New York

The four New York State Republican senators who in June voted in favor of passing a marriage bill that legalizes same-sex marriage in the state have been receiving significant financial support from pro-gay activists from across the nation, leaving some to speculate if money was the motivation for their votes against traditional marriage.

The four senators – Mark J. Grisanti of Buffalo, James S. Alesi of Rochester, Stephen M. Saland of Poughkeepsie and Roy J. McDonald of Saratoga County – are being hailed by pro-gay activists as setting the precedent for other Republicans to break party ranks and declare their support for same-sex marriage. According to an article from The New York Times published Jan. 17, the four representatives have been receiving a significant increase in donations since voting on the bill, called the Marriage Equality Act.

McDonald reportedly raised $447,000 within the past six months, and was famously quoted as saying that those who disapproved of his support for same-sex marriage "can take the job and shove it." more >>

It was a speedy delivery for first-time parents Rabita Sarkar and Aditya Saurabh of New Jersey. The couple, on their way to the hospital, opted to take the New Jersey PATH train and was surprised by the early arrival of their son.

Rabita had been experiencing pain she should could be contractions and told reporters, “We were coming here to check if it was false labor or not. I was like, ‘Okay, I’m just doing it for peace of mind.’” It turned out not to be false labor.

As soon as she boarded the train, Rabita could feel that the baby was coming. Thankfully another passenger took notice of the situation. “She asked me, ‘Where are you headed to?’ I said, ‘33rd then to the hospital at 59th.’ Then she told me, ‘You can’t wait.’” more >>

Theories abound about what, if anything, will happen on Dec. 21, 2012. One documentary seeks to examine not only the natural cataclysms that threaten the planet, but also what the Bible has to say about the end times – as the oft-cited Mayan date could potentially be used to deceive Christians.

Dec. 21, 2012, marks the end of the Mayan calendar, and has stirred much discussion and debate about what that might signify. Some fear the end of the calendar might mark the time of the end of all life; others predict it will be the dawn of a new era. However, André van Heerden, the writer and director of “2012: PROPHECY OR PANIC?” believes it is wise for Christians to be prepared for anything regardless of what actually may happen on that day.

Van Heerden, who is also an executive producer at Cloud Ten Pictures, the production company behind the movie, has worked on a number of Christian-themed films in the past, such as "Left Behind" (2000) and "Revelation" (1999). more >>

Spirits were high in the freezing temperature Monday morning as a group of 70-odd protesters called for economic and social equality in front of the New York City Federal Reserve bank in downtown Manhattan.

The area, located only one block away from Zuccotti Park, where the "Occupy Wall Street" (OWS) movement originated, has already seen the banners and heard the slogans. But the Monday protest – held on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – was also complete with prayers and hymns. Protesters evoked the spirit of brotherhood and unity, while also evoking the legacy of King, the most revered civil rights activist in the United States.

“Occupy the Dream” (OTD) was born when members of the African-American faith community joined forces with OWS to launch “a new campaign for economic justice inspired by the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., faithful to its philosophical origin,” organizers said in a recent statement. Monday was only the first day of an initiative that is intended to last until the goal is achieved. more >>

The “Occupy” movement is back, and this time it joins forces with progressive religious leaders in a siege of 13 locations of the Federal Reserve Bank across the nation as the country celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. day Monday.

The new movement is led by Dr. Benjamin Chavis Jr., a legendary civil rights activist who worked with King, and the Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant of the Empowerment Temple Church in Baltimore, Md. Chavis was the North Carolina State Youth Coordinator of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference under King and has worked closely with hip-hop impresario Russell Simmons in recent years. Bryant is a popular pastor and cultural personality in a growing church with a congregation of over 10,000. The men are being joined Monday by Occupy Wall Street protesters, students and newcomers to the movement calling for economic equality.

The date of this renewed class action event is not coincidental, as the movement's leaders made it clear they are going to allude to the legacy of Dr. King while demonstrating in front of the bank buildings, showing that the “99 percent” is still not appeased and ready to protest the economic inequality in the country. more >>

The New York City Housing Authority has extended the lease of a Bronx church that uses one of its facilities after the congregation accused authorities of trying to evict them in the context of an alleged clampdown on worship groups in government buildings.

Infinity NY Church, a nondenominational ministry led by Pastor Dimas Salaberrios, has been fighting to keep its space at the Bronx River Community Center after it received a notification from NYCHA that its lease was going to expire, and that the church would need to move by February.

A number of congregants staged a protest in front of the New York City Law Department offices last week, in which Salaberrios and other participants were arrested while praying. more >>