Shortt, “Christianophobia”
“Christianophobia” is a relatively new word that refers to two fairly old, and distinct, phenomena. The first is the antipathy for traditional Christianity among cultural leaders in the West, especially Europe. This antipathy dates from the Enlightenment, but has gained strength in the last few decades. The second, and far more pressing, matter is the outright persecution of Christians in many other parts of the world. Later this month, Eerdmans will release Christianophobia: A Faith Under Attack, by Rupert Shortt, religion editor of the Times Literary Supplement. Shortt’s book focuses on the latter problem. Here’s the publisher’s description:
On October 29, 2005, three Indonesian schoolgirls were beheaded as they walked to school — targeted because they were Christian. Like them, many Christians around the world suffer violence or discrimination for their faith. In fact, more Christians than people of any other faith group now live under threat. Why is this religious persecution so widely ignored?
In Christianophobia Rupert Shortt investigates the shocking treatment of Christians on several continents and exposes the extent of official collusion. Christian believers generally don’t become radicalized but tend to resist nonviolently and keep a low profile, which has enabled politicians and the media to play down a problem of huge dimensions. The book is replete with relevant historical background to place events within their appropriate political and social context.
Shortt demonstrates how freedom of belief is the canary in the mine for freedom in general. Published at a time when the fundamental importance of faith on the world stage is being recognized more than ever, this book will be essential reading for anyone interested in people’s right to religious freedom, no matter where, or among whom, they live. –By Mark L. Movsesian/Center for Law and Religion Forum/May 7, 2013
“Christianophobia” is a relatively new word that refers to two fairly old, and distinct, phenomena. The first is the antipathy for traditional Christianity among cultural leaders in the West, especially Europe. This antipathy dates from the Enlightenment, but has gained strength in the last few decades. The second, and far more pressing, matter is the outright persecution of Christians in many other parts of the world. Later this month, Eerdmans will release Christianophobia: A Faith Under Attack, by Rupert Shortt, religion editor of the Times Literary Supplement. Shortt’s book focuses on the latter problem. Here’s the publisher’s description:
On October 29, 2005, three Indonesian schoolgirls were beheaded as they walked to school — targeted because they were Christian. Like them, many Christians around the world suffer violence or discrimination for their faith. In fact, more Christians than people of any other faith group now live under threat. Why is this religious persecution so widely ignored?
In Christianophobia Rupert Shortt investigates the shocking treatment of Christians on several continents and exposes the extent of official collusion. Christian believers generally don’t become radicalized but tend to resist nonviolently and keep a low profile, which has enabled politicians and the media to play down a problem of huge dimensions. The book is replete with relevant historical background to place events within their appropriate political and social context.
Shortt demonstrates how freedom of belief is the canary in the mine for freedom in general. Published at a time when the fundamental importance of faith on the world stage is being recognized more than ever, this book will be essential reading for anyone interested in people’s right to religious freedom, no matter where, or among whom, they live. –By Mark L. Movsesian/Center for Law and Religion Forum/May 7, 2013
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Church Threatens To Defund Scouts If Gay Ban Lifted
A California church says it will no longer sponsor a Boy Scout troop in its facilities if the national organization lifts its ban on openly gay scouts.
Pastor Robert Hall of Calvary Chapel Rio Rancho said he knows other pastors who will do the same.
The Boy Scouts of America has submitted a plan to allow gay scouts but not gay scout leaders.
Hall took part in a webcast hosted by the Family Research Council Sunday to rally opposition to a vote on that plan slated for May 23.
The Morman Church has approved the plan. –CBN/May 6, 2013
A California church says it will no longer sponsor a Boy Scout troop in its facilities if the national organization lifts its ban on openly gay scouts.
Pastor Robert Hall of Calvary Chapel Rio Rancho said he knows other pastors who will do the same.
The Boy Scouts of America has submitted a plan to allow gay scouts but not gay scout leaders.
Hall took part in a webcast hosted by the Family Research Council Sunday to rally opposition to a vote on that plan slated for May 23.
The Morman Church has approved the plan. –CBN/May 6, 2013
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Church Cancels Speech By NFL Star Over Support for Jason Collins
Former Green Bay Packer Leroy Butler was told to ask God for forgiveness after tweeting his congratulations to Jason Collins on coming out.
After publicly congratulating Jason Collins for coming out, former NFL star Leroy Butler had his speech at a church canceled, he said on Twitter.
Butler is a former star safety for the Green Bay Packers. He's played for a Super Bowl champion team. He even invented the "Lambeau Leap," when players jump into arms of fans in the stands after a touchdown.
After Collins came out as gay, the first active player in the NBA to do that, Butler tweeted, "Congrats to Jason Collins." And that was all, as first reported by Raw Story.
But for that, he lost a $8,500 speaking engagement at a local church, he said.
"Wow, I was schedule to speak at a church in WI, and a member said that the pastor wants to cancel my event, I said ok why?," he wrote. "Then I was told, because I said congrats to Jason Collins on twitter, I said really? we have a contract, he said check the moral cause."
The moral clause, though, apparently came with a way around it.
"I was told if i removed the tweet, and apologize and ask god forgiveness, I can have the event, I said no," Butler wrote. "Only god can judge." -By Lucas Grindley/Advocate/May 1 2013
Former Green Bay Packer Leroy Butler was told to ask God for forgiveness after tweeting his congratulations to Jason Collins on coming out.
After publicly congratulating Jason Collins for coming out, former NFL star Leroy Butler had his speech at a church canceled, he said on Twitter.
Butler is a former star safety for the Green Bay Packers. He's played for a Super Bowl champion team. He even invented the "Lambeau Leap," when players jump into arms of fans in the stands after a touchdown.
After Collins came out as gay, the first active player in the NBA to do that, Butler tweeted, "Congrats to Jason Collins." And that was all, as first reported by Raw Story.
But for that, he lost a $8,500 speaking engagement at a local church, he said.
"Wow, I was schedule to speak at a church in WI, and a member said that the pastor wants to cancel my event, I said ok why?," he wrote. "Then I was told, because I said congrats to Jason Collins on twitter, I said really? we have a contract, he said check the moral cause."
The moral clause, though, apparently came with a way around it.
"I was told if i removed the tweet, and apologize and ask god forgiveness, I can have the event, I said no," Butler wrote. "Only god can judge." -By Lucas Grindley/Advocate/May 1 2013
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