Oklahoma

TULSA, Okla. - Some money that flowed into Oral Roberts Ministries earmarked by donors for scholarships or other campus needs was instead placed in an "unmarked, miscellaneous" account shared by both the ministry and Oral Roberts University, a former ministry employee told The Associated Press.

The employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, worked in a department that processed thousands of dollars a day.

She said there was "no consistency, rhyme or reason" for which donations went into the unmarked account "- be it checks written to the university or the ministry -" and which went to the actual departments they were set aside for by the donors. more >>

Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City), who said that the homosexual lifestyle is a bigger threat to American than terrorism, faced off against an openly gay pastor Easter Sunday in a debate on homosexuality that delved into politics and theology.

The debate on KFOR-TV's "Flash Point,” which was posted on YouTube, featured Kern, host Kevin Ogle, panelists Burns Hargis and Mike Turpen, and Dr. Scott Jones of Oklahoma City's Cathedral of Hope. Hargis defended Kern's views while Turpen sided with Jones.

During the debate, Kern clarified comments she made at a Republican event in January, saying that she was speaking of the "homosexual agenda" and not people who are gay. more >>

An Oklahoma lawmaker has received thousands of hostile e-mails and voice messages that included death threats for speaking out about homosexuality and labeling it a bigger threat to America than terrorism or Islam.

"I'm not anti, I'm not gay bashing but according to God's word, that is not the right kind of lifestyle," said State Rep. Sally Kern at a Republican event in January.

Her comments generated national attention after pro-homosexual group Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund posted the recording on YouTube earlier this week. As of Friday afternoon, the posting had close to 900,000 views. more >>

In an 11th hour move before Christmas, the president of Southwestern Oklahoma University announced this week the school has reversed its ban on the word “Christmas,” allowing staff members to display religious symbols in their offices as well as greet each other with holiday salutations.

The clarification followed a directive issued by David Misak, director of Human Resources, to university staff that decorations featuring the word "Christ" or Christmas" be immediately removed from Weatherford school’s lobbies and offices, according to the Liberty Counsel. Employees were also instructed to not use the word “Christmas” in e-mails.

Various staff members confirmed to Liberty Counsel that they were not allowed to use the holiday greeting in e-mail or voicemail and that the ITS department was told to remove from the university introduction page a statement that read: "Have a very Happy Holiday ... Merry Christmas ... Happy New Year." more >>

Oral Roberts University’s Board of Regents will meet Monday and Tuesday to begin the search process for a new president, the chairman of the Board said after former president Richard Roberts resigned amid allegations that he misspent the charismatic school’s money.

Nearly two months after three former professors filed a lawsuit charging him of financial misconduct, Roberts sent in a letter of resignation Friday to the Board of Regents.

“I love ORU with all my heart. I love the students, faculty, staff and administration and I want to see God’s best for all of them,” the president said in his letter of resignation. more >>