Sweden looks well on its way to being the seventh nation in the world to legalize gay marriage. A gay marriage bill was introduced in the Riskdag (Sweden’s version of Parliment) and the measure has wide support, even from religious leaders, as a new survey shows. No word on whether the wedding licenses will require a hex key to put together.
“A new poll reports that a large majority of pastors in the Church of Sweden are open to blessing gay marriages.
The poll, conducted by Sveriges Television (SVT), found that 68 percent out of 1700 pastors responded that they would be willing to officiate at gay marriages performed in churches.
A small minority (21%) disagreed with church sanctioned gay marriages, while 11 percent refused to answer.
“There’s a very clear majority that is open to this. And having so many pastors on board clearly makes it easier for the Church of Sweden to take such a decision,” said archbishop Anders Wejryd to SVT.”
Robert, NYC
7 countries now offering same-sex marriage and the U.S. is nowhere in sight. What a disgrace! So much for being #1, NOT!
Normal queer
@ Robert, NYC. What planet are you on? The US is a Christian version of Iran! Anyone from Canada, Europe or other post-Christian nations knows from visits, friends and TV that the US could never be #1 for gay rights when you have such a large number of so-called evangelical Christians. It just will not happen. And why should you be #1 anyway? Arrogant imperialism.
Robert, NYC
@Normal queer:
Normal Queer….don’t be so condescending. First of all, its a poor excuse that because America has so many evangelical cultists as the reasons why there is no progress on gay rights, absolute b.s. What about Spain…a heavily Roman Catholic country? Belgium too and half of Holland is Catholic! South Africa’s black population is one of the most antigay in the country and its churches equally so, yet they were able to do it.
As for being #1, you just don’t understand the point I was making. It was a dig at the U.S. always claiming to be #1, nothing more. It isn’t, never was nor will it be. Nobody has that right to such a claim and if they do, its arrogance at best. As a supposed champion of human rights, I expected far more from our country with or without evangelicals. All it takes is leadership and courage, just like Prime Minister Zapatero of Spain, to stick his neck out and risk being voted out of office, along with his party. So don’t use religious cultists in the US as an excuse, there is none, and a lame one at that. The problem is, there is no will to do it and its nothing more than cowardice. We too are to blame for not holding their (politicians) feet to the fire, years of kissing up to them hasn’t worked, and it won’t work, ever.
Charles J. Mueller
@Robert, NYC:
I’m with you, Robert. I think Normal Queer misunderstood what you were saying.
Your points are very well taken. Excellent post.
Robert, NYC
@Charles J. Mueller:
Charles, many thanks! I think we will eventually win the argument for same-sex marriage, not just as a basic civil right but the economic advantages from having it will have an impact on states once they realize that Massachusetts and Connecticut and Canada are gaining much needed revenue from out of state couples while their own states end up the losers. In this current economic crisis….no state can afford to lose revenue. It was estimated by the NYC comptroller a couple of years ago that NY State stands to realize at least $220 million in revenues as a result of marriages taking place in the state. It makes sound economic sense to open marriage to all LGBT people, nationwide.
Anon
it is R I K S D A G and as “the parliament” R I K S D A G E N, which makes more sence in this sentence. And the misplacement of the K and S causes the word to mean “Risk Day”
Anon
but on the other hand:
Hurra för köns-neutrala äktenskapslagar!
Hooray for gender-neutral marriage laws!
John in CA
Once Norway legalized same-sex marriage, I figured the other Scandinavian countries would follow suit. Their legal systems are largely based off each other. And changes in one country tend to affect everyone else in the neighborhood. After Sweden enacts gender neutral marriage, look for Denmark to take up the issue.
Albedo
@Robert, NYC:
Robert, your parallel between Belgium (or other european countries, but i’ll talk about Belgium which I know well) and the USA is misleading. Superficially there may be about the same proportion of people claiming to be religious, but it has actually a very different meaning. The distance people tend to keep with their faith is far greater here. The attendance to churches is very very low. There is absolutely no politician who would dare to invoke god in a speech, that would sounds weird and out of place. There had never been any attack on clinics doing abortions (that is almost any clinic, even most of the catholic related ones). I could go on exemples… but you see the picture, we’re a more secular society.
When the laws on gay marriage and children adoption went on parliament, even the catholic related party voted for it (at least one of the 2, the biggest one). They tried to stall a bit first, but without energy, and then they just went to other matters.
So, I really think that it will be far more difficult in you country than mine. That does not mean it’s worthless to fight for it of course, it will be eventually be a hard won victory where, in Belgium, it has been an easy one.
pastor N.John
PRAISE THE LORD
Dearly beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ
Greetings of love, mercy, grace and happiness be to you in the most just and judicious name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is my profound joy and happiness to speak to you through this letter of love and fellowship.
I am extremely happy to ventilate my grievances to you. As I am a poor pastor, I feel at a great pleasure have you my sponsor and mentor. I would like to place people of this area are poverty stricken. We have been facing an cenprecedental crisis and our children are suffering from lack in education. There are no charitable trusts other missionary trusts to help us. Because of their distance to education. We, have resolved to start a children home and a school prayerfully. If any one comes forward and for Evangelism and for the Evangelists. We have prayed profoundly. When we prayed to God we have seen Christian websites for God’s glory and we are able to recognize your work and prayerfully informing you these things and we be reach your kind and benign support and very kind of you and accept our letter of appeal and extend your support we pray the needs we have:
1. To develop the children deserted in education due to financial troubles.
2. Supporting the poor pastors try providing bicycle and financial support.
3. To console and comfort the AIDS and LEPRACY Patients and to help the people loose their houses in natural calamities. These are our major requirements and request you to help us in these tasks.
Thanking you
Your Brother in Christ
Pastor N.John
pastor darpen masih
Dear,pastor praise the Lord
I am a church Evangelist I am looking for some supportes who willingly support our cause to carry on our visin among North Indians . I am a Hindu Convert who accepted Christ as saviour in the year 1995 and I am working among Punjabi Hindus. I have a vision to start a new ministry registered with the Government rules. I am looking for someone to help me to carry it in and pls pray for me,and help me.who will help me
Pls, give me help some money for starting a new church in the non-christan people. Kindly keep this in mind and send us your reply as guided by the Holy Spirit
With much regards and blessings to you all
Bible,says.(2corinthians-9:9)-(james-4:17)
I shall be thankful to you.
With much love .
your’s in christ
Darpen masih
Ogre Magi
I think those last two posts are spam.
prem kumar
Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ…
I, Mr. M. Prem Kumar aged 33 years, living in India, requesting you to spend a few minutes for reading the text below –
We know all that Music has power. Music is divine. Music sometimes heals. Music does miracles. The language, color, caste, creed, nation and religion are differing, but the Music is same around the world. Playing the instruments, singing, dancing and the arts are blessings of God. All people may not perform the quality of music
I am having 13 government educational certificates, but failed to get a small job. Due to stammering/stuttering my verbal communication is poor. That’s why I can’t win the minds of interviewers. I tried my level best to settle down at any way. At that time, I am little bit against to God as I firmly believed that God has punished me with stammering. But I can sing the best and perform the musical instruments. God blessed me with various skills in music, scripting and technical efforts. I completely turn my life in the service of God and Men. This ministry is started for the service of all devotional purpose.
I started immediately an organization named RAYS OF HOPE, a social service organization registered with the no: 260/2009 with the similar motivated members.
I participated, the 8th world congress for the people who stammer/stutter on May, 2007. I was the only one person selected to that congress from India. I have written many articles on stammering. Some of articles you can see on http://www.stutterisa.com, http://www.indiastammering.com . Here already we have a self help group running for the people who stammer. We conduct the meetings for twice a month and work hard for better life.
I am belongs to below average middle class family. I already spent money for electrical goods, which the capability is very low. I need a few instruments like keyboard, drums, and sound system for this project. My source for the above is God. I believe that God will arrange each and everything for HIS glorification.
My parents were officers in THE SALVATION ARMY Christian organization servicing for 41 years.
Thank you so much for your valuable time…and understanding me.
Sincerely,
M. Prem Kumar
MUSIC MINISTRY & RAYS OF HOPE,
India.
Email Id: [email protected]
Mobile: 91+9291661129
Office No: 91+8662483584
Rev.Ch.John babu
LIVING LIGHT
MINISTRIES INDIA
(Living light urban and rural
Development Society.Govt.Reg.No:39/1999.)
“…Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me”. (Matt.25:40)
“PRAISE THE LORD IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST”
Dear Brother (or) sister,
Greeting to you in the name of our lord and savior Jesus Christ. Brother(or)sister my name is Rev.Ch.Mohan Rao(John Babu) and I am working as a Pastor, in rural areas of surrounding Kuchipudi, Movva(mandal), Krishna(d.t),Andhra Pradesh, South India -521136. Our organization is established in 1999. Register under society act XXI of 1860 Society No: 39/1999.We serve the poor and orphan children in our surrounding areas through Lord Jesus Christ. We are preaching 50 remote village surrounding kuchipudi areas. Myself and along with me 25 pastors all are working without any support. But these Pastors and I completely depending upon the faith. We are doing our services independently .so please remember our ministry and give your co-operation and your prayer support for us. I and our pastors are praying for you and your Organization.
In these villages we have to plant the churches and we have to distribute at least 1250 Telugu language “HOLY BIBLES” for my Believers. Because all people are belonged very poor communities. They are unable to pay the cost for each Bible’s please pray for these needs to distribute the “BIBLES” for poor people.
Through we are having very much zeal to do the Lord work and to cover the all rural and tribal and Hindu community Areas in our area. Please pray.
Hence when we are thinking and expecting for servant of God. After Much Prayer GOD showed me your good name and address in my Visions.
AIMS, OBJECTS:
1) To establish Adult Education through Night school.
2) To promote community health programmed, sanitation and maternity and child health programmed and to undertake integrated child development service programmed.
3) To organize conferences and seminars on social& theological and economic matters of current interest for the benefit of rural people.
4) To undertake projects relating to integrated rural development aimed at to total development of humanity and leadership development.
5) To conduct Gospel Campaigns in villages and remote places through mobile Gospel ministry.
6) To promote, establish and organize woman welfare and child welfare centers and to educate training and employment to the women in self employment for SGH’S, unemployed youth activities.
7) To assists and establish old aged poor ,destitutes,deserted women ,widows, physically handicapped ,mentally referred orphans ,leprosy and Global diseases patients ,HIV/Aids effected people .
8) To conduct social, theological and cultural programmed it necessary by the interested people from the society to motivate their own community for their owning in any aspect of their standard of livening to nature them mentally and clean & Green.
9) Orphanage and street children program
10) To Provide relief incase of natural disasters like (floods ,fire, Cyclone ,Tidalwave,Earth Quake,Epidenies Etc ..) and provide Drinking water in rural areas .
“BLESSED is he who considers the poor; the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.” – PSALMS 41:1
Brother (or) sister,
I would like to ask you .please pray for our ministry needs.
? We need support of church planting, evangelism, Orphanage.
? We need plant churches in 50 rural villages.
? We need bore well project in 100 remote villages and provide clean water.
? We need a sound system and materials etc.
? Please pray for the Orphans. Please provide food, clothing, medicine, shelter, Purchae the land etc. We have 50 Orphans. Please pray to built the Orphanage.
? We need a 4 wheel vehicle for our Mobile Gospel ministry, to go to remote villages to preach the Gospel and to carry things for distribution for the poor people.
? We need 20 bicycles 5 motor bikes for poor pastors to do the Lord’s work in Rural Area. To help take the Gospel to the lost and avoid miles of walking on foot. Because in that villages no bus Facilities. These pastors are fulltime Gospel workers.
? We have to built bible college in Andhra Pradesh, India please pray
? We need financial support for 25 poor pastors, these pastors are suffering from food, clothes and homeless etc., .Financial support for our widow believers and orphan children’s in my ministry.
? We have 45 widows. Please help this people and providing food, Medical, Clothes etc.Please pray for this people also.
“If you are interested any one (or) two (or) more works to Support us.”
Dear Brother (or) sister,
Please pray and give for us your valuable reply and co-operation for our ministry. With your Guidance and support we are unable Ed persons to improve the Lord’s work.
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so”.
Proverbs 3:27.
May God bless you and provides you good opportunity to help for the poor. We are waiting for your kindly reply.
Thanking you,
Kindly Regards,
Rev.ch.MohanRao (John babu)
(Founder and Director).
Our Address:
Rev.Ch.John Babu,
Living Light Ministries,
Kuchipudi, Pin: 521136,
Krishna District,
Andhra Pradesh,
South India.
Director- E-Mail: [email protected]
Office E-Mail : [email protected]
Contact No : 91-9866117331, 918671-340828
Contact Person: Rev.Ch.Mohan Rao (John Babu).
(President)
PASTOR JOSHUA O. MUGENYA
Dear,
Praise the Living God, happy to introduce to you MARANANATHA CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS INTERNATIONAL CHURCH, based in Kenya, here we are doing Evangelism, Equipping and Epowering Church leaders, helping Pastors, Orphans, widows and the needy, Church planting and church building. We humbly wish to request you to help us to enable meet our goals your concern and help will be a blessing to us.
Pastor Joshua
[email protected]
Rev.isacc dhas
Dear My loving brothers and sisters in christ Greetings to you all in the name of our lord jesus christ.We have adopted twenty five orphan and street kids and giving free food and shelter and education ect.This organization is running by donation from the touristers.We dont have any regular supporters so we are in much suffering condition to feed kids. We are going to start blind and dumb and deaf children center.We are praying to god to give us good donors for this project work in india.Please pray for us and help us with little donation please.Our eyes are looking up your mercy big heart support.We will be very very thanksfull for you allways.If any one intrested to visit to our orphanage please contact bellow our address.You are allways mostly welcome.May god bless you all.
yours loving brother in the service of helpless kids in india
Rev.isacc dhas
Bethlehem childrens home
Thomas cottage
Poonchery post
Mamallapuram
Kancheepuram Dist
Tamilnadu
Idia
[email protected]
phone-00919965450250
N.John, PASTOR
My Dear beloved Brother in Christ,
New year greetings to you and your Family and your all Church members, in the mighty name of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.to day i am very happy to meet you in the name of Jesus Christ, i am pastor. N.John. Sea Coast Gospel Ministry, Andhrapradesh, South India, so i Request you please pray for my ministry work in Sea Shore Areas, i and my Co Pastors all are very poor and very much Financial troubles in the time , please give me your kind Helping hands.
Brother to day i See your Blessing Ministry work through website so i and my wife and children we all are very happy in Christ name, and i and my family praying for you every time in my daily prayers. Brother i request to you please Remember me and my Co Pastors and poor widows and Orphan children , in your Daley valuable prayers,
thanking you brotheryour brother in Christ.Pastor. N.John