Oregon

A conservative legal group has threatened to sue a community college in Oregon over its call to cancel a course on Islam and fire the instructor while schools officials remain undeterred in their decision.

The American Center for Law and Justice has sent a letter to Lane Community College in Eugene, Ore., demanding that it rehire Barry Sommer and reinstate his course "What is Islam?" or face legal action.

The noncredit course was cleared by LCC officials and had been posted for registration on Dec. 1. Using the Quran as one of its textbooks, the course was designed to help students better understand the Islamic doctrine so they could be better informed to grasp the issues in news on Islam, Muslims and the Middle East. more >>

Argentina-born evangelist Luis Palau celebrated his 50th year of ministry Thursday evening in the presence of a Grammy Award-winning artist and the mayor of Portland.

Palau, who left his native country in 1960 to start his ministry in the United States, marked the milestone with a large celebration at the Oregon Convention Center. The event was attended by Mayor Sam Adams and award-winning artist Steven Curtis Chapman.

“Headed downtown to celebrate over 50 years of ministry!” Palau wrote on his Facebook page on Thursday. “What a blessing and privilege it has been. Looking forward to a great evening celebrating with friends of the team, and enjoying special music from Steven Curtis Chapman.” more >>

A Clackamas County, Ore., jury found a faith healing couple guilty of criminally negligent homicide for failing to seek medical help for their son.

Jeff and Marci Beagley were convicted Tuesday, nearly two years after their 16-year-old son, Neil, died.

When Neil grew sick in 2008, the parents called family members and friends to lay their hands on him and pray for healing. Marci on Friday testified that her son said he didn't need to or want to go to the doctor. more >>

The mayor of Portland, Ore., has declared this coming May 1 to Oct. 31 to be the city’s Season of Service.

A collaborative effort between the city, local churches and nonprofit organizations, the 2009 Season of Service will continue a tradition started last year to actively address some of the area's greatest social needs.

This year, with the nation facing the worst economic conditions in a generation, the Season of Service is expected to bring much-needed relief in a state where the unemployment rates are moving closer to 10 percent. more >>

The Oregon couple who chose prayer over medicine to heal their infant daughter asked a judge Wednesday to dismiss criminal charges against them, arguing their right to religious freedom.

Carl Brent Worthington and his wife, Raylene, have both pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree manslaughter and criminal mistreatment in the death of their 15-month-old daughter Ava.

The infant girl died March 2 of bronchial pneumonia and a blood infection that could have been treated with antibiotics, according to the state medical examiner’s office. more >>

Bypass the cold wind and maze of look-a-like Christmas trees and go online to hunt for your ideal pine-needle beauty this season. That’s what the staff at Coyote Hills Christmas Tree Farm in Oregon are hoping people will do, and they’re serious about the digital shopping experience - even assigning serial numbers to the trees.

Pictures of uncut Christmas trees can be seen online and shoppers can browse through the selection in the comfort of their home or office. The trees are shown still growing in the field and will not be cut until the day they are shipped to ensure the freshest tree possible.

“So you are seeing the actual tree you would be buying, not just a tree off a truck or from a lot,” explains Coyote Hills. more >>