ETERNAL FLAME NEWS: Jan 18, 2013

Friday, January 18, 2013

Atheists to Distribute ‘An X-Rated Book’ to Public School Kids to Combat Christians’ Bible Give Away

Atheists in Orange County, Fla., are taking the Bible to task. Central Florida Freethought (CFF), a local, secular group associated with the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), plans to distribute atheist books in public schools after a religious organization began giving away free Bibles in 11 of the county’s public schools. At least one of the literary works, “An X-Rated Book: Sex & Obscenity in the Bible,” is sure to raise eyebrows.

David Williamson, a member of the CFF, believes that allowing the Bibles in schools is wrong, so to combat the practice his organization is planning to distribute its own literature — material that affirms atheist, agnostic and “free-thinking” themes.

“The county has invited people in now to do this, and what we need to do is put the views of the biblical creationists into perspective with our perspective,”said Williamson. ”It’s not tit for tat. Our effort is to ensure the county realizes this is the wrong policy.”

49 Members of House and Senate Urge State Department Action on Saeed’s Behalf

37 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and 12 U.S. Senators sent letters to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on behalf of Pastor Saeed Abedini, an American citizen imprisoned in Iran for his Christian faith.
We are grateful to these 49 Members of Congress who are willing to take a stand, with thousands of other Americans, in calling for Pastor Saeed’s release from “wrongful” imprisonment in Iran.
The bipartisan House letter, led by Representative Robert Aderholt (AL-04), urged Secretary Clinton to demand Pastor Saeed's immediate and unconditional release, asking her to “leave no stone unturned” in efforts to bring Pastor Saeed to safety.
The House letter concluded:

We are both mindful of the fact that the United States does not have diplomatic relations with Iran and grateful for your faithful condemnation of Iran’s human rights record. However, we believe there is still a great deal of good that the State Department can and should do on behalf of Mr. Abedini, one of our own citizens. We respectfully request that you leave no stone unturned in your efforts to bring Mr. Abedini home to his family. We believe that strong and sustained advocacy from the State Department would do much to rally the voice of the world against this wrongful detainment. As such, we stand ready to join with you in demanding Mr. Abedini’s full, immediate, and unconditional exoneration and release.

'Les Miserables' Production Donates Money to English Church

By Michael Gryboski , Christian Post Reporter

January 18, 2013|2:56 pm

The production team for the blockbuster 2012 adaptation of "Les Miserables" has donated money to the church in England where they filmed some of the scenes for the movie.

Star Pulse reports that the producers donated the equivalent of $16,000 to the St. Mary the Virgin Church of the town of Ewelme, located in Oxfordshire. The Rev. Jonathan Meyer, vicar of St. Mary the Virgin, told Star Pulse that the filming taking place at the Ewelme was a positive experience as "the spiritual message of the film brought everyone together."
The news came as the latest film adaption of the musical based on the 19th century Victor Hugo novel continues to score big at the box office both in the United States and the United Kingdom. BBC reported on Wednesday that the film broke the record for highest grossing opening weekend for a movie musical, beating out former record holder Momma Mia! (2008).
In the United States, "Les Miserables" has taken in over $118 million including $28 million in its opening weekend and about $9.6 million since last Sunday.
It also received eight Academy Awards nominations, including Best Motion Picture, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Hugh Jackman), and Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Anne Hathaway).
Many social commentators and fans of the story have noted the Christian elements that pervade the tale of forgiveness, redemption, and the law. Bob Hoose, movie reviewer for the Focus on the Family publication Pluggedin.com, wrote of the presence of Christian belief throughout the work.

Pastor to fight in MMA competition for church

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Will the Next BIG Revival Occur Outside the Church?

One of the biggest dangers Christians face is thinking inside the proverbial religious box. When we talk about “a great move of God” or “revival” we often contextualize it inside a church building.

Even when we take it “to the streets” it still looks a lot like it does inside the church walls. We speak to people using the same language and pray for them just like we do in church, except that the setting has changed.

If people are not interested in experiencing it inside the church, then why would they want to experience it outside the church? Trying to invoke a move of God this way does not recognize how God is already moving in people’s lives apart from traditional church activities.

The New Testament church was different. They had an advantage. The fact that they had no buildings or traditions to protect provided them with a wide-open field of thinking. They were able to see the world in a whole new light, one that exposed the closed-mindedness of the Jewish ideas regarding the work of God among the gentile people.

Two North Korean Christians Killed for Their Faith

Open Doors has confirmed the death of two Christians in North Korea. According to the ministry that serves persecuted Christians worldwide, one Christian was recently shot while he was on his way back to Bible training in China. The other died in one of North Korea's notorious labor camps.

The first Christian had travelled to China several times before. People told him he could earn more money, but after working in China for six months he still hadn't received any money, even though he found several jobs.

After awhile he met an Open Doors worker who cared for the North Korean refugee. The North Korean became interested in the Christian faith. After studying the Bible and receiving teaching, he became a believer. He eventually chose to return to North Korea.

"He was very excited about his new faith and wanted to share the gospel with his family," says an Open Doors worker. "He wanted to come back to China to study the Bible more so he could explain the Christian faith better to his family. It is heartbreaking that he was killed. I cannot stop thinking: 'If only he had arrived a little later at the border river, the guard would not have seen and shot him. He could still be alive today.'"

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