'So Help Me God' : Atheist Immigrant Sues America Government

Atheist Immigrant Sues Gov't to Remove 'So Help Me God' in US Citizenship Oath

A French national and green card holder who resides in Massachusetts has filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. government over its citizenship oath, which ends with "so help me God."

In her lawsuit, Olga Paule Perrier-Bilbo, an atheist as well as a resident of Scituate, claims she would like to become an American citizen but she can't do so for the reason that oath demands her to say those four words, according to MassLive.com.

"By its very nature, an oath that indicates 'so help me God' is saying that God exists," says the lawsuit. "Accordingly, the present oath violates the initial 10 words of the Bill of Rights, and to take part in a ceremony which violates that key element of the United States Constitution is not supporting or safeguarding the Constitution as the oath demands."

Perrier-Bilbo was handed the chance to use a modified oath or take part in an exclusive citizenship ceremony, but she insists the inclusion of "so help me God" is an unconstitutional government endorsement of religion.

"By putting a religious statement (to which Plaintiff does not adhere) into the Oath of Naturalization, and then forcing Plaintiff to make use of a replacement oath (so that she must feel less than a new citizen), Defendants substantially burden Plaintiff in her exercise of religion," the suit says.

The legal action is unlikely to alter much, Erwin Chemerinsky, a First Amendment expert and dean of Berkeley Law, was quoted as saying. "Courts usually have not been open to this in the context of the Pledge of Allegiance."

Atheists routinely bring cases challenging alleged government endorsements of religion.

A Washington, D.C.-based secularist group, American Humanist Association, a week ago filed a response brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in its litigation against a Texas school district's prayer policy at public board meetings, expecting to appeal a lower court's decision ruling in favour of Birdville Independent School District.

"The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that school districts may not subject their students to prayer and has never made an exception to this rule for school board meetings," Monica Miller, senior counsel for the AHA's Appignani Humanist Legal Center, said in a statement. "Forcing students to select from attending board meetings to be able to receive school credit or recognition for academic achievements and not attending only to avoid personally offensive religious rituals runs afoul longstanding constitutional principles."

In August 2016, U.S. District Judge John McBryde ruled in favour of the school district, citing the Supreme Court decision Town of Greece v. Galloway, which made it possible for Christian prayers to be given at county commission public meetings.

UK Christian Student Expelled Over Facebook Comments

UK Student Expelled Over Facebook Comments Outlining Biblical Stance on Homosexuality Loses Appeal

LONDON - A student at a well-known university in the UK who was expelled over comments which he made on Facebook explaining the biblical position on homosexuality has lost his appeal right before the Royal Courts of Justice.

Although Judge Rowena Collins-Rice found out that the “right to express the information of deeply held religious viewpoints is worthy of respect in a democratic and plural society,” she said that the issue came down to “how [the student’s comments] could possibly be accessed and read by people that would perceive them as judgmental, not compatible with service ethos, or an indication of discriminatory intent.”

“That was a problem in its own right,” she wrote. “But whatever the actual intention was, it was the perception of the posting that would cause the damage. It was reasonable to be concerned about that perception.”

As previously reported, in September 2015, Felix Ngole, 39, checked his Facebook account and saw a news story in his feed regarding Kentucky clerk Kim Davis, who had gone to prison for declining to personally sign same-sex “marriage” certificates.

As a number of commenters were speaking against Davis, Ngole decided to chime in and note that “the Bible and God identify homosexuality as a sin.” When he was asked where the Scriptures state that homosexuality is sinful, he provided the citations, including the biblical law of Leviticus.

However, nearly two months later, Ngole’s remarks were brought to the attention of administrators at the University of Sheffield, which touts itself as a “world top-100 university and number one in the U.K. for student satisfaction in the 2014-15 Times Higher Student Experience Survey.”

Ngole, who was a second-year Master’s student studying to be a social worker, then became the subject of a “Fitness to Practice” hearing, as he was advised that he “may have caused offense to some individuals” and had “transgressed boundaries which are not deemed appropriate for someone entering the social work profession.”

Following additional meetings, the Sheffield committee concluded that Ngole’s beliefs would negatively affect his “ability to carry out a role as a social worker,” and was consequently advised that he was “excluded from the further study on a program leading to a professional qualification.” The school recently informed Ngole that he is “no longer recognized as a university student.”

“Your student record will be terminated shortly and your library membership and university computer account withdrawn. You may wish to contact your funding body for advice on your financial position,” it wrote.

Ngole appealed the decision, but last April, he received a letter from the appeals office at the University of Sheffield stating that his post was “inappropriate” in light of the professional conduct standards outlined in the Health and Care Professions Councils (HCPC).

It was additionally asserted that Ngole had not “offered any insight or reflection” on the “potential impact” that his comments might have had on his Facebook friends, or how it would reflect on the social work profession.

With the assistance of the Christian Legal Centre, Ngole took the matter to the Royal Courts of Justice. However, while finding the university’s punishment of Ngole to be “indeed severe,” Judge Collins-Rice agreed on Friday that his words could negatively affect his social work.

“Public religious speech has to be looked at in a regulated context from the perspective of a public readership,” she wrote. “Social workers have considerable power over the lives of vulnerable service users and trust is a precious professional commodity.”

The Christian Legal Centre has expressed concern over the ruling, opining that while homosexuals are coming out the closet, Christians are being shoved into it.

“Rulings like this show that society is becoming increasingly intolerant of Christian moral values. Christians are being told to shut up and keep quiet about their moral views or face a bar from employment. Unless the views you express are politically correct, you may be barred from office,” Chief Executive Andrea Williams said in a statement. “This is very far from how a free and fair society should operate.”

Ngole plans to appeal.

“My passion is to love everyone regardless of their race, sexuality or gender. I want to love everyone just as Christ loves them, but also to proclaim His truth. This is what I was doing during the Facebook discussion that I took part in,” he said in an article published by Premier Christianity. “I was convinced I had done the right thing by answering a question from someone who wanted to know if homosexuality was a sin and what the Bible said about it.”

“It is because of love and not hate that we share the word of God,” Ngole continued. “I don’t think I have lost the case at all because right now this very important issue is being discussed throughout the world for His glory. The word of God was also read in court, and as a result, it has been recorded for future reference. The body of Christ continues to unite in prayer in one accord because of today’s verdict. Clearly traditional Christian beliefs are being censored by our government.”



SOURCE

Pastor Frank Pomeroy: 'I Don't Understand, but I Know My God Does'

The Pastor Whose 14-Y-O Daughter Died in Texas Church Shooting: 'I Don't Understand, but I Know My God Does'

Annabele Pomeroy, the 14-year-old daughter of First Baptist pastor Frank Pomeroy

The pastor of Sutherland Springs' First Baptist Church in Texas and his wife have spoken publicly following the mass shooting that left 26 people dead, including their 14-year-old daughter, saying only God has the answers for such a tragedy.

"We've had a long night with our children and grandbabies we have left," Pastor Frank Pomeroy, who has been absent on Sunday at the time the shooting took place, told reporters on Monday.

"I don't understand, but I know my God does," he later said when answering questions, urging folks to rely on Jesus Christ.

The father said that his daughter, Annabelle, was "one beautiful girl," and a "special child."

Texas church massacre victim Annabelle Pomeroy pictured with her father, Pastor of the church, Frank

Pomeroy's wife, Sherri, said the family lost a lot more than Annabelle on Sunday.

"And one thing that gives me a sliver of encouragement is that Belle was surrounded yesterday by her family that she loved fiercely," she said.

The mother explained that the church was not comprised of "members or parishioners," but was a "very close family."

"We ate with each other, we laughed alongside one another, we cried together, and we worshipped together. Now nearly all of our church family is gone, our building may perhaps be beyond repair as well as few of us that are left behind lost tragically yesterday," she said.

"As senseless this kind of great loss was, our sweet Belle wouldn't have had the ability to cope with losing a whole lot family."

Respective authorities continue to piece together the details surrounding the shooting which was executed by 26-year-old Devin Patrick Kelley.


Authorities have at this point said that they don't really know the incident was racially inspired or it has been over religious belief and noted that Kelley relatively had a conflict with his mother-in-law.

Pastor Frank Pomeroy, with his wife Sherri, listens at a news conference
outside the site of the shooting at his church in Sutherland Springs, Texas

Sunday's victims included people aged from 18 months old to 77 years old and a woman who was pregnant, with relatives and friends showing countless tributes to their family and friends online.

Scott Pomeroy, Annabelle's uncle, paid respect to her in a Facebook post following her death.

"Heaven truly received a real gorgeous angel today along with many others. I lost many family and friends today but that simply means Jesus needed them more. I know all that have taken their last breath of dirty air and took their first breath of heavenly air with new bodies with no pain and suffering," he wrote.

A Teddy bear lies under police tape at a makeshift memorial for those
killed in the shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland, Texas

"My focus is now towards the many families which all have loved ones in all the different hospitals and to those grieving the loved ones that have been lost. God knows and is in control of all things and if something as evil as this should only revive us for a revival to be sure all we know and love should know and have a relationship with Jesus even more," Scott Pomeroy continued.

"After this outrageous week of numerous persons passing away it really should tell us life is only for a moment and we're dying every day and where you spend eternity is the most important thing. Not money, not jobs, not education, not possessions just the ones you love and your relationship with Jesus."

Multiple People Dead Following Shooting at Texas Church

Shooting at Texas Southern Baptist Church Kills 26 Worshipers

SOUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas: During its 11 a.m. worship service, a Southern Baptist church in rural Texas suffered not only America’s latest mass shooting but the deadliest at a US church in more than 50 years.

At least 26 worshipers died at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, according to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. YouTube videos of the church’s weekly service indicate that recent Sundays have drawn between 50 to 75 attendees.

The Texas tragedy is only the 14th mass shooting at an American house of worship since 1963, according to statistics compiled by church security expert Carl Chinn. “It seems apparent that the death toll will mark this as the worst [church shooting] in US history,” he told CT.

A pastor of a neighboring church told a group of TV reporters that he knows most of the church’s members, and he is confident that the victims are “in the loving arms of Jesus” right now.

“Another church shooting. Lord have mercy,” tweeted Russell Moore of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).

“Violence and evil once again have made an impact at one of our churches,” stated Frank Page, president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee. “Innocent men, women, boys, and girls went to church to worship, pray, and study God’s word, and were met with unspeakable violence.

“Our prayers are for the people of Sutherland Springs and the people of the church,” he continued. “One does not get numb to this kind of egregious violence. God help us all.”

President Donald Trump tweeted, “May God be w/ the people of Sutherland Springs, Texas. The FBI & law enforcement are on the scene. I am monitoring the situation from Japan.”

The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC) and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association have dispatched chaplains and rapid response teams to Sutherland Springs to assist the congregation in its grief and recovery.

SBTC executive director Jim Richards stated:

We’re calling our churches to prayer for our brothers and sisters in Sutherland Springs. We don’t know the details yet but early reports indicate that several people have lost their lives in this tragedy. We will have chaplains available to [Sutherland Springs] and will find ways to support this dear church. We pray God’s mercy and comfort on those who are grieved and those who are wounded.

TV news anchors discussed the fact that the church, located about 40 minutes southeast of San Antonio, posts its services to YouTube, and thus there may be a recording of the shooting that investigators will be able to study.

Last Sunday, a green Harley Davidson was parked in front of the stage as a prop for pastor Frank Pomeroy’s sermon on Proverbs 3, entitled “You Don’t Need Training Wheels. You Need Christ.”

Pomeroy and his wife, who both happened to be traveling out-of-state today, told TV news outlets that their 14-year-old daughter Annabelle was one of the victims.

Facebook users have been posting prayers to the small church’s page. One wrote:

To the martyrs of Southerland Springs:
Remember God is our comfort, God is our patience. God is our refuge.
We fear nothing that man can do to the body, and then have no more they can do, for we are dead, and our lives are hidden with Christ in God.

Violent incidents in churches are on the rise, including high-profile shootings in sanctuaries. In September, a shooter killed one person and injured seven others after Sunday worship at Burnette Chapel Church of Christ outside Nashville.

Chinn reported that 2015 marked a record year for violence on religious property or involving senior pastors, with 248 incidents and 76 deaths. The most prominent that year, of course, was the attack on Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston. (CT followed up with the families of the nine victims on the first anniversary of the shooting in 2016.)

“I would say we are at one of those critical times in church history that truly calls for prayer,” Chinn told Church Law and Tax. “I believe our churches are under attack in a way rarely seen in world history and never before seen in American history.”

“This news makes me realize how much I wish those of us teaching churches to get ready were wrong,” Chinn told CT today. “When I first heard [the news] today, I wanted nothing more than to later hear it was a false report. But it is true, and there are more coming.”



SOURCE



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Importance and Power of God’s Names

Significance of Names

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. -Proverbs 22:1

The name

Every time we discuss knowing God through His names. Understanding God by His names is definitely more than merely learning the latest word or uncovering a completely new title He goes by. Studying to know God by His names unveil the entrance to knowing His character more wholly and experiencing His power deeper.

In the Scripture, God clearly shows Himself to us by way of His names. In order to comprehend the importance and power of God’s names, we first need to comprehend the significance of names in the ancient cultures.

Old Testament

In Old Testament times, a name was just nomenclature. Instead, it reviewed information and facts concerning person or thing itself.

A name is indeed important as in the Scripture often states God Himself changing someone’s name to reflect a completely new reality.

And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. -Genesis 3:20

Abram, meaning “exalted father,” was changed to Abraham, which means “father of a multitude.”

Abraham knowing the importance attached to names, named his first-born child 'Isaac' because Sarah says, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me." (Genesis 21:6)

And the first came out red, all over like a hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. -Genesis 25:25

Jacob, whose name meant “grabber of the heel” and “deceitful,” acquired a new name upon wrestling with God. His new name, Israel, means “one who prevails.”

In the book of Hosea, God changed the names of Hosea children (son and daughter) to indicate changes in His relationship with His people.
Lo-ammi (“never my people”) ended up being Ammi (“my people”), and
Lo-ruhamah (“far from pitied”) turned Ruhamah (“one that is shown empathy”) (Hosea 1:6-9 and Hosea 2:1,23).

New Testament

In the New Testament, we come across Jesus telling Simon, His new disciple,
You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas’ (which can be interpreted as Peter)” (John 1:42). The importance and significance could be that the Greek word translated Peter is Petros, which implies “rock.”

Saul was obviously a brutal persecutor of Christians, and once he became a follower of Jesus himself, a name change seems most ideal. Saul (Hebrew name) also had the Latin name 'Paul' so it appears he used this new name which represents his change, not to mention his mission to the Gentile; 'Paul' being a more knowledgeable name for the Roman Gentile audience.

In Scripture, a name often connotes purpose, authority, makeup, and character. Basically, a person’s name is oftentimes seen as an equal to that person.

When Jesus said, “I have made Your name known to them and will make it known” (John 17:26), He was referencing a lot more than sounds created in a word. In Jesus, God came to earth in the flesh and revealed His heart, mind, will, character, and being through the revelation of His name.

Throughout the Bible “name” appears over 1000 times in Scripture and regularly carries with it the concept of power, responsibility, purpose, and authority. A name not simply conveys the substance and value of what is being named but in addition, when appropriately sanctioned, accesses the quality it speaks of.

God's Names

Due to the degree of God’s character, He has several names that reveal the countless ways He relates to mankind. For instance,

God is known as Elohim when revealing Himself as being the all-powerful Creator.

He is Jehovah Nissi-the Lord’s banner of victory (a name you need to understand when seeking victory in your life).

God is referred to as Jehovah Rapha, or perhaps the Lord your healer.

Whenever you are needing provision, know the name Jehovah Jireh-God, the provider.

God has a name for each and every circumstance we see ourselves. We will have to understand the names of God because once we know His character and His capability, we will find peace and discover harmony and power in His covenantal care of us. SEE Names And Titles of God

What is your name?

Traditionally, many Christian parents name their children with biblical names, most likely as an indication of the spiritual traditions that they hope their kids to grow up. Many Christians nowadays take naming seriously and might have their name legally changed in adulthood denoting a precise occasion of change or perhaps the realization of a new personality.

Names and Titles of God

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. -Psalm 8:1

NAMES OF GOD FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

ELOHIM
Genesis 1:1, Psalm 19:1
Meaning “God”, a reference to God’s power and might.

ADONAI
Malachi 1:6
Meaning “Lord”, a reference to the Lordship of God.

JEHOVAH–YAHWEH
Genesis 2:4
A reference to God’s divine salvation.

JEHOVAH-MACCADDESHEM
Exodus 31:13
meaning “The Lord thy sanctifier”

JEHOVAH-ROHI
Psalm 23:1
meaning “The Lord my shepherd”

JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH
Ezekiel 48:35
meaning “The Lord who is present”

JEHOVAH-RAPHA
Exodus 15:26
meaning “The Lord our healer”

JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU
Jeremiah 23:6
meaning “The Lord our righteousness”

JEHOVAH-JIREH
Genesis 22:13-14
meaning “The Lord will provide”

JEHOVAH-NISSI
Exodus 17:15
meaning “The Lord our banner”

JEHOVAH-SHALOM
Judges 6:24
meaning “The Lord is peace”

JEHOVAH-SABBAOTH
Isaiah 6:1-3
meaning “The Lord of Hosts”

EL-ELYON
Genesis 14:17-20, Isaiah 14:13-14
meaning “The Most High God”

EL-ROI
Genesis 16:13
meaning “The strong one who sees”

EL-SHADDAI
Genesis 17:1, Psalm 91:1
meaning “The God of the mountains or God Almighty”

EL-OLAM
Isaiah 40:28-31
meaning “The everlasting God”


MORE GOD NAMES AND TITLES

ABBA
Romans 8:15

ADVOCATE
I John 2:1

ALMIGHTY
Genesis 17:1

ALPHA
Revelation 22:13

AMEN
Revelation 3:14

ANCIENT OF DAYS
Daniel 7:9

ANOINTED ONE
Psalm 2:2

APOSTLE
Hebrews 3:1

ARM OF THE LORD
Isaiah 53:1

AUTHOR OF LIFE
Acts 3:15

AUTHOR OF OUR FAITH
Hebrews 12:2

BEGINNING
Revelation 21:6

BLESSED & HOLY RULER
1 Timothy 6:15

BRANCH
Jeremiah 33:15

BREAD OF GOD
John 6:33

BREAD OF LIFE
John 6:35

BRIDEGROOM
Isaiah 62:56

BRIGHT MORNING STAR
Revelation 22:16

CHIEF SHEPHERD
1 Peter 5:4

CHOSEN ONE
Isaiah 42:1

CHRIST
Matthew 22:42

CHRIST OF GOD
Luke 9:20

CHRIST THE LORD
Luke 2:11

CHRIST, SON OF LIVING GOD
Matthew 16:16

COMFORTER
John 14:26

COMMANDER
Isaiah 55:4

CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL
Luke 2:25

CONSUMING FIRE
Deuteronomy 4:24, Hebrew 12:29

CORNERSTONE
Isaiah 28:16

COUNSELOR
Isaiah 9:6

CREATOR
1 Peter 4:19

DELIVERER
Romans 11:26

DESIRED OF ALL NATIONS
Haggai 2:7

DOOR
John 10:7

END
Revelation 21:6

ETERNAL GOD
Deuteronomy 33:27

EVERLASTING FATHER
Isaiah 9:6

FAITHFUL & TRUE
Revelation 19:11

FAITHFUL WITNESS
Revelation 1:5

FATHER
Matthew 6:9

FIRSTBORN
Romans.8:29, Revelation 1:5, Colossians 1:15

FIRSTFRUITS
1 Corinthians 15:20-23

FOUNDATION
1 Corinthians 3:11

FRIEND OF TAX COLLECTORS & SINNERS
Matthew 11:19

GENTLE WHISPER
1 Kings 19:12

GIFT OF GOD
John 4:10

GLORY OF THE LORD
Isaiah 40:5

GOD
Genesis 1:1

GOD ALMIGHTY
Genesis 17:1

GOD OVER ALL
Romans 9:5

GOD WHO SEES ME
Genesis 16:13

GOOD SHEPHERD
John 10:11

GREAT HIGH PRIEST
Hebrews 4:14

GREAT SHEPHERD
Hebrews 13:20

GUIDE
Psalm 48:14


HEAD OF THE BODY
Colossians 1:18

HEAD OF THE CHURCH
Ephesians 5:23

HEIR OF ALL THINGS
Hebrews 1:2

HIGH PRIEST
Hebrews 3:1

HIGH PRIEST FOREVER
Hebrews 6:20

HOLY ONE
Acts 2:27

HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL
Isaiah 49:7

HOLY SPIRIT
John 16:26

HOPE
Titus 2:13

HORN OF SALVATION
Luke 1:69

I AM
Exodus 3:14, John 8:58

IMAGE OF GOD
2 Corinthians 4:4

IMAGE OF HIS PERSON
Hebrews 1:3)

IMMANUEL
Isaiah 7:14

JEALOUS
Exodus 34:14

JEHOVAH
Psalm 83:18

JESUS
Matthew 1:21

JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD
Romans 6:23

JUDGE
Isaiah 33:22, Acts 10:42

KING
Zechariah 9:9

KING ETERNAL
1 Timothy 1:17

KING OF KINGS
1 Timothy 6:15

KING OF THE AGES
Revelation 15:3

LAMB OF GOD
John 1:29

LAST ADAM
1 Corinthians 15:45

LAWGIVER
Isaiah 33:22

LEADER
Isaiah 55:4

LIFE
John 14:6

LIGHT OF THE WORLD
John 8:12

LIKE AN EAGLE
Deuteronomy 32:11

LILY OF THE VALLEYS
Song of Solomon 2:1

LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH
Revelation 5:5

LIVING STONE
1 Peter 2:4

LIVING WATER
John 4:10

LORD
John 13:13

LORD GOD ALMIGHTY
Revelation 15:3

LORD JESUS CHRIST
1 Corinthians 15:57

LORD OF ALL
Acts 10:36

LORD OF GLORY
1 Corinthians 2:8

LORD OF LORDS
1 Timothy. 6:15

LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS
Jeremiah 23:6

LOVE
1 John 4:8

MAN OF SORROWS
Isaiah 53:3

MASTER
Luke 5:5

MEDIATOR
1 Timothy 2:5

MERCIFUL GOD
Jeremiah 3:12

MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT
Malachi 3:1

MESSIAH
John 4:25

MIGHTY GOD
Isaiah 9:6

MIGHTY ONE
Isaiah 60:16

NAZARENE
Matthew 2:23

OFFSPRING OF DAVID
Revelation 22:16

OMEGA
Revelation 22:13

ONLY BEGOTTEN SON
John 1:18

OUR PASSOVER LAMB
1 Corinthians 5:7

OUR PEACE
Ephesians 2:14

POTTER
Isaiah 64:8

POWER OF GOD
1 Corinthians 1:24

PRINCE OF PEACE
Isaiah 9:6

PROPHET
Acts 3:22

PURIFIER
Malachi 3:3

RABBONI (TEACHER)
John 20:16

RADIANCE OF GOD’S GLORY
Hebrews.1:3

REDEEMER
Job 19:25

REFINER’S FIRE
Malachi 3:2

RESURRECTION
John 11:25

RIGHTEOUS ONE
1 John 2:1

ROCK
1 Corinthians 10:4

ROOT OF DAVID
Revelation 22:16

ROSE OF SHARON
Songs of Solomon 2:1

RULER OF GOD’S CREATION
Revelation 3:14

RULER OVER KINGS OF EARTH
Revelation 1:5

RULER OVER ISRAEL
Micah 5:2

SAVIOR
Luke 2:11

SCEPTER OUT OF ISRAEL
Numbers 24:17

SEED
Genesis 3:15

SERVANT
Isaiah 42:1

SHEPHERD OF OUR SOULS
1 Peter 2:25

SHIELD
Genesis 15:1

SON OF DAVID
Matthew 1:1

SON OF GOD
Matthew 27:54

SON OF MAN
Matthew 8:20

SON OF THE MOST HIGH
Luke 1:32

SOURCE
Hebrews 5:9

SPIRIT OF GOD
Genesis 1:2

STAR OUT OF JACOB
Numbers 24:17

STONE
1 Peter 2:8

SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Malachi 4:2

TEACHER
John 13:13

TRUE LIGHT
John 1:9

TRUE WITNESS
Revelation 3:14

TRUTH
John 14:6

VINE
John 15:5

WAY
John 14:6

WISDOM OF GOD
1 Corinthians 1:24

WITNESS
Isaiah 55:4

WONDERFUL
Isaiah 9:6

WORD
John 1:1

WORD OF GOD
Revelation 19:13



SEE  Importance and Power of God’s Names

Imprisoned pastor sues Chinese government

Chinese Government Sue By Imprisoned Pastor 

Pastors Su Tianfu (left) and Yang Hua

Guiyang, Guizhou, China- An imprisoned house church pastor filed a lawsuit against local government departments in China’s southern Guizhou province on Oct. 10, claiming his religious freedom had been violated and that a fine was wrongly imposed on him, ChinaAid learned recently.

Li Guozhi, who is known by his alias, Yang Hua, pastored Huoshi Church, the largest house church in Guiyang, Guizhou, until he was taken into police custody for defending a church hard drive and sentenced to two-and-a-half years for “divulging state secrets.” Additionally, the government fined him and another of the church’s pastors, Su Tianfu, 7 million yuan ($1,020,200 USD), an amount the officials claimed the church had received as “illegal income.” However, Su and Yang claim that church members donated their money voluntarily to the church and argued that it was the church’s income, not their own, so there is no grounds for administrative action.

The pastors applied for a court hearing to contest the case, but their request was denied.

On Oct. 10, Yang sued the Nanming District Religious Affairs Bureau and the Guiyang Municipal Ethnic and Religious Committee for their abuse of religious freedom in this case. Quoting the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, he argued that neither he, Su, nor Huoshi Church had violated any laws concerning religious freedom.

Meanwhile, Su had submitted his own lawsuit against t the Nanming District Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau and the Guiyang Municipal Religious Affairs Bureau. According to him, " ... my lawyers received a number of calls from the judge of the Baiyun District Court saying that our complaint had problems and must be modified," Su said. "Otherwise, it couldn't be put on file. So yesterday [Oct. 23], Lawyer Yan Xin and I went to the Baiyun District Court."

After they amended the content, the judge agreed to file the case. Su said, "In our indictment, there is an article that talks about faith. [The judge] said that the court could not engage the issue of faith. A filed case must not have any commentary, and he requested that we alter it."


For more of the new and translation of Yang's lawsuit...