News

Quotation Marks

Recent comments from Oprah Winfrey, Jim Wallis, and others that have stirred the pot.

“We promise to make Wednesday a day of esteem for our Lord.”Peter Bagley, pastor of United Protestant Church in Morgan Park, Minnesota, on moving Sunday morning worship to Wednesday nights during the summer, when attendance is about half that of winter. Source: Duluth News Tribune

“People often ask me what is the secret to the success of this show …. I non-jokingly say, ‘My team and Jesus,’ because nothing but the hand of God has made this possible for me.”Oprah Winfrey, on the last day of her eponymous show’s 25-year run. Source: The Oprah Winfrey Show

“[T]hese debates have not been at the core of our calling … [so] we chose not to become involved in the controversy that such a major ad campaign could entail.”Jim Wallis, explaining why Sojourners rejected an ad from the gay rights group Believe Out Loud. The decision was severely criticized by many on the Left. Source: Sojourners

“To the extent that the alleged statements yet convey any defamatory meaning, it is a pronouncement of the moral judgment of a pastor upon the conduct of a church member.”Judge Jack M. Battaglia of New York, dismissing a defamation lawsuit brought by a woman against her pastor. The pastor had called the woman a “whore” for renting a room to his daughter and a married man with whom she was living. Source: Religion Clause

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