OUR COLUMNISTS The Federal Marriage Amendment: A Necessary Response to an Imminent Threat Guest Commentary by Brian Fahling The inherent dignity of humanity is imprinted in the male-female union because it reflects the beauty of a created order that transcends the individuals who comprise the union. The decree by the Massachusetts Supreme Court redefining marriage to include same-sex couples is a direct assault on the dignity of humanity precisely because it pretends to redefine the nature of humanity itself. An Unholy Union Commentary by Brad Locke The union of sports and the Hollywood mindset, unholy as it is, is merely a sign of society's skewed priorities. We value brainless entertainment over actual mental and emotional stimulation and interaction. Is it possible for Congress to pass a "separation of Hollywood and sport" bill? The Basics of Praise Commentary by David Sisler The good thing about the re-discovery of "Praise and Worship" is that we have added new music to our worship of the Lord God Almighty. The bad thing about the re-discovery is the danger of throwing out the old hymns of the church because that is "old school." In Pursuit of the New Jerusalem Commentary by Mark Creech America is deeply indebted to blacks for their leadership in seeking to usher in the New Jerusalem -- the city of God -- a society where racial equality and oneness prevail. Unfortunately, however, the holy pursuit for the New Jerusalem has often been desecrated. Christians have dishonored it.

...National Religious Broadcasters president Frank Wright says the "Fairness Doctrine" could destroy Christian radio and television. Some Democrats have called for restoration of the federal regulation that was repealed in 1987. It required stations that broadcast controversial viewpoints to offer air time to people with opposing views. But Frank Wright says, "There's nothing more controversial than the Gospel of Jesus Christ." And he warned NRB members that a revived Fairness Doctrine could be used to force Christian stations to broadcast anti-Christian views. Wright said that would mark "the end of Christian broadcasting as we know it." [AP]

...Quietly but officially, the National Education Association -- the largest teachers' union in the U.S. -- has recognized the formation of the Ex-Gay Educators Caucus, whose purpose is to influence NEA policy. The step is noteworthy because official NEA publications state that homosexuality is a trait that cannot be changed. The new caucus is chaired by Jeralee Smith, a former lesbian, who says her group will work to prevent discrimination and intolerance against students and teachers who have come out of the homosexual lifestyle. "Our caucus will work with NEA to develop policies that recognize the need of ex-gays in our education system," Smith says. "We believe education is the best way to overcome society's phobia of former homosexuals." She adds that her newly formed group will also advocate alternatives to homosexuality in school curriculum to ensure diversity, as well as a safe environment for all diverse populations. A press release announcing the formation of the Ex-Gay Educators Caucus emphasizes that such caucuses "do not speak for, or act on behalf of the NEA, but advise and lobby NEA governance." [Jody Brown]

...A Pennsylvania educator admits to being somewhat cynical about the new "ex-gay" caucus within the National Education Association. Dr. Warren Throckmorton, an associate professor of psychology at Grove City College, says the NEA's recognition of the group may signal a shift in the larger organization's stance on issues concerning homosexuality. At the same time, however, he notes that one of the largest caucuses in the NEA is the Gay and Lesbian Issues Caucus -- whose influence, he contends, has moved the NEA in a "decidedly leftward position" on matters of sexual education and sexual orientation. Throckmorton also quotes Jeralee Smith, chair of the Ex-Gay Educators Caucus, who says that any material her group might present at the NEA's annual convention has to be approved in advance by the NEA itself. That material, obviously, would support the notion that students should be presented information regarding those who have left homosexuality -- as a counterpoint to information concerning "gay identification." Throckmorton is skeptical. "Given the NEA's cold reception to other groups with this message, it remains to be seen if the NEA's recognition of the caucus signals a true willingness to give ex-gays freedom to express their message," he writes. "[W]ill the [NEA] fail the diversity test again? Or has the NEA gotten one right for a change?" He says for the sake of teachers and school children, he hopes the NEA leadership will be open to the message of the new caucus. [Jody Brown]

...An advisor to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says he believes it pains the Israeli leader to pursue a policy that gives up covenant land to terrorists -- but Sharon doesn't have much of a choice, he says. Dr. Dan Schueftan is a researcher at Haifa University and an instructor at the Israeli Defense Force National Security College. He has been expounding his views on the need for a security fence and for disengagement from the Palestinians. Schueftan says while he agrees that Israel is leaving vast amounts of covenant land to the terrorists, at least the Jewish nation is unilaterally dictating the terms. "Although in terms of historic right I totally agree that this is our land -- and although it pains me very much, and I'm sure it pains the prime minister to do so -- I'm willing to do it as long as I can dictate it on my terms," the researcher says. "With all the pain, you need to divide this land, but ... on terms that we will unilaterally determine." Schueftan says if his country does not erect a barrier to divide off the Palestinians, those terrorists will continue to murder his people. [Chad Groening]

...Israel's Bezeq telephone company has started a new service allowing Jews to send e-mail messages to God. Tradition holds that God will grant prayers placed between the massive stones of the Western Wall in Jerusalem. In the past, that meant Jews had to personally put their notes in the Wall. Now, all they have to do is log on and send. The phone company will then deliver the messages to the Wall. Bezeq had already been accepting faxes for God, but decided to take it a step further because more people have computers than fax machines. The company currently takes the faxed notes, puts them in special envelopes and brings them to the Wall twice a week. Most of the notes come from New York and Europe, but the company says it has received notes in Japanese and even one that came with a letter saying it had been smuggled out of Iran, which has no diplomatic ties with Israel. [AP]

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