Saturday, February 25, 2017

Ancient Hebrew Inscription Discovered in Galilee Synagogue - CBN News

Margalit Zinati and the ancient stone, Photo, Ritvo, courtesy of Beit Zinati
Margalit Zinati and the ancient stone, Photo, Ritvo, courtesy of Beit Zinati
Ancient Hebrew Inscription Discovered in Galilee Synagogue
CBN News 02-21-2017

JERUSALEM, Israel – A restoration project at an ancient synagogue and visitor's center in the Western Galilee uncovered 1,800-year-old Hebrew inscriptions on a column capital. The inscriptions, which appear to be the names of donors who contributed to the synagogue, confirm the Jewish history of the 2,000-year-old village.
The project, sponsored by the Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage and carried out by the Council for Conservation of Heritage Sites in Israel, is taking place in the synagogue and neighboring Beit Zinati visitor center at Peqi'in.
After discovering the Hebrew inscriptions on an overturned column capital in the building's courtyard, the team contacted the Israel Antiquities Authority to examine the discovery.
"The Talmudic and Midrashic sources tell of the Galilean sages that lived in Peqiʽin, including Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, who hid from the Romans in a cave," IAA inspector in the Western Galilee Yoav Lerer said. "However, there are those who disagree with the identification of the location of Peqiʽin. I believe that these inscriptions will add an important tier to our knowledge about the Jewish settlement in the village of Peqiʽin during the Roman and Byzantine periods."
The project, which has been taking place for about a year, confirmed the Jewish history of the 2,000-year-old village and the Zinati family, its oldest Jewish residents.
Margarlit Zinati, the last member of the family, lives next door to the synagogue.
"Peqiʽin is one of the most significant sites in the Galilee and is a place where there has always been a Jewish presence," said Ze'ev Elkin, minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage. "It is a great honor for me that during my tenure in office such an important discovery has been made that tells this 2,000 year old story of the Land of Israel."
"This is a historical discovery of unparalleled importance that confirms what the late President Yitzhak Ben Zvi maintained in the early 20th century about the Jewish settlement at Peqiʽin," said Uriel Rosenboym, director of Beit Zinati.
"No one can argue with the written artifact. There was an ancient synagogue here and the synagogue was built in its current form in recent centuries," Rosenboym said.
"We thank the Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage, which aims to preserve the heritage of Peqiʽin's Jews. We are pleased to open the new museum with a historic message about this ancient community. Although the stone itself was taken to be studied by the Israel Antiquities Authority, this unique story of the keepers of the flame in Peqiʽin is revealed in the renewed museum."
While you are here...
We'd like to ask for your help. At CBN News, we strive to bring you the most current, pertinent and reliable news possible. We are able to bring you this important news from a Christian perspective because of the help of friends like you who know how vital it is to have an alternative to the news you hear from major media outlets. Would you help ensure that we can continue to provide this important service to you and our country by considering a special gift today? Or would you become a monthly partner so we know we can count on the resources we need to bring you the best news possible?
Thanks for being a part of the dynamic future of CBN News, as well as helping The Christian Broadcasting Network share the love of Jesus with hurting people everywhere.
Become a PartnerGive a special gift

Three Christian Evangelists Standing Trial on Ridiculous Accusations - CHRISTIAN CONCERN


Three Christian Evangelists Standing Trial on Ridiculous Accusations

Join us on our podcast each weekday for an interesting story, well told, from Charisma News. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

Three Christian evangelists were to appear at Bristol Magistrates' Court Feb. 23, charged with public order offenses. 
They are being supported by the Christian Legal Centre and will be represented in court by allied solicitor Michael Phillips.
Michael Overd, Adrian Clark, Michael Stockwell and another friend were preaching in a Bristol shopping area last July. They took it in turns to speak and to respond to questions, objections and abuse from the crowd that gathered.  
The men explained the difference between Islam and Christianity, using the Bible and references to the Quran. They spoke of God's love and the uniqueness of Jesus Christ.
After about an hour, however, Overd's preaching was interrupted by a police officer. He was then forcibly removed from the scene by the officer.
Video evidence from Overd's bodycam shows him falling to the floor and crying out in pain.

'Challenging Muslims'

The video also records the police officer saying that Overd was "challenging homophobia" (sic) and "challenging Muslims," to which Overd responded that he and his friends were "just saying what the Bible says."
The recording goes on to show the police officer asking for advice on whether Overd can be charged with any offenses, but only after Overd had been forcibly removed from the scene.
Overd had previously been arrested and stood trial for his street preaching but successfully contested the charges, citing the importance of freedom of speech. 
He and his friends have been charged with offenses under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Public Order Act 1986.

'Over the top'

Overd and his three friends were preaching in Bristol's Broadmead Shopping Centre on July 6 last year.
They took it in turns to preach, and as they did so, a crowd gathered. At points, the crowd was loud and aggressive, with some swearing and being abusive toward the men. There was also, however, debate between the preachers and members of the crowd, especially on the differences between Islam and Christian belief. Several hecklers appeared to be supportive of Islam.
Police did not arrive on the scene until about an hour into the preaching. A police officer approached Clark, asking him to turn off his amplification, which he did. 
Shortly afterwards a mounted police officer asked Clark to stop preaching so that she could speak to him. While Clark spoke with the officer, Overd took over the preaching.
Soon afterwards, another police officer approached Overd and told him he was "causing a disturbance" and was "not welcome."
The officer told Overd that he was going to give him a dispersal notice. But instead of doing so, he forcibly removed Overd from the scene, despite Overd (who suffers from chronic back pain) crying out in pain. 
The officer is later heard asking for advice on whether the men could be charged with offenses, saying that Overd has "gone over the top" and "he's just wound up people."

Public order offenses

Overd and his friends were eventually taken to Patchway Custody Centre, Bristol, held for several hours, and released on police bail to return for questioning.
They were charged under Section 31 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 for using "threatening or abusive words or behavior or disorderly behavior within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress, thereby, and the offense was religiously aggravated."
The charge against one of the men was subsequently dropped, however.
But the remaining three were additionally charged with offenses under the Public Order Act 1986. 
Overd, Clark and Stockwell will argue that the case raises crucial issues of freedom of speech and freedom of religion. They highlight that they simply explained the Bible's teaching and sought to respond to questions, comments and objections raised by those in the crowd.
The men say that they cannot and should not distort the plain teaching of the Bible that Jesus is God's Son and the only way to God.
Given that much of the debate centered on objections to their teaching about key differences between Islam and Christianity, the men have submitted a report from an expert witness, highlighting that their explanation reflects what the Bible and Quran say.

'Shut out of public debate'

Commenting on the importance of the case, Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre said:
"Mr. Overd and his friends are motivated by love. They want to share the good news of Jesus with people who might not otherwise hear it. Sometimes that means addressing the false claims of other religions or ideologies. 
"Robust debate is sometimes necessary, especially when objections are being raised or abuse hurled. We shouldn't be afraid of it.
"The aggressive treatment of Mr. Overd and his friends by the police and prosecution is shocking. The police should be defending freedom of speech, not clamping down on it. 
"'Offense is a very subjective thing and is easily manipulated to shut down viewpoints that people simply don't like. Any suggestion that there is a right not to be offended must be strongly resisted. In today's democracy, we need the freedom to debate, challenge and disagree. 
"But this was not just an attack on freedom of speech but an abuse of power. We will not only be seeking the acquittal of these Christian men but seeking an apology from the Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset police, compensation and assurances that officers are better trained to protect freedom of expression." 
"We cannot allow the Gospel to be shut out of public debate. Please pray for a successful outcome to this important case." 
Leaders are readers! Subscribe now and get 3 magazines for the price of 1. Get Ministry Today, Charisma and SpiritLed Woman all for $24. YES - Sign me up!
3 Reasons Why you should read Life in the Spirit. 1) Get to know the Holy Spirit. 2) Learn to enter God's presence 3) Hear God's voice clearly! Click Here to draw closer to God!

25th Annual Movieguide® Awards Celebrates Inspiring Movies and TV Programs; Entertainment With Strong Christian Content Receives Special Honors - DR. TOM SNYDER CHARISMA NEWS

Terry Crews emceed the Movieguide Awards. (Reuters)

25th Annual Movieguide® Awards Celebrates Inspiring Movies and TV Programs; Entertainment With Strong Christian Content Receives Special Honors

Join us on the new C-Pop podcast where Taylor and Jessilyn discuss, debate and sometimes deride pop culture with a strong sense of humor and a focus on Christ. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

The Young Messiah and Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love took home the top honors at Movieguide®'s 25th Annual Faith & Values Awards Gala, held Feb. 10 in Los Angeles.
They won the respective Epiphany Prizes for 2016's Most Inspiring Movie and TV Program that "greatly increases man's love and understanding of God."
Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The Expendables actor Terry Crews emceed the evening, which attracted more than 150 honorees and representatives from Hollywood. This year's theme was "The Inspired Life."
Other top winners at the awards included Hacksaw RidgeGod's Not Dead 2, Miracles From Heaven and three TV movies, The Bridge Part 2, A Time to Dance and Operation Christmas. 
Grace Award winner Adam Greaves-Neal, Director-writer Cyrus Nowrasteh, writer Betsy Griffin-Nowrasteh and Producer Terry K. Price accepted the award for The Young Messiah. 
Speaking for The Young Messiah cast and crew, Price said, "This was an elaborate journey. This film got shut down, and I made a commitment to the people that were involved that I would either get it done or die in the process, and did a little of both. So, thank you so much for this recognition.
"I can't thank Adam enough and his mom for making the trip, my daughter who was part of the film, Cyrus and Betsy, I call them Cyrus B. DeMille. So if you want an epic movie, Cyrus B. DeMille is the guy. Betsy wrote the scene with Mary and Jesus under the tree, which I think is, at least according to Chris Columbus, one of the five most beautiful moments ever put on film. And if you haven't seen it, I would encourage all of you to take a look at The Young Messiah."
Accepting for Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love was 9-year-old Alyvia Alyn Lind, who played Dolly Parton as a young child in the movie.
"Thank you so much!" Alyvia exclaimed. "We're so happy for this ... this movie's so amazing. I'm so honored that it got to win tonight."
Executive Producer Sam Haskell added, "This child brought iconic American Dolly Parton's childhood to life, and Alyvia will allow Dolly's legacy to live on forever.
"I want to thank God," Haskell continued. "I want to thank Ted Baehr and this incredible organization, the Movieguide® Awards. The people standing behind me are basically the wind beneath our wings. Just know that to stand in the light of God's grace and to show people who you really are is what it's about. That's who Dolly Parton is, and we love her, we appreciate her, and we cherish her. She is a servant of God, and we love telling the stories of her life. Thank you so, so much."
A highlight of the awards gala was Movieguide®'s presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award for Communicating and Living the Good News to the Rev. Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network, The Family Channel, Regent University and Operation Blessing.
"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen," Rev. Robertson said after receiving a standing ovation. "Thank you so very much.
"I want to thank Ted Baehr and this wonderful organization for this honor you're giving me. It's been a thrill. It's been a long journey, 55 years of broadcasting. I guess that's a long time. I've done 10,000 live television shows, 10,000 of them. You guys with these scripts should know, you do a movie, a week, a month, a year. I do five a week, but anyhow, that's the way it goes.
"God has blessed me. We are so privileged to live in this great land. We are so blessed. I've been all over the world. I've seen desperate poverty. I've seen suffering. I've seen leper colonies. I've been to people who were desperately poor, didn't have enough food to eat and done what I can to help them along the way.
"To realize when you come back to this nation, you get clean water, you take that for granted. Most people can't get it. I've been to India where they had to drink out of these feted pools that were just green and sickening, [but] we have fresh water, we have fresh air, we have delicious food. We have, even though the freeways are blocked up, roads that work. Most of them are dirt roads in other countries. We have so much here in this nation, and we are so blessed.
"In another month, I am going to be 87 years old! Praise God for His blessing and my life," Robertson concluded. "I've only got 13 more years to go, and I'll hit 100, and then I guess it's 110 after that, but whatever it is, thank you all. Ted, thank you. God bless all of you. God bless America."
One of the most passionate winner's speeches came from actress Faith Ford of The Bridge Part 2, who won the Grace Award for Most Inspiring TV Performance by an Actress.
"Well," she said, "first off, I'm gonna thank a being that's very important in my life, and that is God. I'm a granddaughter of a preacher, and [he] would be very proud right now.
"Karen Kingsbury wrote an amazing book that was inspirational, and in this time, we need lots of that. We need to be inspired. We need to think of who's coming up behind us, which is something I've always thought when I moved to New York when I was 17. I always thought about all those little girls and little boys and their parents and things they might be watching.
"My grandpa used to say, 'There's always someone watching over, you remember that.' I've always remembered that. ... Thank you so much, Movieguide®, and everyone."
Other winners of the Grace Awards for Inspiring Performances in Movies & TV included Adam Greaves-Neal, who played Jesus as a young boy in The Young Messiah, Melissa Joan Hart for God's Not Dead 2 and Devielle Johnson, who played a pastor and marriage counselor in A Time to Dance.
Miracles From Heaven won the Teddy Bear Award for Best Movie for Families, while God's Not Dead 2 won the Papa Bear Award for Best Movie for Mature Audiences.
Hacksaw Ridge won the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation's Faith & Freedom Award for Presenting Positive American Values in Movies, and the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Channel's television movie Operation Christmas won the Faith & Freedom Award for TV.
Taking home the $15,000 Kairos Prize for Beginning Screenwriters was Trisha Mammen from Daly City, California, for her script The Prayer Box.
The spiritually uplifting screenplay is about "a young boy who tries to catch God's attention by raiding the church prayer request box, and encounters the lives of people who will lead him to the very love he desperately needs."
The Kairos Pro Prize for Established Filmmakers went to a comedy/drama titled Donuts With Jerry, written by Ron and Mitzi Lynton-Peer from Phoenix, Arizona.
The story is about "a mysterious stranger who becomes stranded after a car accident in a small town at Christmastime, and becomes embroiled in the mayoral election between the ruthless businessman, who rules the town, and the feisty female owner of the donut shop."
The Kairos Prizes are given to the best, most inspiring screenplays that "greatly increase man's love or understanding of God."
Sponsored by Pure Flix Streaming, the prizes were presented by Pure Flix co-Founders David A.R. White and Michael Scott, the men behind God's Not Dead and the upcoming drama The Case for Christ. 
During the 25th Annual Movieguide® Awards, founder and Publisher Dr. Ted Baehr presented Movieguide®'s Annual Report to the Entertainment Industry, which year in and year out shows Hollywood and the news media that TV viewers and moviegoers prefer movies and television programs with biblical, morally uplifting, faith-based, patriotic and conservative principles and values.
For example, Dr. Baehr reported that four of the top five movies at the box office worldwide in 2016 are Movieguide® Award-winning movies with positive Christian, biblical, morally uplifting, patriotic and strong conservative or traditional family-friendly values, including Captain America: Civil War, The Jungle Book, Finding Dory and Zootopia. All four movies appear in Movieguide®'s lists of the Top Ten Movies for Families or the Top Ten Movies for Mature Audiences.
The 80-page 2017 Report to the Entertainment Industry also notes that the patriotic TV program NCIS is not only the number-one TV drama in the United States but also overseas.
In addition, this year's Epiphany Prize winner, Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love, was the most popular television movie by far last year. According to Nielsen's ratings, the movie's original telecast and a second broadcast in December were watched by 15.74 million people in the U.S.
That would be equivalent to $136.15 million at the weekend theatrical box office in the United States, using the average ticket price in 2016 of $8.65. By the way, this $136 million would place the Dolly Parton movie in the Top 20 Opening Weekends of all time!
"We use such figures to encourage Hollywood to make more Christian, family-friendly movies and television programs like Dolly Parton's TV movie," Dr. Baehr said.
Apparently, this strategy is working like gangbusters.
Since the Movieguide® Awards has been active in Hollywood, the number of family movies released by the entertainment industry has skyrocketed. Now, every major Hollywood movie studio, not just Disney, has a division devoted to making family movies.
Also, since the Movieguide® Awards began in 1993, according to Movieguide®'s annual report, the number of movies with strong Christian content has increased 296 percent! In addition, movies with strong Christian content have gone from earning less than $210 million each year at the box office in the United States and Canada to making more than $3.8 billion with a "b." Those figures don't even include overseas or home video earnings.
"By putting faith and values in your movies, you reach broader audiences," Dr. Baehr told the more than 150 attendees from the entertainment industry at the Movieguide® Awards.
"We just want to be humble, support you and encourage you," he added.
Dr. Baehr overtly preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Hollywood elite gathered at the 25th Annual Awards Gala.
"God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son," he quoted from John 3:16, "that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ... The Good News isn't just about the vast future after death. It's actually about now. Jesus came that you might have life and have it abundantly [John 10:10]. He wants you to have the abundant life now. So, we want you to have the abundant life now."
Now in its 32nd year, Movieguide® is dedicated to "redeeming the values of the entertainment industry by influencing industry executives and by informing and equipping the public, especially parents and children, about the influence of the entertainment media."
Movieguide®'s Annual Faith & Values Awards Gala honors the best, most family-friendly movies and television programs honoring God and inspiring audiences with messages of faith, hope, goodness, justice, liberty, redemption, forgiveness and true divine love.
You can watch the 25th Annual Faith & Values Awards Gala & Report to the Entertainment Industry on Reelz TV on Easter April 16 at 5 p.m. EST/2 p.m. PST.
Below is a complete list of all the winners and nominees chosen by the judges for Movieguide®'s 25th Annual Faith & Values Awards Gala and Report to the Entertainment Industry:
SPECIAL LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Lifetime Achievement Award for Communicating and Living the Good News to: Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network, The 700 Club and Operation Blessing
THE EPIPHANY PRIZES FOR INSPIRING MOVIES & TV
EPIPHANY PRIZE FOR MOST INSPIRING MOVIE OF 2016
Winner: THE YOUNG MESSIAH
Other nominees: HACKSAW RIDGE, MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN, GOD'S NOT DEAD 2, RISEN, SILENCE, BEN-HUR (2016), HAIL, CAESAR!
EPIPHANY PRIZE FOR MOST INSPIRING TV PROGRAM OF 2016
Winner: DOLLY PARTON'S CHRISTMAS OF MANY COLORS: CIRCLE OF LOVE
Other nominees: THE PASSION: NEW ORLEANS, THE BRIDGE PART 2, A TIME TO DANCE, OPERATION CHRISTMAS, POCAHONTAS: DOVE OF PEACE, AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.LD.: SEASON 3: EPISODES: 20-22: Emancipation, Absolution, Ascension
TEN BEST MOVIES FOR FAMILIES
 1 - MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN
 2 - THE YOUNG MESSIAH
 3 – SING
 4 - THE JUNGLE BOOK (2016)
 5 - FINDING DORY
 6 - THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS
 7 – TROLLS
 8 - QUEEN OF KATWE
 9 – ZOOTOPIA
 10 - PETE'S DRAGON (2016)
TEN BEST MOVIES FOR MATURE AUDIENCES
 1 - GOD'S NOT DEAD 2
 2 - HACKSAW RIDGE
 3 - CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR
 4 – RISEN
 5 – SILENCE
 6 - BEN-HUR (2016)
 7 - THE FINEST HOURS
 8 – SULLY
 9 - EDDIE THE EAGLE
 10 - HAIL, CAESAR!
FAITH & FREEDOM AWARD FOR PROMOTING POSITIVE AMERICAN VALUES IN MOVIES*
Winner: HACKSAW RIDGE
Other Nominees: CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, GOD'S NOT DEAD 2, SULLY, SING, QUEEN OF KATWE, HAIL, CAESAR!
FAITH & FREEDOM AWARD FOR PROMOTING POSITIVE AMERICAN VALUES IN TV*
Winner: OPERATION CHRISTMAS
Other Nominees: POCAHONTAS: DOVE OF PEACE, THE BRIDGE PART 2, DOLLY PARTON'S CHRISTMAS OF MANY COLORS: CIRCLE OF LOVE, THE PASSION: NEW ORLEANS,
AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.LD.: SEASON 3: EPISODES: 20-22: Emancipation, Absolution, Ascension
*Supported by a grant from the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation
GRACE AWARDS FOR MOST INSPIRING ACTING IN MOVIES
WINNING ACTOR: Adam Greaves-Neal for THE YOUNG MESSIAH
Other Nominees: Joseph Fiennes for RISEN, Robert Pike Daniel for HAIL, CAESAR!, David A.R. White for GOD'S NOT DEAD 2, Andrew Garfield for HACKSAW RIDGE, Cliff Curtis for RISEN, Rodrigo Santoro for BEN-HUR (2016), Josh Brolin for HAIL, CAESAR!
WINNING ACTRESS: Melissa Joan Hart for GOD'S NOT DEAD 2
Other Nominees: Kylie Rogers for MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN, Jennifer Garner for MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN
GRACE AWARD FOR MOST INSPIRING ACTING IN TELEVISION
WINNING ACTOR: Devielle Johnson for A TIME TO DANCE
OTHER NOMINEES: Ted McGinley for THE BRIDGE PART 2, Tyler Perry for THE PASSION: NEW ORLEANS, Gerald McRaney for DOLLY PARTON'S CHRISTMAS OF MANY COLORS: CIRCLE OF LOVE, Marc Blucas for OPERATION CHRISTMAS
WINNING ACTRESS: Faith Ford for THE BRIDGE PART 2
OTHER NOMINEES: Alyvia Alyn Lind for DOLLY PARTON'S CHRISTMAS OF MANY COLORS: CIRCLE OF LOVE, Dolly Parton for DOLLY PARTON'S CHRISTMAS OF MANY COLORS: CIRCLE OF LOVE, Natalia Cordova-Buckley for AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.LD.: SEASON 3: EPISODES: 20-22 - Emancipation, Absolution, Ascension
The Kairos Prizes, Sponsored by Pure Flix Streaming:
$15,000 Kairos Prize for Most Spiritually Uplifting Screenplay by a First-Time or Beginning Screenwriters
Trisha Mammen from Daly City, California, for her script THE PRAYER BOX
$15,000 Kairos Pro Prize for Most Inspiring Screenplay by an Experienced Filmmaker
Ron and Mitzi Lynton-Peer from Phoenix, Arizona, for their script DONUTS WITH JERRY
Leaders are readers! Subscribe now and get 3 magazines for the price of 1. Get Ministry Today, Charisma and SpiritLed Woman all for $24. YES - Sign me up!
3 Reasons Why you should read Life in the Spirit. 1) Get to know the Holy Spirit. 2) Learn to enter God's presence 3) Hear God's voice clearly! Click Here to draw closer to God!

Top Oscar Nominees All Turned Down Trip to Israel - Yossi Aloni ISRAEL TODAY

Top Oscar Nominees All Turned Down Trip to Israel

Friday, February 24, 2017 |  Yossi Aloni  ISRAEL TODAY
Of the 25 leading candidates to win an Academy Award last year, none chose to exercise the offer by the Ministry of Tourism to enjoy a free upscale vacation in Israel.
According to the company that gives the special gift bags to Oscar nominees, the only Hollywood star to make any use of the Israeli gift card was Jennifer Lawrence, who gave it to her parents.
Some, like British actor Mark Rylance, star of the movie “Bridge of Spies,” openly rejected the Israeli offer.
With the 2017 Oscars just around the corner, pro-Palestinian groups told AFP that the failure of the Israeli gift card last year was due to their pressure on Hollywood stars to boycott the Jewish state.   The Oscar gift bags contain about $200,000 worth of gifts. Valued at $55,000, the Israeli officer of first class airfare, 5-star accommodations and culinary experiences for two is one of the more expensive offerings.
Pro-Palestinian activists have accused Israel of using the expensive gifts to trick Hollywood stars into photo-ops that would benefit the Jewish state. They have urged the celebrities to shun Israel, just as they refused to visit apartheid South Africa in the 1980s.
Among the groups pressuring celebrities to NOT visit Israel are liberal Jewish organizations like “Jews for Peace,” which warned Hollywood stars that by visiting Israel they would be identifying with the “occupation of Palestine.”
That seems to have been enough to scare off every single one of last year’s top Oscar nominees. We’ll wait and see if the pressure works again this year.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Ministry of Tourism said that while the 25 Oscar nominees didn’t visit, a great many other Hollywood stars did come to Israel over the past year, and returned home as newly-minted goodwill ambassadors for the Jewish state.
PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen with movie star Keanu Reeves at an event held at the home of producer Arnon Milchan (not seen), featuring Hollywood movie stars and other film industry personalities. March 06, 2014. Photo by Avi Ohayon/GPO/FLASH90
Want more news from Israel?
Click Here to sign up for our FREE daily email updates

Friday, February 24, 2017

Facebook Backpedaling After Banning Christian Mom for Posting Bible Verse - JESSILYN JUSTICE CHARISMA NEWS

Activist Mommy Elizabeth Johnston (Facebook)

Facebook Backpedaling After Banning Christian Mom for Posting Bible Verse
JESSILYN JUSTICE  CHARISMA NEWS
Join us on the new C-Pop podcast where Taylor and Jessilyn discuss, debate and sometimes deride pop culture with a strong sense of humor and a focus on Christ. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

Facebook backpedaled after shuddering activist and Christian homeschool mom Elizabeth Johnston's account for posting a Bible verse.  
"Where have I been? I was banned from Facebook for 3 days because I quoted what the Bible says about homosexuality," she shared on her "Activist Mommy" page. "Facebook is now censoring Christian speech! Facebook allows the most vile speech and photos yet censors Christian speech and the Bible. I'm out of 'Facebook jail' for now, but the threat to delete my page if I continue to speak on this is still very real. I will not be intimidated. You can physically place me in jail for all I care...I will not be silenced. You can read what I wrote below, which Facebook deleted. Let's see if this post gets deleted. Please share far and wide with the hashtag #FacebookCensorsBible #Censorship #biblecensorship #christiancensorship #Facebookcensorship."
The media giant later apologized, saying the temporary freezeout was a mistake.  
Johnston says the post in question was more than 6 months old at the time Facebook banned it.  
Her censored post quoted Leviticus, which calls homosexuality an abomination and detestable.  
Once Johnston's page was restored, she says she was banned again for calling out Facebook for its liberal bias.  
Though Facebook has since apologized, it appears Johnston's battle is far from over. Shortly after Facebook's apology, she says reports began to flow in that some forms of censorship were still occurring. 
"I am gathering evidence," Johnston wrote Feb. 23. "Please send me any information or screenshots or explanations you have to show me how my Activist Mommy page is being censored. One person told me my videos had no share buttons on them while everyone else's do. Another woman just told me nothing happens when she clicks share on my posts, while she can share other people's posts (angry emojis). I realize some of you can still share my posts, but FB may be able to control the amount of sharing. Somethin's smelling rotten to me! (Sick emoji) This is a national news story right now. It's time to lift the skirt on this biased social media censorship! Help me by sharing and praying!! #ActivistMommy #censorship #BibleNotHateSpeech."
Leaders are readers! Subscribe now and get 3 magazines for the price of 1. Get Ministry Today, Charisma and SpiritLed Woman all for $24. YES - Sign me up!
3 Reasons Why you should read Life in the Spirit. 1) Get to know the Holy Spirit. 2) Learn to enter God's presence 3) Hear God's voice clearly! Click Here to draw closer to God!