OUR COLUMNISTS Democrats -- The GOP's Best Friends? Commentary by Matt Friedeman Democrats have assumed that being merely livid will be enough to overtake the Republicans. Alas, the party of reaction isn't going to get it done -- at least not this year. He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not Commentary by Jane Jimenez Hugh Hefner's 80th birthday spawned a flurry of articles bemoaning the effects of the sexual revolution: pornography, teen pregnancy, and STDs. But Hefner and the problems he is a part of can be reduced to a more basic, fundamental level. Athletes and Their Moral Dilemmas Commentary by Brad Locke One likes to think that sports provides an escape from moral dilemmas, but that's not the case. If you think it is, you've obviously never been tempted to cheat. The Gospel of Judas: A Betrayal of the Truth Commentary by Mark Creech It's being hailed as the greatest archaeological find in the last 60 years. But those who either promote or embrace extra-biblical revelation such as the Gospel of Judas betray the truth, even as the real Judas Himself did, and crucify the Son of God afresh.

...A four-day event going on at the U.S. Capitol is involving people from all across America in a live, around-the-clock reading of the Bible in its entirety. Hundreds of volunteer readers are taking part in the 2006 National Bible Reading Marathon in Washington, DC, an event held yearly on the steps of the Capitol Building leading up to the National Day of Prayer. Co-host Rob Schenck of the National Clergy Council says all participants will share in the blessings of this public scripture reading. "The Bible says 'Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God,' and you can't get any closer to that than what happens during the annual Capitol Bible Reading Marathon," Schenck asserts. He says the readers cover the gamut of the faith community: "There are readers who are just common, everyday church folk coming in from all points of the United States," the Christian leader points out. "Passersby often ask to read and are given that opportunity. Members of Congress, and other officials here in Washington will participate. It's a beautiful event." The 2006 Bible Reading Marathon began Sunday night and will end this Thursday around noon. [Bill Fancher]

...A school district in Odessa, Texas, is preparing to offer a high school elective on the Bible. Associated Press reports that school officials in the Ector County Independent School District (ECISD) are testing the pilot Bible course and dozens of students have already signed up. The district approved the elective last December, voting 4-2 to adopt a curriculum put out by the National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools (NCBCPS) called "The Bible as History and Literature." The course and curriculum were approved despite opposition from critics that questioned the course's constitutionality, charged it with being too sectarian and favoring Protestant Christianity, or condemned it as engaging in Christian proselytizing rather than education. An ECISD spokesman says about 60 students from two high schools have signed up for the course, which is slated to be offered next fall, with classes scheduled for each period of the day. However, the AP report notes, the scheduling of classes may change depending on demand. [Jenni Parker]

...The year 2006 marks a special anniversary for America's national motto, "In God We Trust," and supporters want the saying's official status reaffirmed. Like many religious traditions in the U.S., the national motto is under attack. Defenders, however, are fighting back. James Edwards, Jr., an adjunct fellow at the Hudson Institute, says supporters want Congress to recognize the anniversary of the official adoption of the phrase. "It is the 50th anniversary this year," Edwards points out, and he says supporters are asking lawmakers to endorse those meaningful words again and "to reaffirm 'in God we trust' as our national motto." He notes that the phrase was America's unofficial motto for more than 100 years before Congress made it official in 1956. The Hudson Institute fellow believes reaffirming the motto today is significant and will send an essential message to secularists. "It's important that we do this sort of thing," Edwards says, "because there are certainly forces on the other side who would eradicate all symbols of religion, and Christianity in particular, from the public square." [Bill Fancher]

...A San Francisco federal appeals court has thrown out a First Amendment lawsuit by Daniel Berry, an evangelical Christian worker who argued that he had a right to practice and preach his beliefs at his place of employment. After a lower court ruled against Berry, the Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) filed an appellate brief with the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of the Tehama County Social Services employee, who maintains he was discriminated against on the basis of his religious beliefs. According to PJI, Berry was told he could not discuss his faith with clients, was forbidden the use of a workplace conference room for voluntary prayer meetings, and was prevented from displaying religious items in his employee work-space. However the Ninth Circuit upheld the lower court's ruling that Berry did not have the right to hold prayer sessions at his workplace and also rejected the Christian employee's claim that he had a right to display a Spanish-language Bible and a sign that said "Happy Birthday Jesus" in his cubicle, where he served clients. In handing down its decision, the court said the county walked a fine line to protect the right of religion and to avoid the appearance that the government was supporting religion. [Jenni Parker]

...The Presbyterian Church (USA) says that 75 employees at its headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, will lose their jobs as $9.15 million in budget cuts force the denomination to reorganize its mission program. In addition, nine unfilled jobs at headquarters are being eliminated, along with 55 overseas mission positions, 40 of which are being lost either through retirements or end of assignments. Slightly more than 500 headquarters employees were told yesterday whether their jobs are being cut, retained or revised as part of the restructuring within the 2.3 million-member church. It is the third round of job cuts in four years at the PC(USA) headquarters. An official says the cuts at headquarters reflect a change in giving by Presbyterians. Donations have been up, but the amount sent to the denomination for missions has dropped as more money has been devoted to local ministries. [AP]

...Opponents of homosexual "marriage" hope to give Illinois voters a chance to speak out on the issue through an advisory referendum this fall. Organizers of "Protect Marriage Illinois" are predicting they will have thousands more than the 283,000 signatures needed to get a referendum on the November ballot. It would ask voters whether they think the Illinois Constitution should define marriage between a man and a woman as the only valid legal union in Illinois. The results will not change the constitution but could influence whether lawmakers ever take that step. A 1996 Illinois law already prohibits same-sex marriage. Among petition drives were one held at Chicago's Salem Baptist Church, pastored by State Senator James Meeks. [AP]

...Gospel for Asia (GFA) has been forced to temporarily close its office in Kathmandu, Nepal, as the Himalayan kingdom undergoes the worst outbreak of violence it has seen in decades. Nepal's king has used increasing force in efforts to control the nation as it turned against his despotic rule. Recently, however, he agreed to restore parliament and re-form a democratic government, so the seven parties allied against him have agreed to call off their violent strikes. Maoist rebels, however, have rejected the agreement, and as GFA president Dr. K.P. Yohannan notes, "No one is sure what will come next." As he monitors the situation in Nepal, he observes, "This is definitely a time for all Christians to be in prayer for that nation -- and for its believers and churches in particular." According to e-mails received from GFA's national leader in Nepal, Narayan Sharma, the whole country of Nepal "is still bleeding." He noted that GFA's Bible college continued to function and its radio programs remained on the air, but the GFA office in Kathmandu had closed due to the situation, and "our people are unable to move for ministry purposes due to a long general strike." Hundreds of people have been injured and some have died of bullet wounds, Sharma points out, while others are still in critical condition in hospitals. But despite the bloodshed and unrest in Nepal, he adds, "we are hopeful something good is waiting." Dr. Yohannan notes that Gospel for Asia has more than 550 native missionaries and over 400 congregations in the mountainous country. He urges Christians everywhere to "be in continuous prayer for Brother Narayan, the believers of Nepal, and for the peace of the entire nation." [Jenni Parker]

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