Scott County Today

Mississippi Republican Senator Roger Wicker introduced the Marriage Protection Act June 25, a measure aimed at amending the Constitution to declare that marriage is a union between one man and one woman.

Wicker says the move is necessary because “activist judges are attempting to redefine one of our nation’s most sacred institutions.” In response,  19 states have passed laws and 26 states have amended their constitutions to protect marriage.

. . . For complete story, go to “Our Country” page

One week after after airing a TV ad in England that promotes homosexuality, the U.S.-based Heinz corporation is feeling pressure from both sides of the culture war, according to a report from LifeSiteNews.com.

The ad portrays what appears to be two male “parents” of two children exchanging a kiss as one of the men leaves for work. The man who had just served breakfast to the children says, “Love ya! Straight home from work, sweet cheeks.”

Heinz pulled the ad June 20, after more than 200 complaints were submitted to England’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Nevertheless the American Family Association in a June 24 action alert told its members to spread the word that Heinz was pushing homosexual marriage, since the ad without any varnished explanations appeared to feature a “homosexual family” with two homosexuals kissing. The AFA encouraged its members to voice their protest with Heinz to make sure that the food giant did not try the same thing in North America.

Stonewall, a UK-based homosexual activist group, is now demanding that homosexuals boycott Heinz products for pulling the ad.

England’s homosexual activists have gathered 1300 signatures on a petition online to request the advert be reinstated.

LifeSiteNews.com is a non-profit Internet service dedicated to issues of culture, life, and family. It was launched in September 1997.

If any Tennesseans weren’t disgusted when they learned in 2004 that the money acquired by the Heinz company goes to people like Theresa Heinz and John Kerry, the latest news from the Heinz company should do it.

Thanks to the vigilant homework being done by the American Family Association, a Christian organization based in Tupelo, Miss., we have discovered that the latest corporation to support the homosexual movement is Heinz.

In a television ad that is being aired now in England (where homosexual marriage is illegal), one man who has just finished preparing breakfast for two children gets an off-to-work kiss on the lips from another man.

It is not known whether the ad will run in the United States. In the meantime, encourage fellow Christians to buy Hunt’s ketchup _ or any other brand. Those who would like to lend their opinion to the Heinz chairman can do so by visiting the AFA web site.

Answers in Genesis founder Ken Ham says the Creation Museum near Cincinnati, now in its second summer of operation, will expand the facility in the next year.

The expansion will be geared toward activities for young children and will include kiosks aimed at kids and an outdoor playground.

In early June, Ham said the museum, which presents a literal interpretation of the Bible, had attracted more than 400,000 visitors since it opened in May 2007. Officials hope to have 300,000 museum visitors in the next year.

Co-founder Mark Looy said said there are no plans to build another museum. “Once you’ve done one, it’s easier to do another one,” Looy said. “But we just opened this a year ago, and we’re just learning how to operate it. Opening a second one is a dream way off in the distance.”

In the meantime, Ham said the museum is consulting with churches throughout the country to build one-room displays that will serve as mini-Creation Museums.

Since crowds have been larger than expected, the museum has already added some extras, such as more walking trails and a petting zoo. It also introduced new programming, a children’s reading program, and theatrical performances. In the next year, there also are plans for an additional parking lot and an auditorium to host speakers and educational events, Looy said. There will be more rotating exhibits and butterfly and woodland areas near the outdoor gardens, he said.

Ham said his group wants to see people converted to Christianity, but wants to influence people directly, rather than challenge school boards to add creationism to curricula. “We want to challenge everyone’s thinking. You never know what seeds you’re sowing,” he said.[

Huntsville First Presbyterian Church offers four evenings of Vacation Bible School beginning June 16. Activities from 5:30-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday include stories, crafts, music, and a light meal.

As a mission project, the church is collecting donations for the Department of Children’s Services emergency closet _ which provides clothing, toiletries, and diapers for children entering foster care. DCS is in need of good used children’s clothing of any size, as well as packages of disposable diapers, baby wipes, and such toiletries as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and shampoo. Toys are not needed. Collection baskets are at the church.

The VBS week concludes with a pool party will be Friday, June 20, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Stansberrys’ pool. Children must be accompanied by an adult and should bring their own towels and wear sunscreen.

For more information, call the church office (663-3456).