OUR COLUMNISTS All of a Sudden, Newsweek Concerned About Kids Viewing R-rated Movies Guest Commentary by James L. Lambert Newsweek's mockery of Mel Gibson's effort to convey an accurate depiction of the last 12 hours of Christ's life reflects the magazine's uneasiness with religion. But it is no wonder why a film like The Passion of the Christ literally terrifies liberal elites. 'Professional' Behavior Commentary by Brad Locke In the past month, reports have surfaced of college athletes -- and even more tragically, high school athletes -- engaging in the kind of criminal activity we have come to expect of professional athletes. We shouldn't be so shocked. Grown men have a hard enough time handling fame, so it's hard to completely blame kids for emulating their heroes. The Passion of the Christ Commentary by David Sisler Mel Gibson's latest epic will bring in a lot of money. But the critics will say it is only because churches have bought out theaters. You bet your booties, Granny! This film unashamedly and unabashedly tells the story of the Son of God dying for our sins. The Death of Jesus: Who's Really Responsible? Commentary by Mark Creech Not since the 1980s, when America's hottest prime-time series depicted the scheming J.R. Ewing getting gunned down by an unidentified assailant, has there been so much interest in "Who dun it?" With the opening of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, the current burning question is: "Who killed Jesus?"

...Connecticut Governor John Rowland says the country is witnessing an "explosion of faith," and is praising Mel Gibson's movie The Passion of the Christ. At a groundbreaking ceremony for a Hartford church, Rowland called it a "breathtaking" film that "shakes you to the core of your soul." The Connecticut governor said, "It is the Gospel, and people need to recognize and realize that we need to reach out to faith. We need to reach out to each other and, most importantly, we need to reach out to the power above us." Rowland, who is Roman Catholic, said there is "an explosion of faith because evil is everywhere." [AP]

...After 80 quarterly issues, a Christian magazine is changing its name to reflect its commitment to accurately report on historical events and the people who were involved in those events. Christian History, a publication of Christianity Today International, is re-launching under a new banner: Christian History & Biography. Managing editor Chris Armstrong says the name change reflects two editorial commitments: to report on a variety of topics beyond the "cover story," and to continue to examine the "human face" of history. "Every story has its drama and pathos, and very historical figure his or her distinctive personality," Armstrong says. "We will keep narrating history with all the human details that make its lessons so vivid and compelling." Along with the new name comes several new departments at the magazine: Living History, The Story Behind, Changed Lives, and Eye Witness. "We hope that with the new variety of material and the continued emphasis on history's human face, we will help a new generation of Christians discover how knowing our spiritual heritage edifies us and builds us up," Armstrong says. Upcoming issues will include features on John Newton, author of the hymn "Amazing Grace"; the origin and meaning of the "Christian fish symbol"; John Wesley, the founder of Methodism; and on Christians in Communist China. [Jody Brown]

..."Anti-Israel hate." That's how one conservative observer is describing the efforts on those who are trying to use the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to stop Israel's construction of an anti-terrorist barrier in the West Bank. Josh Block of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee says this is more anti-Israeli action by countries that hate the Jewish state. "This is just another example of the Arab world trying to use the fallen United Nations as a club to beat up on our democratic friends in Israel," Block says, adding that the fence is the most humane way to protect Israel. "The Israelis are under an unremitting, relentless assault of terrorism that is trying to kill women, children, and men in cafes, schools, and buses -- and they're doing the most minimal thing they can do, which is building a fence to keep folks who want to kill them out. And that seems like a very humane, very smart thing to do." The other option seems to be bombing the areas where the terrorists live -- and that would include massive loss of life. Pro-Israel activist Gary Bauer wonders why groups like the Palestinian Authority, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic Jihad are not on trial before the ICJ for what he calls their "campaign of terror" -- but he admits the world is upside down. "The elected leaders of Israel are called war criminals, while real criminals, like [Yasser] Arafat, enjoy the protection of diplomats," Bauer says. "The next time the judges of the World Court decide to hear a case like this one, they should do it in a bus riding through Jerusalem. Maybe that would focus their thinking." The United States and other democratic nations oppose the ICJ taking any action in this matter. The Court's decision is non-binding because it has no force by which to maintain its authority. [Bill Fancher/Jody Brown]

...A seniors group is denouncing a proposal by Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan that the only way to save the Social Security program is to cut its benefits. The group also has deep concerns over how Senator John Kerry has responded to the suggestion. President Bush was quick to react to Greenspan's comments by saying there would be no Social Security cuts while he was in office. But Kerry, the president's likely opponent in November, responded in a way that concerned United Seniors Association director Charlie Jarvis. "[Kerry] said he would not cut benefits in the future, but that he also did not believe that there should be personal retirement accounts that younger workers own and control," Jarvis says. "That gives John Kerry one choice, and one choice only, for Social Security: stratospherically high tax increases." Jarvis insists that the only way to save the Social Security program is to allow individuals to control their own accounts. He believes those accounts could be up to five times larger than they would be under government control. [Bill Fancher]

...The chairman of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus and five other lawmakers are asking Attorney General John Ashcroft to investigate the IRS and private tax preparers who assist illegal aliens in getting tax credits. Colorado Republican Tom Tancredo and the others are concerned about news reports that tax preparers like H&R Block have been working in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service to assist illegal immigrants in obtaining individual tax identification numbers (ITINs). "You cannot aid, harbor, or give any sort of sustenance to the person who is here illegally," Tancredo says. "These people know [their clients are here illegally] -- they're doing their taxes for them -- and the guy tells them 'I'm here illegally, and I'm trying to get some earned income tax credit.'" The congressman maintains the IRS is also giving direct assistance to illegal aliens. "They'll give them taxpayer identification numbers; they will provide them a way to actually file their taxes and get their earned income tax credit," he says. According to Tancredo, an ITIN could allow illegal aliens to obtain other identification documents, fraudulently register to vote, and even board airplanes. But he says he is not optimistic that Ashcroft will take action. [Chad Groening]

...Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry is attacking President Bush's faith-based initiative. At a Sunday town hall meeting in Buffalo, New York, Kerry accused the president of promoting policies that "cross the line" separating church and state. In a debate Sunday with his opponents for the Democratic nomination, Kerry said he opposes homosexual marriage, although he has "been to the wedding of somebody who has gotten married who's gay." The candidates were asked whether President Bush is right to say that God is on America's side in the war on terrorism. Kerry said, "We pray that God is on our side, and we pray hard. And God has been on our side for most of our existence." Senator John Edwards said President Lincoln was once asked to join in a prayer about God being on America's side, and answered that he would rather join "in a prayer that we're on God's side." [AP]

...Ralph Nader isn't the only third-party candidate seeking the presidency this fall. Also appearing on the ballot in 40 states will be Michael Peroutka of the Constitution Party. The Maryland attorney believes both of the major parties have moved away from the idea that the purpose of government is to serve and protect the people. "America was founded on a couple of basic principles that are contained in our Declaration of Independence -- and they're the foundational principles of America," Peroutka says. "The first is that all men are created equal -- and to say that we're 'created' means that there's a Creator God. So there's a recognition of God and that rights come from Him, not from government. The purpose of government is to secure, protect, and defend those rights -- and I believe that both major parties have moved away from that understanding." The Constitution Party candidate says the two major parties have adopted the idea that the purpose of government is to redistribute wealth. So there really is not any difference between the two, he says. [Chad Groening]

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