Sociology Professor Amy T. Schalet Speaks at Planned Parenthood: Encourages Kids to Have Sex

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, March 20, 2012, (LifeSiteNews.com) – As critics accuse Planned Parenthood of trying to facilitate the sex lives of minors, a featured speaker at one of the abortion provider’s local affiliates has suggested parents allow their teenage children to have sex in their home.

Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernadino Counties invited Amy T. Schalet, author of Not Under My Roof: Parents, Teens, and the Culture of Sex, to keynote the organization’s “Consider This” luncheon last week.

Dr. Schalet, an assistant sociology professor at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, said American parents should be more like their counterparts in the Netherlands, who allow teenagers to have sex openly under their roof.

Schalet told local media she finds it unfortunate that America, girls believe “in their parents’ eyes they would be a disappointment if they were to engage in sex.”

“In the Netherlands if a girl is in a relationship, she’s not a slut for wanting sex, for making decisions about sex,” she said. Most parents deem teen sexuality a “part of your life that you are allowed to own and make choices about.”

The sociologist, who spent part of her life in the Netherlands, said Dutch parents consider children ready for intercourse at age 16. “Teen pregnancy rates are about four times as high here. Birth rates about eight times as high.”

She added nearly 60 percent of Dutch teens are taking contraceptives by the time they begin having sex.

As she did in a New York Times op-ed, last year Schalet suggested parents who allowed open sexual activity in their homes exercised greater parental control over their children than those who preached abstinence. Schalet wrote that a Dutch teenager who told her parents about her sexual relationship with her boyfriend “enjoyed time and a new closeness with her family.”

“Obviously sleepovers aren’t a direct route to family happiness,” Schalet wrote. “But even the most traditional parents can appreciate the virtue of having their children be comfortable bringing a girlfriend or boyfriend home, rather than have them sneak around.” Unlike the American teenagers I interviewed, who said they felt they had to split their burgeoning sexual selves from their family roles, the Dutch teens had a chance to integrate different parts of themselves into their family life.”

READ MORE

Ray Comfort Talks about 180 the "Abortion Movie" on the Carole Lieberman Show

Ray comfort discusses his book Hitler, God, and the Bible on the Carole Lieberman show. Carole gets very upset and nervous when the conversation goes to more eternal matter and also the issue of abortion. Listen to Ray as he shares the gospel with her and millions of her listeners.

‘The American Bible Challenge’ to be Hosted by Jeff Foxworthy

GSN announced Wednesday that it had signed Mitt Romney’s new BFF, Jeff Foxworthy, to host “The American Bible Challenge.”

For one hour, Foxworthy will grill contestants on their knowledge of the Bible, GSN — which once stood for Game Show Network — told advertisers Wednesday morning in Manhattan.

(GSN) - Jeff Foxworthy, host of “The American Bible Challenge.”

(Mike Yarish/Fox) - Fox has canceled “I Hate My Teenage Daughter,” effective immediately. Mackenzie (Aisha Dee, L) and Sophie (Kristi Lauren, R) are shown in last week’s episode.

GSN said the questions will be “designed to acknowledge and celebrate the Bible’s continuing importance in contemporary life and culture.” Can’t wait for the stoning-of-adulteresses question.

It appears contestants will be selected on the basis of their backstories, because GSN says contestants are going to share them with viewers at home and the studio audience.

And teams of contestants will represent “worthy faith-based organizations,” said GSN, without elaborating as to how it planned to weed out the unworthy ones.

“I am excited to be hosting a show about the best-selling book of all time,” Foxworthy, who already hosts GSN’s “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” said in Wednesday’s announcement.

“It will be interesting to find out what people really know, and an opportunity to present the Bible in a fun and entertaining way,” Foxworthy added.

READ MORE

Blogger Turns Life to Christ and Leaves Gay Lifestyle

Less than two years ago Matt Moore's life was completely transformed when he put his faith in Jesus Christ. Having indulged himself for years in heavy drinking and a homosexual lifestyle, his life changed drastically when he realized he needed to submit to God and His view of homosexuality according to the Bible. Today, Moore is using his testimony to reach out to others and show them how God is powerful enough to save anyone in the midst of their struggles with all types of sin.

Moore's recent blog post on CP Blogs titled, "My Story: Homosexuality, Drunkenness, Grace and Redemption," has been wildly popular and has led many people to express their appreciation for his honesty about something that is certainly difficult for him to discuss.

In the blog post he says that he wants to "turn the emotion 'switch' off" at times because it is hard to write from the heart about his painful past. But he told The Christian Post on Tuesday that he fights against doing so in order to maintain his "relatability."

"I don't think putting on a front of perfection helps anybody. It just deceives people. And God already knows me better than I do as I am and, in my opinion, in order to glorify Him as much as possible, I need to portray myself to the world as I am," Moore told CP.

Moore's story of redemption is profound. Though he was never molested, he says he was "inappropriately exposed" to pornography and sexuality at a young age.

"From my experience in talking now to people who are either confused about their sexuality or repenting of homosexuality, 99.9 percent of the ones that I've talked to were sexually violated, molested or exposed to pornography at the young age of four- to seven-years-old," he said.

READ MORE

Eternal Flame News: Religious Freedom

Breaking news stories that's effecting our world.

http://www.newsy.com/videos/check-your-phone-your-tattoo-is-vibrating/

http://www.christianpost.com/news/open-doors-rates-congressmen-on-religious-freedom-stance-71720/

http://advocacy.opendoorsusa.org/be-a-voice/congressional-scorecard/

http://standupforreligiousfreedom.com/

Christian Women Media Honors Those Making A Difference

One News Now--At its annual meeting earlier this year, the Christian Women in Media Association honored several women who have exhibited significant accomplishments through the use of media.

Kay Arthur, Jennifer O'Neill and Carol Swain where awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the tenth anniversary of the Christian Women in Media Association's (CWIMA) Awards Gala.

Arthur, teacher and host of "Precepts for Life," tells OneNewsNow she was both shocked and honored to receive the award.

"I was totally surprised," she shares, "but it's just, I guess, a token of love."

The rapidly growing organization provides networking, professional enrichment and spiritual encouragement for Christian women involved in media.

Jeniffer O'Neill, actress, author and spokesperson for the Silent No More Awareness Campaign, says she feels privileged to be recognized by such an esteemed group of women.

"It's stunning to me because it's just recognition from like-minded ladies, and there's nothing more honoring than that," she declares.

Carol M. Swain was a featured keynote speaker during the conference and is a political science professor at Vanderbilt University. She believes the award serves as a stark contrast from the years of her youth, when she lived in abject poverty in rural Virginia.

"I'm so excited to see women from all walks of life interested in how they can use the platform that God has given them to impact the world for Jesus Christ," Swain tells OneNewsNow.

Read More From One News Now

New Robotic Device Helping The Paralyzed Live New Lives

The young man in this video looks like he's riding a Segway. But Yusuf Akturkoglu was paralized after falling from a horse five years ago, and he's being mobilized by an amazing device invented by Turkish scientists. It's going to change lives.

It's called the Tek Robotic Mobilization Device, and it not only allows people who can't walk get around more independently than any device has before, but it also helps them stand up on their own, which is crucial for maintaining basic health functions in people who have spinal cord injuries.

Crucial Standing Assistance

Instead of entering from the front like a normal wheelchair, people using the Tek RMD enter from the back of the device. That way they don't have to hoist themselves with a momentum that can be dangerous and is next to impossible to do alone. By attaching a thick padded strap around the hips, Yusuf maneuvers himself into the Tek RMD on his own. The device uses a suspension system that balances the weight so he can stand up with just a gentle pull. Standing for an hour or more every day is important for people who have lost movement in their legs; without the weight-bearing effect of standing, they can develop cardiovascular problems, brittle bones, pressure sores not to mention the psychological importance of eye-to-eye interpersonal contact.

Independence

In the video, Yusuf calls the device to his bedside with a remote-control, gets himself out of bed, goes grocery shopping, maneuvers around a bookstore, and even does some things in the bathroom that we thankfully don't observe to completion. But these these abilities that most of us take for granted every day are key to the emotional well-being of paraplegic people. The ability to squat down and easily come back to standing is key. And while standing, Yusef's hands are free to carry groceries or do whatever else he might need them to. Before trying out the Tek RMD, Yusuf, who was a student before his injury, rarely left his home where he lives with his parents.

Smallest Dimensions

The makers of Tek RMD says it's the most compact device of its kind, which allows Yusuf to navigate crowded grocery aisles, libraries, and who knows, Coachella, maybe? All without knocking into the people and things around him. Users still need ramps in place of stairs, but the device eliminates the need for special bathroom stalls and other facilities that allow space for bulky wheelchairs.

Read More From Gizmodo.com

House Churches Growing Along Texas-Mexico Border Despite Violence

Read More From Chron.com

Swedish Family Still Torn Apart After Authorities Take Child Away For Being Homeschooled

Open Doors Rates Congressmen on Religious Freedom Stance

Americans should know how elected officials rank when it comes to their votes on religious freedom issues, said Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.).

Wolf's statement comes as the Christian and faith persecution watchdog group Open Doors USA released on Monday its midterm Congressional Scorecard for International Religious Freedom of the 112th session of Congress to evaluate each senator's and representative's record on religious freedom issues.

Wolf is ranked with a score of more than 100 percent because his dedication to promote religious freedom, including the sponsorship of related bills, was factored into his rating when scored by Open Doors. Although the scoring was only done on legislation that had to do with issues outside the U.S., Open Doors and Wolf believe religious freedom in this country is also at stake.

"Religious freedom is often called America's 'first freedom' – it is in fact at the heart of the American 'experiment.' I firmly believe that Congress has a unique role to play in being a voice for the voiceless, wherever they may be," said Wolf. "It is my hope that the work of Open Doors and other like-minded organizations will raise awareness, heighten consciousness and compel action in the halls of Congress and the administration."

Open Doors USA Director of Advocacy Lindsay Vessey told The Christian Post that although the organization, which has been doing the rankings for two years, has not rated congressmen on how they voted on bills related to religious freedom within the U.S., they are keeping a close eye on the issue.

"Open Doors is monitoring how we may possibly need to become more and more focused on domestic religious freedom as an effort to share the connection, because if we lose religious freedom here in the United States then that decreases our ability to support those that are persecuted for their faith in Christ overseas," Vessey explained.

Like us on Facebook

U.S. senators on average scored much lower than their House counterparts, according to the scorecard. The top scoring senators were Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas). All received a score of 75 percent. No U.S. senator received a 100 percent rating.

Members of the House, on the other hand, had 10 members with a perfect score. The representatives include Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), Michael Capuano (D-Mass.), John Carter (R-Texas), Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), Robert Dold (R-Ill.), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), Tom Marino (R-Pa.), Scott Rigell (R-Va.) and Ed Royce (R-Calif.).

Open Doors USA President Carl A. Moeller, whose organization provides support to persecuted Christians in 60 countries, commented, "The scorecard is one of the most simple and effective ways that Christians in America can help promote religious freedom. If your representative or senator has scored well, please thank them. If they have scored poorly, please encourage them to vote on these pertinent issues and to make religious freedom a top priority."

READ MORE