OUR COLUMNISTS (Click on photos for archives) The Church and Culture: Never Give Up Commentary by Matt Friedeman When it comes to the culture war, you can either concern yourselves with individuals or concern yourself with the broader culture. Or both. The latter is the only real option for the Christian. Fighting for That City on a Hill Commentary by Joe Murray Does a Christian's responsibility in creating a government that reflects natural and biblical law stop at prayer? Is it enough for a Christian to pray for a Godly government and then go about their business? Not a chance. Poisoning Childhood Commentary by Jane Jimenez It's the lead in an Internet article from England about "the escalating incidence of childhood depression and chldren's behavioural and developmental conditions." We are ... poisoning childhood. Losers Commentary by Brad Locke People still have this notion that being good enough -- earning enough points, if you will -- will satisfy God. It may ease a person's conscience, but that's it. Real Hope for Stem-Cell Research Commentary by Mark Creech It seems that the direction of stem-cell research has turned a corner. Recent research indicates a growing interest in a more ethical approach -- perhaps even discomfort with destroying human embryos for stem cells.

...A jury has recommended that a Navy chaplain receive a reprimand for disobeying an order by appearing in uniform at a news conference outside the White House. The jury at Virginia's Naval Station Norfolk also said Lieutenant Gordon Klingenschmitt should forfeit $250 pay per month for a year, but suggested that the monetary penalty be suspended. The commander of the Navy's Mid-Atlantic Region can either approve or reduce the penalty. Klingenschmitt prayed in uniform at a March 30 news conference protesting a Navy policy that prohibits sectarian prayers outside of religious services. Klingenschmitt says he will appeal his conviction, but adds, "I have not yet become a martyr for the faith. Jesus was crucified, Peter and John were flogged, and I got a minor reprimand." [AP]

...Focus on the Family Action is encouraging its supporters to take action regarding federal legislation that would change the language in the Defense Authorization Bill that would protect a military chaplain's right to pray according to his or her conscience. Under language sponsored by California Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter, a chaplain would have the prerogative to pray "according to the dictates of the chaplain's conscience, except as must be limited by military necessity, with any such limitation being imposed in the least restrictive manner feasible." However, alternate language being pushed by some members of the Senate would violate chaplains' First Amendment rights, says Amanda Banks, a federal policy analyst with Focus on the Family Action. That wording reads, in part: "In situations other than theological services or sectarian ceremonies when a prayer is offered, the policy shall require chaplains to be sensitive to and respect the diversity of faiths represented." Banks feels the alternate language seeks to establish a right "not to be offended" instead of protecting freedom of speech. "It rejects religious liberty and would likely prevent a chaplain from praying 'in Jesus' name' outside of a church service," she adds. Focus on the Family Action is asking individuals to contact both of their U.S. senators as well as Senator John Warner of Virginia, asking them to support adoption of the Hunter language in the Defense Authorization Bill. [Jody Brown]

...Days after U.S. Episcopal bishops again failed to close a rift over homosexual clergy, another group with more power to determine the fate of the Anglican Communion is about to meet: an African-led alliance outraged by Western acceptance of homosexuality. The four-day meeting of African, Asian and Latin American bishops begins Tuesday in Rwanda. Conservatives who have left the Episcopal Church to form the Anglican Mission in America plan to circulate a petition there declaring that the Anglican Communion is in "irreconcilable division" and rejecting tolerance of homosexual priests and same-sex blessings as a "heresy and denial of the Bible." The vast majority of Anglicans now live in former European colonies where Christianity was imported by missionaries. [AP]

...The American Bible Society (ABS) feels so strongly about an upcoming movie that it has taken the unusual step of endorsing it. Why? Because ABS believes that "value-based" epic films like One Night with the King can capture the hearts, minds, and market share of today's generation. The feature-length film, which is set to open in theaters October 13, chronicles the Old Testament story of Queen Esther, portrayed in the film by actress Tiffany Dupont. A spokesman for ABS describes the movie as "inspirational and entertaining." Dr. Robert Hodgson continues, saying "The timeless story of Esther has been translated into a language [the language of film] that will reach millions in a population that is typically untouched by the Word of God." And today's generation, he adds, "is hungry for this." One Night with the King was produced by Gener8xion Entertainment, a developer of value-based, Hollywood-level programming that currently has two other films in production -- Prodigal Son and Blessed Child, the former being an animated musical that retells the story of the prodigal son in a futuristic setting. Also starring in One Night with the King is Omar Sharif, John Rhys-Davies, and Peter O'Toole. [Jody Brown]

...A nationally recognized pro-life activist says the battle against abortion in America is definitely "winnable." In the past three months alone, 12 abortion clinics across the U.S. have closed their doors, mostly because of investigations which revealed unsanitary and dangerous conditions in the facilities. Although at least three of those clinics have reopened, Operation Rescue president Troy Newman says there is a movement against abortion clinics that is gaining momentum. Newman says the war against abortion can be won. "In fact, we've said right from the very beginning, the weakest point in the abortion laws is the abortion clinic itself," says the pro-life activist. "These shoddy abortion facilities are providing substandard care, and if we simply go in and apply the basic operating principles that apply to other medical facilities, these places will close -- and they'll close in waves." And that is exactly what has been happening, he adds. Newman says once health inspectors finally enter an abortion facility, they recognize how horrible the conditions are. That, he says, explains the recent closings. [Rusty Pugh]

...A recent college graduate from Virginia says he hopes to see many babies saved -- and many cars cleaned -- as a result of this weekend. Jonathan Tonkowich is the executive director of Wash for Life, a national pro-life youth event taking place this weekend. Tonkowich says he wanted young people to have a way to demonstrate they are pro-life. From that idea, now almost 200 car washes are taking place all across the U.S. as part of "Wash for Life." Tonkowich cites one particular location in Wichita, Kansas, home to Dr. George Tiller, one of the most notorious abortionists in the country. "[Tiller] does a lot of late-term abortions," Tonkowich explains, "and right across the street from where Tiller is, there's a crisis pregnancy center. And this group in Wichita is getting a bunch of groups together, they're having a huge 'Wash for Life,' trying to get lots of media, lots of attention, and they're giving the money [from the car wash] to the center that is right across from Tiller." Tonkowich says 100 percent of the proceeds from all of the car washes will be donated to crisis pregnancy centers local to each car wash. [Mary Rettig]

...An icon of the music industry has a bone to pick with the national media and its treatment of American troops that are serving in Iraq. Charlie Daniels and his band have spent a lot of time with American soldiers in the Middle Eastern country, and he says they are not getting a "fair shake" from one important segment of American society. "Our media are no longer responsible, they're no longer loyal. They've just got completely out of hand," the recording artist shares. "They're very selective about what they print." Daniels says the media focus on the few bad things that happen and ignore the positive accomplishments of the men and women serving overseas. "I'm not saying the bad stuff shouldn't be reported; it should be," he says. "But for every bad incident, for every bad apple, there are 10,000 good ones." He also points out this failure of the media is not limited to Iraq, but covers other areas where journalists have a liberal agenda. "It really aggravates me," he says. [Bill Fancher]

...A soldier serving with the 4th Infantry Division in Iraq says he's confident the Iraqis will be able to become self-sufficient in maintaining security in their country. Staff Sergeant Brent Ingram has been working with local Iraqi contractors to rebuild infrastructure including roads, bridges, and water plants. Ingram says he has been impressed with how the Iraqis have stepped up to the plate. "Yes, they are progressing. The local Iraqi people are stepping up, more than I kind of expected," the sergeant admits. "This is my second tour over here, and the difference between a year and a half ago and now is remarkable. The local Iraqi government is more stable and in place, and is starting to take the lead, funding and supervising and putting together all these different projects that they need." Ingram says it is going to take time for the Iraqis to develop a democracy, but he says it will not function the same way American democracy does. The non-commissioned officer is scheduled to return to the U.S. in a couple of months. [Chad Groening]

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