The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom recently issued its second annual report, broadening its policy recommendations to cover 10 countries in which religious freedom is at risk. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom recently issued its second annual report, broadening its policy recommendations to cover 10 countries in which religious freedom is at risk.   "There is a great deal of persecution going on," commissioner Nina Shea said. "There are serious religious freedom concerns that must be addressed around the world. There are also different kinds of regimes and governments, and we need to deal with those in different ways."   Last year the commission’s report dealt with violations in China, Russia and Sudan. This year’s report includes those three countries, along with India, Indonesia, Iran, North Korea, Nigeria, Pakistan and Vietnam. It also includes sections on U.S. capital markets and foreign assistance.   Not all of the countries treated by the report are equal abusers of religious freedom, commission Chair Elliott Abrams said. "Russia, despite its problems, enjoys a much larger degree of religious freedom than many of the … [Read more...]

Images of Shangri-La come to one’s mind - a hidden utopian paradise, tucked away somewhere in the harsh Asian mountains.   Shangri-La was dreamed up by author James Hilton in his 1935 novel, "The Lost Horizon" - and portrayed in a classic film. As a result, it has captured the imagination of readers and explorers for years. Images of Shangri-La come to one’s mind - a hidden utopian paradise, tucked away somewhere in the harsh Asian mountains.   Shangri-La was dreamed up by author James Hilton in his 1935 novel, "The Lost Horizon" - and portrayed in a classic film. As a result, it has captured the imagination of readers and explorers for years.   While no one has found Shangri-La, the country of Bhutan stands as a likely substitute. It is a peaceful country, bejeweled with glacier-fed streams and the highest original forest cover of any country.   In other words, it fits the bill.   Known to its people as "Druk-yul" or "Land of the Thunder Dragon," this tiny dot on the map is about half the size of Indiana. And it is isolated from the rest of Southeast Asia by the jagged peaks of snowcapped Himalayan Mountains to the north and India’s arid plains to the … [Read more...]

The Christian family is buckling under the weight of unreasonable expectations, theologian Stanley Hauerwas insisted during a recent lecture. The Christian family is buckling under the weight of unreasonable expectations, theologian Stanley Hauerwas insisted during a recent lecture.   "The strength of the family historically has been its social, economic and political function," said Hauerwas, professor of theological ethics at the Duke University Divinity School. He recently delivered two lectures on how American cultural ideals separate Christians from historic understandings of the church as community.   In close-knit agricultural communities, families once provided social infrastructure, worked together to make members financially secure and wielded political clout, Hauerwas explained.   But in today’s commercial society, the family is seen as   the accident of the worker, not his or her essence - and as an economic liability in a profit-and-loss business environment, he said. "The family now is economically and politically secondary."   Meanwhile, as people move often and do not enjoy deep relational commitments in the communities where they live, the … [Read more...]

While voicing a number of concerns about missions work done by the Southern Baptist Convention, a Texas Baptist study committee is suggesting little change in funding of that work. While voicing a number of concerns about missions work done by the Southern Baptist Convention, a Texas Baptist study committee is suggesting little change in funding of that work.   The Baptist General Convention of Texas committee is recommending no change in state funding of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board and no direct funding of the moderate/conservative Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.   The most significant recommendation of the group is to keep about $1.3 million of Cooperative Program money the state sends to the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board to be spent back in Texas.   Mississippi Baptists took similar action several years ago. The committee says the change is not a "defunding" but simply a more efficient administration of funds that would have returned to the state anyway.   The state convention would continue to send about $4.6 million in Cooperative Program funds to the North American Mission Board. This would not decrease funding of mission work … [Read more...]

Marv Knox Texas Baptist Standard   The American obsession with avoiding death robs Christians of the ability to accept death as God intended it, theologian Stanley Hauerwas said. The American obsession with avoiding death robs Christians of the ability to accept death as God intended it, theologian Stanley Hauerwas said.   Americans want to avoid death to such a degree that death-deferral has become the principle focus of medicine, said Hauerwas, professor of theological ethics at the Duke University Divinity School. He recently delivered a pair of lectures at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas.   In two lectures - on death and on family - Hauerwas explored how American cultural ideals separate Christians from historic Christian understandings of church.   Hauerwas said he frequently asks people how they want to die. "They say they want to die in their sleep, quickly and painlessly, and they don’t want to be a ‘burden,’ which means they no longer trust their children," he continued.   The preference for sudden death has not been the norm in Christian history, he said. "Medieval people feared what we want - sudden death. They didn’t so much fear death … [Read more...]

Consider the tongue: "What a huge stack of timber can be set ablaze by the tiniest spark! And, the tongue is, in effect, a fire. It represents among our members the world with all its wickedness; it pollutes our whole being; it keeps the wheel of our existence red-hot, and its flames are fed by hell." (James 3:5b-6, NEB) Consider the tongue: "What a huge stack of timber can be set ablaze by the tiniest spark! And, the tongue is, in effect, a fire. It represents among our members the world with all its wickedness; it pollutes our whole being; it keeps the wheel of our existence red-hot, and its flames are fed by hell." (James 3:5b-6, NEB) We do well to remember that many of the harshest words in the Bible are about people misusing the power of the tongue to destroy or severely damage the life and/or reputation of another person, especially another child of God.   The Psalmist observed the wickedness of this misuse of the tongue and was inspired to condemn, "Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, O worker of deceit. You love evil more than good, Falsehood more than speaking what is right. You love all words that devour. O deceitful tongue." (Psalm 52:2-4. NAS)   The writings in … [Read more...]

Key issues still remain to be decided in the Louisiana Legislature - and there is still time for concerned citizens to have a voice in what decisions are made, Ken Ward insisted. Key issues still remain to be decided in the Louisiana Legislature - and there is still time for concerned citizens to have a voice in what decisions are made, Ken Ward insisted.   "There is still time to make a difference in the outcome of many legislative measures," said Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation. "By acting now, Louisiana Baptists can help make a positive difference in the state in which they live."   Technology provides convenient means of monitoring bills and communicating with legislators, Ward noted. For instance, he pointed out that persons can identify and monitor bills via the Internet and can communicate with legislators via e-mail as well   "But along with the opportunity comes the responsibility to do so," Ward emphasized.   The current legislative session is scheduled to end June 18, which means the next few weeks will be critical for what happens in several areas, Ward noted.   The measures include:   • House Bill 37. … [Read more...]

The Louisiana College Chorale made their third overseas concert tour, traveling to the very cradle of Christianity.   The Chorale traveled to Italy to present concerts in Rome, Florence, and Marghera, a suburb of Venice. The Louisiana College Chorale made their third overseas concert tour, traveling to the very cradle of Christianity.   The Chorale traveled to Italy to present concerts in Rome, Florence, and Marghera, a suburb of Venice.   The Chorale is a select group of singers, representing all divisions of the college. Members are chosen through competitive auditions from the entire student body.The director is Curt Hamlett, professor of music at the school.   "This was the opportunity of a lifetime for these students, ..." Hamlett said.   "The choir sang less than a mile from the spot where Caesar Augustus declared that ‘all the world should be taxed’ and from the Apostle Paul’s dungeon where he wrote Second Timothy."   While in Rome, the Chorale performed three times. They then traveled to Florence, to perform at Chiesa Cristiana Evangelica Battista, one of the oldest Baptist churches in Italy. It was established in 1895.   The … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Convention offices have released the following list of hotels/motels for messengers attending the 2001 annual state convention in the New Orleans area this fall. Louisiana Baptist Convention offices have released the following list of hotels/motels for messengers attending the 2001 annual state convention in the New Orleans area this fall.   Listed accommodations include:   • Travelodge Westbank   2200 Westbank Expressway   Harvey, LA 70058   504/366-5311   Rate: $70.00   • Holiday Inn Westbank   100 Westbank Expressway   Gretna, LA 70053   504/366-2361   Rate: $78.00   • Best Western Westbank   1700 Lapalaco Blvd.   Harvey, LA 70058   504/366-5369   Rate: $72.00 - $80.00   • Days Inn   3750 Westbank Expressway   Harvey, LA 70058   504/348-1262   Rate: $84.00   • Quality Inn Tower Hotel   100 Westbank Expressway   Gretna, LA 70053   504/366-8531   Rate: $75.00 … [Read more...]

For the week of May 17, 2001 Potpourri •ALEXANDRIA - Parkview church: Central La. Association Evangelism Rally; May 20, 6 p.m.; Tim Everett, pastor.   •BUNKIE - First church: Testify in concert; May 20, 6 p.m.; Clint Aclin, minister of music; Michael McIntosh, pastor.   •LONGVILLE - First church: Relations Quartet in concert; May 19, 7 p.m.; Gene Morgan, minister of music; Stuart Graves, pastor.   •MANY - Bethsadia church: The Martin Family in concert; May 26, 7 p.m.; Russell Devore, pastor.   •RIVER RIDGE - Riverside church: "Fish Tales" children’s musical; May 20, 6 p.m.; Debbie Pugh, minister of music and children; Joseph Miller, pastor.   •SHREVEPORT - First church: "English As Second Language" and "Tutoring Children and Youth" literacy training; May 17, 6 - 9 p.m.; May 18, 5 - 9 p.m.; May 19, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; cost is $25; for information, contact Judith Lim at (318) 687-9429 or Patricia Collins at (318) 925-0957; Jon Stubblefield, pastor.   •WALKER - Judson church: "Experiencing God" musical; May 27, 10:30 a.m.; Reggie Bergeron, minister of music; Merelin McCon, pastor. Anniversaries •DERIDDER - Temple church: 50th; May 27; Sunday School, 10 … [Read more...]