The first week of February found military leaders looking for a way to open the door to the practice of homosexuality in their ranks, pro-abortion advocates seeking for ways to malign college football star Tim Tebow and his mom over a pro-life Super Bowl ad, and abstinence proponents searching for ways to get the word out about the findings of a new study reaffirming their position.
3 - Hundreds of thousands block for Tebow
The hype leading up to Super Bowl XLIV (44) in Miami continues, and one of the big topics of discussion is not necessarily Peyton Manning or Drew Brees, but a quarterback who will not be playing in the game, although he will be seen in a cameo role in the first-quarter. Response to the Tim Tebow spot from Focus on the Family continues to be strong and notable, with over 200,000 signing on as fans to the Americans United for Life/LifeNews.com Facebook page in support of the former Florida star. A pro-choice columnist for the Washington Post weighed in behind the Tebows, and a Marist poll showed 60% for the yet-to-be-seen-by-very-many-people ad.
Meanwhile, Focus on the Family, whose President Jim Daly appeared on Larry King Live this week, has purchased 4 slots in the pregame show for another Focus on the Family ad. Jim Daly has shared how he wants to elevate the discussion on the sanctity of life, and the national discussion has definitely been elevated!! Check out Stuart Shepard's "insider" perspective on this sound clip.
Meanwhile, Mosaic, the California church pastored by leading evangelical Erwin McManus, is attempting to get in the Super Bowl telecast in a different way - by entering the Doritos original video contest. Here is the story, from BeliefNet. The Doritos website is www.crashthesuperbowl.com.
2 (tie) - Military revisits "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy
After President Obama voiced his support in his State of the Union message for rescinding the "don't ask, don't tell" policy for homosexuals in the ranks of the military, leaders in Washington have announced their support for an alternative to the policy, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff head Mike Mullen. Changing the policy could have a negative impact on the morale and effectiveness of our troops, and would come at a time where maximum focus is needed in prosecuting the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Peter LaBarbera, President of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, provides some excellent analysis about the potential implications of crafting new policy allowing open gay behavior in the military.
2 (tie) - Abstinence-based education results affirmed
Christian and pro-family groups are lauding the results of a study that shows the effectiveness of abstinence based education, supporting what many in the faith community have been saying for some time. Dr. David Stevens of the Christian Medical Association commented on the implications. Also, Leslee Unruh, Founder of the Abstinence Clearinghouse, offered support for the study's findings.
During these times, when Federal funding for abstinence education is in danger of being reduced or eliminated, these results can be potentially powerful in showing that this type of education can change behavior. Abstinence is the ONLY 100% effective way to prevent pregnancy and contributes to a reduction in sexually-transmitted diseases.
1 - Baptist group jailed in Haiti
A group of 10 Baptists attempting to extract Haitian orphans from Haiti to the Dominican Republic were arrested for suspected trafficking and remain in prison as of this writing. Here is an early story from ABC News. SkyNews has an updated story.
It is obvious that mistakes were made here, and that the group did not take the proper steps to bring the children out of Haiti. The U.S. State Department is apparently working on behalf of the Christian missionaries. Unfortunately, the Haitian government has decided, even amidst the chaos of the earthquake, to make an example out of these believers, who were trying to do the right thing, only in a way that was not so right.
Honorable Mention:
Christian activist freed from North Korea
New film to portray Christian surfer and shark bite victim Bethany Hamilton
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