Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.
In today's edition:
- Nigeria: At Least 30 Dead in Suicide Bombing at Kaduna Church
- Jamie Foxx Calls Barack Obama 'Our Lord and Savior'
- CDC: U.S. Abortion Rate has Fallen
- Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak Stepping Down
Nigeria: At Least 30 Dead in Suicide Bombing at Kaduna Church
Suicide bombers attacked a church inside a military barracks in Kaduna state in northern Nigeria, killing at least 30 people and injuring at least 45 others. According to ASSIST News, a military spokesman said two vehicles were driven into the barracks in Jaji in what he described as "surprising and an embarrassment." A bus entered the barracks and was driven into the wall of the church, where it exploded. Ten minutes later, a car blew up outside the church. "The first blast caused no casualties, and curious worshipers gathered around the scene looking at the debris ... and that was when the second blast happened," the spokesman said. It is not clear who is responsible for the attack, but the army suspects the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, which has recently targeted churches in the state. The group is fighting to overthrow the government and impose a strict form of sharia, or Islamic law.
Jamie Foxx Calls Barack Obama 'Our Lord and Savior'
Appearing on Sunday night's Soul Train awards in Las Vegas, Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx called Barack Obama "our lord and savior," Examiner.com reports. "It's like church over here," he said. "It's like church in here. First of all, give an honor to God and our lord and savior Barack Obama. Barack Obama." Examiner notes that since the 2008 election, several have attempted to deify Obama. In November 2010, Newsweek declared him "god of all things" on its cover, and first lady Michelle Obama once said of her husband, "This president has brought us out of the dark and into the light." During the 2012 Democratic National Convention, a poster was sold that called Obama "prophesy fulfilled," and a calendar at the event appeared to compare Obama to Jesus. Most recently, a book written by Florida A&M professor Barbara A. Taylor called Obama an "apostle" sent by God to create a political heaven on earth.
CDC: U.S. Abortion Rate has Fallen
U.S. abortions fell 5 percent in 2009, the biggest one-year decrease in at least a decade, according to a report from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Nov. 21. While the exact reasons for the decline are difficult to pinpoint, an Associated Press report attributed it to more people using contraceptives and more women being careful because they could not afford to get pregnant in the economic recession. However, the AP report didn't mention other factors, such as the undeniable growth of the pro-life movement and pro-life groups and the growth of pregnancy resource centers across the country. Participation in Students for Life has doubled in the past five years, while 40 Days for Life now promotes prayer vigils in 400 cities, and Care Net has doubled the number of its affiliated crisis pregnancy centers to 1,100 in the past decade. The media has also failed to mention recent polls that found public opinion of abortion changing, with a majority of Americans identifying themselves as pro-life and only a little more than 40 percent being pro-abortion.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak Stepping Down
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak abruptly announced Monday that he was leaving politics and would not run in parliamentary elections in January, the Washington Post reports. Barak, who said he would stay in office until a new government is formed after the election, said he felt he had "exhausted my involvement in politics." Barak has held a number of government positions over the years, including prime minister in 1999, when he beat current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu said he respected Barak's decision and very much appreciated his contribution over many years to Israel's security.
Publication date: November 27, 2012
