New Jersey

As the New Jersey Judiciary Senate Committee prepares to take up a bill permitting same-sex marriage in the state next Tuesday, the debate surrounding the proposed legislation is heating up, with observers on both sides expressing uncertainty about the number of legislators actually in support of the bill. 

Democrats introduced a same-sex marriage bill – the Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act – last week, despite seeing a similar bill defeated two years prior. Advocates of the bill, which aims to end same-sex civil unions and redefine "marraige" to include couples of the same gender, say the public has expressed support for same-sex marriage – a claim validated by a Quinnipiac poll released Thursday that found 52 percent of New Jersey residents were in favor of such unions.

Gov. Chris Christie has remained mum on the issue, and said Thursday he would make a prudent decision – if the bill even reaches his desk. more >>

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie declined to specify Thursday if he would veto proposed legislation that would legalize same-sex marriage in the Garden State.

Advocacy groups on both sides of the issue have hotly contested the legislation, which was announced on Monday by a coalition of state Democratic leaders.

With a Democratic majority in the Senate and Assembly, Democrats and gay rights activists are optimistic the bill will make it to Christie’s desk. What happens when it gets there, however, is the source of much consternation for the bill’s supporters, as the governor has previously expressed his opposition to same-sex marriage. more >>

Stephen Colbert, the popular host of Comedy Central's satirical news show “The Colbert Report,” portrays an over-the-top conservative Republican character on his show, but what some may not know is that in real life he is a practicing Roman Catholic – and even teaches Sunday school.

“The Colbert Report” has featured many comical stories on religion, often to ridicule the ways in which politicians use it as a tool. Colbert himself is reportedly a registered Democrat. 

A variety of guests have appeared on the show to discuss faith from various viewpoints, with figures including the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest who has visited the show several times and is introduced by Colbert as “The Colbert Report chaplain,” to atheist Richard Dawkins, who was invited in 2006 to promote his bestselling The God Delusion book. more >>

An atheist group that is raising objections to Christmas banners and Nativity scenes across the United States is now targeting a sign in New Jersey.

Pitman Borough in Gloucester County carries a banner that reads, “Keep Christ in Christmas.” The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation says it violates the establishment clause of the Constitution.

“In our mind, this was either a violation of the establishment clause of the Constitution, or a sign that needed a permit – and that without a permit, they were showing favoritism to an organization,” Star-Ledger quoted FFRF’s constitutional consultant Andrew Seidel as saying. more >>

Some 70-odd members of a community of Christian Indonesian refugees who fled their country due to religious persecution 10 years ago and have been living in Highland Park, N.J., are facing imminent deportation.

The undocumented Indonesian immigrants escaped persecution in the late 1990s. Central New Jersey had no Indonesian churches in 1995, and seven by 2000, with some 1,000 members, according to a local pastor. Most of their children were born on American soil. These refugees have been living in the peaceful New Jersey community, in the shadows of the immigration law, attending church, including the Reformed Church of Highland Park.

But things have changed for the community after Sept. 11, 2001, when the federal agencies cracked down on immigrants from Muslim countries. One policy enacted was the  National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) initiative that called for illegal immigrants from specific countries to register or be considered terrorist fugitives. All the men in the community decided “after much prayer” to be honest and reveal themselves, given that they were Christians who escaped Muslim persecution, the Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale, pastor of the Reformed Church of 10 years, told The Christian Post Friday. more >>

Over 400 children from economically disadvantaged families in New Jersey will find a new present under the tree this Christmas.

On Dec. 10, the New Brunswick- based Liquid Church, along with 15 local social service organizations, is hosting a community outreach called Operation Christmas Angel.

“With the economy the way it is, people are hurting,” Lead Pastor Tim Lucas told The Christian Post. He said his church came up with the idea for OCA as a way to “show Christ’s love in a practical way.” more >>