Theresa Davies

A Christian woman, Theresa Davies, who has worked at a Registrar's office in England for 18 years, was wrongfully demoted for refusing to perform gay weddings, as it goes against her religion.

She should not have been demoted, as people of other religions gain exemptions in other such cases of conflict. I commend her stance.

Registrar demoted to receptionist because she refused to marry gay couples

Last updated at 9:52 PM on 20th June 2009 - Theresa Davies refused to marry gay couples and was demoted to the post of receptionist

A Christian registrar was demoted to receptionist because she refuses to preside over gay ‘marriages’ – and last night claimed she is facing dismissal.

Theresa Davies, 58, said she is being forced out of the £26,000-a-year job she loves because of her religious objections to same-sex civil partnerships.

The case parallels that of 48-year-old Lillian Ladele, the registrar who won a similar battle last year against Miss Davies’s employers – Islington Council in North London.

Miss Davies has worked for the council for 18 years and was a friend and colleague of Miss Ladele in the same department.

She will send a strongly worded letter to all members of the House of Lords tomorrow, highlighting her plight and complaining of a ‘militant political-sexual libertarian lobby’ at the council.

Miss Davies told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Britain is supposed to be a nation that respects freedom of conscience. But my conscience is not being respected. If Islington Council believes in dignity for all, why can’t my beliefs be accommodated and why is my dignity not being respected?

‘I have nothing against homosexuals. My colleagues in the office will tell you that – and
the openly gay ones have no problem with me. All I am asking is that the system can be arranged so I do not have to perform civil partnerships.’

At one point Miss Davies, who is not married, rose to deputy superintendent registrar – third in the hierarchy in the 16-strong department – although she then chose to return to the role of deputy registrar...

 With the backing of the Christian Legal Centre, Miss Davies is now launching a grievance procedure against the council, arguing that she has been the victim of discrimination on the grounds of her religious beliefs.

She said: ‘Doctors can opt out of performing abortions on conscience grounds so why can’t I opt out of civil partnerships?’

When the Government introduced new laws to criminalise the stirring up of hatred against gays and lesbians last year, Lord Waddington forced through an amendment to safeguard people’s rights to make reasonable comments about homosexuals. But the Government is now trying to remove this amendment...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk

Ancient Holy Land quarry uncovered, team says

Sun Jun 21, 2009 3:15pm EDT - JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli archaeologists said on Sunday they had discovered the largest underground quarry in the Holy Land, dating back to the time of Jesus and containing Christian symbols etched into the walls.

The 4,000-square-meter (yard) cavern, buried 10 meters beneath the desert near the ancient West Bank city of Jericho, was dug about 2,000 years ago and was in use for about half a millennium, archaeologist Adam Zertal said.

The cave's main hall, about three meters tall, is supported by some 20 stone pillars and has a variety of symbols etched into the walls, including crosses dating back to about AD 350 and Roman legionary emblems...

http://www.reuters.com

Gay Marriage Initiatives Defeated

This month, attempts at legalizing gay marriage were defeated in the American states of California, Nevada and New Hampshire.

It is not that one intends to be cruel to gays with these initiatives, but based on religious reasons, I will never support gay marriage and many others share my view.

I shall not go on a witch hunt, nor will I attempt to destroy or harass gays, as many homosexuals in Hollywood routinely do to innocent heterosexual Christians, who vote and voice our opinions according to our faith.

Gays in Hollywood, using their press connections, are pushing the most for gay marriage on a national level. They use their industry connects and money, sometimes even resorting to threats, in an attempt to force the legalization of gay marriage.

Quite a few gays have gone to terrible extremes, including issuing death threats and harming others, which screams incivility and unkindness.

Christians must peacefully and legally stand up for the faith in the face of these attacks.

Couple: County Trying To Stop Home Bible Studies

POSTED: 5:31 pm PDT May 25, 2009 UPDATED: 7:43 am PDT May 28, 2009

SAN DIEGO -- A local pastor and his wife claim they were interrogated by a San Diego County official, who then threatened them with escalating fines if they continued to hold bible studies in their home, 10News reported.

Attorney Dean Broyles of The Western Center For Law & Policy was shocked with what happened to the pastor and his wife.

Broyles said, "The county asked, 'Do you have a regular meeting in your home?' She said, 'Yes.' 'Do you say amen?' 'Yes.' 'Do you pray?' 'Yes.' 'Do you say praise the Lord?' 'Yes.'"

The county employee notified the couple that the small bible study, with an average of 15 people attending, was in violation of county regulations, according to Broyles.

Broyles said a few days later the couple received a written warning that listed "unlawful use of land" and told them to "stop religious assembly or apply for a major use permit" -- a process that could cost tens of thousands of dollars...

News of the case has rapidly spread across Internet blogs and has spurred various reactions.

Broyles said his clients have asked to stay anonymous until they give the county a demand letter that states by enforcing this regulation the county is violating their First Amendment right to freely exercise their religion.

Broyles also said this case has broader implications.

"If the county thinks they can shut down groups of 10 or 15 Christians meeting in a home, what about people who meet regularly at home for poker night? What about people who meet for Tupperware parties? What about people who are meeting to watch baseball games on a regular basis and support the Chargers?" said Broyles.

Broyles and his clients plant to give the county their demand letter this week.

If the county refuses to release the pastor and his wife from obtaining the permit, they will consider a lawsuit in federal court.

http://www.10news.com

Carrie Prejean Does Pro-Heterosexual Marriage Ad

April 30. 2009

This is a follow up to last month's article Christians Remain Committed To The Faith, where I wrote about the inaccuracy of a poll on religion in America, as it had not included illegal immigrants living in the country.

Two weeks later, the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders revealed 3,400,000 of their church worshippers are undocumented immigrants living in the United States.

There are millions more at other churches all across America, who've welcomed immigrants of all ethnicities and nationalities. They are all people too.

Most illegal immigrants do not speak to the Census Bureau for fear of being deported and as a result are not counted. 

Once again, Christianity's numbers have gone up, not down.