Georgia

A letter signed by about 500 Emory University faculty, students and alumni seeks to bring attention to the anti-evolution views of Dr. Ben Carson. The world-renowned Johns Hopkins University neurosurgeon will be the Atlanta university's May 14 commencement speaker.

The letter does not ask that Carson be dis-invited. Rather, it seeks to bring attention to the issue. It notes Carson's accomplishments as a neurosurgeon and philanthropist, then adds, "But, as those students, their families, and the Emory Community listen to his speech, we ask you to also consider the enormous positive impact of science on our lives and how that science rests squarely on the shoulders of evolution."

What is most concerning about Carson's beliefs, according to the letter's authors – Emory Professors Jacobus de Roode, Arri Eisen, Nicole Gerardo and Ilya Nemenman – is that Carson "equates acceptance of evolution with a lack of ethics and morality." more >>

Lecrae Moore, among a long list of artists popular for preaching the Gospel in rap, has recently released a video for his upcoming mixtape "Church Clothes." The video, featured on the website of a mainstream hip-hop publication, has apparently won approval from fans pleased to see the hypocrisy present in some churches, and its effect on unbelievers, brought center stage.

On Thursday the rapper, who just goes by his first name, announced to fans on Facebook and Twitter that the "Church Clothes" video had made its world premiere on XXLmag.com.

The "Church Clothes" video first shows the lyrical theologian appearing with hip-hop staples, such as DJ Premier and newbie Kendrick Lamar, acknowledging his skills. The video then cuts to Lecrae standing in the pulpit of a church wearing a minister's garb. He soon rips off the preacher's robe to reveal his sleeveless shirt, cargo shorts and baseball cap, and continues rapping as he walks down the aisle. more >>

Pastor Andy Stanley recently left some Christians questioning his stance on homosexuality after preaching a message on grace and truth that included an account of a gay couple last month. He told The Christian Post he may issue a statement in the near future.

In the meantime, he pointed people to his 8-part message series on what it means to be Christian, which concludes this Sunday.

"We are requesting that everyone watch the entire series: Christian. It concludes this Sunday. It's 8 parts. That's a lot of content to wade through. But I figure that's better than a sound bite or an interview," Stanley, who leads North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Ga., said in an email to CP. more >>

The U.S. Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) slapped Ephren Taylor, a businessman already facing civil lawsuits for alleged million-dollar financial fraud, with a federal suit in Atlanta, Ga., Thursday, revealing a major affinity fraud allegedly carried out by Taylor targeting mostly African-American church congregations.

Eddie Long's New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga., and Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, were two out of at least five churches Taylor allegedly targeted in what the SEC estimates to be an $11 million Ponzi scheme. The alleged perpetrator also targeted "a number of Church of Christ churches" and some secular individuals via radio advertisement and other methods, SEC told The Christian Post Friday.

Taylor, 29, a charismatic entrepreneur, speaker and former CEO of City Capital Corporation, and the company's chief operating officer, Wendy Connor, were charged with soliciting the money from at least 350 people, SEC said. A great majority of these people had one thing in common – they were practicing Christians. more >>

A charismatic businessman accused last year of defrauding members of Eddie Long's New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, has been charged by the federal government with orchestrating a $11 million Ponzi scheme "that targeted socially-conscious investors in church congregations."

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) alleges that Ephren W. Taylor, a "self-described 'Social Capitalist,'" made numerous false statements to lure investors into two investment programs being offered through City Capital Corporation, an investment company of which he was the CEO.

"Instead of investor money going to charitable causes and economically disadvantaged businesses as promised, Taylor secretly diverted hundreds of thousands of dollars to publishing and promoting his books, hiring consultants to refine his public image, and funding his wife's singing career," SEC said. more >>

A high school student in DeKalb County, Georgia, is boycotting her graduation ceremony because it is to be held at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, the megachurch of embattled pastor Eddie Long.

Nahkoura Mahnassi, 16, told local media that she refuses to participate in Southwest DeKalb High School's ceremony if it will be held inside a church because neither she nor her mother are Christians. The teen also said she does not "like" New Birth. When asked why, she said, "It's kind of a long story, but I don't like churches or New Birth so I'm not going," reported Atlanta news station WSB-TV.

New Birth Missionary Baptist Church has often been featured in national and local media over the past several years because of its charismatic head pastor, Long, who has been the main figure in several controversies, including sexual misconduct allegations, alleged multiple counts of financial fraud, and a recent controversy following the guest appearance of Rabbi Ralph Messer at the church. Messer performed a "crowning" ceremony with a Torah scroll on Long, the video of which went viral online and brought both ministers criticism from Christians and Jews. more >>