All posts tagged: Christians

82% of UK Christians don’t wear religious jewelry to work over fears of harassment, survey finds

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According to a recent survey conducted by Pearn Kandola, 82% of Christians in the UK do not wear religious jewelry or other items that may signify their faith to work over fears of being harassed, Premier Christian News reports. The study entitled, Religion at Work: Experiences of Christian Employees, said doing so would result in them being subjected to “ridicule and hostility from colleagues,” if coworkers found out that they were Christians. The report entitled, Religion at Work: Experiences of Christian Employees, concluded that while businesses superficially talk about inclusivity and diversity, it doesn’t appear to apply to Christians. The study also found that 48% of Christians believe their business could do more to make employees feel comfortable about their faith. READ: New survey reveals most Christians feel uncomfortable expressing faith at work through religious symbols

Pastor arrested for witchcraft after healing sick mother

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Sudanese police have arrested Pastor Abdalla Haron Sulieman for praying for his mother who had a severe infection in her leg that prevented her from walking, Morning Star News is reporting. Sulieman was actually inside his Presbyterian Church in the town of El Hasahisa leading a prayer meeting for his mother, Aisha Adam, who is 60 years of age, when the police showed up. When people witnessed Aisha being healed, this resulted in others in the largely Muslim community seeking a similar miracle. This angered Muslim extremists in the area, who complained to the police, that Pastor Sulieman was practicing witchcraft, resulting in his arrest. Sulieman is still in jail waiting trial and Christians across Sudan took to social media demanding the pastor be released. Sudan has a population of 43 million and approximately, 2 million are Christians. READ: Pastor jailed in Sudan, charged with ‘witchcraft’ after prayer gathering for sick mother

Mile-wide Christians

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A recent poll conducted by the Cultural Research Center of Arizona Christian University headed by George Barna uncovered some questionable beliefs about those who self-identify as Christians in America. In the poll, about 69% of Americans (176 million) self-identified as Christian. And though that number seem impressive, it falls inline with that old saying of being a mile wide, but only one inch deep. The poll revealed that self-identification does not necessarily refer to a Biblical definition of Christianity. They are Christian only in the sense that they grew up in what could loosely be described as a Christian home. They don’t regularly attend religious services, but if they did, it would be a Christian one. So in that sense they follow the Christian tradition, more than they follow Christian beliefs. And this showed up, as the poll exposed the actual beliefs of these self-identifying Christians: For example, 72% of self-identified Christians believe that everyone is basically good. And this almost perfectly corresponds with their response to the another question, where only 34% said that …

Atheists have faith, 85% believe in aliens

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I recently read an interesting article published by Religion News Service that reported on a Pew survey conducted this year on the belief in alien life. While atheists enjoy mocking Christians because of our belief in God, the poll found that atheists, despite their claims of being evidence-based, also have faith, as most believe in the existence of aliens. According to Pew’s survey conducted in 2021, 85% of atheists/agnostics said they believed in little green men. But they weren’t alone, as the same survey revealed that 80% of nones, those with no religious affiliation, also claimed they believe in aliens. Though certainly not as high, overall 57% of Christians similarly claimed they believed in the possibility of life on other planets, but when broken down by religious affiliation, Evangelicals at 40% were among the lowest to hold such an opinion. And if a survey conducted in 2014 by Astronomer David Weintraub is any indication, atheists’ belief in aliens is growing. The Vanderbilt University professor conducted a similar survey for his book, Religions and Extraterrestrial life, …

Antifa terrorizes families with children at Christian prayer event, while taunting them with ‘where is your god now’

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Post Millennial is reporting that several people associated with the left-wing extremist organization, Antifa, attacked a group of Christians who had gathered to worship and pray at Portland’s waterfront on Saturday, Aug 7, 2021. Videos show Antifa militants, some carrying weapons and shields, dressed in black, pepper spraying and throwing objects at the Evangelical Christians who had gathered near the Battleship Oregon Memorial. As families with children were forced to flee, Antifa tore down the groups’ sound system and threw it in the Willamette River, breaking up the gathering. As soon as the event was announced, that featured Canadian Pastor Artur Pawlowski, who was arrested for holding services during the COVID pandemic, Antifa members began responding on Twitter, threatening the event. During the attack, one member of Antifa could be heard taunting the Christians, asking “Where is your god now?” READ: BREAKING: Antifa assault families and children at Christian prayer event in Portland park AND Portland sees Antifa descend on Christian worship event, clash with Proud Boys in streets The Portland police were called, but …

Poll: Secular Americans, less likely to be vaccinated for COVID, than Christians

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While some in the mainstream media are focussing on Evangelical Christians as one of the largest groups resisting the COVID vaccine, a study of the results of a May poll by Eastern Illinois University Assistant Political professor, Ryan Burge, has come to a different conclusion. His analysis of the data from a survey conducted by Data for Progress, revealed that it was the “young and secular” who were actually leading the unvaccinated charge. Burge wrote: “I don’t find a lot of evidence that evangelicals are the ones lagging behind. In fact, I find that those without any religious affiliation were the least likely to have received at least one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.” Burge added that the results of the poll showed that in early May 2021, 62% of Evangelical Americans had received at least one vaccine shot. This compared to 72% of “non-evangelical Protestants” and 47% of the nones, those with no religious affiliation. After accounting for multiple factors, such as race, education, age, income, and gender that affects a person’s willingness and …

Is Christianity being criminalized around the world?

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Several faith leaders in Ireland are suggesting that the government is trying to criminalize Christianity after its health minister, Stephan Donnelly, signed a ban outlawing church services. But it was more than just a ban, in the process, the Irish government made it a criminal offence for a church to hold in person services, with leaders and even those attending a service facing potential jail time of six months. It is one thing to fine someone, but it is entirely a different matter to imprison them. Whether it was intentional or not, the government basically criminalized Christian activity. In an interview with Premier Christian News, John Ahern, who pastors All Nations Church in Dublin, Ireland, said: “This ongoing lockdown is indefensible. The government passed a law that criminalises religious gatherings so to either organise or to attend a religious service has now become a criminal offense in the Republic of Ireland, and for myself as a pastor the situation’s become untenable. I cannot in good conscience continue in this situation, knowing and seeing the damage …

Now Is the Time to Let Your Light Shine

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By Dr. Michael L. Brown For many years now, I’ve said that I’m not as much concerned with the presence of darkness in America as I am with the absence of light. Darkness will always be present, but light can drive it out. That’s why our greatest need is to get our light shining brightly again. Otherwise, darkness will prevail. As Jesus said in a different context, “If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:23b) We all know the saying that you can’t put the horse before the cart. But before you can hitch the cart to the horse, the horse needs to be healthy. Without that, no one is going anywhere. And that’s where we stand today in America: the greatest need is a healthy Church. Then, with a healthy Church, the “cart” of cultural and moral and political change will follow as a natural consequence. But it’s not a matter of either-or, as if we must focus either on spiritual life or on cultural life. Instead, …

Are religious people stupid?

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You may have heard the arguments, psychologists have done many studies, and they have found that atheists are more intelligent than religious people. Here is a quote from an article linked here: “the research found that atheists performed better overall than the religious participants even when demographic factors like age and education were taken into consideration. Agnostics mostly placed between atheists and believers on all tasks.” READ: Atheists are more intelligent than religious people, finds study How does that make you feel? One question is; does religion make people stupid, or do stupid people choose religion? I’m writing as a Christian; I believe in the God who made this world, and I believe that Jesus made the way for us to find God. Does that make me stupid? Recently, I explained what I believe to a young relative of mine, and his answer was something like “How can an intelligent person believe that?”  I still have a good relationship with my relative, but the experience taught me some important lessons. When believers are accused of …

Atheists: No God, or No Christians?

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Richard Dawkins is a scholar of evolution science and one of the best known promoters of Atheism. He admits that he is strongly opposed to Christianity, and progressive leftists support him in this. He is an intelligent man, and highly respected as a scholar, and his dislike for Christianity is expressed in many hurtful comments. When he attacks Christians, people either don’t care, or they cheer him on. Apparently Christians are a fair target for prejudice and abuse, in progressive society. But now Richard Dawkins is being attacked by the same people who used to support him. He decided to be fair, and to also criticize other religions that believe in God. Since he claims to be an atheist, a ‘no God’ believer, that is fair. When Richard Dawkins criticized Islam in the same way he commonly attacked Christians and their beliefs, he was labelled a bigot, and at least one major event was cancelled where he was the speaker. This creates an obvious question; Is militant Atheism a rejection of the concept of God, …

Pentecostals: Feeling the pressure in Belarus

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Belarus is a Russian-speaking country located between Poland and Russia. Like any county in that part of Europe, it has an interesting history, including wars and invasions. The majority identify with Slavic Orthodox churches, and recently the government restricted Pentecostal Christians. The instructions are clear ‘Do not pray in tongues! Only pray in Russian!’ I’m not sure how the authorities will enforce this, and it’s not clear why they need this rule. People who pray in Pentecostal churches are usually harmless. Where I live, they are a good influence in the community. READ: Crack Down on Pentecostals in Belarus

Transgender Versus Binary Thinking

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Are you a feminist? [Answer yes or no.] If you answer yes, I can tell you the correct type of feminist you must be. You don’t have a choice. You must think a certain way. If you are on the team, you must be orthodox. If you answer no, you are incorrect, and you are the enemy. That is an example of binary thinking. You have the choice to be correct, and then you must be completely correct and orthodox, or you are on the other side, and they are always wrong. I used the word “feminist” because it gets attention, but any belief fits the conversation. I grew up with Christians who were binary in their beliefs; people who were proud to be called fundamentalists. As a young boy I learned to avoid all discussions in the house and play with my friends outside. When I became an adult, I wanted to be a Christian, but the choice was hard for me. I didn’t want to win the argument, I wanted to know God. …

Red Square, Moscow Credit: Matt Shalvatis/Flickr/Creative Commons

How to be a Persecuted Christian

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Are you a Christian? If ‘yes’ do you know that you will be persecuted? The Bible is very clear about that “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). “Will be.” I recently followed the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. And yes, it is dangerous for me to say that, but note that I live in Canada and I don’t want to pick sides in someone else’s argument. What I noticed was that accusers and the accused were like soldiers on the front line, and they could be sacrificed for the benefit of greater powers. I am sure the dispute was more intense because the U.S. was a few weeks away from mid-term elections, at the time. So much was at stake. I could say more, but I am now in dangerous territory. This is safe for me; I have often traveled to the U.S. and I am always impressed by the large numbers of good people that I meet …

Lahore, Pakistan Credit: r12a/Flickr/Creative Commons

Have you heard about the Chinese Martyrs in Pakistan?

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On June 8, 2017, Islamic radicals announced that they had executed two citizens of China, in Pakistan. The two were a man and a woman, apparently a married couple, named Meng Lisi and Li Xinheng. They were identified as unauthorized Christian missionaries who tried to convert Muslims in Balochistan, a dangerous province in Pakistan, where the majority population is Muslim. The couple lived in Quetta, the capital city. Something interesting is happening there. RELATED: Risky road: China’s missionaries follow Beijing west: BBC If you look at a map of China, you can see that western Chinese territory borders on Pakistan, in a remote mountainous region. Pakistan has been allied with China for decades, as their rival India sided with Russia and the Soviet Union. Recently, China has invested billions in “Silk Road” trade to the west to expand their trade economy. The Silk Road trade route, including travel by sea near the ancient coast of India and Pakistan, was a popular idea with the ancient Roman Empire, two thousand years ago. At the time of …

God is moving in Iran. Tehran, Iran in the winter 2006 Credit: Siamax/Wikipedia

God continues to move in astounding ways among Muslims

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In an interview with Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), Mike Ansari the director of Mohabat TV said the growth of the underground church in Iran is defying all odds. Over the last several years, the Iranian government has been cracking down on the Christians forcing many underground into the house church movement. Despite the persecution and some say because of it the Iranian underground church has become one of the fastest growing Christian movements in the world. As evidence, the Mohabat released edited photos of 20 Iranians being secretly water baptized inside Iran. Ansari told CBN, some of those believers had been waiting years for the opportunity to be baptized. Mohabat TV started in 2006 and is broadcasting the Gospel in the Farsi language into Iran 24 hours a day. They estimate that last year 20% of Iranians (16 million people) viewed at least one of their gospel programs either on their cell phone or satellite TV. He added that many of the younger Iranians are becoming increasingly disillusioned about what is happening in their country. …

The real reason the media and atheists mock Christians — cowardice

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In an interview with CNSNews.com atheist Phil Zukerman expressed his opinion on why the media has so actively mocked Christians while giving Muslims a free ride. Zukerman is a professor at Pitzer College where he teaches secular studies. He also writes a blog where he actively criticizes Christianity and Judaism. The Gospel Herald reported on the interview. According to Zukerman the reason is very simple — cowardice. The media are terrified of Muslim extremists and possible physical retaliation so instead they mock and deride Christians. Zukerman said Muslims treatment of women and gays is much more “problematic,” but the media will not say a word. The professor even admitted as an atheist he criticizes Christianity and ignores Islam for the same reason because he fears for his family. In the interview he stated: “I would never write the same kind of stuff that I do about certain religions — Judaism, Christianity, LDS — that I would about Islam because of straight up fear.” Gospel Herald also pointed to a recent interview host Bill Maher had …

City of Toronto banning Christian music festival in Younge Dundas Square because they sing about Jesus. Photo: Google

Toronto bans Christian music festival in city square because they sing about Jesus

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Lifesite News is reporting that the City of Toronto has refused to issue a license giving a Christian organization permission to use the Younge-Dundas Square for its music festival next year. The group called Voices of the Nations (VON) has operated the festival since 2006 and has used the city square located in downtown Toronto since 2010. The refusal did not affect this year’s event, but prevented VON from using the area going forward. The festival features Christian bands and dance groups. This year’s celebration held August 1 had 19 Christian groups participating. For five years, VON has pre-booked the site for the next year’s festival with no problem. When they tried to do that this year, the Square’s Manager of Events Natalie Belman said no. She told the group they were proselytizing at the event which is against City of Toronto policy. When VON events coordinator Leye Oyelani asked who was proselytizing, according to transcripts released to Lifesite, Belman said: “If you’re praising Jesus, praise the Lord and there’s no God like Jehovah, that …

Portland, Oregon Photo Roger/Flickr

Why is Oregon turning into a dangerous place for Christians?

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It is s strange question, but one that needs to be asked. In 2013 a lesbian couple approached Sweetcakes by Melissa, a bakery owned by a Christian couple Aaron and Melissa Klein, to make a cake for their wedding. Though the Kleins had made cakes for gays in the past, they were reluctant to create one for gay wedding because of their Christian beliefs. The lesbians complained to the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries and in 2015 its commissioner Brad Avakian ruled that the Klein’s must pay a fine of $135,000 for refusing to make a $200 cake. Many are calling the fine an abuse of power, with the punishment grossly exceeding the crime. The Kleins are refusing to pay and are wanting their day in court before a real judge. But as weird as it sounds, even though they were forced to close their business in part due to threats, the Oregon couple got off lucky, because they escaped with their lives after standing up for their beliefs. Reports are now coming in …

Faith: Some good news and some bad news as the ‘nones’ pull into second place

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[by Dean Smith] Rush Ministries (Reaching Unchurched Students for Him) just held a major evangelistic event in Thomaston, Georgia on May 5th, 2015, where according to reports over 950 people accepted Christ. The goal of the organization, that was formed in 2004, is to equip and motivate students to share their faith with other students. Over 7,000 people attended this year’s event that featured Sadie Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame and more recently Dancing with the Stars. She apparently even showed off some dance moves. Other speakers included Lecrae, a Grammy winning Christian rapper. His song Anomaly was #1 on Billboard’s top 200. Both Lecrae and Robertson shared their testimony.

The New Enemies of Islam

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[by Sandy McIntosh] The Middle East is in turmoil. That’s not news, but western Christians may believe they are targets of a new religious crusade, as the persecuted enemies of Islam. There is some violence against western Christians by Muslims, but we are not a prime target. Muslim Arab and Jewish Israeli rivalry is also becoming an old story. New forces are emerging, “Great Satan” U.S.A. and the Israeli Zionists are not the only concern now. In 2013, in a suburb of Cairo Egypt, a mob of thousands of Muslims attacked a worship service in a house. They set the house on fire, dragged four men into the street, and beat them to death while the police watched and did nothing.

New York Times columnist says Evangelicals should be forced to change their views on homosexuality

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New York Times Columnist Frank Bruni recently wrote an article stating Christian churches (including Evangelical and Roman Catholic) need to change their views and start embracing gays. He even suggests Christians should be forced to change their opinion on homosexuality. The article was sparked over failed efforts by Indiana to bring in religious freedom laws in that state. In his April 3, 2015 article entitled, Bigotry, the Bible and Lessons from Indiana, Bruni referred to a number of Church denominations that have already changed their minds on homosexuality and are performing same-sex marriages. He referred to them as “prominent denominations” but they are prominent in name only.  What Bruni failed to mention is since these churches changed their views, their membership numbers have plummeted.

Mary and Me

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[by Wayne Johnston] Now that Christmas is behind us for this year, I would like to write about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Lots has been written over the years of her great attributes, her holiness and purity of spirit; many songs have been written, paintings painted, and her statues fill churches all over the world, signaling her out as the “highly favoured one” of God (Luke 1:28). Can you imagine how you would feel if God sent Gabriel to you one night to announce that in God’s eyes you are a “highly favoured one”? Would you look for your statues in churches alongside Mary’s?

A quiz at Ohio State University says Christians are dumber than atheists

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According to a report by Campus Reform, an online quiz developed for the Psychology 1100 class at Ohio State University (OSU) states that Christians are dumber than atheists. Campus Reform is a conservative group that according to its website “exposes bias and abuse on the nation’s college campuses.” The quiz posed this question: Theo has an IQ of 100 and Aine has an IQ of 125. Which of the following statements do you expect to be true? Aine is an atheist, while Theo is a Christian. Aine earns less money than Theo. Theo is more liberal than Aine Theo is an atheist, while Aine is a Christian. The correct answer was the first one: “Aine is an atheist, while Theo is a Christian.”

Barbaric Muslim ritual reported in persecution of Christians

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Sister Hatune Dogan reports Muslim jihadists are performing barbaric atrocities against Christians in Syria. Sister Dogan is a nun with the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church and spends much of her time documenting Muslim extremists persecution of Christians. In this graphic interview (be warned), Dogan speaks of Muslim persecution of Christian men and women in Syria. One involves the purging of blood from martyred Christians, so it can be sold to Muslim extremists for a bizarre ritual.