August 2, 2006
Compiled by Jody Brown
OUR COLUMNISTS Commentary by Matt Friedeman  My church of 200 attenders didn't make the recent list of the 50 most influential churches. But are such rankings a good thing?The Stem Cell Sidestep Commentary by Joe Murray  While there is no mistaking the fact that the president's recent veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act was a victory for life, traditionalists must now inform the president that this is not the end of the road.Curing a Disease That 'Wasn't' Commentary by Jane Jimenez  The big story about HPV has been the new vaccine introduced by Merck. The bigger story that doesn't make the news is the story about a disease that didn't exist until we had a cure for it.A Message Lost Commentary by Brad Locke  We all thought Tony Stewart had turned a corner last year, when he seemed to subdue his fragile temperament and won his second NASCAR Cup championship. Obviously, we were all fooled.North Carolina Judge Lowers Great Moral Standard Commentary by Mark Creech  Given an ultimatum, a county employee chose to quit her job instead of marrying her live-in boyfriend or moving out. The ACLU took up the woman's case, a judge ruled in her favor -- and the most egregious effect of the ruling was that it lowered a great moral standard. |
...Rev. Rob Schenck says the last thing Israel needs in a time of war is next week's "WorldPride" homosexual-rights festival in Jerusalem. Schenck is president of the activist group Faith and Action, which is urging American Christians to sign an online petition that asks Israel to cancel the gathering. He calls WorldPride "an offense against God" and against the deeply-held beliefs of Christians, Jews and Muslims in the city they all consider sacred. The six-day festival in Jerusalem is to include a "multifaith convocation" featuring the head of the homosexual-friendly Metropolitan Community Churches and a lesbian rabbi from New York. [AP]
...Pro-family activists in Florida are stepping up efforts to get a marriage protection amendment on the ballot in 2008. Supporters of the constitutional amendment, which would define marriage as only between a man and a woman, are hoping to conclude the petition drive by the end of August. John Stemberger, president of the Florida Family Policy Council, says the state needs a constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage, despite what critics say. "The laws were on the books in Massachusetts too, until some activist judge -- an unaccountable, unelected member of our government -- with one stroke of a pen erased 6,000 years of history and tradition and, really, what's best for children," Stemberger comments. "This is really insanity. It has to stop." According to the Council spokesman, about 50,000 more signatures are needed for the amendment to be placed on the 2008 ballot. He encourages those who have not yet signed, but wish to do so, to download the petition at his group's website, sign it, and sent it in. "It's a very important, historic effort happening around the country," he says, "but specifically happening here and now in Florida." [Allie Martin]
...Last week's pro-marriage ruling out of Washington State gave pro-family groups reason to celebrate -- but they acknowledge the battle to defend traditional marriage is far from over. Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council was elated with the decision handed down from the Washington Supreme Court, but he knows that advocates of same-sex "marriage" will not abandon their cause. "They're still there," he offers. "They will continue until they find a court that will be receptive to their arguments." (See related article.) Perkins expects that to happen eventually -- and he notes that the Washington court decision even makes that point. "If you read the dissenting opinions, they say that it's a matter of time before same-sex marriage is on the books," he says. According to Perkins, supporters of traditional marriage need to increase their efforts for a federal marriage amendment. [Bill Fancher]
...Hundreds of people who oppose amending Missouri's constitution to protect embryonic stem-cell research have rallied at a Baptist church in Jefferson City. A Christian activist, Rev. Rick Scarborough, said: "If the church is silent, then she will get what she deserves. But if the church rises up, then we will turn back evil forces." It was the first of a series of rallies planned statewide before the November election. Former Republican presidential candidate Alan Keyes compared research that destroys human embryos to the worst excesses of Nazi Germany and American slavery. [AP]
...A Christian psychiatrist and lawyer says there could have been no good outcome to the Andrea Yates trial. In 2001 Yates was accused of drowning four of her five children; she was later convicted, but that verdict was overturned. Last week Yates was acquitted by reason of insanity in her retrial. Dr. Robert Rogan says the entire situation is very sad, but that in the end she will be held accountable for her actions. "Maybe not in the sense [had she been] executed for what she did," says Rogan, "but she's going to be in a prison of her own making because, if she ever does recover sanity, she's going to realize the horrible thing that she did, which will probably drive her back into insanity. And if she doesn't ever recover, I think she's still going to be tormented with what she did." Rogan says that based on Yates' prior mental health issues, he believes it is best for her to be placed in an institution. One of the saddest aspects of the whole ordeal, he says, is the fact that innocent children died because of a misconception of the power of Satan and God's power to change lives. But if there is any sort of positive outcome, notes Rogan, it is that perhaps people will be more aware of mental health issues and addressing problems before they get out of control. [Mary Rettig]
...One senator believes he is finally making a dent in the armor of the global warming movement. Oklahoma's Jim Inhofe says his fight against what he calls the "myth" of global warming has been lonely at times -- but that now he is seeing a change. "I really feel like I'm a voice in the wilderness on the whole global warming issue," says the senator. "[But] it's clear now that the majority of the members of the United States Senate agree with me that global warming is one of the things that has come from the United Nations' International Panel on Climate Control, all based on lies." According to Inhofe, it have been difficult getting the truth out. "The elitist, left, Hollywood people in this country have this as their poster child," he explains, "and they are trying to make the American people be punished economically for something that is nothing but a hoax." The Republican lawmaker vows to continue his fight against the misleading information. [Bill Fancher]
...Speaking of Hollywood, Christians in the arts and entertainment industry will have the opportunity this fall to participate in a 10-week program designed to prepare, equip, and train them for a life of success in the industry. "Hollywood Connect's 360° Training Program: Comprehensive Training for Success in Hollywood" will take place from September 8 through November 17, with applications due by August 15. Michele Suh, director and founder of Hollywood Connect, shares that all too often, Christians in Hollywood focus solely on their career -- to their own detriment. "We believe that to have lasting success in this industry, one needs to address all areas of his or life to flourish," says Suh. "So few take the time to do an inventory of who they really are and what they have to offer, which affects everything they do, the choices they make, and eventually, whether or not they'll make it out here." The training program features weekly seminars and meetings with professional coaches and therapists, and promises to help participants in the areas of networking, leadership skills, overcoming personal roadblocks, and developing a five-year comprehensive plan for a career in Hollywood. Information on the program is available through the website home for Hollywood Connect. [Jody Brown]
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