“Blind Side” Tackles “New Moon” in Box Office Ratings

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“Blind Side” Tackles “New Moon” in Box Office Ratings Posted: 11 Dec 2009 01:23 PM PST Alcon Entertainment’s family-friendly football flick “The Blind Side,” based on the inspiring true story of young Michael Oher, broke box office records this past weekend by toppling The Twilight Saga’s “New Moon,” reaching No. 1 in ticket sales and raking in over $20.4 million. “Twilight’s” weekend income rang in at just under $16 million. This brings “Blind Side’s” nationwide intake to over $131 million according to Box Office Mojo. Under the directorship of John Lee Hancock (“The Rookie”-2002), the flick recounts the story of “Big Mike,” a homeless African American teen taken in by the wealthy, white Tuohy family of Memphis, including mother Leigh Ann Tuohy played by longtime actress Sandra Bullock and her husband Sean Tuohy (portrayed by country music superstar Tim McGraw). But what started as a one-night act of kindness transforms into a deeper relationship as the Tuohys become affectionately attached to Michael. After legally adopting Oher, Leigh Ann hires a tutor to aid in furthering Michael’s education and supports him in his decision to play college football. Oher will eventually go on to make the first-round draft pick in the NFL. Today, Michael Oher plays professional football with the Baltimore Ravens. Countless Christian magazines, newspapers, web sites and even pastors have been promoting the film for its accurate and inspiring presentation of the Christian faith as seen through the life and deeds of the Tuohy family. “Blind Side” has shown promise for Christian moviegoers as a flick with a positive and even Biblical message. By taking in young, homeless Michael Oher, the Tuohy family has lived out the command of James 1:27: “To care for widows and orphans in their distress.” Pro-family movie review web site MovieGuide.com wrote of the film, “Blind Side has a very strong message of Christian faith. It’s very clear that Leigh Ann helps Michael because she is a Christian and thinks it’s the right thing to do. They pray around the table and speak freely about their Christian faith. The biblical admonition to care for orphans is lived out by this family.” In her review of the movie, Crosswalk.com contributing writer Christian Hamaker noted that “The film’s treatment of religion, while not as explicit as some Christian viewers might hope, is marred only by a misquoted Bible verse on a school sign—a jarring error in this otherwise warmhearted, true-life crowd-pleaser.” “The Blind Side” debuted in theaters nationwide Nov. 20 and is currently the number one grossing film in the country.

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“Love Dare” Authors Release Anticipated Sequel and Pop Culture Moments by Mo: Elin Woods Tests Her Golf Swing

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“Love Dare” Authors Release Anticipated Sequel Posted: 05 Dec 2009 01:01 AM PST Alex and Stephen Kendrick, the religious filmmaking brother duo of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA and authors of the New York Times bestseller “The Love Dare” have released an official sequel to the book, according to the web site of B&H Publishing Group. Entitled “The Love Dare: Day by Day,” the book, released on December 1, “picks up where the 40-day dare leaves off,” said John Thompson, President of Marketing at B&H. He added, “Many of our readers finished the 40 days and began again. Day by Day takes them through an entire year.” At its official product details description page, B&H writes of the book, “The Love Dare Day by Day encourages and challenges couples toward new steps in faith and love with 365 marital encouragements, reminders and action points worth repeating year after year.” The new book is subtitled “A Year of Devotions for Couples” and boasts cover art similar to that of “The Love Dare.” Since its release, “The Love Dare” has remained on the New York Times bestseller list for an astonishing 61 weeks and was ranked at number nine on the USA Today bestseller list. Even more amazing, the Love Dare iPhone app managed to debut as the number one iPhone app by AT&T. Since 2008, “The Love Dare” has sold over 3 million copies and is available around the world in over 22 languages. Originally created as nothing more than a plot-device for the Kendrick brothers’ 2008 film “Fireproof”, “The Love Dare” has transformed into a Christian culture phenomenon and has saved the lives of countless marriages across the country and around the world. “The Love Dare: Day By Day” is available in hardback form wherever Christian books are sold and is available for purchase at the official B&H web site: www.bhpublishinggroup.com.

Pop Culture Moments by Mo: Elin Woods Tests Her Golf Swing Posted: 04 Dec 2009 06:06 PM PST Golf superstar Tiger Woods has been very popular in the media lately. Not for his golf swing, but for his alleged philandering. The allegations came to light after Tiger suffered facial lacerations after a car accident near his home. Media Web sites such as TMZ began claiming that the accident was caused by an argument between Tiger and his wife Elin over his cheating. Since then, several women have come forward claiming to have had affairs with Woods.

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The Manhattan Declaration calls Christians to stand up and out

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The Manhattan Declaration calls Christians to stand up and out Posted: 02 Dec 2009 08:53 AM PST Approximately 150 evangelical Christian, Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox leaders have taken a stand for Christ and Christian values by signing the “Manhattan Declaration.” The document,  signed on November 20, 2009, is an example to members of their denominations and others to keep defending three main biblical principles: the sanctity of human life; traditional marriage by the Bible’s definition of one man and one woman; and freedom of religious expression. The Manhattan Declaration is subtitled “A Call of Christian Conscience.” Regarding the assault in American society and the current government against the above three values, the text states: “…we are compelled today to speak out forcefully in their [the three values] defense, and to commit ourselves to honoring them fully no matter what pressures are brought upon us and our institutions to abandon or compromise them.” According to a Florida Baptist Witness Newspaper editorial by Editor James A. Smith, the authors of the Declaration are Charles Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship; Timothy George, a Southern Baptist minister and dean of Alabama’s Beeson Divinity School, and Robert P. George, a Princeton University professor of jurisprudence. The group is not politically affiliated. The Declaration states the signers’  unconditional commitment is to Christ only, and recommends acts of civil disobedience when absolutely necessary (see the Summary of the Manhattan Declaration in the paragraph “Unjust Laws”). The Manhattan Declaration clarifies that its followers will not stand by or comply with any edict that enables mistreatment of human life from the unborn to the elderly, including abortion, euthanasia or destruction of human embryos for research; will not bless immoral sexual partnerships, and will not be silenced on the grounds of religious objection. The Summary ends with this succinct statement: “We will fully and ungrudgingly render to Caesar what is Caesar’s. But under no circumstances will we render to Caesar what is God’s.” This echoes the Hebrew leader Joshua’s call to faith: “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:14-16, NIV). When the apostle Peter was given strict orders by the governing body, the Sanhedrin, to stop preaching in the name of Christ, he declared “We must obey God, not men” (Acts 5). Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. also advocated civil (peaceful) disobedience for the Civil Rights movement and accomplished much in this manner. He stood on the fact that all men are created equal, both in the Declaration of Independence and in the Gospel (Galatians 3:28-29). If all men are created equal, then Christians have the right to voice their opinion as much as anyone else. Whom will we obey as Christians? Will we silently go along with the crowd so as not to make waves, or will we stand by the signers of the Manhattan Declaration to come out and be separate as Jesus commanded?

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Ray Comfort In Hot Water after Publishing Intelligent Design Intro to “Origin of Species”

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Ray Comfort In Hot Water after Publishing Intelligent Design Intro to “Origin of Species” Posted: 19 Nov 2009 08:22 PM PST Evangelist Ray Comfort, author of a new introduction to Darwin's "Origin of Species" Ray Comfort, the world renowned evangelist, author and speaker known for founding Living Waters Publications and The Way of the Master ministries has become the center of controversy after writing a pro Intelligent Design introduction to evolutionist Charles Darwin’s work “On the Origin of Species.” This special edition of Darwin’s book is laced with Biblical arguments refuting evolution and even suggests connections between Darwin’s theories, Hitler and racism. Yesterday, Comfort and Living Waters, along with American actor and evangelist Kirk Cameron of Fireproof fame, distributed over 100,000 copies of “Origin of Species” across the campuses of the nation’s top 100 universities. Although Cameron had officially announced the distribution would occur today November 19th, both he and Comfort were forced to take action early after it was revealed that several students had planned protests against the campaign. In fact, many students planned to “rip out [Comfort’s] introduction,” according to The Christian Post. Comfort’s special edition has made waves throughout the atheist community, many of who are preparing, along with the rest of the world, to celebrate the 150 year anniversary of Darwin’s theory of evolution and “Origin of Species” on November 21. In his official video announcement at the website for Living Waters, Cameron said, “An entire generation is being brainwashed by atheistic evolution without even hearing the alternative and it’s radically changing the culture of our nation.” Cameron also notes that Comfort’s 50-page introduction includes “the history of evolution, a timeline of Darwin’s life, Adolph Hitler’s undeniable connection with the theory, Darwin’s racism, his disdain for women and Darwin’s thoughts on the existence of God.” These elements are balanced with scientific viewpoints on God gleaned from the minds of such historical figures as Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Copernicus, Bacon, Louis Pasture and Johann Kepler. “All we want to do is present the opposing and correct view,” said Cameron. “These students aren’t stupid. They should be given both sides of the argument and [be] allowed to make up their own minds. We think that’s healthy.” In a strong rebuttal to Comfort’s introduction, the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) responded with this YouTube video entitled “Don’t Diss Darwin.” Comfort’s most recent book, “Nothing Created Everything,” poses strong arguments against evolution, while asserting how many sound, highly esteemed and awarded scientists profess to believe in Intelligent Design. Speaking on his introduction to “Origin of Species”, Comfort said, “The [entire] 304-page publication will be Charles Darwin’s every word—not one jot or tittle will be removed.” He then asked, “Besides, if they [those opposed] think my arguments have no merit, why are they so upset? They should actually enjoy the fact that I’m spreading more of my idiotic claims that intelligent students will see right through—that way my stupidity will be much more apparent.” According to an official press release at Living Waters, several atheists have already planned an online resistance movement to Comfort’s introduction through Richarddawkins.net. Ironically, and quite humorously, Comfort officially dedicated “Nothing Created Everything” to the renowned British atheistic biologist, much to the outrage of countless loyal Dawkins followers and Dawkins himself. Comfort admits that he has been baffled by the protests and cries of offense voiced by countless atheists in online forums, particularly considering that to date there have been over 140 different editions of On the Origin of Species, many of which contain introductions from various authors’ viewpoints.

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Islamophobia and its effect on other faiths

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Islamophobia and its effect on other faiths Posted: 22 Nov 2009 10:00 PM PST The United Nations’ Second World Conference on Racism (April, 2009) claimed that it would focus on all forms of defamation of religion.  When it became known that Iranian President Ahmadinejad would be speaking at the Conference, also known as the Durban Conference II, many countries withdrew (see EuropeNews report). When Ahmadinejad spoke, he accused western nations of defending a form of Israeli Zionism which he considers racist. From that point on, the Conference focused on one thing—“Islamophobia.” Islamophobia implies fearfulness of the Islamic faith and hatred of all Muslims. The word Islamophobia has been popularized since accusations began against terrorists from Muslim backgrounds after September 11, 2001. In the last couple of years, it has become more and more politically incorrect to denounce even the most radical Islamic terrorism. The term Islamophobia is now being stretched to mean that if you fear or speak out against extreme Islamic terrorism, or you express suspicions of it, then you hate all Muslims. This equation is unfair and untrue.  Now, the United Nations (UN) is considering a ”Defamation of Religions” resolution by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the largest group of nations within the UN.  Ironically, the OIC itself is made up mostly of nations under dictatorship or tyrannical leadership; many formally recognizing Islam or an Eastern faith as their state religion, and are almost completely intolerant of other religions. Some OIC nations have appeared on the U.S. State Department’s list of “nations of concern” for human rights and religious rights violations. See this 2008 State Department list for example. The OIC has pushed for this for nearly a decade (per a 2008 Washington Times article), and they have made much headway. Although continued anti-Semitism toward Jewish people and intimidation of Christians has been increasing in many countries which were formerly quite tolerant of various other faiths, the only faith people are afraid to offend today is Islam. The UN Watch, a Geneva-based human rights group, has decried this latest OIC resolution as an attempt to imply that defamation of religion makes the Islamic faith itself the real victim of 9/11 –not the 3,000 people who actually died in the attack. The International Humanist and Ethical Union suggests that a resolution like this would make simple religious disagreement a crime of blasphemy as it already is in some Middle Eastern and Asian countries. This could be especially dangerous if the country considers blasphemy (or “apostasy”) a crime deserving of life imprisonment or death. Forbidding hate speech against Muslims, and against Islam as a faith, is of course understandable. There are many good and decent Muslims around the world. However, we shouldn’t stop people from speaking out against past terrorism, or expressing warning signs of forthcoming acts of possible terrorism. Case in point: the now-known fact that no one reported the earlier suspicious remarks and activities of the Fort Hood attacker, who – if not a terrorist – was influenced to a certain extent by a jihadist mindset. Instead, the government and media are jumping through hoops to create other scenarios for him. Another case: In 2007, a University of Florida student group was censored by school authorities from passing out information about a movie revealing the dangers of radical Islamic terrorism. By using the description “radical” before the word “Islamic” and then the word “terrorism” in the title, the flier bearers made it clear that they didn’t want to offend Muslims who disagree with radical Islamic terrorism. Still, according to the Tampa Tribune, the University censored the group’s fliers for not being in the best interest of diversity.   We must be able to recognize and identify our enemies. True, there is home-grown American terrorism, like Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber. But  avoiding the real possibilities of “extreme Islamic terrorism” is a mistake. In the name of tolerance, events are escalating to desensitize us into our own demise. We are becoming an increasingly easier target.

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