In northern New Mexico, The Boy Scouts of America own the largest youth camp in the world. Philmont Scout Ranch covers 137,000 acres in the Sangre de Cristo – the “blood of Christ” –Mountains. Every day this summer, approximately 300 Scouts, Explorers, and their leaders will arrive at Philmont. More than 18,000 participants will complete a 12-day Philmont trek, hiking at least 50 miles over mountains that reach up to 12,000 feet.And there are at least that many more on a waiting list. It has been that way for 10 years. “We’ve never been stronger,” said Philmont’s Director of Programs, […]

The Obama administration has initiated an effort to dispel what it describes as “wild rumors” about health-care reform, but, perhaps tellingly, it does not seek to deny that current congressional proposals will result in government funding of abortion. In his weekly radio address Aug. 8, President Obama sought to dismiss what he described as “the outlandish rumors that reform will promote euthanasia or cut Medicaid or bring about a government takeover of health care.” “That’s simply not true,” Obama said. “This isn’t about putting government in charge of your health insurance. It’s about putting you in charge of your health […]

Legend has it that P.T. Barnum once said, “There is a sucker born every minute.” If that’s true, it’s possible that Harvey Dockstader, Jr., is out to find them all – from prison – and using pastors and church leaders to identify his marks. Dockstader was convicted of running an illegal pyramid scheme in Harris County, Texas, in 2008, and sentenced to two years in jail. Dockstader’s scheme was an odd mix of an old-fashioned chain letter, a multi-level marketing organization and prosperity theology. His organization, Elite Activity, recruits pastors into the organization, who then recruit their flocks. The new […]