Church Politics

A judge has ruled that a black South Carolina church owns a building that sells Ku Klux Klan memorabilia, ending a legal battle between the two.

The Redneck Shop, a KKK museum that sells Klan robes, t-shirts with racial slurs and other KKK memorabilia, has operated from an old movie theater since 1996, according to The Associated Press. However, a circuit judge ruled last month that New Beginnings Baptist Church is the rightful owner of the building. The judge ordered the shop’s owner to pay the church’s legal bills of over $3,000.

According to court records, ownership of the building was transferred in 1997 to the Rev. David Kennedy and the New Beginnings Baptist Church by a klansman in dispute with others in the group. The judge wrote that the Klansman was at odds with the store owner over a woman, and had also developed a spiritual relationship with New Beginnings church, according to The Huffington Post. more >>

A pastor in Michigan has turned himself after being accused with stealing money from his church and lavishly spending it on himself.

Rev. Arthur Lee Pearson, Sr. was dismissed from his position of spiritual leader at the Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church for allegedly taking $237,374 from the church’s funds. He is accused by the church’s trustees of taking the money and using it for purchases at Red Lobster, Victoria’s Secret, Electric Cheetah and other retailers.

Last week, the Kent county prosecutor’s office authorized a warrant that charges Pearson with embezzlement of anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000. Prosecutors say the charges could be upgraded under the belief that more money may have been stolen, according to WOOD-TV 8. more >>

Rick Perry is leaving the results of the upcoming Iowa caucuses up to God.

Perry, who has been campaigning in Iowa, recently told reporters that if God willed him to end his presidential bid after the results of the Iowa caucuses, he would.

“That’s God’s will,” Perry said. “There might be an outcome that he decides that I wouldn’t go on.” more >>

Queen Elizabeth II has appointed the Reverend Preb Paul Lockett as her personal and official Chaplain. The announcement comes as the Church of England prepares for defections in the upcoming year.

Reverend Preb Paul Lockett is a self-described traditionalist who has been outspoken about the appointment of female bishops. The Church of England is facing mass defections as it moves toward the approval of female Bishops. Lockett, however, has stated, “I can’t acknowledge a woman Bishop. If she then delegates her authority to a male Bishop, it has no value.”

Upon the announcement of Lockett as the Queen’s Royal Chaplain, he said, “It’s almost like a nod of approval by the Royal Family and Church of England…It shows that they still see the traditionalist voice as an important one that ought to be heard. I will keep speaking about my traditionalist views, and making sure they’re heard.” more >>

Roman Catholic bishops in Illinois have followed colleagues in other states, rejecting nondiscrimination laws, which they say diminishes their religious freedoms.

Bishops in Illinois have decided not to side with Catholic Charities affiliates who comply with new requirements that say they must consider same-sex couples as potential foster-care and adoptive parents. The requirements say the charities must include these groups if they want to continue to receive state funds, according The New York Times.

The charities have served the community for almost half a century and are a major link in Illinois’ social service network for poor and neglected children. more >>

A youth minister accused of molesting a child has pleaded not guilty in an Arizona court Thursday.

However, additional news about the court proceedings was unavailable.

Earlier this month, Mesa, Ariz. Police arrested Jasmine “J” Omar Brown after two counts of sexual conduct with a minor and three counts of child molestation, branching from his relationship with a juvenile male. more >>