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Why was David so loyal to Saul after everything Saul had done to him?

Why was David so loyal to Saul after everything Saul had done to him?: "The primary reason David was loyal to Saul was the anointing King Saul had received from the Lord. In other words, the Lord was the One who chose Saul to be king, and David refused to go against God’s will. On one occasion when David had the opportunity to kill Saul, he refrained, saying, “As surely as the Lord lives . . . the Lord himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed” (1 Samuel 26:10–11). David believed Saul was in God’s hands and that he was forbidden to put Saul to death himself."



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Question of the Week

Question of the Week: "Scripture says there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5). This passage emphasizes the unity that should exist in the body of Christ as we are indwelt by “one Spirit” (verse 4). In verse 3, Paul makes an appeal to humility, meekness, patience, and love—all of which are necessary to preserve unity. According to 1 Corinthians 2:10-13, the Holy Spirit knows the mind of God (verse 11), which He reveals (verse 10) and teaches (verse 13) to those whom He indwells. This activity of the Holy Spirit is called illumination.
"



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The Real Reason Why Obama Won't Help Romeike Homeschool Family

The Real Reason Why Obama Won't Help Romeike Homeschool Family: "Why are the Democrats and President Obama pushing so hard to legalize tens of millions of illegal aliens and at the same time want to send back the German homeschool family back to Germany to face possible imprisonment and the loss of their children?"



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The Comfort Zone: Words of Comfort: Cain and Abel.

The Comfort Zone: Words of Comfort: Cain and Abel.: "Adam and Eve’s first sons, Cain and Abel, made a sacrifice to God. Cain, the farmer, made a grain offering and Abel, the rancher, made a lamb sacrifice. Cain’s offering was not acceptable to God and Abel’s was. Why?"



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Students Fight Back after University of Alabama Crushes Free Speech of Pro-Lifers - Crossmap Christian News | U.S.

Students Fight Back after University of Alabama Crushes Free Speech of Pro-Lifers - Crossmap Christian News | U.S.: "TUSCALOOSA, Ala., Feb.17, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today,Students for Life of America is calling for the University of Alabama to reverse their decision to tear down a pro-life bulletin board and issue an apology to Bama Students for Life."



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Burma (Myanmar): Continued Ethnic Cleansing of Christian Kachin Minority - Crossmap Christian News | Church & Ministries

Burma (Myanmar): Continued Ethnic Cleansing of Christian Kachin Minority - Crossmap Christian News | Church & Ministries: "The Burmese Army (the Tatmadaw) is continuing its campaign of ethnic cleansing in resource-rich Kachin State. The Christian Kachin have long resisted the Burman Buddhist regime's brutal dictatorship. While the Kachin want autonomy so they can freely maintain their culture, the Burman Buddhist elite and military want complete control of Kachin land so they can exploit its resources. The situation in Burma is reminiscent of that in Sudan, where the Islamist-Arab regime in Khartoum is doing the same in the resource-rich mostly Christian, African south. Similar situations exist in Papua, Indonesia and in Vietnam's Central Highlands. In each case, the resistance of the predominantly Christian ethnic peoples is met with extreme military violence and ethnic cleansing motivated by greed and fuelled by state-sanctioned racial and religious hatred."



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Christian Solidarity Worldwide: At least 200 Killed in a Week of Terrorist Violence in Nigeria - Crossmap Christian News | World

Christian Solidarity Worldwide: At least 200 Killed in a Week of Terrorist Violence in Nigeria - Crossmap Christian News | World: "According to a news release from human rights group Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), at least 121 people are now known to have died and several others were injured when Boko Haram gunmen attacked Izghe Village in the Gwoza Local government Area (LGA) of Borno State on Feb. 15."



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LifeWay Customers Donate 200,000 Hindi Bibles - Crossmap Christian News | Church & Ministries

LifeWay Customers Donate 200,000 Hindi Bibles - Crossmap Christian News | Church & Ministries: ""LifeWay has proven once again it is an organization with a heart for the world," said Tom Elliff, president of the International Mission Board (IMB), speaking in a news release."



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New study: Family-friendly, faith-based and patriotic films are dominating the box office | Fox News

New study: Family-friendly, faith-based and patriotic films are dominating the box office | Fox News: "According to the newly released 2014 Annual Movieguide Report to the Entertainment Industry, family-friendly, patriotic and religious films are earning more money at the American box office each year."



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Hobby Lobby May Close All 500+ Stores in 41 States |

Hobby Lobby May Close All 500+ Stores in 41 States |: "When my family and I started our company 40 years ago, we were working out of a garage on a $600 bank loan, assembling miniature picture frames. Our first retail store wasn’t much bigger than most people’s living rooms, but we had faith that we would succeed if we lived and worked according to God’s word."



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Tough Times Ahead For U.S. Christians

Tough Times Ahead For U.S. Christians: "Being Christian in America increasingly means something very different from what it has meant previously in our nation’s history.

As the culture and its values change, so too does the position once held by the teachings of traditional, Bible-based Christianity.

Simply put, the Christian values once applauded by this society are increasingly being attacked by this society, and that growing antagonism extends not just to the values, but to the people who ascribe to them."



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Iowa State removing Bibles from hotel guest rooms

Iowa State removing Bibles from hotel guest rooms: "Iowa State University is removing Bibles from a campus hotel's guest rooms, after a watchdog group argued that it was an illegal endorsement of Christianity by the state-run institution.

Freedom From Religion Foundation asked management at Hotel Memorial Union in a Jan. 29 letter to remove the Gideon Bibles, The Des Moines Register reported ( http://dmreg.co/1eHLTTJ)."



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China: Christianity’s sleeping giant

China: Christianity’s sleeping giant: "It was my last Sunday morning in China, my last chance to experience church in a Communist country where, as far as I could tell, Christianity was basically forbidden. It was 2011, and I had been in Beijing for five weeks to study Mandarin. In that time, I hadn’t seen a single cross, church or Bible. In fact, I read at customs that you couldn’t bring in more than four Bibles from abroad. I had no idea that I was in the third-largest Christian country in the world."



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Modern Evangelism: Mistake #9

Modern Evangelism: Mistake #9: "Just because a modern day movement occurred in our lifetime whereby a major seminary omitted the necessity of repentance and salvation and preached an “Only Believe Gospel” of heresy, we have swallowed it hook, line and sinker and we’re sunk."



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Modern Evangelism: Mistake #8 - GospelFuel.com

Modern Evangelism: Mistake #8 - GospelFuel.com: "How many sermons on hell have you heard this year? How many sermons on hell did you preach this year? God used men like Jonathan Edwards and Asahel Nettleton because they preached on the doctrine of hell and warned sinners not to go there."



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