Category Archives: International

MICHELLE BACHMANN WANTS THE BIBLE TO BE THE U.S. ‘OFFICIAL BOOK’

Bachmann
Bachmann

Minneapolis, Minnesota-  There are official national symbols and there are official state symbols. The apple is New York’s official state fruit, the valley quail is California’s official state bird, the wood violet is Illinois’ official state flower, and humuhumunukunukuapua’a is Hawaii’s official state fish.

Soon, the bible will become Louisiana’s official state book. By a vote of 8-5, a committee of the Louisiana House yesterday advanced a bill that would make the bible the official state book.

Rep. Thomas Carmody, R-Shreveport, said he sponsored the proposal after a constituent made the request. But Carmody insisted the bill wasn’t designed to be a state endorsement of Christianity or a specific religion. “It’s not to the exclusion of anyone else’s sacred literature,” he told the House committee.

Enter Michele Bachmann, U.S. representative from Minnesota. She loves the idea so much she is taking the proposal to a national level. The congresswoman is busy drafting legislation that would make the bible the country’s official book. “This is an opportune time to introduce this bill considering that next week marks Christianity’s Holy Week leading up to Easter,” Bachmann said.

The Bible, King James Version
The Bible, King James Version

Asked by The Adobo Chronicles which version of the bible she would be proposing as the official national book of the U.S., Bachmann replied, “I will get back to you on that. I didn’t realize there was more than one version of the bible.”

POPE FRANCIS WILL TWEET ‘THE PASSION OF CHRIST’ ON PALM SUNDAY

GetFile.aspxThe Vatican – It’s Palm Sunday this weekend, the day Roman Catholic rituals include a procession re-enacting Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem – complete with waving of palm tree branches –  as well the reading of the longest gospel in the liturgical year.

The Palm Sunday gospel narrates ‘The Passion of Christ,’ including his last supper, agony in the garden, arrest, trial and crucifixion. It will be read in church services all over the world and during the Palm Sunday mass at St. Peter’s Square officiated by no less that Pope Francis.

In yet another of the many changes Pope Francis has initiated since he was elected leader of the Catholic Church, The Vatican just announced a different Palm Sunday service that will replace the reading of the pages-long Passion of Christ

In a prepared statement, Pope Francis said that instead of reading the long gospel on Palm Sunday, he will tweet a shortened version of the passion during Sunday’s services.  He is encouraging Catholics planning to attend the services at St. Peter’s Square to bring their smartphones, tablets or other mobile devices so that they can call up and read the Pope’s tweet at the appropriate time during the mass.

Catholic faithful in Rome were quick to praise the Pope’s announcement, saying that the tweet will cut down the lengthy Palm Sunday services they are subjected to year after year.  Members of the clergy said they are so looking forward to see how the Pope will deliver the Passion of Christ in 140 characters or less.

The Vatican encouraged Catholic churches throughout the world to follow Pope Francis’ example and also tweet the Palm Sunday gospel to their churchgoers.

(iReporter Spandan Chakrabarti, a non-Catholic, contributed to this report)

 

 

KIM JONG-UN SHOCKED BY HIS OWN LANDSLIDE RE-ELECTION AS NORTH KOREA’S PRESIDENT

Kim Jong-un casts his ballot. (Photo: AFP Getty Images)

Pyongyang, North Korea – Kim Jong-Un has been re-elected president of North Korea in a landslide victory that shocked even the young leader himself. After the (s)election in which only ‘yes’ votes were counted, Kim was reaffirmed as First Chairman of the powerful National Defence Commission by the country’s new rubber-stamp parliament, the Supreme People’s Assembly.  The state-controlled Korean Central News Agency described the election as ‘the great jubilee in the nation’s history’ and told how parliament cheered as the result was announced.

Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman

Kim, in his acceptance speech, admitted he did not expect a 100% vote, especially after having executed his politically-powerful uncle last year and successfully disposed of 11 high-ranking government officials in the days just before the elections. He, however, attributed his victory to his much-publicized hangout with former American basketball star Dennis Rodman. The flamboyant and controversial player has visited Kim in Pyongyang twice in the last 12 months. The 29-year-old Korean leader is a die-hard basketball fan.

Sources close to Kim said that he has offered Rodman the position of foreign minister and concurrent North Korean ambassador to the United Nations.  Kim said he is very impressed not only at Rodman’s basketball skills but his expertise in international diplomacy.  Rodman is reportedly seriously considering Kim’s offer.