The steady decline in youth and adult participation in Girl Scouts is
at least in part attributed to sex education decisions made by Girl
Scout national leaders, according to Christians studying the trend and
former Girl Scout local leaders who are Christians.
This week, Girl Scouts of the USA launched a campaign aimed at reversing the decline, featuring a video from First Lady Michelle Obama.
Christian leaders and former girl scouts explained possible reasons
behind it, including increasing ties with abortion provider Planned
Parenthood.
"The
Girl Scouts for a long time have been promoting an agenda that is
contrary to what they were 10, 15 years ago," Janice Crouse, senior fellow at the Beverly LaHaye Institute,
told The Christian Post in a Monday interview. Girl Scout policy on
sexual morality, which focuses on self-discovery and protection rather
than abstention, proves the main cause, Crouse argued. She also listed
the trend of mothers going to work (therefore losing time to volunteer)
and controversy about where funds are allocated from the famous Girl
Scout cookie sales. Only 15% of profits go to local groups.
The Girl Scouts of the USA did not respond to requests for comment.
Addressing
the morality shift, Crouse referred to a Girl Scout-sponsored 2010
publication by International Planned Parenthood Federation entitled "Healthy, Happy and Hot: A young people's guide to rights,"
which encourages young people with HIV to "take care of your sexual and
reproductive health." Crouse attacked materials like this for making
"girls ripe to sex from the earliest age." The scholar also pointed to a
2003 5th grader pamphlet called "Nobody's Fool," addressing sex education.
From
2003 on, Crouse said she saw "an underlying theme that promoted a more
laissez-faire approach to sexual education," encouraging
self-exploration. "This all contributes to the sexualization of our
culture," the scholar agued, pointing to increasing rates of pedophilia
and child abuse.
"The Girl Scouts formerly embraced the Judeo-Christian values that
Americans once grew up with – love of God, love of country, treating
others fairly," Crouse explained. "Now, Girl Scouts are more focused on
indoctrinating girls on the so-called women's rights agenda."
This
shift has strained the organization's relationships with churches, the
scholar claimed. Publications demonstrated that "the Girl Scouts were
intentionally promoting anti-life and abortion in ways that weren't even
subtle."
Such stances have led to the creation of alternative scouting groups for girls.
READ MORE FROM THE CHRISTIAN POST
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Jewish Prayer Book Pre Dates The World's Oldest Torah Scroll
Scholars are calling a rare Hebrew text dating back to the 9th century the earliest known Jewish prayer book, predating the world's oldest Torah scroll.
The 50-page book is 4.3 inches tall and about 4 inches wide and is written in an archaic form of Hebrew, on pages of aged parchment. The text includes 100 Jewish blessings and discusses topics such as the apocalyptic tale of the End Times and the Passover Seder.
Carbon testing dates the prayer book to the year 840, which is 300 to 400 years before the oldest known Torah scroll from the 12th and 13th centuries.
"This find is historical evidence supporting the very fulcrum of Jewish religious life," said Jerry Pattengale, executive director of the Green Scholars Initiative
, the group that announced the find. "This
Hebrew prayer book helps fill the gap between the Dead Sea Scrolls and
other discoveries of Jewish texts from the ninth and tenth centuries.""This was a liturgical set of prayers, hymns and poems used for various occasions," Pattengale told the Huffington Post
.
"The prayer book is really what most of the Jewish community would be
in touch with on a daily basis, [creating] a connection between the
Bible and their daily worship."The book is the Jewish equivalent of an early complete edition of the Christian Book of Common Prayer.
READ MORE FROM FOX NEWS
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
'In Plain Sight' Sex Trafficking Documentary to be Executive Produced by Natalie Grant
COSTA MESA, Calif.,
Sept. 17, 2013
/Christian Newswire/ -- Executive Produced and Narrated by
Natalie Grant, "In Plain Sight: Stories of Hope and Freedom" seeks to
raise awareness of the thousands of women and children who are forced,
coerced, or deceived into the commercial sex trade each year in the
United States.
Benefitting the work of Abolition International, the campaign centers around three resources including the documentary film, a compilation worship album, and a 31 day devotional / small group study guide -- all three to be released into stores and online by Word Entertainment in 2014.
Journeying to five US cities, the documentary will help five unsuspecting families open their eyes to what's happening down the street "in plain sight." In addition, stories of hope and freedom will be shared as Abolition International aftercare homes are profiled in each of the five cities.
"Most Americans are completely oblivious to the fact that thousands of women and children are enslaved within their own communities," said David Trotter, co-executive producer. "This isn't limited to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York. We're talking about cities across America -- from Sacramento to Dallas to Tampa -- where the unthinkable is happening."
To fund the campaign, organizers are raising $75,000 through tax-deductible donations via Indiegogo -- a crowd funding website similar to Kickstarter. Although contributions can be made in any amount, those who donate $150 or more will be listed as an Associate Producer in the film's credits.
To donate and watch Natalie Grant share about the project, visit www.StoriesofFreedom.com.
About Natalie Grant
Grammy nominated Natalie Grant is a powerhouse vocalist, heart-gripping songwriter, and charismatic performer. She has consistently remained one of the top selling Christian artists and has sold well over a million records. The Gospel Music Association named her the 2012 Female Vocalist of the Year, an honor that she's received 5 times. Beyond her artistry, she is an outspoken advocate for victims of human trafficking. In 2005, Natalie founded the organization Abolition International, which is committed to providing quality restorative aftercare to trafficking victims both domestically and internationally. More info: www.nataliegrant.com.
About In Plain Sight
To be released by Word Entertainment in 2014, the In Plain Sight campaign centers around three resources including a documentary film, compilation worship album, and a 31 day devotional / group study guide. More info: www.StoriesofFreedom.com.
Christian Newswire
Benefitting the work of Abolition International, the campaign centers around three resources including the documentary film, a compilation worship album, and a 31 day devotional / small group study guide -- all three to be released into stores and online by Word Entertainment in 2014.
Journeying to five US cities, the documentary will help five unsuspecting families open their eyes to what's happening down the street "in plain sight." In addition, stories of hope and freedom will be shared as Abolition International aftercare homes are profiled in each of the five cities.
"Most Americans are completely oblivious to the fact that thousands of women and children are enslaved within their own communities," said David Trotter, co-executive producer. "This isn't limited to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York. We're talking about cities across America -- from Sacramento to Dallas to Tampa -- where the unthinkable is happening."
To fund the campaign, organizers are raising $75,000 through tax-deductible donations via Indiegogo -- a crowd funding website similar to Kickstarter. Although contributions can be made in any amount, those who donate $150 or more will be listed as an Associate Producer in the film's credits.
To donate and watch Natalie Grant share about the project, visit www.StoriesofFreedom.com.
About Natalie Grant
Grammy nominated Natalie Grant is a powerhouse vocalist, heart-gripping songwriter, and charismatic performer. She has consistently remained one of the top selling Christian artists and has sold well over a million records. The Gospel Music Association named her the 2012 Female Vocalist of the Year, an honor that she's received 5 times. Beyond her artistry, she is an outspoken advocate for victims of human trafficking. In 2005, Natalie founded the organization Abolition International, which is committed to providing quality restorative aftercare to trafficking victims both domestically and internationally. More info: www.nataliegrant.com.
About In Plain Sight
To be released by Word Entertainment in 2014, the In Plain Sight campaign centers around three resources including a documentary film, compilation worship album, and a 31 day devotional / group study guide. More info: www.StoriesofFreedom.com.
Christian Newswire
Monday, September 16, 2013
After porn: A marriage is restored
Posted on Sep 16, 2013 | by Joni B. Hannigan/Florida Baptist Witness
LAKELAND, Fla. (BP) -- Seven years after Cathy Dyer and her husband were married, pornography erupted as a crisis in their marriage, nearly destroying it.
Dyer recounts her real-life story of "God's ability to turn tragedy into triumph" in "Our Hardcore Battle Plan for Wives," a resource for women coauthored with Jay Dennis, pastor of First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland, Fla.
Utilizing handwritten pages from her personal journal, Dyer gives readers poignant insight into her private pain and process of restoration after her husband's secret addiction to pornography came to light.
Our Hardcore Battle Plan for Wives is part of the Join 1 Million Men campaign to help men win the battle against pornography. Dennis pioneered the initiative at First Baptist Church at the Mall and introduced it to the Southern Baptist Convention at its annual meeting last June in Houston.
In Our Hardcore Battle Plan for Wives, as noted on Amazon.com, Dyer and Dennis address issues women encounter once pornography has entered the marital relationship -– including how to keep the marriage intact and preventive steps wives and moms can take to keep their families porn-free.
Dyer and her husband Greg, who have two children, have now been married 19 years.
Dyer, in an interview with the Florida Baptist Witness, answered questions about the book, released by New Hope Publishers, a division of Woman's Missionary Union.
Q: What did you anticipate will result from the release of your book?
Dyer: I hope and pray that the book for women, along with the books Pastor Jay has written for men and pastors, will be a catalyst for many things: for people to find a kindred spirit, practical advice, help and deliverance. Additionally, it has been my prayer that pastors will use these materials with their congregations and join the movement (www.join1millionmen.org).
READ MORE AT BAPTIST PRESS
LAKELAND, Fla. (BP) -- Seven years after Cathy Dyer and her husband were married, pornography erupted as a crisis in their marriage, nearly destroying it.
Dyer recounts her real-life story of "God's ability to turn tragedy into triumph" in "Our Hardcore Battle Plan for Wives," a resource for women coauthored with Jay Dennis, pastor of First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland, Fla.
Utilizing handwritten pages from her personal journal, Dyer gives readers poignant insight into her private pain and process of restoration after her husband's secret addiction to pornography came to light.
Our Hardcore Battle Plan for Wives is part of the Join 1 Million Men campaign to help men win the battle against pornography. Dennis pioneered the initiative at First Baptist Church at the Mall and introduced it to the Southern Baptist Convention at its annual meeting last June in Houston.
In Our Hardcore Battle Plan for Wives, as noted on Amazon.com, Dyer and Dennis address issues women encounter once pornography has entered the marital relationship -– including how to keep the marriage intact and preventive steps wives and moms can take to keep their families porn-free.
Dyer and her husband Greg, who have two children, have now been married 19 years.
Dyer, in an interview with the Florida Baptist Witness, answered questions about the book, released by New Hope Publishers, a division of Woman's Missionary Union.
Q: What did you anticipate will result from the release of your book?
Dyer: I hope and pray that the book for women, along with the books Pastor Jay has written for men and pastors, will be a catalyst for many things: for people to find a kindred spirit, practical advice, help and deliverance. Additionally, it has been my prayer that pastors will use these materials with their congregations and join the movement (www.join1millionmen.org).
READ MORE AT BAPTIST PRESS
10 Reasons Why Ministry is Not For the Faint of Heart
Written by Jared Moore |
Sunday, September 15, 2013
If you enter pastoral ministry…
10. Not everyone will like you.
9. You will make people angry regardless how godly you handle yourself; it comes with the position.
8. You will feel like a failure often, and when you do appear to succeed, the fruit that is produced cannot be accredited to you. God alone gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:7). Thus, there is little “sense of accomplishment in ministry” that you may be accustomed to in other vocations.
7. You will fight legalism and liberalism, along with laziness, ignorance, tradition, and opposition. Yet, your greatest enemy will be your own heart (Jer. 17:9).
6. Not everyone will respond positively to your preaching, teaching, or leadership. You will bring people to tears with the same sermon: one in joy, another in anger (I have done this).
READ MORE AT AQUILA REPORTS
Pastoral ministry is a calling, not a career
The blessings of ministry far outweigh the realities below; however, ministry is definitely not easy. Don’t waste your time and money going to seminary or college for pastoral training if you are not prepared for the negative aspects of ministry mentioned below. Furthermore, always remember that God has called you to love His church, not merely His mature church, but His immature church as well. Moreover, a call to ministry is a call to bleed.If you enter pastoral ministry…
10. Not everyone will like you.
9. You will make people angry regardless how godly you handle yourself; it comes with the position.
8. You will feel like a failure often, and when you do appear to succeed, the fruit that is produced cannot be accredited to you. God alone gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:7). Thus, there is little “sense of accomplishment in ministry” that you may be accustomed to in other vocations.
7. You will fight legalism and liberalism, along with laziness, ignorance, tradition, and opposition. Yet, your greatest enemy will be your own heart (Jer. 17:9).
6. Not everyone will respond positively to your preaching, teaching, or leadership. You will bring people to tears with the same sermon: one in joy, another in anger (I have done this).
READ MORE AT AQUILA REPORTS
Monday, September 9, 2013
Thousands fasting and praying for peace in Syria
(CNN) – After morning Mass on most Saturdays, you’d
find the Rev. Dan Atkins cutting into a thick stack of pancakes or
digging into a plate of eggs. But this Saturday’s menu is a bit spartan.
“I’ll probably just have coffee and a piece of toast,” said Atkins, the pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church in New Albany, Indiana.
The Catholic priest isn’t on a diet. Rather, he’s one of many believers across the country - and throughout the world - heeding the call of Pope Francis to fast and pray for peace in Syria on Saturday.
“It’s a way to be in solidarity with people who are suffering terribly from war,” said Atkins, a native of southern Indiana. “I’m going to be thinking about the children, the kids, affected by this terrible conflict.”
READ MORE AT CNN
“I’ll probably just have coffee and a piece of toast,” said Atkins, the pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church in New Albany, Indiana.
The Catholic priest isn’t on a diet. Rather, he’s one of many believers across the country - and throughout the world - heeding the call of Pope Francis to fast and pray for peace in Syria on Saturday.
“It’s a way to be in solidarity with people who are suffering terribly from war,” said Atkins, a native of southern Indiana. “I’m going to be thinking about the children, the kids, affected by this terrible conflict.”
READ MORE AT CNN
Greg Laurie at Nationwide Prayer Rally: Problem Is in God's House, Not White House
By Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor
September 9, 2013|5:55 am
America
is in trouble, but the problem is not in the White House, but in God's
house, the Church, Pastor Greg Laurie and his wife, Cathe, told
thousands of participants at a nationwide prayer rally Sunday, urging
prayers for another revival in America through the upcoming Harvest
America in Philadelphia."I believe that the United States of America is the greatest country on the face of the earth. America! America! God shed His grace on thee. So true," Laurie said, appearing in a video played during a segment of a live webcast originating at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., the main venue of the prayer rally.
"But there's a trouble in our country right now," added Laurie, speaking to churches and individuals across the country who joined the Harvest America team through live streaming to pray for a revival through Harvest America in Philadelphia, to be held on Sept. 28-29. "It seems like things are upside down. It seems, these days, right is declared as wrong, and wrong as right. The Bible even says woe to those who say sweet is bitter and bitter is sweet."
READ MORE AT THE CHRISTIAN POST
How Should Christians Use Social Media?
Michelle S. Lazurek/Movieguide Contributing Writer
We all need to belong. From tweeting your latest accomplishment on Twitter to the local library’s book clubs, everyone wants to belong to something, somewhere.
We believe it will bring value to our lives and enrich it in such a way to make us better people. We learn this from the time we are young children, hanging onto the schoolyard fence in the hopes that maybe that popular group of people will look our way and invite us to join their intimate clique. We transform our inner and outward appearance so the people who are most worth our time deem us a valuable part of their community.
Then we become adults. We throw off the chains of high school life just to cross the threshold of adulthood. We believe now we can become the real us, and we won’t have to fake who we are in order to impress others around us.
Wrong. Adulthood forces us to address deeper questions regarding our identity:
What if I never become a successful person in society? What if I never get married? Is this all there is to life? What’s my purpose in life?
READ MORE AT CHARISMA NEWS
We all need to belong. From tweeting your latest accomplishment on Twitter to the local library’s book clubs, everyone wants to belong to something, somewhere.
We believe it will bring value to our lives and enrich it in such a way to make us better people. We learn this from the time we are young children, hanging onto the schoolyard fence in the hopes that maybe that popular group of people will look our way and invite us to join their intimate clique. We transform our inner and outward appearance so the people who are most worth our time deem us a valuable part of their community.
Then we become adults. We throw off the chains of high school life just to cross the threshold of adulthood. We believe now we can become the real us, and we won’t have to fake who we are in order to impress others around us.
Wrong. Adulthood forces us to address deeper questions regarding our identity:
What if I never become a successful person in society? What if I never get married? Is this all there is to life? What’s my purpose in life?
READ MORE AT CHARISMA NEWS
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