Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.
In today's edition:
- Publisher Thomas Nelson Pulls David Barton's Controversial Book on Thomas Jefferson's Faith
- Canadian Man Sues to Stop 'Anguish' of Lord's Prayer
- More Than 60 Christian Leaders Sign Letter Extending Support to Chick-fil-A
- Poll: 13 Percent Support Chick-fil-A Boycott, 31 Percent Plan to 'Eat Mor Chikin'
Publisher Thomas Nelson Pulls David Barton's Controversial Book on Thomas Jefferson's Faith
The Thomas Nelson publishing company has decided to cease publication and distribution of David Barton's controversial book The Jefferson Lies: Exposing the Myths You've Always Believed About Thomas Jefferson, saying it has "lost confidence in the book's details," WORLD Magazine reports. Casey Francis Harrell, Thomas Nelson's director of corporate communications, said the publishing house "was contacted by a number of people expressing concerns about [The Jefferson Lies]." In the course of evaluating the criticisms, Thomas Nelson "learned that there were some historical details included in the book that were not adequately supported," Harrell said. "Because of these deficiencies we decided that it was in the best interest of our readers to stop the publication and distribution." The book no longer appears in searches on Thomas Nelson's website.
Canadian Man Sues to Stop 'Anguish' of Lord's Prayer
A Canadian man is suing his local government to stop the recitation of the Lord's Prayer before council meetings, claiming the practice causes him "anguish, discrimination, exclusion, rejection and loss of enjoyment of life," the Religion News Service reports. Peter Ferguson, a nonbeliever from Ontario who says the prayer breaches his constitutional rights, is also seeking $5,000 in damages. "My distress from this discrimination, exclusion and rejection have reduced my ability to enjoy living and participating in a democratic country and in municipal affairs," he said. "This has nothing to do with my personal beliefs. I care about the law. I care about being fair." He added that he had been trying for over a year to persuade his local government to stop turning council meetings into a "Christian zone." A local spokesman said the council hoped to avoid a legal battle and would try to make a decision "that is reasonable but also respectful of Grey County's heritage, and also respectful of cost to the taxpayer."
More Than 60 Christian Leaders Sign Letter Extending Support to Chick-fil-A
More than 60 leaders of Christian and pro-family organizations signed a letter extending their support to Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy and his biblical position on family, the Christian Post reports. "We represent some of the largest policy and faith-based organizations in the country, and we are encouraging our members to 'Eat Mor Chikin,'" states the letter, signed August 6 by leaders including Mathew Staver of Liberty Counsel, Tom McClusky of Family Research Council Action, the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez of the Hispanic Evangelical Association and Dr. Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. "As you are likely aware, biblical values and companies that support them are under attack," the letter went on to say. "It is incredibly important for successful men like you, representing a national brand, to unapologetically stand for God's truth as revealed in the Scriptures. The example of Chick-fil-A and your leadership has encouraged many. We hope and pray that you receive the blessings of the Lord for your faithfulness. You and Chick-fil-A are in our thoughts and prayers."
Poll: 13 Percent Support Chick-fil-A Boycott, 31 Percent Plan to 'Eat Mor Chikin'
A Rasmussen Reports poll shows that 13 percent of likely voters support a boycott of Chick-fil-A after the company's president expressed support for traditional marriage, while 31 percent of likely voters said they would participate in the counter-boycott by eating more often at Chick-fil-A, the Christian Post reports. Sixty-one percent have a favorable view of Chick-fil-A, including 40 percent who are "very favorable," while 31 percent hold an unfavorable view, including 14 percent who are "very unfavorable." Eighty-four percent of conservatives and 58 percent of moderates view the chain favorably, while 63 percent of liberals view it unfavorably. Fifty-five percent of Republican voters said they planned to eat at Chick-fil-A more often, while 21 percent of Democrats plan to boycott the restaurant.
Publication date: August 10, 2012
