As outgoing Southern Baptist Convention President James Merritt took one of his last turns at the recent annual meeting podium, he made a crack about how he responds when asked what he planned to do when he concludes his presidency.   "I’m going to Disney World," he told Southern Baptists gathered for their annual convention in St. Louis.   "Just a joke." As outgoing Southern Baptist Convention President James Merritt took one of his last turns at the recent annual meeting podium, he made a crack about how he responds when asked what he planned to do when he concludes his presidency.   "I’m going to Disney World," he told Southern Baptists gathered for their annual convention in St. Louis.   "Just a joke."   But for the last five years, such a thought was not a joking matter for some Southern Baptists. In 1997, messengers of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination voted overwhelmingly to boycott the Walt Disney Co.   "I think there are hundreds of thousands of Southern Baptists who are continuing the boycott very conscientiously," said Richard Land, president of the SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.   "We define the boycott as you don’t … [Read more...]

For the week of July 11, 2002 Potpourri   • SHREVEPORT - Parkview church: Testify in concert; July 21, 6 p.m.; Mike Anderson, pastor.   • SWARTZ - First church: True Heart in concert; July 15, 7 p.m.; Collin Wimberly, pastor.   • ST. MARTINVILLE - Jenkins Memorial: The Bennetts in concert; July 14, 6 p.m.; K. L. Fournet, music director; Weldon Moak, pastor.   • LAFAYETTE - First church: Chalk art presentation by illustrator Richard Hight; July 14, 6:30 p.m.; Perry Sanders, pastor.   • BROUSSARD - First church: Legacy in concert; July 21, 5:30 p.m.; Jeffrey L. Cook, pastor.   • MONROE - First church: Ken Freeman, guest speaker; July 21, 10:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Randy McGee, pastor.   • WEST MONROE - First church: Associational Sunday School training conference; Aug. 1, 8:30 a.m - 3 p.m.; Bill Taylor, guest speaker; Jerry Price, associational director of missions; $10 by Aug. 1/includes lunch; $15 after Aug. 1/does not include lunch; for conference information, call (318) 322-6760; David Uth, First church pastor.   Youth   • OPELOUSAS - First church: Children’s choir presents "Amazon Outfitters Outpost," July 14, 6 p.m.; Elizabeth Curtis, … [Read more...]

Observers may have disagreed on the correctness of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on school vouchers, but they were unanimous on one thing - it was huge.   "This is the most significant Supreme Court decision in terms of its impact on public education since Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 (which struck down segregation), and I believe it will be a tremendously positive impact," said Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. Observers may have disagreed on the correctness of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on school vouchers, but they were unanimous on one thing - it was huge.   "This is the most significant Supreme Court decision in terms of its impact on public education since Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 (which struck down segregation), and I believe it will be a tremendously positive impact," said Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.   "This is probably the worst church-state decision in the last 50 years," countered Barry Lynn, who serves as director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. "The Supreme Court has taken a wrecking ball to the wall of … [Read more...]

In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court shook the American educational and social scene by declaring that the "separate but equal" philosophy that had led to the segregation of public schools was unconstitutional.   Five decades later, the nation’s high court again has issued a ruling on education that observers agree is groundshaking. In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court shook the American educational and social scene by declaring that the "separate but equal" philosophy that had led to the segregation of public schools was unconstitutional.   Five decades later, the nation’s high court again has issued a ruling on education that observers agree is groundshaking.   A divided court has ruled that an Ohio program that allows public vouchers to be used at religious schools is constitutional.   The 5-4 decision could change the face of American education, depending on how widely the approved program is adopted.   Indeed, President George Bush quickly endorsed the use of vouchers - even as others warned of an unholy entanglement of state and church. (See article below)   The case in question focused on a so-called "education-choice" program in Cleveland, whose public schools have … [Read more...]

They are but two words - but what power those two simple words have. Indeed, late last month, those two words galvanized politicians into record, nonpartisan action and generated a unified outcry from across the nation.   Two words - "under God." They are but two words - but what power those two simple words have. Indeed, late last month, those two words galvanized politicians into record, nonpartisan action and generated a unified outcry from across the nation.   Two words - "under God."   Way back in 1892, as the nation prepared to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the "discovery" of America by Christopher Columbus, a Boston magazine published a simple pledge to be used by children during the event.   "I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all," the pledge read.   The pledge caught on and quickly spread.   Several years later, in 1923 and 1924, a pair of changes were made so the pledge would specify, "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America."   It continued to be used, although unofficially. Official recognition of the pledge came from … [Read more...]

Perhaps you think the problem of world hunger is limited to just that - a problem found in the rest of the world.   Well, think again.   True, a dire United Nations report issued recently underscores the problem of hunger still looming large for many people around the world. Perhaps you think the problem of world hunger is limited to just that - a problem found in the rest of the world.   Well, think again.   True, a dire United Nations report issued recently underscores the problem of hunger still looming large for many people around the world.   However, as late as 1998, a U.S. Department of Agriculture study also noted that some 10 million U.S. households do not have enough food to meet their family’s basic needs.   In other words, hunger is every nation’s - and every person’s - problem.   "Most Americans hardly ever miss a meal unless it is their choice to do so, but many people in the U.S. and around the world are not so fortunate," said Steve Nelson, director of hunger concerns for the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.   "Even in this day of material abundance, hunger remains a serious life-threatening issue for … [Read more...]

For those who wonder what might be wrong with government funded faith-based programs, consider what happened to the Salvation Army of Portland, Maine.   The Portland Salvation Army, like apparently all Salvation Armies, had no problem with government money funding some of their programs. And, as is true with other local branches of the well-known denomination, the Portland organization had no problem running some federally-funded programs. For those who wonder what might be wrong with government funded faith-based programs, consider what happened to the Salvation Army of Portland, Maine.   The Portland Salvation Army, like apparently all Salvation Armies, had no problem with government money funding some of their programs. And, as is true with other local branches of the well-known denomination, the Portland organization had no problem running some federally-funded programs.   One of the Portland Army-run programs was meals on wheels. This is a significantly beneficial nutrition program for elderly citizens. Meals are prepared and primarily delivered to citizens in need of the nutritious hot meal. Some of the recipients would not have regular nutritious meals without the program. There is no … [Read more...]

For the week of July 11, 2002 Cooperative Program   Gifts through the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program totaled $14.7 million last month, a drop of $929,060 (5.9 percent) from the previous June. With three months remaining in the Southern Baptist Convention’s fiscal year, Cooperative Program gifts total $138.4 million, an increase of $5.2 million (3.9 percent) ahead of the same time last year. The total also stands about $4.7 million (3.5 percent) ahead of budget at this time. Meanwhile, designated gifts totaled $14.4 million last month, a drop of more than $7.1 million (33.1 percent) from the previous June. For the year, designated gifts total $157.6 million, an increase of $4.2 million (2.7 percent) from the same time last year.   September 11 foretold?   Almost a quarter of Americans surveyed say the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States were predicted by the Book of Revelation, a joint poll by Time magazine and CNN has found. Twenty-three percent of American adults surveyed said they believe the attacks were predicted in the last book of the Bible. Almost three times that percentage - 64 percent - disagreed. Meanwhile, 17 percent of Americans said they believed the end of … [Read more...]

Twenty-one students and faculty from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette College of Nursing and Baptist Collegiate Ministry joined together for a 12-day medical missions trip to Mexico, treating not only the body but the soul.   "I have seen what happens when you give all you have to give and how God can bless that gift to change a life, ..." says Dan Bannister, a junior general studies major at the University of Louisiana and staff member at First Baptist Church of Scott. "It is when we stretch to meet a need beyond our ability that we see the hand of God at work." Twenty-one students and faculty from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette College of Nursing and Baptist Collegiate Ministry joined together for a 12-day medical missions trip to Mexico, treating not only the body but the soul.   "I have seen what happens when you give all you have to give and how God can bless that gift to change a life, ..." says Dan Bannister, a junior general studies major at the University of Louisiana and staff member at First Baptist Church of Scott. "It is when we stretch to meet a need beyond our ability that we see the hand of God at work."   The nursing students worked closely with the Mexican … [Read more...]

The state championship lies on the line. Two teams walk toward the dugouts, put their bats in the racks, place their helmets carefully on the metal shelves, look around to familiarize themselves with the battleground. After carefully timed warmups, one team takes the field and the other goes to the dugout, anxiously awaiting their times at bat. The state championship lies on the line. Two teams walk toward the dugouts, put their bats in the racks, place their helmets carefully on the metal shelves, look around to familiarize themselves with the battleground. After carefully timed warmups, one team takes the field and the other goes to the dugout, anxiously awaiting their times at bat.   The stands are filled with shouting, cheering families and friends who understand the significance of the game: state championship. Many of them have teeshirts on with large numbers that match numbers on the field. Scrawled across the teeshirts are, "Adam’s Dad," "Jerome’s Mother," Alex’s Grandad," "Billy’s Third Cousin." Many of them call out, "Come on... (fill in the blank)." I’ve never understood how "Come on" can be an encouragement to a player, but that is what fans and family say.   Meanwhile, on the field, the third … [Read more...]