U.S. Senate Unanimously Passes SJR 17 to Help Protect Iraqi Christians, but Measure May Stall in Committee

By Lauren Leigh Noske 22 Aug, 2014 18:01 EDT

The Capitol Resource Institute (CRI) is calling on President Obama to allow more Iraqi Christians to seek refuge from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in the United States. Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 17 is meant to help protect religious freedoms and Iraqi Christians from genocide. The measure has passed in the Senate unanimously, but is currently being held by the Assembly Rules Committee (ARC) and will likely die in the assembly unless Americans plea with committee members to take action on it.

SJR 17 unanimously passed in the Senate earlier this week, and must be voted on by the Assembly Rules Committee before August 29 or it will die in the committee. The resolution would "urge President Barack Obama's administration to expedite visa processing for Iraq's minority groups and to lift the refugee quota cap for Iraqi-Christians in order to streamline the process of accepting them into the United States as refugees." It would also urge the Department of State to work the Iraqi and Kurdistan governments to help Iraqi refugees, and to protect religious minorities from ISIS.

California Senator Anderson has been told that the ARC does not plan to take action on the measure. "We need to call upon the President to take a stand to protect Christians, and religious freedom around the world," says the CRI. The organization urges Americans to call Assemblyman Richard Gordon at (916) 319-2024 or (650) 691-2121 and Toni Atkins at (916) 319-2078 or (619) 645-3090 to plea with them to pass SJR 17.

"Let's make our voices heard for the persecuted who are unable to speak for themselves. Call. And keep calling. Forward to your family and friends so they can stand with us," they say.

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

In order an effort to promote traditional Chinese culture, the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, in collaboration with Macao YMCA, Guangzhou Suigang'ao Teenagers Institute, and the Teacher Chang Foundation of Taiwan, has conducted a survey on teens measuring their cultural awareness. They found that Hong Kong youths generally identify with and support the values of traditional Chinese culture.
Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.
Yesterday, October 31, was Reformation Day, and Lutherans around the world held various events in commemoration. In Singapore, the Lutheran Church advocated for Christian communion, while the German Lutheran Church encouraged believers to face the challenge of “trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time.”
Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.
2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation
In the afternoon of Reformation Sunday, Oct. 27, some 2.1 million Christians gathered for a joint worship service from 2pm to 5pm in Seoul, Korea to “unite for repentance, revival, and restoration of holiness in our society.” According to organizers, an estimated 1.1 million joined onsite despite the bad weather with another 1 million joining online. The unprecedented joint worship service brought together Korean churches across denominations as they affirmed traditional marriage and family and
Willow Creek Community Church invites believers to write prayer cards for the next president
This past Sunday, Willow Creek Community Church based in Illinois invited believers to “pray for the next president” during the service. The church not only expressed its concern for the upcoming election but also emphasized the role believers should play in the process and the importance of offering prayers for the nation's leaders.

U.S. Senate Unanimously Passes SJR 17 to Help Protect Iraqi Christians, but Measure May Stall in Committee

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues

2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.