Chinese Authorities Shut Down ‘Illegal’ House Church Gathering

Chinese Authorities Shut Down ‘Illegal’ House Church Gathering

Yinchun, Heilongjiang (China Aid) — Authorities in China’s northeastern Heilongjiang province raided a house church gathering in late April and demanded that the church members attend a government-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) church. “When we were gathering on April 29, people from the domestic security protection squad (DSPS), the local police station and the religious […]

Church of England Considering Ceremony to Re-Baptize ‘Transgenders’ in Their New Name

LONDON — The Church of England is considering adding a ceremony to its services for “transgender” persons who seek to be re-baptized in their new gender identity and under their new name. According to reports, Chris Newlands, the vicar of Lancaster Priory, recently proposed the addition to the General Synod after being approached by a […]

Senate Unanimously Approves Religious Freedom Amendment in Trade Bill

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate approved an amendment to a trade bill this past week that requires the president to take religious freedom into consideration when making international trade agreements. U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) proposed Amendment 1237 to the “Trade Promotion Authority Bill” to require the executive branch of government—which includes the president, vice […]

Predominantly Roman Catholic Country Ireland Votes to Legalize Same-Sex ‘Marriage’

DUBLIN, Ireland — Residents in the predominantly Roman Catholic Republic of Ireland voted to legalize same-sex “marriage” on Friday, becoming the first country in the world to do so by popular vote. According to reports, 1,201,607 voted in favor of changing the country’s constitution, while 734,300 voted against the measure—equating to a 61 percent passage. […]

United Methodists Propose to Change ‘Church Law’ to Allow Homosexual Behavior

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A panel within the leadership of the United Methodist Church has voted to submit a proposal to change the denomination’s law book to remove prohibitions against homosexual behavior and to allow clergy to officiate same-sex ceremonies. The Connectional Table voted 26-10 on Monday to present the amended language during the 2016 General […]

Appeals Court Rules New York May Ban ‘Choose Life’ License Plates for Fear of Road Rage

NEW YORK — A federal appeals court ruled on Friday that the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has a right to decline to make “Choose Life” specialty plates if the commissioner deems the message as being “patently offensive.” The Children First Foundation, which raises funds to support adoption and safe havens for babies […]

Louisiana Lawmakers Reject Religious Freedom Bill, Governor Overrides With Executive Order

BATON ROUGE — Louisiana lawmakers rejected a religious freedom bill on Tuesday that provided protections to business owners and others who have convictions not to participate in same-sex ceremonies, resulting in the state’s governor issuing an executive order to ensure that protections are in place. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Bossier City) had introduced H.B. 707 to […]