To the international right for life movement

PLEASE JOIN IN PRAYERS FOR THE FORMATION OF A DUTCH COALITION GOVERNMENT BASED ON CHRISTIAN PRO LIFE PRINCIPALS

Those who participated in the December 2006 United for Life Conference, held in Hilversum, the Netherlands, wish to draw the attention to the necessity of prayers now and especially for coming January 2007.

In that month meetings will take place with members of three political parties with the goal to form the new Dutch Government, after the November 22, 2006 elections.

Background
After the November 22, 2006 elections in the Kingdom of the Netherlands it became apparent that the foundation of a new government would only be possible by forming a coalition consisting of more than two Parties.

On January 2, 2007 new talks will start with the leaders of the three parties, J.P. Balkenende (CDA), W. Bos (PvdA) and A. Rouvoet (CU).

The CDA and PvdA did not have a Pro-Life vision included in their parties election programme.

The ChristenUnie however do, together with one other Christian party.

What is at stake
The Netherlands are known for the liberal views on ethical subjects. Abortion became legal twenty five years ago. Further euthanasia and legal equal gender marriages are subjects which focussed attention of the International Press worldwide seven years ago, but are commonly accepted now.

With the formation talks for a new Government there may be a chance to reverse the liberal views in the Netherlands and turn to the commandments and guidelines as given to us in the Holy Scriptures.

Goals
It is our strong desire that CU leader Mr. André Rouvoet may be strengthened by our Lord through the Holy Ghost and follow the principals of the CU party program, stating a clear view on the subject of reversing life threatening laws; with amongst others, the goal to end legal abortions up to the 24th week, as part of the new political program effective after formation of the new government.

Prayer and fasting are the secrets. Actions and miracles are the results.

May we therefore ask your prayers in favour of CU leader Mr. André Rouvoet that he may be strong and courageous and not deviate from his pro-life Christian standpoints.

May the Lord bless André Rouvoet and all those around him, now and throughout the New Year.

United for life,

Michael van der Mast

Schreeuw om Leven, Cry for Life

Ruitersweg 35-37

1211 KT Hilversum

The Netherlands

Drs. Bert P. Dorenbos
voorzitter / president
Schreeuw om Leven / Cry for Life
Ruitersweg 35-37
1211 KT Hilversum
The Netherlands
P: +31 (0)35 624 43 51 / +31 (0)35 624 43 52
F: +31 (0)35 624 91 41
info@schreeuwomleven.nl
www.schreeuwomleven.nl

EXECUTED FOR TAKING BIBLES INTO SAUDI ARABIA

(Author Unknown, from www.unitedcopts.org)

The Koran was placed for the first time in the White House library. It was a winter banquet prepared by host and hostess US President and Mrs. George W. Bush. Muslims from throughout the nation were invited—both males and females. The two genders ate in separate rooms with Mrs. Bush with the women and Mr. Bush with the men.

As the Koran was lifted high with honor that evening, it took its place in the Pennsylvania Avenue residence of the most powerful ruler on Earth. Now when it comes to the Christians’ holy book, the Bible, it is shredded at Saudi Arabian airports.

An attendant will not ask questions but will take the book to the nearby shredder as the tourist watches God’s Word destroyed. If a quantity of Bibles is taken into the country—and found—the carrier will get several dozen whiplashes.

If the confiscator concludes that the punishment should be more severe, the tourist could be executed for carrying divine revelation into Saudi Arabia. Muslims in free countries demand—and I mean demand—all freedoms. They will not tolerate any discrimination whatsoever.

Such web sites as the Council on American-Islamic Affairs (CAIR) instruct readers what authority to contact if there is any sign of alleged discrimination or so-called mistreatment of an Islamic in the United States. Yet the American traveler to the Muslim country may be shot throw if he has a quantity of Bibles in his belongings. Executed or whip lashed.

Consider the cost. With that, it is ridiculous that free countries bow and scrape before Muslims’ demands. For instance, in Germany Muslims have demanded and got pork removed from soup kitchens for the poor. The officialdom is afraid of what Muslims will do if pork remains in the soup.

Imagine the weak-kneed authorities throughout Germany in condescending to such rude demands from the Allah-worshipers. So it is that Europe that will succumb to the Devil. And then the European Union will wonder how it came about that it was sucked under—and quickly.

As far I am concerned, Muslims should be ousted from free countries and sent to their own habitats. No Muslim should be admitted to a free country. They are all suspect because of the spread of this devilish cult around the globe. Islam breeds destruction, despair and death. Christianity provides life, light and love in Jesus. Consider the difference. The two cannot integrate under the title of “multiculturalism.”

Everywhere the Muslims go they spread venom. When Mr. Bush’s surveillance program was put into affect, Muslims immediately demanded meetings with top government officials in Washington DC. They got the red carpet treatment. You, the usual American citizen, try to get an appointment at one of those offices and see if you can get through.

The Muslims do get through and they do sit in those chairs in the rooms of the highest echelons. This has to stop if democracies hope to survive the devil’s strangle hold. Why was the Catholic priest shot in the back while kneeling in his Turk chapel? Because he was praying to another deity than Allah. So a Muslim murdered him while praying alone in his sanctuary. That was just days ago.

The pope then asks Muslims for tolerance just as they expect tolerance in non-Muslims countries. Does not the pope know Islam? There is no tolerance in Islam—none. It is Islam world rule or nothing. There is absolutely no margin for tolerance in the Koran. Instead, that unholy publication describes specifically how to gouge out the infidel eyes, lop off their ears, tongues, fingers and toes.

No tolerance. Contrast Islam with the gospel of Jesus. He offers forgiveness for repented sins, mercy and grace upon the contrite soul, the hope of heavenly bliss, the indwelling of His Holy Spirit in comfort and wisdom, and the joy of living by faith. There is nothing parallel to that in Islam. Nothing. In Saudi Arabia the haters of the Bible are called “religious police.”

They are members of the Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. That is how the devil reverses legitimate terms and definitions—good is bad and bad is good. Islamic vice is virtue. Islamic vice is virtue. Because of the shiria, the hellish “law and justice” system of Islam, there are no criminals within Islam. Muslims can slit a woman’s throat in “honor killing.” But that is not a crime; it is a pious act. And so forth with other atrocious deeds in Allah’s name.

That makes the Muslims worldwide the criminal-free community and the most spiritual lot on the globe. Whatever crime they commit is not a crime but a religious duty. Consequently, when Saddam Hussein stood in his court this week to ask “Where’s the crime?” he was sincere.

He has not committed one crime in his life. He has only followed the Koran and thereby is an Islamic saint. At Guantanamo Bay Muslims complained about their Koran being mistreated.

The US responded with all sorts of protocol detail in how non-Muslim personnel were to hold, handle, place and transfer the Koran. Reading the detail was a joke, but not to those personnel who had to walk the razor’s edge. Not only the Bible, but any Christian symbol is repulsive to Muslims. That’s why they burn churches.

Churches this week have been burnt to the ground throughout Pakistan. Try to build a church in Turkey. It will take a decade or more to get the blueprints approved. Once it’s constructed, the church could burn in the night.

Who will have lit the match? Yasser Arafat was known for murdering Christian believers and then leveling their sanctuaries or using the church buildings for his militia.

Imperial Dreams

By Alan Block

Well, our esteemed President has decided that he won’t
make any adjustments, whether cosmetic or substantive,
to his policy in Iraq until after the first of the year,
so perhaps I’ll leave the topic alone for a while as well.
Although it no doubt means more Americans and Iraqis will
die for nothing much, it might actually be a shrewd move.
Few Americans want the Christmas season spoiled by having
to consider the pros and cons of cut-and-run, cut-and-walk,
or sending more troops to be ineffectual.

Sufficient unto the New Year is the evil thereof. And
besides, things are happening in other parts of the world.
Take Russia. Please.

The Russian government has pressured Shell, the Anglo-Dutch
oil company, into reducing its stake in a promising but
difficult oil and natural gas field in Siberia from a
majority share to a minority share. Gazprom, the Russian
state-owned energy group, which has invested little in
exploiting the energy resources on and around Sakhalin
Island, will now have the majority interest. The interests
of two minority Japanese investors, Mitsui and Mitsubishi,
have also been reduced.

LARGER PATTERN

This might be a back-of-the-business pages story except
that it seems to be part of a pattern of pushing foreign
companies out of any ownership interest in Russian energy
resources, as part of a larger project of bolstering the
power of the Russian state and making it more authoritarian.
Russia’s government wants to control those energy resources
and its temporary cut-off of oil supplies to Belarus last
year – which had an impact on Western Europe – shows that
it is not averse to using the power such control will give
it in geopolitical power games.

There is not much we can do about this, but it’s worth
knowing about. It just might presage a day when Russia
recreates enough of an empire to become a legitimate U.S.
foreign-policy concern. Even if that doesn’t happen, it
is a troubling development for those who had hoped that
Russian policy after the fall of communism might be a bit
more enlightened and good for the Russian people.

Sakhalin, an island north of Japan and once claimed by
Japan, off the coast of Siberia, is home to oil and gas
reserves. When it is fully exploited it is expected to
produce 150,000 barrels of oil a day and around 10 million
tons of liquefied natural gas a year. But it is a difficult
environment in which to operate – bitingly cold, and near
a feeding ground for gray whales. Development to date has
cost about $20 billion, $10 billion more than originally
expected. Shell went into the project as a 55 percent owner
of the energy to be extracted and the major operational
partner. This summer the Russian environmental ministry
shut down the project for environmental problems. Those
problems are real to a great extent. Sakhalin has 1,000
rivers, streams and brooks, many of which are used by
salmon for spawning. Shell is obliged to be careful when
laying pipes across or under them, restoring the topsoil
and relaying gravel in the streambeds. This is labor-
intensive work and doesn’t always get finished correctly.

LEGITIMATE AND POLITICAL

There have no doubt been legitimate environmental concerns.
But the pattern to date has been for the Russian government
to come down hard on foreign companies like Shell and Exxon-
Mobil, while Russian-owned companies are seldom sanctioned.

The Sakhalin project was described in financial
publications as recently as May as a make-or-break
proposition for Shell. A successful Sakhalin project was
supposed to be the key for the troubled company to get
future contracts in Russia by showing it could operate
in the frigid conditions that seem to be where most of
Russia’s energy reserves are located.

Chris Finlayson, chairman of Shell in Russia, told the
London Sunday Times: “All natural-resources companies
have to go where the natural resources are. Russia has
40 percent of the world’s natural gas and is the largest
oil producer after Saudi Arabia. Russia is by definition
important. It is where the opportunities lie.”

It’s hard to weep too sincerely for a multinational oil
company that gets the screw from a government rather than
the favored treatment and subsidies such companies often
extract from governments where they operate. But the
campaign against Shell will almost certainly raise the
cost of extracting those resources, since state-owned
Gazprom will not have the incentives a private company
in a competitive environment would have to improve
efficiency.

The sanctions against Shell unquestionably were
instrumental in creating pressure to give in to Russian
demands that it cede its majority interest, giving Gazprom
a 51 percent stake and Shell 25 percent. There’s little
doubt that the sanctions were deployed politically. Dimitry
Peskov, spokesman for President Vladimir Putin, told
reporters that in the future foreign companies might be
welcome as subcontractors, providing capital and expertise,
but not as owners. These moves against foreign ownership of
natural resources in Russia reflects a changing economic
environment. In the 1990s Russia was strapped economically
and welcomed foreign investors and owners. Since then oil
prices have risen and Russian energy companies have
profited, so they need foreigners less.

GOING AUTHORITARIAN

This has coincided with an increase in nationalist
sentiment in Russia, encouraged and exploited by the
government to justify a more authoritarian regime than
most people hoped for after communism fell. Russia clearly
aches to be a major geopolitical power again, and oil
wealth – and the leverage of being a major energy supplier
for Western Europe – is part of the equation. Oil wealth
has been a mixed blessing – perhaps even more curse than
blessing except for those who have become fabulously
wealthy like Saud family members – in countries where oil
wealth is the primary or only source of large-scale wealth.
Russia has a more diversified economy than, say, Saudi
Arabia, but having politicians with a lust for power in
control of the country’s energy resources will undoubtedly
invite hubris and abuses along the way.

Dreams of empire such as those entertained by Putin and
his claque are usually vain in the end. And the process
of seeking or enhancing an empire is almost uniformly
deleterious to the ordinary people of countries that harbor
leaders with such ambitions. Free and open markets produce
wealth faster and distribute it more equitably than state-
controlled economies. Vain as such dreams may be, however,
imperial ambitions usually lead to political and military
conflicts that can cause enormous suffering. Russia under
Putin is hardly an imminent threat to the United States.
But it is now in a position that it can pressure most of
Western Europe through manipulating energy supplies. The
ambitions of its leaders – remembering that Putin is still
quite popular among the general population, though that
could change – bear watching.

My Jesus Won’t Take a Backseat to Anyone this Christmas

BAY HARBOR ISLANDS, Fla., Dec. 5 /Christian Newswire/ — Christian activist Sondra Snowdon, has been fighting her town of Bay Harbor Islands, Fla. for the past three years in Federal Court to have a Nativity in her town at Christmas. She is now calling on all Christians to respond to the outrage of unfairness in regards to the town giving religious preference to Judaism and the Menorah over her Christian Nativity. Snowdon is determined not to let this situation rest and is calling on Christians around the world to take a stand with her as she fights for fairness again, against her town.

On Monday November 27th, the Town of Bay Harbor Islands, Fla. placed the town Menorah in the center position at the town’s designated public forum and proclaimed that the placement of the Nativity would have to be placed “off to the side.” Snowdon’s Consent Judgment signed in the Federal Court with the town demands that, “all faiths are equal” in the designated public forum. The town has already been found by the Judge to have been, for several years, in violation of the Establishment Clause for favoring the Menorah and not allowing Snowdon her Nativity. Still the town insist on both sponsoring the Menorah and placing it front and center leaving the Nativity to be placed in a lower and lesser ranking position. The Judgment gives Snowdon the right for 10 years to have her Nativity in the designated public forum that was created as a result for her Federal lawsuit. Snowdon pays for the Nativity at her own expense. Meanwhile, the town purchased and paid for the Menorah with taxpayer dollars and has given the Menorah preference in the forum. A Jewish resident in Bay Harbor applied to the town to sponsor the Menorah and was refused. The town stated that, “they would be the sponsor of the Menorah as part of their holiday display.”

On November 13th at the Town Council Meeting, the town also passed Ordinance 812 to govern the newly formed designated public forum and placed penalties to both fine and arrest Snowdon if she attempted to have any ceremonies affiliated with her Nativity display. For the past five years, those of Jewish faith could visit the Menorah and pray with the Rabbi and light candles each night of Hanukah. However, when Christians wanted a small prayer service, they passed a new town ordinance that no one was allowed to visit the displays.

In addition, the town’s lampposts have gone dark within the Business District due to the town refusing to add Christian decorations with their eight eight- foot decorative Menorahs and eight-foot Stars of David’s, that hung in years past. Now, they claim separation of Church and State while still sponsoring a Menorah in the designated public forum. The Consent Judgment provides that if any decorations go on the lamppost that Christian Nativity decorations be added on 6 lampposts. The town would rather go dark and have no holiday decorations than allow Christian symbols be included. In her lawsuit, the town fought in court that the Menorah was a secular symbol and a decoration, not a religious symbol. The Federal Court ruled that the Menorah was indeed a religious symbol. Snowdon does not object to the town having “white lights only” to wrap around the Palm trees in the median of the main street. She believes that, “the white lights can represent that Christ is the Light of the World.”

The town’s discrimination against Christians coincides with the release of the motion picture The Nativity Story. Snowdon adds, “Jesus once again has been relegated to the back position just as his birth in a stable over 2000 years ago.” She maintains that “we as Christians today must unite and stand up for Jesus this Christmas and not let Christ take second billing.“ Ironically, during the course of her legal battle, Snowdon started a website to share the meaning of Christmas and help others understand the birth of Christ, which is www.nativitystory.com. She is now receiving e-mails at her site in conjunction with the film release. Many think that she is involved with the film because of her story being the modern day version of fighting for Jesus and the Nativity.

Her journey has also been difficult along the way, just as the true story. The former Mayor called her an “anti-Semitic bitch”, tried to have her evicted from her apartment , told the local synagogue that they had to warn all Holocaust victims that their was an “anti-Semite” living in Bay Harbor Islands and even called Christian decorations “trivial.” She has received numerous death threats, and her car was intentionally tampered with in an intent to harm. In the recent November Town’s Newsletter, the present Mayor has belittled Snowdon by calling her a “renter” on the island who receives “free” legal advice from Christian Law firms. He goes on to state that she has cost the town’s people thousands of taxpayer dollars in legal fees trying to put Christ back into Christmas at their expense. Snowdon maintains that she has fought for fairness in her town and for equality during the Christmas and Holiday Season.

The town to date, has paid more than $350,000 to fight Snowdon in court and is now suing her personally for $45,000 in legal fees resulting from her recent Appellate Court case. The town was found to have been in violation of seven of Snowdon’s Constitutional rights including violation of the establishment clause, freedom of speech and equal protection. Snowdon states, “That if her Constitutional rights have been violated than that affects every American. If we as Americans do not stand strong and fight now to preserve our Constitution than we will all wake up one day and find that our rights have been stripped away and that we are living in a secular country devoid of religious symbols.”

Snowdon says that her battle has really just begun and she now needs Christian support. She plans to take her case back into court and represent herself pro se in asking the courts to enforce “equality” for Christ. The Menorah should not get center position. Although Jesus may have been born in a stable, Snowdon refuses to put up her Nativity in an “off position.” She says, “That in this 21st Century, I will not allow Jesus to take a back seat or be hidden away. My Jesus will not be seated on the back of the bus.”

Ms Snowdon has been a guest on The O’Reilly Factor. Her story has also been featured on Dr. James Kennedy’s Coral Ridge Hour. She was one of the honored recipients of this years prestigious Salt & Light Award from The Center for Reclaiming America for Christ for her fight in the Federal Courts for the Nativity. Both the national and international press has covered her battle with Bay Harbor Islands. She has also been on several radio talk shows. As a Christian Activist, Ms Snowdon continues her fight to “Put Christ Back into Christmas.” The Rutherford Institute, Thomas More Law Center, and attorney Kevin Brown have represented her. Westlaw has also published her case.

Please contact Ms Snowdon directly at sondrasnowdon@yahoo.com or by telephone at (305) 861-8634 (before 10:00AM or after 10:00PM Eastern)

Christian

Americans Back Bethlehem — But are Not Sure Where it is

Two nation survey: America vs. Bethlehem.
BETHLEHEM, Dec. 20 /Christian Newswire/ — Press Conference: 12pm noon, Thursday 21/12/2006, Furno Hall, Millennium Building, Bethlehem University. Bethlehem, Palestine. Details below.

Most Americans believe Bethlehem is an Israeli town inhabited by a mixture of Jews and Muslims, a pre- Christmas survey of US perceptions of the town has shown.

Only 15 per cent of Americans realize that it is a Palestinian city with a mixed Christian-Muslim community, lying in the occupied West Bank.

The nationwide survey, carried out by top US political pollsters Zogby International, canvassed 15000 American respondents. The poll was commissioned by the campaign organization Open Bethlehem to coincide with a survey carried out in Bethlehem itself – canvassing 1000 respondents from the three urban centres of Bethlehem, where the population splits almost equally between Muslims and Christians.

The surveys have put the spotlight on the plight of the town, which has been fast losing its indigenous Christian population since the construction of the Israeli wall plunged Bethlehem into economic crisis.

The two surveys show that American perceptions of the town are wildly at odds with the perceptions of those who live there.

While the Christians of Bethlehem overwhelmingly (78%) blame the exodus of Christians from the town on Israel’s blockade, Americans are more likely (45.9%) to blame it on Islamic politics and are reluctant (7.4%) to blame Israel.

And while four out of ten Americans believe that the wall exists for Israel’s security, more than nine out of ten Bethlehemites believe it is part of a plan by Israel to confiscate Palestinian land.

The Zogby survey shows strong support for the town in the US, where 65.5% of the population want the UN to list it as a world heritage site. Americans are also strongly in favor (80.6%) of Bethlehem retaining a strong Christian presence.

Americans are also ambivalent about the Israeli wall, with 31.5% in favour of it, with another 31.6% opposed.

But more than two-thirds of Americans believe Bethlehem is unsafe to visit, while 80% of Bethlehemites consider their town safe for visitors.

While the US survey showed that Americans are skeptical about Muslims and Christians living contentedly alongside each other – only 17% thought they lived together in peaceful coexistence – the Palestinian survey showed they do: around 90% of Christians said they had Muslim friends, and vice- versa.

The Israeli government could well be shaken by the discovery that Americans’ tolerance of the wall would be strained by the discovery that it separates communities and families, cuts Bethlehem off from Jerusalem, and requires the seizure of privately- owned land.

US Christians, meanwhile, are likely to be shocked by the discovery that seven out of ten Christians in Bethlehem believe Israel treats the town’s Christian heritage with brutality or indifference.

The Bethlehem poll, which was carried out by the Palestinian Centre for research and Cultural Dialogue, shows on the other hand that more than two-thirds (73.3%) of Bethlehem’s Christians believe that the Palestinian Authority treats Christian heritage with respect. That result will surprise some who believe that the election of Hamas has strained Christian- Muslim relations in the town.

Leila Sansour, Open Bethlehem’s Chief Executive, says:
“Our US poll shows overwhelming support for Bethlehem’s Christian heritage, yet our survey of Bethlehem’s own citizens shows the city cannot retain this heritage and its Christian community while the wall remains.

“The choice is stark. Either the wall stays and Bethlehem ceases to be a Christian town. Or Bethlehem retains its Christian population – in which case the wall has to come down. The international community needs to wake up to what is happening and choose.”

Footnotes:
Reports of the surveys will be available on Open Bethlehem website www.openbethlehem.org

For more information, interviews, maps, photos or survey reports please contact:

Open Bethlehem
Manger Square, Bethlehem www.openbethlehem.org
Tel: +972-2-2777993 Fax: +972-2-2740139
e-mail: admin@openbethlehem.org
Nida Rishmawi: +970599940990
Austen Ivereigh: +44 7905224860
Leila Sansour, CEO (mobile): +972-547547921

Open Bethlehem – London Office
16-18 Strutton Ground, London SW1P 2HP
Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 2072228443
openbethlehem@openbethlehem.org

Charges Against Chicago Police’s Violation of Civil and First Amendment Rights at Gay Games Moving Forward

Federal Judge Denies Chicago’s Motion to Dismiss All Charges Against the City for Free Speech Violations
CHICAGO, Dec. 19 /Christian Newswire/ — On Friday, December 15, Federal Judge Milton I. Shadur, US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, denied in its entirety Chicago’s motion to dismiss charges against the City that it violated REPENT AMERICA’s (RA) First Amendment rights during the Gay Games earlier this year.

During the Gay Games, RA volunteers saw an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus who wants people to repent because “the truth is that God has put in the Bible clear prohibitions against homosexual behavior.” RA’s method is to engage people in conversations and pass out literature in public venues which is protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution. However, on Sunday, July 16, 2006 in Gateway Park across from Navy Pier, Chicago Police officers handcuffed three RA volunteers and arrested two of them, yelled profanities at them, and held them for four hours at a Chicago police station. Then on Saturday, July 22, 2006, on a sidewalk in front of Wrigley Field, where the Gay Games closing ceremonies were being held, police arrested an RA volunteer for holding a sign proclaiming that “Marriage is Between One Man and One Woman.” However, persons nearby holding pro- homosexual signs and deriding President Bush were left alone.

After these incidents, RA volunteers filed a civil law suit charging that Chicago violated their free speech rights, equal protection of the laws, and violation of the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act, all were found to have merit by Judge Shadur.

Andy Norman of Mauck & Baker, the attorney for the plaintiffs, said “We truly believe that this ruling will benefit people who struggle with homosexual temptation. It will ensure that Christians can continue to preach the truth in love at homosexual events, so their message can be used by God for healthy change in the lives of homosexuals. The judge has ruled that plaintiffs’ message of healing through faith in Jesus the Messiah, including people ensnared in homosexual lifestyles, can be publicly expressed.”

The judge’s order is available upon request.

Christian Newswire

House Church Closed in Anhui, Xinjiang – Christians Suffer in Jail

MIDLAND, Texas, Dec. 11 /Christian Newswire/ — CAA learned recently the local government of Tongling City, Anhui Province is taking administrative measures that interfere with the religious affairs of Christians by forcing them to join the Three-Self Church.

November 26, 2006 a house church assembly in Laodong Xincui, Tongling City, Anhui Province, was closed by the local Religious Affair Bureau. The church leaders were told to worship in the local Three-Self Church.

The house church was founded by renowned Christian Brother Wang Xingquan 53 years ago and currently has a membership of approximately 200 Christians. Brother Wang was thrown into prison for his faith during the Cultural Revolution.

In order to exert more pressure on Brother Wang, his daughter’s work unit stopped paying her salary, and has threatened to fire her unless she sets an example for other Christians by joining the local Three-Self Church. Another brother under threat of losing his job was coerced to resign from the church.

December 5, 2006 upon the request of the Christians, the government held a hearing in which the Religious Affair Bureau’s decision to close the church was upheld.

Currently the Christians hold worship services in their homes; they said they are preparing for further legal action to regain their right of religious freedom.

“The Religious Affair Bureau is only one department in the government in charge of religious affairs. It is definitely not powerful enough to force a work unit to stop paying its employees.” said Bob Fu, President of CAA, “It is obvious that the entire course of action was formulated by the upper level government. Tongling government’s resorting to administrative methods to interfere with religious affairs ultimately tramples the spirit and promise of religious freedom stipulated in the Chinese Constitution and International Laws. We hope that the Tongling government corrects their mistakes and protects religious freedom of its citizens.

CAA also learned that all of the Christians arrested October 20, 2006 in Qingshuihe Town, Huocheng County, Yili City, Xinjiang autonomous area were released by November 26, 2006. Four brothers were locked in the detention center for 32 days, one brother and two sisters 14 days. No legal documents were issued when they were arrested and released.

Four brothers who were locked up for 32 days are now in the hospital for medical treatment as a result of being severely tortured by other prisoners. “I was beaten daily morning, noon and night! They beat me if I ate the food or did not eat the food, ate too much or too little, went to the toilet or did not go to the toilet! They just beat me for no reason.” one brother said. What’s more, the Christians were clearly told by the prisoners that they were beaten according to the instructions from the police officers in charge of the detention centre.

Brother Tan’s experience is especially horrible. He was intentionally placed in a cell with homosexual prisoners where he suffered the humiliation being sexually abused as well as physically beaten. “I would not come out alive if I had been with them any longer.” said brother Tan.

“It is totally intolerable to treat a sixty-year old man like that!” said Bob Fu, President of CAA. “We appeal to the Xinjiang government to investigate this event and punish the people involved in detaining and abusing these Christians.”

CAA has sent a representative to Xinjiang to comfort and encourage these suffering brothers and sisters. Please contact CAA if you wish to help them.

Christian Newswire

Making Children into Commodities, the Fruit of the Stem Cell Industry

BUDAPEST, Hungary, Dec. 18 /Christian Newswire/ — Biblical Family Advocates was stunned to learn that the stem cell research industry may have reached another dark chapter in its campaign to violate the human rights of children.

In an article by Matthew Hill, of the BBC, entitled Ukraine babies in stem cell probe http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6171083.stm reveals that there are accounts from Ukrainian women that after the delivery of their babies, that their newborns were stolen by maternity staff, presumably for stem cell research. Citing a report in the article, it stated that, “In its report, the Council describes a general culture of trafficking of children snatched at birth, and a wall of silence from hospital staff upwards over their fate. The pictures show organs, including brains, have been stripped – and some bodies dismembered.” The article also stated that “Ukraine has become the self-styled stem cell capital of the world.”

“Many governments across the globe should put enormous pressure on the government of Ukraine to see to it that these horrific practices are not occurring and if they have, prosecutions should be pursued for kidnapping, murder and trafficking in human body parts,” says Phil Magnan, Director for Biblical Family Advocates.

“Many have warned the stem cell industry about the reducing of embryonic children to commodities and parts, because the slippery slope leads right up to the time of birth. It is apparent that the stem cell industries bottom line creates the kind of atmosphere that even a child cannot be born into this world without being a possible candidate for dismemberment, for profit.”

Magnan continued, “We grieve for the mothers and fathers who have lost their newborns to this horrific practice and we are amazed that hospital staff may have breached a patients trust in the worst way, selling them out to the highest bidder.”

Biblical Family Advocates demands that the stem cell industry cease from its horrific practice of reducing children to mere parts to be commercialized. All children should be afforded the same dignity and protection as anyone else who is made in the image of God.

Biblical Family Advocates also challenges the stem cell industry to cease from its waste of tax payer dollars on embryonic stem research that has only yielded dead, cloned embryonic children and false hopes for cures. Instead, they are strongly encouraged to use adult stem cells and cord blood stem cells which are responsible for over 70 actual cures and therapies for debilitating diseases.

Christian Newswire

The Miracle of the International Pro Life Community Coming Together by Proclamation, Restoration and Intercession

Contact: Bert Dorenbos, Cry for Life, +31 (0) 35 624 4352 www.schreeuwomleven.nl or

Phil Magnan, director of Biblical Family Advocates, 36-1-246-2587

Amsterdam-Biblical Family Advocates is pleased to announce the profound blessings associated with the efforts of the United for Life conference sponsored by Schreeeuw om Leven, (Cry for Life), Netherlands, that brought together pro life advocates from at least 7 Countries.

The conference delegates, from India, Holland, Belgium, Russia, Hungary, USA and Germany came together not only to network their intentions and visions, but also to go to many places of international interest. These international delegates went to the European Union in Brussels, in which they were not only briefed by a representative of the European Commission, but were also able to have an intercessory prayer gathering on behalf of the EU and its leadership at the entrance gat of the European Parliament. Additionally, efforts were made to contact the Dutch Parliament in The Hague, within its own courts and buildings with the message of life and publicly praying for their leadership to encourage the Dutch Parliament to stand up for the rights of the unborn and consider the tragic effects of abortion on women.

One of most profound moments was the revealing of thousands of signed affidavits’ by women who had been injured by abortion. These documents of sworn testimony was assembled by attorney’s Allan Parker and Clayton Trotter of the Justice Foundation USA, www.txjf.org, and was given to those associated with the Dutch Parliament, in the foyer of Dutch assembly building as well as at a historic church, Noorderkerk Church, gathering in which Dutch Parliament member Dr. Bas J. van der Vlies was given the volumes of heart felt testimony of women wounded by abortion.

Present at these events were many courageous women from Holland and the USA who had themselves undergone the abortion procedure and have suffered the horrendous effects of abortion. They are part of the Justice Foundation’s project Operation Outcry/Silent No More in which the largest body of testimonies has been assembled in the world regarding the effects of abortion on women. Centered prominently in these tragic effects is the need for churches to proclaim that abortion is a grave sin, but also proclaim the forgiveness of Christ to help break the cycle of abortion, in which 50 million children are killed world wide every year. This church event had followed the remarkable gathering of hundreds of peaceful pro life advocates who marched in downtown Amsterdam

Pastor John Ebenezar from India said that female infanticide was commonplace in India and challenged pro life Christians to respond to this crisis. Vishal Mangalwadi, from India/Hollywood, whose scholarly work regarding the Bibles profound impact on western civilization was met with great interest from the largest media service in the Netherlands, the Evangelical Voradvasting Company (EO). “It was simply amazing how many opportunities were afforded to us in the Netherlands and Belgium in which we were praying constantly at many gatherings as well as becoming part of the political process by spiritual advocacy.” So says Phil Magnan Director of Biblical Family Advocates. “It is our hope to continue this fine work of bringing many different countries together on the issues of life with the understanding that many forms of ministry are needed to completely address the ongoing war on the unborn and those men and women involved in it. We found out that we have a lot of friends who have the same conviction to stop the atrocity of abortion.”

Drs. Bert P. Dorenbos
voorzitter / president
Schreeuw om Leven / Cry for Life
Ruitersweg 35-37
1211 KT Hilversum
The Netherlands
P: +31 (0)35 624 43 51 / +31 (0)35 624 43 52
F: +31 (0)35 624 91 41
info@schreeuwomleven.nl
www.schreeuwomleven.nl

CWA’s Bridge Project Trained 7000 Mexican Leaders to Combat Sex Trafficking

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 /Christian Newswire/ — Through a grant from the U.S. State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking, Concerned Women for America’s (CWA) Beverly LaHaye Institute (BLI) launched “The Bridge Project” –– an effort that sponsored 17 training sessions that reached 7,000 people across Mexico to train them for leadership in combating sex trafficking.

Bridge Project Director and BLI Senior Fellow Dr. Janice Shaw Crouse reported that CWA’s Bridge Project resulted in over 600 people being trained to lobby for stronger legislation in prosecuting criminals who traffic in persons, produced a shelter manual to guide the rescue of victims, produced a 56-page analysis of the legal aspects of trafficking in Mexico’s Federal Penal Code, collected 1,318 articles and 17 books about trafficking, produced a database on where victims are vulnerable, produced 80 policy recommendations, produced blueprints for a shelter, launched an awareness campaign for tourist industry personnel and published articles on the popular Web site, “Yo Influyo.”

Brenda Zurita, who coordinated the project for CWA, explained, “In April 2005, 16 Mexican leaders came to CWA’s national headquarters in Washington, D.C. for a week-long training session. Subsequently, 5 of those leaders –– all members of Red Familia, an umbrella group of pro-family organizations –– were chosen to launch projects in Mexico through their organizations.”

Dr. Crouse said, “This is one of the most satisfying and successful projects that I have ever been involved with. We have laid the ground work in Mexico and our Mexican colleagues are trained and prepared to continue building on that foundation. This is the beginning of the end of trafficking in persons in Mexico. The worldwide criminal networks that are using Mexico as a route to bring victims to the U.S. will find that their way is blocked. The wonderful, dedicated people who worked so tirelessly on the Bridge Project will continue to move forward as modern day abolitionists.”

Concerned Women for America (CWA) is the nation’s largest public policy women’s organization.

Professor Shows Accuracy of Bible’s Christmas Story, Debunks Popular Myths

PITTSBURGH, Dec. 6 /Christian Newswire/ — We only have a vague idea of when Jesus Christ was born. Matthew made up the star’s appearance. The dating of Christmas is an accommodation to a pagan feast. Hebrew prophesy doesn’t say that a “virgin” would give birth.

“Bunk!” That’s how Dr. Jack Kinneer describes the above statements as popular myths assuming the implausibility of Biblical narrative about the birth of Jesus. Kinneer is a New Testament professor at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (RPTS) in Pittsburgh.

“What is implausible is that someone could make up this story, but what is entirely plausible is that someone chronicling these historical events would include such confirmable facts,” Kinneer said.

His December Greek classes correct assaults on the Christmas story by holiday documentaries, instructing on what the languages and literary structure of Scripture communicate and how ancient records and modern astronomy support them.

Dr. Kinneer Replies to Popular Christmas Myths:

Myth: We can only vaguely date when Jesus was born.
Reply: “Scripture, ancient history, and modern astronomy enable us to pinpoint Jesus’ birth within the winter months of 5-4 B.C.”
Myth: Matthew made up the appearance of a star.
Reply: “Modern astronomy calculations confirm extraordinary celestial phenomena during this exact time period.”

Myth: It is implausible that the Magi would have traveled from Persia to see the star.
Reply: “It is implausible that they would not journey to see it, as they were not kings, but astrologers. It was their job to study and interpret luminaries in light of ancient prophecies.”

Myth: Jesus’ birth was at the star’s appearance, several years before the Magi’s arrival.
Reply: “Herod’s decree to kill Hebrew sons two years old and under after the Magi’s visit presumes the birth of Jesus may have just occurred. Matthew’s Greek grammar describes the birth of Jesus as the timely setting of the Magi’s arrival.”

Myth: Jesus was two to three years old when the Magi arrived.
Reply: “He was no more than a few months old.”

Myth: The dating of Christmas on December 25 accommodates a pagan feast.
Reply: “It is a calculated estimation from when the angel appeared to Zechariah during his datable priestly duties.”

Myth: The Hebrew “virgin” birth citation is embellished.
Reply: “The Isaiah 7:14 quote was interpreted as “virgin” by Jews centuries before New Testament times.”

Myth: Joseph and Mary’s flight to Egypt was a long overland journey and stay of a number of years.
Reply: It was probably a brief boat trip and a stay of only a few weeks to a month, which fits the setting of historical political events.”

“Popular culture suggests doubts about Scripture, but good scholarship demonstrates that the Bible’s Christmas story particulars are precise and other known facts easily fit if you’ve done your homework,” said Kinneer.

Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary is the fifth oldest seminary in the nation, and will celebrate its bicentennial in 2010.

More Non Profits Offer Online Gifts that are Both Meaningful and Great Last Minute Shopping Ideas

MEDIA ADVISORY, Dec. 5 /Christian Newswire/ — As more and more shoppers are looking to give memorable gifts that truly make a difference, the humanitarian organization, Mercy Corps has taken this new gift-giving approach to heart with Mercy Kits, which support its lifesaving programs through it’s website at www.mercycorps.org/mercykits.

As holiday shopping time comes to a close, Mercy Corps has created the online charitable gift called Mercy Kits as a perfect last-minute gift.

Each Mercy Kit recipient receives an attractive personalized card from the friend or family member who purchased the kit. This colorful card offers insightful information about the program to which the donation was made. The Mercy Kit card can be printed off your home computer or emailed making it the ideal last minute gift idea.

Charitable gifts give people the opportunity to share a commitment or cause – such as the environment, hunger issues or children’s rights – with their friends and families while making a donation to humanitarian programs around the world.

“Instead of buying someone another pair of gloves or a picture frame, Mercy Kits are a way to send nutritious food to children in Africa – or help an impoverished family start a garden Guatemala. These gifts do something important, long after the holiday season has passed” says Mercy Corps’ Chief Development Officer, Matthew De Galan.

Mercy Corps and has made it easier for busy folks to complete their shopping lists by offering their gift catalog of more than 20 Mercy Kits online at www.mercycorps.org. Mercy Kits are also fully tax-deductible, making them a great year-end gift.

Mercy Corps works in more than 40 countries to bring help and hope to over 10 million people. From immediate, lifesaving responses to disasters around the world to long-term work in troubled places like Afghanistan and Sudan’s Darfur region, the organization is committed to the well-being of the world’s poorest families.

This year Mercy Kits include:
• The Kid’s Food Kit helps provide nutritious food to vulnerable children ($20).
• A Family Garden Kit helps families set up and maintain gardens in impoverished villages around the world ($35).
• The Peace Kit supports work in troubled places like Afghanistan and Sudan to help create safer communities ($50).

Other Mercy Kits support innovative, sustainable programs for agriculture, health and education.

Christians for Assyrians of Iraq Plan Demonstration; Stand for Iraq’s Assyrians, Save the Nineveh Plains

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 /Christian Newswire/ — Representing Christian Assyrians, activists, and faith-based leaders, Christians for Assyrians of Iraq (CAI) plan to demonstrate at the White House on December 4th, 2006, and call U.S. political leaders to “Stand for Iraq’s Assyrians, and Save the Nineveh Plains.”

Two of Washington’s most respected activists against religious persecution, Nina Shea of Freedom House and the Center for Religious Freedom, and Father Keith Roderick of Christian Solidarity International, are CAI’s featured speakers.

CAI hopes this December rally will magnify the humanitarian crisis faced by Iraq’s Assyrians (also known as Chaldeans and Syriacs) as they begin their 25-day period of fasting and prayer for the Christmas holiday. Recently, Assyrians worldwide were horrified to hear the news of:

the alarming trend, reported by the United Nations, that although Assyrians comprise 5% of Iraq’s population, they also comprise under 40% of the refugees fleeing Iraq (October 2005)

the crucifixion-murder of a 14 year old Assyrian boy near Mosul (October 2006)

the beheading of Father Paulis Iskander in Mosul (October 2006)

the bombing of over 15 churches across Iraq, from Basra to Baghdad and from Mosul to Kirkuk (August 2004, January 2006, September 2006)

the kidnapping and murder of 13 Assyrian Christian women in Baghdad (August 2006)

CAI believes this humanitarian crisis may be reversed with the formation of an autonomous zone in Iraq for Assyrians and other Christians. This zone, called the Nineveh Plains Administrative Unit, will allow Assyrians and other Christians to practice their faith, speak and teach their language, and work their land without fear of persecution.

Time is running out for Iraq’s Christians. This Christmas season, CAI invites members of the media, political leaders, Assyrians from every background, and faith-based leaders to attend this demonstration. Show your solidarity with CAI and demand the world pay attention to Iraq’s most vulnerable population.

WHEN: December 4, 2006, 12 pm

WHERE: White House Sidewalk, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (Between East and West Executive Avenues)

WHO: Christians for Assyrians of Iraq

BLOG & PETITION: www.ninevehplains.wordpress.com