"Can demands for same-sex rights/rites co-exist with religious liberty?" -- Mark Tooley, Executive Director UMAction
A lesbian couple has filed a civil rights complaint against Ocean Grove Camp Ground Association in New Jersey for declining to host a same-sex ceremony. The New Jersy Division on Civil Rights has ruled in favor of them. The Division ruled that the action violated the public accommodation provisions of the state's law against discrimination.
The ruling does not end the case and an administrative law judge still must decide on a remedy for the parties according to the Associated Press.
Discrimination in public accommodations based on sexual orientation is prohibited by New Jersey law. The privately-owned camp ground operated by United Methodists points to The United Methodist Church's official disapproval of same-sex unions.
The Ocean Grove Camp Ground Association has been denounced by New Jersey officials and newspapers for not allowing a same-sex ceremony at a boardwalk pavilion primarily used for worship oriented events. In the 19th century the camp ground was founded by Methodists as a place for spiritual revival.
Mark Tooley, IRD Director of UMAction, responded:
"United Methodist Church leaders everywhere should stand up for Ocean Grove's religious and civil liberties when it attempts to uphold United Methodist beliefs. Currently, United Methodist churches are prohibited by church law from celebrating same-sex unions. How much longer before the intrusive arm of government attempts to override church policies in the name of 'tolerance'?
"The Ocean Grove Camp Ground Association has not limited the use of its boardwalk pavilion to any person; rather it has prohibited some behavior, according to the principles of the United Methodist Church.
"The Ocean Grove controversy is yet another example of how pleas for 'tolerance' too often morph into new and insidious forms of intolerance.
"Not just United Methodists but all persons concerned about religious and civil liberty should speak out in defense of the Ocean Grove Camp Ground Association."
Christian Web News - In the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, a Christian shopkeeper was gunned down Wednesday while he was heading to work, according to a local official.
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Christian Web News - According to advocacy group Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom (HRWLRF), within the next 24 hours, officials in southern Laos plan to burn temporary shelters built by expelled Christians unless they deny their faith.
Christian Web News - Fortunately, the nation's first “hate speech” bill has been killed by the Massachusetts Senate. The Joint Education Committee's Martha Walz and Robert O'Leary added the provision to an anti-bullying bill. Had it passed, it would have punished any criticism of homosexuality with a term in jail or a fine.
Christian Web News - On Wednesday, Republican senators said that House members who vote for the Senate-passed health care bill would “own it,” and that nothing would be changed through reconciliation. Which includes prohibiting federal (taxpayer) funds from being used to pay for abortions.
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Christian Web News - Parents are being urged by a national coalition of organizations committed to preserving parental rights in public education, restoring academic integrity to public education, and removing partisan political protests from the classroom to call their children out of school on the Day of Silence if their school is permitting students to refuse to speak in class.
Christian Web News - A new survey found that not even half of churchgoers in America plan on inviting non-churchgoers to Easter worship service this year.
Rev 13:16-18 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
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For the millions of junior high, high school and college students heading back to school, the idea of returning to the classroom may be met with mixed emotions.
Christian Web News - Jesus has a way of getting right to the point, doesn't He? There was certainly no mincing of words, He came right out and said, "why are you fearful?" and then went on to say, "O you of little faith." You don't have to read between the lines to see what He was saying, they had little faith.
Christian Web News - Galatians 3:13-14. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree''), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
"Can demands for same-sex rights/rites co-exist with religious liberty?" -- Mark Tooley, Executive Director UMAction
Christian Web News - SBC International Mission Board President Jerry Rankin is making a strong case for change within his denomination as he gets ready to walk away from the command of its missions arm following 17 years of service.
Christian Web News - Parents are being urged by a national coalition of organizations committed to preserving parental rights in public education, restoring academic integrity to public education, and removing partisan political protests from the classroom to call their children out of school on the Day of Silence if their school is permitting students to refuse to speak in class.
Christian Web News - A new survey found that not even half of churchgoers in America plan on inviting non-churchgoers to Easter worship service this year.
Rev 13:16-18 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. 
