For the week of October 17, 2002
Support for Iraq action
Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission President
Richard Land recently affirmed to President George Bush that military action
against Saddam Husseins regime would be justified. Four other Christian
leaders joined Land in the letter, sent on Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission
letterhead – Bill Bright of Campus Crusade, Chuck Colson of Prison Fellowship,
James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Ministries and Carl Herbster of the American Association
of Christian Schools. The leaders said they believed a military campaign against
Iraq would fit within the guidelines of a “just war,” as outlined
by Christian theologians centuries ago. Some just-war advocates have not expressed
as much assurance, while other religious leaders have voiced opposition to a
military effort. “We believe that the cost of not dealing with this threat
now will only succeed in greatly increasing the cost in human lives and suffering
when an even more heavily armed and dangerous Saddam Hussein must be confronted
at some date in the not too distant future,” Land and his cosigners said.
They questioned how the 20th century might have been different had Adolf Hitler
been confronted earlier. The letter signers acknowledged they could not speak
for all their constituents but said they were confident they expressed the beliefs
of the great preponderance of them.
Faith-based funding
The President George Bush administration recently awarded $25
million to 21 groups as part of its so-called faith-based program to involve
churches and religious groups in providing social services. Bushs program
to expand the so-called “charitable choice” program is stalled in
Congress. However, lawmakers did approve $30 million to be used to help small
groups gain the expertise needed to win large grants. As designed, those receiving
the grants are to make sub-awards to help smaller programs establish and run
social service efforts. The funding is but a splash of what Bush eventually
hopes to make available to such groups for providing social services. Nevertheless,
critics cited concerns about the recent grants. They noted that since the initiatives
program remains unauthorized, there are no rules to address separation-of-church-and-state
issues. That could result in federal funding for religious practices and proselytizing,
they say. They also have voiced concern about groups that have received funding.
They include a $500,000 grant to a religious charity run by Pat Robertson and
a $700,000 grant to the National Center for Faith Based Initiatives in Florida.
The latter describes itself as an organization that works to create wealth and
then “empower our people to steward that wealth for the purposes of the
kingdom (of God).”
Pledge of Allegiance
The United States House of Representatives has voted overwhelmingly
to reaffirm that the phrase “under God” should remain in the Pledge
of Allegiance. The House approved the measure – which also reaffirms “In
God we trust” as the national motto – in a 401-5 vote. The Senate
approved similar legislation by a 99-0 vote in late June. The congressional
action came in response to a June opinion by a federal appeals court that the
pledge violates the Constitution because it includes the words “under God.”
Widespread disapproval greeted the ruling, and the panel stayed its enforcement.
If permitted to stand, the opinion would prevent students from reciting the
pledge in nine Western states. However, most observers predict the ruling will
be overthrown in the courts.
Campers contributions
More than 78,000 youth and children attending summer camps
sponsored by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
gave $565,772 for Southern Baptist International Mission Board projects. The
total is an increase from last year and will be used to support five specific
overseas missions efforts. Of the 78,150 camp participants, 10,033 decisions
were made for Christ. Those decisions included 2,244 professions of faith in
Jesus as personal Savior; 4,591 rededications; 761 decisions to enter some type
of vocational ministry; and 2,437 other types of decisions. This summer, camps
were offered for children in grades three through 12. For more information on
the annual camps, persons may call (877-226-7123) or visit www.fuge.com.
Internet gambling bill
The United States House of Representatives has passed legislation
that would bar any person involved in a gambling business from accepting credit
cards, electronic fund transfers or checks from people wagering on the Internet.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Funding Prohibition Act (H.R. 556) is designed
to attack the problem of Internet gambling, which has grown from an estimated
90 sites in 1998 to more than 1,500. Internet gambling “serves no legitimate
purpose in our society,” Rep. Jim Leach, R.-Iowa, said. “It is a danger
to the family. It is a danger to society at large. It should be ended.”
Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission President Richard Land
praised the approved measure. The bill also is supported by Major League Baseball,
the National Football League and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Did you know?
A majority of Americans believe religions have unnecessary rules and responsibilities.
A Gallup poll shows that 52 percent of Americans hold to that, while 46 percent
disagree that religion is too overrun with rules and responsibilities. The overall
majority is fueled by men – 57 percent of them say there are too many rules
and responsibilities associated with religion. Only 47 percent of women agree.
On a related question, 65 percent of Americans say religion still can answer
all or more of todays problems. However, once again, women are more likely
than men to hold to such a view – 71 percent to 59 percent. Almost a full
quarter of men (23 percent) said they thought religion was largely old-fashioned
and out-of-date.