NathanATX
07-24-2006, 01:50 PM
www.tfn.org/news for the full stories & links to the articles...
TFN Daily News Clips
"When it comes down to it, a politician has about as much business in my bedroom as does a preacher setting public policy."
--Martin Walsh, discussing the divide between Republicans and Democrats in attracting evangelical voters and wondering if Democrats can make inroads among the same voters.
Full story
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Religious Right Watch
Perhaps you noticed an interesting confluence of events on Wednesday, July 19. On that day, President Bush vetoed legislation that would have authorized the expanded use of federal funds for stem-cell research, the House of Representatives voted to enact legislation depriving the federal courts of jurisdiction to hear any case challenging the constitutionality of the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, and the House voted to purchase a municipal park in San Diego on which a 29-foot-high cross stands. What these three acts have in common is a reckless disregard for the fundamental American aspiration to keep church and state separate.
Huffington Post
After serving time in prison for Watergate-related crimes, Charles W. Colson embraced Christianity, founded Prison Fellowship Ministries in 1976, and has since become a high profile, well-respected and oft-quoted Christian conservative leader. Over the past several years, Colson's InnerChange Freedom Initiative has partnered with prison authorities in several states, including Texas, Minnesota, Kansas, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri, to provide prisoners with a Christ-centered rehabilitation program. In June, however, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pratt, chief judge of the US District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, handed Colson's operation a setback -- ordering an end to the program within 60 days and directing InnerChange to reimburse more than $1.5 million to the state of Iowa.
WorkingForChange.com
A virulently anti-gay Kansas church group that protests at military funerals nationwide (because they believe soldiers' deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan are God's punishment for a sinful nation) filed suit in federal court, saying a Missouri law banning such picketing infringes on religious freedom and free speech.
Washington Post
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Church and State
A columnist wonders if the Democrats can effectively appeal to religious voters in the coming elections.
Courier-Post (New Jersey)
Elected judge, Connie Sullivan, has picked an ambitious role model to follow: Jesus Christ. Sullivan, who has worked as a Boone County (Mo.) assistant prosecutor for nearly nine years, said Jesus’ teachings in the Bible match up well with the ideal values for a judge.
Columbia Daily Tribune
Rather than being bashful, Democrats should openly talk about their religious beliefs and moral values, say moderates urging the party to court voters beyond the traditional Democratic base to win control of the GOP-run Congress this fall and the presidency in 2008.
Forbes
Donations totaling $1,500 from a church in Kerrville to the Kerr County Republican Party prompted a Washington-based watchdog group to complain this week to the Internal Revenue Service.
San Antonio Express-News
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Education
The list of schools suspected of cheating is longer than Texas education officials have reported –- and those officials say they aren't interested in tracking down the latest suspects.
Dallas Morning News
A number of religious colleges and universities have been severing their ties with state Baptist conventions. At the root of the conflicts is the question of how much the colleges should reflect the views of their denomination. They are part of the continuing battle among fundamentalist and more moderate Southern Baptists for control of their church’s institutions.
New York Times
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Science and Religion
Francis S. Collins, the leader of the U.S. government's Human Genome Project, is a devout Christian. In his new book, The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief, he describes his own conversion and the logic behind his beliefs –- all the while respecting evidence for Darwinian evolution, the Big Bang and an earth that is billions of years old. Dr. Collins' book encourages scientists to explore religion and religious people to explore science. He spoke with Dallas Morning News science writer Sue Goetinck Ambrose.
Dallas Morning News
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Religion
The Kansas City Star talks to a variety of theological "rocket scientists" to help laypersons understand the current conflicts confronting the church -- divisions among faiths, politics in the pulpit and more.
Kansas City Star
Episcopal churches in Arkansas can offer blessing ceremonies for gay couples, the state's bishop said in a letter to clergy.
Dallas Morning News
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-MAILS FROM THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT
Text is taken directly from e-mails written by religious-right groups. The Texas Freedom Network does not edit the content for grammar or accuracy.
Date: July 21, 2006
From: The Moral Majority Coalition and The Liberty Alliance
By: Jerry Falwell
FALWELL CONFIDENTIAL
Bible History, Prophecy and ‘World War III’
Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich explained the crisis in the Middle East in stark terms that few politicians are willing to contemplate. However, I believe his analysis is accurate.
He noted, “There is an Iran/Syria/Hezbollah and Hamas alliance trying to destroy Israel. I mean, this is absolutely a question of the survival of Israel, but it’s also a question of what is really a world war.”
A world war is something Americans have not had to face since December 7, 1941. But I believe we are on the verge of a war without borders, one that could bring bouts of violence and bloodshed into our lives. Remember that Ahmadinejad has not only threatened to destroy Israel, but has also threatened to nuke the United States.
One chief reason America is in the crosshairs is its relationship with Israel. Dick Morris stated on the Fox News Channel this week that American evangelicals (or “the old Moral Majority,” as he called us) are a better friend to Israel than many American Jews.
As an evangelical pastor, I’m proud of this legacy. The Bible compels Christians to “pray for the peace of Israel,” and millions of Christians do this every day. We must never abandon our friend, Israel, even though much of the world despises this nation and wants to obliterate it from the earth.
A History of Turmoil
The problems in the Middle East are of ancient origin. We must look back into the Old Testament to the birth of Ishmael, son of Abraham through Hagar, his maid servant (Genesis 16:15) to understand the deep-seeded roots of this crisis. Later, Abraham’s wife Sarah, in her old age, bore Abraham another son, Isaac, according to God’s prophetic Word.
History has shown that Ishmael became the father of the Arabic people, while Isaac became the father of the Jewish people. Thus, the enmity that began between these two boys continues today.
As such, Jerusalem has been a frequent target throughout history. It was completely destroyed by the Roman general Titus in A.D. 70. Since that time, the fig tree of Israel stood alone, without fruit and almost without hope, until a miracle happened. Quite likely, the most important date of the past 20 centuries, since the resurrection of Christ, is May 14, 1948, when Israel officially became a nation again.
It is apparent, in light of the rebirth of the State of Israel, that the present day events in the Holy Land may very well serve as a prelude or forerunner to the future Battle of Armageddon and the glorious return of Jesus Christ.
The Christians and the Jews
Frequently, those of us who are pro-Israel have been falsely accused of being anti-Arab. Let me state as strongly as possible that the God of the Bible is pro-people!
The wonderful Old Testament story of Ruth is a great example of this. She was from ancient Moab, which is now modern Jordan. By the marvelous grace of God, Ruth would become the wife of Boaz, and the great-grandmother of King David himself.
What about Jonah? He is often thought of as history’s first missionary. And where did God send him? To Nineveh, capital of the Assyrian Empire, which today includes a number of Arab nations.
There are three key reasons why Christians must support Israel.
* For Humanitarian Reasons.
* For Political Reasons. The State of Israel has the only true democratic system of government in the entire Middle East and has been America’s most faithful supporter in the region.
* For Religious Reasons. The founding of Israel as a nation in 1948 was ordained of God to provide a homeland for the Jewish people and to prepare for the future return of Jesus Christ. The Abrahamic Covenant demands it.
The Role of Christians
So what should Christians be doing during this time of global unrest?
First, we should continue to pray for Israel as Psalms 122:6 instructs. (“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”)
Second, we should purify our lives.
And third, we should proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and prepare hearts for His imminent return. “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 25:13)
With the world on the brink of pandemonium, it is our responsibility to point people — no matter their heritage, ethnicity or religion — to the one and only solution, Jesus Christ. May we work while it is yet day, for the night approaches when no man can work (John 9:4).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TFN Daily News Clips
"When it comes down to it, a politician has about as much business in my bedroom as does a preacher setting public policy."
--Martin Walsh, discussing the divide between Republicans and Democrats in attracting evangelical voters and wondering if Democrats can make inroads among the same voters.
Full story
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Religious Right Watch
Perhaps you noticed an interesting confluence of events on Wednesday, July 19. On that day, President Bush vetoed legislation that would have authorized the expanded use of federal funds for stem-cell research, the House of Representatives voted to enact legislation depriving the federal courts of jurisdiction to hear any case challenging the constitutionality of the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, and the House voted to purchase a municipal park in San Diego on which a 29-foot-high cross stands. What these three acts have in common is a reckless disregard for the fundamental American aspiration to keep church and state separate.
Huffington Post
After serving time in prison for Watergate-related crimes, Charles W. Colson embraced Christianity, founded Prison Fellowship Ministries in 1976, and has since become a high profile, well-respected and oft-quoted Christian conservative leader. Over the past several years, Colson's InnerChange Freedom Initiative has partnered with prison authorities in several states, including Texas, Minnesota, Kansas, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri, to provide prisoners with a Christ-centered rehabilitation program. In June, however, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pratt, chief judge of the US District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, handed Colson's operation a setback -- ordering an end to the program within 60 days and directing InnerChange to reimburse more than $1.5 million to the state of Iowa.
WorkingForChange.com
A virulently anti-gay Kansas church group that protests at military funerals nationwide (because they believe soldiers' deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan are God's punishment for a sinful nation) filed suit in federal court, saying a Missouri law banning such picketing infringes on religious freedom and free speech.
Washington Post
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Church and State
A columnist wonders if the Democrats can effectively appeal to religious voters in the coming elections.
Courier-Post (New Jersey)
Elected judge, Connie Sullivan, has picked an ambitious role model to follow: Jesus Christ. Sullivan, who has worked as a Boone County (Mo.) assistant prosecutor for nearly nine years, said Jesus’ teachings in the Bible match up well with the ideal values for a judge.
Columbia Daily Tribune
Rather than being bashful, Democrats should openly talk about their religious beliefs and moral values, say moderates urging the party to court voters beyond the traditional Democratic base to win control of the GOP-run Congress this fall and the presidency in 2008.
Forbes
Donations totaling $1,500 from a church in Kerrville to the Kerr County Republican Party prompted a Washington-based watchdog group to complain this week to the Internal Revenue Service.
San Antonio Express-News
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Education
The list of schools suspected of cheating is longer than Texas education officials have reported –- and those officials say they aren't interested in tracking down the latest suspects.
Dallas Morning News
A number of religious colleges and universities have been severing their ties with state Baptist conventions. At the root of the conflicts is the question of how much the colleges should reflect the views of their denomination. They are part of the continuing battle among fundamentalist and more moderate Southern Baptists for control of their church’s institutions.
New York Times
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Science and Religion
Francis S. Collins, the leader of the U.S. government's Human Genome Project, is a devout Christian. In his new book, The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief, he describes his own conversion and the logic behind his beliefs –- all the while respecting evidence for Darwinian evolution, the Big Bang and an earth that is billions of years old. Dr. Collins' book encourages scientists to explore religion and religious people to explore science. He spoke with Dallas Morning News science writer Sue Goetinck Ambrose.
Dallas Morning News
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Religion
The Kansas City Star talks to a variety of theological "rocket scientists" to help laypersons understand the current conflicts confronting the church -- divisions among faiths, politics in the pulpit and more.
Kansas City Star
Episcopal churches in Arkansas can offer blessing ceremonies for gay couples, the state's bishop said in a letter to clergy.
Dallas Morning News
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-MAILS FROM THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT
Text is taken directly from e-mails written by religious-right groups. The Texas Freedom Network does not edit the content for grammar or accuracy.
Date: July 21, 2006
From: The Moral Majority Coalition and The Liberty Alliance
By: Jerry Falwell
FALWELL CONFIDENTIAL
Bible History, Prophecy and ‘World War III’
Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich explained the crisis in the Middle East in stark terms that few politicians are willing to contemplate. However, I believe his analysis is accurate.
He noted, “There is an Iran/Syria/Hezbollah and Hamas alliance trying to destroy Israel. I mean, this is absolutely a question of the survival of Israel, but it’s also a question of what is really a world war.”
A world war is something Americans have not had to face since December 7, 1941. But I believe we are on the verge of a war without borders, one that could bring bouts of violence and bloodshed into our lives. Remember that Ahmadinejad has not only threatened to destroy Israel, but has also threatened to nuke the United States.
One chief reason America is in the crosshairs is its relationship with Israel. Dick Morris stated on the Fox News Channel this week that American evangelicals (or “the old Moral Majority,” as he called us) are a better friend to Israel than many American Jews.
As an evangelical pastor, I’m proud of this legacy. The Bible compels Christians to “pray for the peace of Israel,” and millions of Christians do this every day. We must never abandon our friend, Israel, even though much of the world despises this nation and wants to obliterate it from the earth.
A History of Turmoil
The problems in the Middle East are of ancient origin. We must look back into the Old Testament to the birth of Ishmael, son of Abraham through Hagar, his maid servant (Genesis 16:15) to understand the deep-seeded roots of this crisis. Later, Abraham’s wife Sarah, in her old age, bore Abraham another son, Isaac, according to God’s prophetic Word.
History has shown that Ishmael became the father of the Arabic people, while Isaac became the father of the Jewish people. Thus, the enmity that began between these two boys continues today.
As such, Jerusalem has been a frequent target throughout history. It was completely destroyed by the Roman general Titus in A.D. 70. Since that time, the fig tree of Israel stood alone, without fruit and almost without hope, until a miracle happened. Quite likely, the most important date of the past 20 centuries, since the resurrection of Christ, is May 14, 1948, when Israel officially became a nation again.
It is apparent, in light of the rebirth of the State of Israel, that the present day events in the Holy Land may very well serve as a prelude or forerunner to the future Battle of Armageddon and the glorious return of Jesus Christ.
The Christians and the Jews
Frequently, those of us who are pro-Israel have been falsely accused of being anti-Arab. Let me state as strongly as possible that the God of the Bible is pro-people!
The wonderful Old Testament story of Ruth is a great example of this. She was from ancient Moab, which is now modern Jordan. By the marvelous grace of God, Ruth would become the wife of Boaz, and the great-grandmother of King David himself.
What about Jonah? He is often thought of as history’s first missionary. And where did God send him? To Nineveh, capital of the Assyrian Empire, which today includes a number of Arab nations.
There are three key reasons why Christians must support Israel.
* For Humanitarian Reasons.
* For Political Reasons. The State of Israel has the only true democratic system of government in the entire Middle East and has been America’s most faithful supporter in the region.
* For Religious Reasons. The founding of Israel as a nation in 1948 was ordained of God to provide a homeland for the Jewish people and to prepare for the future return of Jesus Christ. The Abrahamic Covenant demands it.
The Role of Christians
So what should Christians be doing during this time of global unrest?
First, we should continue to pray for Israel as Psalms 122:6 instructs. (“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”)
Second, we should purify our lives.
And third, we should proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and prepare hearts for His imminent return. “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 25:13)
With the world on the brink of pandemonium, it is our responsibility to point people — no matter their heritage, ethnicity or religion — to the one and only solution, Jesus Christ. May we work while it is yet day, for the night approaches when no man can work (John 9:4).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------