A CNN blog notes the new for 2012 California law that requires public schools to teach about people who have specific sexual (homosexual) lifestyles:
The “California Fair Education Act” requires that schools teach
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender history and social science curricula.
The law also specifically bans topics that “adversely reflect” on Read more
Though the furor has died down in the intervening few months, an October column by R. Albert Mohler, Jr, the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, attempted to address the then-prominent controversy over Christians and Christianity in political life. Whether you call it “dominionism” or just “fundamentalism,” Mohler took on the issue of those who are decrying the rise of “Christian nationalism.” He asks:
What is so scary about America’s evangelical Christians?
and notes the chorus of voices warning about the rise of a Christian “theocratic state,” “Christian nationalism,” and a usurpation by Read more
Though the trend is arguably decades old, recent court cases and public events have demonstrated the apparent moral (and legal) confusion over sexual behavior in the United States (and elsewhere). Of course, when right and wrong are decided by the tide of opinion and relativism, it’s not unforeseeable. As noted below, the US Congress is even trying to redefine “rape” in the military context.
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a denial of a habeas corpus petition by Paul Lowe, a man charged with adult incest with his 22-year-old step-daughter (Lowe v. Stark County Sherriff, No. 09-3942 (6th Cir. Dec. 8, 2011)). The decision cites a wide variety of cases, some supporting his position and many not. The court ultimately decided (as have others) there is no fundamental right to sexual conduct, even private behavior between consenting adults.
The court also said Lowe’s complaints the law was “morality-based” were Read more
CNN’s religion blog highlighted research by Christianity Today suggesting evangelical Christians may be statistically more “patriotic” than other Americans:
Among those surveyed, evangelicals were the most likely to think the United States is No. 1.
“Other Christian traditions were less enthusiastic about America’s position in the world, but they still saw the U.S. as one of the best on the planet. About 40% of other Christians said the U.S. stands alone as the greatest country; around 55% said it and some other countries were equally great.
Those “without religious beliefs” held a “much less favorable view” Read more
If being a Heisman Trophy winner wasn’t enough to give former University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow a life-long Biblical legacy, a new statue might do it.
Tebow is now immortalized along with two other alumni Heisman winners in a 17,000 pound bronze statue. The life-size statue is an “accurate” depiction of the new NFL player — including the sometimes-controversial “John 3:16” on his eye blacks. The Christian Post reports the University of Florida has indicated support for the statues has been “overwhelmingly positive.”
Michael Weinstein claims to be an advocate of religious freedom, willing to give his “last drop of blood” even for beliefs with which he disagrees.
Weinstein was recently proud to point out he had Penn Jillette, of Penn and Tiller, as a visitor at an MRFF rally. Penn had this to say:
Fair enough. More interesting, however, is what Jillette had to say about Christians, the very next day: Read more
The attempted assassination of US Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) generated an interesting “distancing” exercise on several fronts, with regard to allusions of weaponry and political vitriol. There are indications the “targeting” symbology from the political action committee of Sarah Palin has been removed. Keith Olbermann “apologized” for any implications of calls for violence in his own prior speech while saying “violence…has no place in our Democracy” (Thomas Jefferson might take issue).
In a fascinating display of naiveté, an internet blogger even attempted to play the “distancing” role for Michael Weinstein. Said Christine Woodman: Read more
A recent study in the American Psychological Association’s Journal of Family Psychology “revealed” that those who waited until they were married before having sexual relations had higher relationship stability, among other factors.
This study is completely unrelated to the military, but there’s an important detail: The behavior in this study had nothing to do with religion. (In fact, it was “controlled” out of the study.)
While some are quick to dismiss calls for supporting “moral” conduct as so much bad couscous, there can be (and are, according to this study) secular “benefits” to conduct or characteristics often attributed to a “religious” origin.