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 LifeWay Christian Resources has pulled its “Cancer Awareness Bible” from Wal-Mart and other stores.
December 15th, 2011
08:49 AM ET
Christian publisher pulls 'Cancer Awareness Bible' over abortion concernsEditor’s note: An earlier version of this story erroneously stated that Lifeway Christian Bookstores carried the “Cancer Awareness Bible.” The chain never carried that Bible. By Dan Merica, CNN Washington (CNN) - A Christian publisher is withdrawing copies of the "Breast Cancer Awareness Bible," from stores because the Bible helped raised money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which contributes to Planned Parenthood. Many conservative Christian groups oppose Planned Parenthood because of its role as an abortion provider, though many of the group's services are not abortion-related. The "Breast Cancer Awareness Bible" is described "as a way to place God's Word into the hands of those suffering through breast cancer." It was published by B&H Publishing Group - a division of LifeWay Christian Resources, which is owned by the Southern Baptist Convention - and was sold with the stipulation that $1 from the sale of each book would go to the Komen Foundation to support breast health education, screening and treatment programs. LifeWay Christian Resources also owns LifeWay Christian Bookstores, but the stores never carried the "Cancer Awareness Bible." The book had been distributed to Walmart, K-Mart and other retailers, according to LifeWay Christian Resources. The Komen Foundation says on its website it gives money to Planned Parenthood, stating that funds from the foundation go to "Planned Parenthood-sponsored breast cancer health programs." When LifeWay realized it had partnered with an organization that donates to Planned Parenthood, the publisher released a statement saying that it had "made a mistake." "When our leadership discovered the overwhelming concern that some of Komen's affiliates were giving funds to Planned Parenthood, we began the arduous process of withdrawing this Bible from the market," said Thom S. Rainer, president and CEO of LifeWay, in a release. "Though we have assurances that Komen's funds are used only for breast-cancer screening and awareness, it is not in keeping with LifeWay's core values to have even an indirect relationship with Planned Parenthood," he said. This is not the first time the Komen Foundation has been questioned about its connection with Planned Parenthood. The foundation issued a June 2011 statement that further clarified its association with "19 Planned Parenthood programs." "In all cases, Komen funding is used exclusively to provide breast cancer programs, including clinical breast exams conducted by trained medical personnel," stated the release. "It's important to note that Komen will only make grants to non-profit organizations. As many mammography providers are for-profit entities, we are only to fund mammography services through grants made to local non-profit service providers." As long as there are vulnerable communities in need, said the release, "Komen will fund the facilities that can best meet those needs." The Komen Foundation issued a statement Thursday afternoon contending that there were "no dollars going to Planned Parenthood programs" from sales of the Bibles. "LifeWay is a first-year partner that pledged $25,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure from sales of the pink-covered 'Here's Hope Breast Cancer Awareness Bible.' LifeWay and Komen for the Cure entered the partnership with the mutual hope that this Bible would have special meaning for women and their families during breast cancer treatment and recovery," the foundation said in its statement. "We are sorry to hear that LifeWay has decided to end sales of the Bible, especially since proceeds from partnership were to support national breast cancer programs." |
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Self righteousness narcissism is killing this world. And Christianity seems to be the leading advocate of this behaviour. I'm a christian, but it does not give me the right to hide behind words in the bible, spouting them off as if I wrote them. Each person can individually interpret the bible the way that works for them, to uphold their values and morals. If you think your interpretation is "right" then you are wrong. Christians are the first to get angry, to yell and scream their beliefs until they are blue in the face, to spout bible verses that they interpret to what their current agenda is....that to me...is sickening. I've never known a more angry man, than a Christian who uses the bible as their personal weapon against their non-followers.
What did you expect from this sect?
"One type of bible taken off the shelves. At least that's a good start."
Ironically enough, if you're an atheist, then this sentence can never make sense. What is "good" is atheism is true? Only in a Christian worldview can the word "good" have any real meaning. However, in an atheistic worldview, "good" is at best, reduced to personal opinion. I feel it is good to have Bibles for sale. Why is your opinion of what is good any more valid than my own? Atheism is a self-refuting worldview.
and call myself Christian. The Southern Baptist (hello Nashville) make me want to dissassociate from their form of Christianity.
This article makes me sick in my soul.
Just remember that Jesus did not invent Christianity. He only gave us 2 commandments and they fit on the top of a sheet of paper. I've known the southern baptist to be one of the worst of the lot since they ignore them. Set yourself right and let the chips fall where they may.
Why? Which point don't you agree with??
As soon as we all stop believing in some invisible man in the sky, the better off we'll be. This is not the middle ages. It's 2011. We have discovered science now. We don't need to refer to a book that was written 2,000 years ago by a bunch of middle eastern farmers out in the middle of nowhere. Seriously.
It is amazing the power of a few. I am sure there are books on how to clean one's rifle. What about freedom of speech, not censureship. Book burnings here we come. The witch hunts are still alive and thriving.
There's some totally A+ stuff in the Bible, like this little Hallmark ditty from Hosea 13-16:
The people of Samaria must bear their guilt,
because they have rebelled against their God.
They will fall by the sword;
their little ones will be dashed to the ground,
their pregnant women ripped open."
That'll learn 'em.
Free speech is overrated.
This is great. We get to decide what books you can read. Next, we will torch the libraries just like the other neo-Nazis did.
It wasn't the neo-nazis that burned books. It was the original nazis.
library? What's that? Oh you mean places where the homeless go. gogo internet!
DIE, JEZEBEL, DIE!!!
"Abortion is ONE of the options." maybe granted BUT it DOESN'T absolutely support your number "(3) Planned Parenthood (in other words, the topic is "abortion")claim."
BTW, where's your support of your number ("2) a book that draws on the name of the Bible," claim?
The stupidity of the religious right never ceases to amaze...
I agree 100%. You'd think we were living back during the Salem witch trials!! This is the 21st century people. I could probably get off my blood pressure medications if it wasn't for these inane, ignorant, religious fruitcakes. Live and let live – it's none of your business what othe people do. You'd be a lot better off trying to figure out how YOU could live a better life as opposed to trying to tell everyone else how they should live their lives!!
There are only two minor problems with our Bible; it was written by men, and it was assembled by the Pope. Inside of this mess, the word of Jesus is lost to most.
More guns, fewer books. Way to go.
the so called "pro" lifers have chosen to focus thier ranting on fetus issues since an unborn child cannot voice an opinion. in order to demonstrate a sincere concern for life, every member of this group needs to do the following;
1. adopt or foster at least one special needs child
2. volunteer at local homeless shelters, womens shelters, public clinics, soup kitchens, elder care facilities, etc
3. donate funds to causes that relieve human suffering
oh, wait.. sorry. if they did all these things someone might call them bleeding heart liberals
Right on, Mary! haha
I'd like to add that birth control helps prevent cancer AND prevent abortions. This book is probably really bad anyway.
Good. More rack space.
Do these folks have anything better to do? How about helping the poor, feeding the hungry and ministering to the sick?
It is better than women die from cancer than understand what their legal rights are
We'd be better off reading a lot fewer Bibles and reading the One True Word - Mad Libs Vol 23.
What Boobs.
One type of bible taken off the shelves. At least that's a good start.