Developing: Pakistani Plane Escorted by UK Fighter Jets — 2 Men Arrested

Listen to the Buck Sexton Show Live on TheBlaze Radio

Faith

Obama’s Faith, a Possession Prank and the GOP’s Gay Marriage Debacle: These Are the Top Faith Stories of the Week

Mar. 3, 2013 7:45pm Billy Hallowell

Each week, TheBlaze publishes diverse articles about faith and culture. With religion often coloring political and social news, we seek out the most intriguing stories. From the legislative arguments surrounding gay marriage to comical pranks, faith stories generally span from serious to light-hearted, as you’ll see from this week’s recap of the 10 best faith and religion stories.

Starting this weekend, we’re going to regularly publish a recap of some of the most interesting faith stories from the past seven days — news pieces that either shaped or impacted the media cycle in some way, had a profound impact on religious groups or simply entertained (for a full list of religiously-themed Blaze content, visit the faith vertical).

To begin, let’s briefly recap “The Bible,” the television series that is set to premiere tonight on the History Channel. This morning, we published 10 surprising celebrity endorsements of the show. And, earlier in the week, its creators, reality producer Mark Burnett and his wife, actress Roma Downey, published an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal calling for Bible instruction in public schools.

These Are the Top Faith and Religion Stories of the Week on TheBlaze

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks to the media after meeting with Congressional leaders at the White House, March 1, 2013 in Washington, DC. President Obama said that no agreement was reached with Republicans to avoid the sequester that will trigger automatic domestic and defense cuts. Credit: Getty Images

On another note, it seems President Barack Obama starts every day with some scripture verses that are sent to him by his so-called “pastor-in-chief.” Meet faith leader Joshia DuBois and find out a little more about the president’s Christian faith here.

And did you catch TheBlaze’s interview with commentator S.E. Cupp last week? Weighing in on the same-sex marriage debate, she explained why she supports gay Republican groups and had some advice for the GOP regarding how to handle the controversial and divisive issue. We also had an article about a transgender student who’s suing her former university — a Christian institution — for expelling her after finding out that she was born a man.

While we’re on the subject of contentious social issues, let’s look at a few recent stories about abortion. First and foremost, there’s the viral video of students at Hunter College in New York City playing “Abortion Battles” — a game that is as contentious as it sounds. We’ll let you read the article to get a sense of what’s involved, but perhaps this quote from the video will be disturbing enough: “Kill that baby!”

Plus, don’t miss this story about a pro-life college student who might be expelled (you’ll never believe why).

Catholics pray during a Sunday mass at the Mother of God sanctuary in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday March 3, 2013. Catholics around the world attended the first Sunday masses since Benedict stepped down as pope. Many prayed for a energetic, new leader to reinvigorate what many said was an ailing institution. Credit: AP

The Catholic Church continues to make headlines as the search for a new pope is underway. But now that Pope Benedict XVI has gone into retirement, who’s running the ship? We have a run-down that tells you who’s in charge and details their current roles (at least until a new leader is selected).

Last, but not least, we have two additional stories you won’t want to miss. On Thursday, The Rev. Kenn Blanchard, an African American pastor from Washington, D.C., gave NPR a history lesson about minorities and gun rights.

And, finally, if you want to get a good laugh before the Monday morning blues hit, be sure to check out this prank video setup to scare the pants off of women having their hair done at a salon. It involves a faux demon-possessed girl, a double-sided mirror and lots — and lots — of screaming.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (32)

ruthleviticus
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 3:36pm
Barry Hussein Obama reading Scripture? Not on your life.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- ruthleviticus
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 3:53pm
  You can’t worship socialism and the Bible. Here’s a Youtube video I love about What Would Jesus Do when he comes back and what his politics would be. It really makes you think. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9URWnMWijm0
  
  Report this comment
vaman
Posted on March 4, 2013 at 10:45am
The religious right fanatics and radicals are losing the culture war for America. Americans in droves are rejecting religious bigotry, prejudice, hatred and the arrogance that comes from being a religious radical. Americans are embracing each other, being inclusive, not exclusive as christian radicals would have it. America is becoming a better place daily because it is casting off superstition and fantasy for realism and tolerance.
Log in to ReplyReply
- galicant wiseword
  Posted on March 4, 2013 at 2:28pm
  If Americans in droves are rejecting bigotry, prejudice, hatred and the arrogance they are getting closer to what the Bible says. Watch out Vaman your going to be surrounded by Christian radicals soon!
  
  It’s nice that you are all open and tolerant when it comes to Islam. I’m sure you’ll find the Muslims are far more inclusive and friendly than those horrible Christians down the road from you trying to figure out how to feed more orphans and widows in a crumbling economy.
  
  If you think things are getting better I have to question what your definition of good is.
  
  Jesus is as real as it gets Vaman. I suspect you’ll be seeing Him more quickly than you realize… Good luck with that.
  
  Report this comment
b00x
Posted on March 4, 2013 at 7:53am
“We also had an article about a transgender student who’s suing her former university — a Christian institution — for expelling her after finding out that she was born a man.”

The delivery must have been mighty painful for mom. Surely she was born male, but not a man.

Come on, Blaze; the devil may be in the details as far as your reporters are concerned, but not for your readers. The details can sometimes make all the difference between understanding an article and not getting its importance.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
media-bias-steals-elections
Posted on March 4, 2013 at 3:49am
What makes religion interesting to people? Watching others learn, or simply guarding yourself against future events? We know the New Testament is not limiting the faith of Christians. I could explain to you how John might have written about we are not of the world, was it simply the Roman system? Is that a suicide pact?

You can’t go around and say, be fruitfull and multiply, and in the same breath, the end is nigh, we are all going to die soon? Prophecy is a question mark, or the doorway to different dimensions where the good, the bad, and the ugly step into? Demon possession?

Matthew 18:18

Verily I say unto you, whatsover ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Do you have power over demons? Does your faith in God result in the appearance of power? What does this mean? What you fail to teach, you fail to receive? An economic system is designed to encapsulate the body of men’s faith in a currency, to be righteous for the industrious? Charity is meant to correct over sights or missed goals, not to provide comfort? Should you be punished for existing?

The political tax demon has been bound, or loosed on Earth? Hillarious now?

Luke 10:19 says Jesus gave us power over the enemy.

Mathew 6:4 – 6:34
(paraphrased)

Invest in righteousness, you won’t have to find treasure, it will find you? Don’t worry, be happy?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
HarryPotter
Posted on March 4, 2013 at 3:22am
“Gay Marriage Debacle” This will all be so much less controversial once gay marriage is legalized nationwide. When people start to see loving gay couples getting marries, they will realize that they are just as valid as heterosexual marriages.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
The Big Mick
Posted on March 3, 2013 at 11:26pm
“GOP’s Gay Marriage Debacle”?
Sometimes I wonder who the Blaze has working for them.
What’s the “debacle” in being agin Que Ear Marriage?
What’s the “debacle” in being sick of the GOP?

Give me another option, lads. An umbrella party for the Libertarians, Constitution, Natural Law, Conservatives, Tea Party etc.
I’ll never vote Repubelickum again.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Freedomlover_US
  Posted on March 3, 2013 at 11:44pm
  How about you finally come up with a good reason why gay marriage should be illegal? So far the main 3 reasons I hear are:
  
  1. It makes God angry (hence, you force your religious beliefs on others)
  2. I’ll be called a bigot if I don’t accept it (why other people should suffer I’ll never know)
  3. It’s bad for children (no proof of this exists)
  
  Report this comment
- Totally Domestic
  Posted on March 3, 2013 at 11:56pm
  The blaze is out of the closet.
  
  Report this comment
- HumbleMan
  Posted on March 4, 2013 at 6:14am
  @FREE.
  
  How about this reason: That’s not what marriage is.
  
  I don’t care what other people want to do, so long as it doen’t pick my pocket or break my leg.
  
  That said, leave our language alone.
  
  Report this comment
neverending
Posted on March 3, 2013 at 9:55pm
Did we catch the interview with s.e.? Are you serious? How many different times did you cover that lib?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
shorelineliz
Posted on March 3, 2013 at 9:40pm
And in the end of the age men (includes women too) shall be LOVERS of THEMSELVES. They will not listen to sound reasoning, they will not put up with our preaching, they will not listen to the Lord, they will all go their own way. To their own doom.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- neverending
  Posted on March 3, 2013 at 9:56pm
  Yes, yes and yes!
  
  Report this comment
- Xylliab_of_the_Znarghh
  Posted on March 3, 2013 at 11:32pm
  Huh, did you say something?
- HarryPotter
  Posted on March 4, 2013 at 12:09am
  What “sound reasoning” is there to deny a loving couple the right to marry?
  
  Report this comment
- ThatsJustCrazyTalk
  Posted on March 4, 2013 at 2:09am
  @HarryPotter (hmm, if you really do live the hom osexual sin as you imply, that’s quite the troubling screenname).
  
  You said, “What ‘sound reasoning’ is there to deny a loving couple the right to marry?”
  
  1). The definition of marriage is between a Man & a Woman for purposes of procreation. There is no other definition for Marriage. Make up your own new age synonym(s) of words that mean something similar, or the same to Marriage. God made the word marriage, and gave it its meaning. New Agers steal everything from the Bible, and repackage it as their own. So, do the same with marriage, but just understand that same sex people living in lust (not love) can never be married.
  
  2). As stated above, you can’t redefine a word that was already defined by God. It would be like trying to call a Man a Woman, or a Woman a Man. So, to expand on the above point of redefining Gods definitions or creations, just as there’s no such things as SSM, there’s no such thing as Transgender. Notice how in these transgender cases the vast majority are perverted males? Maybe, that’s where you want to start looking to understand the phenomenon of people thinking they’re a different gender than what they were born.
  
  Report this comment
- HarryPotter
  Posted on March 4, 2013 at 2:57am
  thatsjustcrazytalk:
  
  I am gay, it is not a sin, and why can’t a gay man enjoy the Harry Potter books?
  
  First off, no, that is YOUR definition. If I said a marriage can only be between 2 people of the same gender, that would be my definition. The government cannot recognize one form and not another. That is pure discrimination. And before you say it, marriage is a contract, and you need to be able to legally consent and sign the paper. So no animals or kids.
  
  God did not invent marriage, man did. And even if you want to make that argument, what’s to say God wouldn’t want gay people to get married? The Bible was written by man, not God, so it is not infallible. It is also a religious text, and therefore not a valid argument in a legal case which is what gay marriage is about. If your religion or the sect of your religion is against gay marriage, fine. But you do not own the term, and you cannot make laws based on someone’s religion.
  
  Marriage has been around since before Christianity, and in cultures that were not Christian. Marriage may be an important ceremony and rite in the Christian faith, but it is not solely Christian. People of other religions and of no religions get married in this country every day, and no one cares. The government cannot interfere with the religious ceremony of marriage, but religion should also not be able to interfere with the legal contract of marriage either.
  
  Report this comment
- HarryPotter
  Posted on March 4, 2013 at 3:03am
  Continued:
  
  As for transgender people, that is a very separate issue from gay marriage, or even homosexuality. I only know a handful of transgender people, but none of them are perverted. How many do you personally know? I think you are making assumptions based on what you have heard from others. These are people born as one gender, but with the bodies of the opposite gender. There are legitimate scientific reasons for this, such as an extra x chromosome or increased hormones. It is still a complicated issue, and not fully understood, but you cannot make such a generalization and ignorant comment.
  
  Report this comment
- The_Cabrito_Goat
  Posted on March 4, 2013 at 12:53pm
  I wish Rangerskip came around more often
  
  Report this comment
shorelineliz
Posted on March 3, 2013 at 9:23pm
The Bible on History Channel: Liberal Hollywood Interpretive Crap
S.E. Cupp: Liberal, aka, Libertarian MSNBC crap
80+ Republicans Promoting Gay Marriage: Liberal Pandering Panty Waist Crap
Obama’s Faith: Non-Existent Liberal White House Crap
GOP Gay Marriage Debacle: Back Stabbing Liberal Garbage SOB Crap

Total=Major A$$wipes

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- shorelineliz
  Posted on March 3, 2013 at 9:39pm
  Hay Blaze. Why not call the week what it really was? The week in apostasy or falling away from the faith? This is NO faith Week. This is pandering to worldly power and lust. This is out and out apostasy. Anathema to the whole lot of them!
  
  Report this comment
- Freedomlover_US
  Posted on March 3, 2013 at 11:46pm
  I thought one of the positives about religion is that it makes people happy. You sure seem like one angry nutjob. Maybe stop taking a book written in the desert during the Bronze Age so seriously?
  
  Report this comment
freeberty
Posted on March 3, 2013 at 8:23pm
Left out the high ranking queen, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, you know the 1 that people thought was being prosecuted by the liberal media last week.
He just came out and admitted he was a freak. So maybe instead of prosecution it has more to do with truth that 98% of the priests in the Vatican are homosexual.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- The Big Mick
  Posted on March 3, 2013 at 11:40pm
  Free, I think you are onto something.
  I’d missed the bit about O’Brien. And yeah, that sounds like straight up Older Que Ear going for Young Men. And there does seem to be a back story in the Pope’s resignation regarding both a Power Struggle in the Vatian and a Ring of High Placed Italian Vatican Que Ears.
  
  I have wondered ever since the Pederast Priests scandal begin to break WHY it was they TRANSFERED these Pervs rather than simply sticking them in a Monastery with a Rule of Silence.
  I couldn’t understand WHAT could be SO IMPORTANT that they could view it as MORE important that protecting BOTH the kids AND the Larger Church.
  A Cabal of Que Ears at the Highest Level of the Vatican would certainly do that. It would be an Institutional Mind set that protected its Gang Members and would turn a deaf ear to the cries of its victims.
  
  Report this comment
- HarryPotter
  Posted on March 4, 2013 at 3:24am
  This is just more evidence that the loudest voices against homosexuality usually belong to people who are secretly gay themselves…..
  
  Report this comment
sinner-saint
Posted on March 3, 2013 at 8:11pm
those backward a*s communists can’t tell the difference from God’s Holy Bible and Satan’s Bible.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
LEFTIST_CLOWNS_AND_FAR_RIGHT_JOKERS
Posted on March 3, 2013 at 8:00pm
‘…find out a little more about the president’s Christian faith…’

Yes, read up on Obama’s Black Liberation Theology of victimology which co-opts Christianity to promote Communism and Marxism.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Exrepublisheep
  Posted on March 3, 2013 at 8:58pm
  To a Nazi everything is communism.
  
  Report this comment
- The Big Mick
  Posted on March 3, 2013 at 11:32pm
  EXREPUB were you born that stupid or have you just been working real hard at ignorance?
  I’d like to think I misunderstood you.
  
  F.Hayek PROVED 70 YEARS ago that Fascism and Socialism were two sides of the same worthless coin. L.Neil Smith and other Libetarian authors did the same in the 80s. Tom Wolfe in the Millennial issue of Time pointed out that Hitler and Stalin, FAR from being Polar Opposites on the Mythical Linear Political Spectrum Model were ACTUALLY Fraternal, if Fratricidal, Collectivist Statist Socialist Twins.
  If you truly believe what you just said your Political Education is in sad need of an upgrade.
  Say it ain’t so. You were making a different point, and I missed it right?
  
  Report this comment
- Freedomlover_US
  Posted on March 3, 2013 at 11:49pm
  I notice you right wing nutjobs seem to attribute every “evil” trait to Obama. He is, per the right wing, an atheist communist muslim black liberator racist from Kenya who is a closeted homosexual and worships himself.
  
  Cukoo cukoo cukoo!!!
  
  Report this comment
- Totally Domestic
  Posted on March 4, 2013 at 12:13am
  Freedom Lover……you forgot BO is addicted to OUR money & Teleprompter dependent.Otherwise your description of him is spot on.
  
  Report this comment

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.