For the week of May 20, 2004
Baptist Message officers
Louisiana Baptist Message trustees elected officers for the new year during
their scheduled meeting last week. All three were elected by acclamation. They
are: Chair Larry Thompson, pastor at First Baptist Church of Westlake; Vice
Chair Naida Sexton, a member at Trinity Heights Baptist Church in Shreveport;
and Secretary-Treasurer Don Rudd, pastor at Quitman Baptist Church in Quitman.
No to vouchers
There will be no expansion of the small school voucher plan run by the Louisiana
government. Members of the state Senate Education Committee recently voted no
to any expansion. It was the second straight year the committee has denied the
efforts by New Orleans Catholics to expand the program. The state currently
operates a small program, providing state-paid, private preschool tuition to
about 1,500 students from disadvantaged families. Opponents of the expansion
bid said it would siphon needed money from the public school system. The measure
to expand the program fell on a 3-3 vote when the committee chair declined to
vote. A measure must receive a majority vote to proceed for debate on the full
Senate floor.
Drug decision
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has declined permission for over-the-counter
sales of an emergency “morning-after” contraceptive – despite
recommendations for approval from its own staff. The so-called Plan B pill already
is available by prescription. However, supporters of the pill say making it
available over the counter would help reduce unwanted pregnancies and abortions,
because it is most effective within 24 hours of sexual intercourse. However,
opponents say the pill can cause abortions and increase sexually-transmitted
diseases among young people. In announcing its decision, the Food and Drug Administration
cited a concern about lack of information on the pills effect on pubescent
and teenaged girls. However, abortion-rights supporters and others suggested
President George Bushs re-election hopes influenced the decision. Pro-life
leaders cheered the decision not to make the Plan B pill more available.
Ruling on Terris Law
A Florida judge recently struck down the so-called “Terris Law,”
ruling the measure violated the states constitution by allowing Gov. Jeb
Bush to order the nutrition and hydration tube of a disabled woman to be reinserted.
Terri Schiavo, 40, is the Clearwater, Fla., woman at the center of a legal battle
over the so-called “right-to-die.” Some doctors say she is in a persistent
vegetative state and never will improve or recover from a brain injury she received
in 1990. Her husband, Michael, long has advocated the removal of her feeding
tube, a move with which her parents oppose. In October, the Florida legislature
stepped in, empowering Bush to issue an executive order, dubbed “Terris
Law,” which provided for the reinsertion of her feeding tube. Michael Schiavo
filed a lawsuit challenging the action. The recent court ruling asserts the
law violates the Florida constitution on two primary grounds – it hinders
Schiavos right to privacy and it infringes upon the constitutionally-mandated
separation of powers. The governors attorney immediately filed a notice
of appeal to that ruling.
Alabama judge
Alabamas controversial “Ten Commandments Judge” lost his final
chance to keep his job April 30. In a unanimous opinion, a specially-appointed
temporary Alabama Supreme Court upheld a November decision by the states
Court of the Judiciary to remove former Chief Justice Roy Moore from office.
He was removed for violating the states judicial ethics code. The judge
made headlines for displaying a Ten Commandments monument on government property,
before federal courts ordered it removed. Moore was suspended when he defied
that order – and the 5,280-lb. granite monument ultimately was removed
from the building. However, Alabama law allowed Moore to appeal his suspension
to the states Supreme Court. Moores former colleagues on that court
recused themselves from the case, and Gov. Bob Riley appointed the special temporary
court to hear the appeal. The courts members were drawn from retired Alabama
judges. The special court said there was “clear and convincing evidence”
that Moore had violated the judicial ethics canons. Moore decried the decision,
saying it was politically motivated and ran counter to the sentiment of the
people of Alabama.
Poll of nations
A recent 10-nation survey by the British Broadcasting Company has found most
persons believe in God – but also offered an interesting comparison of
belief in different countries. The poll indicated levels of belief and religious
activity were the lowest in Great Britain, Russia and South Korea and the highest
in Nigeria, India and Indonesia. In most of the countries covered, the poll
found more than 80 percent of persons said they believed in God or a higher
power. However, the figure was 100 percent in Nigeria and 91 percent in the
United States. Meanwhile, Great Britain scored lowest at 67 percent. Also, in
Nigeria, Indonesia and Lebanon, more than 90 percent of the respondents said
their God is the only true God. In Israel, the figure was 70 percent, while
it fell to 31 percent among British citizens.
Web site for women
A Web site for women – lifeway.com/women
– has been launched by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist
Convention. On it, women can find practical tips for decorating on a budget,
articles about health and wellness and suggestions for improving relationships.
One section profiles women from all walks of life and how God is at work in
their lives. Information on womens leadership also is available. “We
want to provide biblical solutions to women, … whether that means practical
lifestyle articles, womens event information, online Bible studies or
an online community of Christian women,” a LifeWay spokesperson said. “Its
about helping them achieve abundant living in all areas of their lives and accomplishing
kingdom work.”