Update on the latest religion news

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GOP 2016-CARSON-BIBLE

Carson defends Bible beliefs at Christian college

LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) β€” Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson has defended his belief in the Bible at the school founded by the Rev. Jerry Falwell.

The retired neurosurgeon told thousands of students at Liberty University that many people ask how a scientist can believe that God created the Earth. Carson said he tells them that believing everything evolved from nothing, by accident, “requires a lot more faith than what I believe.”

He said many people today not only reject the Bible but also regard believers as idiots. But, quoting Scripture, he said: “If God be for you, who can be against you?”

Carson said he wanted to ease into retirement, but sensed that God wanted him to seek the presidency instead.

Asked by a student about same-sex marriage, Carson said he believes legislation is needed “to protect the religious freedoms of people who believe that marriage is between one man and one woman.”

Sound: (3:06 a.m. audio feed)

047-w-35-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Dr. Ben Carson, GOP presidential candidate)–Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson has defended his belief in the Bible at the school founded by the Reverend Jerry Falwell. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (12 Nov 2015)

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048-a-07-(Dr. Ben Carson, Republican presidential candidate, addressing students Wednesday at Liberty University)-“of our lives”-GOP presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson says there’s growing opposition to religion in America. (12 Nov 2015)

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049-a-13-(Dr. Ben Carson, Republican presidential candidate, addressing students Wednesday at Liberty University)-“of an idiot”-GOP presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson says a growing number of people mock the Bible. (12 Nov 2015)

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050-a-10-(Dr. Ben Carson, Republican presidential candidate, addressing students Wednesday at Liberty University)-“direct your paths (applause fades)”-GOP presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson says his advice to students comes from the Bible’s book of Proverbs. ((cut used in wrap)) (12 Nov 2015)

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051-a-12-(Dr. Ben Carson, Republican presidential candidate, addressing students Wednesday at Liberty University)-“and one woman (applause fades)”-GOP presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson says people who believe in traditional marriage face potential discrimination. (12 Nov 2015)

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GOP 2016-CARSON-LIBERTY

Ben Carson: Voters must be on guard for ‘propaganda’ in 2016

LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) β€” Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson has told students at a Christian college in Virginia that they should be on guard for “propaganda” as they mull their votes in 2016.

A day after the fourth GOP primary debate, Carson told about 12,000 people at Liberty University that “many in the media want to bring me down, because I represent something that they can’t stand.”

Carson’s appearance at Liberty comes after a week of reports questioning various parts of the personal narrative that has helped propel Carson to the forefront of the Republican primary field.

He asked students to pray for “wisdom” for him and his family and “for the eyes of the nation to be opened to what’s going on.”

Evangelical Christians are a key part of Carson’s support.

Sound: (3:06 a.m. audio feed)

215-a-14-(Ben Carson, Republican presidential candidate, in remarks at Liberty University)-“and my family”-GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson calls on students at Liberty University to pray for him. (11 Nov 2015)

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216-a-07-(Ben Carson, Republican presidential candidate, in remarks at Liberty University)-“to what’s going on”-GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson asked students at Liberty University to pray for his family. (11 Nov 2015)

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217-a-11-(Ben Carson, Republican presidential candidate, in remarks at Liberty Universtiy)-“they can’t stand”-GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson says he is among those who “clings” to his Bible. (11 Nov 2015)

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218-a-19-(Ben Carson, Republican presidential candidate, in remarks at Liberty University)-“kinds of propaganda”-GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson says voters should become well-informed so they can guard against biased coverage of the campaign. (11 Nov 2015)

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US-IMMIGRANT-CHURCH SANCTUARY

Immigrant woman leaving church where she stayed 15 months

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) β€” An immigrant woman is going back to her home in Arizona after living in a Tucson church for the past 15 months to avoid deportation.

Rosa Robles Loreto moved into Southside Presbyterian Church in August 2014 after being ordered to leave the country.

Her case began when she was pulled over for a traffic infraction five years ago and was turned over to the Border Patrol. A spokeswoman says Robles Loreto’s attorney came to a confidential agreement with the government that allows her to stay in this country.

At a ceremony to mark her departure from the church, an emotional Robles Loreto said Wednesday that she is elated and will keep fighting for immigrant rights.

The Rev. Alison Harrington, who heads Southside Presbyterian, said community support helped the 42-year-old mother of two during the 462 days she spent at the church.

Robles Loreto was the last remaining immigrant to live in a church during a year that saw an active sanctuary movement. Immigrants looking to avoid deportation also sought refuge in Portland, Oregon, Denver, Austin, Texas, and Phoenix.

FIRED OVER FERTILIZATION

Teacher, diocese file motions to dismiss discrimination suit

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) β€” Both the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and a former teacher who was fired after undergoing in vitro fertilization treatments have filed motions to dismiss a lawsuit.

Emily Herx filed a federal gender discrimination case against the diocese in 2012 after her contract wasn’t renewed. She argued that the diocese treated male teachers in similar situations differently, and that she was discriminated against because she tried to become pregnant through the procedure a third time.

The diocese claims it chose not to renew Herx’s contract to teach at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in Fort Wayne because the in vitro fertilization treatments violated church teachings, not because she tried to become pregnant. Diocese attorneys have said Roman Catholic Church teachings condemn the procedure as evil.

Herx was initially awarded $1.9 million in damages, but that was reduced. Last month, the diocese put $444,184 in a bank account for Herx following a court order, and the two sides filed a joint motion to dismiss Tuesday.

NATIVITY SCENE REMOVED

Wadena nixes nativity scene, residents opposed

WADENA, Minn. (AP) β€” A nativity scene that has long been part of Wadena, Minnesota’s, Christmas decorations will no longer be displayed, despite a strong showing of support from citizens who oppose its removal.

It was the threat of a lawsuit from the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation that led the City Council Tuesday night to vote to donate the replicas of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus to a private group.

Mayor George Deiss said the nativity scene has been displayed at Burlington Northern Park for as long as anyone in the city can remember.

Freedom From Religion Foundation attorney Patrick Elliot said although it may be a tradition, it shouldn’t be allowed to violate separation of church and state.

Elliot said the foundation gets dozens of similar complaints across the United States each year.

SCHOOL EVENTS-PRAYER

Athletics association approves new prayer policy for events

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) β€” The association that oversees high school activities, including athletics, in Oklahoma has adopted a new policy for playoff contests that allows a moment of silence before games and competitions.

The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association voted Wednesday to adopt the new policy after concerns were raised about whether prayer is allowed before games.

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt issued a formal opinion last month that the association’s policy prohibiting public prayer at playoff events was overly broad.

The new policy applies only to playoff contests, including games, and other competitions like music, speech and debate.

KENTUCKY GOVERNOR-TRANSITION

Gov.-elect Bevin clarifies website to take job applications

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) β€” Kentucky Gov.-elect Matt Bevin has updated his transition website to clarify that everyone is welcome to apply for jobs in his administration.

The website originally said Bevin wants to hire people who “share his traditional values.” Bevin opposes same-sex marriage and supports Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis, who is seeking a religious exemption from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

The website now says Bevin wants to hire people who “share his conservative values.” Bevin spokeswoman Jessica Ditto said Bevin’s team made the change after a reporter asked about the language. She said Bevin wants to be “abundantly clear” that his administration will be “inclusive, transparent and dedicated to the betterment of our state.”

The website also invites people registered as Democrats or independents to apply, adding they will be reviewed for their qualifications.

LEWISTON ELECTION

Rep. sparks row, calls Lewiston candidate “anti-Christian”

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) β€” A Maine state representative has called a candidate for mayor of Lewiston an “anti-Christian bigot” in a Facebook post, adding more fuel to an already contentious campaign.

Republican Rep. Larry Lockman of Amherst posted on Tuesday that Ben Chin hates Christians, a claim Chin says is totally false. Chin faces Lewiston Mayor Bob Macdonald in a runoff election next month.

Maine Public Broadcasting Network reports that Chin says he often serves as a lay Episcopal preacher and reads sermons at Trinity Church in Lewiston. He describes Lockman’s criticism as “craven.”

RELIGIOUS-OBJECTIONS-SEX-OFFENDERS

Indiana judge dismisses suit targeting new sex offender law

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) β€” An Indiana judge has dismissed a lawsuit that argued a new state law wrongfully barred two registered sex offenders from attending church services because their churches have schools on their grounds.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana and the state’s attorneys sought the dismissal after the state determined the law does not in fact bar the two men from attending their respective churches.

The ACLU of Indiana had argued that the law barring many sex offenders from going onto school property at any time also barred the men from attending their churches because they have schools on their grounds. But the state said it determined that “for a church to be ‘school property,’ the church building or other structure must be owned or rented by a private school.”

INAPPROPRIATE COP CLASS

Official: Anti-Islamic police training class inappropriate

LAKEWOOD TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) β€” New Jersey officials say it was inappropriate for a county police academy to have a self-described former Muslim terrorist talk at a class called “Know Your Enemy.”

The state Attorney General’s office told the Asbury Park Press that it will hand out new police training guidelines to New Jersey’s 21 county prosecutors.

Walid Shoebat, a Palestinian-American, discussed his views on Islam during a counterterrorism seminar held Nov. 2 in Lakewood in eastern New Jersey. Shoebat told the Ocean County police officers that they should actively watch Muslims in their communities.

He also suggested they be suspicious of Muslims taking martial arts classes because he said they could be training to become terrorists. A private police vendor arranged the training session; it was sponsored through the Ocean County Police Academy.

COUNCILMAN-ANTI-ISLAM STATEMENTS

Dallas councilman defends anti-Islamic social media posts

DALLAS, Ore. (AP) β€” A member of the Dallas, Oregon, City Council is standing by statements he made on his personal Facebook that some are calling anti-Islamic.

The Statesman Journal reports that Micky Garus said Tuesday that his comments do not reflect the city or other council members, but that he believes more Muslims in power would lead to the implementation of Sharia law and a loss of freedoms in America.

Garus posted over the weekend on Facebook that he believes the Islamic faith is “pure evil” and compared Muslims to Adolf Hitler. The original post has been removed.

Dallas Mayor Brian Dalton says the Oregon city is committed to nondiscrimination and the content of Garus’ Facebook post was not a matter of discussion by the City Council.

MEXICO-POPE

Pope Francis to visit Mexican capital, 3 states in 2016

MEXICO CITY (AP) β€” Mexico’s foreign relations secretary says Pope Francis will visit the Mexican capital and three states early next year.

Claudia Ruiz Massieu says Francis will make stops in Chiapas, Michoacan and Chihuahua as well as Mexico City. Those stops present opportunities for the pontiff to touch on issues he has emphasized, such as poverty, migration and support for indigenous communities.

Ruiz Massieu said Wednesday that the trip will take place in the first months of 2016 and that specifics of Francis’ itinerary would be released by the Vatican next month.

Mexican Cardinal Norberto Rivera said recently that the pope would arrive Feb. 12, but that date has not been confirmed by the Vatican.

Mexico is home to more Roman Catholics than any other Spanish-speaking country. Benedict XVI was the last pope to visit Mexico, in 2012.

VATICAN-SCANDAL

Vatican puts 2 reporters under investigation in leaks probe

VATICAN CITY (AP) β€” The Vatican says it has placed two Italian journalists under investigation in its probe over leaked documents that revealed waste, greed and mismanagement at the highest levels of the Catholic Church hierarchy.

Journalists Gianluigi Nuzzi and Emiliano Fittipaldi wrote bombshell books detailing the uphill battle Pope Francis is facing in reforming the Vatican. Their books, released last week, were based on leaked documents from a reform commission Francis named to get a handle on the Vatican’s finances and propose reforms.

On Wednesday, Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi confirmed that Nuzzi and Fittipaldi had been placed under investigation by Vatican magistrates for their possible role in dealing with the leaked documents.

Reached in Berlin, Nuzzi said he knew nothing of the investigation. Fittipaldi was quoted by his Espresso magazine as saying it’s the price he has to pay for doing his job.