By any measure, last year was a banner year for advocates of religious liberty in public education. Why? By any measure, last year was a banner year for advocates of religious liberty in public education.   Why?   Because after more than 150 years of debate and conflict, a national consensus on the constitutional role of religion in schools is finally reaching local districts across the nation.   The year began with the U.S. Department of Education’s extraordinary mailing of religious liberty guidelines to every public school in America.   The year then closed with the news that all national and state standards now mandate teaching about religions in social studies classrooms.   With all of the hand-wringing about a "divided America" in the aftermath of the election, it is heartening to note that most religious and educational groups - from left to right - endorse these developments.   However, despite this emerging consensus, the task of translating guidelines and standards into lasting change in local schools remains formidable. There likely are to be three very big challenges in 2001.   These are:   •Creating local … [Read more...]

The greatest hindrances to exercising religious freedom in American schools are not necessarily rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court as much as a lack of understanding of court rulings by many school officials. The greatest hindrances to exercising religious freedom in American schools are not necessarily rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court as much as a lack of understanding of court rulings by many school officials. An article on the opposite page reports the good news that the U.S. Department of Education recently mailed religious liberty guidelines to every public school in America. The guidelines carefully explain the differences between what constitutes state-sponsored religious activities (prohibited by law) and voluntary expressions of religion by students and teachers (protected by the law).   The differences are often subtle and delicate, yet the exercise and enforcement of both are essential to the future character of our nation. The material distributed by the U.S. Department of Education can help guide school administrators to provide proper exercise and enforcement.   Many school boards and administrators believe the U.S. Supreme Court has outlawed prayer and Bible study or any other … [Read more...]

For four weeks last summer, a group of Louisiana College students took a crash course in biblical archaeology - helping to excavate a site that dates back to Old Testament days For four weeks last summer, a group of Louisiana College students took a crash course in biblical archaeology - helping to excavate a site that dates back to Old Testament days In the Old Testament days - there was a town known as Beth-Shemesh in the foothills of Judah, about 15 miles southwest of Jerusalem. It occupied a unique place in Israelite history. It was strategically located, a border town that felt the influence of the Canaanite, Philistine and Israelite cultures.   Indeed, it lay in the land of Samson, who fell for a Philistine girl not so far away in the town of Timnah.   It carried biblical significance as well. It was to Beth-Shemesh that the Philistines returned the Ark of the Covenant (as recorded in 1 Samuel 6).   It also was the site of a decisive battle between King Jehoash of Israel and King Amaziah of Judah during the time the Israelites lived in divided nations.   Families in the town lived in simple - but ingenious - homes made of mud brick, with a thatched roof that … [Read more...]

For the week of January 25, 2001 Potpourri •ALEXANDRIA - Calvary church: "Celebration of Women" conference; Feb. 23, 5 p.m. and Feb. 24, 8:30 a.m.; Mamie McCullough and Cheri Fuller, speakers; Sandi Patty, music; for information, call the church office at (318) 445-5640; David Brooks, pastor.   •CROWLEY - Parkerson Avenue church: "Jesus Thru the Arts" presents Dale Crum, dramatist, Feb. 4, 6 p.m.; pre-rally music, 5:45 p.m. by The Barkleys; Acadia Association Evangelism Rally; L. C. Lord, pastor.   •DENHAM SPRINGS - Amite church: Eastern La. Association Sunday School Revival; Feb. 4, 6 p.m.; Feb. 5-7, 7 p.m.; Leon Kilbreth, evangelist; Sons of the Father, music; Terry Booth, pastor.   •DRY CREEK - Dry Creek camp: couples retreat; Feb. 16-17; Ray and Carolyn Wells, leaders; cost is $50 per couple or $30/commuters; for information, call the camp at (337) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager.   •DRY CREEK - Dry Creek camp: turkey hunters’ seminar; Feb. 17, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.; cost is $10/person (includes lunch); to pre-register, call (337) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager.   •EUNICE - Emmanuel church: "Jesus Thru the Arts" presents Dale Crum, dramatist, Feb. 4, 10:15 … [Read more...]

Legendary Southern Baptist Pastor W.A. Criswell died in the early morning hours of Jan. 10, closing a life that influenced a generation of preachers to preach the literal Word of God.   Those who knew him mourned the passing of what one described as a "giant of the land." Legendary Southern Baptist Pastor W.A. Criswell died in the early morning hours of Jan. 10, closing a life that influenced a generation of preachers to preach the literal Word of God.   Those who knew him mourned the passing of what one described as a "giant of the land."   Criswell, 92, served as pastor at First Baptist Church of Dallas - one of the nation’s largest Southern Baptist congregations - from 1944 until 1991, when he was given the title of senior pastor. He had held the title of pastor emeritus since 1994. He also was founder of Criswell College.   Criswell’s passing was peaceful, said Paige Patterson, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.   Criswell passed away at the home of Jack Pogue, a longtime friend who Criswell led to Christ 30 years ago. Pogue was reading to Criswell from John 14 when Criswell took his last breath, Patterson said.   Criswell’s … [Read more...]