The annual National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) convention in Dallas, Texas, wrapped up Wednesday, Feb. 22, with warnings of potential threats to the members’ proclamation of biblical teachings. NRB President Frank Wright said some U.S. Congressmen would like to reinstate the fairness doctrine which until 1987 required stations to offer airtime to opponents on controversial issues. Wright noted that much of Christian teaching is controversial and that donors would be less likely to support Christian stations that are forced to spend half their time airing opposing views. NRB Chairman Ron Harris talked about the opposition Christians already face in the Muslim world and suggested that God may be preparing Christian broadcasters to offer hope in some future crisis or disaster. (AgapePress/Associated Press)

FAMILY FLEES IRAN TO AVOID DEATH PENALTY FOR BECOMING CHRISTIANS

Facing the death penalty in their home country for converting to Christianity, an Iranian refugee family has left Turkey for the U.S. where they have been accepted for resettlement. Zivar Khademian and her three adult children boarded a flight to New York the morning of Thursday, Feb. 23, after traveling all night by bus to Istanbul from their temporary home in the central northern Turkish city of Kastamonu. The family stayed overnight in New York before flying to Lincoln, Neb., today where they will resettle with the assistance of a local refugee aid organization. Though the U.S. accepted the family for settlement in November, uncertainty regarding details of their emigration continued to plague the refugees up until their departure. (Compass)

CONTINUED INSTABILITY IN NEPAL TAKES INCREASING TOLL ON MINISTRIES

Ten years of Maoist insurrection in Nepal has pushed the country to the brink of humanitarian crisis. The armed conflict has claimed an estimated 15,000 lives, many of them civilians targeted by government and rebel forces, says Nicanor Tamang who works in IN Network’s Nepali office. “The political situation in our country is very uncertain and fluid,” he said. “You never know what’s going to happen tomorrow.” Tensions have increased nationwide as monarchists, Maoists and parliamentary forces vie for power. “[As a result] the church is not able to do many things that we would like to do,” Tamang said. In the past 10 years Maoist forces have targeted civilians who have resisted the rebels’ demands. Often those civilians are believers who have been caught in the crossfire. Tamang adds that while the church is strong, he urges prayer “because Christians are still not a recognized minority. Sometimes when we want to have a team of people go to a certain village, we can’t go because of mistaken identities.” (Mission Network News)

UPDATE: NTM CORRECTS INACCURATE PRESS REPORTS ABOUT VENEZUELA

While missionaries with New Tribes Mission (NTM) in Venezuela have left tribal areas as ordered by Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, NTM’s Nita Zelenak denies media reports that they have been forced to leave the country. On Sunday, Feb. 12, NTM completed its pullout from remote villages, but they remain in Venezuela. “At this point there’s a lot of just waiting and seeing because of no access with the tribal groups,” she said. A second inaccurate report stated that the case appealing the president’s order had been thrown out. Zelenak says it could take a year before the courts make a ruling, but hope remains. “What we’re doing now is pursuing all legal means that we can for the case that’s before the Supreme Court in Venezuela,” she said. “We’re waiting for their decision on whether or not they will annul the order.” The Supreme Court accepted the appeal and will hear the case in coming months. (Mission Network News)

* HCJB World Radio worked with local partners to establish a Christian station in La Morita, Venezuela, in 2000. Partner stations in two additional Venezuelan cities are also affiliated with ALAS, the ministry’s Latin American satellite radio network with 89 outlets in 17 countries.

MOVIES WITH MORAL CHRISTIAN VALUES AGAIN SHOW HIGHER PROFIT

Hollywood movies that positively portray faith and values continue to earn significantly more money than those displaying explicit and immoral themes, said MOVIEGUIDE Publisher Ted Baehr in his latest annual report. Movies reflecting positive moral and religious standards earned an average of $45 million at the box office in 2005, 65 percent more than those reflecting negative standards which averaged only $27.3 million. “This study proves what movies Americans really prefer,” he said. “Hollywood executives take notice. If you focus on traditional faith and family values, your movies will earn at least an average of $18 million more at the box office.” Baehr also found that movies with strong Christian worldviews and strong moral worldviews averaged $65 million and $62.5 million respectively -- almost three times as much as movies with strong non-Christian, anti-biblical, anti-Semitic and immoral worldviews, averaging $23.7 million. Movies rated G or PG earned an average of $43 million, 192 percent more than R-rated movies which averaged only $14.7 million in 2005. (Assist News Service)

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