Make no mistake, the nature of the Southern Baptist Convention has undergone a transformation, and that transformation was completed in Orlando last week. Make no mistake, the nature of the Southern Baptist Convention has undergone a transformation, and that transformation was completed in Orlando last week. The purpose of the formation of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1845, as stated in its constitution, was "to provide a general organization for Baptists in the United States and its territories for the promotion of Christian missions at home and abroad and any other objects such as Christian education, benevolent enterprises, and social services which it may deem proper and advisable for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God." In addition, membership was based upon a congregations desire to cooperate with the convention in these enterprises. Cooperation in missions, benevolences and social services was the requirement for membership. The criteria for voting, and the number of messengers a church could have, during the national convention was the amount of money given to the national conventions causes, and a churchs membership size. Interestingly, the amount of money required for an … [Read more...]
Rude, crude – and profane
Studies show media awash in sex, violence, profanity
Question: What do you get if you take a healthy dose of profanity, mix in some mindless violence and add in a large amount of unrealistic sex? Answer: Modern entertainment. Question: What do you get if you take a healthy dose of profanity, mix in some mindless violence and add in a large amount of unrealistic sex? Answer: Modern entertainment. Indeed, as a series of recent studies show, popular entertainment these days is full of gratuitous violence, rude and crude language and sex without consequences. And just in case one may think the mix is limited to a particular form of entertainment, it most definitely is not, the studies point out. One can find it in films, broadcast television, cable television and music videos - all rather disturbing amounts. The bar definitely has been lowered when it comes to what is presented for American enjoyment these days – and the impact on society is frightening to consider. As one may guess, modern media is awash with sexual imagery, a recent study by the Center of Media and Public Affairs notes. The study of sexual content was the last of three looks at the state of modern media by the Washington-based agency. "It is hardly news that sex is a … [Read more...]
“Sin taxes” sound like a really good idea – but wait …
"Sin taxes" sound like a good idea as the Governor and legislature look for new revenues to solve the problem of too little money in the state coffer. Sin taxes are taxes on "sins" such as smoking, drinking, alcoholic beverages and gambling. Sounds like a great idea. Sin taxes would make people who indulge in these "sins" pay more of the state’s tax burden. Some would even say that sin taxes would decrease the use of such activities and products. If a package of cigarettes costs 50 cents a package more, people would not smoke as much. If drinkers had to pay several cents more for a can of beer and a dollar or more on a quart of wine and hard liquor, they would not drink as much. Increased taxes on gambling would take from the takers as the casino owners would pay a higher percentage of their revenue. Sin taxes also seem to make sense because these activities eventually cost al taxpayers more. Smokers run up health care costs. Drinkers cause more automobile accidents, accident-related deaths, increases health care costs and financial fallout from wrecked families. The costs of gambling to society are documented as increasing every year legalized gambling is present in a community and state. Making the … [Read more...]
’30-Hour Famine’ helps 21 youth to understand
In Asia, Africa and Latin America more than 500 million people live in “absolute poverty.” STATEWIDE – In Asia, Africa and Latin America more than 500 million people live in “absolute poverty.” One in 12 people – 1.3 billion – worldwide are malnourished, including 160 million children under the age of 5. More than 850 million people around the world barely have enough to eat to sustain life, and annually, more than 10 million children under the age of five die from diseases and malnutrition as a result of hunger. It is almost incomprehensible, especially to many who live in the United States; such conditions could exist in the world today. But world hunger does exist, and it is 100 percent preventable. On the weekend of April 19, 21 members of the youth group of Hebron Baptist Church in Bush learned firsthand what it would be like to go without food by participating in a “30 Hour Famine.” The participants – four boys and 17 girls – ranged from 12 to 17 years of age. “I originally heard about this event through the seminary (New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary), and again when I was a youth intern in Athens, Ga. Using the guidelines of the World Vision Organization the kids got a taste of what many … [Read more...]
Tuesday speakers preach on passion
When Jonathan Forester MD of Pineville took time away from his busy medical practice to attend the 2008 Evangelism Conference, he heard the precariousness of Tuesday afternoon speaker Sammy Gilbreath’s life. PINEVILLE – When Jonathan Forester MD of Pineville took time away from his busy medical practice to attend the 2008 Evangelism Conference, he heard the precariousness of Tuesday afternoon speaker Sammy Gilbreath’s life. “It’s a very serious condition,” Forester said after the session about Gilbreath’s heart ailment. “He could have died any moment, even when he was speaking up there.” Because he is living proof, Gilbreath had his audience’s attention, but it took awhile before they caught his passion. Living with passion begins by learning the value of the promise of life, Gilbreath said. He spoke of the joy of a child with a new puppy or kitten, of the father of a newborn child, and in the same sentence, continued with “I don’t see many people getting excited about new life in the Kingdom of God. “There is no greater joy than taking the word of God and sharing it with someone, and seeing them come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord,” Gilbreath said, and the after-lunch audience responded with … [Read more...]
Is your candidate mean enough to be president?
Back in August, Newsweek magazine assessed the presidential prospects of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and concluded his primary problem is that he seems “too nice” to turn aside a whole field of hard-knuckle Republicans and then Hillary Clinton on the way to the White House. Back in August, Newsweek magazine assessed the presidential prospects of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and concluded his primary problem is that he seems “too nice” to turn aside a whole field of hard-knuckle Republicans and then Hillary Clinton on the way to the White House. Whether one supports Huckabee or someone else, Newsweek’s question was a good one, and one as old as Christianity. Take Huckabee off the table, along with the question of whether his perceived “niceness” is the fruit of the Spirit or small-town southern manners or his own niche political strategy. I know what Newsweek means: personal character isn’t enough to swim through the piranha waters of American politics. “Niceness” is just shorthand for Newsweek that Huckabee doesn’t seem to have the consuming ambition needed to go all the way to Pennsylvania Avenue. That’s why, in the article, some wise voices turned the question away from niceness to fundraising … [Read more...]
King’s legacy shared at conference
In a first-ever event, the Louisiana Baptist Convention hosted a Martin Luther King Jr. luncheon to begin the state’s annual evangelism conference. PINEVILLE – In a first-ever event, the Louisiana Baptist Convention hosted a Martin Luther King Jr. luncheon to begin the state’s annual evangelism conference. About 100 people – blacks and whites in roughly equal numbers – participated. At the same time, in Jena, La., less than 40 miles away, the news media reported that two dozen white supremacists, perhaps a dozen purported Black Panthers and respective supporters of both groups marched in the small town that was in the national spotlight last summer as the site of a media-driven civil rights march, that march drew perhaps 20,000 people. Despite vitriolic speech and even loaded shotguns – as reported by the secular media – only one person was arrested in Jena and, in Pineville, no mention was made at the MLK luncheon of the Jena events. E. Edwards Jones Sr., pastor of Galilee Baptist Church in Shreveport for 49 years, was the luncheon’s guest speaker. Jones was a civil rights activist who in 1966 led a seven-year battle to desegregate the school district in his parish. “Let me describe the climate of that time,” … [Read more...]
Pair of proposals offered to bridge stem cell research debate
A biology professor and two physicians recently proposed new approaches they say could resolve the thorny ethical problems swirling around embryonic stem cell research. A biology professor and two physicians recently proposed new approaches they say could resolve the thorny ethical problems swirling around embryonic stem cell research. The proposals were presented to the Presidents Council on Bioethics, a high-profile group that does not set policy but does influence the White House and Congress. Council leaders said the proposals deserve consideration. However, some conservative religious groups remain skeptical. The issue of stem cell research is a hot one. Conservative religious and pro-life leaders have opposed embryonic stem cell research because it involves the destruction of days-old embryos. They have thrown their support to adult stem cell work. Others have complained that too much is at stake not to pursue embryonic stem cell research or even to allow cloning of embryos for research. Stem cells are seen as keys to cures for a range of illness, including Alzheimers and heart disease. The issue has become a political football as well as … [Read more...]
More American businesses moving to embrace basic Christian values
In the wake of several high-profile corporate scandals - such as the Enron debacle - a new era is emerging in American business, various business leaders and consultants suggest. In the wake of several high-profile corporate scandals - such as the Enron debacle - a new era is emerging in American business, various business leaders and consultants suggest. The Enron scandal represents a pendulum swing toward an era of business reform, said consultant Ken Jennings, who has worked with more than 25 Fortune 500 companies in the last six years. Now, values that Christians hold dear are being road-tested in some offices around the country. However, deep-rooted reform will not occur overnight, said Jennings, a Christian who helps companies build businesses that are above reproach. "Quick-fix solutions to ethical problems wont work for businesses that have an anything-for-the-bottom-line approach, ..." he said. "In a business culture that is rotten at the core, there are things going wrong that you dont yet see." So, how does one reform a business culture that rewards the kind of deception seen in the Enron scandal? "You cant just take the anti-Enron pill," … [Read more...]
