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The final showdown on health care reform legislation in set for Sunday when the House votes on the measure.

Catholic bishops have traditionally trumpeted the cause of expanded health care as part of the biblical mandate to help the poor. But Catholic leadership’s opposition to the current health care reform legislation over abortion language signals an about face and would be a key reason if the bill is defeated.

Despite the slow economic recovery and continued high unemployment, Americans set a record for generosity in giving to the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle campaign at Christmastime. Bell ringers and private donations hauled in $139 million in 2009, a seven percent jump from the year before. "America is an incredibly generous nation and philanthropy is alive and well, despite the current economic conditions impacting so many," said Commissioner Israel L. Gaither, national commander of The Salvation Army.

Texas pastor’s daughter Lacey Brown was the first to exit the Top 12 on “American Idol” on Wednesday night. It was the second straight year Brown had been cut from an advanced stage of the competition.

The Boy Scouts of America has long kept an extensive archive of secret documents that chronicle the sexual abuse of young boys by Scout leaders over the years. The "perversion files," a nickname the Boy Scouts are said to have used for the documents, have rarely been seen by the public, but that could all change in the coming weeks in an Oregon courtroom.

Fess Parker, who played legends Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone on television, died Thursday. He was 85.

The madness has begun. Upsets of Georgetown and Vanderbilt were the to headlines from an action-packed first day of the NCAA Tournament.

Sanctus Real (http://www.everydaychristian.com/blogs/post/6554/) is the real deal and a must-listen for Christian music fans.

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Mark Driscoll, James MacDonald raise funds for Haiti churches

Two of the country’s most well-known evangelical pastors have created a group to help churches rebuild in the wake of disasters. Mark Driscoll of Seattle’s Mars Hill Church and James MacDonald of Chicago’s Harvest Bible Chapel … Read more

Latest Blogs

Nigeria violence should be a concern

Ask most Americans what the United States’ top international focuses are and Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan are likely answers. While recent Iraqi elections and U.S. troops pushing into Taliban strongholds in Afghanistan, those responses are understandable. … Read more

Health care vote nears, what is our response?

On December 23, 1776, Thomas Paine wrote “The Crisis” which famously begins: “These are the times that try men's souls.” What most people don’t recall is the profound stuff that follows: “The summer soldier and the … Read more

John Day, Oregon residents resist Aryan Nation group

Small towns are unassuming, off-the-beaten path places, perfect for raising kids or raising Cain, depending on your motives. Unfortunately for one Nazi group, the citizens of tiny John Day, Oregon, aren’t going to take this Aryan … Read more

Two large quakes shake Chile, Indonesia

A 6.6 magnitude aftershock shook Chile earlier today, sending people in the streets and forcing hospital evacuations. The quake was the largest since last Saturday’s 8.8 magnitude quake severely damaged the city of Concepcion. Doctors at … Read more

Secretary Clinton encourages Brazilians to legalize abortion

This past Wednesday in an interview with Brazil’s Globo Network in Sao Paulo, Secretary Hillary Clinton encouraged Brazilians to consider legalizing abortions. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, she has always been a pro-choice … Read more

Latest News

Salvation Army saw significant 2009 jump in red kettle giving

Despite the slow economic recovery and continued high unemployment, Americans set a record for generosity in giving to the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle campaign at Christmastime. Bell ringers and private donations hauled in $139 million in 2009, a seven percent jump from the year before. “America is an incredibly generous nation and philanthropy is alive and well, despite the current economic conditions impacting so many,” said Commissioner Israel L. Gaither, national commander of The Salvation Army.

Key German church leader urges sexual abuse victims to speak out

A prominent archbishop called Thursday for justice for sexual-abuse victims in Germany’s Roman Catholic Church, saying they need to feel that they can finally speak openly about their suffering. Reinhard Marx, the archbishop of Munich and Freising, said Catholic bishops in the southern German state of Bavaria—the homeland of Pope Benedict XVI—felt “deep consternation and shame” over the reports in past weeks of abuse of children in church-run schools and institutions.

Abortion rhetoric heats up as health care reform vote looms Sunday

Health care reform legislation is likely to be voted on Sunday in the House, setting up the end game of a yearlong back-and-forth over the measure. Pro-life groups are stepping up the pressure on fence-sitting Democrats whose votes are necessary to move the bill toward passage.

Opinion: Compassion for poor lost in health care reform abortion debate

Tenessee church chronicles Haiti adoptions in quake aftermath

A Tennessee church with a long-standing relationship with a Haitian orphanage chronicled their efforts in the aftermath of the Jan. 12 earthquake to serve the orphanage and to bring to the United States children who were slated for adoption. Adoptive families are still trying to gauge the memories and feelings their children brought with them.

Pope issues apology to try and stem sex abuse scandals

Pope Benedict XVI said Tuesday he would issue a letter of repentance to try and tamp down growing speculation and anger over sexual abuse scandals at Catholic schools in Ireland and his native Germany. Some of the German abuse claims stem from a boarding school run by the pope’s brother for 30 years who said he had no knowledge of abuse taking place.

New attack on Nigerian Christians leaves 11 dead

Attackers killed at least 11 people Wednesday in a region of Nigeria that has been convulsed by violence between Muslims and Christians, an official said. Muslim herdsmen, some dressed in military uniforms, attacked a predominantly Christian village at about 1 a.m. Wednesday near the city of Jos, close to where a machete-wielding Muslim group killed hundreds in a mostly Christian town this month, said Choji Gyang, special adviser on religious affairs to the governor of the Nigerian state of Plateau.

Fiji slow to recover from huge cyclone

The island nation of Fiji is just beginning to recover from the effects of Cyclone Tomas which battered the country earlier this week. Power is scarce and temporary shelters are being established. The country was still recovering from the effects of Cyclone Mick in December which caused $25 million in damage.

Network of Hispanic churches begins push for immigration reform

A prominent network of Hispanic churches is beginning its push to lobby Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform this year. Esperanza, which includes more than 12,000 Hispanic churches and community non-profits, is seeking to mobilize Hispanic communities across the country to contact their elected officials in support of reform.

Rape a major problem in Haiti relief camps

Rape and sexual assaults were a problem in Haiti long before the Jan. 12 earthquake. Now with large tent cities created as homes for thousands of people, young women and girls are vulnerable more than ever before to being victimized. Sexual assaults are daily occurrences in the biggest camps, aid workers say - and most attacks go unreported because of the shame, social stigma and fear of reprisals from attackers.

St. Patrick known for evangelism, not leprechauns

It is St. Patrick’s Day, which to many people means wearing green, leprechauns and perhaps a green beer at the local watering hole. But the real St. Patrick has nothing to do with pots of gold or pinching someone who wasn’t wearing the color of the day.

Chrsitian groups speak out against mountaintop coal mining

Mountaintop removal of coal has become a divisive issue in rural areas dependent on the mining industry. A small network of churches and ministries has banded together to protest the procedure, stating it is counter to God’s call for stewardship of the Earth and its resources.

Remaining jailed Haiti missionary facing new charges

Laura Silsby, the last of 10 Baptist missions volunteers detained in Haiti on suspicion of kidnapping, now faces a new charge. Silsby, who led the team, now is accused of attempting to take 40 children out of Haiti without proper paperwork on Jan. 26, three days before the 10-member team was prevented from crossing the border into the Dominican Republic with 33 children.

German priest at center of sex abuse scandal has ties to pope

A German priest who is at the center of rapidly growing church abuse scandal has been suspended. Peter Hullerman has been working in the church for 30 years since he was convicted by a German court of molesting boys. Pope Benedict XVI is involved in the circumstances, raising the interest level considerably. Previously known as Archbishop Joseph Ratzinger, the future pope responded to early accusations of molestation against Hullerman by allowing him to move to Munich for therapy in 1980.

Pastor killed in Haiti robbery

A leading Lutheran pastor in Haiti was killed during an apparent robbery attempt. Pastor Doris Jean Louis was murdered by two men invading his home. Considered the father of Lutheranism in Haiti, Pastor Louis started five or six churches in Haiti and was the key player in establishing orphanages.