Since Sept. 11, the questions have become widely discussed - Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God? What does Islam and Christianity share in common? Are there essential differences between the two great religions that cannot be dismissed? Since Sept. 11, the questions have become widely discussed - Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God? What does Islam and Christianity share in common? Are there essential differences between the two great religions that cannot be dismissed?   There are significant commonalities between the two great religions, acknowledged Timothy George, dean of the Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. However, Islam’s rejection of the Trinity and crucifixion of Jesus pose unavoidable stumbling blocks for Muslims, demonstrating that the two religions cannot be said to worship the same God, George added.   Despite the tendency in American culture to reject exclusive truth claims and press for universal acceptance of all religions, George urged Christians to resist this pressure.   First, to do so is dishonest, as any true Muslim would agree, George explained during his recent lectures at The Baptist College of … [Read more...]

In the past 22 years, the Internal Revenue Service either has revoked the tax-exempt status of a church or religious organization or levied taxes on such a group for engaging in "prohibited political activities" fewer than 10 times.   However, some members of Congress say that is 10 times too many. In the past 22 years, the Internal Revenue Service either has revoked the tax-exempt status of a church or religious organization or levied taxes on such a group for engaging in "prohibited political activities" fewer than 10 times.   However, some members of Congress say that is 10 times too many.   The House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight heard testimony May 14 on two bills designed to protect churches and other religious groups from the IRS.   The Houses of Worship Political Speech Protection Act (H.R. 2357) is sponsored by Walter Jones, R-N.C.   The Bright-Line Act of 200l (H.R. 2931) is sponsored by Rep. Phil Crane, R-Ill.   Both measures would allow churches and other religious organizations to endorse political candidates. In addition, Crane’s measure would allow a church to spend up to 20 percent of its annual revenues on political … [Read more...]

For the week of May 23, 2002 Potpourri • HAUGHTON - First church: Price Harris in concert; June 2, 6 p.m.; Billy Pierce, pastor.   • BOGALUSA - First church: "Experiencing God: The Musical," June 2, 10:30 a.m.; Zeno Wells, minister of music; Bob Adams, pastor.   • FLORIEN - Pleasant Hill church: One Reason in concert; May 24, 7 p.m.; Jimmie Evans, pastor.   • LECOMPTE - First church: Higher Faith in concert; May 26, 6 p.m.; Johnny Miller, pastor. Youth • PINEVILLE - Pineville Park church: Preschool choir singing, followed by the children’s choir presentation of "The Attic, May 26, 6 p.m.; Thomas E. Lott, Jr., minister of music; Gregory R. Carroll, pastor. Staff Changes Pastors   • MONTEGUT - Wayne Elliott to Montegut church.   • IOTA - Will O’Neal to Miller French church, coming from Trinity church in Pineville.   Others   • BASTROP - David Rader resigns Bastrop First church as minister of education; Jim Ingram, pastor. Homecomings • RUSTON - Barnett Springs church: May 26, 10:45 a.m.; Wayne Jenkins, guest speaker; Mike Thompson, music; covered dish dinner to follow; T. J. Boyd, pastor.   • MORROW - Morrow church: May 26, 11 a.m.; … [Read more...]

Louisiana churches, take note - those pew Bibles are going to cost a little more now.   So will those Sunday School quarterlies.   And the price of that retreat at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth likely to be a little higher. Louisiana churches, take note - those pew Bibles are going to cost a little more now.   So will those Sunday School quarterlies.   And the price of that retreat at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth likely to be a little higher.   One can thank the American Civil Liberties Union and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana for that.   In an under-the-radar move in 2000, the ACLU quietly filed suit against Louisiana’s sales tax exemption on the sale of Bibles and religious literature to qualified churches and religious organizations.   They also challenged the sales tax exemption for religious camps.   This March, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana sided with the ACLU arguments and declared both sales tax exemptions to be a violation of the separation of church and state - and therefore, unconstitutional.   At the … [Read more...]

In an unexpected move, Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home Executive Director John Williams announced recently that he plans to retire from that post at the end of September.   "I have been greatly blessed during the past 16 years of work with boys and girls and Friends of Children," Williams said in a brief letter presented to home trustees at their scheduled meeting on May 10. In an unexpected move, Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home Executive Director John Williams announced recently that he plans to retire from that post at the end of September.   "I have been greatly blessed during the past 16 years of work with boys and girls and Friends of Children," Williams said in a brief letter presented to home trustees at their scheduled meeting on May 10.   "My prayer is that the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home will continue to provide a service of excellence at this special and unique ‘place of refuge.’ "   In subsequent action, trustees formed a five-person search committee to find Williams’ successor. In a meeting largely spent in executive session, they also appointed a committee to look at the home bylaws and charter to make sure they are up-to-date.   They … [Read more...]

Chip Luter is set to join 11 other high school students from across the United States this July as they participate in cutting-edge ministries in the reality-based television program "TruthQuest: California."   The teenagers’ experiences are to be aired in a 13-episode television series scheduled for broadcast in October on FamilyNet television. Chip Luter is set to join 11 other high school students from across the United States this July as they participate in cutting-edge ministries in the reality-based television program "TruthQuest: California."   The teenagers’ experiences are to be aired in a 13-episode television series scheduled for broadcast in October on FamilyNet television.   "I can’t wait, as this will be a chance for me to do a whole lot of stuff I’ve never done before," says Luter, whose father, Fred, serves as pastor at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans.   "I’m always telling people living for Christ is not a boring life, and this will be a chance to show them it’s an exciting life," Luter adds.   Each teenager on the TruthQuest team also will be asked to write articles about his or her adventures to appear daily on the Baptist … [Read more...]

More than 220 religious leaders have asked President George Bush and Congress to address the devastating impact of legalized gambling on American life.   The request came in an open letter from both evangelical leaders – including several Southern Baptists – and representatives of the mainline Protestant, Catholic and Jewish communities. It appeared as a full-page advertisement in Roll Call, a twice-weekly Capitol Hill newspaper. More than 220 religious leaders have asked President George Bush and Congress to address the devastating impact of legalized gambling on American life.   The request came in an open letter from both evangelical leaders – including several Southern Baptists – and representatives of the mainline Protestant, Catholic and Jewish communities. It appeared as a full-page advertisement in Roll Call, a twice-weekly Capitol Hill newspaper.   The religious leaders acknowledged in the letter they are divided on many of the day’s critical issues but said, "We are united in our opposition to legalized gambling.   "Gambling has become a blight on our nation’s cultural landscape. ... We call on members of Congress ... to address this rapidly-growing menace to … [Read more...]

Last week’s Baptist Message carried information about an open letter signed by 220 "religious leaders" and sent to the United States president and members of Congress concerning the destructive impact of gambling in this nation.   The letter evoked mixed responses from this editor. Last week’s Baptist Message carried information about an open letter signed by 220 "religious leaders" and sent to the United States president and members of Congress concerning the destructive impact of gambling in this nation.   The letter evoked mixed responses from this editor.   The first was: "Amen! Religious leaders, whoever they are, should be asking lawmakers to address ‘the devastation that gambling has wrought on our children, families, communities and nation.’"   Gambling certainly is not the only acid eating away at the human fiber of our nation, but it definitely deserves any condemnation and correction anyone can muster. One would need to be morally and socially blind not to see what gambling does to multitudes of our people. Just as divorce has directly or indirectly placed its decaying hand on every family in our nation, gambling has now lent its destructive touch to just about … [Read more...]

Brandon Ramsey is about to embark on a 40-foot pole climb. If one safety measure is not taken carefully, it could mean a broken neck or back for the participant.   As the Louisiana Tech University student takes his first step, the instructors-in-training reassure his safety by holding a safety rope (belay) attached to Ramsey and with the words "Trust us, Brandon." Brandon Ramsey is about to embark on a 40-foot pole climb. If one safety measure is not taken carefully, it could mean a broken neck or back for the participant.   As the Louisiana Tech University student takes his first step, the instructors-in-training reassure his safety by holding a safety rope (belay) attached to Ramsey and with the words "Trust us, Brandon."   These are words heard throughout the four-day training for students who will serve as instructors for groups that visit Seeker Springs Ministry Center’s team challenge rope course.   Constructed last April at a cost of $25,000, the course in Eros includes five low elements and seven high elements.   Low elements do not involve the use of safety ropes and are constructed a few feet above the ground.   High elements are 15 feet or … [Read more...]

Dateline: The future - Louisiana Baptist Convention leaders have announced a cutback in the services the denomination offers to its churches throughout the state.   The cutbacks come as the state convention struggles to deal with reduced funding as a result of decreased giving in churches. Dateline: The future - Louisiana Baptist Convention leaders have announced a cutback in the services the denomination offers to its churches throughout the state.   The cutbacks come as the state convention struggles to deal with reduced funding as a result of decreased giving in churches.   They also come as local churches and associations struggle with their own funding. Some churches have reduced services and left construction projects half-finished. Some associations have closed offices and asked directors to work from their homes.   While leaders hope the moves are temporary, others caution the next round of actions could be even more drastic if giving does not increase. "We could see staff members being terminated at all levels," one leader said. "We could see a cutback in bedrock gospel ministries."   Whew - what a nightmare. It sure is a good thing that could never … [Read more...]