By Christy Barritt

How Black and White Christians Think About Race

The protests and riots in Ferguson, Missouri, this summer caused many to debate race issues in America. The Portraits of American Life Study found vastly different perceptions on race among black and white Christians, a gap that has continued to widen since 2006.

Increasingly more evangelicals and Catholics believe that “one of the most effective ways to improve race relationships is to stop talking about race.” In 2012 around 34 percent of black evangelicals agreed, versus 24 percent in 2006. Among white evangelicals, 69 percent agreed in 2012 versus 51 percent in 2006.

In 2006 around 20 percent of white evangelicals agreed with the statement, “It is OK for races to be separate, as long as they have equal opportunity.” In 2012 that number increased to 34 percent. Black evangelicals, on the other hand, decreased in their agreement to the statement, with 19 percent agreeing in 2006 but only 16 percent in 2012.

Finally, 41 percent of black evangelicals said they thought about their race daily, as opposed to only 13 percent of white evangelicals.

Tyndale to Publish Novelization of Horror Film

Tyndale House Publishers partnered with Affirm Films and published a novelization of the horror film The Remaining.

The storyline of The Remaining, which released to theaters and in print form the first week of September, centers on friends who gather at a wedding when terrifying apocalyptic events unfold, forcing them to examine life, love, and faith. In the end, they must choose between redemption and survival. 

The supernatural thriller was produced by the same company behind Moms’ Night Out and is aimed at prompting viewers to reconsider end times and ponder their beliefs. Author Travis Thrasher penned the novelization, as well as a special prequel to the book/movie called The Foreboding.

Two-Thirds of Christian Men View Porn Monthly

Nearly two-thirds of American men view pornography monthly, and Christian men are no different than the rest of the population. This is according to a new study that the ministry Proven Men commissioned the Barna Group to research.

According to the results, 9 percent of men from ages 18-30 view porn several times a day, 20 percent at least once daily, and 34 percent several times a week. Among Christian men, 7 percent view porn several times a day, 12 percent view it at least once daily, and 18 percent view it several times a week. The results also showed that only 3 percent of Christian men never view porn.

Overall, 18 percent of American men, approximately 21 million, think they’re either addicted to pornography or are unsure if they are. 

Proven Men is a Maryland-based nonprofit ministry that helps men who struggle with porn.

Church Faces Potential Lawsuit over LED Sign 

A Georgia church is potentially facing a lawsuit after setting up a large LED-lit sign on its property.

Fellowship Baptist Church in Grovetown is in violation of a local ordinance for setting up its new church sign, which advertises both their church and a food pantry they oversee. According to Grovetown bylaws, churches are not allowed to have signs that exceed 24 square feet. However, LED signs are not allowed to be more than 16 square feet. The ordinance was adopted in 2012.

Church leaders are meeting with city leaders in order to find a compromise. One possibility that was discussed involved moving the sign 130 feet so that it’s out of the city limits and into the country.

The church’s pastor said they were unaware that such an ordinance for LED signs existed.

Christy Barritt is an award-winning author, freelance writer, and speaker living in Chesapeake, Virginia. She and her husband Scott have two sons.
www.christybarritt.com