Surprised? Americans are giving a smaller percentage of their incomes to churches. If that bit of news from Religious News Service surprises you, you have not been watching the receipts at local churches. In the vast majority of churches, gifts have not kept pace with members’ income. Surprised? Americans are giving a smaller percentage of their incomes to churches. If that bit of news from Religious News Service surprises you, you have not been watching the receipts at local churches. In the vast majority of churches, gifts have not kept pace with members’ income.   According to a study conducted by John and Sylvia Ronsvalle, entitled "The State of Church Giving Through 1999," church members donated 2.58 percent of their income to their churches in 1999. That amount is down 17 percent from 1968 when giving was 3.1 percent.   Admittedly, the larger 3.1 percent is little to brag about, but when one realizes all members of the 29 denominations studied were averaged, the figure looks a tad better. Some folks are giving very well to bring up the average with those who give the most common annual gift - less than 10 dollars.   Perhaps the shocker of the article is that in the depth of the … [Read more...]

Christian ministries inadvertently are becoming purveyors of smut as pornographers "hijack" expired Web sites, either to lure unsuspecting visitors to pornographic sites or to earn a profit by selling the URL back to its original owner at an inflated price.   The Indiana Baptist state newspaper is one of the latest victims of a scheme that has affected various Christian ministries, non-profit organizations, government agencies and political leaders. Christian ministries inadvertently are becoming purveyors of smut as pornographers "hijack" expired Web sites, either to lure unsuspecting visitors to pornographic sites or to earn a profit by selling the URL back to its original owner at an inflated price.   The Indiana Baptist state newspaper is one of the latest victims of a scheme that has affected various Christian ministries, non-profit organizations, government agencies and political leaders.   Six months after the Indianapolis-based paper moved its content to a new Web site - www.scbi.org - it gave up its rights to a former domain name. The day the old URL became available, porn appeared on it.   Registered to a person supposedly living in an obscure location in … [Read more...]

Accidental porn: In the wild world of the Internet, it is becoming more and more difficult to avoid pornography Some 70 percent of American teenagers have "accidentally" encountered pornography on the Internet, a recent poll indicates.   That has many observers concerned. Accidental porn: In the wild world of the Internet, it is becoming more and more difficult to avoid pornography Some 70 percent of American teenagers have "accidentally" encountered pornography on the Internet, a recent poll indicates.   That has many observers concerned.   "Clearly, there is a major failure in adult responsibility when almost three out of four teens report they have accidentally come across pornography on the Web," Morality in Media President Robert Peters said. "But the biggest failure of responsibility lies with federal and state prosecutors who turn a blind eye to obscenity on the Internet.   "If obscenity laws were being vigorously enforced, the last thing hardcore pornographers would want to do is draw attention to their vile wares by engaging in reckless marketing methods. If vigorously enforced, there would also be much less pornography to accidentally stumble … [Read more...]

Looking into a mirror is my second least-favorite viewing, ranking only slightly above photographs that include my likeness.   Honestly, I just do not like having to admit to myself that I am as common looking as I am. Mind you, I do not mind being unattractive; I just do not like being visually confronted with that fact. I have to face it – this face is the only one I have   Looking into a mirror is my second least-favorite viewing, ranking only slightly above photographs that include my likeness.   Honestly, I just do not like having to admit to myself that I am as common looking as I am. Mind you, I do not mind being unattractive; I just do not like being visually confronted with that fact.   I have never forced my school yearbooks upon my disinterested children and said, "Look, that’s your daddy. See how handsome he was then." I don’t say that because they can see. They know homely from handsome. To tell them I was handsome undermines what little credibility I have with them.   I’ll get to the point in a moment.   Now, my brother was handsome. He cut a dashing figure during the 1950s with his greased-up ducktails and white shirts open to his, well, … [Read more...]

The article in the January 3, 2002 paper about the "September 11th events renew discussion of good and evil," which quotes a professor of biblical interpretation at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York is an example of superficial writing and reporting. The professor, Walter Wink, is quoted as saying that America’s actions may have at least in part provoked the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The article in the January 3, 2002 paper about the "September 11th events renew discussion of good and evil," which quotes a professor of biblical interpretation at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York is an example of superficial writing and reporting. The professor, Walter Wink, is quoted as saying that America’s actions may have at least in part provoked the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. He cited ongoing United States intervention in Iraq as an example, claiming 500,000 Iraqi children have died as a result of United States policy.   This writer gives no explanation of the professor’s statement and no reasons for his assertion. The question in my mind is why does he make this assertion, and is there any justification for his assertion? In the broad sense, this leads us to believe that … [Read more...]

For the week of January 17, 2002 People, Places and Events 1-17 Potpourri • EUNICE - Acadian center: women’s conference; Jan. 25-26; Virginia Haynes, speaker; Judy Hubbs, music; call (337) 457-9047 for more information; James Newsom, camp manager.   • BOYCE - Henry Blackaby, featured speaker, author of "Experiencing God," to speak at First church; Jan. 26, 7 p.m.; Jim Lofton, pastor.   • LAKE CHARLES - Trinity church: "Be All God Wants You to Be," ladies retreat, presented by Great Hills Retreat Ministry; Feb. 1-2; Phyllis Elvington, guest speaker; Kristi Brown, music; $39 for early registration; $46 for late registration; for more information call Marlene McCain at (337) 562-2333; Steve James, pastor.   • JENA - East Jena church: prayer conference, "How To Pray Effectively for the Lost," Jan. 26; 4 and 7 p.m. sessions, dinner at 6 p.m.; Lee Thomas, speaker; Kingdom Bound, music; for more information call (337) 992-4460; Craig James, pastor.   • DRY CREEK - Dry Creek camp: turkey hunting seminar; Feb. 9; cost is $10, includes meal; call (337) 328- 7531 for reservations; Curt Iles, camp manager. Youth • DRY CREEK - Dry Creek camp: "Celebration at the Cross" youth … [Read more...]

The young girl listens intently to the guest speaker, even as a boy sits behind her and pulls her ponytail.   She turns to make a face at the boy and then adjusts the beaded band holding the ponytail in place.   If her father found out a boy touched it, the girl could get in big trouble. As long as she is wearing the blue and yellow headpiece, boys and men are not supposed to touch her. The young girl listens intently to the guest speaker, even as a boy sits behind her and pulls her ponytail.   She turns to make a face at the boy and then adjusts the beaded band holding the ponytail in place.   If her father found out a boy touched it, the girl could get in big trouble. As long as she is wearing the blue and yellow headpiece, boys and men are not supposed to touch her.   The ponytail - known as "umchwasho" (oom-chw-ah-show) - looks like a large tassel connected to a strand of beads. It announces to all persons that the girl is a virgin. The band requires girls to abstain from sex or even from kissing someone from the opposite sex.   The age-old Swazi custom is back with hopes it will help eradicate the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Southern Baptist missionary … [Read more...]

www.CNSNews.com   As anyone can attest, many overtly religious words and phrases have become as common as campaign promises in the oratory of America’s political leaders since the September 11 terrorist attacks.   However, what, if any, role will religion play in the conservative agenda for 2002? www.CNSNews.com   As anyone can attest, many overtly religious words and phrases have become as common as campaign promises in the oratory of America’s political leaders since the September 11 terrorist attacks.   However, what, if any, role will religion play in the conservative agenda for 2002?   In his Sept. 15 radio address to the nation, President George Bush made at least three direct references to religious themes.   "We are planning a broad and sustained campaign to secure our country and eradicate the evil of terrorism. And we are determined to see this conflict through. Americans of every faith and background are committed to this goal," Bush said. "In the past week, we have seen the American people at their very best everywhere in America. Citizens have come together to pray, to give blood, to fly our country’s flag. Americans are coming together … [Read more...]

For the week of January 24, 2002 Briefs   Criswell tribute   An Internet tribute honoring the life and ministry of W.A. Criswell has been created by the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee. The tribute features quotes from prominent Southern Baptists, news articles, audio recordings of Criswell’s 1975 address to the Southern Baptist Pastor’s Conference and links to other Web sites. The site also includes a presentation of Criswell’s life through photos and music. Criswell died recently after a lifetime of ministry at First Baptist Church of Dallas. The Criswell tribute site is located at www.sbc.net/criswell.   Evolution decision   The U.S Supreme Court recently declined to hear a case that could have decided if public school teachers have a First Amendment right to contradict school policy on the teaching of evolution. The court declined to review a Minnesota court decision that dismissed a lawsuit by a high school science teacher. Rodney LeVake was removed as a 10th-grade biology teacher after he confided to a peer that he could not teach evolution in good conscience. LeVake was reassigned to a lower-level class that did not involve the teaching of … [Read more...]

"At a time of unprecedented growth of the Church in the Two-thirds world, the Church in the West seems to be in decay and demise." Denton Lotz, executive director of the Baptist World Alliance, grabs our attention with that lead sentence of his January 2002 "BWA News" article. "At a time of unprecedented growth of the Church in the Two-thirds world, the Church in the West seems to be in decay and demise." Denton Lotz, executive director of the Baptist World Alliance, grabs our attention with that lead sentence of his January 2002 "BWA News" article.   Denton Lotz backs up his statement with some troubling statistics.   He quotes a recent article on the Church In Europe: "At the end of this new century, will there be any Christians in the Netherlands? ...Whereas in 1980, 50% indicated they were not church members, in 1999, 63% indicated that they were not church members."   From a recent article in the German weekly, "Die Zeit," Lotz quotes, "In the third millennium after his birth fewer and fewer believe in the Son of God and the Redeemer Jesus Christ. Every year, 100,000 Germans leave the church, a third of all citizens are now not members of any church . . . Germany is almost … [Read more...]