Murdock also dismissed the notion that same-sex marriage has any negative influence on traditional marriages or the nuclear family, or that "tradition and social values alone" can bolster what she deemed a "discriminatory statutory classification."

Regrettably, such rationale neglects one of the most critical elements in the emotionally charged debate over same-sex marriage and homosexual behavior in general - public health.

Ghorban became a Christian more than ten years ago while in Turkmenistan. On returning to Iran he brought several friends and relatives to Christ and became pastor to a small convert church in his home. He had received several death threats from Islamic extremists to force him to stop sharing his faith.

Pray for peace for Ghorban's widow and four children in their grief. Pray for protection of all Christians in Iran.

UK: CONVERT FAMILY

However, with the Rupert Murdoch-owned Fox News Channel consumed with a phony battle with those out to "destroy" Christmas, little air time has been given over to "The Chronicles" and its religious and political implications.

The case produced one of the biggest courtroom battles over evolution since the landmark "Scopes Monkey Trial" in 1925, and it was closely watched in other jurisdictions that have seen heated debates between opponents and advocates of Darwin's groundbreaking 19th century theory.