| | Disney, Google tied to university initiative funding abortion film projects | | Curated for you byCP Editors | | Good afternoon! It's Wednesday, October 5, and today's headlines include a $25,000 university grant program for pro-abortion student film projects, a judge dismissing Stovall and Kerri Weems' defamation lawsuit against Celebration Church leaders, and reactions to the death of country music icon Loretta Lynn. | | A new "Reproductive Rights Accelerator" program will award at least three senior film students a $25,000 grant toward the script development and creation of films about the issue of abortion. The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, part of the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, was unveiled via a tweet over the summer. The program, intended to focus on "reproductive health and political storytelling," is funded by the Women Moving Millions nonprofit. The organization consists of 340 members who make a minimum $1 million commitment to support initiatives for women and girls. Annenberg Inclusion Initiative Founder Stacy Smith stated that the "curtailing of reproductive rights" made it necessary to educate the public about abortion." Smith further stated that the entertainment industry has "a unique ability to reach viewers and provide that education," asserting that it is the group's goal "to illuminate how many opportunities there are to use storytelling as a tool to expand the conversation and create substantial attitude and policy change." | | The initiative, which has ties to Walt Disney Studios and other major companies, has prompted concerns from pro-life advocates about the message the program intends to convey. Focus on the Family's Nicole Hunt pointed out that "storytelling is an essential component in the culture wars waging over abortion policy today," contending that abortion activists are trying to shape the narrative surrounding abortion. She called on the pro-life movement to counter such efforts with their own storytelling and pointed to the recent release of the film "Lifemark" as one such effort. Continue reading. | | P.S. Looking for a way to close out your week? Stay in the know with In Case You Missed It, a Friday-only newsletter that features a roundup of the top stories of the week and a selection of faith-based highlights. Subscribe here. |
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| Planned Parenthood doctor tells congressional hearing that men can get pregnant | | Dr. Bhavik Kumar, an abortionist at Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, told a House Oversight Committee that men can get pregnant. Kumar, who also serves as Planned Parenthood's primary and trans care doctor in Houston, Texas, was one of several witnesses who testified at the Sept. 29 hearing. When asked by Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., whether biological men can get pregnant and give birth, Kumar responded, "Men can have pregnancies, especially trans men." Clyde pushed back and asked Kumar to clarify whether he was stating that a biological female who identifies as a man is a pregnant "man." After Kumar argued that Clyde was "missing the point," Clyde shot back, "This isn't complicated ... Any high school biology class teaches that men and women have different chromosomes. Females are XX [chromosomes] and [males] are XY [chromosomes.] I can’t believe it’s necessary to say this but men cannot get pregnant and cannot give birth, regardless of how they identify themselves." Read more. | | Also of Interest... | | Professor apologizes to medical students for being 'offensive,' saying 'only women can get pregnant''Transphobic': Josh Hawley riles UC Berkley prof. for saying only women can get pregnantEmoji designers unveil finalists ‘Pregnant Man,’ ‘Pregnant Person’ to depict ‘trans pregnancies’ | | Beth and Alex Malarkey evicted by ex-husband | | Beth Malarkey and her 24-year-old son, Alex, have been ordered to leave their home in Huntsville, Ohio, following an Oct. 1 hearing. Alex was left a quadriplegic following a 2004 car accident, which was made famous in the 2010 bestseller The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven. In 2015, however, Malarkey admitted the story was a fabrication made up by his father, Kevin Malarkey, who has since divorced Beth and continues to receive 100% of the royalties from the book. Following the scandal, Alex sent a letter to LifeWay Christian Stores and other faith-based retailers explaining why he went along with his father's fabrications, saying he thought it would get him attention and he had not read the Bible, which he realized was "the only source of truth." The mother is asking for prayers after being evicted from their home by her ex-husband; a GoFundMe for Beth and Alex to move into a more functional home for Alex has raised more than $110,000 as of Wednesday morning. Read more. |
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| The ‘rubble world’ and the Church | | In this editorial, Wallace B. Henley compares the current state of society to the "rubble world" in post-World War II Europe and the devastation that has been caused by those wreaking havoc on the spiritual, moral, instutitional, and intellectual aspects of society. Henley writes that now, more than ever, society needs a sound, steady and authentic Church that represents Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. "So don’t sell out and don’t pull out," Henley says. Read more. | | Why the Left can't successfully reproduce over the generations | | Dr. Michael Brown discusses research from the journal of Evolutionary Psychological Science, which noted, "Overall, religious people out-reproduce secularists. Consequently, the proportion of secularists in most if not all countries will decline noticeably." Because religious people have more children on average and tend to lean right, the left will naturally experience a long-term decline. This is further supported by a report that found that more than 77% of American atheist voters identified as Democrats, while just 10.9% were Republicans. Taken in conjunction with the left's support for abortion and LGBT couples, as well as declining birth rates, the bright side is that, "Not only are people of faith reproducing, but many countries are waking up to the weakness of leftist ideologies, most recently in Italy, where the election of Giorgia Meloni has stirred up a firestorm of leftist criticism," Brown concludes. Read more. |
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| Have Millions of American Christians Confused Politics with the Gospel? | | Was the relationship between evangelical Christians and Donald Trump a match made in heaven or a marriage made with hell? Did Christian conservatives trade their reputation for a seat at the political table, or is this just a false accusation from the Trump-hating, Christian-bashing, leftist media? And how did Donald Trump go from unlikely presidential candidate to superhero to political savior in the eyes of his supporters? | | In this penetrating, carefully documented, no-holds barred book, biblical scholar and cultural commentator Dr. Michael Brown explains how millions of sincere Christians wrapped the gospel in the American flag and got so caught up in partisan politics that President Trump, almost more than Jesus, became the rallying point of their faith. Learn More. | | |
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| Judge dismisses Weems’ defamation lawsuit against Celebration Church | | Florida Circuit Judge Marianne Lloyd Aho has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by Pastor Stovall Weems and his wife, Kerri, against leaders of the 12,000-member Celebration Church in Jacksonville, concluding the court does not have jurisdiction over ecclesiastical matters. The Weems allege they were ousted from the megachurch, which they founded in 1998, in a "coup" earlier this year. They resigned as leaders in April and filed their defamation suit in response to an internal investigation commissioned by the church that painted the couple as abusive leaders who exploited church staff and finances until they were forced to resign. Read more. | | Also of Interest... | | Celebration Church sues to evict Stovall and Kerri Weems from million dollar waterfront homeCelebration Church report paints founders Stovall and Kerri Weems as abusive, mentally troubledPastor Stovall Weems steps down from Celebration Church after filing lawsuitCelebration Church Pastor Tim Timberlake says he isn't going anywhere despite founder's lawsuit | | Price Henderson Gwynn passes away | | Price Henderson Gwynn, the former moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly, has died at age 99. The World War II veteran died just months before his 100th birthday. Throughout his career, Gwynn served as the president of the Package Products Company, the president of Engraph, Inc., and the vice president of Lance, Inc. He also served as a trustee of Presbyterian Hospital and Presbyterian Health Services Corporation, which included six years as chairman, as well as a trustee of Davidson College. Read more. |
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| Planned Parenthood calls Netflix's 'Blonde' film 'anti-abortion propaganda' | | Planned Parenthood is criticizing Netflix's new Marilyn Monroe film for its depiction of abortion, expressing concern about the film's portrayal of Monroe's mental torment after undergoing two illegal abortions against her will. The movie is based on the book of the same name by Joyce Carol Oates and premiered at the Venice Film Festival in early September before becoming available for streaming on Netflix on Sept. 28. The film shows Monroe's anguish over her two abortions, as well as a pregnancy that results in a miscarriage. Before the baby dies, it asks Monroe whether she will "do the same" as she did before. The pregnancy ends after the actress trips over a rock at the beach. Planned Parenthood's Caren Spruch has argued the movie inaccurately depicts women's abortion experiences and increases the stigma surrounding abortion, telling The Hollywood Reporter, "While abortion is safe, essential healthcare, anti-abortion zealots have long contributed to abortion stigma by using medically inaccurate descriptions of fetuses and pregnancy." In a statement to The Wrap, "Blonde" writer and director Andrew Dominik clapped back at the idea that the film is "anti-pro choice," arguing that people are looking at it "through this Roe v. Wade" lens due to the timing of its release. Read more. | | | | Country stars mourn Loretta Lynn | | Country music icon Loretta Lynn passed away on Tuesday at the age of 90. Known as the queen of country music for seven decades, the "Coal Miner's Daughter" passed away peacefully in her sleep, her family revealed in a statement. Fellow country music stars and fans were quick to share their remembrances of Lynn on social media, with Dolly Parton tweeting, "We've been like sisters all the years we've been in Nashville, and she was a wonderful human being, wonderful talent, had millions of fans and I'm one of them." To read statements from stars such as Carrie Underwood, George Strait, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Darius Rucker, and Carole King, click here. | | | | | | | | Thank you for spending part of your day with us. We look forward to seeing you again tomorrow! -- CP Editors |
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