The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy (CRLP) would have Louisiana believe that our newest Prestige Plate is really anti-choice. How ironic that the "champions of free speech" and "reproductive choice" are faced with opposing their own core beliefs. License plates case The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy (CRLP) would have Louisiana believe that our newest Prestige Plate is really anti-choice. How ironic that the "champions of free speech" and "reproductive choice" are faced with opposing their own core beliefs. Perhaps this opposition demonstrates that for these two liberal litigation tanks. They really have only one desirable outcome in an unexpected pregnancy, and it’s not the one expressed on the plate in question. The bogus argument of state administrative cost might be more appropriately applied to the unnecessary cost of litigating this perfectly legal, routinely-practiced Prestige Plate promotion. The argument that the state has no interest or benefit in soliciting and funding religious organizations to provide community services has been dealt with on a national level. The 1996 Welfare Reform law … [Read more...]

I had to reread and reread it (the article on page 8, Baptist Message, July 10), "Women’s Group voices frustration ..." I had to reread and reread it (the article on page 8, Baptist Message, July 10), "Women’s Group voices frustration ..."   A group of people whose seared consciences have caused them to lose all discernment and to reject God’s Word. Then, I reminded myself of some of God’s warnings found in His Word (II Tim. 4:1-4; II Peter 2:1-3, 17-21).   Jesus paid the penalty for their rebellion, and He will forgive them if they repent. Antha E. Powell Carencro … [Read more...]

Kerboom! The camouflage form ruptures out of the partially-opened box like one of those snake deals that explodes out of a trick canister.   From a cardboard box approximately 24 inches square across and two inches thick, the tent sort of thing bursts to its 5’6" height. It sits on its 5’6" base and becomes a hunting blind. Kerboom! The camouflage form ruptures out of the partially-opened box like one of those snake deals that explodes out of a trick canister.   From a cardboard box approximately 24 inches square across and two inches thick, the tent sort of thing bursts to its 5’6" height. It sits on its 5’6" base and becomes a hunting blind.   Okay, so it is a toy. A grownup’s toy but still a toy. And I love it. I’ve wanted one since my eyes first fell upon this kind of contraption in the hunter’s wish book. Finally, the sporting goods store got a shipment of them, and I gladly laid down my monthly allowance for one.   The trip home seems unbearably long. The box begs to be opened.   Immediately upon arrival home, the box is taken outside and partially opened before it explodes.   Joy fills my heart. Not only do I have my toy, it works. It has neat … [Read more...]

In places of desperate need, Baptists can be found - offering physical and spiritual hope   When Romanian pastor Florin Vasiliu notified the mayors of Dancu and Tirgu Frumos villages that he would like to hold Christian meetings in their villages’ public parks, the officials all declined. In places of desperate need, Baptists can be found - offering physical and spiritual hope   When Romanian pastor Florin Vasiliu notified the mayors of Dancu and Tirgu Frumos villages that he would like to hold Christian meetings in their villages’ public parks, the officials all declined.   Undaunted by the fact that stray dogs seem to have more legal freedom than evangelicals, the pastor continued witnessing efforts with the hope of finding new sites for the meetings.   Remarkably, local businessmen in both villages offered their facilities, even though they were the most unlikely of places for the meetings - bars. However, not only were the bars private property, which made the meetings legitimate, they were strategically located in their communities.   "The locations were better than the ones we were originally targeting," says Vasiliu, pastor at Biserica Crestina Baptista … [Read more...]

New construction is everywhere. People are out and about going to work, shopping and enjoying each other’s company at sidewalk coffee shops. Children are full of laughter and life. Today’s Sarajevo is very different from three years ago when Southern Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union leaders made their first visit to the southeastern European city. New construction is everywhere. People are out and about going to work, shopping and enjoying each other’s company at sidewalk coffee shops. Children are full of laughter and life. Today’s Sarajevo is very different from three years ago when Southern Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union leaders made their first visit to the southeastern European city. The cease-fire in the country was only a few months old at that time. Destruction was everywhere. "Bosnians were very solemn," recalls Mary Jo Troughton of Kansas, a member of the Woman’s Missionary Union survey team that visited Sarajevo in 1997. "Nothing had been repaired except for new red tile roofs. Ninety-five percent of the deaths then were a result of suicide. There was no hope, no forgiveness." Troughton returned to Sarajevo this summer as a member of one of the last two Woman’s Missionary Union teams who will be … [Read more...]

Post-war miseries continue in bombing-devastated Serbia, a Baptist-based humanitarian ministry leader reports in a recent e-mail newsletter.   "The economic and political situation continues to cause much distress and uncertainty," writes Jasmina Tosic of the Bread of Life ministry in Belgrade, capital of the remaining nation of Yugoslavia. The area was the target of last year’s NATO bombing campaign to counter ethnic cleansing. Post-war miseries continue in bombing-devastated Serbia, a Baptist-based humanitarian ministry leader reports in a recent e-mail newsletter.   "The economic and political situation continues to cause much distress and uncertainty," writes Jasmina Tosic of the Bread of Life ministry in Belgrade, capital of the remaining nation of Yugoslavia. The area was the target of last year’s NATO bombing campaign to counter ethnic cleansing.   Tosic notes that statistics show continuing inflation, even as wages decline; that a severe drought has jeopardized food supplies for the coming winter; that hospitals are working without the most basic supplies; and that schools and kindergartens do not have adequate food or supplies for children.   "From many parts of … [Read more...]

The new Baptist Faith and Message Statement "brings needed clarity - but maybe at the cost of honest diversity," a Christianity Today editorial suggests. "We applaud most of the changes as they will discourage the liberal drift experienced by other large denominations," notes the two-page editorial in the August 7 issue of the national magazine, which is recognized by most as the foremost publication of evangelical Christianity. The new Baptist Faith and Message Statement "brings needed clarity - but maybe at the cost of honest diversity," a Christianity Today editorial suggests. "We applaud most of the changes as they will discourage the liberal drift experienced by other large denominations," notes the two-page editorial in the August 7 issue of the national magazine, which is recognized by most as the foremost publication of evangelical Christianity. "At the same time, we wonder if the (Southern Baptist Convention) has gone too far, both in seeming to eliminate discussion of some beliefs and in alienating opponents." The Baptist Faith and Message initially was adopted by Southern Baptists in 1925 in response to a Fundamentalist-Modernist controversy, the Christianity Today editorial notes. It was revised in … [Read more...]

Re: Rick Henson’s letter to the editor of 8/17/00.   He asks, "Can you imagine the Southern Baptist Convention supporting such a group (Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America)?" The group criticized for sharing some intersecting points of concern with the BPFNA is the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Re: Rick Henson’s letter to the editor of 8/17/00.   He asks, "Can you imagine the Southern Baptist Convention supporting such a group (Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America)?" The group criticized for sharing some intersecting points of concern with the BPFNA is the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Henson challenges, "I call on the CBF and its past moderator to take a biblical stand against the Baptist Peace Fellowship and anyone who distorts Scripture concerning homosexuality." Daniel Vestal, CBF executive director, has spoken clearly to the concern Henson raises, 8/10 Baptist Message, Page Two.   If Henson’s letter is the way we promote understanding, cooperation and the extension of Christian objectives around the world, then allow me to follow his lead.   The largest single contributor to the Baptist World Alliance is none other than the Southern Baptist Convention. … [Read more...]

Re: L.B. Miller’s letter in the August 3rd issue   I am very concerned about recent changes made by the SBC. Who voted for and approved these changes? How much did it cost the SBC Sunday School Board to change the name to LifeWay? How much did it cost to change all the signs on the Baptist Book Stores? Is our Sunday School Board ashamed of being Baptist? How much did it cost and what was the purpose of changing the name of the Home Mission Board and Foreign Mission Board? Wouldn’t this money have been better spent on spreading the gospel? Re: L.B. Miller’s letter in the August 3rd issue   I am very concerned about recent changes made by the SBC. Who voted for and approved these changes? How much did it cost the SBC Sunday School Board to change the name to LifeWay? How much did it cost to change all the signs on the Baptist Book Stores? Is our Sunday School Board ashamed of being Baptist? How much did it cost and what was the purpose of changing the name of the Home Mission Board and Foreign Mission Board? Wouldn’t this money have been better spent on spreading the gospel?   Why is the series of SS book we have used for decades no longer available? How much did it cost to send all … [Read more...]

It is an issue sure to engender debate - should values be taught in schools? If so, what values? Whose values? Apparently, however, the only ones really debating those questions are the adults. The kids are clear on what they wish to learn.   Indeed, a recent Gallup Poll found strong agreement on young people on what values they wish to be taught in school - respect for others, fairness, racial acceptance, honesty, moral courage. It is an issue sure to engender debate - should values be taught in schools? If so, what values? Whose values? Apparently, however, the only ones really debating those questions are the adults. The kids are clear on what they wish to learn.   Indeed, a recent Gallup Poll found strong agreement on young people on what values they wish to be taught in school - respect for others, fairness, racial acceptance, honesty, moral courage.   Some may find the results surprising in a time when so much focus falls on the question of what is wrong with modern young people. They also offer a challenge.   In the Gallup poll, young people were offered a list of personal traits and values that might be taught in public schools and asked whether they thought the … [Read more...]