Ohio's Religious Freedom Restoration Act Withdrawn From Consideration - H.B. 376

From the Ohio Christian Alliance:

In a matter of hours after Arizona Governor Jan Brewer vetoed Arizona's Religious Freedom Restoration Act, S.B. 1062, sponsors of Ohio's Religious Freedom Restoration Act H.B. 376, withdrew it from consideration. Co-sponsors of the legislation were not notified of the motion to withdraw until they read it in the papers this morning. H.B. 376 had enjoyed bipartisan support and had 43 co-sponsors. The bill's sponsors, Rep. Timothy Derickson (R-53) and Rep. Bill Patmon (D-10), withdrew the bill from consideration with the following statement,

"The intent of HB 376 was to ensure Ohioans' religious freedom by protecting their ability to freely worship and preventing any laws from burdening the free exercise of religion."

"However, with the controversy that is occurring in Arizona, we feel that it is in the best interest of Ohioans that there be no further consideration of this legislation," the statement says. "Protecting people's personal liberties – religious or otherwise – is of the upmost importance to members of the Ohio House, and we want to ensure that no law that we pass in this chamber is misconstrued to be discriminatory in any way."

The statement says the bill "stemmed from a well-meaning place," but that they don't want to allow for "confusion" around the issue.

"Discrimination of any kind was never the intent of this legislation. While our commitment to religious freedom remains constant, it is in the best interest of all Ohioans that no further consideration be given to HB 376."

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Butler (R-Dayton) said in a statement, "I respect the sponsors' wishes on this matter, and as such, no future consideration will be given to HB 376."

Members of the House Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to "indefinitely postpone" consideration of the bill later Wednesday.

After the committee meeting, Butler told Hannah News that indefinitely postponing the bill "effectively kills it."

OCA President Chris Long made the following statement, "The Ohio Christian Alliance, along with Citizens for Community Values, is dismayed by the actions of the legislators to so quickly scuttle this legislation that would assure people of faith in Ohio that they would not face discrimination by practicing their religious faith and convictions."

"As Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, in an interview with Megyn Kelly, stated 'Where do Christians now go to receive protection under the law?"' Mr. Perkins had referenced in his interview Christian bakers and photographers who were targeted with lawsuits as a result of exercising their religious right of conscience. State entities have actually injoined lawsuits against individuals who declined to participate in homosexual weddings by either baking and serving the cake or by being the wedding photography coordinator."

Long continued, " The action by Governor Jan Brewer and the action by some Ohio legislators does not end the issue. Our First Amendment rights of freedom of religion are far too important and fundamental to all rights of individuals under the Constitution. To so lightly toss them aside with little regard is a crime against the ideals of freedom itself. This issue is sounding the alarm for all freedom-loving Americans. If religious people can be compelled against their will to perform acts and services against their conscience, where does the tyranny end?"

2014 Family Economics & Mentorship Conference

Real Solutions in an Increasingly Turbulent EconomyMarch 27-29, 2014 | Denver, Colorado

Families around America are beginning to see the vision for work and economics that existed for over 4,000 years—family-based production in the context of the household. While politicians are positioning for power and bankers scheme on the future of the world financial markets, we’re preparing families to grab a hammer and anvil to forge a fruitful household economy for the kingdom of God! Health care is a major concern in family economics.

Have you ever wondered how people provided for health care needs before there were big hospitals, nursing homes, and complicated insurance plans? Believe it or not, Christian families and churches took care of their own! At Samaritan Ministries, we believe not only in sharing financial needs within the Body of Christ, but also in providing real, relational health care for the sick and elderly in our families and churches.

Far too many Americans have embraced the "solution" of government-subsidized health care, but I'm hopeful and excited about the future of the family economy! So, join me at the 2014 Family Economics & Mentorship Conference for a close look at what it means to work, give, learn, and care for each other in a unified-household economy.

What to Expect at the Family Economics Conference

Through the lineup of dynamic speakers, interactive panel discussions and practical workshops, and one-on-one encouragement, you will be equipped to take the next steps in incorporating a Biblical vision for your family's economics, health care, and education on every level.

106 Christians Brutally Murdered by Boko Haram Militants in Northern Nigeria

 

Christian Slaughter by Islamic Terrorists in Northern Nigeria Continues Unabated

2/17/2014 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) - International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that106 Christians were brutally murdered by suspected Boko Haram militants in an attack on a Christian village in northern Nigeria over the weekend. According to reports, the vast majority of the Christians killed were men rounded up by the militants and executed by either having their throats slit or being shot in the village square. This marks the deadliest single attack on Christian in Nigeria in months.   According to  BosNewsLife, the attacked on the Christian village of Izghe, located in Nigeria's northern state of Borno, began late Saturday night, Feb. 15.  Around one hundred militants, suspected by Nigerian government officials to be connected to the Boko Haram terrorist network, wearing military uniforms surrounded the village with armed vehicles and began to round up Christian men living there.   After rounding up a large group of Christian men, the militants began to execute them in the village square. Survivors of the attack reported to the BBC that many of the Christian victims were shot, but several had their throats slit by the militants.   Next, the militants went door to door in the village searching for Christian men they failed to kill in the village square. In total, it is believed that 106 Christians were murdered in the attack on Izghe, which lasted 5 hours. Of those 106, 105 were men and 1 was an elderly woman trying to protect her grandson, the senator of Borno state told the BBC.   "All the dead bodies of the victims are still lying in the streets," resident Abubakar Usman told Reuters. "We fled without burying them, fearing the terrorists were still lurking in the bushes."      Boko Haram is an Islamic terrorist network group currently fighting the Nigerian government for control of northern Nigeria. The Boko Haram group desires to establish a separate Islamic state in Nigeria's northern states where it can enact an ultra conservative interpretation of Sharia law. Since beginning its armed insurgency in 2009, Boko Haram has killed thousands of people in Nigeria, often targeting Christians for some of the most brutal acts of violence. In early 2012, Boko Haram leaders demanded all Christians to leave northern Nigeria so that the group could create a purely Islamic society. Since then, Boko Haram has perpetrated church bombings, drive-by shootings and Christian pogroms across northern Nigeria.   ICC's Regional Manager for Africa, William Stark, said, "The attack on Izghe marks the single deadliest attack on Christian in months. 106 Christians were murdered in Izghe for no other reason than their religious identity. Attacks like the attack on Izghe are meant to terrorize the Christian community that continues to live in northern Nigeria. The United States designated Boko Haram a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2013, which would allow the U.S. to take more direct action against the terrorist network.  Unfortunately, the U.S. has yet to do this. The Nigerian government continues to fail protect Christian villages and has allowed hundreds of Christians to be killed in 2014 already. More decisive action must be taken to end the bloodshed. If action is not taken, the slaughter of Christians in northern Nigeria could reach genocidal levels in the near future."

This article was provided by International Christian Concern (ICC) whose web address is www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church.  For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.

Bizzle Responds To Macklemore's "Same Love"

Christian rapper, Bizzle, releases a song in response to the decadent pro-homosexual 'marriage' song ‘Same Love’ at the recent Grammy Awards event. - See more at: http://www.tpnn.com/2014/01/31/christian-rapper-releases-song-in-response-to-pro-gay-marriage-song-same-love/#sthash.JAkCmTNX.dpuf

I strongly agree with Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council (FRC), who recently wrote,

"We must not stand by and allow America's children to be taught that counterfeit marriage is acceptable ... that homosexual behavior is normal and healthy."

The rapper's lyrics in the song in the video below is a positive step in the right direction to combat the assault on the values that made America great in the first place, a biblical based view of marriage and the family.  We must not allow Hollywood values to replace traditional American values. Unfortunately that is the goal of many progressives and secular organizations in society today. 

Children fare must better in intact families with a mother and a father present. This is God's original and intended design!