Connecticut Election Endorsements from FIC

(With apologies to Will Rogers.)

For some reason, the Family Institute of Connecticut is the most vilified group of people in the whole State. I can't figure out why this is.

In the newspapers and on the radio there are lots of people always angry at the FIC. These people always seem to be very angry indeed. They use big words when talking about the FIC like "abomination." Using a word like that, you would think this meant the angry people were big Bible readers but then I saw that there was another person who called the FIC the "Christian Taliban!"

This was really a surprise to me because I've met Brian Brown a few times and I really don't think he would decapitate people he doesn't care for like the Taliban-type people do over in Afghanistan. He never seems to be angry like all the angry people I mentioned a minute ago.

Knowing Brian and what he actually does support, I'm suspicious of people who talk about him like that!

So, I'm happy to help spread FIC's list of endorsements for the November 7 elections.

You can download the list here as a PDF.

Tags: Connecticut, news, politics, elections, conservative, liberal, republican, democrat

Updates to the Connecticut Church Map

Pastors Todd & Leslie Foster of Church on the Rock in New Haven

We've added several new churches to the Connecticut Church Map:

• Calvary Life Christian Center in Cheshire, pastored by John Muratori.

• The Potter's House in Farmington, pastored by Dr. Dale Fife and Brian Fife. You may know Dr. Fife as the author of the wonderful book The Secret Place: Passionately Pursuing His Presence

• Church on the Rock in New Haven, pastored by Todd and Leslie Foster.

• We've also updated the listing for First Assembly of God Church in Waterbury, pastored by James Lilley.

The Church Map is one of the most popular features on our website, and is a great way to find a church or let people find yours! To suggest a church, write us at info@prayct.org.

Tags: Connecticut, church, Christian, Christianity, Cheshire, Farmington, New+Haven, Waterbury

Darien church seeks relief from Bishop's oversight; South Windsor church makes arrangement with Bishop

A Darien Episcopal church involved in the "Connecticut Six" controversy continues to seek relief from the oversight of the Episcopal Bishop of Connecticut, the Rev. Andrew D. Smith:

In a recent ruling that was dismissed by a federal judge involving the role of gays in the Episcopal church, the six priests who filed the lawsuit against Connecticut Bishop Andrew D. Smith are appealing the decision.

The Rev. Christopher Leighton, of St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Mansfield Avenue, said the "Connecticut Six"—a group he is apart of and is a term used to designate the opposing priests—feel they are continuing to be "marginalized and pushed aside" in wake of the court's decision.

"Nobody wanted it to go this far," Leighton said. "We're not trying to punish the bishop by appealing the decision; we just want relief from under his leadership."

Rev. Leighton spoke strongly about the direction of the church and how properly to view the response of dissenting congregations:

"The Episcopal Church has made it a point of walking apart from the Anglican community for some time now," Leighton said, pointing out that nearly 77 million people worldwide practice Anglican Christianity. "Our goal is only to stay true to the faith we know, which resides alongside the Anglican Church."

Leighton did say, though, that the "Connecticut Six" would be able to strike a deal with Smith under one condition.

"I would tell the bishop that if he was to let us remain Anglican, we would drop the pending lawsuit and call it a draw," he said.

(Source: Darien News-Review)


The worldwide Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church in the USA is a part, is in the process of tearing itself to bits over the practices of its American and Canadian constituents. Largely unknown to Americans, the conflict is raging worldwide as "Third World" bishops have been calling Western believers to repent from their Scriptural departures. Congregations which are of a mind to actually follow the Scripture are leaving the Episcopal Church, either seeking alternative oversight by other bishops or else going independent.

According to the Episcopal News Service, St. Peter's Episcopal Church in South Windsor has now concluded their own arrangement with Bishop Smith. That church will receive pastoral care for a time from retired Bishop of Connecticut Clarence Coleridge.

Tags: Connecticut, Christianity, Christian, Anglican, Episcopal, Darien, South+Windsor, Theology, Bible

The Book Contest rolls out

We've been having a lot of fun here the last few days as we rolled out our book contest... I'm not allowed to play, of course, but somebody's already nominated one my favorites: Gene Edwards's A Tale of three Kings: A Study in Brokenness. It's the kind of book you can't really explain to people; you can only bug them until they read it for themselves. You will be challenged and you will definitely see yourself at some point within the book. Which kind of heart do you have? Are you most like Saul, David, or Absalom? Sometimes, it's hard to know... the point is that God is looking for leaders who are more broken than brave or self-important.

Complete info about the Book Contest here. Keep those nominations coming in to info@prayct.org!

More fun came in the form of our post "Top Ten Reasons People Stop Attending Church" receiving record-setting traffic from Reddit (record-setting for us, anyway) and even a tiny bit from Digg. If you're not sure what that means, follow those links and have fun.

Tags: Connecticut, Christian, books, blogs

Top Ten Reasons People Stop Attending Church

There are always good churches around, and the Lord's own words tell us that he is building up the Church as his own personal project. Therefore, we know that the Church (with a capital "C") will never go "out of business." However, for the sake of those who need to know God, honesty requires us to admit that some of our churches do need a doctor. Furthermore, history tells us that churches that don't see a doctor end up getting examined by a pathologist!

With that in mind, here's a list that may make us cringe: 10 reasons why people stop attending church. As Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let Him hear." (Please note that total may be more than 100% because respondents could supply more than one answer. Survey sample = 469 "formerly churched adults.")

1. Simply got too busy - 19 %
2. Family/home responsibilities prevented attendance - 17 %
3. Church members seemed hypocritical - 17 %
4. Church members were judgmental of others - 17 %
5. Moved too far from church - 17 %
6. Work situation prevented church attendance - 15 %
7. Church was not helping me develop spiritually - 14 %
8. Stopped believing in organized religion - 14 %
9. Church was run by a clique that discouraged involvement - 12 %
10. Got divorced/separated - 10 %
    

Lots of food for thought here. Three of the top ten had to do with the actual behavior of church members and another one had to do with the church's failure to effectively make disciples as Christ commanded.

Source: Lifeway Research.

Tags: Connecticut, Christian, Christianity, Religion, Discipleship, News, Church, God

Christian Movie Week!

Tiffany Dupont as Queen Esther in "One Night With The King"

OK, nobody has actually declared it to be Christian Movie Week, but it certainly feels like it. A number of movies with biblical and Christian themes have just been released or are about to be released, along with some important documentaries about the Christian movement. This coming week we'll be looking at some of them in a little bit of detail.

The first of these, and possibly the most-anticipated, is One Night With The King, a re-telling of the story of the Book of Esther based on the historical novel Hadassah: One Night With the King by Tommy Tenney. Actress Tiffany Dupont makes her debut as Esther, but there are also well-known players such as John Rhys-Davies, Peter O'Toole, Omar Sharif and "Tiny" Lister. (Click link for trailer, etc.)

None other than Hollywood movie magazine Variety gives One Night With The King a very good review, almost surprising itself in the process:

Blessed with abundant production values and a minimum of campy excess, "One Night With the King" is a surprisingly satisfying attempt to revive the Old Hollywood tradition of lavishly appointed Biblical epics aimed at mainstream auds. Pic has a much broader appeal than earlier product produced by Gener8Xion Entertainment ("The Omega Code," "Carman: The Champion"), and conceivably could attract ticketbuyers who have ignored other recent pics aimed primarily at devout churchgoers. Indeed, even a few diehard non-believers may be won over by the considerable charisma of top-billed newcomer Tiffany Dupont.

If you're interested in seeing One Night With The King, it's playing at these Connecticut locations:

Bridgeport: Showcase Cinemas, 286 Canfield Avenue

Danbury: Loews, 4-6 International Drive

Orange: Showcase, 100 Marsh Hill Road

Plainville: Plainville 20, 220 New Britain Road

Waterbury: Brass Mills Stadium 12 , 495 Union Street

I'm planning on seeing this in the coming week. Has anyone seen it already? Send us a review at info@prayct.org.

Tags: Connecticut, Christian, movies, film, one+night+with+the+king

Benefit Concert for George Kiriakis, Oct. 14

A concert to benefit George Kiriakis will be held on October 14th 2006 at 7:00p at New Life Christian Fellowship Church, 65 Tokeneke Road, Darien.

We were saddened to learn that George suffered a stroke in the month of August. George has been a vital part of the Christian community in Fairfield County and beyond for many years. We encourage you to come together to help George and and his wife, Marion, with medical expenses and everyday needs. Admission is free and an offering for George will be taken.

For more information visit www.friendsofgeorge.net.

(Blog hint: please use the e-mail icon that appears under the post to send this message around. It's the one that looks liek a little envelope. Thanks!)

Tags: Connecticut, Christian, Darien

Connecticut Christian Events Calendar Takes Top Spot in Google Calendar Listings

Our Connecticut Christian Events Calendar, powered by Google, has quickly become one of the most visited "inside" pages on our website, second only to the Connecticut Church Map.

And now, thanks to Pray CT's regular readers and visitors, we are now listed first among all Google Calendars related to Connecticut. Thank-you, readers! This is a great milestone and shows the continuing growth and reach of the Christian community in our State.

(By the way, some of you are doubters and need proof on everything, so here you go...)


















Google Calendar is really taking off and for good reason; it's got lots of great features. You can use it in a limited way without a free Google account, but using it with an account is better. You can subscribe to different calendars (like Pray CT's) and even integrate them calendar with your own, personal calendar.

Keep telling your friends about our calendar, and thanks again for making it such a success.

Tags: Connecticut, Christian, Evangelical, Google, web2.0

Announcing Pray Connecticut's Book Contest: Win Top Christian Books

We've never run a contest or drawing before, but I've been spurred to do so this week by seeing Christianity Today's list of "The Top 50 Books that Have Shaped Evangelicals." The list makes for very interesting reading - and sure brings back a lot of memories! It's also going to make for plenty of arguments. Many of the entries are "no-brainers," but some lack "man in the street" appeal. For example, Understanding Church Growth, by Donald McGavran, is # 2 on the list because CT sought the opinion of American Evangelical leaders they were acquainted with when they created the list. But most Christians who are not clergy have never heard of the book.

But... I'd like to know what has helped and formed the faith of everyday believers. What books have, well, just really blessed you or inspired you? What are the books you go back to over and over again - your "desert island" books? I think this list would be more interesting than CT's list! Here's a chance to vote for your favorite - and also win a great book for free!

Here's how the contest will work:

Win A Great Christian Book In Time For Christmas - up to $25 value!

• Submit a list of the books which have had the most impact on your faith and your walk with the Lord. Books may be fiction, non-fiction, biographies, or devotionals. (Don't submit the Bible, reference works or prayer books such as The Book of Common Prayer.)
  
• The contest is open to anyone living in the USA or Canada.
  
• Entries must be e-mailed to us at info@prayct.org and will be accepted through the end of November 30, 2006.
• Because of our specific focus, books must be written by evangelical or charismatic authors.
• The books must have been written since 1950.
  
• Votes will be tallied and a list of the top 50 entries will be released and discussed on our blog during the first week of December.
• Seven happy people will be chosen at random to receive (free, shipping included!) a copy of any book which appears on the final list, up to a $25 value. If a person picks a book on the list which sells for more than $25, that person will receive an electronic gift certificate from Christianbook.com.
• The seven winners will also be given the opportunity if they desire to guest post on the Pray Connecticut blog during December about the books they voted for and the book they picked.
  

Voting starts right away, so get those entries in to us at info@prayct.org!

Tags: Connecticut, Christian, Christianity, Evangelical, Charismatic, Religion, God, Jesus, Bible, Theology, faith, Scripture, books, Church, prophecy

Walk For Life Fundraiser coming up October 21

Hopeline Pregnancy Resource Center is holding a "Walk for Life" fundraiser on Saturday, October 21st in three locations:

1) Walnut Hill Church Community Church in Bethel,

2) Calvary Evangelical Free Church in Trumbull, and

3) Harrybrooke Park, New Milford.


The object of the walk is to raise funds for the needs of Hopeline Medical Clinic and administrative needs. Walkers should register at the different sites beginning at 8:30am. The event will be held from 9am - 12 noon. We are asking for a minimum of 2 miles per walker.

Praise Report:
Hopeline has been given a grant by Focus on the Family to purchase an ultrasound machine for the new medical clinic which is in the process of opening in Danbury. Statistics show that women who view a picture of their baby through an ultrasound 90% of the time will change their mind as it relates to abortion.

Hopeline is believing God for many miracles in the upcoming years and many efforts are being poured into the medical clinic and other needs that women have.

For more information, please contact:

Linda J. Cochrane R.N., Executive Director
Hopeline Pregnancy Resource Center
1.203.207.4673
hopeline@sbcglobal.net
1.800.203.4673

Tags: Connecticut, Christian, prolife, abortion, Trumbull, Bethel, New Milford, Danbury

New survey on Pentecostals and Charismatics opens eyes

The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has released a very large survey on Pentecostal and charismatic groups in 10 different countires, including the U. S. Although the entire 233-page complete report may be tough sledding for some, anyone interested in the role of religion in American life will find the survey highly interesting.

Among the survey's findings: in the USA, some 23% of the population can be described as "renewalist," meaning they are either Pentecostal or charismatic. The survey addresses the beliefs of renewal Christians compared to other Christians and discusses religious trends in different countries.

To browse a summary of the report, click here.

Tags: Connecticut, Christian, Christianity, religion, pentecostal, charismatic, church, news, trends, politics

Pray Connecticut now an affiliate of ChristianBook.com!

Need a new Bible?

Just in time for Christmas, which will be here before you know it, our main site at www.prayct.org has been approved for an affiliate relationship with Christianbook.com, usually referred to in Christian circles as CBD.

What does this mean for users of our site? We can now sell Christian books, music, and videos through the Pray CT website! You can also search the entire CBD website right from Pray CT's homepage.

Worried about selection? CBD is the largest Christian products distributor in the world.

Check us out often as our online bookstore and music store begins to take shape over the next few months!

Tags: Connecticut, Christian, Evangelical

Prayer Request Update

Please continue to pray for Pastor Rick McKinniss of Wellspring Church in Kensington. Pastor Rick is making what is truly a miraculous recovery after suffering a 20-foot fall from a ladder. We give thanks to the Lord and our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Rick and his family.

Remembering Jonathan Edwards

Today is the birthday of Jonathan Edwards, often referred to as America's greatest theologian, and one of the greatest leaders of the Great Awakening of the 1740's. Born in Connecticut (the East Windsor Hill section of what is now South Windsor) in 1703, Edwards was a prodigious writer as well as an anointed preacher.

His most famous sermon, Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God, left hearers gripping the pews in terror for fear they should slip into Hell itself.

Edwards is also renowned for his famous tract on prayer and revival called A Humble Attempt. In this piece he sought to summon the Church throughout the world to concentrated intercession for a revival that would do no less than accomplish the final conversion of the heathen and usher in the Kingdom of God. The longer title of A Humble Attempt reveals Edwards's thinking:

A Humble Attempt to Promote the Agreement and Union of God's People Throughout the World in Extraordinary Prayer For a Revival Of Religion And The Advancement Of God's Kingdom On Earth, According To Scriptural Promises And Prophecies Of The Last Time.

United prayer would be the key to an outpouring of the Spirit. Edwards gave an example of how intercessory prayer had recently been used to accelerate the work of God - and I would not doubt that the "concert of prayer" he referred to greatly helped to advance the Gospel throughout the English-speaking nations of the world:

In October of 1744, a number of ministers in Scotland, considering the state of God's Church, and mankind in general, believed that God was calling those concerned for the welfare of the Church to unite in extraordinary prayer. They knew God was the Creator and source of all blessings and benefits in the Church so they earnestly prayed that He would appear in His glory, and strengthen the Church, and manifest His compassion to the world of mankind by an abundant outpouring of His Holy Spirit. They desired a true revival in all parts of Christendom, and to see nations delivered from their great and many calamities, and to bless them with the unspeakable benefits of the Kingdom of our glorious Redeemer, and to fill the whole earth with His glory.

These ministers consulted with one another on this subject and concluded that they were obliged to begin such prayer and attempt to persuade others to do the same. After seeking God for direction, they determined that for the next two years they would set apart some time on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings every week for prayer as one's other duties would allow. More importantly, it was decided that the first Tuesday of each quarter (beginning with the first Tuesday of November) would be time to be spent in prayer. People were to pray for either the entire day or part of the day, as they found themselves disposed, or as circumstances allowed. They would meet in either private prayer groups or in public meetings, whichever was found to be most convenient.

It was determined that none should make any promises or feel under strict obligation to observe every one of these days without fail; for these days were not holy or established by sacred authority. However, to prevent negligence, and the temptation to make excuses for trivial reasons, it was proposed that if those who resolve to pray cannot take part on the agreed upon day, they would use the next available day for the purpose of prayer.

The primary reason for this cooperation in prayer was to maintain, among the people of God, that necessity of prayer for the coming of Christ's Kingdom, which Christ directed his followers to do. We are, unfortunately, too little inclined to pray because of our laziness and immaturity, or because of the distraction of our own worldly, private affairs. We have prayed at times, but without special seasons for prayer, we are, likely, to neglect it either partially or totally. But when we set aside certain times for prayer, resolving to fulfill this commission unless extraordinarily hindered, we are less likely to neglect it.

We can certainly profit from this example. What would it accomplish in our day if New England - or perhaps even the entire English-speaking world - would unite in prayer once a quarter, and all ministers of Christ sowed their time into prayer for revival every week?

Let's pray that Christians will unite in prayer for a Heaven-sent revival that will once again, as Edwards said, bless the nations with the "unspeakable benefits of the Kingdom of our glorious Redeemer, and to fill the whole earth with His glory."

For more on Edwards, visit the Yale Edwards site here.

Tags: Connecticut, Christian, Christianity, Evangelical, Revival, Religion, Bible, Jesus, Prayer, Theology, God

Praying for the Upcoming Elections

We'll have more to say about Connecticut elections in the days to come, but please begin to pray now (if you haven't already) for the many other elections taking place, including the entire House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate.

A prayer guide calling America back to repentance and praying generally about the elections can be found at the 40 Days USA site. The site is sparse, but in addition to the prayer guide it contains some articles on prayer and an audio message by Derek Prince called "Fasting Precipitates God's Latter Rain."

Tags: Connecticut, Christian, Evangelical, News, Politics, Prayer

Special Prayer Request

Please remember in your prayers Pastor Rick McKinniss of Wellspring Church in Kensington, CT. Pastor Rick took a bad fall from a ladder on September 30 but, miraculously, only suffered four cracked vertebrae in his lower back. Rick is in the forefront of Connecticut's apostolic leadership and our prayers and wishes are for a speedy recovery.

God TV comes to America

Worldwide Christian television station God TV has come to the US and is broadcasting on DirectTV Channel 365. Many Connecticut residents don't have good access to good Christian programming and God TV could fill this gap for some. We'll give it a shot.

More good news: for those who don't have satellite TV, you can also watch God TV by going to http://www.god.tv/US/WatchNow/ and watching it streaming live on the Web via Windows Media Player. I have it on right now and it's good quality, 312K.

Tags: Connecticut, Christian

County-Wide Prayer Meetings for Connecticut coming up on October 29th

From the When Connecticut Prays website comes this announcement concerning local prayer meetings leading up to the Global Day of Prayer in 2007:

"When Connecticut Prays is calling for county-wide and city-wide prayer gatherings on Sunday night, October 29th. We are urging congregations to gather together on that strategic date for worship and in fervent intercession for their towns, regions and for the entire state.

"What makes this date strategic? First of all, it comes two days prior to Halloween, when occultists will gather in darkness across the state to invoke dark powers and release evil against the church and into our society. Our prayers and worship can confuse these circles of dark intent and frustrate their dark prayers.

"Secondly, this fifth Sunday of October comes just 9 days prior to the November elections. We are urging all believers to call upon God for righteous governance at the town, state and national levels. This is a critical election with great moral issues at stake. The balance of opinion on legalized abortion is shifting in our courts and here in Connecticut we are expecting another push by radical activists for same-sex marriage to become the law of our state. We need to pray.

"Thirdly, it is always a strategic time for God's people to call out for revival. We are hearing many reports of God being on the move in Connecticut--now is the time to cry, "More Lord!"

"As last year, we have no centralized plan or program to push. We are simply raising the call to revival prayer and unity in worship.

"Blessings, Rick McKinniss--Wellspring Church"

For a list of participating churches and locations, please visit When Connecticut Prays. You can also find this information and other Christian events in Connecticut on our Christian Events Calendar here.

Tags: Connecticut, Christian

Yale Law Student Sees Red

A very interesting piece in the Yale Daily News about a law student who produced a documentary about a strange and exotic creature - the evangelical Christian. Leah Belsky was raised in Connecticut in a secular Jewish family and set out to explore why Democrats had lost the 2004 election:

"I was one of many Democrats who was really frustrated and puzzled about why we lost, and we heard everyone talking about this idea of moral values," Belksy said.

This confusion led Belsky, [her co-producer Gerry] Corneau and two other like-minded friends to film their journey through some of the most religious, secular, conservative and liberal areas in the country in order to develop an accurate portrayal of the moral divide that they felt mainstream media was neglecting.

Along the way Belsky and Corneau encountered everything from Baptist megachurch pastors in Texas to "raging granny" peace activists in Vermont. They apparently learned in the process that not all born-again Christians have fangs - and Corneau actually became one.

Read it here.

Tags: Connecticut, Christianity, Yale

Washington's Farewell

Today is the anniversary of George Washington's farewell address in 1796. Back in the day, many schoolchildren studied this speech as one of the landmarks of early American history; today, there are but few educated adults who are even aware of its contents. The only people who ever seem to discuss it outside of academia are conservative Christians, and for good reason. Within this speech Washington chides those who would divorce our nation from its religious underpinnings.

The US was not founded as a sectarian nation. (Thus, there is no Church of the United States.) However, a cultural consensus existed that this was a Christian nation. Not in the theocratic sense, as today's leftists pretend to fear - as though American Christians today were the equivalent of the Taliban or the Iranians. But clearly our public life was founded on religious principles and no amount of historical varnish - or outright lies - can obscure that fact. From Washington's lips:

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.

In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity.

Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice?

And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government.

Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?

Washington's words are a rebuke to the modern trend - and the modern interest groups - who have been vigorously working for 50 years or more to destroy every vestige of Christian influence (or even morality itself) in our nation. According to Washington, no man could claim the label of patriot if he worked to overthrow religion or morality. But today, 210 years later, those who attack religion in public life are frequently lauded as the best kinds of patriots and guardians of the liberties of their fellow citizens. Nothing could be further from the truth, either in 1796 or today.

Pray for a return to a true understanding of the role of religion in the American system, and pray against deceit in this area.

Tags: Connecticut, Christianity, Religion, News, Politics

Tommie Zito returns to Westport

Evangelist Tommie Zito returns to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Westport in a series of meetings that will run from September 18th through September 23. There will be morning training meetings at 10am daily and worship meetings at 7pm each evening.

Call the church for additional info at (203) 227-7441.

Tags: Connecticut, Christian, Westport

Is Western Civilization doomed?

This story is a little too outside the usual focus of this blog, but amazing things are happening everywhere you look. Many people have become alarmed by the recent controversy over the Pope's remarks, and, as a consequence, we're actually seeing articles questioning whether Western Civilization can actually survive.

The conservative blog Jihad Watch has posted a list of ten reasons why the West cannot defeat jihad.

And for those on the other side of the aisle, liberal writer Sam Harris follows suit, saying that head-in-the-sand liberals are going to get us all killed:

At its most extreme, liberal denial has found expression in a growing subculture of conspiracy theorists who believe that the atrocities of 9/11 were orchestrated by our own government. A nationwide poll conducted by the Scripps Survey Research Center at Ohio University found that more than a third of Americans suspect that the federal government "assisted in the 9/11 terrorist attacks or took no action to stop them so the United States could go to war in the Middle East;" 16% believe that the twin towers collapsed not because fully-fueled passenger jets smashed into them but because agents of the Bush administration had secretly rigged them to explode.

Such an astonishing eruption of masochistic unreason could well mark the decline of liberalism, if not the decline of Western civilization. There are books, films and conferences organized around this phantasmagoria, and they offer an unusually clear view of the debilitating dogma that lurks at the heart of liberalism: Western power is utterly malevolent, while the powerless people of the Earth can be counted on to embrace reason and tolerance, if only given sufficient economic opportunities.

I don't know how many more engineers and architects need to blow themselves up, fly planes into buildings or saw the heads off of journalists before this fantasy will dissipate. The truth is that there is every reason to believe that a terrifying number of the world's Muslims now view all political and moral questions in terms of their affiliation with Islam. This leads them to rally to the cause of other Muslims no matter how sociopathic their behavior. This benighted religious solidarity may be the greatest problem facing civilization and yet it is regularly misconstrued, ignored or obfuscated by liberals.

Read these articles, and pray accordingly.

Tags: Connecticut, Christian, Islam

Moving On

Let's start an argument before we go to church in the morning.

Does anyone really care anymore when churches appoint ministers who are not heterosexual?

If it were a Southern Baptist church or an independent charismatic church they would. But when I read about a very famous UCC church in New Haven taking this step, I laugh and say, "So what? Who cares?"

Mark Tooley addresses the decline of this historic denomination:

The spiritual descendant of New England's old Puritans, the UCC can claim an historical and social pedigree equal to the Episcopal Church. Both denominations are well-heeled, well educated and disproportionately comprised of social and political elites. Both are also liberal-controlled and suffering steep membership decline.

Despite all of its welcoming and affirming, the UCC has lost one million members over the last 40 years, or over 40 percent of its original membership. Like the Episcopal Church, the UCC remains overwhelmingly a denomination of the white, upper-middle class. Minorities and working-class whites have not been ejected by the UCC but are not attracted to its brand of New England-style liberal Protestantism.

Last year's decision by the UCC to become the first major U.S. denomination formally to endorse same-sex "marriage" only contributed to the UCC's membership plunge. At least one hundred congregations have voted to leave the UCC just since 2005, as recorded by www.faithfulandwelcoming.org. The ultimate number probably will be several times that.

According to the UCC, dozens of "gay-friendly" congregations are seeking to affiliate with the UCC. But they are not likely to compensate for the annual loss of tens of thousands of members. In 2004 alone, the UCC lost over 30,000.

Of course a part of us laments these developments, but at a fundamental level we also don't care any more. We are moving on and becoming more busy doing what we were supposed to be doing all along.

Tags: Connecticut, Christianity, New Haven

More on Christian Liberals and Conservatives

Peter Wolfgang at Family Institute of Connecticut is keeping the conversation going with a serious look at living as witnesses rather than living as conservatives or liberals.

Of course, we'd like to be friends with more liberals but too many of them think we're icky at the moment. Note the applause the shock line from Rosie O'Donnell gets here:

Tags: Connecticut, Christian, Christianity, Liberal, Conservative, Democrat, Republican, Politics

Are we in a Great Awakening?

There are lots of hopeful signs, but... not many Christian leaders would say we're in one already. Maybe we're on the cusp.

You might have noticed that the very description of this blog says that we're praying and believing God for the next Great Awakening. Scholars disagree about whether this would be the Third, the Fourth, or maybe even the Fifth... but in any event one prominent American seems to think we're in one already: George W. Bush.

In an article that's sure to have the press freaking out, columnist Rich Lowry has blogged for us some excerpts of a conversation that he and some others had with the President on September 12. It's very revealing stuff:

Bush’s faith in the rightness of his strategy in the broader war is deep-seated — it is, indeed, a product of faith. “Freedom is universal,” Bush says. “And I recognize there’s a debate around the world about the kind of — whether that principle is real. I call it moral relativism, if people do not believe that certain people can be free. I mean, I just cannot subscribe to that. People — I know it upsets people when I ascribe that to my belief in an Almighty, and that I believe a gift from that Almighty is universal freedom. That’s what I believe.”

So it is somehow appropriate that a wide-ranging conversation on the war and the capacities of cultures to change swings around toward the end to the role of faith in our own culture. “Cultures do change,” Bush says. “Ideological struggles are won, but it takes time. It just takes time. You look back at the ‘50s, I don’t know how evident it was that — I guess there was — when you think about it, there was a pretty stark change in the culture of the ‘50s and the ‘60s. I mean, boom. But I think something is happening here.”

“I don’t know,” he continues, “I’m not giving you a definitive statement — it seems like to me there’s a Third Awakening with a cultural change. And it would be interesting to get your observations if that is accurate or not accurate. It feels like it. I’m just giving you a reference point, if this is something you’re interested in looking at. It feels like it to me. I don’t have people coming in the rope line saying, ‘I’d like a new bridge, or how about some more highway money.’ They’re coming to say, ‘I’m coming to tell you, Mr. President, I’m praying for you.’ It’s pretty remarkable.”

And so is the confidence of the man they are praying for — ever calm in the political storm all around him, ever certain that the difficult task he has set for himself and his country is right and will be a success.

For all the slams he takes about his intellect (M.B.A. and jet fighter pilot?) Mr. Bush seems to understand the concept of "Great Awakenings" and the important role they have played in American history. These great movements weren't in the same category as renewals like the Charismatic Renewal of the 60's, which did so much the energize the Church but whose impact on society wasn't nearly as great. Awakenings on the other hand bring about massive societal change as the entire moral sense of the populace is lifted.

Let's pray that the President is right, and that needed cultural change will come from Heaven - God is still a mightier resource than the ballot box or the courtroom!

Tags: Connecticut, Christian, Evangelical, Bible, Bush, News, Religion, Revival, Prayer

Praying About "Islamic Fascism"

There's been lots of controversy as to whether we should combine the terms "islamic" and "fascism." But many Christians are unaware of the historical backdrop and surprising connections between the Nazi movement and Islamic radicalism. The Intercessors for America ministry, one of the oldest prayer ministries, has come out with a chilling article tracing how these two movements found common cause through their anti-Semitism.

This is well worth reading, reflecting and praying about.

Tags: Connecticut, Christian, Evangelical, Islam

Prophetic Conference in Danbury this weekend with Sandie Freed

A Prophetic Conference entitled "Healing the Whole Person" will be held at the Ethan Allan Inn in Danbury this Saturday, September 16.

Speakers include: Sandie Freed, Dave and Linda Roeder, and Gale Sheehan.

For additional details and information on registration, please visit Higher Ground Ministries.

Tags: Connecticut, Christian, Evangelical, Danbury

Yeah, We Know.

From Britain comes a controversial survey indicating that the best environment to raise children arises from a primitive and nearly-forgotten family arrangement referred to in the report as marriage.

We were not sure what to make of this, but apparently this so-called "marriage" thing is good for society.

Unmarried parents are up to five times more likely to experience family breakdown, according to the survey of 15,000 families carried out for the social justice policy review group headed by Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader.

The findings will put intense pressure on David Cameron to offer voters a cast-iron guarantee that he will put marriage at the heart of Tory policies on the family.

Some of the Conservative leader's advisers want him to tone down the party's support for marriage because they fear the party risks alienating support from unmarried families.

But the study said that such a strategy was misguided. A statement from Mr Duncan Smith's policy review said: "By tacitly promoting cohabitation and undermining marriage, policy-makers are exposing more children to the perils of family breakdown, reflected in higher levels of crime, anti-social behaviour, education failure and mental and emotional disturbance."

For some reason, at least in Britain, although the empirical evidence seems to suggest that this "marriage" thing is good, there is apparently a lot of political wrangling about it. I can't imagine why. In any event, the supporters of "marriage" have also found out that it is more important even than money!

Mr Duncan Smith said that the study offered compelling evidence that marriage must be the basis of Government policy to tackle family breakdown.

"This is a serious study and will help the policy group establish the causes of the UK's very high levels of family breakdown," he said. "What is particularly interesting is the way the report shows that the Government's assumption that children's outcomes are solely dictated by socio-economic factors is wrong.

"The structure within which they grow up and are nurtured is vital to their well-being.

"The Government's corresponding attempt to airbrush out references to marriage from family research is a form of censorship."

Read story here.

If we could get some kind of movement going in Connecticut to promote these "marriages" they want to have in Britain I think it would have a good effect on our society, too!

Tags: Christian, Connecticut, Evangelical, Marriage, Family, Politics

Pray Connecticut Site Back Online With New Web Address

Our website is back online. Thanks for your patience!

You can now also reach us by using the domain www.prayct.com. The previous address of www.prayct.org will still work, but I'll begin to disfavor it.

For the most part, it's still true that most people don't care for the .org domains.

We've also cleaned up the directories so you won't see any more annoying addresses like:

www.prayct.org/prayct/connecticut_christian_events_calendar.htm

A typical address will now be a more normal-looking:

www.prayct.org/connecticut_christian_events_calendar.htm.

Tags: Connecticut, Christian, Evangelical

Site Maintenance Coming Up

We're going into a little bit of site maintenance at our web site but should be back up by Tuesday morning. I hope this will help us with a number of issues, including some expanded bookstore options. As always, thanks for your support!

Praying for the Youth of New Haven

What's the answer for the youth of New Haven? Pastor Todd Foster of Church On The Rock is combining prayer with action. He supports the controversial proposed curfew but has big plans to attack the roots of violence.

Read this piece on Church On The Rock's efforts and if you are in the New Haven area, see what you can do to reach out and help.

You can also read Pastor Todd's blog for New Haven area clergy, called New Haven 828.

Tags: Connecticut, New Haven, Christian

Is Pray Connecticut a conservative blog?

Just kidding, Mr. President. Voted for you twice!

(You can find anything on Flickr.)

By the way, did you know he is the only President ever born in the Land of Steady Habits? In New Haven, no less! The State's center of conservative activism!

I bet that drives them nuts. You never hear them talking about it or giving him the key to the city or stuff like that, right?

Anyway, is this a conservative blog?


That's a fair question and I'm not entirely sure how to answer it other than to say that it depends on whom you ask.

Our friends at Connecticut In The Crosshairs, which is the blog of the Family Institute of Connecticut, mentioned us today in an article called Connecticut's Conservative Blogosphere. I'm truly grateful for the guys at FIC for mentioning us there, but I'm not really sure that we can be put into a political box.

Obviously we have a generally conservative tone but if we really are an important forum for the state's Evangelical Christians (as we were generously described) we need to be conservative where the Gospel calls us to be conservative and liberal where the Gospel calls us to be. That's too subjective for many - even naive - but at its heart this isn't really a political blog. (I'm using tags today that I've never used before!)

If you've read us for any length of time then you know that I stand with the FIC on pro-life and related issues, obviously. I pray for the success of their efforts to repair the breaches in our state's families. Their work against the destruction of marriage has been outstanding.

However, linking to Margot Adler as I did yesterday could get me kicked off some mailing lists. (*chuckle*)

In any event, it's an honor to be named alongside fine conservative bloggers. May their readership increase.

Tags: Connecticut, Bush, New Haven, Christian, Evangelical, Conservative, Liberal, Republican, Democrat, Politics

How far is it from New Canaan to Bridgeport?

It's only 11 exits on the Merritt, give or take, but a lot farther in real life.

NPR gives us a little bit of contrast between those two places today in a feature with audio.

"Perhaps if the skin color were a little different, and more reflective of Fairfield County, some of the issues would be addressed I believe much differently," says Anthony Bennett, senior pastor at Mount Aery Baptist Church.

Bennett is an outspoken advocate for the city's working poor. Given the challenges facing Bridgeport, Bennett sees activism as more important than prayer right now.

"Perhaps the perception is that we are talking about praising the Lord and going to heaven," he says. "No! God will take care of the sweet by-and-by -- we want to help in the nasty now-and-now."

Tags: Christian, Connecticut, Bridgeport, New Canaan

The State Income Tax is killing us

You may recall that I took a brief excursion into politics recently to rant about taxes and the State budget. (Read: "Why Can't People in Connecticut Get Ahead?")

The news this past week seemed to support my rant, as the Yankee Institute released an incredibly sour and, frankly, depressing report about Connecticut's economy and what a train wreck the income tax has truly been.

Here's the executive summary of the report, which you can read here:

Supporters hailed the income tax as a powerful mechanism to fix the state’s fiscal condition and -- because it allowed minor cuts in other taxes -- jumpstart the Connecticut economy. But a decade and a half after its passage, it is now clear that the income tax has failed. The income tax has not been an effective fiscal tool:

* when the state entered another recession at the turn of the century, budget deficits returned, as did tax hikes, heavy borrowing, and the complete withdrawal of Connecticut’s “rainy day fund”

* Connecticut’s state tax burden continued to rise significantly after 1991, and tax hikes as well as entirely new levies were adopted

* revenue from the income tax did not lead to property-tax relief -- between 1991 and 2003, Connecticut property-tax collections rose 19.8 percent

* the “spending cap” enacted to control state expenditures was riddled with loopholes, and has been violated again and again by governors and lawmakers

* contrary to the claims of many income-tax supporters, not one of the nation’s non-income tax states followed Connecticut’s lead Neither has the income tax spurred economic growth:

* Connecticut job growth has been nonexistent since 1991 -- the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation reports that since the early 1990s, “no other state … has had such stagnation in employment”

* personal-income growth slowed significantly in the Nutmeg State in the post-1991 era

* median household income in Connecticut has fallen, in inflation-adjusted terms, since 1991 -- nationally, median household income has grown

* Connecticut lost over 240,000 native-born citizens between 1990 and 2002, and in the 1990s, no state lost a greater percentage of its 18-to-34-year-olds

It’s time to admit that Connecticut’s income tax was a major policy blunder. The state should consider shifting to a sales tax on all retail transactions (with a generous rebate program for low-income households). Doing so would likely produce a more reliable revenue stream, as well as eliminate the income tax’s strong disincentives to work and invest.

You may not agree with the Yankee Institute's proposed remedy, but I still find it astonishing that Connecticut residents give so little attention to this problem.

What does it say about our State that during the decade of the 90's, no State lost a greater percentage of its 18-to-34-year olds?

Grassroots pressure kept Connecticut from passing an income tax for so many years - it may be time for a new campaign to roll it back.

Tags: Connecticut, News, Politics, Taxes, economy

Connecticut Collecting Supplies for Hurricane Victims

Beginning this week, the State of Connecticut will be collecting healthcare supplies to help schools in Louisiana replenish supplies used in school nurses' offices and school-based clinics. From the Governor's press release:

The list of supplies needed by school nurses include the following: new, unopened boxes of band-aids (assorted sizes); calamine lotion; cotton balls; dental floss; flashlights and batteries; gauze and gauze rollers; Kleenex; gloves; Q-tips; liquid soap in a pump; adhesive tape; thermometers; tongue depressors; and tweezers.

“Tuesday marks the first anniversary of the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina. The images we have seen on television and newspapers remind us that the Gulf States, especially Louisiana and Mississippi, are long way from full recovery and are still rebuilding. Connecticut again stands ready to help in anyway we can,” Governor Rell said.

Governor Rell spoke with Governor Kathleen Blanco of Louisiana last week in anticipation of the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Noting how generous the people of Connecticut were last year to the relief effort, Governor Rell asked Governor Blanco how the people and businesses of Connecticut could help this year. Governor Blanco said that with the start of the school year, school nurses’ offices need to be restocked after their respective schools were decimated by the hurricane.

Governor Rell’s staff has also contacted the office of Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour to make the same offer regarding donated supplies for school nurses’ offices.

"The relief effort demonstrated by our state last year in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina showed how compassionate and generous the people and businesses of Connecticut can be in times of need. I was deeply touched by the citizens’ response. Now, as children head back to school in Louisiana and Mississippi, one way we can continue to help is by making sure school nurses have everything they need to deliver appropriate care to students on a daily basis,” Governor Rell said.

The following Connecticut National Guard armories have been designated for drop-off sites for the recommended supplies: State Armory in Hartford at 360 Broad Street in Hartford; New Haven Armory at 290 Goffe Street in New Haven; New London Armory at 249 Bayonet Street; Norwich Armory at 38 Stott Avenue in Norwich; Stratford Armory at 63 Armory Road in Stratford; and the Waterbury Armory at 64 Field Street in Waterbury.

The armories will be collecting the school health-care related supplies starting Thursday, August 31 through Friday, September 8. The armories will be closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday over Labor Day weekend. The armories will be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Please help if you can and please continue to pray for all those who continue to be affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Tags: Connecticut, Rell, Louisiana, New London, Norwich, Waterbury, Hartford, Stratford, New Haven

The "Connecticut Six" respond to Federal court decision

The Connecticut Six, a group of Episcopal parishes and their vestries (officers) has replied to the recent Federal Court decision dismissing their case against the Episcopal Bishop of Connecticut. Here are excerpts:

The Episcopal parishes and their lay leaders known as the Connecticut Six today expressed dismay over diocesan Bishop Andrew Smith's most recent mischaracterization of their pending federal lawsuit. In a press release discussing the opinion of a federal judge, Bishop Smith suggests that the lawsuit has ended, but this a misrepresentation of facts.

Significantly, the court determined only that the lawsuit lacked federal jurisdiction and pointedly left the parishes and the individual plaintiffs free to pursue state law claims in the Connecticut courts, without prejudice. Furthermore, Bishop Smith failed to acknowledge that his own motion for summary, final judgment was denied by the federal court in the process, thus leaving the basic charges against the bishop and the diocesan defendants unresolved....

The lawsuit charged that Bishop Smith had also seized investment funds from Bishop Seabury Church, Christ Church, and Christ & The Epiphany Church; converting this property to his own use and defying repeated demands by the parish vestries for the release of their assets. These assets of more than $350,000 were eventually returned to the congregations long after the suit was filed.

Accordingly, the Connecticut state courts are also now free to determine whether Bishop Smith and the remaining diocesan defendants will be required to pay triple damages and punitive, as well as compensatory, damages for claimed "violation of Connecticut's prejudgment remedy statutes, trespass, theft, conversion and breach of fiduciary duty," specifically identified by the federal court....

Bishop Smith has repeatedly refused to accept the effort of the Archbishop of Canterbury's Panel of Reference to effect reconciliation.

That tribunal has returned the applications of the parishes to the Archbishop of Canterbury, thus leaving the parties to their civil law remedies.

Accordingly, at this point the parishes will carefully consider the federal court's comprehensive opinion before pursuing their state court and federal appellate remedies.

You can read the entire press release at Virtue Online.

Tags: Connecticut, Darien, Groton, Watertown, Bristol, East Haven, Christian, Christianity, Anglican, Episcopal, Connecticut Six

Megachurches in Connecticut

The Danbury News-Times carried a large and positive feature story today on megachurches in Connecticut, spotlighting two large and well-known Western Connecticut churches: Faith Church in New Milford, and Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel.

From the article:

The growth of such megachurches here reflects a regional trend in the blue states of the Northeast. More than 70 of these massive structures -- scrapping hymnals and organs in favor of multimedia shows and jam sessions -- are based in this part of the country.

That's twice as many as in 2000, and 6 percent of the national total, according to a study by Hartford Seminary and the Dallas-based Leadership Institute. It's also a higher growth rate than what's been seen in the West, though not as high as in the South. Both Faith and Walnut Hill say their membership figures have increased by about 400 in the past year -- that's 400 in each church.

Read the whole thing.

Tags: Connecticut, Christian, Christianity, New Milford, Bethel

One Heart Festival in Danbury tomorrow

A nice write-up in the Danbury News-Times for this year's One Heart Festival, billed as Connecticut's longest-running Christian music festival. It's always a pleasure to see Christian music portrayed in a positive light in our large newspapers!

There may still be some seating available for this event at the Ives Concert Center featuring Salvador, The Afters, and Vicky Beeching.

For ticket information, you can call Rock the Sound at (877) 261-ROCK (7625).

Tags: Connecticut, Christian, Danbury, Music

"Connecticut Six" Federal case dismissed

Federal Court District Judge Janet Bond Arterton has dismissed the lawsuit filed by the so-called Connecticut Six against the Episcopal Bishop of Connecticut, the Andrew D. Smith.

The Courant summarizes:

The lawsuit, filed in 2005, claimed that Smith had violated the civil and property rights of the six priests and the churches they led, which had sought to break away from Smith's authority because of his support for the election of an openly gay bishop.

It also claimed that Smith acted illegally when the diocese seized control of St. John's Episcopal Church in Bristol in July 2005 after its priest, the Rev. Mark Hansen, was stripped of his duties by Smith. Six months later, Smith removed Hansen from the priesthood.

"Whether Bishop Smith acted contrary to or outside of the Diocese's own rules is a question of canon law, not a question of constitutionality of the challenged Connecticut statutes," Arterton wrote in Monday's ruling. "A declaration of unconstitutionality by the court would not redress the plaintiffs' actual grievances or their theological disputes with" Smith.

In essence, the Judge ruled that the Federal Court could not hear matters related to church canon law. The priests still can pursue their claims in Connecticut State Court.

A complete copy of the opinion can be seen here.

Please continue to pray for all those who are struggling to stand for biblical truth in historic denominations.

Tags: Connecticut, Darien, Groton, Watertown, Bristol, East Haven, Christian, Christianity, Anglican, Episcopal, Connecticut Six

5 great Bible study resources - all free!

There's a surprising amount of high-quality Bible study material and helps available online nowadays, and with just a little effort your library can exceed what once would have required literally yards of bookshelf space. Let's look at five of these, each one of which has its own unique flavor.


















eBible.com
Christians haven't ignored society's increased reliance on the Web, and are also taking note of the "Web 2.0" phenomenon, where web applications can replace, or nearly replace desktop software. A new entry in the online bible study field, eBible.com, consciously takes a Web 2.0 approach by allowing you tag verse and save bookmarks. Several different Bible versions are available and they seem to be adding features. Note: this is a beta release.

Crosswalk.com
This site boasts an impressive number of Bible resources and free commentaries, and also hosts a lot of articles, audio resources, pastoral and worship resources, etc. Visually, this site is a litle cluttered, but I can excuse that because they are packing so much into it. It's a great place to poke around.

Bible.org
Those who want to do a little more theological digging should try out Bible.org. This site also seems to be growing by leaps and bounds, probably capitalizing off the interest in their NET Bible translation. If you want to read a deep, exegetical commentary on the Book of Nahum, this is the place for you! Another bonus: the organization not only enables you to freely download their translation, but to use it without fear of copyright infringement.

Blue Letter Bible
I've had this one bookmarked for a long time - and for good reason! It has some great features, including easy phrase searches. If you still rely on Strong's Concordance, you'll find it a joy to be able to search phrases like "Kingdom of God" without going blind in the process. Lots of study tools round out the picture, including audio and video from preachers past and present such as J. Vernon McGee, Ray Stedman, and many of the well-known Calvary Chapel pastors.

E-Sword
This last one is a real gem - the most powerful free Bible software you are likely to find in the English language. This is not a website, but a free software download for Windows and Pocket PC. Developer Rick Meyers believes in "freely you have received, freely give," and he demonstrated it here. He compares E-Sword to $500 packages that the typical layperson finds inaccessible - and he's not bragging. A number of additional "modules" can be downloaded to add extra dictionaries, concordances, and other well-known works. There are powerful note-taking features and basic word processing for your own writing. A fuller feature list is available here.

Whether you're looking for a good daily devotional or are up to your elbows in serious study, even sermon preparation, these free resources will prove to be a great blessing.

Tags: Connecticut, Christian, Christianity, Bible, Theology

God's Airtime

Because of "wars and rumors of wars," there's a nervous, quasi-religious mood on the airwaves this month. It seems to be creating a lot of opportunities for Biblical truths to be taken more seriously and put out before a wider audience:

A much-circulated, much-discussed article by Professor Bernard Lewis of Princeton explores the possibility that Iran has something apocalyptic up its sleeve for August 22 (this coming Tuesday).

Former Palestinian terrorist Walid Shoebat has been very visible on television talking about how he came out of the jihadist mentality.

Two programs of interest tonight on television (Sunday, August 20):

"Purpose Driven Life: Can Rick Warren Change the World?"
Fox News Channel, 8:00 Eastern

"The Exodus Decoded"
History Channel, 8:00 Eastern

I admit, I've been suckered many times by this type of show. The producers actually believe in the Exodus, and place it at a very early date. Of course, there is a naturalistic explanation in that they tie it to a volcanic eruption that occurred at that time. They'll report, you'll decide. You can watch a preview video here.

Tags: News, Iran, Christianity, Bible, Christian, Terrorism