North Carolina

“Choose Life” specialty license plates approved for sale in the state of North Carolina are being met with challenges, as some citizens say the plates limit freedom of speech because no alternative message exists.

Citing violation of the First and 14th Amendment, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit asking the state to stop the sale of pro-life license plates, which the union says express a one-sided view in the abortion debate.

Because the option of pro-choice license plates has been repeatedly rejected in North Carolina, the ACLU accused the state of opening up a “forum for private speech to only one viewpoint in the public debate over abortion,” the lawsuit claims. more >>

North Carolina law already defines marriage in strictly heterosexual terms, but Christian leaders have joined with local politicians in rallying support for a constitutional referendum that would outright ban same-sex marriage.

At a press conference organized Tuesday by state House Speaker Pro Tem Dale Folwell (R-Forsyth) leaders from the Christian community turned out to put their muscle behind the push for the amendment issue to come before voters on the November 2012 ballot.

North Carolina already has a clearly defined explanation of marriage and does not acknowledge same-sex marriages conducted out of state, thanks to a 1996 law, but clergy present during Tuesdays' meeting say a constitutional amendment is necessary to protect biblical marriage against activist judges. more >>

Several counties in North Carolina have been busy preparing for hurricane Irene, which is in the direct path of the southeastern state.

North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue issued a state of emergency Wednesday night for counties east of I-95. She has also requested a pre-landfall emergency declaration from President Barack Obama to ensure that the state will be provided with federal assistance in conjunction with relief efforts.

“Hurricane Irene poses a significant threat to our state and we need to take appropriate action to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors, along with property and infrastructure along our coast,” she told the Gaston Gazette. more >>

A group of military atheists has announced that “Rock Beyond Belief,” an event initially planned for April, will now be held next spring as the Fort Bragg military base in North Carolina has finally agreed to host the festival featuring music, speeches and “godless” literature.

Modeled after and a reaction to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s “Rock the Fort” evangelistic event last year, the atheist festival will be held on March 31, 2012, “with the full support of” the military post, the event’s website says.

Sgt. Justin Griffith, the man behind the festival, says Fort Bragg commander Col. Stephen J. Sicinski has allowed the use of a centrally located parade field. “We’re extremely grateful to him for this opportunity,” he says. more >>

Mainstream Christian end times theology, subscribed to by many respected evangelical leaders, is wrong, said the president of the group behind the National Prophecy Conference.

At the opening session of the prophecy conference, held in Ridgecrest, N.C. earlier this month, Gary DeMar of American Vision laid out point after point why the popular dispensational premillennialism view is not supported by the Bible. He even called out by name several prominent evangelical leaders, who adhere to this school of thought, that have made wrong predictions.

“When I point this out to people, some people are irate,” said DeMar. “‘I can’t believe that you are critiquing these men of God.’” more >>

Summer movie series are for other churches. At Elevation Church in Matthews, N.C., a concert sermon series is more fitting to usher in summertime.

Young founding Pastor Steven Furtick, who leads the church of 8,000 attendees, will move his congregation into the second week of the Summer Concert Series this Sunday.

Last week, the church kicked off the new series with snow cones, popcorn, and outdoor activities before service to create a fun summer-themed atmosphere. Every week, the church plans to surprise attendees with activities that scream: summer is here. more >>