New York

The lawsuit filed by Zachery Tims' mother to keep secret the cause and manner of the New Destiny Christian Center (NDCC) church founder's death was rejected by the Manhattan Supreme Court Monday, and his family has 30 days to appeal the decision, New York City authorities told The Christian Post.

Madeline Tims sued the New York medical examiner's office, as well as New York City, on Oct. 6, one day before the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) was set to issue a press release regarding the cause and manner of Tims' death. Her attorney, Ricardo E. Oquendo, Esq., argued that since the City has no right to publicly disclose autopsy reports, neither should it be allowed to disclose information listed on such reports, such as the cause and manner of death. But Judge Cynthia S. Kern said in the Monday decision that "upon public inquiry, the OCME may release the cause and manner of death in the cases it handles."

Currently, Tims' family is considering whether they should appeal the decision, Oquendo told CP Wednesday. more >>

NEW YORK – A group of Christian and Jewish leaders gathered in front of the Iraqi Mission to the United Nations in New York City Wednesday to appeal to Iraqi authorities about the escalating violence against Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq.

Led by Dr. Paul de Vries, president of the New York Divinity School, the leaders spoke briefly with Ambassador Hamid Al-Bayati, permanent representative of Iraq to the United Nations, bringing the diplomat’s attention to the plight of Iraq's religious minorities, who have been facing escalating violence since the U.S. invasion of the country in 2003. The interfaith group sought to impress upon Al-Bayati the need for the government to protect its people, especially now that U.S. troops have left the country.

The Christian leaders emphasized that the Christmas season is a  particularly dangerous time of the year for the Christian community, as terrorist organizations have targeted Christian holiday services in the Middle East in the past and have specifically recommended attacks on churches. more >>

A controversial study from Columbia University, claiming the health and well-being of gay men is possibly linked to pro-homosexual policies, is being contested for its "flaws" and the alleged bias of the head researcher.

Mark L. Hatzenbuehler, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health & Society Scholar at the university, is credited with conceiving of the study and completing its analyses.

"Gay men lead healthier, less stress-filled lives when states offer legal protections to same-sex couples," reads a Dec. 15 press release from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. more >>

A federal lawsuit has led to official recognition for a student-led Christian club that had earlier been banned by the Hicksville Union Free School District in Central Islip, N.Y.

Attorneys of the Christian law firm Alliance Defense Fund on Friday started the process of voluntary dismissal of the federal lawsuit against the district after its “decision to change course and grant the club equal access to the rights, benefits, and privileges extended to all other non-curriculum student clubs.”

Apart from officially recognizing the Frontline Club, the district also adopted a resolution affirming its “continuing policy to comply with the Equal Access Act,” a federal law that prohibits government schools from discriminating against religious student clubs that wish to meet on campus during non-instructional time, ADF – which has nearly 2,100 attorney in its alliance – said in a statement Friday. more >>

The oldest, best-preserved manuscript of the Ten Commandments will go on display in New York City beginning Friday, reminding people amid the hustle and bustle, of the real reason for the season.

Part of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Life and Faith in Biblical Times exhibition, the newly added artifact will be featured at Discovery Times Square for a special two-week event and is already expecting to draw tens of thousands of visitors.

 “The holiday season is a time for families and outings, and is one of the most religious times of the year for Christians, Jews and Muslims alike,” Kristin Romney, curatorial consultant for the Discovery Times Square told The Christian Post. more >>

Occupy Wall Street protesters erected a Nativity scene as a "peace offering" in front of Trinity Church in New York City Thursday, and held a debate with clergy in an attempt to persuade them to allow protesters to stay on their property.

Photo 1: Police presence was high as Occupy Wall Street protesters gathered in front of Trinity Church, also known as Trinity Wall Street.

Photo 2: Protesters held up signs that asked for the church to sympathize with their cause. more >>