Opinion: The logic fail of Christian objections to marriage equality

OPINION
GOVERNMENT legislation on the secular definition of marriage has nothing to do with religion. Despite this, Christian organisations continue to attempt to take an ownership of the debate.
Last week, the Anglican Church released a booklet entitled What God Has Joined Together. Eighteen pages on why God is supposedly against homosexuality and marriage equality, and a somewhat confusing argument against bigotry and discrimination while at the same time firmly stating that federal marriage laws should continue to discriminate against LGTBIQ couples.
The booklet likens the push for the removal of discrimination in marriage legislation to communism, and states that the introduction of the no-fault divorce laws in 1975 resulted in “widespread infidelity and divorce”.

Malaysia school shuts after 'mass hysteria' outbreak

A school in northern Malaysia has had to shut temporarily to handle what local media have called a case of "mass hysteria".
It started last week with several students and teachers of the school in the city of Kota Bharu claiming that they had seen spirits or had supernatural experiences.
School authorities shut the school and called in Islamic traditional experts, scholars and even witch doctors in prayer sessions and "exorcisms".

Mother Teresa to be made a saint, Pope Francis announces

Mother Teresa, the Roman Catholic nun who worked with the poor in the Indian city of Kolkata (Calcutta) is to be declared a saint on 4 September, Pope Francis has announced.
She founded a sisterhood that runs 19 homes, and won the Nobel Peace Prize.
She died in 1997 - aged 87 - and was beatified in 2003, the first step to sainthood.
The Pope cleared the way for sainthood last year when he recognised a second miracle attributed to Mother Teresa.

Congo-born priest in Germany quits over racist threats

A Catholic priest of Congolese origin has resigned in southern Germany after getting death threats and racist abuse.
Olivier Ndjimbi-Tshiende, 66, told parishioners of his decision during a church service on Sunday in Zorneding, a small town near Munich in Bavaria.
A statement on the parish website (in German) said: "We are shocked and saddened by these [death] threats." He began preaching in the town in 2012.

Pastor catches wife in hotel with choirmaster

Nosa Akenzua

A middle aged pastor (name withheld) in one of the new generation churches in Asaba, Delta State, has revealed how he caught his wife allegedly having sex with a choirmaster of his church.

The many sins of 'disturbed' priest Peter Searson

An accused paedophile priest, who threatened a girl with a knife and killed a bird with a screwdriver in front of children, has again been the subject of horrific claims at an Australian inquiry.
(Some readers may find the contents of this article disturbing)
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse has heard many allegations in its two-year history, but none more disturbing than those against Catholic priest Peter Searson.
Apart from allegations of repeated child sex abuse, the late Searson is said to have made children kneel between his legs during confession, tape-recorded confessions he found titillating, killed a cat by swinging it over a fence by its tail, showed children a dead body, shoplifted and misappropriated parish money.

Russian man on trial for 'no God' comment in internet chat

A man on trial in southern Russia faces a possible one-year prison sentence for having written "there is no God" during an internet exchange.
Viktor Krasnov was reported to police by two young men who objected to his language in the dispute, on the Russian social network VKontakte in 2014.

When gods were hauled into Indian courts

A few years ago, an American senator took God to court, seeking a permanent injunction against "his harmful activities" such as "death, destruction and terrorisation".
A judge threw out the case, saying that legal papers could not be served, since God did not have a proper address.

Mysterious artifact discovered at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity

A mysterious religious artifact has surfaced during renovations at Bethlehem’s famous Church of the Nativity, officials say.

According to the Times of Israel, the artifact is made of brass, silver, shells and stones. It was covered in plaster and found near a window in the church that reportedly was built by Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena in the fourth century. Although officials confirmed that the artifact has been cleaned up, it is not on display, and there are no images of it as yet.

Why some African governments are clamping down on churches

Some governments and organisations in Africa are starting to think churches should be held accountable to a being other than God.
Of concern to many with interests in the Christian faith are the "prophet of God" or "man of God" churches.

Anglican communion to restrict US Church over gay marriage

The ordination of Gene Robinson as a bishop in 2003 angered many in the global Anglican community

Anglican leaders have barred a liberal US branch from decision-making for allowing same-sex marriage.

US Episcopal Church punished by global body for accepting gay marriage

NEW YORK –  Anglican leaders on Thursday temporarily restricted the role of the U.S. Episcopal Church in their global fellowship as a sanction over the American church's acceptance of gay marriage.

Kenya's Evangelical Alliance opposes registration plan

Kenya's evangelical churches have condemned government plans to make it tougher for religious bodies and clerics from all faiths to operate.

The move was aimed at stopping the growth of evangelical churches,

Pope Francis: Why mercy is essential in faith and life

First the album, and now the book.

After the Vatican approved the release of a prog rock album which set to music some of Pope Francis' homilies and speeches, the Pope's new book features him in dialogue with a Vatican expert, Andrea Tornielli.

In pictures: Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas

Orthodox Christians around the world are celebrating Christmas.

Communities from Europe, Africa and the Middle East marked the event - each with their own unique traditions - on Thursday, in line with the Julian calendar.

Prophet Tb Joshua’s special prophecy for the new year 2016

'Africa's biggest Jesus statue' unveiled in Nigeria

Abajah (Nigeria) (AFP) - Nigeria on Friday unveiled a nine-metre tall statue of Jesus Christ carved from white marble, thought to be the biggest of its kind in Africa.

‘Borderlife’ was banned from the high school curriculum in Israel

A BOOK about a love affair between people of different religions has been banned from the school curriculum in Israel.

A new sexually transmitted disease will surface in 2016, Adeboye predicts

The General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has declared that there will be a new sexually transmitted disease this year 2016 and that there will be economic improvements as natural disasters will also be on the increase due to ungodly laws passed by governments.

In 2016 there will be large scale scarcity, shortage of food – TB Joshua

TB Joshua

Controversial Nigerian ‘Prophet’ T.B. Joshua has released a list of bleak predictions for the New Year 2016, particularly directed towards the continent of Africa.