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Post by Church News on Jan 5, 2013 23:45:54 GMT -5
Baptist Press Civil War abolitionists driven by their Christian faith Michael Foust, associate editor
The Civil War was fought 150 years ago, but without a small band of abolitionists driven by their Christian faith, the war might never have happened. That's the conclusion of a three-part PBS docudrama that will premier Tuesday (Jan. 8). It doesn't shy away from recounting the religious beliefs of abolitionists William Lloyd Garrison, John Brown, Frederick Douglass, Angelina Grimke and Harriet Beacher Stowe. They believed slavery was a sin, and they set out to cause its demise. In turn, they helped change a nation. Parts two and three of the series, known simply as "The Abolitionists," will air Jan. 15 and 22. It is the latest installment in PBS' popular "American Experience" series. Each episode is one hour long and is part documentary, part re-enactment. It is rated TV-PG, with some violence and language in the first two episodes. The series tells how Grimke, the product of a slave-owning family in South Carolina, came to see slavery as unbiblical. "She believed slavery was a sin and that God would punish people who had slaves," historian Carol Berkin says in the series. The docudrama recounts how Garrison, in his 20s, began publishing an anti-slavery paper, convinced that God was on his side. "William Lloyd Garrison's religious background was not just a background, it was at the core of who he was," historian James Brewer Stewart says in the series.
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Post by Church News on Jan 9, 2013 18:13:27 GMT -5
journal-news.net333,964 tax funded abortions vs 5,285 childhood gun deaths
The United States had 5,285 childhood gun deaths the same year Planned Parenthood performed 333,964 abortions according to the Center for Disease Control reports. We average more than 4,000 dead children annually from gun deaths. For comparison, as of last August we had lost 4,680 American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan since the wars there began in 2001. www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/557291/Thousands-of-children-are-killed---.html Baptist Press Planned Parenthood gets $542.4 million from taxpayers to set record for abortions by Tom Strode, Washington bureau chief
Planned Parenthood has set a record for the number of abortions in its clinics, according to its newly released annual report. The country's No. 1 abortion provider said its affiliates performed 333,964 of the lethal procedures during 2010-11, the most recent year for which statistics are available. The previous yearly record for Planned Parenthood clinics was 332,278 in 2009. Planned Parenthood also established a record for funds received from federal, state and local governments. It received $542.4 million in government grants and reimbursements during the latest fiscal year. Those public funds were nearly half of Planned Parenthood's $1.2 billion in total revenue for the year. The organization's revenue outpaced expenses by $87.4 million. "Planned Parenthood has spent much of the last few years demanding that taxpayers add millions more to their coffers, citing their non-profit status and so-called focus on women's health," said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List. "What have we received for our money? While government subsidies to Planned Parenthood have reached an all time high, so too has the number of lives ended by this profit-driven abortion business." She added in a written statement, "As if these numbers weren't already horrifying, Planned Parenthood has upped the ante even further by mandating that all affiliates provide abortions beginning this year. Americans are sick and tired of underwriting the nation's largest abortion business." The abortion toll at Planned Parenthood actually is higher than its record-keeping for the year shows. Its affiliates distributed 1.43 million "emergency contraception" kits, which have abortion-causing properties. "Emergency contraceptives," such as Plan B and Next Choice, work to restrict ovulation in a female, but they also can act after conception, thereby causing an abortion. This secondary mechanism of the drug blocks implantation of a tiny embryo in the uterine wall. The organization's affiliates made only 2,300 adoption referrals during the year, which means they performed about 145 abortions for every adoption referral. Rep. Diane Black, R.-Tenn., introduced legislation Jan. 4 that would bar federal family planning funds from going to Planned Parenthood and other organizations that perform abortions. The bill is the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act, H.R. 217. The House of Representatives has supported similar legislation in the past, but the Senate has not. Planned Parenthood's medical services report covered October 2010 to September 2011. Its financial report was for July 2011 to June 2012.
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Post by Church News on Jan 11, 2013 6:20:59 GMT -5
Louis Giglio
Baptist Press Biblical sermon derails Giglio inaugural prayer Diana Chandler, staff writer
The biblical standard that homosexuality is sinful has once again placed a Christian leader under public scrutiny, this time leading to the cancellation of Atlanta pastor Louis Giglio's benediction at President Obama's 2013 inaugural. Giglio had accepted President Obama's invitation to deliver the benediction at the Jan. 21 inaugural, but withdrew from the program Jan. 10 after members of the pro-gay community complained about a biblically based sermon Giglio delivered in the 1990s and labeled him anti-gay. In the sermon, "In Search of a Standard -– Christian Response to Homosexuality," Giglio details Scripture that identifies homosexuality as sinful, and he offers the hope of transformation the apostle Paul offered in 1 Corinthians 6:11. Uproar over Giglio's comments is the latest in a string of attacks against Christians supporting a biblical view of sexuality, including Chic-fil-A President Dan Cathy and pastor Rick Warren. Giglio’s 2013 Passion conference, aimed at engaging college students in an international, Bible-based campaign against slavery, drew over 60,000 attendees, the largest group in the gathering’s 17-year history. Comments from the inaugural committee cast doubt whether Giglio's withdrawal was fully voluntary. "We were not aware of Pastor Giglio's past comments at the time of his selection and they don't reflect our desire to celebrate the strength and diversity of our country at this inaugural," inaugural committee spokeswoman Addie Whisenant said in a statement Jan. 10. "As we now work to select someone to deliver the benediction, we will ensure their beliefs reflect this administration's vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans," Whisenant said. Christian leaders quickly came to Giglio's defense. Russell Moore, dean of the school of theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said the stipulation is indicative of a "state church." "When it is now impossible for one who holds to the catholic Christian view of marriage and the gospel to pray at a public event, we now have a de facto established state church," Moore wrote in his blog, "Moore to the Point." "Just as the pre-constitutional Anglican and congregational churches required a license to preach in order to exclude Baptists, the new state church requires a 'license' of embracing sexual liberation in all its forms," Moore wrote. LifeWay Research indicates 44 percent of Americans believe homosexuality is a sin, said Ed Stetzer, LifeWay's vice president of research. "This Louie Giglio Moment, and the Chick-Fil-A moment that preceded it, and the Rick Warren moment which preceded that raise the question: Where do we go from here?" Stetzer blogged. "Furthermore what does this mean for Catholics, Mormons, Muslims, Orthodox Jews, and so many more who believe that their authoritative religious texts teach something the prevailing culture finds so unacceptable that, even if they are working to eradicate slavery, they are no longer welcome in mainstream context?" In announcing his withdrawal on the website of Passion City Church that he leads, Giglio said his inclusion in the inaugural would place him in the middle of a fight not of his choosing. "Due to a message of mine that has surfaced from 15-20 years ago, it is likely that my participation, and the prayer I would offer, will be dwarfed by those seeking to make their agenda the focal point of the inauguration," Giglio said. "Clearly, speaking on this issue has not been in the range of my priorities in the past 15 years. Instead, my aim has been to call people to ultimate significance as we make much of Jesus Christ. "Neither I, nor our team, feel it best serves the core message and goals we are seeking to accomplish to be in a fight on an issue not of our choosing, thus I respectfully withdraw my acceptance of the President's invitation," Giglio said. "I will continue to pray regularly for the President, and urge the nation to do so. I will most certainly pray for him on Inauguration Day." Preserving personal freedoms are critical, Giglio said, even as salvation is offered to unbelievers. "The issue of homosexuality... is one of the most difficult our nation will navigate. However, individuals' rights of freedom, and the collective right to hold differing views on any subject is a critical balance we, as a people, must recover and preserve," he said. "As a pastor, my mission is to love people, and lead them well, while lifting up the name of Jesus above anything else. I'm confident that anyone who knows me or has listened to the multitude of messages I have given in the last decade would most likely conclude that I am not easily characterized as being opposed to people -- any people. Rather, I am constantly seeking to understand where all people are coming from and how to best serve them as I point them to Jesus." President Obama had selected Giglio to pray at the inaugural that falls on the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, because of Giglio's campaign to end slavery worldwide. Myrlie Evers-Williams, the widow of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers, also is on the program.
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Post by Church News on Jan 12, 2013 6:36:51 GMT -5
Baptist Press Survey: Fewer in U.S. agree with Bible on homosexuality Russ Rankin, editor
The percentage of Americans who believe homosexuality is a sin has fallen in the past year, according to a survey by LifeWay Research. A November 2012 survey of adults in the United States found 37 percent affirm a belief that homosexual behavior is a sin -- a statistically significant change from a September 2011 LifeWay Research survey asking the same question. At that time, 44 percent answered, "Yes." In contrast, the percentage of Americans who do not believe homosexuality is a sin remains nearly the same between the two surveys -- 43 percent in September 2011 and 45 percent in November, with an increase in the percentage of those unsure what they believe. Seventeen percent in the November 2012 survey answered "I don't know," an increase of 4 percent over the September 2011 survey. Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research, pointed out that halfway between the two polls President Barack Obama changed his pre-election position concerning gay marriage. "The president's evolution on homosexuality probably impacted the evolution of cultural values -- there is a real and substantive shift, surprisingly large for a one-year time frame -- though this was hardly a normal year on this issue," Stetzer said. The November 2012 survey also found that Americans in the South (40 percent) are the most likely to select "Yes" to the question "Do you believe homosexual behavior is a sin?" as are Americans who attend religious services at least about once a week (61 percent) and those calling themselves "born-again, evangelical, or fundamentalist Christian" (73 percent). Americans who never attend religious services are the most likely to say they do not believe homosexual behavior is a sin (71 percent). These findings from LifeWay Research come as Atlanta pastor Louie Giglio on Jan. 10 withdrew from giving the benediction at President Obama's upcoming inauguration in the face of criticism over a 15-year-old sermon referencing homosexuality as a sin. Stetzer noted the connection, saying, "The culture is clearly shifting on homosexuality and this creates a whole new issue: How will America deal with a minority view, strongly held by evangelicals, Catholics, Mormons, Muslims and so many others?" Barrett Duke, vice president for public policy and research with the Ethics & Religious Liberty Committee, noted that the shift in viewpoint reflects a correlation between "faith and attitudes about homosexual behavior." "The survey challenges the church to make sure she continues to teach the faithful about the Bible's teachings on homosexual behavior," Duke told Baptist Press. "It also provides clear evidence of the importance of the church to the moral framework of the nation. We must redouble our efforts to win the lost and make disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, who taught that not one jot or tittle would pass from the law till all is fulfilled. "God's Word still speaks clearly to the issue of homosexual behavior -- it is sin," the Southern Baptist ethicist said. "We must make sure we share this message in a way that communicates our genuine concern for those struggling with same-sex attractions. God has a better plan for their lives. We want them to experience it." Bob Stith, a Texas pastor who served several years as Southern Baptists' national strategist for gender issues, commented in similar fashion to Baptist Press, "The real danger here is not so much the view of homosexuality as it is the decline in the confidence of the American people in the trustworthiness of Scripture. "Some have been saying for years that this issue is the watershed issue for the church in this generation, not because of homosexuality per se but as an indicator of the degree to which the American public truly believes the Bible to be the Word of God," Stith said. "We have gone as a people from a broad and general trust in the Bible to a nation that questions whether there really is any such thing as absolute truth." Such trends, Stith said, "have opened the door for gay apologists to cast doubt on what the Bible really says about homosexuality. Southern Baptists must do a better job of addressing these claims. Failure to do so will further undermine confidence in the Bible." Stith also commented on "the manner in which the subject is handled in the entertainment media. It isn't just that it is one-sided. Those who hold to a scriptural view of homosexuality are consistently portrayed as being hate-filled and ignorant. "Evangelicals must do a better job of teaching our people to hold to a clear biblical position on homosexuality while being consistently compassionate and redemptive in our approach. But we must also accept the reality that no matter how loving and compassionate we are, many in the culture will vilify us if we dare say the Bible really does speak of homosexual acts as sin. Louis Giglio is only the latest example of this." "The Lifeway survey gives us clear evidence that American attitudes on homosexual behavior are changing. The shift is not complete, however. The survey notes that there is a direct correlation between faith and attitudes about homosexual behavior. The survey challenges the church to make sure she continues to teach the faithful the biblical teachings on homosexual behavior. It also provides clear evidence of the importance of the church to the moral framework of the nation. We must redouble our efforts to win the lost and make disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who taught that not one jot or tittle would pass from the law till all is fulfilled. God's word still speaks clearly to the issue of homosexual behavior—it is sin. We must make sure we share this message in a way that communicates our genuine concern for those struggling with same-sex attractions. God has a better plan for their lives. We want them to experience it."
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Post by Church News on Jan 15, 2013 22:08:37 GMT -5
Baptist Press Hobby Lobby finds short-term way to avoid fines Michael Foust, associate editor
Hobby Lobby says it has found a way to avoid for "several months" being penalized by the federal government for not covering abortion-inducing drugs in its employee health care plans. Beginning Jan. 1, Hobby Lobby reportedly was facing fines of around $1.3 million per day for defying the Department of Health and Human Services' abortion/contraceptive mandate. Jan. 1 was the date its new employee health care plan was to take effect. But Peter M. Dobelbower, an attorney and vice president for Hobby Lobby, said in a Jan. 10 statement that that date had been delayed, although he didn't provide specific details. "Hobby Lobby discovered a way to shift the plan year for its employee health insurance, thus postponing the effective date of the mandate for several months," Dobelbower said. "Hobby Lobby does not provide coverage for abortion-inducing drugs in its healthcare plan. Hobby Lobby will continue to vigorously defend its religious liberty and oppose the mandate and any penalties." Hobby Lobby eventually could face fines despite the fact that for-profits have a record of 9-5 (nine wins, five losses) in federal court against the mandate, according to a tally by the legal group Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. Hobby Lobby -- the largest business to sue the government over the issue -- is among the four for-profits to have lost in court. So far, each of the nine victories has been limited to the business that sued, although if those wins stand on appeal, they could cover Hobby Lobby. Under the mandate, businesses and even some religious organizations are required to carry employee insurance that covers contraceptives, including emergency contraceptives such as Plan B and ella that can kill an embryo after fertilization and even after implantation. Pro-lifers consider that action a chemical abortion. After a federal judge in November ruled Hobby Lobby must cover the drugs, Becket unsuccessfully appealed to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who oversees emergency appeals from the Tenth Circuit. Sotomayor did say the lawsuit could proceed in the lower court and be appealed back to the high court at the appropriate time. The Hobby Lobby suit also includes Mardel, a Christian bookstore chain. The same family -- the Greens -- owns both of them. "These abortion-causing drugs go against our faith, and our family is now being forced to choose between following the laws of the land that we love or maintaining the religious beliefs that have made our business successful," David Green, Hobby Lobby's founder and CEO, said in September. "... We simply cannot abandon our religious beliefs to comply with this mandate." In total, there have been 43 lawsuits against the mandate. Many of them involve religious organizations such as Christian colleges and universities. The mandate was announced by the Department of Health and Human Services in August 2011 as part of the health care law championed by President Obama. Although the Supreme Court upheld the health care law last June, the justices' ruling did not deal with the religious liberty issues surrounding the abortion/contraceptive mandate. That means the nation's highest court could yet strike down what has been for religious groups and some business owners the most controversial part of the law.
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Post by Church News on Jan 15, 2013 22:13:29 GMT -5
Baptist Press Iranian-American pastor threatened with death by John Evans
Saeed Abedini, an Iranian-American pastor currently imprisoned in Iran, is being threatened with death as the country continues its longstanding pressures against Christians, according to a U.S. organization advocating in Abedini's behalf. The Iranian-born Abedini, a U.S. citizen who planted a network of house churches in Iran, was imprisoned last September and recently indicted on secret charges. According to the American Center for Law and Justice, Abedini's case recently was handed to Iranian Judge Pir-Abassi, known as one of the country's "hanging judges" for the number of people he has sent to their deaths. Also languishing in prison in Iran are attorney Mohammed Ali Dadkhah and pastor Benham Irani. The ACLJ reported Jan. 10 that Abedini had released a letter to his family members in Iran describing his ordeal. "The life of Pastor Saeed is in grave danger," Jordan Sekulow, executive director of the ACLJ, said in a news release. "When you read Pastor Saeed's own words, you understand that Iran has absolutely no regard for human rights and religious freedom." In his letter, a copy of which was posted by the ACLJ, Abedini writes of sleeping in a room with a bright light constantly lit, blurring day and night, and of the difficult process by which he says God is making him a godly man. "It is a hard process of warm and cold to make steel," Abedini wrote. "This is the process in my life today: one day I am told I will be freed and allowed to see my family and kids on Christmas (which was a lie) and the next day I am told I will hang for my faith in Jesus. One day there are intense pains after beatings in interrogations, the next day they are nice to you and offer you candy. These hot and cold days only make you a man of steel for moving forward in expanding His Kingdom." Abedini also wrote of the joy he felt when he heard how Christians around the world were supporting him, and that other prisoners were "shocked" by the love followers of Jesus showed each other. "I told them how in the Bible we are all considered brothers and sisters (despite race, color, or nationality) and we are to share in each other's pains," Abedini wrote. "This comes from our Lord. The Word of God says that when we are persecuted for our faith we are to count it all joy. When I think that all of these trials and persecutions are being recorded in heaven for me, my heart is filled with complete joy." The Iranian government does not recognize Abedini's U.S. citizenship, the ACLJ says, which he gained in 2010 by marriage to his American wife, with whom he has two children. Abedini had traveled back and forth from Iran freely until his arrest. The ACLJ, which represents his wife and children (who reside in the U.S.), claims the U.S. State Department has done little to help the pastor. "We continue to press the Obama Administration to engage this case -- to speak out forcefully on Pastor Saeed's behalf and put pressure on Iran's allies to free this American," Sekulow said in the ACLJ's news release. "Time is of the essence." Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a British religious rights organization, meanwhile reported on Jan. 7 that prominent Iranian human rights attorney Mohammed Ali Dadkhah, who led in securing the release of Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from prison, was jailed and disbarred for 10 years in September 2012, and his health is deteriorating. Dadkhah had faced the prospect of imprisonment for more than a year. "Moreover, official attempts to justify his imprisonment by attempting to coerce an 'on air' confession are not only reprehensible, but are also clear indications that the charges levelled against him were spurious," Mervyn Thomas, CSW's chief executive, said in a statement on the group's website. "CSW calls for the immediate release of Mr Dadkhah and for an end to the campaign of harassment of civil society." International Christian Concern, a Washington advocacy group for the persecuted church, meanwhile has kept its spotlight on the plight of pastor Benham Irani, who since his 2011 arrest has suffered severe health problems due to beatings by Iranian prison authorities and other cellmates and has been denied medical treatment. Serving a six-year sentence for "acting against the interests of national security," Irani wrote a letter from his prison cell to fellow Christians, ICC reported, speaking of his love and faith despite his suffering. "My brothers and sisters, I love you all," Irani wrote. "Christ has given you to me on Calvary. Even if I were sentenced to many years behind bars for the salvation of one of you, there would never be any complaint." ICC also relayed a report from Mohabet News, an Iranian Christian news agency, that Tehran house church pastor Vruir Avanessian was released on bail from Iran's notorious Evin Prison on Jan. 10 after 15 days in custody. Avanessian, apparently arrested due to his alleged contacts with Christian converts from Islam, was in poor health and required dialysis while in prison. And Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported that Iranian pastor Nadarkhani was was re-arrested and released several days later. Nadarkhani, a Muslim convert to Christianity, spent nearly three years in an Iranian prison before his acquittal in September of apostasy charges that could have led to his execution. He was convicted on lesser charges and sentenced to three years in prison but released due to time already served. On Christmas Day 2012, he was returned to prison but subsequently released on Jan. 8 of this year, CSW reported. According to a recent International Christian Concern report on Iran, the country saw a steep increase in persecution of religious minorities in 2011, which continued in 2012. Among the issues the report identified were arrests and detentions, harsh interrogations, raids on church gatherings, torture, long detentions without charge, violations of due process, and exorbitant bail demands.
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Post by Church News on Jan 18, 2013 22:32:48 GMT -5
Baptist Press Roe, legalizing abortion in 1973, caused Baptists to embrace life Tom Strode, Washington bureau chief
EDITOR'S NOTE: Sunday, Jan. 20, is Sanctity of Life Sunday in the Southern Baptist Convention.
The U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision not only awakened Southern Baptists eventually to the gruesome reality of abortion but helped power what came to be known as their convention's Conservative Resurgence, two longtime observers say. America will reach the 40th anniversary of legalized abortion Jan. 22. On that date, pro-life advocates will grieve and abortion rights defenders will celebrate Roe, the opinion that –- coupled with a companion ruling, Doe v. Bolton -– had the effect of striking down all abortion restrictions and legalizing the procedure nationwide for virtually any reason at any stage of pregnancy. When the high court issued those decisions jointly in 1973, Southern Baptists were either uninformed or misguided -– and consequently unengaged -- at the grass roots but supportive of abortion rights at the institutional level and through the resolution process, Richard Land and Jerry Sutton told Baptist Press. Now, Southern Baptists are overwhelmingly pro-life. That contrast four decades ago between the grass roots and some denominational leaders produced discord as the massive death toll of unborn babies mounted in the 1970s. Meanwhile, the effort to restore the Southern Baptist Convention's institutions to a belief in biblical inerrancy began in 1979 with the election of the SBC’s first president committed to the Conservative Resurgence. By then, the abortion issue had become a driving force in the movement, Land and Sutton said. The abortion issue "was part of the Conservative Resurgence, and I think that it played a role that the moderates never understood," Land said of those Southern Baptists who disagreed with the effort to reform the convention’s institutions. "I think the moderates, being mostly pro-choice themselves, never really comprehended the moral indignation and outrage of the conservatives that their denomination was being portrayed as pro-choice. Being pro-choice themselves, they just didn't get it. And I think that emotion was one of the factors that fueled people to come to the convention and to vote for pro-life, inerrantist candidates. "Please understand me, the 'sine qua non' for the Conservative Resurgence was the battle over the Bible, but one of the most emotional issues about the Bible and what the Bible said was what the Bible said about abortion," said Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC). Sutton said, "I suspect that had there not been a Roe v. Wade there may not have been a Conservative Resurgence. "I think what happened is the abortion issue galvanized conservatives," said Sutton, who has written books on the Conservative Resurgence and Southern Baptist cultural engagement. Abortion and biblical inerrancy "coupled together gave great emphasis and a unifying factor to the conservative pastors who [were] leading this whole Conservative Resurgence," he said. The conservative pastors "said Southern Baptists as a whole don't believe that taking the life of an unborn child is morally acceptable," said Sutton, a longtime pastor and now vice president of academic development and dean of the faculty at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo. "[W]hat I'm saying is all of this worked in concert together." Supporters of the Conservative Resurgence achieved their goals in the years that followed –- including the 1988 selection of pro-lifer Land as head of the convention's ethics entity, then called the Christian Life Commission (CLC) and now the ERLC. During those years, Southern Baptists became known as committed participants in the pro-life movement. The Southern Baptist Convention is "the most consistently pro-life, major religious denomination in terms of its rank and file, because only about half of people who identify as Catholics agree with the church's position on abortion," Land said. "If you ask people who identify as Southern Baptists, it's somewhere between 80 and 90 percent who are opposed to abortion on demand.... n overwhelming percentage of Southern Baptists are opposed to most of the abortions that take place and think they should be illegal."
Four decades ago, however, Southern Baptists were ill-prepared for the 1973 Roe and Doe rulings and the abortion regime they established. Seemingly, Southern Baptists in general, Sutton said, were like he was at the time -- "essentially ignorant."
"Our pastors had not preached on it. People had not talked about it for the most part," said Sutton, who was a political science major at the University of South Alabama in 1973. "I probably represented the vast majority of Southern Baptists who were for the most part in the dark about the issues being raised."
Based on his personal experience and research, Sutton said, "From what I could tell, most Southern Baptists had not really understood what was transpiring. You know, they knew there was talk about abortion. Most people I knew just thought abortion was murder. You didn't kill unborn babies. But nobody knew the legal ramifications. They had no idea about the substance of Roe v. Wade or Doe versus Bolton.
"Everything that I could tell is that Southern Baptists as a whole were pro-life. They had just never articulated it," he said.
As a student in 1969-72 at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Land said "misinformation and a reluctance to talk about the issue" marked even many of his fellow students.
"I found a disturbing number [of other seminary students] to be pro-choice, even conservatives," Land said. "A lot of them tended to see it as a Catholic issue. And they had bought into this idea that life begins when the baby breathes."
Land said he "was able to convince a lot of people that this was a human being, this was a baby that deserved protection" as he talked to them about the physiology of the unborn child. Nearly two years before Roe, however, the SBC already was on record in support of abortion for reasons nearly as expansive as those the high court permitted in its 1973 decisions. While grass-roots Southern Baptists were poorly prepared, the CLC and its executive director, Foy Valentine, were not.
At the 1971 SBC annual meeting, messengers approved a resolution –- with Valentine's backing, Sutton said -– that urged Southern Baptists to promote legislation that would permit abortion in cases such as "rape, incest, clear evidence of severe fetal deformity, and carefully ascertained evidence of the likelihood of damage to the emotional, mental, and physical health of the mother."
Sutton said of that language, "y the time you go through the exceptions, there are no exceptions.... Basically, Southern Baptists, under Foy Valentine's leadership, embraced a pro-abortion posture."
Shortly after the 20th anniversary of Roe and Doe, Timothy George described the SBC's '71 resolution as essentially "a strong call for the liberalizing and legalizing of abortion in this country."
"Two years prior to the Supreme Court decision of 1973, which opened the floodgates to abortion on demand in the United States, the Southern Baptist Convention was on record advocating the decriminalization of abortion and extending the discretion of this decision into the realm of personal, privatized choice," said George, dean of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. "The simple fact is that Roe v. Wade did little more than place a stamp of approval on what America's largest, most conservative Protestant denomination had already agreed to."
Baptist Press' own coverage in 1973 of the Roe v. Wade ruling had a significant pro-choice tilt. One BP story at the time said Roe "advanced the cause of religious liberty, human equality and justice." In 2000, the SBC formally adopted a solidly pro-life statement in The Baptist Faith and Message (see Article XV), the position embraced by Baptist Press.
Valentine continued to promote abortion rights. In 1977, he joined four Southern Baptist seminary professors in endorsing a document by the then-named Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights that affirmed Roe and government funding of abortions. Southern Baptists increasingly learned about the CLC's position and moved into the pro-life camp as the '70s passed.
"The real shift among Southern Baptists and other evangelicals was between '76 and '80, not between '73 and '76," said Land, who returned to the United States in 1975 after three years of doctoral studies in England. "And I think it was outrage over the numbers, the sheer slaughter of millions of babies, that shocked people into looking at this issue in a different way and seeing that it was a profoundly moral issue that we had to deal with."
The toll escalated from nearly 750,000 legal abortions in 1973 to about 1.5 million in 1979, according to the Guttmacher Institute.
"To find out Southern Baptist people were giving their tithes and offerings to the Cooperative Program, which was supporting among other institutions ... the Christian Life Commission, and then they were using the money that we gave to them to further a pro-abortion posture, this became a great source of tension," Sutton said.
SBC messengers finally adopted the first of several pro-life resolutions in 1980. That resolution -- introduced by Larry Lewis, who later became president of the then-named Home Mission Board (now North American Mission Board) -- called for legislation or a constitutional amendment to ban abortion except to save the life of the mother.
In 1984, Southern Baptists for Life was started outside the SBC bureaucracy to advance the pro-life cause in the face of opposition at the institutional level. The organization helped place a Sanctity of Human Life Sunday on the denominational calendar each January. Land's 1988 election by a CLC trustee board controlled by conservatives helped further a transformation that proved complete at the national level in the 1990s, when the denominational leadership uniformly became pro-life.
The SBC "was still pro-choice at the institutional level and was seen so by the Supreme Court and others until I came to the commission," Land said. "They were listing the Southern Baptist Convention as a pro-choice organization."
In 2003, SBC messengers passed a resolution regarding Roe five months after its 30th anniversary. In the measure, messengers said, "[W]e lament and renounce statements and actions by previous Conventions and previous denominational leadership that offered support to the abortion culture."
Sutton pointed to two "defining moments" in the ascendancy of the pro-life cause in the SBC: (1) The approval of Lewis' pro-life resolution at the 1980 meeting, and (2) Land's election at the CLC. Land has announced he will retire in October upon the completion of 25 years as head of the convention's ethics entity. He gave the following assessment of Southern Baptists as legalized abortion's 40th anniversary and his retirement near.
"I feel good that Southern Baptists are the most pro-life denomination of any size in the country," Land said, "but I don't feel good in the sense that I think we should always be doing more to help people understand the pro-life issue and how it relates not only to abortion but to euthanasia and end-of-life issues, which, of course, are going to become a more and more compelling issue in the immediate decades ahead.
"I won't feel 'good' -- in the sense of good with quotation marks around it -- until every Southern Baptist is pro-life," he said, "and honors the Baptist Faith and Message commitment to defend 'the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death.'"
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Post by Church News on Jan 23, 2013 19:58:32 GMT -5
Baptist Press United State passes 55 million abortion mark Michael Foust, associate editor
At some point in the past year, the United States experienced its 55 millionth legal abortion -- a tragic number that is far more than the combined U.S. death count of every American war since the nation's founding. The total spans 40 years, beginning with the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision on Jan. 22 legalizing abortion nationwide. The abortion count is based on data compiled by the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. National Right to Life releases an annual tally using the Guttmacher data. "That's 55 million creative minds, 55 million people that could be working, 55 million that could be contributing to society," Randall K. O'Bannon, National Right to Life's director of education and research, told Baptist Press. "It's hard to fathom all the different ways in which any person has the potential to impact the community and impact our country. The loss is staggering." To put the total of 55 million in perspective, the combined number of military deaths in all of America's wars –- from the Revolutionary War to the second Iraq war –- is 1.2 million. The number is large partially because Roe and its companion decision, Doe v. Bolton, placed America's abortion laws to the left of most of the developed world. For instance, most of Europe -- including Great Britain, Spain, Germany and Sweden -- have more restrictions on abortion than does the United States. Roe and Doe legalized abortion at any stage of pregnancy, for any reason. A 2004 Guttmacher study found that 86 percent of abortions are done for convenience. Rape and incest each were cited by less than half of a percent of all women who underwent abortion. Great Britain's abortion laws permit abortion during the first 24 weeks, and the procedure must be approved by two doctors. The U.S. has no such restrictions. In the first full year (1974) after Roe, there were 898,600 abortions, according to Guttmacher. That number climbed to 1,553,900 in 1980 and reached an all-time high of 1,608,600 in 1990. It has fallen in nearly every year ever since and today stands at about 1.2 million a year. O'Bannon says he doubts most people know that more than 1 million abortions are performed each year -- much less that 55 million have been performed since Roe. "I don't have any recent polling, but I know that in the past, when they've asked people how many abortions they thought there were, few people demonstrated they had a knowledge there were more than a million a year," O'Bannon said. It may look at times like pro-lifers are losing, but polls show that in many areas, they actually are winning. For example, the same polls that show Americans support Roe also show Americans support restrictions that Roe prohibited. In other words, Americans don't understand Roe's reach. An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll conducted Jan. 12-15 showed that only 31 percent of adults said abortion should always be legal -- the concept backed by Roe and Doe. An additional 23 percent said it should be legal most of the time, 35 percent said it should be legal only in cases of rape, incest and to save the mother's life and 9 percent said it should never be legal. A CNN poll Aug. 22-23 last year had similar findings. It showed only 35 percent of Americans said abortion should always be legal. Nine percent said it should be legal in most circumstances, 37 percent said legal in a "few circumstances" and 15 percent said it should never be legal. Taken together, the two polls show that most Americans believe abortion should either be illegal all or most of the time, or at least have far more restrictions than permitted by Roe. O'Bannon said a number of factors are helping transform Americans' views on abortion to more of a pro-life stance. Among them are new medical technologies showing the baby moving and playing inside the womb, even sucking his thumb. The partial-birth abortion debate, which began in the late 1990s and placed pro-choicers on the defense, also had an impact, he said. Gallup polling shows that the percentage of people identifying themselves as "pro-choice" fell during the 1990s as the debate intensified, and the percentage that called themselves "pro-life" increased. "As they have found out what abortion involves, Americans began to see abortion involved children with hands and feet and faces," O'Bannon said. "They pulled back, and it made a difference. When a woman becomes pregnant, she gets a picture of an ultrasound and she takes it in her office and she shows it to everybody else. That's pro-life education right there."
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Post by Church News on Jan 24, 2013 16:44:10 GMT -5
Baptist Press Obama promotes gay marriage at inaugural Tom Strode, Washington bureau chief
President Obama called in his second inaugural address for an agenda that includes the strengthening of civil rights for homosexuals that some interpreted as an endorsement of same-sex marriage as a constitutional right. Speaking Monday (Jan. 21), Obama told the hundreds of thousands gathered outside the U.S. Capitol, "Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law, for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well." The president's remarks -- reportedly the first in an inaugural address to mention homosexual rights -- came shortly after he equated rights for homosexuals with the women's voting rights and African-American civil rights movements. "We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths -- that all of us are created equal -- is the star that guides us still, just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls and Selma and Stonewall," Obama said near the close of his 19-minute speech. Advocates for the right of women to vote held a convention in 1848 in Seneca Falls, N.Y., while Selma, Ala., was the starting site of important marches in 1965 to the state capital of Montgomery in support of voting rights for blacks. The 1969 riots after police raided New York City's Stonewall Inn, which welcomed openly homosexual customers, helped launch the gay rights movement. An advocate for same-sex marriage said Obama's comments seemed to indicate he was prepared to support such unions as a constitutional right. "I was very gratified to hear the president state in clear and unambiguous language that our gay and lesbian citizens must be treated equally under the law and that their loving relationships must be treated equally as well. That can only mean one thing: equality under the Constitution," Ted Olson said, according to The Los Angeles Times. Olson was solicitor general under President George W. Bush and is now a lawyer for homosexual couples challenging a California amendment defining marriage as only between a man and a woman. The White House denied Tuesday (Jan. 22) the president's position had changed. "The president believes that it's an issue that should be addressed by the states," Press Secretary Jay Carney said in response to a reporter's question at a White House briefing, The Washington Examiner reported. Obama announced his support for gay marriage in May, becoming the first sitting president to do so. He said then the issue should be left to the states, but his inaugural speech seemed to leave open the possibility he had changed even further on the issue. He soon will have an opportunity to make clear if his administration backs same-sex marriage as a constitutional right. In late March, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in two marriage cases that could either reaffirm the historical understanding of marriage or result in the legalization of gay marriage in all 50 states. On March 26, the justices will participate in arguments on the constitutionality of the California amendment, known as Proposition 8. The next day, they will weigh the legality of the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as only between a man and a woman in federal law. The Justice Department must file a brief by late February if it intends to stake out a position with the high court. A Southern Baptist college professor and cultural commentator said the president's inaugural comments "deserve some scrutiny because their implications are morally devastating for the definition of marriage." Denny Burk -- associate professor of biblical studies at Boyce College, the undergraduate arm of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. -- wrote in a blog post that Obama "actually presents in miniature a moral case for gay marriage based on the Declaration of Independence." "The president only means for this statement to apply to gay marriage, but his words have implications beyond the unions of gay people," he wrote. "If equality relies on legal recognition of any union between people who love one another, why must that only apply to homosexual couples? "I know that President Obama doesn't support polygamy, incest, or statutory rape," Burk said. "But that is only because he's inconsistent. The moral basis that he cites for same-sex marriage necessarily applies to those other arrangements as well." The president of the National Organization for Marriage took exception to Obama's advocacy for same-sex marriage during his inaugural speech. "Gay and lesbian people are already treated equally under the law," Brian Brown said in a written statement. "They have the same civil rights as anyone else; they have the right to live as they wish and love whom they choose. What they don't have is the right to redefine marriage for all of society." Brown said, "A presidential inauguration should be a time for the nation to come together; instead President Obama chose to voice his support for a radical agenda advanced by some of his biggest campaign contributors to redefine marriage for everyone. Marriage brings our nation together. The concept of gay 'marriage' would have been totally alien to our founding fathers, and the protection and advancement of marriage between one man and one woman will immeasurably serve the common good of this country and further strengthen our Union." In addition to Obama's comments: -- Richard Blanco, an openly homosexual poet, read a poem he had written for the occasion; -- The Lesbian and Gay Band Association, with 215 members, marched in the inaugural parade. In addition, Luis Leon included a reference to homosexuality in his benedictory prayer, saying, "But with the blessing of your blessing we will see that we are created in your image, whether brown, black or white, male or female, first generation or immigrant American, or daughter of the American Revolution, gay or straight, rich or poor." Leon, Episcopalian rector at St. John's Church in Washington, replaced Louie Giglio for the benediction after the Atlanta pastor was sharply criticized by gay-rights groups for a sermon in the 1990s in which he described homosexuality as sinful. In his speech, Obama also addressed global warming, though it has lost much of its momentum and credibility as an issue in recent years. "We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations," the president said. "Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires and crippling drought and more powerful storms." He also called for immigration reform. Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden took ceremonial oaths of office during the inauguration. They had taken the official oaths Jan. 20 as required by the Constitution. Myrlie Evers-Williams, widow of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers, delivered the invocation for the inauguration. The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir sang "The Battle Hyman of the Republic" during the ceremony. Also singing during the inauguration were Beyonce, James Taylor and Kelly Clarkson. Earlier in the morning, Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden, along with their families, attended a prayer service at St. John's Church, which is near the White House. Atlanta pastor Andy Stanley preached.
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Post by Church News on Jan 26, 2013 6:13:03 GMT -5
Baptist Press Entertainment industry's violence in spotlight
With Vice President Joe Biden's attention particularly attuned to gun violence following the tragic school shooting last month, a pro-family organization is urging concerned citizens to ask him to consider more fully the role the entertainment industry plays in perpetuating the problem. "Given the recent concern for violence in the media, voiced just this month in no less a place than the White House, it is appalling how Fox is able to ignore its own claims of being a responsible member of the entertainment industry," Tim Winter, president of the Parents Television Council, said January 22. Fox recently premiered a show called "The Following," which PTC describes as "one of the most unrepentantly violent television shows in recent memory on network television." The show features a serial killer with followers who commit suicide out of devotion to him, and it airs at 9 p.m. Eastern with a TV-14 rating. "Is this what the broadcast networks think is appropriate for a 14-year-old kid?" Winter asked. PTC noted Fox chairman Kevin Reilly's comments that Fox was accustomed to being "the edge of what was bold" before cable's proliferation, and now the network must compete for viewers with every show on cable -- the most popular last year being "Walking Dead." "What Mr. Reilly and others at the broadcast network need to do is read the terms of their broadcast licenses which say nothing about 'competing with cable' but rather demand that they serve the public interest," Winter said. In December, PTC commended the entertainment industry for its response to the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., but also called on leaders to maintain sensitivity to the effect entertainment has on impressionable minds. "If a music mogul makes a passionate plea for civility, why would there be a later time to profit from lyrics and videos that eschew civility? If producers and performers rightly question whether their industry is complicit in creating a violent media culture that feeds real-life tragedies, why would there be a later time to produce and distribute more of it?" PTC is urging Americans to ask Biden to continue pushing the entertainment industry to be more responsible.
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Post by Church News on Jan 26, 2013 17:02:48 GMT -5
Baptist Press CALL TO PRAYER: Prayer and The Word of God [/b] Frank S. Page
As we come to the last Sunday of North American Mission Board's Call to Prayer during January, we continue to pray for spiritual awakening. As you may know, at the end of last year, I issued a call that we focus on prayer and spiritual awakening in 2013 more powerfully than ever before. There are many reasons why we must. Look around at the spiritual needs. They are massive. We live in a country that is beset by division with competing visions and confused priorities. We are in a land of violence where we have just witnessed the anniversary of Roe v. Wade which signaled the legalized killing of millions of babies. In recent days, our hearts have been broken by what has happened in Newtown, Conn., as precious little children were killed. We live in a day and time where evil is called right and good. At the highest levels of government, we see an affirmation of things the Bible calls sin as that which is to be promoted and encouraged. The need is great! Add to that a lack of interest in spiritual things in our nation. It could cause one to despair. Sadly, this lack of interest in spiritual things seems to have permeated even the place where spiritual fervor ought to be the strongest -- the church. There is coldness in many places. There is a "yawn" when there is a call for deep spiritual passion in many quarters. The need is great and the interest seems to be small. However, I do believe there are people who will take seriously this call to prayer for spiritual awakening as a heart cry from our Lord. This morning as I read God's Word, it reminded me that in 1974 I began reading the Bible through once a year. It reminded me that my prayer life is always enriched by praying the Word of God. For example, this morning my Bible reading in the Old Testament was in Genesis 41:8–42:4. There we see the story of how God revealed His power through Joseph. Joseph chose to remain pure and suffered for that, but God eventually rescued him and blessed his life and all people for all time because of his faithfulness. What a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness. I prayed about that today and thanked God for His consistency over the years and His faithfulness to me and to all generations. After that, I read Psalm 13:1–6. How could one not be drawn closer to the Lord when you pray these words from the psalmist: "But I have trusted in Your faithful love; my heart will rejoice in Your deliverance. I will sing to the Lord because He has treated me generously" (HCSB). Then I read from Proverbs 3:11-12. Is that not a powerful passage to ponder? It speaks of God's love even in His discipline. Listen to these words: "Do not despise the Lord's instruction, my son, and do not loath His discipline; for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, just as the father, the son he delights in" (HCSB). And then in the New Testament, I read Matthew 14:22–15:9. There we see the story of Jesus walking on the water in the midst of the storm. We see Peter wanting to follow but not having the faith necessary to keep him above the water! What a powerful prayer reminder of the power of our Lord and of our constant need. Is that not really what prayer is all about? It is recognizing the power of our Father. It is putting ourselves in a position to respond, to listen and to obey. Let us be a people of prayer! Let us be a people to call on our Lord more earnestly than ever before! The days are dangerous. God's people need to be faithful and passionate in their prayer lives! EDITOR'S NOTE: Frank S. Page, president of the SBC Executive Committee, has issued a call to prayer for revival and spiritual awakening for our churches, our nation and our world during 2013. In addition, the month of January has been designated a month of prayer on the convention's calendar. Baptist Press will carry first-person articles during the year encouraging Southern Baptists to pray in specific areas and for specific needs as we petition the Father for spiritual awakening.
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Post by Church News on Jan 31, 2013 22:29:51 GMT -5
Baptist Press Appeals court rules against abortion mandate By Michael Foust, associate editor
A federal appeals court has once again ruled against the Obama administration's abortion/contraception mandate in a case that has strong implications for religious liberty. A panel of the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday (Jan. 30) granted a preliminary injunction preventing the mandate from applying to Grote Industries, a for-profit company based in Madison, Ind., and owned by Catholics. The same panel in December issued an injunction preventing the mandate from applying to an Illinois-based business, Korte & Luitjohan Contractor, also owned by Catholics. Both rulings were 2-1. The issue likely will end up before the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition to the Seventh Circuit, the Eighth Circuit and the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals have issued either rulings or orders against the mandate, which requires businesses and many religious organizations to purchase insurance plans covering contraceptives, including emergency contraceptives such as Plan B and ella that can kill an embryo after fertilization and even after implantation. Pro-lifers consider that action a chemical abortion. The Seventh Circuit panel noted that the Grote family claims the mandate "compels them to materially cooperate in a grave moral wrong contrary to the teachings of their church." Not following the mandate would result in "several financial penalties." "We conclude that the Grote Family and Grote Industries have established a reasonable likelihood of success" based on Grote's claim that the mandate violates the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the panel ruled. "We also conclude that they will suffer irreparable harm absent an injunction pending appeal." Grote Industries is self-insured and its insurance plans did not cover contraceptives or abortion-causing drugs of any kind prior to the mandate, according to the ruling. The judges consolidated the Grote and Korte cases. Although the latest ruling involved a Catholic-owned business, evangelical-owned businesses and evangelical colleges also have won in federal court. There are 44 lawsuits involving non-profits and for-profits against the mandate, according to a tally by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. Of the 14 rulings thus far involving for-profits, 10 have gone against the mandate. Alliance Defending Freedom is representing Grote. "Americans have the God-given freedom to live and do business according to their faith," ADF attorney Matt Bowman said in a statement. "Forcing employers to surrender their faith in order to earn a living is unprecedented, unnecessary, and unconstitutional. Honoring God is important every day, in all areas of life, including in our work. Freedom is not the government's to give and take away when it pleases." Voting in the majority were Reagan nominee Joel M. Flaum and George W. Bush nominee Diane S. Sykes. George H.W. Bush nominee Ilana Rovner dissented. The mandate was announced by the Department of Health and Human Services in August 2011 as part of the health care law championed by President Obama. Although the Supreme Court upheld the health care law last June, the justices' ruling did not deal with the religious liberty issues surrounding the abortion/contraceptive mandate. That means the nation's highest court could yet strike down what has been for religious groups and some business owners the most controversial part of the law.
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Post by Church News on Feb 1, 2013 5:53:19 GMT -5
David Akers
bpsports.net Former Tates Creek kicker perseveres to play in Super Bowl By Tim Ellsworth, editor
David Akers spent a dozen seasons in the NFL in a time of plenty. Now in his second year with the San Francisco 49ers, Akers was one of the most consistent kickers in the game during 11 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, regularly hitting more than 80 percent of his field goal attempts. Last year with the 49ers, Akers had arguably the best season ever for a kicker, setting an NFL record 44 field goals. This year, however, has been a time of want for Akers, even though the 49ers will vie for a Super Bowl title on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. Struggling with inconsistency, Akers converted only 69 percent of his field goal attempts this season. He drew the ire of 49ers fans and even received death threats on Twitter. As he rested in God's grace during the bountiful years, Akers has learned to do the same during this season of difficulty. "I think everybody, as humans, we question a lot of what's going on or we can't see the big picture of what's happening," Akers said. "Sometimes the answer comes quickly and sometimes it takes a long time before reflection is turned into answers." Those answers have often come to Akers from Scriptures such as "Lean not on your own understanding" and "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD." Though this season was the toughest Akers has faced in a long time, he's not new to adversity away from the game. From 2007-09, Akers invested $3.7 million with a financial group in what proved to be a Ponzi scheme scam. He lost his life's savings. Then in 2011, Akers' 6-year-old daughter Halley had surgery to remove a malignant tumor from an ovary. She has since recovered fully from the cancer scare. Struggles such as those tend to put football in its proper perspective for Akers. "We all go through trials through life," Akers said. "My business is playing football, and I try to do it to the best of my ability. There's some times where you have success and other times where you have failures. You realize that what you do in life doesn't define who you are." Akers wrote about what does define him in a recent edition of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes' monthly magazine. "I don't want my legacy to be that I was great at making long field goals or filling up the stat sheet," Akers wrote. "I'd rather be known as a great husband and father, a good friend and teammate, a servant and someone who could be counted upon. I love my Heavenly Father and, like Romans 8:28 says, I have a purpose in this life -- to give glory to God in all things." When his team takes the field on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII, Akers' spot on the team is secure -- even though it was in doubt just a few weeks ago when the 49ers auditioned other kickers because of Akers' inconsistency. But he withstood the test, and on Sunday, he hopes to reap the rewards. "As long as you love God, then you know that He has a plan for you and you've got to just keep working in the situation that you're in," Akers said. "I've had a blessed career. It's been a tough season for me personally, but it's been one of the most rewarding years as a teammate, to see how well the team's done. It's great to be a part of something like this, and hopefully we'll have even more success on Sunday."
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Post by Church News on Feb 3, 2013 6:50:28 GMT -5
bpsports.net SUPER BOWL: Low profile suits Ravens' Cox By Tim Ellsworth, editor
If Morgan Cox does his job in Sunday's Super Bowl matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, he won't make the headlines. He won't make a game-saving tackle or catch a winning touchdown pass. He could have the best game of his life, and few will know it. But if Cox messes up at a key moment, he'll forever be remembered as a goat. Such is life for the Baltimore Ravens' long snapper. "I know that I'm doing my job if nobody really knows my name," Cox said during Jan. 29's media day in New Orleans. "You kind of have to have the personality for that -- being OK with staying in the background and watching your kicker succeed and being happy for him." That mentality doesn't stop on the field with Cox, however, and permeates his entire life -- flowing from his Christian faith. "I can't even begin to describe the blessings that I feel that God has given me in my life," Cox said. "I just have to trust in Him to know where to go, where to take this [Super Bowl appearance] in order to use it as a platform to honor Him." Raised in a Christian home near Memphis, Tenn., Cox became a believer at an early age. His family was actively involved at Hope Presbyterian Church in Memphis, where Cox still attends during the offseason. He graduated from Evangelical Christian School in Cordova, Tenn., and though he wasn't heavily recruited to play college football, made the team at the University of Tennessee as a walk-on. Following his collegiate career, he signed with the Ravens in 2010 as an undrafted free agent and earned the starting long snapper role for the 2010 season. Cox quickly earned a reputation as a hard-nosed and fierce competitor, especially after a game against Cleveland in 2010 when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in the second quarter. He stayed in the game and snapped for three punts, two field goals and two extra points. That display helped him earn the team's Ed Block Courage Award in 2011 for his courage on and off the field. Cox also is an active participant in several community outreach projects in the Baltimore area. Cox has found the Baltimore locker room to be a comfortable place for him as a Christian. He's surrounded by several other believers on the team and said even those who aren't Christians have listened as he has shared his faith with them. Even when he's on the field, Cox has ways of reminding himself about God's presence in his life. When he prepares for a snap and is looking through his legs, the holder's left arm is pointing down at the field, and Cox envisions his target as a cross between the holder's knee and his arm. "That's just a small way of reminding me that Jesus is with me, and He's going to take care of me," Cox said.
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Post by Church News on Feb 3, 2013 16:44:37 GMT -5
Baptist Press New HHS rule on abortion mandate 'inadequate' By Michael Foust, associate editor
The Obama administration proposed a rule change Friday it says will appease the concerns religious organizations have about the abortion/contraceptive mandate, but legal groups who defend religious liberty called the proposal inadequate and said it fell far short of what is needed. Religious groups had hoped the Department of Health and Human Services would announce that all religious organizations -- universities, hospitals and charities -- are exempt from the mandate, which requires employers to carry health insurance plans covering contraceptives and drugs that can cause chemical abortions. Churches, for example, are exempt from the mandate. Instead, HHS issued a rule it says allows for employees to obtain contraceptives and abortion-causing drugs without the religious employer taking part in the process. Religious liberty groups say employers still will be involved. The proposal also does nothing to help businesses such as Bible publisher Tyndale House or Christian-owned Hobby Lobby or any other for-profit whose owners have religious objections to contraceptives and/or abortion-causing drugs. "Having reviewed this proposed rule, we ... have to say we're extremely disappointed," Kyle Duncan, general counsel of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, said in a conference call with reporters. Becket Fund has helped lead the legal charge against the mandate. More than 40 lawsuits have been filed against the mandate. Duncan called the proposal "radically inadequate." According to an HHS website, under the proposal, the religious employer "would not have to contract, arrange, pay or refer for any contraceptive coverage to which they object on religious grounds." Employees "would receive contraceptive coverage through separate individual health insurance policies, without cost sharing or additional premiums." The insurance company would be required to offer the drugs for free, HHS said. Religious organizations that are self-insured would have to contact a third party administrator, which would "work with a health insurance issuer to provide separate, individual health insurance policies at no cost for participants." Religious liberty groups had multiple objections to the proposal. First, the groups said, religious organizations still will be required to carry an insurance plan that is tied to coverage of contraceptives and abortion-inducing drugs. Second, religious employers -- particularly those who are self-insured -- will be acting as "conduits" with health providers to ensure their employees can obtain the drugs. Third, it's unclear who is paying for the "free drugs." As some religious commentators were suggesting: Will insurance companies simply raise rates -- and thereby pass the cost for the abortion-causing drugs on to the religious organization? Duncan said religious organizations are "going to have to carefully consider whether this accommodation really doesn't change the moral landscape at all. It's going to be up to them to make that determination. We believe they're going to have some serious concerns about remaining unacceptably involved in the provision of these drugs and devices." Alliance Defending Freedom senior legal counsel Matt Bowman said the proposal still infringes on religious liberty. "Religious non-profits will, in fact, be forced to provide an insurance plan with a provider that gives the religious group's employees abortion-pill coverage in direct connection with that plan, the coverage is definitely not free, and the coverage is imposed 'automatically' even against the objection of many employees who don't want free abortion-pill coverage for themselves or their daughters," Bowman said. To qualify for the proposal, an organization must self-certify that it "holds itself out as a religious organization," according to HHS. Ironically that could mean that many of the nation's leading pro-life organizations -- despite being non-profits -- won't qualify for the accommodation because they're technically not religious organizations. The HHS announcement did nothing to change the coverage by for-profits. Hobby Lobby, the arts and crafts store whose Christian owners say they will not follow the mandate, apparently will face fines of more than $1 million each day if a federal court does not step in. Its owners always have made their faith a central part of their business. Their stores play Christian instrumental music and are closed on Sundays. Hobby Lobby contributes to Christian organizations and runs full-page ads in newspapers during the Easter and Christmas seasons with Gospel-centered messages. The good news for Christian for-profits is they are winning in court, having seen 10 wins and only four losses. Hobby Lobby, though, is one of those losses. The issue likely is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court. "The administration fails to understand," said Gene Rudd of the Christian Medical Association, "that many employers and individual Americans, regardless of a religious label or not, maintain strong conscience objections to participating in any way, shape or form in a plan that promotes pills that the FDA says can cause the demise of a living human embryo -- a developing baby in her earliest stage." Covered under the mandate are emergency contraceptives such as Plan B and ella that can kill an embryo after fertilization and even after implantation. Pro-lifers consider that action a chemical abortion. The mandate was announced by HHS in August 2011 as part of the health care law championed by President Obama. Although the Supreme Court upheld the health care law last June, the justices' ruling did not deal with the religious liberty issues surrounding the abortion/contraceptive mandate. That means the nation's highest court could yet strike down what has been for religious groups and some business owners the most controversial part of the law.
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Post by Church News on Feb 4, 2013 17:40:47 GMT -5
Baptist Press Land urges Scouts to protect values, boys By Tom Strode & Michael Foust
Southern Baptist ethics leader Richard Land has urged Boy Scout officials to uphold their long-standing moral values and protect young males by abandoning their proposed policy change on homosexuality. In a letter Thursday (Jan. 31), the president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission called on the Boy Scouts of America's leadership to reverse course on a proposal to lift its ban on homosexual troop leaders and members. The Boy Scouts national board is expected to vote next week on a recommendation to enable each local Scouting unit to determine its policy on the issue of homosexual inclusion. Such a change would not only represent a break with the moral values the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has held for more than a century, but it could have tragic consequences for troop members, Land said. "[W]ith the admission of homosexual Scout leaders, the BSA would place men, who by their own definition are sexually attracted to men, in close, supervisory proximity to teenage boys, which invites real human tragedies. We are not saying homosexuals are pedophiles," Land wrote. "However, how many parents would send their teenage daughters on camping trips with heterosexual male troop leaders? They would not -- not because they believe that such heterosexual men are pedophiles, but because they realize that under such close, supervisory care of men who by definition are attracted to women, human tragedies could, and inevitably would, occur." Such a policy change would result in huge losses among Scouting units, Land predicted. "Ultimately, this decision, if adopted, would lead to a mass exodus of traditional faith congregations from the Boy Scouts, including many Southern Baptists, who presently account for a sizeable percentage of sponsoring Scout units and members," he wrote in his letter to Wayne Brock, BSA's chief executive, and Wayne Perry, BSA's president. About 70 percent of all Scouting units are owned and operated by faith-based organizations. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) leads all religious organizations with 38,000 units and 420,000 participating youth, followed by the United Methodists (11,000 units; 371,000 youth) and the Roman Catholic Church (8,570; 283,000). Baptists are sixth (4,100; 109,000). Land joined other Southern Baptist leaders who had expressed disappointment with and opposition to the BSA proposal. Fred Luter, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and Frank Page, president of the SBC Executive Committee, already had spoken out against the possible change. Page urged Brock, Perry and another official in a Jan. 28 conference call not to change BSA's "sexual orientation" policy. "I believe this will be a death blow to Scouting.... I think this is a self-inflicted wound," Page said. In a Jan. 30 column for Baptist Press, Page called for Southern Baptists to pray Sunday (Feb. 3) for the BSA board to defeat the recommendation. Many churches will observe Scout Sunday Feb. 3, a date established by the BSA. "Focused prayer on Sunday; board meeting on Monday," Page wrote. "What a divine moment!" Critics of the BSA proposal said it would be difficult for Scouting units that agree with the current national policy to maintain it for themselves. Troops that retain the ban on homosexual leaders "would experience increasing pressure to capitulate on their convictions," Land said in his letter. Lawyer Ed Whelan, president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C., said the policy change would undermine an important victory the Boy Scouts achieved at the U.S. Supreme Court in 2000. The justices ruled 5-4 against a challenge to the BSA's ban on homosexual leaders and members, based considerably on the organization's teaching that homosexual behavior violates its values, Whelan said. "But if the national group abandons that teaching against homosexual conduct, it paves the way for activists to sue troops that adhere to the traditional policy and to threaten troop leaders with personal liability," Whelan wrote Friday (Feb. 1) in the New York Post. "Few troops could afford the expense and hassle of defending against these suits." BSA leaders told Page in their conference call they are receiving internal and external pressure to revise the current policy -- one they affirmed only six months ago after a two-year review. The Boy Scouts have lost at least three corporate sponsors in recent months: UPS, Intel and the Merck Foundation. All cited the Scouts' policy on homosexual leaders in their decisions. The Scout Oath includes these words: "On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country." In it, a Scout also pledges: "To keep myself ... morally straight." In his letter, Land said, "The acceptance of open homosexuals into the Boy Scouts ranks would bring this commitment to biblical moral values into question." In a Jan. 28 statement, the BSA said the recommendation to revise its policy "would mean there would no longer be any national policy regarding sexual orientation, and the chartered organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting would accept membership and select leaders consistent with each organization's mission, principles, or religious beliefs."
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Post by Church News on Feb 19, 2013 5:37:51 GMT -5
Baptist Press Atheist student from China learned 'that the Lord is real' by: David Roach
When Chinese parents send their child to an American university, they expect her to return home with a degree and the opportunity to begin a career. But one student from central China returned home with much more. After attending a Baptist university, Wenny* brought home a transformed life just over a year ago -- sharing a message about Jesus that transformed her parents as well. Having committed her life to Christ as a student at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky., Wenny returned to her hometown of Wuhan in late 2011 and found a Christian church to attend. An opportunity to share her testimony during a worship service arose, and she invited her parents. When the pastor called people to commit their lives to Jesus, Wenny's parents responded. "They accepted Christ, and I was so surprised," Wenny told Baptist Press, "because I thought it would take a lot of time -- two or more years -- for them to accept Christ. "But it happened on that day." Dean Whitaker, Cumberlands' director of campus ministries and Baptist Collegiate Ministry, said it's just one example of the worldwide impact of BCM. "The world literally comes to our doorsteps through our campuses every semester," Whitaker told BP in an email. "... When we reach one international student with the Gospel and discipleship, we become missionaries throughout the world through them. Wenny is a beautiful example of God's sovereign hand drawing people into relationship with Him to advance His Kingdom to the ends of the earth." In August 2008 when Wenny began her college studies in America, she seemed an unlikely candidate to embrace Christianity -- much less take it back to China. An atheist, she "thought Jesus was a western Buddha or a character from a story, like Cinderella or Snow White." She also "thought the people who believed in gods were absurd." But God was at work. When Wenny decided to study in America, her second cousin who lived in Canada helped find a university and make all the necessary arrangements for her to attend. However, the cousin went into a coma from brain cancer before Wenny arrived to see her in person. She never revived and soon died. Amid her grief, Wenny learned that her cousin was a Christian and that her university was a Christian school. Wenny still wonders whether her cousin's help was an intentional act of Christian witness. "After I had been there for one month, I realized that almost everybody tried to tell me about Jesus and wanted to take me to church," Wenny recounted. "I had a thought that all Americans are Christians. And then my friend told me that our college is a Christian school. "... I was surprised because I never thought about going to a religious school. But the people at the school were very kind, so I was OK with the Christian part." A conversation with chapel speaker Ray Sydnor, a former NFL player turned evangelist, was a key moment in Wenny's spiritual journey. In response to her claim that the Bible was not true, Sydnor presented historical evidence to substantiate Scripture. And in response to her claim that the world came into existence by chance, he pointed to the apparent design in the universe. "Ray's words moved me, and I started to think that the Lord may be real," Wenny said. Caring believers continued to share Jesus with Wenny until the cumulative effect helped bring her to salvation while attending church in April 2009. "When people were singing worship songs, I suddenly believed in God," Wenny said. "So I prayed. When my eyes were closed, I felt that it became bright in front of me. I opened my eyes and saw sunshine. The light went through the window and shined on me. "I don't know how to explain how it happened; my heart was suddenly open and I believed. Later when people asked me how I believed in God, I said God found me. He built a temple in my heart and lived there." Soon Wenny was baptized at Main Street Baptist Church in Williamsburg and began to grow in her faith, learning to trust God as He provided for her needs time and again. When she didn't have a place to live during the summer, a professor asked her to housesit while he went on vacation. When she lacked money for tuition, she saw God's provision of a job. And when she graduated from UC in 2010, a stranger was stirred to let Wenny live in her house in Nashville, Tenn. "After I lived with her for two months," Wenny said of her hostess, "she told me that the first time she met me she had a strong feeling that the Lord wanted her to help me." Wenny stayed in Nashville for 10 months, gaining confidence and maturity in her faith through the ministry of a local church, before returning to China on the last day of 2011 with a desire to help her friends and family find Jesus. Her parents' commitment to Christ seems genuine and enduring, Wenny said, because they continued to attend church in China even after she returned to America this winter to pursue a master of business administration degree at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. As for the future, Wenny is not sure of her plans but wants to "serve people," perhaps as a missionary. Taking the Gospel back to China was a blessing even when people didn't accept the message, she said. "I had some chances to talk with them [Chinese friends and other family members] but they didn't accept," she said. "But anyway they listened ... which is still better than nothing." *"Wenny" is a nickname used by her American friends. Her full name withheld for security reasons.
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Post by Church News on Mar 1, 2013 23:42:44 GMT -5
Baptist Press History Channel begets a good Bible series By Phil Boatwright
"Just think about all the people who don't know the Bible," said Roma Downey, co-executive producer of the miniseries "The Bible," which will air on the History Channel beginning Sunday (March 3). "The Bible," a 10-episode special, was the dream child of Downey (star of "Touched by an Angel") and her husband, Mark Burnett (producer of "Survivor"). At a press interview in New York last November, I found the husband-and-wife producing team enthusiastic, nearly giddy as they neared the completion of the production. "It's hard to imagine, I know," began Downey in a recent phone interview, "but there are those who have never heard the accounts of Noah, or Abraham, or Moses -- or, even Jesus. What we hope will happen from viewing the series is that people, believers and those who are not yet, will gain a renewed interest in God's Word. "Sadly, there's a real Bible illiteracy in today's world. There are people who simply don't know stories we take for granted. You think everyone knows the account of Adam and Eve or Samson and Delilah or the significance of the temptation of Christ by Satan," the actress continued, "but they don't." Burnett, added, "I think the production will attract millions of people, and we pray that upon viewing it, a new interest will develop for many of them. Especially in these foreboding times." Knowing Christian leaders would be concerned with the direction "Hollywood" folk would take the series, I asked Burnett and Downey a few probing questions.
BOATWRIGHT: What version of the Bible did you choose as source material? BURNETT: We used many translations, because we wanted to be accessible to young people. But personally, I would always come back to the King James Version because that's what I grew up with. We're not theologians, we're storytellers. So, we enlisted several well-known pastors and academics who study God's Word as a vocation. Of course, as you know, you can't please everybody. But we made a 10-hour walking tour from Genesis to Revelation, a tour we spent a great deal of time in prayer over. BOATWRIGHT: How did you decide which biblical anecdotes to use? BURNETT: We had one of two choices: either select dozens of short summaries and tell many brief stories, or, choose fewer characters and stories but make a much deeper emotional connection. We went with the second choice. DOWNEY: So we began the TV scripts, written by a team of writers under the guidance of many biblical experts. BOATWRIGHT: What was the reception like when you approached the History Channel with the direction you wanted to take the vignettes? BURNETT: Very receptive. At least once a year, the History Channel tries to do one big epic project. We've tried to make this a full drama, not just a series of vignettes, with each story segueing naturally into the next story. They gave us a free rein. DOWNEY: Just look at the professionals we were blessed to get. BOATWRIGHT: How are the episodes presented? DOWNEY: It will premiere March 3 and run for five weeks, each week featuring two hour episodes, and ending on Easter Sunday. BOATWRIGHT: I understand your actor playing Jesus is a Christian, correct? DOWNEY: Yes, We found him, really, through the power of prayer. It was just weeks away from the beginning of filming. We were looking for someone who could play both the lion and the lamb. It was going to take someone very special and we found that Diogo [Morgado] brought a beautiful combination of strength and charisma, but also gentleness and humility. And I believe his performance will be touching to everyone who sees it.
As I mentioned, I met Burnett and Downey in New York on a press junket and they showed us 45 minutes of the production. Though I can't claim to know the quality of the entire production, I did sense a professionalism that took inspiration from these biblical tales. Probably the most difficult character for an actor to play is Jesus, who is fully God, fully man. He knew our temptations, yet remained sinless. Try to get that in your psyche if you're an actor. But I was moved with Morgado's portrayal of Christ. It is my belief that this singular performance will touch hearts and spark a desire in many to gain a further understanding of John 3:16, "For God so loved the world...." The following stories are included in the series: * Adam and Eve
* Cain and Abel
* Noah and the ark
* Abraham
* The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
* The sacrifice of Isaac
* Moses and the burning bush
* The parting of the Red Sea
* The Ten Commandments
* Joshua and the walls of Jericho
* Samson and Delilah
* Samuel anoints Samuel as King of Israel
* David defeats Goliath
* David as king of Israel
* The prophet Jeremiah
* Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians conquer Jerusalem
* Daniel in the lion's den
* King Cyrus frees the Israelites
* The Angel Gabriel visits Mary
* The nativity
* John the Baptist
* Jesus tempted in the desert by Satan
* Jesus meets Peter
* The miracles and mission of Jesus
* The feeding of the 5,000
* Jesus confronts the money lenders
* The Last Supper
* Judas' betrayal of Jesus
* The crucifixion
* The resurrection
* Pentecost
* The blinding of Paul
Along with their producing chores, Burnett and Downey have published a thoughtful devotional book that works well as a companion piece, adding dimension to the television program. I was sent a copy and have been reading it every day. I was impressed because I feel most family members will find the daily devotional applicable and strengthening to their spiritual walk. "A Story of God and All of Us: Reflections" contains 100 devotionals and inspirations based on the miniseries and the producers' meditations during that production. It contains relevant Scripture passages, experiences during production and a daily prayer.
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Post by Church News on Mar 2, 2013 5:16:13 GMT -5
Baptist Press Obama: Marriage no longer state issue By Michael Foust
The Obama administration abandoned its states' rights position on marriage Thursday (Feb. 28) by asking the Supreme Court to overturn California's Proposition 8, and in the process it laid the legal groundwork for legalizing gay marriage nationwide. The friend-of-the-court brief by the Obama Justice Department urged the Supreme Court to overturn California Prop 8, the 2008 voter-approved amendment that defined marriage as between one man and one woman. The department stopped short of calling for gay marriage in all 50 states, although it urged the justices to use a form of review called "heightened scrutiny" that likely would result in gay marriage legalization from coast to coast. The brief was released the same day that Attorney General Eric Holder, in an interview with ABC News, called gay marriage the "latest civil-rights issue." Prop 8, the brief states, "targets gay and lesbian people for discriminatory treatment." The Justice Department was not required to issue the brief but was under pressure from gay marriage groups to do so. The brief specifically targets California and the other seven states that have legalized civil unions or domestic partnerships but not gay marriage: Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Oregon and Nevada. The brief mentions all seven states by name. Civil unions and domestic partnerships grant all the legal benefits of marriage, minus the name. "California's extension of all of the substantive rights and responsibilities of marriage to gay and lesbian domestic partners particularly undermines the justifications for Proposition 8," it states. "It indicates that Proposition 8's withholding of the designation of marriage is not based on an interest in promoting responsible procreation and child-rearing -- petitioners' central claimed justification for the initiative -- but instead on impermissible prejudice." It is the brief's call for a "heightened scrutiny" review of Prop 8 that is most significant. Supporters of Prop 8 had asked the court to review Prop 8 under what is called "rational basis," which essentially holds that as long as there was a rational reason for passing the law, it should stand. But laws reviewed under heightened scrutiny are more likely to be reversed. It is a standard normally applied to laws that impact, for instance, race and sex. The Justice Department previously asked the court to review the Defense of Marriage Act under heightened scrutiny. The Supreme Court has yet to apply laws impacting sexual orientation to a heightened scrutiny review. If it does, though, every traditional marriage law in America is in danger. The Justice Department could have a high hurdle convincing a majority of the court to apply heightened scrutiny to sexual orientation. For it to apply, four criteria must be met. It must be shown that: 1. Gays and lesbians have "suffered a significant history of discrimination in this country."
2. "Sexual orientation generally bears no relation to ability to perform or contribute to society."
3. "Discrimination against gay and lesbian people is based on an immutable or distinguishing characteristic."
4. Gays and lesbians are a "minority group with limited power to protect themselves from adverse outcomes in the political process."
It is the final point that the supporters of Prop 8 are likely to focus on, asserting that the opposite actually is true today. In fact, ProtectMarriage.com -- the official proponents of Prop 8 -- argued in its opening brief to the court that supporters of gay marriage are making significant progress in redefining marriage, with the support of the public. "Public opinion and State laws are evolving rapidly as the democratic conversation regarding marriage continues to unfold," the brief said. "Indeed, at the last election the People of Maine, Maryland, and Washington voted to redefine marriage. Notably, in Maine, the People had rejected a similar proposal just three years before. Even in California, proponents of redefining marriage have vowed to seek to repeal Proposition 8 by initiative if it is upheld by this Court." Thus, Prop 8 supporters likely will argue that when supporters of gay marriage won landmark victories at the ballot in 2012 -- demonstrating they are not politically powerless -- they actually hurt their cause at the Supreme Court, because heightened scrutiny does not apply. When President Obama announced his support for gay marriage last year, he implied he wanted to continue allowing states to decide the issue. "I continue to believe that this is an issue that is gonna be worked out at the local level, because historically, this has not been a federal issue, what's recognized as a marriage," he said. Obama further said, "I think it is a mistake to try to make what has traditionally been a state issue into a national issue." Andy Pugno, general counsel for ProtectMarriage.com, expressed disappointment that Obama had reversed course. "By arguing that Proposition 8 is rooted only in irrational prejudice, the President has impugned the motives of millions of Californians, turned his back on society's long-standing interest in both mothers and fathers raising the next generation, and disregarded the rights of each state to decide for itself whether to re-define marriage," Pugno said. "... We are confident that the Supreme Court will recognize the limited role of the courts in this debate, and uphold the will of California voters to protect traditional marriage."
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Post by Church News on Mar 3, 2013 6:58:41 GMT -5
Baptist Press Hobby Lobby: resolute in court, visionary for Bible's relevance By Art Toalston
Hobby Lobby has been pushed to the front lines of a monumental battle over religious liberty just when the arts and crafts chain is aiming to open a Bible museum near the U.S. Capitol in Washington. "God's up to something," Steve Green, Hobby Lobby's president, often says. "We're just along for the ride." Hobby Lobby's founder -- Green's father, David -- has publicly stated the company will not obey a federal mandate to provide employee health insurance that covers abortion-causing drugs. The 530-store chain could face government fines amounting to $1.3 million a day if the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services forces its will on Hobby Lobby and numerous other privately owned businesses lead by Christians who regard abortion as the taking of innocent life. Steve Green, meanwhile, is leading Hobby Lobby's plan to open a museum showcasing many of the 40,000 Bible artifacts in The Green Collection secured by the family's company over the past three years. The museum and accompanying research center will be housed in 400,000-500,000 square feet renovated from two office buildings two blocks from the Air and Space Museum and a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol. The yet-unnamed museum could open as early as the fall of 2016. Green spoke about the court battle and the museum to editors who visited Hobby Lobby's headquarters, its sprawling manufacturing plant and four distribution centers on the outskirts of Oklahoma City during the Association of State Baptist Publications' Feb. 11-14 annual meeting. Asked if the HHS mandate, if ultimately enforced by the courts, could cost Hobby Lobby its solvency and its vision for a Bible museum, Green said, "I don't have the answer to that. All I know is that we're in good hands. I anticipate that it's going to be a long battle. "And what and where God directs this, I don't know." Hobby Lobby, in its suit against the HHS mandate, remains in federal appeals court among dozens of companies objecting to the abortion insurance requirement. "We haven't gotten to the merits of the case," Green said of the Hobby Lobby suit. "This is just asking for the injunction.... "Even if we get a no" on the merits of the case -- if two appeals courts issue "two different rulings -- and there have been on the injunction -- then it's more likely that the Supreme Court would make a ruling on it. That's probably, at earliest, a couple of years down the road," Green said. Asked how Hobby Lobby's supporters can pray for the company, Green requested prayer "for the wisdom to say the right things and not say what we shouldn't be saying. I think that we're pretty clear. We know what our answer is. "Pray for our government leaders," Green added, "and the judges who are going to make the decisions, that exactly what God wants, happens." Green said it is difficult to tell whether Hobby Lobby's customers have been affected by the company's stance against the HHS mandate. "We get a lot of support ... people that are very supportive and then there are some that are very angry," Green said. "It's a very volatile issue and we hear from the two extremes. On average, I would guess that our customers are more supportive." In sales, "last year was a great year" for Hobby Lobby, Green said, acknowledging, "... We're in the news a lot. People are thinking about us and they're wanting to be supportive and they come out. That could be a part of it." Bible museum
The Green Collection, which will be showcased at the museum in Washington, has become the world's largest private collection of rare biblical texts and artifacts since Green's first purchase in November 2009. "We didn't buy them because we're collectors; we bought them because we wanted to tell the Bible story," Green said, reflecting a sense of ministry from more than 25 years of placing God first in the family business. "The material we have to make a museum with trumps any museum that's there [in D.C.]," Green said. "Our story is the most incredible story to be told." The Green Collection includes: * the world's second-largest private collection from the Dead Sea Scrolls (10 fragments) and the largest private collection of Jewish scrolls, spanning more than 700 years, including Torahs that survived the Spanish Inquisition and Torahs confiscated by the Nazis that were recovered in various concentration camps. * the largest portion of Scripture in the closest form of the Aramaic that Jesus would have spoken, along with the first Gospels in Arabic. * a third-century fragment from the oldest text of the Book of Romans and a fragment that scholars are examining to determine if it contains the earliest reference to Romans 4:23-5:3 and 5:8-13. * the earliest known near-complete translation of the Psalms from Hebrew to Middle English. * a copy of Wycliffe's New Testament, a large portion of a Gutenberg Bible, a large fragment of a Tyndale New Testament and a sizeable collection from the original printing of the 1611 King James Bible. * early tracts and Bibles of Martin Luther, including a little-known letter Luther wrote the night before his excommunication from the Catholic Church. Currently, part of the collection, a 20,000-square-foot traveling exhibit called "Passages," is in Charlotte, N.C., and will go next to Colorado Springs, Colo. Green said the museum in Washington will have three sections with state-of-the-art museum technology -- the history, the impact and the message of Bible. The goal of the history section, Green said, is "to show that the Bible we have is true." With each new archaeological discovery, "it supports what the biblical narrative tells us." Critics claimed, for example, that people called Hittites in the Bible never existed -- until archaeological evidence proved otherwise, Green said. "While we can't prove everything in the Bible is true, archaeological evidence points that what we do have is true," he said. The Bible's impact, meanwhile, has been "an impact for good" throughout history, "from science, education, government, family, music, art, literature, on and on and on," Green said. "... There will be those who argue that religion has caused all the problems in our world," Green acknowledged. "'If we could just get rid of religion' is what an atheist would say. There are plenty of examples where men have taken this book and misinterpreted it and used it for their own ill intent. "But don't blame the book for man's wrong use of the book," Green said. "... [W]hen we read this book and we apply this book to our lives, it will be good for us individually and for us as a society -- for mankind in general." The Bible's message, as the museum will express it, involves the "story line that this book tells ... that God did create man, He gave us choice, we walked away from Him and were in need of a Savior, and He sent His own Son to pay the price for our sin. "You don't have to believe it," Green said, "but that's its story." It's especially a story for people "who have never understood, read, known what the Bible says. They may have it on their shelf but they've never read it. We want them to go away from this section saying, 'Oh, so that's what the Bible is all about.'" Family gives business to God
Green said it became clear to his father in 1985 that Hobby Lobby ultimately is not his company. "That was the year that he got the family together and said, 'I don't know how we're going to make it.'" Whenever the business faced financial difficulty, Green's father David "always had a way of figuring it out," as Hobby Lobby expanded beyond its fledgling beginning in 1972 as a 300-square-foot art supplies store in Oklahoma City. "But he got to a point where he couldn't figure it out. He said, 'God, if You want us to survive, You're going to have to do it. "It became very real to him this was God's company," Steve Green recounted. "The next year we had double profits -- almost double our [previous] best year." Ever since, the elder Green often has said, "This is not our company, we're just stewards of it. So, literally, we're along for the ride." As the company grew, Steve Green said, "I can remember thinking to myself … 'Oh, this is not just my job, this is my ministry.'" The company now has 22,000 employees nationwide, 13,000 of them full-time earning a minimum of $13 an hour, well above federal minimum wage. Some 3,500 employees work at Hobby Lobby's 5 million square feet of company offices and manufacturing/distribution space in Oklahoma City. In family discussions, Steve Green said, they've talked about three options, or "opportunities," for whenever a trial arises. "It could be 'averted,'" Green said, citing the experience of Daniel in the Old Testament when he was asked to violate his faith by eating the king's meat. "He appealed and the problem was averted." "It could be 'delivered,'" Green said. "Daniel, at a later time in his life, had to go to the lions' den, and he was delivered. "The third option is that it can be 'suffered,'" Green said. "Christ went to the cross. All the disciples were martyred but one. We have an original 'Foxe's Book of Martyrs' that has story after story after story of those who gave their lives. "Sometimes it's to suffer," Green said, noting yet again, "We're along for the ride."
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Post by Church News on Mar 6, 2013 5:02:26 GMT -5
Baptist Press 'The Bible' series debuts with huge ratings by Michael Foust, associate editor
History Channel's "The Bible" miniseries debuted with impressive numbers that likely will capture the attention of other television executives, drawing 13.1 million total viewers on Sunday (March 3) to become the No. 1 entertainment telecast on cable so far this year. It also was the top show Sunday night on either broadcast or cable TV. The popularity of the program had a ripple effect, giving History.com -- the network's website -- its best day ever and also leading to "The Bible" becoming the No. 1 trending topic on Twitter that day. The five-night series will be telecast over the next four Sundays, concluding Easter. Media websites took notice of the miniseries' popularity. BusinessWeek.com posted a story with the headline, "How the History Channel Turned 'The Bible' Into a Blockbuster." Time.com and several other websites posted stories calling the miniseries a "hit." "Those are the kinds of numbers that get TV executives' attention, and 'attention' in the TV business means copying," Time's James Poniewozik wrote. "Last year, History pulled meganumbers with Hatfields and McCoys; now NBC is developing a Hatfields and McCoys series. So I wouldn't be surprised to see more religious epics coming to TV -- stories aimed, like The Bible miniseries, at the comfort zone of believers." Two professing Christians, Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, are the executive producers. "The world is watching right now and we are incredibly humbled by the reaction to the series," Burnett and Downey said in a press release. "This #1 series is a tribute to all those who have helped us to spread the Word. Ultimately THE BIBLE will be seen and felt by billions around the globe." Downey told the radio program "For Faith & Family" that the "intention of making this series was to glorify God." Cable "entertainment" broadcasts comprise a category that includes scripted programming but excludes sports and news.
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Post by Church News on Apr 25, 2013 21:29:46 GMT -5
Baptist Press 'Premature' to say military targeting SBC site [/b] Michael Foust, associate editor
A Southern Baptist Convention spokesman is urging Christians not to "rush to judgment" that the military has targeted and blocked the denomination's website. Roger S. Oldham, vice president for convention communications and relations for the SBC's Executive Committee, made the comments after FoxNews' Todd Starnes reported that Southern Baptist-endorsed chaplains on military installations had unsuccessfully tried to access SBC.net, and had received a message: "The site you have requested has been blocked by Team CONUSdue to hostile content." The site was not blocked at the Pentagon, FoxNews said. The FoxNews report went viral on social media, and the Associated Press wrote a story summarizing what had happened. "We continue to be in contact with the Department of Defense and are carefully monitoring the situation," Oldham said. "Though there have been several instances recently in which evangelical Christians have been marginalized by the broader culture, we think that a rush to judgment that the United States Military has targeted the Southern Baptist Convention as a hostile religious group would be premature." A military official, Lt. Col. Damien Pickart, told FoxNews that the site was not blocked deliberately. "The Department of Defense is not intentionally blocking access to this site," Lt. Col. Damien Pickart told FoxNews. "We are working diligently to investigate what might be causing access issues for some of our service members and to correct the situation as quickly as possible." One question is whether the word "hostile" was referencing the denomination's positions on biblical and social issues or instead was alluding to potential computer problems -- such as viruses or malware. Oldham said the military has said it is "taking steps to determine the causes." The computers in the Defense Information Systems Agency and the Pentagon allowed "full and free access" to SBC.net, Oldham said, "though they had received reports from a variety of bases across the nation that our site had been blocked." "Our Information Technologies department," Oldham said, "following its normal protocol, has initiated an internal systems analysis of our server array to determine if there may be hostile or malicious coding on our own site or on any site that may be linked to SBC.net that would cause the Department of Defense filter systems to block access to our Web pages. At this point, it is premature to speculate on the existence, cause, or location of any such potential problem." Oldham also said he appreciated "the many pastors, church members, and lawmakers who have risen to the defense of our religious liberties, guaranteed by the same United States Constitution every soldier has pledged to defend." Following is Oldham's full statement: "The Southern Baptist Convention became aware on Wednesday afternoon that some military bases have blocked the SBC.net web site for containing possible 'hostile' content. Living in the digital age with internet filters, spam blockers, and virus protection software, we alerted the Army of the problem and sought to obtain their assurance that the word "hostile" did not refer to any religious content on our site.
"Through conversations with the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA, formerly known as the Defense Communications Agency) in Maryland and the Defense Press Operations office at the Pentagon in Virginia on Wednesday afternoon and evening, we determined both that the Army was aware of the problem and that it was taking steps to determine the causes. According to reports from both DISA and the Pentagon, the computers in their offices allowed full and free access to SBC.net, though they had received reports from a variety of bases across the nation that our site had been blocked.
"Since then, we have become aware that other branches of the military have also blocked access to the SBC.net Web site. Our Information Technologies department, following its normal protocol, has initiated an internal systems analysis of our server array to determine if there may be hostile or malicious coding on our own site or on any site that may be linked to SBC.net that would cause the Department of Defense filter systems to block access to our Web pages. At this point, it is premature to speculate on the existence, cause, or location of any such potential problem.
"We continue to be in contact with the Department of Defense and are carefully monitoring the situation. Though there have been several instances recently in which evangelical Christians have been marginalized by the broader culture, we think that a rush to judgment that the United States Military has targeted the Southern Baptist Convention as a hostile religious group would be premature.
"At the same time, we express appreciation for the many pastors, church members, and lawmakers who have risen to the defense of our religious liberties, guaranteed by the same United States Constitution every soldier has pledged to defend. We express our gratitude to the Lord for the many men and women in uniform who routinely place themselves in harm's way in order that our great Republic, based on fundamental rights guaranteed by our Creator and our Redeemer, may continue to stand as a beacon to the world for religious liberty."
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Post by Church News on Apr 27, 2013 8:11:59 GMT -5
Baptist Press President Obama attacks pro-life laws during Planned Parenthood Gala By Michael Foust, associate editor
President Obama addressed the nation's largest abortion provider Friday (April 26), criticizing pro-life laws on the state level and saying that those who wish to restrict or ban abortion are trying to turn back "progress." Obama never mentioned the word "abortion" during his speech at the Planned Parenthood gala, preferring words such as "choice." Planned Parenthood performed a record 333,964 abortions during 2010-11, the most recent year for which statistics are available. He became the first sitting president to address Planned Parenthood. "After decades of progress there's still those who want to turn back the clock to policies more suited to the 1950s than the 21st century," Obama said. "And they're involved in an orchestrated and historic effort to roll back basic rights when it comes to women's health. Forty-two states have introduced laws that would ban or severely limit access to a woman's right to choose." He mentioned, by name, two states: North Dakota and Mississippi. "In North Dakota, they just passed a law that outlaws your right to choose, starting as early as six weeks," he told the crowd. The law in question would prohibit abortion based on when the unborn child has a heartbeat, which could be as soon as six weeks into gestation. It is expected to be challenged in court. In Mississippi, Obama said, "a ballot initiative was put forward that could not only have outlawed your right to choose but could have had all sorts of other far-reaching consequences." He was referring to a personhood initiative, defeated at the Mississippi ballot in 2011, that would have defined the term "person" to include "every human being from the moment of fertilization." It lost, partially because pro-lifers in the state were divided over it and partially because opponents made the campaign about everything but abortion. "When you read about these laws," Obama said, "you want to check the calendar. You want to make sure you're still living in 2013. Forty years after the Supreme Court affirmed a woman's constitutional right to privacy, including the right to choose, we shouldn't have to remind people that when it comes to a woman's health, no politician should get to decide what's best for you." He then added, "The only person who should get to make decisions about your health is you. That's why we fought so hard to make healthcare reform a reality." Planned Parenthood, he said in affirming the organization's mission, "is not going anywhere." "It's not going anywhere today, it's not going anywhere tomorrow," Obama said. Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, had released a statement prior to Obama's speech saying he "has done more than any president in history for women's health and rights." Obama did not discuss Kermit Gosnell, the abortion doctor who allegedly practiced infanticide in his clinic and faces counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of viable children who were killed after delivery.
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Post by Church News on May 21, 2013 10:16:42 GMT -5
Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Teams in Oklahoma Press Release from Baptist Press
Dozens were killed as a historic tornado moved through the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, Okla., Monday afternoon (May 20) prompting the North American Mission Board to direct all incoming disaster relief funds to the area. By Tuesday morning the death toll was reported at 51 and climbing, but the medical examiner's office later revised that to at least 24 deaths, according to the Associated Press. Many of the victims were children, after the tornado severely damaged two elementary schools. The search for survivors continued Tuesday, and it was unclear how many could still be trapped in rubble, dead or alive. Hundreds of people were injured as the two-mile wide tornado stayed on the ground for 40 minutes, cutting a 22-mile path in a heavily populated area. An early estimate rated the tornado as an EF4, CNN said. The North American Mission Board, in charge of the national Southern Baptist Disaster Relief operation, used Twitter Monday night to signal an exclusive allotment of funds. "We are currently directing all donations to our disaster fund to Oklahoma City relief. #prayforoklahoma," NAMB tweeted with a link to a donation form. Anthony Jordan, executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, circulated a letter Monday night saying he was "deeply devastated by the destruction and loss of life" caused by the Moore tornado as well as those that struck Sunday in nearby areas. "I pray God gives us the strength to pull together, as His people, to turn this tragedy into a moment that gives Him glory," Jordan wrote. "Our disaster relief teams are on the scene of every area affected in Oklahoma, and we will not leave the scenes until every family is served." Jordan asked Southern Baptists to pray for everyone affected by the disaster and to consider making a contribution to the Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief efforts. "May we be the hands and feet of Christ during these crucial days," Jordan said. Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief teams already were responding to severe weather from Sunday in Shawnee, Edmond and Little Axe when the Moore tornado hit Monday afternoon. "Within moments of hearing of the destruction in Moore, we put together a rapid response volunteer team to help with the cleanup and recovery efforts," Sam Porter, the BGCO's disaster relief director, said Monday night. "Our teams are on the ground now surveying the area and helping where we can be of most assistance." At least 80 volunteers from Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief had been deployed since Sunday, including a mobile command center, a mobile kitchen and feeding units, chainsaw teams and about 10 chaplains. To support Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, visit: donations.namb.net
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Post by Church News on Jun 12, 2013 5:19:36 GMT -5
Luter sails to second term as SBC president by John Evans
Fred Luter, Jr., pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, La., was re-elected as president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Luter, whose historic election as president in 2012 was viewed as a milestone for the Southern Baptist Convention, won a second term unopposed as messengers delivered a standing ovation. Mark A. Croston Sr., pastor of East End Baptist Church in Suffolk, Va., nominated Luter for the office, calling him "the kind of guy we need on the scene." Croston recounted Luter's pastorate of Franklin Avenue Baptist beginning in 1986, when Luter took the helm of the struggling 65-member church and led its growth into a megachurch with thousands of members. "[They] called this young, fiery preacher to be their pastor because he preached boldly and lived holy," Croston said. Croston praised Luter as a man of dignity who has led the Southern Baptist Convention with distinction, lauding Luter's commitment to the inerrancy of the Bible, support of the Cooperative Program, and love of biblical marriage. "He is the husband of Elizabeth, the father of Chip and Kimberly, the pastor of the Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, La.," Croston said, "and a believer that Jesus Christ still is the way, the truth and the life, and that no man comes to the Father but by Him."
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Post by Church News on Jun 17, 2013 21:27:34 GMT -5
Vote slated Tuesday on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act Baptist Press staff
A key piece of pro-life legislation needs the voices of those who believe that “we ought to do all we can to save vulnerable lives in the womb.” Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, issued an alert Monday (June 17) for a vote slated Tuesday on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act in the House of Representatives. The House Judiciary Committee approved the act, H.R. 1797, in a 20-12 vote June 12. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act would “ban abortions of unborn babies who have reached 20 weeks post-fertilization or later, except in cases of rape or incest or to save the life of the mother,” Moore noted. “This bill would be a major step toward protecting the unborn and upholding the sanctity of every human life, no matter how small.” Moore called for urgency in contacting representatives “to vote YES on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.” The number for the Capitol switchboard is 202-224-3121; to send an email, click here. “The basis for the bill is credible medical research demonstrating that unborn children can feel pain by 20 weeks after fertilization -- if not earlier,” Moore said in the action alert. “Yet even though we have substantial science confirming the reality of unborn child pain, babies at this stage of development -- and even much later -- can legally be aborted today in many places in our country. Now is the time to end this horrific practice.”
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Post by Church News on Jun 21, 2013 17:22:57 GMT -5
NFL player skips White House ceremony after Obama 'thanks God' for abortion provider Baptist Press
Six-time Pro Bowl center Matt Birk chose not to attend a White House ceremony because of comments made by President Obama in support of Planned Parenthood. Obama honored the Baltimore Ravens June 5 for their Super Bowl championship but Birk did not join his former teammates for the event. Birk, 36, retired after February's Super Bowl win. A pro-life Roman Catholic and father of six, Birk said his decision stemmed from the president's speech to Planned Parenthood's national conference in April. At the close of his remarks, Obama said, "Thank you, Planned Parenthood. God bless you. God bless America." Planned Parenthood is the country's leading abortion provider, performing nearly 334,000 abortions in the most recent year for which statistics are available. "I would say that I have great respect for the office of the presidency, but about five or six weeks ago, our president made a comment in a speech and he said, 'God bless Planned Parenthood,'" Birk told radio station KFAN-FM, according to The Baltimore Sun. "Planned Parenthood performs about 330,000 abortions a year," Birk continued. "I am Catholic, I am active in the pro-life movement and I just felt like I couldn't deal with that. I couldn't endorse that in any way. I'm very confused by [Obama's] statement. For God to bless a place where they're ending 330,000 lives a year? I just chose not to attend."
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Post by Church News on Jul 3, 2013 15:01:00 GMT -5
Baptist Press Loss of 19 firemen in Arizona prompts chaplains' deployment Tobin Perry writes for the North American Mission Board
After an out-of-control, lightning-induced fire in Yarnell, Ariz., killed 19 firefighters on Sunday, Southern Baptists are mobilizing disaster relief chaplains to walk alongside grieving families to offer spiritual support. The deaths represented the worst firefighting tragedy in Arizona's history, the Phoenix daily Arizona Republic reported. As of Monday morning, Arizona Southern Baptists had connected with local churches near Yarnell and were determining the needs of the impacted families. Chaplain teams are already on the way to the disaster, said Larry Hyde, the disaster relief director for the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention. "Our response to hurting families is to help hurting people, not to make Baptists out of them," Hyde said. "We're just out there to support people's needs and share the love of Jesus at a time when their lives are falling apart." Hyde is hopeful that Southern Baptists will have opportunities to minister to the firefighters' families through relationships already built with Arizona's fire services. Besides looking to meet any spiritual needs encountered by firefighters' families, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief chaplains will be on hand to help churches dealing with the loss as well. The firefighters were part of the elite Granite Mountain Hotshots of nearby Prescott, Ariz., and all but one of the firefighters were Prescott residents. They were responding to a fire that may have already destroyed half of Yarnell's 500 homes. One member of the team was in a separate location and survived the fire. By late Sunday 250 firefighters were battling the fire; that number was expected to climb to 400 on Monday. As many as two kitchen teams from the Arizona convention will be put on standby to provide food for fire survivors housed at shelters, Hyde said, and shower and ash-out teams will respond. Fritz Wilson, executive director of SBDR, notes that all disaster relief responders grieve when news like this comes. "In the back of our minds, we always know that first responders are willing to put their lives on the line, but when it actually happens, we're always caught off guard and saddened," Wilson said. "The whole response community hurts when this happens." Wilson said he anticipates a long-term response and will work with Arizona SBDR to facilitate help from Southern Baptists in other states. Steve Bass, the North American Mission Board's vice president for the West region, echoed Wilson's concerns and promised the prayers of Southern Baptists. "Many of these are younger men who represent families," said Bass, who lives in Phoenix and served for 15 years as the executive director of the Arizona convention before coming to NAMB in 2011. "We lost 19 great people, but we have immediately impacted families as well. Those children are never going to get away from this. That's when your heart goes out to them. Obviously our prayers are for them. I'm sure our churches in the area will be reaching out to those families the best they can." NAMB coordinates and manages Southern Baptist responses to major disasters through partnerships with 42 state Baptist conventions, most of which have their own state disaster relief programs. Southern Baptists have 82,000 trained volunteers and chaplains and 1,550 mobile units for feeding, chainsaw, mud-out, command, communication, childcare, shower, laundry, water purification, repair/rebuild and power generation. SBDR is one of the three largest mobilizers of trained disaster relief volunteers in the United States, along with the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army. To donate to SBDR efforts, contact the Baptist convention in your state or visit: namb.net/disaster-relief-donationsOther ways to donate are to call 1-866-407-NAMB (6262) or mail checks designated "disaster relief" to: NAMB P.O. Box 116543 Atlanta, GA 30368-6543
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Post by Church News on Jul 4, 2013 4:08:09 GMT -5
Family Research Council John Wise: the man who inspired the Declaration of Independence by Kenyn Cureton, vice president for church ministries
Most Americans know that Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence but few know that the foundational concepts of freedom from which Jefferson drew came from the pulpit and pen of a pastor who served decades before the War of Independence: the Rev. John Wise. Wise (1652-1725) served a Congregational church in Chebacco Parish in the southeastern part of Ipswich, Mass., for most of his ministry. He was the first son of an indentured servant to graduate from Harvard and was an impressive preacher and forceful writer. Wise was also tall, muscular and a formidable wrestler. The story is told that later in life he was challenged to a wrestling match by Andover's champion wrestler, Capt. John Chandler. Wise tried to beg off, pleading that he was too old and infirm, but he was finally goaded into it for sport. So in the makeshift ring, Captain Chandler grappled with the elderly Wise. The preacher promptly threw the reigning wrestling champion completely over his front wall. Chandler got up, shook himself off and announced he would be on his way as soon as the preacher threw his horse over after him. But Wise was even more tough and tenacious as an opponent of governmental overreach. In 1687, he grappled with the royal governor of New England, Sir Edmund Andros, because of a tax Andros had levied at the command of King James II without the consent of the legislative body. In pulpit and town council, Wise sounded the alarm and blasted Andros’ scheme, warning of encroaching British tyranny. Two contemporaries wrote commending Wise’s efforts: "All our Watchmen were not asleep, nor the camp of Christ surprised and taken, before they had Warning." Wise stirred up his fellow townspeople in revolt against the tax. As a result, Governor Andros had Wise arrested because Wise refused to submit on biblical grounds to what he considered to be the unjust demands of the government. Governor Andros brought Wise before royalist judges and a crown-friendly jury. Wise so infuriated them with his defense that they threatened to sell him as a slave. The pastor was suspended from his ministry and fined. But that did not stop him from preaching against tyranny and in favor of liberty. One year later, Governor Andros was deposed and Wise was vindicated. In 1710, Wise wrote “The Churches Quarrel Espoused.” He followed that with his masterwork in 1717, “A Vindication of the Government of New England Churches” in which he dealt with the basis of both religious and civil government. What Wise said was so forward-thinking and so appropriate to the time leading up to the Revolution that when his books were reprinted in 1772, they quickly sold out and were reprinted again. In these works, Wise demonstrated from the Bible that: * God created all men equal and every man must be acknowledged by the state as equal to every man. * The end of all good government is to promote the happiness of all and the good of every man in all his rights: his life, liberty, estate, honor, etc. * The consent of the governed is the only legitimate basis for government. * Taxation without representation is tyranny. What is significant is that many of Wise's Bible-based concepts and some of the phrasing was picked up by leading patriots and is even found in our Declaration of Independence. Indeed, in his book “Seedtime of the Republic,” Cornell University historian Clinton Rossiter traces six individuals that he considers the most influential thought leaders of the American Revolution. Interestingly, two were political leaders but four were ministers of the Gospel. Among those, Rossiter lists Wise, whose pulpit and pen provided some of the soaring thoughts in America's founding document, thoughts that compose the very foundation of our republic. Reprinted by permission from The Daily Caller.
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Post by Church News on Jul 22, 2013 12:42:52 GMT -5
Shooters in churches: Federal panel's guidebook counsels 'run, hide, or fight' By Diana Chandler, Baptist Press
The federal government has released a guidebook to help churches respond to shooters and other on-site emergencies as part of President Obama's executive actions to fight gun violence. Titled "A Guide for Developing High-Quality Emergency Operation Plans for Houses of Worship," it offers suggestions and instructions apart from any laws or mandates. The guidebook is the work of a panel of 100 experts encompassing faith leaders, first responders, law enforcement officers, educators and emergency planners, who also released books for K-12 schools and higher education. The faith leaders wanted to talk about making schools safer -- and more, Vice President Joe Biden said in announcing the guidebook. "They know, they're worried, that their congregations are at risk. So they wanted to know what should they be thinking about when someone stands up in the middle of a congregation and decides to do something similar to what we saw in the schools," Biden said of the group's deliberations. "So we gave concrete direction. We said, all of you come up with what you think are the best practices, the most concrete recommendations that you could give us that will enable us to teach or prepare or lay out a menu for the school districts and churches." The guide advises churches to develop a plan of action and, in the event of an active shooter in the church, to have the congregation already trained to "run, hide, or fight" depending on opportunity. Nowhere does the document advise church members to arm themselves with guns or other weapons. Jimmy Meeks, a Southern Baptist preacher and Texas police officer who helps churches implement plans to protect worshippers, said the guidebook repeats information he and others have offered for years. "You have to have some things in place. We've been pleading with people [to prepare]," said Meeks, who speaks at "Sheepdog Seminars" for churches, evoking the image of a dog protecting sheep. "But I'm glad the federal government has awakened to this. ... But the truth is ... you just have to have some men in place in your congregation who've made up their mind if a shooter comes in, I'm going after him. I'm going down." Violent deaths in churches have surpassed those in schools, said Meeks, who has tracked 433 such deaths in churches since 1999, including 128 in Baptist congregations. "Since 1999, churches have surpassed schools as to where you're most likely to die a violent death. ... About 100 people less have died in schools since '99. Schools have actually gotten safer," Meeks said. "And they're not all acts of shooters," he noted. "Two brothers were stabbed to death ... weeks ago in Huntsville, Ala., while working the church pantry. You're not supposed to die working at the church pantry. So it's not always shooters." The federal panel's 32-page document for churches, downloadable at whitehouse.gov, was released under the umbrella of FEMA following the congressional defeat of Obama's gun control initiatives. Biden, in a mid-June news conference, described the guidebooks for churches and education facilities as comprehensive. "We made sure the guidance reflects ... all the lessons we've learned over the years to insure that schools, higher education, houses of worship have an opportunity to share the latest and best knowledge and advancement in emergency planning," the vice president said. "All that work has been distilled down into the guidebooks... ." While Meeks cautions church members not to arm themselves with guns without proper training and knowledge, state governments increasingly are passing laws allowing concealed weapons in houses of worship. Arkansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming have such laws, with varied stipulations, including the possession of a proper permit, training, church approval and congregational awareness, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Additionally, about 20 other states allow guns in churches because of "right to carry" laws, but in legislation have not specifically focused on churches. Meeks said he has conducted 80 seminars serving 800 churches, typically leading two or three a month while working as a fulltime policeman. "It isn't rocket science. Just have some men in place who are willing to die," Meeks said. "That's all you can do. But I made up my mind ... when I go to church if anyone has to die, it's gonna be me. I don't want to, but I don't want you to either." www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=40743
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